The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-08-11

opinion we have had time to get t
bed. / will warn M. lie Comte."
He nodded without replying, and a
I sprang across the vestibule. an
mounted the stair, l saw him golni
from candle to candle with incredible
rapidity. / had intended sending
servant to assist him, but both vesti
bule n corridor were absolutel,
empty.
Z gained the hall above and aeai,
looked about for a servant, but ther
was none in sight. There was n,
time for hesitation. Beneath the thirt
door to the left I perceived a ray o
light. l strobe to IT and knocket
sharply.
who is there?" cried a voice which
thrilled me.
, 1T is I. Tavernay. mademoiselle."
answered, trying to speak calmly
Dress yourself at once"
Il am already dressed" she said, ant
threw pen the door. What is wrong
monsieur"
THE house is being surrounded BY
the Blues" / said rapidly. But, made
moiselle, you must put on some heavier
gown than that n stouter shoes. We
may have to fiee-to hide in the woods
and the night is cold"
Very well, monsieur" she answered
n my heart thrilled again at the
calmness Of her tone. Il shall be
ready in a moment"
When you have Finished" 7 said,
blow out your light as though you
were retiring. Then wait for me here
at our doc with your maid"
my maid has disappeared" she in
terrupted.
Disappeared"
AT least. / n find her. No one
will answer the bell"
$50 much the better" I assured her.
though my heart was heavy with fore
boding.' 1.-The smaller the party, the
greater our chance of escape. Which
Is M. lie Comics apartments"
AT the end of the corridor"
II shall return at once" I said, seized
her hand, kissed 1t, and passed on.
M. lie Comte opened his door in
stantly in answer to my knock, and at
the first glimpse of my face. stepped
out into the corridor and closed the
door behind him.
What is it, Tavernay?" he asked.
What a happened?"
The Blues have arrived" I an
swered rapidly; they are posting sem
tinels abou the house. / recognized
Dubosq. their leader-the same fellow
who tried to trap you this morning.
This time he is making certain that
you shall not escape"
Nor is that ALL" said a low voice
behind me.
/ turned quickly. 1t was Pasdeloup.
"Pasdeloup!" cried his master,
What do you here?"
Il come to war; M. lie Comte.
"Of what?"
The canaille Of DANCE are on their
way to sac the chateau"
NONSENSE"
1T is to be turned over to them as
oon as M. lie Comte and the women
are taken prisoners" continued Pas
deloup, without noticing the Interrupt
ton. Nor is that all. They are t. be
permitted to seize M. lie Comte and to
use him as the mob Of Paris has al
ready used SO many
Nonsense. Pasdeloup!" repeated his
master, but his face had paled a little.
Where did you lear such a~bsurdities? 2"
Fol answer. Pasdeloup pointed along
the empty corridor.
Where are your people. M. lie
Comte?" he asked. None here-none
below-ssarch the whole house and you
will find not one. An hour ago the
stole away along the road to DANCE.
/ alone could not be bribed or fright
ened into joining them"
His master stared at him for a mo-
ment, then down the empty corridor,
his face of a sudden gray and haggard.
"All?" he repeated hoarsely, "All?
Eve Joseph? Even Marcelle?"
Yes, monsieur" said Pasdeloup,
laughing grimly. Even Joseph. Even
Marcelle. 1 do not say that they wished
to go. I only know that they were
afraid to stay. Where II Is a question
Of ones life or a~nother's, one saves
oneself. That is human nature"
M. le Comte stood yet a with
bent head. as though struck by a heavy
blow.
"And you? 2" he asked, at last. looking
at Pasdeloup.
Again Pasdeloup laughed grimly.
1T Is my nature, too" he said. Only
l am not so easily frightened. Permit
me to remind you, M. lie Comte," he
added. a trace Of impatience in his
voice, that there is no time to lose."
His master pulled himself together
by a mighty effort.
you are right" he said, 1--WE must
get away"
There Is a break in the line of SEN
tries" / suggested. Perhaps we can
get through" but my heart fell as I
thought how nearly impossible it was.
AT least We will try. Do you get
Charlotte. monsieur. I will bring mad
ame."
I sped along the corridor, pausing
only an instant at my room to snatch
up my sword and pistols and ammum-
ton pouch. Mdlle. de Chambray was
awaiting me. wrapped to the chin in
a dark cloak. more beautiful than ever.
Il am ready, monsieur" she said. her
eyes shining like twin stars.
There Is yet a chance" said.
Come" and I took her hand. 81 love
.you,!" I whispered as we sped down
the corridor together. whatever hap
pens to me tonight. remember-I lore
you!"
h answered with a pressure Of the
fingers and a little tremulous smile.
II shall remember" she said softly.
us our case. then, so very desperate? 2"
1T could not well be more So" I
answered grimly.
my friend" she whispered, still more
softly, tell me that you forgive me-"
From the garden came the shrill cry
OF an owl thrice repeated.
Too late!" / groaned. TOO late"
We We're at M. lie Comics door. Pas
deloup was leaning against the wall, his
arms folded. his face very grim. My
companion shrank back with a little
gasp Of dismay at sight of him.
is a friend" l said. Where is