Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-12-22

But His Majesty would not admit him. And when he went away the last time. I am told that his face was like death! We'll. he was great man and we may be worse ruled, M. de Berault, saving your presence. If the nobles did not like him, he was good to the traders and the bourgeoisie and equal to all"
 "Silence, man! Silence and let me think" I said, much excited. And while he hustled to and fro, getting my supper, and the freight played about the snug, sorry little room and the child toyed with his plaything, I fell to digesting this great news and pom dering how I stood now and what l ought to do. At first sight I know it seemed that I had nothing to do but sit still. In few hours the man who held my bond would be powerless and I should be free In few hours l might smile at him. To all appear ance, the dice had fallen well for me. had done a great thing, run a great
 
 all was not to pay the penalty!
 But a word which fell from Prison as he f1uttered round me, pouring out the broth and cutting the bread, drop ped into my mind and spoiled my sat isfaction. "Yes, your excellency," he exclaimed, confirming something he had said before, and which I had missed, land I am told that the last time he came into the gallery there was not man of all the scores who attended his levee last Monday would speak to him. They fell off like rats just like rats-until he was left stand ing all alone. And have seen him!' Prison lifted up his eyes and his hands and drew in his breath "Ah, I have seen the king look shabby beside him! And his eye! would not like to meet it now"
 "Pish!" growled. Some one has fooled you. Men are wiser than that" :"
 "so? We'll, your excellency under stands. But-there are no cats on a cold hearth
 told him again that he was fool. But withal felt uncomfortable. This was great man if ever a great man lived and they were all leaving him; and I--well. had no cause to love him. But had taken his money, I had accepted his commission and had betrayed him. Those three things be- ing so, if he fell before I could-with the best will in the world-set myself right with him, so much the better for me. That was my gain. the fortune of war. But if lay hid and took time for my ally, and being here while he stood still-though tottering-waited until he fell, what of my honor then? ? What of the grand words I had said to mademoiselle at Agen? I should be like the recreant in the old romance, who. lying in the ditch while the battle ragged, came out afterwards and boast ed of his courage.
 And yet the flesh was weak. A day, "A hours, two days, might make the difference between life and death. At last settled what I would do. At noon the next day, the time at which should have presented myself, if I had not heard this news at that time I would still present myself. Not earlier; owed myself the chance. Not later; that was due to him.
 Having so settled it, thought to rest in peace. But with the first light I was awake; and it was all I could do to keep myself quiet until I heard Prison stirring. called to him then to know if there was any news, and lay waiting and listening while he went down to the street to learn. It seemed an endless time be- fore he came back; an age, after he came back. before he spoke.
 Well, he has not set off?" cried at last, unable to control my eagerness.
 Of course he had not. At nine o. clock sent Prison out again; and at ten, and at eleven-always wit, the same result. I was like man wait ing. and looking, and, above all, listen- ing for reprieve, and as sick as any craven. But when he came back at eleven gave up hope and dressed myself carefully. I suppose still had an odd look, however; for Prison stop ped me at the door and asked me with evident alarm, whither I was go- ing.
 put the little man aside gently. "To the tables" I said. "To make a big throw. my friend"
 It was a fine morning. sunny, keen. pleasant Even the streets smelled fresh. But I scarcely noticed it. All my thoughts were where was going It seemed but step from my thres- hold to the Hotel Richelieu. was no sooner gone from the one than I found myself at the other. As on the memorable evening, when I had crossed the street in a drizzling rain and looked that way with foreboding. there were two or three guards in the cardinals livery. lettering before the gates. But this was not all Coming nearer. found the opposite pavement under the Louvre thronged with peo- pie; not moving about their business. but standing all silent. all looking across furtively. all with the air of persons who wished to be thought passing by. Their silence and their keen looks had in some way an air of menace Looking back after I had turned in towards the gates found them devouring me with their eyes.
 Certainly they had little else to look