The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-10


 Cunningly as he had fomented trouble in Liege and constantly as he had in- duced the Wild Boar of Ardennes to move against the Dukes authority, he still had not dreamed that they would be mad enough to attack the Bishop until they received armed help from him-help which he carefully refrained from sending
 But men who plot walk on a dizzy edge Louis saw a victory of policy within his hand only to have his plans fall in ruin when the news of the bloody deed in Lege was brought to Peronne and an- nounced in open council in the presence of the king and the duke.
 "Murderedlp roared the duke, starting up and stamping his foot with such fury that he dashed to pieces the stool before him. Bar the doors of this hall! Gen. tlemen of my chamber, draw your swords! Murderer of thy brotherr he continued in a terrible voice, shaken by emotion and fury, turning to the king. .rreacherous ally Perjured kingl Dishonored gen. tlemen. Thou art in my power and thank God for itl'
 He ended with a. deep sob, for he had truly loved the old bishop. Wild confu- sion reigned throughout the hall. The few warriors in the train of Louis started to his side prepared to die with him, since they knew that they could not hope to prevail against the OuaS.
 Of all the many in the great chamber Louis alone was calm and collected. He knew that one blow would precipitate massacre in which he would be certain to perish. With all his authority he com manded his supporters to yield their swords and without remonstrance he per mtted himself to be led under guard to prison.
 That night the duke neither undressed nor slept, but wept and cursed in turn while with every hour his determination grew to kill the King of France. His nobles besought him not to stain his honor with so foul breach of hospitality and faith: but for a long while it was in vain. Some of his most trusted nobles took counsel with Louis himself and rep resented to him that they could swerve the duke from his purpose only if they eoulo prove to him that the French King was guiltless of complicity with William de Ia Marck.
 in his favor. That was the young Scotch archer who had just entered Peronne with the Countess Isabelle. It was a des- perate chance. Louis calculated that Quentin could not have escaped the trap of the Wild Boar had he not been fore warned of treachery. But his case was desperate enough to make desperate ex ptuleHlS WlS6. ftS StuI bOTu OldNlOTu LO sound the young Scot.
 Whether his majesty be innocent or guilty in the matter of the foul play that beset us on his errand," said Quentin to his countryman, 'I leave to God and his conscience. I will never load him in his diversity with accusations. But there is a lady who knows the circumstances and who is not bound by any duty. If can see her I will undertake to induce h fa offa ell lAx.t al flnf -I rlaa
 Even with this argument to aid him, poor Quentin found it difficult task to get speech with Isabelle. Her noble kins- men, ntore than suspecting how things stood between her and the landless lad had Kept her close from the hour of her arrival. Only the greatness of the emer- gency won grudging assent from them at last and the two were permitted to meet s.Cne.
 lmpdlsively they Kissed each other ann earnestly eyes looked into-cyes, not huow ing if they would eyss meet again in this H0rid: for Isabelle hal declared that shc would orter nunnery rather tnal marry the duise's choice.
 The impatient Crevccoeur, vino wairea ou .side, parted them again within few moments, barely giving '2nentln time l. exact promise from her thas she would not give voice to any of her susplcionu, but tosLEy only to the facts.
 Oa the following day Louis was esco, std in sc slm. state to Il, great council room where his fate would be decided. The duke, scarcely able to refrain from utter ing his hate, charged Louis with having conspired to keep the Countess Isabelle from his just authority and with being an accomplice in the murder of the Bishop of Liege.
 Isabelle testified that Louis had not in vited her to seek his protection, but that she had done so without previous con sultation, and that her arrival had not been greeted with cordiality which was quite true, as Louis had dissembled even to her, so that she might not know the plans that he builded on having her in his power.
 Charles of Burgundy looked at Louis with glare, showing that he felt bafflcd rather than convinced.
 She continued, and narrated all that had happe6ed to the scene when Quentin con fronted the Wild Boar in the banqueting room of the bishop's palace.
 Then Quentin followed. He told of his adventures, even to the discovery of the plot between his guide and the emssary from William de la Marck, emitting noth- ing except his suspicion as to the kings complicity.
 "Hark thee" said the duke, "and To- member that thy life depends on thy truthfulncss. Did not these villains men tion that they had thy kings authority for carrying off the two ladies?'
 T heard nothng which could authorize me to say so," answered Quentin. And I repeat that had no commission Of any kind from the King of France to t.l. peo- ple of Ia.ee, far les; Instructions to incite them 10 nruny. l used the ir,punity which my inuuted character gave me only 10 save he ',t untess Isabelle.'
 And theren,' ciled Crevecoeur lo.dly, my young friend and prisoner did tight; and his ot'g s5 cannot be imputed us blame to King Louis.
 The duke looked iIC@ci.y on his favGrite counselor and still more moodily around his es,:', from al: members of which rose murmurs of assent.
 The tide was r.niES in favor of Louis. It's flow received a mighty accession from fortune at this opportune moment, for herald from William de la Marck was announced He delivered a challenge from the Wild Boar, but before the duke could reply Louis arose and said: Take notice to the perjured outlaw and murderer that the King of France will be presently be- fore Liege and that he proposes to sibbet William de la Marck alive"
 And add for my part" said the duke whatever it may not misbecome a prince to send to a common theft and murderer Begone! Mo- stay! Never herald left my court without having cause to cry Lar gesser Let him be scouraged till the bones are bare!' l
 By the rood" said Louis, quick to catch the mood of his dangerous cousin Since the ass has put on boar's hide