The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-15


And the generous captain poured forth
such pleas and made such representa-
lions as to the injury of such a proceed
ing would do his maJesty's reputation,
that finally the King said: well, you
are a bold counselor. But not always
shall you run counter to my wishes Go
now and see that you do not lose sight of
M. Fouquet. Keep him all this night un-
der constant surveillance. When we have
left Vaux arrest him and take him to the
| bastile."
| D'Artagnan went at once to the
chamber of NJ. Fouquet. The superin
tendent turned pale as he saw the mus
keteer enter. He had seen the cloud
upon the brow of the King and feared
that his doom was sealed. His only
hope was in the promise of Aramis
that he would extricate him from his
perils. NO" replied D'Artagnan to the
minister's greeting, II have not come
for you, but 1 am not to lose sight OF
Your Excellency until tomorrow Then
I-perhaps-who knows? Pray you re-
pose yourself as If 1 were not here.
Why, I shall sleep so soundly in this
chair that I shall not hear you. But,
monsieur, If you SO much as try to ap.
proach that door shall sleep so lightly
that I shall at once awaken" Fouquet
took advantage of the hint of the cap
tain to destroy such papers as he did
not wish to fall into the hands Of his
enemies and so the night passed. The
star Of Fouquet had set forever.
Meantime, through an aperture in the
dome which rooted the Kings apart
ment and which was concealed by sor1e
of the ornamentation, two pair OF eyes
looked down upon the monarch as he
made his preparations for the nights
sleep. The unseen spectators were Ara
mis- and Philippe. Since releasing him
from the Bastile Aramis had busily. in :
structed the Prince in the history of
France and in the present conditions
Of the nation and court and had de"
scribed to him, or sh own him at a dis
|tance, the men with whom he would,
as King, be brought into contact most
intimately.
The Prince had been a maryelously
apt scholar. Now Aramis cautioned him
TO- observe carefully the procedure pre-
scribed by court etiquette for the
Kings going to bed Philippe was
dressed in suit exactly like that which
the King had worn that day. Aramis had
provided for that. and if the two, Louis
and his twin brother, had stood side
by side, few. if any, could have tol.
which was King. Finally the ceremony
of the royal retirement was ended and
Louis slept-upon the great carved and
gilded bed Presently he had a ter
rible dream. 1t seemed to him as IL
his eyes were open and he saw the
the bed sinking through the floor.
swiftly, noiselessly? 'It is a night
mare he said to himself. Il must
wake up" But 1t was no dream. ms
nightmare. He found himself In q dark,
subterranean dungeon and on eitheI
side of him stood two men enveloped IN
long cloaks. masked and armed. Louis
sprang from the bed, which at once
assembled to the apartment above, the
ed closing after it.
There was only the light of a lantern
borne by one of the men to show the
outlines OF the place, which seemed to
be subterranean passage. Convinced
that he was the victim of conspiracy.
Louis, nevertheless, assumed naughty
mien and asked who dared thus treat
the King of France. TRY and forget
that title, my little man." replied one
Of his four guards very Hercules
for shetland come with us without
noise or | shall be Obliged to wrai,
your head In this cloak--and If /
smother you why, 1t Is not my fault