Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1906-02-28
CoDyright, 1874, BY Stanley ]. Weyman.]
CHAPTER I.
AT ZATON'S.

words IN my teeth. he thought, Ill
be sworn, that should storm and
swear and 'ruf1le it like any common
cock of the hackle. But that was
never Gil de Berault's way. For
few seconds after he had spoken I did
not even look at him. passed my
eye misunderstanding bien entendu-
round the ring of waiting faces, saw
that there was no one except De Pom
bal l had cause to fear; and then at
last rose and looked at the fool with
the grim face have known impose on
older and wiser men.
marked cards, NJ. rAnglais?"
said, with chilling sheer. 'They
are used, am told, to trap Players
not unbirched schoolboys."
"Yet say that they are markell"
he replied hotly, in his queer foreign
jargon. "In my last hand I had
nothing. You doubted the stakes.
Bah, Sir, you knew! You have swim
died mel"
monsieur is easy to swindle-when
he plays with a mirror behind him."
I answered tartly. And at that there
was great roar of laughter, which
might have been heard in the street,
and which brought TO the table every
one in the eating house whom his vlO-
1ence had not already attracted. But
did not relax my face. l waited
until all was quiet again, and then
waving aside two or three who stood
between us and the entrance, pointed
gravely to the door There is little
space behind the church of st. jacques,
M. pEtranger," I said, putting on my
hat and taking my cloak on my arm.
"Doubtless you will accompany me
Ehither?"
He snatched up his hat, his face
burning with shame and rage. with
pleasure!" he blurted out. ITO tho
devil, If you like!"
thought the matter arranged, when
the marquis laid his hand on the youn.
fellows arm and checked him. This
must not be-" he said, turning from
him to me with his grand fine gentle
mans air. "You know me, NJ. de
Berault. This matter has gone far
enough
"Too far, NJ Gle -Pombal!" answered
bitterly. "Still, il you wish to take
the gentleman's place, shall raise no
objection"
''Chut, man." he retorted, Struggling
his shoulders negligently. II know
you, and do not fight with men Of
your stamp. Nor need this gentle
man."
'Undoubtedly,7,, I replied, bowling
low, "if he prefers to be caned in the
streets"
That stuns the marquis. "Havc
a care! have care!" he cried holly.
"You go too far, M. Berault."
de Berault. if you please" I OBJ
5ccted, cycling him sternly. my fami-
1y has born the de as long~as yours,
M. de Pombal."
He could not deny that and he
answered, GAS you please" at the same
time restraining his friend by ges-
ture. But none the less, take my
advice" he continued. "The cardinal
has forbidden dueling, and this time
he means it! You have been in trouble
once and gone free. A second time it
may fare worse with you. Let this
gentleman go, therefore, NJ. de Berault.
Besides-why, shame upon you, mani"
he exclaimed hotly; "he is but lad!"
Two or three who stood behind me
applauded that. But turned and they
met my eye; and they were as mum as
mice. "His age is his own concern"
/ said grimly. "He was old enough a
while ago to insult me-"
"And l will prove my words!" the
lad cried, exploding at last. He had
spirit enough, and the marquis had had
hard work to restrain him so long.
You do me no service, NJ de Pombal,"
he continued, pettishly shaking of
his friends hand. by your leave,
this gentleman and will settle this
matter
"That is BETTER" I said, nodding
dryly, while the marquis stood aside,
frowning and bafled. Permit me to
lead the way
Aaton's clearinghouse stands scarcely
hundred PAGES from st. Jacques Ia
Boucherie, and half the company went
thither with us. Tho evening was
wet, tho light in the streets was wan
Ing, the streets themselves were dirty
and slippery. There were few passers
IN the Rue st. Antoine; and our party.
which earlier in the day must have
attracted notice and a crowd, crossed
unmarked and entered without in
corruption the paved triangle which
lies Immediately behind the church. l
saw In the distance one of the cardi
nails guard lettering in front of the
scanolding round the new Hotel Richie
lieu; and the sight of the uniform
gave us pause for moment. But it
was too late to repent.
The Englisfman began at once to
strip off his clothes. I closed mine
to the throat, for the air was chilly.
AT that moment, while we stood pre-
pairing and most Of the company
seemed little inclined to stand Oft
from me, felt hand on my arm, and
turning, saw the dwarfish tailor at
whose house in the Rus Savonnerie
lodged at the time. The fellows
presence was unwelcome, to say the
least OF It; and though for want Of
better company I had sometimes en-
couraged him to be free with me at
home, ! took that to be no reason why
I should be plagued with him before
gentlemen. shook him off, there.
fore, hoping by a frown to silence him
He was not to be easily put down
however. And perforce I had to