Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-07-19
CHAPTER VI.-CoNTrNUED.
By STANLEY J. WEYMAN

This was so true that my surprise
was as great as his. The cardinal, who
rarely made a change of front, had sent
me thither that he might not be forced
to send soldiers and run the risk OF
all that might arise from such a move
ment. What of this invasion, then,
than which nothing could be less con-
sistent with his plans? l wondered.
1t was possible, of course, that the
travelling merchants, before whom l
had played at treason, had reported the
facts; and that on this the command
ant at Auch had acted. But it seemed
unlikely. He had had his orders, too;
and, under the cardinals rule, there
was small place for individual enter
prise. I could not understand 1t.
One thing was clear, however. I
might now enter the village as I
pleased. 81 am going on to look into
this" I said to Antoine. Come,
my man." ~
He shrugged his shoulders and stood
still. mot II" he answered, with an
oath. "No soldiers for me! have lain
out one night and I can lie out IN
other!"
l nodded indifferently, for I no longer
wanted him; and we parted. After
this, 20 minutes riding brought me to
the entrance Of the village; and here
the change was great indeed. Not
one of the ordinary jewellers in the
place was to be seen: either they had
shut themselves up in their novels, or,
like Antoine they had fled to the woods.
Their doors were closed, their windows
shattered. But lounging about the
street were a score of dragons, in
boots and breastplates, whose short
barrelled muskets, with pouches and
b%andoliers attached, were piled neal
the inn door. In an open space where
there was q gap in the street, a long
( row of horses, linked head to head,
stood bending their muzzles over bun
dies of rough forage and on all sides
+. the cheerful jingle Of chains and
brides and the sound of coarse jokes
and laughter filled the air.
AS I rode up to the inn door an old
sergeant with squirting eyes and his
tongue in his cheeks, eyed me inquis-
itively, and started to cross the street
to challenge me. Fortunate, at that
moment the two knaves whom | had
brought from Paris with me, and whom
had left at Auch to await my orders,
came up. l made them a sign not to
speak to me, and they passed on; but
I suppose that they told the sergeant
that l was not the man he wanted
for l saw no more of him.
After picketing my horse behind the
inn-I could find no better stable, every
place being full pushed my way
through the group at the door and en-
tered. The old room, with the low
grimy roof and the reeking floor, was
half full of strange figures, and for {
few minutes l stood unseen in thu
smoke and confusion. Then the land
lord came my way, and as he passed
me l caught his eye. He uttered a low
curse, dropped the pitcher he was car
rying, and stood glazing at me, like
man possessed.
The soldier whose wine he was car
rying flung a crust in his face, with
"Now, greasy fingers! What are yo'
staring at?'
1.-THE DEVIL" the landlord muttered
beginning to tremble.
Then let me look at him!" the ma
retorted and he turned on his stool.
He started, finding me standing owe
him. "At your s%ervice!" said grimly
ga little time and it will be the othe
way, my friend"