The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-06-14

CHAPTER XI.-coNrrNurp.


This quite changed the scene. Ths
man in the mask staggered TO his feet
and felt stupidity for a pistol. But
he could not dnd one and was,
cav, In no state TO use u IL he had.
lie reeled holplcssly'to the bank and
leaned against H. lie would give no
further trouble The man | had
wounded was in scarcely better condi-
tion. He retrested before me for some
PAGES, but then losing courage, he
dropped his sword and, wheeling round
cantered of down the road. clinging to
his pommel There remained only the
fellow engaged with my man and |
turned to see how they we're getting
on. They were standing to take
breath. 50 | ran towards them; but,
seeing me coming this rascal, too,
whipped round his horse and disap-
peared in the wood and left US mas.
tiers Of the field. The first thing did
and remember it to this day with
pleasure-was TO plunge my hand into
NV pocket. take out half the money
had in the world and press II on the
man who had fought for me so stoutly
Snd who had certainly saved me from
disaster. In my joy | could have
kissed him, IL was not only that
had escaped defeat by the skin OF my
teeth-and his good sWord-but knew
and thrilled With the knowledge. that
the fight had altered the whole posi-
ton. He was wounded in two places
and | had a scratch or two and had
lost my horse; and my other poor fel-
low was dead as herring. But speak
Ing for myself. I would have spent
half the blood in my body 10 purchase
the feeling with which I turned back
20 speak 10 NJ. de Cocbeforet and his
sister had fought before them.
NIademoisclle had dismounted and
with her face averted and her mask
pushed on one side, was openly
weeping. Her brother. who had scru-
pulously kept his place by the ford
from the beginning OF the fight to
the end. met me with raised eyebrows
and a peculiar smile. Acknowledge
my yirsue" he said airiiy Il am here,
NJ de Rerault-which is more than
can be said OF the two gentlemen
who have just ridden of"
Yes" I answered. with a touch OF
bitterness. Il wish they had not shot
my poor man before they went"
He shrugged his shoulders They
we're my friends" he said You must
not expect me to blame them. But
that is not all"
No" ] said. wiping my sword.
''There is this gentleman in the mask. "
And turned TO go towards him.
M. De Beraulti" There was some
thing abrupt in The way in which
Cocheforet called my name after me.
stood. Pardon" I said, turning
That gentleman" ne answered.
hesitating. and looking at me doubt
fully. Have you considered-what
will happen to him, If you give him
up to the authorities
WHO is he?" I said sharply.
THAT is rather delicate question"
ne answered, frowning, and still look
ing at me fxedly
Not from me-" I replied brutality.
"slnce he is In my power. II he will
take of his mask I shall know better
what I intend 20 do with him"
The stranger had lost his hat In mis-
fan and his fair hair. stained with
dust, hung in curls Oh his shoulders.
lie was a tall man. OF slender, hand
some presence, and though his dress
was plain and almost rough. espied
a splendid jewel on his hand and fan
cied detected other signs Of high
quality. lie olill lay against the bank
In half-swOOnins condition and
seemed unconscious OF my scrutiny.
SHOULD know him II he unmasked?"
said suddenly. a new idea in my head
"You would" NJ de Cocheforet an-
swcred simply
"And?"
az would he bad for every one"
"Ho. hol" said softly. looking
hard. first at my old prisoner. and then
al my new one. Then. what do you
wish mo to do?'
Leave him here" NJ. de Cocheforet
answered glibly. his face flushed. the
pulse ia his chcel, beating. ! had
known him for man of perfect honor
before. and trusted him. But this
evident earnest anxiety on behalf OF
MS lfAtHO AONAhtt A1teiutHf
knew that was trcading on slippery
ground: that IL behove me TO be care
full Il viii do il" ! said. after mo-
ment's reflection. lie VIII play me
no tricks. | suppose? A letter fl
Mon Dieu no, lie viii under
stand" cocheforet answered eagerly.
you will not repent It, swear.
Let Us be going
'Weli-but my horse p ! said. ONE
what taken aback by fhis extreme
haste.
we shall vvertake g." he replied
urgently. 1T will have sept 20 tie
road l.ectourc Is no more than a
league from here. and we can give or
ders there to have these two fetched
IN and buried"
had nothing TO gain by demurring
and so IT was arranged After that We
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