The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-05-23

him from punishment If his plans weni wrong.
 Late that night he sat waiting fol the report of his agent who had hired Lanspourde. Suddenly that noble assas. sin himseelf entered the room. The Duke was about to vent his anger al the impudence of the intruder but 6 glance at the unabashed, fierce face of the ruffian checked him. Jaequemir Lampourde's wicked eyes stared al him with calm insolence. He twisted the immense waxed mustacfes whose sharp points stuck out under an tm- mense nose. He dropped a bag oi money on the table and said:
 T have not earned this money. al though perhaps the risk ran would justify my keeping 1t. But my honor course of my profession. have stretch ed thirty-seven men dead and I will not count those left mortally wound ed. But this Captain Fracasse was ready for everything. At last. tried my most deadly thrust. And just look what he did to my priceless, precious Sahagun. He drew forth the broken pieces of his beautiful sword. "Your Ezighness can see that 1t was pro- digious blow that snapped this steel. An! Captain Fracasse is marvellous swordsman. and in addition The is a generous one. for he might have spit ed me like an ortalan, but he let me so. I owe my life to him. Hence forth he is sacred to me-"
 Jacquemin Lampourde saluted the Duke stifiy. put his hat on and stalk ed out. leaving the nobleman almost smothered with hot wrath.
 vallombreuse now bent all his mind on Isabelle, exulting in the knowledge that he would strike a vicious blow through her at the young Baron. Through another agent he iured the company of actors out of Paris to visit chateau invented for the purpose As soon as the party was on a lonely road horsemen attacked 1t. 4 great cloak was thrown over De SiRognac Before he could struggle free, Isabelle was lifted to horse and the ktdnap- pers were off like the wind.
 They carried her to a great chatea, She learned soon that 1t belonged to VaIlombreuse. That nobIeman was not there, however. He was attending th,p King and showing himself ostenta- tiously in Paris to establish an aIibf. well knowing that the actors would the town.
 So 1t was not until the day after the NhoN presented hlm9a1f ha fore his prisoner who had been treated with the utmost respect. though gnard- ed closely by the Dukes bravos' who watched every gate. Isabelle rnet him with such disdain and contempt that Vallombreuse was driven nearly out Inf his mind. The mans vanity was even greater than his corruption. and until then he had believed firmly that fine girl could not fai1 to love him if he had a fair opportunity to dazzle her with his presence.
 He retired, and sent her a mass of flowers held together by a string of jewels fit for a queens wearing. Isa belle took them from the messenger. stepped to the door and flung them into the corridor.
 This indignity, committed in the presence of the servants. robbed the noblenfsn of his last vestige of self restraint Evening had scarcely set in before he entered Isabelle apartments and assailed her. with a crazed ming ling of threats and pleadings. At last he tried to kiss her.
 The next moment there came a wild crash against the window. The case ment smashed and fell into the room. A mass of branches protruded through the opening, and De Sigognac, followed by two men. burst in over the impro- vised bridge.
 The young Baron. who had traced Isabelle after a days search, had climbed a tree and chopped down ita