The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-12-21
@THE@
REFUGEES
Blu A. CONAN DOYLE
Of Holmes"
Blu A. CONAN DOYLE.
Author OF 1.-The Return Of Sherlock He


shortened. but was met by a SHARP
blow from the cudgel OF the young
stranger which sent his weapon tin
king on to the ground. A trooper
however. on the stair had pulled out q
pistol and. clapping 1t within a foot OF
the guardsman's head, was about to
settle the combat once and forever
when a little old gentleman who had
quietly assembled from the street and
who had been looking on with an
amused and interested smile at this
fiery sequence OF events took a sudden
quick step forward and ordered all
parties to drop their weapons with q
voice 50 decided, SO stern and % full
Of authority that the saber points all
clinked down together upon the par
quet flooring as though 1t were q part
of their daily drill.
Upon my word, gentlemen; upon
my word"' he said. looking sternly
from one to the other. In his gait and
bearing he had q dainty strut and
backward cock Of the head, which,
taken with his sharp black eyes. his
high, thin features and his assured
manner, would impress q stranger with
the feeling that this was q man of
power. And, indeed, In France or out
Of it there were few to whom this
mans name was not familiar, for in
all France the only figure which doomed
up as large as that of the king was
this very little gentleman who stood
now. with gold snuffbox in one hand
and deep laced handkerchief In the
other, upon the landing Of the Hugue-
not's house, for who was there who
did not know the last Of the great
French mobiles, the bravest OF French
captains, the beloved Condo, victor Of
Rocroy and hero of the Fronde?
De Catinat raised the stump OF his
sword in a salute.
"Heh. hehw cried the old soldier,
peering at him. You were with me on
the Rhine-heh? know your face, cap
tain. But the household was with Tu.
renne."
II was in the regiment Of Picardy.
your highness. De Catinat is my
name"
Yes. yes. But you. sir. who the devil
are you:"
the Lan2uedoc Blue Dragons"
Hey! was passing In my carriage
and saw you standing on your head
in the air. The young man let you up
on conditions, as understood"
HE swore he would go from the
house" cried the young stranger. "Yet
when I had let him up he set his men
upon me. and we all came downstairs
together"
MY faith. you seem to have left lit
tie behind you." said Condo, smiling,
as he glanced at the litter which was
strewn all over the floor. And SO you
broke your parole, Captain Dalbert2"
Il could not hold treaty with a HUI
guenot and an enemy Of the king" said
the dragon sulkily.
'You could hold treaty. it appears,
but not keep it, And why did you let
him 60, sir?"
Il believed his promise. 1 have been
used to deal with Indians"
Heb! And you think an Indians
word is better than that of IN ofacef
in the kings dragoons?'
n did not think so an hour ago."
y"You are very strong, monsieur" said
Condo. glancing keenly at the broad
shoulders and arching chest OF the
young stranger. You are from Can
ada, presume?'
II have been there. sir. But I am
from New York.
And how came you to speak
French?"
my mother was Of French blood"
And how long have you been In
PARISH
"A day"
'Heh! And you already begin to
throw your mothers country folk out
Of windows!"
''He was annoying a young maid,
sir. and asked him to stop, whereon
he whipped out his sword and would
have slain me had 1 not closed with
him, upon which he called upon his
fellows to aid him. To keep them or
I swore that 1 would drop him over II
they moved a step. Yet when I let
him 60 they set upon me again.
Hem! You did very WELL You are
young. but you have resource
II was reared in the woods, SIR
III there are many Of your kidney
you may give my friend De Frontenac
some work ere he found this empire
Of which he talks. But how is this,
Captain Dalbert? What have you to
sayT
The kings orders, your highness,
are to use every means which may
drive these people into the true
church."
''On my word, you look a very fine
apostle and a pretty champion for a
holy cause" said Condo, glancing sar-
out Of his twinkling black
eyes at the brutal face Of the dragoon.
Take your men out of this. sir. and
never venture to set foot again across
this Threshold
But the kings command, your high
ness"
Il will tell the king when / see him
that 1 left soldiers and that / find
brigands. Not q word, sir: Away!
You take your shame with you. and
you leave your honor behind" He
had turned in an instant from the
sneering, strutting old beau to the