The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1908-07-17
OF D'ALDAN0

the hands of the public executioner,
then fate like that of dog, by
poison or knife stab in the dungeons
of Paris. All, M. Claude, it is not
necessary for me to tell you, who
know the secrets of the chateau, how
many black, foul murders have taken
place in the past when victims of
Napoleon's power gasped their last
breaths in the dread silence of the
night, helpless and unshriven-"
The marquis voice faltered and he
paused for an instant, but the hand
that grasped his pistol did not tremble
and light of unflinching determine
ton shone steadily in his eyes.
For those hapless ones who per-
ished in last nights tragedy have
naught but pity in my heart. The
guilt of bloodshed weighs not upon
my shoulders but rather on those of
the man whom the adherents of the
rightful sovereign of France sought
to destroy and whose baneful exist
ence made such a catastrophe pos
sible. AS for you, M. Claude, you are
but q machine owned and operated
by tyrant. Also your reputation
proclaims you model of honesty
and strength of purpose. And for that
reason l am minded to bestow upon
you an honor that will be valued by
posterity, if not by yourself. First of
all, will you give me your word that
you will submit to my proposition,
which involves no question of my es-
cape? If not I will reluctantly be
obliged to shoot you, and then turn
this weapon on myself ere your men
can gain the stairway"
M. Claude shrugged his shoulders
again.
''You leave me scant choice" he
said, calmly; "and 1 am willing to
confess that I am not DESTROYS of be-
ing dispatched post haste to para
disc with the aid of a ball from your
pistol. / agree"
D'Aldano laid down his pistol and
producing a handsomely chased gold
snuff box, inhaled pinch of the mix
ture therein with extreme zest. He
passed the box to the chief who fol-
lowed his example and bowed in &C
acknowledgement of the courtesy.
Now" said the marquis gayly, II
intend to entrust you with secret
which will prove that instead of seek
ing to avoid, I am indeed counting
DEATH"
Removing his coat he barred his
forearm, exposing to view a bluish-red
puncture about half an inch in length,
just above the wrist, which stood out
in bold relief against the white skin.
'That mark" he said, tapping the
scar gently with his forefnger, els
my passport to another world, NJ.
Claude"
The chief stared uncomprehending-
ly, and the marquis dropped back into
his chair with light laugh.
"a few hours ago." he said, when
realized that all avenues of escape
from Paris were closed to me, re-
solved to adopt measure which
would insure an early death by my
own hand, should the boon of dying
as BELTS one of my race be denied. 1t
would have been simpler as well as
less painful to have blown out my
brains, but 1 chung to the hope of
falling by the sword of a worthy foe
man, if such consummation could be
brought about. Do you understand"
81 begin to perceive the drift of
your argument" returned the chief.
'But may ask what means you sum-
moned to your assistance in escaping
the hand of the executioner"
Certainly" assented the marquis.
ga man worthy of crossing swords
with me is also deserving of my conf
dence and you shall have it in full.
The wound in my arm, Insignificant
though it may appear, is none the less
deadly. 1t was caused by the prick
of dagger, the point of which had
been tipped with poison taken from
the diseased bone of putrid human
body. Its extreme virulence would
not be made manifest for several
hours to come, but I have the author
ity of one Of Frances most eminent
physicians for stating that such pois-
on is absolutely sure in it's effects.
True, one would labor under the tri-
fling inconvenience of enduring in
tense agony at the final climax, but
that is mere matter of detail with
which I am not concerned. Besides.
your fame as swordsman leads me
to imagine that I nay perchance ex-
pire in an easier and more gentle
manly fashion I think am not mis-
taken when I infer that you are one
of the best wielders of a good steel
bade in this degenerate age?"
81 followed the profession of mas
ter of arms before entering the police
service" was the chiefs reply.
"Good!" exclaimed the marquis,
merrily. What more could I ask?
A man of honest If not noble blood,
and skilled in the management of his
weapon. I warn you however, M.
Claude, that I myself am no novice in
the art of fencing"
IF report speaks truly, there is not
swordsman in the country that
possesses a stronger wrist or keener
eye than the Marquis D'Aldano," re-
turned the chief.
! The marquis smiled again. "a truce
to compliments, M. Claude" he ex-
claimed springing to his feet and denud-
ing himself of his waistcSat Time
presses and an occasional twinge I'M
der the armpit, that resembles the
stab of red-hot needle, warns me the
poison is beginning to work. And
e. l.