Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-05-11

"WhO mas IOuReO tnlS ln1OrmatlOn
against me-"
"Tribouiet. That Is. ne procured the
dukes signature to the writ"
"And you think the duke q party to
this farce, my lord;" said the fool,
with assumed composure. ut HAS not
occurred to you that before the dny Is
over all the village will be laughing at
the spectacle Of their commandant-
pardon me-being led by the nose by
)ester"
The oficer's sunburned face becnme
|vet redder. He frowned. then glanced
at Triboulet, whose repu-
nation was France wide.
This man was the dukes FOOL.
Dcreamed the dwarf, "and was impr's'
pned nv order Of the king. HIS COM
baniou who is here with him was Tor
mer,y testress to the princess. She is
sorceress and bewitched the mon
srch. Then her fancy seized upon the
Seretic. and by her dark art she open
/ I'd the door Of the cell for him. To
Eether they fied-she from the court,
he from prison"
The commandment looked curiously
1 from the hunchback to the accused. If
/ this were acting, the>iwarf was indeed
| . master Of the art.
Besides, his haste to leave the vii
Ilage," eagerly went on Triboulet.
"Why WAS he dressed at this hour?
Ask the landlord If he did not seem un-
duly hurried
At this appeal the innkeepcr, who
had been mn interested spectator, now
became a not unwilling witness.
1T is true he seemed hurried" he
answered. when he first came down
he ordered breakfast happened to
mention the duke was ut the chateau,
whereupon he lost his appetite with
suspicious suddenness, called for his
horses and was for riding off with all
haste"
From the commentaries expression
this testimony apparently removed any
doubts he may have entertained.
Above the heads Of the troopers mass
cd in the doorway the dukes PLEASANT
saw Jacqueline standing OH the stairs,
with wide open dark eyes fastened up
on him. Involuntarily he lifted his
hand to his heart Across the brief
space glance melted into glance.
Prosecuted Calvin maid-had not her
fate been untoward enough without
this new disaster? Had not the king
wrought sufficient III to her and hers
in the past: Would she be sent back
to the court, the monarch? For him.
self, he had no thought but for her
who was nobler even than her birth.
right. He had been thrice fool who
had not needed portentous warnings
the sight of Triboulet. the clamor OF
the troopers--and had failed to fec
during the night. As he realized the
penalty of his negligence would fall &C
heavily upon her. cry Of rage burst
from the FOOLS lips and he sprang to
ward his aggressors. The young CIR
became vet whittier. A moment sht
chung to the baluster. then started t.
descend the stairs. a dozen swords
flashed before her eyes.
She drew In her breath sharply
when. as il by some magic. the ange
faded from the face of the dukes fool
the hand he had raised to his breas
fell to his side his blade remained
sheathed.
"Your pardon, my lord" he said t.
the commandant. II have no intention
Of resisting the authority of the law
but II you will grant me few mo
ments' private audience in this room
promise to convince you the Duke O
Friedwald never signed that writ"
LET him convince the council tina
Examines heretics." laughed Triboulet
II will give you my sword. sir" wen
on the Jester. "Afterward, IL you ar
satisfied, you shall return it to me. l
you are not, on my word as man Q
honor l will 60 with you without NOR
ado"
"a Calvinist. a Jester, a man of no
orr" cried the dwarf.
But narrowly the vicomte regard.
the speaker. "Pardieu." he exclaims
grufi1y. Keep your sword! promi
you can look to my own safety" Al
in spite Of Triboulet's remonstrance
waved back the troopers and closed Il
door upon the PLEASANT and himself.
Outside the dwarf stormed al
stamped. 1.-THE jester 10 desperate.
u the noble count who is a nonn
Open, fool soldiers"
This command not being obeyed
the men who guarded the entranG
the dwarf began to abuse them.
considerable interval elapsed. RI
hunchback, who dared not 60 into Il
room himself. compromised by knee
Ing before the keyhole. At the foot
the stairs stood the girl. her strain
gaze fastened upon the door.
"They must be near the window
muttered Triboulet in disappoin
tone, rising. what can they be abou
Surely will he try to kill the comma
dant."
But even as he spoke the door W
suddenly thrown open and the vicom
appeared upon the threshold.
Clear the hail." he command
sharply to the surprised soldiers. g
/ mistake not" he went ON, addressi
the dukes Jester, your horses are
the door"
"You are going to let them go!" bul
forth TribOulet.
II trust you and this fair lady"-tul
ing to the wondering girl, who nc
stood expectantly at the side Of t
foreign fool-"will not harbor this