Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-05-17

me.
/ had some acquaintance with the
officer in command and he saluted me
civiIly. "This is a bad business, M. de
Berault," he said. 1.-THE man is dead
they tell me-"
Neither dying nor dead" I an
swered lightly. eff that be all, you
may go home again."
with you," he replied with a grin,
certainly. And as it rains, the SOON
er the better. I must ask you for your
sword, J. am afraid"
Take It," l said, with the philoso-
ply which never deserts me. "But the
man will not die"
81 hope that may avail you," he
answered in a tone I did not like. LEFT
wheel, my friends! To the Chatelet!
march,"
"There are worse Places" I said,
and resigned myself to fate. After all,
had been in prison before, and
learned that only one Jail let's no pris-
oner escape.
But when I found that my friends
orders we're to hand me over to the
watch, and that I was to be confined
like any common jail-bird caught cut
ting a purse or Sitting a throat, I con-
fess my heart sank. If could get
speech with the cardinal, all would
be well; but If I failed in this, or If the
case came before him in strange guise
!, or he we're in a hard mood himself
then It might go i'll with me. The
edict said, death!
And the lieutenant at the Chatelet
did not put himself to much trouble
to hearten me. what! again, M. de
Berault?" he said, raising his eye.
brows as he received me at the gate
and recognized me by the light Of
the brazier which his men were just
kindling outside. "You are a very bold
man, Sir, or a very f~oo1hardy one. to
come here again. The old business, ]
suppose?"
eyes, but he is not dead" I an
swered coolly. "He has a trifle-a mere
scratch. It was behind the church oil
st. Jacques"
"He looked dead enough" my friend
the guardsman interposed. He had not
yet gone.
"Bah!" I answered scornfully. "Have
you ever known me to make a mis-
take? When | kill a man, l kill him
I put myself to pains, I tell you, not
to kill this Englishman. Therefore he
will live"
II hope SO" said the lieutenant
with a dry smile. "And you had bet
ter hope so, too, M. de Berault. For II
not"
"Well?" I said, somewhat troubled
IF not, what, my friend?"
Il fear he will be the last man you
will fight" he answered. "And ever
if he lives, I would not be too sure
my friend. This time the cardinal is
determined to put it down"
"He and l are old friends" I sale
confidently.
$50 I have heard" he answered, with
a short laugh. 81 think the same was
said of Chalais. do not remember
that it saved his head"
This was not r%eassuring. But worse
was to come. Early in the morning
orders we're received that I should BE-
treated with especial strictness, ant
I was given the choice between irons
and on of the cells below level
Choosing the latter, I was left to re
fleet upon many things; among 9th
ers, on the queer and uncertain ma
ture of the cardinal, who loved,
knew, to play with a man as a cal
with a mouse; and on the Ill effects
which sometimes attend a high chest
thrust, however carefully delivered.
only rescued myself at last from these
and other unpleasant reflections by
obtaining the loan of a pair of dice
and the light being just enough tt
enable me to reckon the throws,
amused myself for hours by casting
them on certain principles of my own
But a long run again and again upset
my calculations; and at last brought
me to the conclusion that a ruiz Of bad
luck may be so persistent as to Zee
out the most sagacious player. THIS
was not a reflection very welcome tt
me at the moment.
Nevertheless, for three days it was
all the company I had. At the end Of
that time the knave of a jailer who
attended me, and who had never grown
tired of telling me, after the fashion Of
his kind, that I should be hanged
came to me with a less assured air
Perhaps you would like a little
water?" he said civilly.
"Why, rascal?" I asked,
ITO wash with" he answered.
II asked for some yesterday, ant
you would not bring it." | grumbled
However,, better late than never
Bring II now. If I must hang, I will
hang like a gentleman. But, depend
upon 1t. the cardinal will not serve
an old friend so scurvy a trick
you are to go to him. he an
swered. when he came back with the
water.
What? To the cardinal?", I cried.
Eyes" he answered.
"Good!" / exclaimed, and in my Joy
sprang up at once. and began tc
refresh my dress. so all this time
I have been doing him an injustice
Vive Monseigneur! might have
known It,"
Don't make too sure!" the mar
answered spitefully. Then he went on:
II have something else for you. A
friend Of yours left it at the gate
he added. And he handed me a packet
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