Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1905-11-30
49,
pa ROSE ora
By
WILLIAM r. q. WILSON
- 81
CHAPTER VI.-CoNTrNuEp.

the sweep of the drenching blast that
he encountered while crossing the
Pont Notre Dame. Turning and walk
ing along the river bank for a short
distance, he finally entered a small and
obscure cross-street. He proceeded
along this, until he was directly in
front of a ~dilapidated building STU
ated in the real of the Hotel &c Vile.
Here he stopped and gave a peculiar
whistle, which could not have been
heard for more than 90 PAGES, because
of the uproar of the storm. A dark
figure, securely muffied like his own,
appeared at his side, as suddenly and
mysteriously as though he had come
up through the earth. A sign was
given and returned, and the heads of
the two men approached each other,
while their lips moved in some myste-
rious interchange of words.
All seemed well, for the first on
spirator turned, and, opening a narrow
door with a small key, disappeared,
followed by the other. They felt their
way along a pitch dark passage. Again
a key was used, and a word of caution
heard from the leader as they descend>
ed a flight of stairs into a subterra-
mean way. This was soon traversed,
and a door was reached, through whose
cracks and keyhole a light appeared.
This opened into a room built entirely
underground and lighted by a large
lamp. A table occupied the center Of
the floor, and several chairs were scat
tered about. A large brazier of lighted
charcoal warmed the air and dissipated
the moisture of the place. An open
ing In the roof leading to the out
side world somewhere gave sufficient
ventilation.
The door being closed, the leader
threw off his cloak and muf1er and adj
vanced to the brazier, spreading his
hands above the glowing Goals with a
slight SILVER. At length he turned
and showed by the 1anplight the form
and features of Jean Baptiste Colbert,
minister of finance, the most powerful
as we'll as the most energetic of the
kings servants: of middle stature,
rather lean than fat; black hair, so
thin that he always wore a cap; of low
and detected mien, gloomy air, and
stern aspect; eyes usually half closed,
giving him the appearance of great
craftiness; his outward behavior
modest and accompanied by much
seeming plainness and simplicity; So
Der, sleeping little, always alert; hard
and inf1exible of temper, beholding
without concern the misery of an inf
mite number whom he had ruined to
enrich his masters treasury, and hence
advance his own interests. Nicknamed
"The Man of Marble" he sacrificed
honor, integrity, gratitude, and every
thing else for the benefit of his am
bition.
His companion also removed the COW
ering about his face and neck. His
dress was that of a man of the lower
classes, his face pale, sharply cut and
ascetic. His manner toward his COM
panion was that of an inferior in the
presence of his superior in authority.
Colbert spoke first.
"a terrible night" he said with an
other SILVER that convulsed his entire
frame, and caused him to seek again
the grateful glow of the Goals.
'Truly, a fearful storm" replied the
other. "But it is necessary for MEM
bers of our order to be about the or
der's business ad maiorem Del gloriam
in spite of the raging of the elements"
Colbert sat down in one of the chairs
near the table, motioned to his COM
panion to approach and dry himself,
and after Selling a quill and drawing
near his elbow the ink-horn and parch-
ment that lay there ready for use, he
commanded the other to relate his
story.
81 left Quebec" began the messen-
ger, for he was lone other, I'm No
vember and reached La Rochelle in
January last. The day after landing
I was seized with a terrible fever, con-
tracted on board ship. When | recov-
cred I found that two months hao
elapsed. I bore with me a message
from the bishop of Quebec, who, al
though not a member of order, Is
very friendly to it. I was instructed
to deliver it to you in person and te
avoid all help from the members Of
our order in France, so that none
would know that the Jesuits in Que
bee we're communicating with you.
started from La Rochelle penniless ant
alone. Deprived of the support of my
order. | was obliged to beg my way
The fever left me with a running sore
upon my leg. BY exhibiting this tt
the passers-by, | was enabled to ge
the money to live on. A relapse con
fined me to bed for another month
when I had arrived within ten leagues
of Paris. / sent you word requesting
an interview; you appointed the tint
and place, and here am"
During this recital, Colbert hat
watched the features Of the speake,
with a keen gaze, and now and ther
made a note Of place and circumstance
upon the parchment for future cor
roboration. When he had finished, h
said coldly:
"You have done we'll. Where is thu
message?"
The man in reply bent down and be
gan unwinding a heavy bandage iron
about his reg. The end reached,
huge open sore was disclosed belo7
the knee. Inserting his little finge
within the sore and pressing from tn
outside with his other hand, a SINAI
piece Of lead the shape and size of
bullet was squeezed out from tn
wound.
"a safe hiding-place," he remarked
as he carefully wiped it; "besides, ]
served to keep the wound open an