The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-12-27
CHAPTER X lCont'd.l.

CHAPTER Y Cont d..
HE lieutenant was in 9uandary'
and the cleaning eyes OF the
Iron woman showed no appreel-
alton Of his difficulty. She eN-
pected 20 be obeyed instantly, ye' mere
was he alone with this Desperate
whom she had placed practically with
his back against the wall, and at tnls
moment forgetful Of the tact lnat rs
stood IN the presence of three ladies'
his right hand sought the hilt OF his
sword and his face was as uncom-
promising as that Of the abDesS. BIZ
terly did De -Four regret tnat ne had
sent the mounted escort to the south
ern end Of the bridge.
do you propose to arrest meF
asked Cardillac, calmly.
no Although ! refuse to counte-
nance the violation OF this sanctuary y
even to execute the warrant OF the
king, on the other hand / am not al
lowed TO receive orders from any eN-
cept my general in Orleans. There
fore, madame, I crave your pardon IL
must unhappIIy disregard your com
mano."
The abbess looked with profound con-
tempt upon both of these specimens OF
manhood before her. but said nothing.
Il must return St once TO Paris" sail
Cardillac
Hd6 dDDuL 70 make AIdl SuSB6StlOEl
myself" returned the lieutenant. his
eye lighting up. He could easily cap
ture his man as they passed through
the town. and he determined 10 do so.
With your permission 1 go by way Of
Chateaudun"
Why by way Of Chateaudun7 1t is.
as you know, tnC longer route, and IL
time was OF value 10 you before, it IS
surely tenfold mora so now"
l snail save time BY returning along
the route l came persisted CardiIlac
firmly. My relays of horses are at
CharJres. Ramoouillet and other points
along the road
You always furnish a reason for any
action you wish to take, and, I must
admit, a most excellent one. Still IL
you go by way OF the southern route,
can give you an order which will pro-
cure horses FOR you"
Thank you. lieutenant, but rs the
horses ! have already tested ar wait
ing for me, may as well make use OF
them"
That is unanswerable. Of course.
Well do not envy you your Journey"
Are you such craven as to let this
man goY' demanded the abbess Shall
1 be compelled to order the alarm bell
rung, and capture him with my nuns?'
Deer madame, I beseech you! Il Is
not a matter Of cravenness, but Of JUS
tce- NJ. de Cardillac came from Paris,
and ne returns 20 Paris. If he insisted
on proceeding TO Bloi5, I might use my
discretion and detain him, but as il
is''-the helpless lieutenant shrugged
his shoulders.
This colloquy was interrupted by the
sudden ringing of the gate-bell, the iron
handle Of which had been pulled 50
strenUOusly that every one present ex-
cept the abbess was startled by the in
sistent clangor. The wardress seemed
paTalyzed by fright; her terrified eyes
turned upOn the abbess. who merely
said ~cidly: open the door"
tbs command being obeyed, disclosed
standing on the threshold q soldier, who
raised his hand in salute on seeing his
chief
wei, Lesparent, what IS mr. asked
De Four. stepping forward
Pardon, Lieutenant" exclaimed the
man breathlessly, but a messenger has
Just arrived from Paris with important
orders"
Yes. yesr'
The Due de MontreuiI has escaped,
and Is supposed TO be making his way
10 Loches. You are to intercept him
IL possible
L knew all that before. He is BY
this time across the Loire, and out OF
reach. Why did not the messenger
come here himself?"
He was too exhausted, lieutenant.
and had TO be helped from his horse"
We'll, well, what else did he sav?''
There was with the Due de Mon
treuil a Gascon renegade named De
Cardlllac, and NJ. de Luynes is even
more anxious 20 catch him than TO in
tercept the duke
From the description he gave. I
thought the man you received this af-
ternoon. and with whom you came here.
might be De Cardillac, and so 1 hur-
ried after you"
You thought cried the Iieu+Anan+
I'm anger. Why did YOU not think az
up with you a squad OF men -
The soldier bowed his head under tbA
reproof, and again saIuted.
Lieutenant, I took the liberty Of do
ing So There are twelve men here he
hind me at the gate. The rnAsseners,-
sald this De Cardillac was supposed 70
pea a. forged letter from NJ. de
And that's a Her. cried D. cardu1so
the wall O0OAIl's 10
The s4rdonic abbess never nincba5 ~
lhe gltter OF the steel, but INDUCED I'M Z
- WY smile or contumely at the ev-
cIIemeut or tn eSe puny men. WHOM, - |
y as only TOO palpable she despise5 GU
oade herself the small trfuD1Db - |
saving: CT told YOU sou Ol
but the new turn of Affairs s.o,,,., !
20 nave added half a dozen incbos - /
we STATURE OF the lieutenant. ~
now, with irresistible power ar Ms L 49,
and determination. 0Oul age /
NJ. de Cardiac" he thundere5 ar
laNe tHe honor and pleasure OF arraet
no SOu III the name OF the klngw'