The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-05-31
6cOp5rishs, is0s, ~ stanley ! wsyman.l
CHAPTER x.-ooNrrNuEp.

Neither: and gripped my fellows
arm, as he came abreast of me ano
stopped him sharply. Below us, in the
center OF a steep hollow. a pit in the
hillside, a light shone out through
some aperture and quivered on the
mist, like the pale lamp of a moorland
hobgoblin. II made itself visible. dis
playing nothing else; a wisp Of light
In the bottom OF black bowl.
Yet my spirits rose with a great
bound at sight OF It. for knew that !
had stumbled on the place | sought.
In the common run OF things I should
have weighed my next step carefully
and gone about IL slowly. But here
was no place for thought. nor room
for delay and slid down the side OF
the hollow and the moment my feet
touched the bottom, sprang to tho
door Of the little hut whence the light
issued. A stone turned under my foot
in my rush and fell on my knees on
the threshold: but the fall only
brought my face to a level with the
clarified eyes OF the man who lay inside
an q bed of fern. He had been reading
At the sound l made he dropped his
book and stretched out his hand for a
weapon. But the muzzle OF my pistol
covered him before he could reach hts:
se was not In a posture from which he
could spring and at a sharp word from
me he dropped his hand. The ugerish
glare which had flickered for an in
slant in his eyes. gave place to Ian
guild smile; and he shrugged his
shoulders. Eth, blen9" he said. with
marvellous composure. Taken at last.
Well. was tired OF It,"
~You are my prisoner. NJ de Coche'
foret," I answered.
1T seems So" he said.
Move a hand and kill you" l an
swered. But you have still choice"
"Truly?" be said. raising his eve
brows.
Yes My orders are to take you 10
Paris alive or dead. Give me your
parole that you will make no attempt
to escape and you shall go thifher at
your ease and as a gentleman. Refuse,
and | shall disarm and bind you ana
you will go as prisoner"
What force have your" he asked
CURLY. He had not moved. He still
lay on his elbow. his cloak covering
him, the little Marot in which be had
been reading close to his hand. But
his quick. black eyes. which looked the
keener for the pallor and thinness Of
his face, roved ceaselessly over me,
probed the darkness behind me, took
note Of everything.
Enough to compel you. Monsieur"
replied sternly. But that is not all
There are 30 dragons coming up the
hill 10 secure you and they will make
you no such offer Surrender to me
before they come and give me your
parole and 4 will do all for your COM
fort Delay, and you will fall into their
hands. There can be no escape"
you will take my word" he said
slowly.
Give It and you may keep your pts
tolls, M. de Cocheforet," replied.
Tell me at least that you are not
alone"
uAn aOt aaOnC-
'sThen | give it, he said. with q
sigh and for Heavens sake get me
something to cat and bed. I am
tired Of this pig-sy-and this life
Arnidieul 1t is a fortnisht since !
slept between sheets"
"You shall sleep tonight in your
own house II you please" | answered
hurr.edly. "But here they come Be
good enough TO stay where you are a
moment and | will meet them"
stepped out into the darkness in
che nick OF time. The lieutenant, after
posting his men round the hollow. had
Just slid down with a couple of GER
reants 10 make the arrest The place
round the open door was pitch dark.
lie had not espied my knave, WHO had
lodged himself ia the deepest shadow
Of the hut; and when he saw me come
out across the light ne took me for
Cocheforet In a twlnkling he thrust
n pistol into my face and cried trium-
phaEtly. you are bly7prisoner." At
the same instant one Of the sergeants
raised q Ianthorn and threw its light
into my eyes.
What folly is this?" said savagely.
The Iieutenants jaw fell and he stood
for half a minute. paralyzed with as
constituent. Less than an hour before
he had left me at the chateau. Thence
ne had come hither with the briefest
delay; and yet he found me here be-
fore him. lie swore fearfully, his
face dark. his mUstache stiff with rage.
What is this? What Is it?" he cried at
last Where is the manf"
What MANI" I said.
This Cocheforet." he roared. car,
ried away by his passion. Don't lie
10 me. He IL here and Will have
himi"
You viii not. You are too latel'
said. watching him heedfully. IN. IL
cocheforet is here. but he has already
surrendered co me and he rs my
prisoner"
Your prisoner"
Eyes, my prisoner" answered.
facing the man with all the harshness
could muster. II have arrested him