The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1906-01-05
-~0~Y
PA ROSE OF "a
NORMANDY
WILLIAM r. 4. WILSON
81
CHAPTER vI.--CoNrrNuEp.

CHAPTER VI.-CoNTINUED.
II must needs be business of great
An port that would take o human be-
ing out in such a storm. Whatever his
object, the mans purpose never for a
moment wavered as he fought against
The sweep Of the ~drenching blast that
ne encountered while crossing the
}nsdl Notre Dame. Turning and walk
I ing long the river bank for a short
distance. be finally entered a small and
obscure 3ross-street. He proceeded
alorg this. until he was directly In
frost of q dilapidated building stu
atf0 In the rear Of the Hotel do Vile.
Hcrc he stopped and gave a peculiar
whistle, which could not have been
heard for more than 20 PAGES, because
OF the uproar of the storm. A dark
figure, securely muifled like his own,
appeared at his side, as suddenly and
lmysteriously as though he had come
up through the earth. A sign was
given and returned, and the heads Of
the two men approached each other,
while their lips moved in some mystic
rious interchange Of words.
All seemed we'll, for the first con
spirator turned, and, opening a narrow
door with a small key. disappeared,
followed by the other. They felt their
way along a pitch dark passage. Again
= key was used, and a word Of caution
heard from the leader as they descend
ed q fight Of stairs into a subterra-
mean way. This was 500 traversed,
and q door was reached. through whose
cracks and keyhole q light appeared.
This opened into a room built entirely
underground and lighted by a large
lamp. A table occupied the center Of
the floor, and several chairs were scat
sftcred about. A large brazier of lighted
charcoal warmed the air and d~issipated
the moisture Of the place. An OPEN
Hng In the roof leading to the out
side world somewhere gave sufficient
ventfNtion.
Tho door being closed, the leader
threr of his cloak and muffler and adj
vanc6d 10 the brazier, spreading his
i hands above the glowing Goals with a
slight shiver. At length he turned
and showed by the lamplight the form
and features Of Jean Baptiste Colbert,
minister of finance, the most powerful
as we'll as the most energetic Of the
kings servants: of middle stature,
Z rather lean than fat; black hair, so
4 thin that he always wore a cap; of low
and detected mlen, gloomy air, and
stern aspect; eyes usually half closed,
\ giving him the appearance Of great
craftiness; his outward behavior
modest and accompanied by much
/ seeming plainness aud simplicity; So
Der, sleeping little, always alert; hard
and infexible Of temper, beholding
without concern the misery Of an Inn
mite number whom he had ruined to
4 enrich his masters treasury, and hence
advance his own interests. Nicknamed
ss51rLe Man Of Marble" he sacrificed
honor. integrity, gratitude. and every
d thing else for the beneft Of his am
billion.
His companion also removed the ov-
n eling about his face and neck. His
dress was that Of q man Of the lower
/. classes, his face pale, sharply cut and
4 ancotic. His n toward his COM
pSnion was that Of al inferior In the
n presence Of his superior In authority.
Colbert spoke first.
"A terrible night" he said with an
ether SILVER that c~onvulsed his entire
\ frame, and caused him to seek again
the grateful glow Of the Goals.
''Truly. q fearful Storm" replied the
other. "But It IL necessary for menu
bers Of our order to be about the or
4 der's business ad maJorem Dol gloriam
a. spite OF the raging Of the elements"
Colbert sat down In one Of the chairs
near the table, motioned to his COM
panion to appfoach and dry himself,
and after selling q quill and drawing
near his elbow the ink-horn and parch-
/ ment that lay there ready for use. he
commanded the other to relate his
story.
* left Quebec" began the messen-
eer, for he was none other. sin No
vemher and reached La Rochelle In
January last. The day after landing
;Was neized with q terrible fever, con-
ftAttsd on board ship. When rccov-
Gfed found that two months had
\ G16bHed. I bore with me q message
GEtm RE bishop Of Quebec. who, al
1&6sh not q member OF our order, Is
NM lf1endly to X. I was instructed
3el1ver IL to you in person and to
m help from the members OF
oq6er IN France, 10 that none
know that the Jesuits IN Que
III communicating with you. /
IA from La Rochelle pennilcss and
napriyed Of the support Of my
M aQbIiepd to bog my way.