The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-05-24

fled knVNkluS Wnlcn ldlIeO every
nerve in my body. started. stood In
the middle of the floor. gazing at the
door, as at a ghost. Then glad of ac-
ton, glad OF anything that might re-
lieve the tension OF my feelings.
strobe to II and pulled It sharply
open.
On the threshold, his flushed face
lit up by the light behind me. stood
one OF the knaves had brought with
me 60 Auch. he had been running and
painted heavily. but he had kept his
wits. He grasped my sleeve instantly
"Ahl Monsieur, the very mani" he
cried. Juggling at me "Qulcki come
this instant and you may yet be first.
They have the secret. They have found
Monsieur"
Found whom" I echoed. m. de
Cocheforetf-
"No; but he place where he lies.
It was found by accident The lieu
tenant was gathering his men to so to
Il when | came away. II we are quick.
we may get there FIRST"
But the place." l said.
Il could not hear where II was" ne
answered bluntly. I'VE can hang on
their skirts. and at the last moment
strike in"
The pair of pistols had taken from
the shock-headed man lay on a chest
by the door. snatched them up.
and my hat. and Joined him without
ouOthor xrord. orA In n fnor,auf NJ
were running down tho garden.
looked back once before We passed the
gate. and saw the light streaming
out through the door which had
left open; and I fancied that for an
instant a figure darkened the gap. But
the fancy only strengthened the one
single iron purpose which had taken
possession of me and all my thoughts
must be first must anticipate the
Lieutenant and make the arrest my
self. ran on only the faster.
We seemed to be across the meadow
and In the wood in a moment There,
instead of keeping along the common
path, boldly singled out-my senses
seemed preternaturally keen--the
smaller track by which Clon had
brought US, and ran unfalterIng along
Il, avoiding logs and pitfalls as by in
stlnct. and following all its turns and
twists. until It brought us to the back
Of the inn, and We could hear the muir
muir Of subdued voices in the village
street, the sharp low words OF COM
mand, and even the clink OF weapons;
and could see. above and between the
houses, the duh glare Of lanthorns and
torches.
grasped my mans arm and
crouched down, listening. Whore is
your mater" I said. In his ear.
with them," he muttered.
Then come" whispered. rising.
Il have seen enough. Let us go"
But he caught me by the arm and
detained me. You don't know the
wayl" he Missed. STEADY. steady.
Monsieur. You go too fast They
are just moving. Let us join them,
and strike in when the time comes.
We must let them guide US"
"Fool!" said. shaking OF his hand.
Il tell you. know where he Isl I
know where they are going. Come;
lose not a moment, and we will pluck
the fruit while they are on the road
to It,"
His only answer was an exclamation
Of surprise; at that moment the lights
began to move. The lieutenant was
starting. The moon was not yet up;
the sky was gray and cloudy; TO adj
vance where we were was TO step into
a wall Of blackness. But we had lost
too much time already. and I did not
hesitate. Bidding my companion fol-
low me, and use his legs, l sprang
through a low fence which rose before
Us, and stumbling bllndly over some
broken ground in the rear Of the
houses. came. with a fall or two. to
a little watercourse with steep sides
Through this l plunged recklessly. and
up the farther side. and. breathless
and painting. gained the road Just be-
yond the village and so yards In adj
vance Of the lleutenant's troop.
They had only two lanthorns burn
ing now and we were beyond the cir.
Gle Of light these cast; while the steady
tramp OF so many footsteps covered
the noise we made. We were unno-
ticed. In a twinkling we turned our
backs, and as fast as We could ran
down the road. Fortunately. they
we're thinking more Of secrecy than
speed, and in a minute we had dou-
bled the distance between us; in two
minutes their lights were mere sparks
shining In the gloom behind us. We
lost, at last, even the tramp Of their
feet. Then I began to look cut and
go more slowly; peering into the shad-
ows on either side Of the fern-Stack.
On one hand the hill rose steeply;
on the other II fell away TO the stream.
On neither side was close wood-or my
difficulties had been immensely In.
creased-but scattered oak-trees stood
here and there among gorse and brack-
en-. This helped me, and In a moment.
on the upper side, came upon the
dense substance " the stack looming
black against the lighter hill.
My heart beat fast. but II was no
time for thought Bidding the msn