The Washington times., 1909-12-18


friends nor progress in his quest MANY
times bis tOo-ready right hand sought
the hilt Of his sword, but some element
OF country caution within him always
interviewed in time, and he never drew
the weapon with which he was so ex-
pert. being well aware that if he once
showed naked steel in that assemblage
/ he would be quickly hustled out and
never allowed to re-enter.
An hour before we find Cardiac
| leaning over the parapet Of the bridge
an old warder of the entrance hall,
/ who had observed him there day by
DAY, for months, growing thinner and
gaunter as time wore uselessIy on, be-
| ing from the country himself, and see
/ ing plainly that the young man showed
/ little knowledge of Paris. approached
/ him and spoke.
Sir, whence do you Gomez"
! From Cardillac. in Gascony."
/ i am from Avignon. We are both
OF the south. although you live in the
western border OF France and 1 on
the eastern. Sir. can 1 serve your"
! i should be delighted II you did. but
as preamble I must honestly say that
possess no money to part with
L knew that before you spoke" re-
/ piled the other. You wish to see my
master, perhaps?"
1T is for that purpose I have been
here these many days"
May examine your credentials. for
none get beyond this point who are not
we'll provided with them? I may not be
able TO obtain admission for you, but 1
can at least give you some directions
in the method of procedure. for you
60 h. -.
court"
Surely 1 am that. yet my creden-
tails are the best that could be re-
quired. being no other than an invita-
ton from De Luynes himself, asking
me to Paris"
Sir, viii you show me the docu-
ment?"
I with pleasure" and Cardillac hand
, ed the old man his precious letter The
official read it over slowly, then slow
ly shook his head as he returned it.
II fear It will be Of little use to
? you, sir. This document is not in the
= handwriting of NJ. de Luynes."
The young man started 10 his feet.
"a forgery" he cried.
mo, not q forgery. A communion
ton sent under command Of my mas
ter. but written by one Of his secre-
, taries''
ITO an honorable man, and I trust
De Luynes is such. the obligation is
, the same"
True, but there is much press OF
, business since my master undertook
the huge task which is before him.
The moment he attained his present
position there sprang up in all quar-
tiers OF France. and here by the hun
dreds in Paris itself, people who said
: they had been of assistance TO him
during his years OF nonentity. 1 pre-
: sumo you preferred similar claim"
But my claim was a just one
sir, 1 fully believe you, but the
others held their claims were just also,
and they demand compensation now
that NJ de Luynes is in a position to
requite."
e II demanded nothing" proclaimed the
J young man hotly, but merely remind
] ed him Of the Introduction and advice
my father had given him, which put
his foot on the first rung of the ladder
I then asked II he advised me TO pro-
coed to Paris. and this is his answer.
DO you say It means nothing?'
, 1T is not for me 70 pass judgment,
said the old man slowly. The score
, taries Of NJ. de Luynes are very meth
odicaI You may see at the top Of the
page the number 81, which means that
, uinety-six persons have received sim
: liar letter previous to this one being
sent TO you. I advise you not to build
upon the document. II is, indeed, moth
ing but joke"
: Nothing but a ioke?" cried the proud
, Cardiac. Surely you yourself but
/ Jest He would not dsre!"
pare what?" asked the old man, lift
! ing his eyebrows.
, Dare to Jest with one OF my name
I and house"
IT am ignorant Of the standing OF the
house Of CardilIac in Gascony," re-
turned the ancient quietly, with never
theless a trace OF sarcasm in his tone
but my master dares Jest with repre-
: sentatives of the first families f.
France, and they have the courtesy K
I. laugh heartily, even If the point fl
turned against them
IF he turns the point OF a witticisH
against me- cried Cardillac. he'll NEE
q the point OF my sword in return"
q Tut. tut" cautioned the old man
+ do not speak so loudT
j why should I not speak at the tot
s OF my voice. here or elsewhere2 Th'
y castle Of Cardillac has been in the pos
p session Of my family for fourteen gen
e erations, and this man is but the sol
e Of a corn chandler in AK. who Ia,
y saved enough money TO buy the insig
< nihcant property OF LUynes, from which
- he now names himself. This man wa
j. destined 10 be a wine merchant in Bos
l.. deaux!"
8 Sir" said the dignified official sol
4 emily, you are hot-headed and injudi
y cious. I fear your career IN Paris vii
. | be short"
% you would not say so II you knew
a how adept / am with the sword
n Hush commanded the venerable
e