The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-02-15
CHAPTER 1.

whom he had to deal, and as little how
10 lose like a gentleman, flung the
words in my teeth. lie thought, III
be sworn. that | should storm and
swear and rufle II like any common
cock of the hackle. But that was
never Gil de Berault's way. For
few seconds after he had spoken | 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 | 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 a chilling sheer. They
are used. I am told. to trap players
not unbirched schoolboys."
"Yet I say that they are marked"
he replied holly. in his queer foreign
jargon. Elm my last hand 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 a great roar of laughter. which
might have been heard in the street,
and which brought 10 the table every
one in the eating-house whom his vio-
lence had not already attracted. But
l did not relax my face. | waited
until all was quiet again, and then
waving aside two or three who stood
between us and the entrance. pointed
grayely 10 the door. There Is little
space behind the church OF St Jacques,
NJ. rEtranger." I said. putting on my
hat and taking my cloak on my arm.
Doubtless you will accompany me
thither?"
He snatched up his hat. his face
burning with shame and rage. with
pleasure!" he blurted out. ITO the
devil. II you likel"
thought the matter arranged, when
the marquis laid his hand on the young
fellows arm and checked him. This
must not be-" be 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. de Pomball" answered
bitterly. "Still, II you wish to take
tho gentleman's place. shall raise no
objection"
"Chut, mani" he retorted. Struggling
his shoulders negligently. 81 know
you. and / do not fight with men OF
your stamp. Nor need this gentle
man"
'TJndoubtedly." replied. bowing
low. IF be prefers to be caned in the
streets"
That stung the marquis. Have
carel have a care!" he cried hotly
"You go too far. NJ. Berault"
de Berault, II you please" | OBJ
Jected. cycling him sternly. MY fami-
Iy has born the de as long as yours.
NJ de Pombal"
He could not deny that and he
answered. "As you please" at the same
time restraining his friend by q ges-
ture But none the less. take my
advice" he continued. "The cardinal
has forbidden dueling, and this time
he means ~ You have been IN trouble
once and gone free. A second time IL
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
fc l. fr
I said grimIy. HE was old enough
whilo ago TO insult me-"
"And will prove my wordsl" the
lad cried. exploding at last. He had
spirit enough. and the marquis had had
hard work 10 restrain him so long.
you do me no service. NJ. de Pombal,"
he continued. pettishly shaking off
his friends hand. by your leave,
this gentleman and | will settle this
matter"
THAT is better" said, nodding
dryly, while the marquis stood aside,
frowning and baffled. Permit me to
lead the way"
.Zaton's clearinghouse stands scarcely
a hundred PAGES from st. Jacques la
Boucherie. and half the company went
thither with us. The evening was
wet. the 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
terruption the paved triangle which
lies Immediately behind the church.
saw in the distance one OF the cardi-
nails guard lettering in front of the
scaffolding round the new Hotel Richie
lieu: and the sight Of the uniform
gave us pause for q moment. But II
was too late TO repent.
The Englishman began at once to
strip of his clothes. closed mine
TO the throat, for the air was chilly
At that moment. while we stood pre-
pairing and most of the company
aoapaad a litfra fpclfno9 "a Stand of