Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-01-23
CHAPTER vn1.-( continued).

Copyright, 1854, BY
CHAPTER VHI.-( Continued).
In moment half dozen hands
we're laid on my shoulders, but I
Bowed politely. "The officer, my
friends" l said. IN. lie Captaine La
role. Where is he?"
'Dfable! but who are you f1rst?" the
1anthorn-bearer retorted bluntly. He
was tall. fanky sergeant, with sin
lister face.
Well. am not M. de Cocheforet."
I replied; "and that must satisfy you.
my man. For the rest, If you do not
fetch Captain Larolle at once and ad-
NIT me, you will find the consequences
lnconventent."
"Ho! hot" he said, with a sheer.
HYou can crow. it seems. Well. come
In"
They made way and I walked into
the hall, keeping my hat on. On the
great hearth fire had been kindled.
but it had gone out. Three or four
carbines stood against one wall and
beside them lay heap of haversacks
and some straw. A shattered stool,
broken in a frolic and half a dozen
empty wineskins strewed the floor and
helped to give the place an air of un-
tidiness and disorder. I looked round
with eyes Of disgust and my gorge rose.
They had spilled oil and the place
reeked foully.
'sventre bleu!" I said. 'Is this con-
duct in gentleman's house, You
rascals? Ma vie! If had you, would
send half of you to the wooden horsel"
They gazed at me open-mouthed.
My arrogance startled them. The
sergeant alone scowled. When he could
find his voice for rage
''This way" he said. 1--WE did not
know general officer was coming, or
we would have been better prepared"
And muttering oaths under his breath,
he led me down the well-known pas
sage. At the door of the parlor he
stopped. Introduce YOURSELF" he said
rudely. "And If you find the air warm,
don't blame mel"
! raised the latch and went in. At a
table in front of the hearth, half COW
cred with glasses and bottles, sat two
men playing hazard. The dice rang
sharply as entered and he who had
Just thrown kept the box over them
while he turned. scowling, to see who
came in. He was fair haired, blonde
man, large-framed and ford. He had
put off his cuirass and boots and his
1t d1USfs ir1p1iea,' showed frayed andenETained
where the armour had pressed on It.
But otherwise he was in the extreme Of
last years fashion. His deep cravat
folded over SO that the laced ends
dropped a little in front, was Of the
finest; his great sash of blue and sil>
yer was a foot wide. He had a little
Jewel in one ear and his tiny beard was
peaked a L Espegnole. Probably when
he turned he expected to see the SER
geant, for at sight Of me he rose slowly,
leaving the dice still covered.
What folly is this?" he cried wrath
fully. Here, Sergeant! sergeant!--
without therol What the! Who are
you, Sir?"
Captain Larolle," said, uncovering
politely, II believer"
eyes, am Captain Larolle," he re-
torted. "But who in the f1end's name,
are vol? You are not the man we are
after:"
II am not M. Cocheforet," l said
coolly. II am merely guest IN the
house, M. lie Capitaine. have been en-
joying Madam de Cocheforet's hospi-
tally for some time, but by an evil
chance was away when you arrived ;"
And with that walked to the hearth,
and, gently pushing aside his great
boots which stood there drying, kicked
the logs into a blaze.
'Mille diables!" he whispered. And
never did see man more COMPOUNDED.
But affected to be taken up with his
companion, sturdy, white mustached
old veteran, who sat back in his chair,
cycling we, with swollen cheeks and
eyes surcharged with surprise.
Good evening, M. de Lieutenant"
I said. bowling gravely. 'It is fue
night"
Then the storm burst.
Fine night" the captain shrieked.
finding his voice again. ''Mille diables!
Are you aware, Sir, that l am in pos
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