Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-11-19


 goon's leg as he spoke, which jerked him up so far that he could twist round and catch hold of the lower edge of the balcony. How do you find yourself now?" he asked.
 Let me up, sir; let me up"
 s.All in good time I fear that it is inconvenient to you to talk with your heels in the air I am going to pull you up, but only on conditions"
 "Oh, they are granted! am slip pingr'
 .sYou will leave this house-you and your men. You will not trouble this old man or this y6ung girl any further. Do you promisei"
 "Oh, yes; we shall go! Only pull me upv'
 '.Not so fast. It may be easier to talk to you like this. I do not know how the laws are over here. Maybe this sort of thing is not permitted. You will promise me that I shall have no trouble over the matter" -
 'None, none. Only pull me up!"
 "very good. Come along"
 He dragged at the dragoon's leg, while the other gripped his way up the balustrade until amid buzz of con- graduation from the crowd he tumbled all in heap over the rail on to the balcony, where he lay for few mo- ments as he had fallen. Then. stag gering to his feet, without glance at his opponent, he rushed with below of rage through the open window.
 While this little drama had been en- acted overhead the young guardsman had shaken off his first stupor of amazement and had pushed his way through the crowd with such vigor that he and his companion had nearly reached the bottom of the steps, The uniform of the kings guard was in it. self passport anywhere, and the face of old Catinat was so we'll known in the district that every one drew back to clear path for him toward DIS house. The door was flung open for them, and an old servant stood wiring ing his hands in the dark passage.
 .'Oh, master! Oh, masterr' he cried. "Such doings! Such infamy!'
 As he spoke a chatter and shouting which had burst out again upstairs ended suddenly in tremendous crash, with volleys of oaths and a prolonged pumping and smashing, which shook the old house to its foundations The soldier and the Huguenot rushed swift ly up the first flight of stnirs and were about to ascend the second one, from the head of which the uproar seemed to proceed, when four men, so locked together that they formed but one roll ing bundle. came thudding down amid debris of splintered stair rails and writhed and struggled upon the land ing. staggering up, falling down. and all breathing together like the wind in a chimney. So twisted and twined were they that 1t was hard to pick one from the other save that the innermost was clad in black Flemish cloth, while the three who chung to him were sol diers of the king. Yet so strong and vigorous was the man whom they tried to hold that as often as he could find his feet he dragged them after him from end to end of the passage. as a boar might pull the CUTS which had fastened on to his launches. An ofil- cer. who had rushed down at the heels of the brawlers. thrust his hands in to catch the civilian by the throat, but he whipped them back again with an oath as the mans strong white teeth met in his left thumb. Clapping the wound to his mouth. he flashed out his sword and was about to drive it through the body of his unarned op- ponent when De Catinat sprang for ward and caught him by the wrist.
 You villain. Dalbertr' be cried.
 The sudden appearance of one of the kings own bodyguard had a magic effect upon the brawlers. Dalbert sprang back. with his thumb still in his mouth and his sword dropping. scowl- ing darkly at the newcomer. His troopers had released their victim and stood panting in line. while the young man leaned against the wall. brushing the dust from his black coat.
 ''I had a little account to settle with you before. Dalbert." said De Catinat. unsheathing his rapier. Your sword. sir"
 ''I have no quarrel with you.''
 "No:" De Catinat stepped forward and struck him across the face with his open hand. "It seems to me that you have one now" said he.
 Hell and furiesr' screamed the cap tain ''To your arms. men. Hola. there. from above, Cut down this fellow and seize your prisoner! Hola, In the kings name-'
 At his call a dozen more troopers came hurrying down the stairs. while the three upon the landing advanced upon their former antagonist. He slip ped by them. however. and caught out of the old merchants hand the thick oak stick.
 ''I am with you. sir.- said be. taking his place beside the gusrdsman-
 "CsII of your cansSle and fizhtsme like a gentleman" cried De Catinat-
 "A gentleman. Hark to the bor- yeois Huguenot, whose family peddIes rioth-
 You coward I will write liar on yOu with my sword pont-
 He sprang forward and sent in q thrust which might have found its