The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-05-24
CHAPTER x


fashion that | saw no way OF escape.
The sergeant was between us and
could not strike him. And | found no
words. A score of times had thought
with shrinking how | should reveal
my secret to mademoiselle, what l
should say and how she would take it.
But in my mind IL had always been q
voluntary act. this disclosure Il had
been always l who had unmasked my
self. and she who listened-alone; and
In this voluntariness and this privacy
there had been something which
seemed to take from the shame of an
ticipation. But here-here was no vol
untary act on my own part. no privacy.
nothing but shame. stood mute,
convicted, -speechless-iike the thing
was.
Yet If anything could have braced
me, il was mademoiselle's voice, when
she answered him. Go on, Monsieur"
she said. with the perfect calmness Of
scorn you will have done the soon
err"
"You do not believe me?" he replied
holly. Then. | say. look at himl
Look at himl II ever shame"
Monsieur" she said abruptly-she
did not look at me. II am ashamed
myself"
why. his very name Is not his
ownl" the lieutenant rejoined jerkily.
He is no Barthe at all. He Is Berault
the gambler. the duellist. the bully"
Again she interrupted him Il know
It," she said coldly. Il know II all.
And if you have nothing more to tell
me, go. Monsieur Col" she continued,
in a tone OF infinite scorn. Enough
that you have earned my contempt
rs well as my abhorrencei"
He looked for a moment taken aback.
Then, "Ay. but have mOrei" he cried
his voice stubbornly triumphant Il
forgot that you would think little Of
that ! forgot that a swordsman has
always the ladies' hearts. But have
more Do you know. too, that he Is
IN the cardinals pay? Do you know
that he Is here on the Same errand
which brings us hereto arrest NJ. de
Cocheforet? Do you know that while
we go about the business openly and
in soldier fashion. It is his part to
worm himself into your confidence. to
sneak into madam's intimacy, to
listen tt your door. or to follow your
footsteps. to hang on your lips, to
track you-track you until you betray
yourselves and the man? Do you
know this. and that ali his sympathy
Is a lie, Mademoisellc7 His help, 50
much bait to catch the secret? His
aim, blOod-money-blood-money?W Why.
morbleu." the lieutenant continued.
pointing his finger at me. and so car
ried away by passion. so lifted out Of
himself by wrath and indignation. that
in spite of myself I shrank before him
you talk. lady. Of contempt and alb
horrence in the same breath with me!
But what have you for him? What
have you for him. the spy. the In
former. the hired traitor? And II you
doubt. If you want evidence. look at
him. Only look at him, sayl"
And he might well say IT, For
stood silent still: covering and des-
pairing. whiH with rage and hate.
But mademolselle did not look. She
gazed straight at the lieutenant.
"Have you donef" she said.
"Done7" he stammered Her words.
her air. brought him to earth again.
Done? Yes. n you believe me-"
Il do not" she answered proudly.
III that be all. be satisfied. Monsieur.
do not believe you"
Then tell me-" he retorted, after
a moment Of stunned surprise, why,
IL he was not on our side, do you think
we let him rem ain here. Why did we
suffer him TO stay In suspected house
bullying US and taking your part from
hour to hour?"
He has a sword. Monsieur" she an
swered. with fine contempt.
Mile diables!" he cried, swapping
his fingers In a rage. 'orhat for his
sword No. Il was because he held
the cardinals commission; because he
had equal authority with US; because
we had no choice"
And that being so, Monsieur. why
are you now betraylng hint" she
asked keeniy.
He swore at that. feeling the stroke
go home. ''You must be mad" We said
glaring at her. MAD. II you cannot
see that the man Is what I tell you
ne is. Look at him! Listen 70 himl
Has he a word to say for HIMSELF"
Still she did not look. ut Is late
abe replied, coidly and irrelevaDtly
"And am not very we'll. II you have
quite done. perhaps you will leave me
Monsieur"
Mon dieu!" ne exclaimed, Struggling
mis- shoulders: you are madi l have
told you the truth and you will not be-
iieve Il. Well. on your head be II then
MademoiseiIe. have no more 70 say
But you will see"
he looked at her for a moment as Il
1e thought that she might still give
way: then he saluted her roughly. gave
she word to the sergeant. turned and
vent down the path. The sergeant
Fent after him. the lanthOrn swayini
n his hand. We two were left alone
= the gloom. The frcgs Eers eiosk