Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1906-03-07
CHAPTER I.-CONTINUED.
Copyright, lsol, by Stanley J. Wsyman.)

CHAPTER I.-CoNTINUED.
Nevertheless, little later, when l
found myself on my way to the Hotel
Richelieu under so close guard that
I could see nothing except the figures
that Immediately surrounded me, l
wished had given him the money.
At such times, when all hangs in the
balance and the sky is overcast, the
mind runs on luck and old supersti-
tons, and is prone to think crown
given here may avail there-thOugh
there be hundred leagues away.
The Palais Richelieu was at that
time in building, and we were required
to wait in long, bare gallery, where
the masons were at work. l was kept
a full hour here, bordering uncom-
fortably on the strange whims and fam
cies of the great man who then ruled
France as the kings lieutenant-gen-
.cral, with all the kings powers; and
whose life l had once been the means
Of saving by little timely informa-
ton. On one occasion he had done
something to wipe out the debt; and
nj other times he had permitted me to
be free with him. We were not I'M
known to one another, therefore.
Nevertheless, when the doors were
at last thrown open, and I was led
into his presence, my confidence under
went a shock His cold glance, that,
rowing over me-, regarded me not as
t. man but an item, the stecly glitter
l.; 1,1 TO
bone. The room was bare, the floor
without carpet or covering. Some of
the woodwork lay about, unfinished
and in pieces. But the man--this man,
needed no surroundings. His keen,
pale face, his brilliant eyes, even his
presence-though he was Of no great
height and began already to stoop at
The shoulders-Were enough to awe the
boldest. I recalled as looked at him
q hundred tales of his iron will, his
cold heart, his unerring craft. He had
lumbled the kings brother, the splen-
did Duke of Orleans, in the dust. He
had curbed the queen-mother. A doz-
Oh heads, the mobiles in France, had
come to the block through him. Only
two years before he had quelled Ro-
chelle; only a few months before he
had crushed the great instruction in
Languedoc: and though the south,
stripped Of its old privileges, still
seethed with discomfort, no one in this
year 1880 dared lift hand against
him-openly, at any rate. Under the
surface hundred plots, thousand
tntrigues, sought his life or his power;
but these, suppose, are the hap Of
every great man.
No wonder, then, that the courage
on which I plumed myself sank
low on sight of him; or that
it was as much as I could do to min
gle with the humility of my salute
some touch of the sangfroid of old ac-
quaintanceship.
And perhaps that had been better
left out. For this man was without
bowels. For moment, while he stood
looking at me and before he spoke to
me, gave myself up for lost. There
was CLINT of cruel satisfaction in his
eyes that warned me before he spoke,
what he was going to say to me-
Il could not have made better
catch, M. de Berault," he said, smil-
ing villainously, while he gently
smoothed the fur of cat that had
sprung on the table beside him. can
old offender and an excellent exam
pie. I doubt it will not stop with you.
But later, we will make you the war
rant for flying at higher game"
"Monseigneur has handled a sword
himself blurted out The very room
seemed to be growing darker, the air
colder. I was never nearer fear in my
life.
"Yes?" he said, smiling delicately.
"And so?"
'Will not he too hard on the fail
inSs of a poor gentleman"
He shall suffer no more than a
rich one,' he replied suavely, as he
stroked the cat. ENJOY that satisfac-
ton, NJ. de Berault. Is that all?"
"Once was of service to your en-
inence," said desperately.
Payment has been made" he an
swered, more than once. But for that
l should not have seen you, M. de
Berault.'
'The kings facet" I cried, snatch
Ing at the straw he seemed to hold
out.
He laughted cynically, smoothly.
His thin face, his dark moustache, and
whitening hair, gave him an air Of
1ndescribable keenness. II am not the
king" he said. Besides, I am told
you have killed as many as six men
in duels. You owe the king, there
fore, one life at least You must pay
1t. There is no more to be said, M. de
Berault," he continued coldly, turning
away and beginning to collect some
papers. "The law must take its
course"
thought he was about to nod. to
the lieutenant to withdraw me, and a
chilling sweat broke out down my
back. I saw the scaffold, felt the
+ cords. A moment, and it would be too
late! 81 have a favor to ask" I
stammered desperately, IF your emf
hence would give me moment alone"
TO what end?" he answered, turn
ing and cycling me with cold disfavor
Il know you-your past-all. It can
do no good, my friend"
Nor harm!" I cried. "And I am a
dying man, Monseigneur!'
"That is true" he said thoughtfully.
Still he seemed to hesitate; and my
heart beat fast. At last he looked at
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