The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-04-05

land moisture met me and vent 70 my
bones: but it was not that which made
me shiver. Outside the door, In the
road, sitting on horseback In silence.
we're two men. One was Clon. The
other, who held a spare horse by the
rein-niy borse--was a man had seen
at the inn. rough. shock-headed,
hard-bitten fellow Both we're armed
and Clon was booted His mate rode
barefoot. with a rusty spur strapped
TO one heel.
The moment | saw them sure and
certain fear crept into my mind; IL
was that made me SILVER. But | did
not speak to them went in again
and closed the door behind me. The
landlord was putting on the boots.
What does this mean?" said hoarse-
ly. I had a clear prescience OF what
was coming. why are these men
here?"
Orders" he answered laconically.
Whose orders?' I retorted.
"Whose?" he answered biuntly.
Well, Monsieur. that is my business.
Enough that we mean to see you out
of the country. and out of harms way"
But II will not go?" | cried.
Monsieur will go" he answered
coolly. There are no strangers in
the village to-day" be added. with a
significant smile.
DO you mean to kidnap met re-
piled, In a rage. Behind the rage was
something-I will not cali il terror,
for the brave feel no terror--but II
was akin to IT, had had to do with
rough men all my life. but there was
grimness and truculence in the as
peot OF these three that shook me.
When thought of the dark paths and
narrow lanes and oiiif-sides We must
traverse. whichever road We took, I
trembled.
"Kldnap you. Monsieur he an
swered. with an everyday air. That
Is as you please TO call IT, One thing
is certain. however" he continued.
maliciously touching an arquebuss
which he had produced and set up
right against a chair while I was at
the door: III you attempt the slight
est resistance, we shall know how to
put an end to Il. either here or on the
road
drew a deep breath. The very i'm
minence OF the danger restored me 60
the use OF my faculties. changed my
tone and laughed aloud. 80 that is
your plan. IL IT." said The sooner
we start the better. then And the
sooner see Auch and your back
turned. the more shall be pleased"
tic rose After you. Monsieur" be
said.
could not restrain a slight SILVER.
His newborn politenesS alarmed me
more than his threats. knew the man
and his ways. and was sure that It
boded IN for me
But ! had no pistols. and only my
sword and knife. and knew that re.
sistance at this point must be worse
than vain. went out iauntlly. there
fore. the landlord coming after me with
my saddle and bags
The street was empty. save for tho
two waiting hoFsemen who sat .n
their saddles looking doggedly before
them. The sun had not yet risen. the
air was raw. The SKY was gray. cloudy
and cold. My thoughts few back to The
morning on which had found the
sachet-at that very spot. almost at
that very hour: and for a moment
grew warm again at the thought OF
the little packet carried Ia my boot
But the landlords dry manner. the sui.
len silence OF bis two companions.
whose eyes steadily refused to meet
mine. chilled me again. For an instant
the impulse TO refuse 20 mount. 10 re-
fuse to go. was almost irresistible;
then. knowing the madness OF such a
course. which might and probably
would. give the men the chance they
desired. | crushed u down and went
slowly TO my stlrrup.
Il wonder you do not want my
sword" | said by way OF sarcasm. as
swung myself up.
I'VE are not afraid OF it." the inn-
keeper answered gravely. you may
heep l-iOT tue present.
made no answer-what answer had
TO make?--and we rode at a foot
pace down the street: he and leading.
Clon and the shock-headed man bring
ing up the rear The leisurely mode OF
our departure, the absence OF hurry OF
even haste. the mems indifference
whether they were seen. or what was
thought. all served to sink my spirits.
and deepen my sense Of peril ! felt
that they suspected me. that they more
than half guessed the nature Of my
errand at Cocheforet, and that they
we're not minded to be bound by mad.
emoiselle's orders. In particular ] aug
erd the worst from clon's appearance
His lean malevolent face and sunken
eyes. his very dumbness chilled me
Mercy had no place there.
We rode soberly. 50 that nearly half
an hour elapsed before we gained the
brow from which had taken my first
.