Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-08-16
CHAPTER IX.-CoNTINUED.
Copyright, 1874, by Stanley J. weyman.l

eNh SSAtSNS ~ ootA bAuhtAy
but I felt the check, and fell to earth.
"The man cannot speak,"
mo, but he has managed to tell us
that he will guide us to the place we
want" the captain answered dryly.
1.-THE whip, if it cannot find a man a
tongue, can find him wits. What is
more, | think, he will keep his word"
he continued, with a hideous smile.
For | warn him that if he does not,
all your heroics shall not saw him!
He is a rebel dog, and known to us of
old, and I will fay his back to the
bones-ay, until we can see his heart
beating through his rihs-but | will
have what l want-in your teeth, too,
you id meddler."
STEADY, steady" I said, somewhat
sobered. I saw that ne was telling me
the truth. HE is going to take YOU to
NJ. de Cocheforet's hiding place, is he?'
yes, he isl" the captain retorted
extensively. Have you any objection
to make to that, Master Spy?"
None" I replied. But I shall go
with you. And il you live three
months, I shall kill you for that name
behind the barracks at Auch, M. lie
C~apitaine."
He changed color, but he answered
me boldly enough. 81 don't know that
you will go with lis. That is as we
please" he continued. with a snarl.
Il have the cardinals ORDERS |
said sterrly.
THE cardinal?" he exclaimed, stung
to fury by this repetition of the name
1.-THE cardinal be-"
But the lieutenant lay his hands on
his lips and stopped him. "Hush!" he
said. Then more quietly, Your par.
don, M. lie Capltaine. Shall I give Or
ders to the men to fail in?"
The captain nodded sullenly.
Take him down." the lieutenant
ordered in his harsh monotonous voice.
Throw his blouse over him and tie
his hands. And do you two, Paul and
Lebrun. guard him. Michel, bring the
whip, or he may forget how it tastes.
Sergeant, choose four good men and
dismiss the rest to their quarters"
Shall we need the horses?" the ser
geant asked.
a don't know" the captain an
swered peevishly. What does the
rogue say"
The lieutenant stepped up to him.
'Listen!" he said grimly. Mod if
you mean yes and shake your head if
you mean no. And have a care you
answer truly. Is it more than a mile
to this place? The place you know OFF,
They had loosened the poor wretch's
f%astenings and covered his back. He
stood leaning against the wall, his
mouth still painting, the sweat run
ming down his hollow cheeks; his sun
ken eyes were closed; a culver now
and again ran through his frame. The
lieutenant repeated his question, and,
getting no answer, looked round for
orders. The captain met the look, and
crying savagely, Answer, will you,
you mute!" struck the half sWooning
miserable across the back with his
switch. The effect was magical. Gov
cred, as his shoulders were, the man
sprang erect with a shrek of pain,
raising his chin and following his
back; and, in that attitude stood an
instant with starting eyes, gasping for
breath. Then he sank back against
the wall, moving his mouth spasmod-
ically. His face was the color Of lead.
"Diable! think we have gone too
far with him!" the captain muttered.
Bring some wine!" the lieutenant
replied. "Quick with it,"
looked on, burning with indigna-
zion, and wondering besides what
would come Of this. If the man took
them to the place, and they succeeded
In selling Cocheforet, there was an end
Of the matter as far as 7 was con-
cerned. 1t was off my shoulders, and I
might leave the village when | pleased;
nor was it 1ikely-since he would have
his man, though not through me-that
the cardinal would refuse me an am
nesty. On the whole, l thought that
things should take that course; and,
assuming the issue. ] began to won
der whether in that event it would be
necessary that madam should know
the truth. had a kind of a vision Of
a reformed Berault, dead to play and
purging himself at a distance from Ia
tons, winning, perhaps, a name in
the Italian war, and finally-but,
pshaw! ! was a fool.
However, he that as it might, it
was essential that I should see the
arrest made; and I waited patiently
while they revived the tortured man,
and made their dispositions. These
took some time; so that the sun was
down, and 1t was growing dusk, when
we marched out, Clou going first. sup
ported by his two guards, the captain
and ] following-abreast, and eying
n another suspiciously-the ~lieuten-
ant, with the sergeant and five troop
ers, bringing up the rear Clon moved
slowly, moaning from time to time.
n but Tor the aid given him by the
two men with him, must have sunk
down again and again.
He went out between two houses
close to the inn, and struck a mar
row track. scarcely discernible, which
ran behind other houses. and then
plunged into the thickest part Of the
wood. A simple person. traversing
the covert. might have made such a
track; or pig. or children. But II was
the first idea that occurred to us,
and 1t put us all on the alert.
The captain carried a cooked pis,
tol, ! held my sword drawn, and
kept & watchful eye on him; and the
deeper the dusk fell In the wood, the
veN~n oo,,ttr,vuyVx ne $500 ..-Asv -