Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-08-30
Copyright, 1904. BY Stanley J. weyman.)
CHAPTER X.-CoNTINuED.

CHAPTER X.-CoNTINUEp.
Neither; and l gripped my fellows
arm, as he came abreast of me and
stopped him sharply. Below us, in the
center OF a steep hollow, a pit in the
hillside, a light shone out through
some aperture and quivered on tho
mist, like the pale lamp of a moorland
%hobgoblin. 1t made itself visible, dis
playing nothing else; a wisp of light
In the bottom of a black bowl.
Yet my spirits rose with a great
bound at sight Of it, for | knew that !
had stumbled on the place l sought.
In he common run of things l should
have weighed my next step carefully
and gone about 1t slowly. But here
was no place for thought, nor room
for delay and l slid down the side of
the hollow and the moment my feet
touched the bottom, sprang to the
door of the little hut whence the light
issued. A stone turned under my foot
in my rush and fell on my knees on
the threshold; but the fall only
brought my face to a level with the
startled eyes of the man who lay inside
on a bed Of fern. He had been reading.
At the sound | made he dropped his
book and stretched out his hand for a
weapon. But the muzzle Of my pistol
covered him before he could reach hts:
he was not in a posture from which he
could spring and at a sharp word from
pnn he IrapneJ L;c hord Tho tioorich
glare which had fickered for an in
slant in his eyes. gave place to a Ian
guild smile; and he shrugged his
shoulders. 'Eh, bien?" he said, with
marvellous composure. Taken at last!
Well, I was tired of it,"
You are my prisoner, M, de Cocke.
foret," l answered.
TT seems so," he said.
Move a hand and l kill you," l AL
swered. "But you have still a choice"
"Truly?" he said, raising his eye-
brows.
Eyes. My orders are to take you to
Paris alive or dead. Give me your
parole that you will make no attempt
70 escape and you shall go thither at
your ease and as a gentleman. Refuse,
and I shall disarm and bird you and
you will go as a prisoner"
What force have you?" he asked
CURLY. He had not moved. He still
lay on his elbow, his cloak covering
him, the little Marot in which he had
been reading close to his hand. But
his quick, black eyes, which looked thu
keener for the pallor and thinness of
his face, roved ceaselessly over NE
probed the darkness behind me, took
note of everything.
Enough to compel you, Monsieur"
] replied sternly. But that is not all.
There are 30 dragons coming up the
hill to secure you and they will make
you no such offer. Surrender to me
before they come and give me your
parole and l will do all for your com.
fort. Delay, and you will fall into their
hands. There can be no escape"
you will take my word" he said
slowly.
"Give it and YOU may keep your pis,
tolls, M. de Cocheforet," l replied.
Tell me at least that you are not
alone"
II am not alone"
Then I give it," he said, with a
sigh. "And for Heavens sake get me
something to cat and a bed. l am
tired of this pig-sty-and this life
-Arnidieu! It is a fortnight since ]
slept between Sheets"
"You shall sleep tonight in your
own house if you please" | answered
hurriedly. "But here they come. Be
good enough to stay where you are a
moment and | will meet them"
I stepped out into the darkness in
the nick of time. The lieutenant, after
posting his men round the hollow, hal
Just slid down with a couple of GER
geants to make the arrest. The place
round the open door was pitch DARK.
He had not espied my knave, who had
lodged himself in the deepest shadow
Of the hut; and when he saw me come
out across the light he took me for
Cocheforet. In a twinkling he thrust
a pistol into my face and cried trium-
phantly. "You are my prisoner!" At
the same instant one of the sergeants
raised a lanthorn and threw it's light
into my eyes.
What folly is this?" l said savagely.
The lieutenant's jaw fell and he stood
for half a minute, paralyzed with as
constituent. Less than an hour before
he mad left me at the chateau. Thence
he had come hither with the briefest
delay: and vet he found me here be.
fore him! He swore fearfully, his
face dark. his mustache stiff with rage.
What is this? What is it?" he cried at
last. Where is the MANI"
What MANI" l said.
"This Cocheforet!'' he roared. car
ried away by his passion. Don't lie
10 me! He Is here and I will have
hint"
"You will not. You are too late!"
said. watching him heedfully. IN. de
Cocheforet is here, but he has already
surrendered to me and he is my
prisoner"
Your prisoners"
Eyes, my %prisoner!" answered,
facing the man with all the harshness
I could muster. II have arrested him
BY virtue Of the cardinals special com
mission granted to me. And by vir-
tue OF the same l shall keep him!"
He glared at me for a moment In
utter rage and perplexity. Then on q
sudden l saw his face tighten. 1T is
id ruse!" he shouted, brandishine
his nistnl like a mailman sit Is q