The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-11-23
CHAPTER /.
AN ENCOUNTER WITH CAR
TOUCHE,

my cloak more closely about me and
stepped forth into the street. l had
fingered long over my meal, as a man
will who has been alone all the day
and sees little chance of companion
ship before him. For in all the city
l knew no one. and there seemed small
prospect of the night bringing any en-
joyment with it. 1 turned to the left,
away from that dingy house in the Rue
Bailleul, which was the only home l
had thus far found in Paris, deter
mined to forget for time at least,
it's narrow entrance leading to the
dirty interior court, where a thousand
doors struggled ceaselessly for mas
terry; the dark staircase mounting
steeply upward. and the close little
room, which single weeks occupancy
me. Ah, Ii was different from the wide,
sweet valley of the Loire.
At the outset of my career in Paris
! had been confronted by a problem
which demanded immediate solution.
I might lodge well and dress poorly,
or / might dress well and lodge poor
ly, but had not money enough to do
both well. After mature elaboration
! had chosen the latter course and ex-
pended my money upon my wardrobe,
reasoning that all the world would
notice my attire. while no one would
penetrate to my lodging. My neighbors
In the Rue Bailleul had not yet re-
covered from the astonishment with
which my advent had filled them, and
still gazed wonderingly and suspicious
ly after me whenever I CHANGED to
pass.
So I strobe through the night away
from that shabby garnet, and as I
went I thought somewhat bitterly Of
the high hopes | had brought with
me to the city a week before-hopes
Of adventure and glory, after the fash
ion, doubtless. of every youth who
came to Paris from the provinces, but
a week had passed with no adventure.
and as for glory, it seemed farther away
than ever. In faith. those same hopes
were about my only possession, a fact
brought painfully to my attention
when / had opened my purse 10 min
utes since to pay my score, and some
thing must needs happen soon Orwell,
l had seen man taken from the
Seine the day before and his face
seemed peaceful. At least, would
never go back to the narrow life which
l had always hated.
A splash into a pool Of mud brought
me out of my thoughts. I stopped
and looked about me, but did not rec
ognize the street, which seemed very
squalid one. The dilapidated wooden
pullulH6S Will tlGlI pldStSISu llohtS
tottered together over my head. A pu-
trid stream filled the central gutter,
giving forth an odor which reminded
me forcibly of the court below my
window. ! started to retrace my steps
and return to more inviting Quarter
of the city when a hand was laid sud-
denly upon my shoulder.
"Ah, monsieur said pleasant
voice, ''you seem to have lost your
way"
"'Tis not a difficult task in Paris"
/ replied. and as l did so, threw off the
mans hand and stepped quickly back
to have my sword arm free in case
of need.
II should be pleased to conduct mon
sieur wherever he might wish to CO."
continued the voice, the face of whose
owner tried in vain to distinguish.
"A thousand thanks" I answered.
IF monsieur will tell me the shortest
way of reaching the Rue st. Denis
need trouble him no further"
with pleasure. Take the first street
to the right. then onward three blocks
and monsieur is there" said my
strange companion. And then as
which monsieur has overlooked
"And what is that?" I questioned
sharply.
"Monsieur's purse. No gentleman
ever leaves the presence of Cartouche
with his purse in his possession
"And is this Cartouche?" asked,
more to gain time than for any other
reason, for light as my purse was, /
could Ill afford to part with 1t, even
to the most famous thief In Paris.
"Assuredly." answered the fellow and
he held out his hand with an air Of
nonchalance which exasperated me.
Cartouche's fame had Travelled far, and
he had spoken truth when he said that
all men with whom he talked left their
purses with him, yet I was In mood
for an adventure, and reflected that
a man were better dead than penni-
less.
II fear that you will have to break
your rule in this instance. monsieur"
I said. after moments silence, dur
ing which his attitude had lost nothing
OF my purse are of Infinitely greater
value to me than they can be to you.
Hence l must beg leave to retain it."
Docs monsieur count the cost?" he
asked, quietly.
Fully" 1 answered, and, leaping
back pace. drew my sword and stood
on guard. At the same instant he
placed q whistle to his lips and blew
one shrill blast. 1 heard the sound Of
Fastening footsteps, and half a dozen
blackguards. who had doubtless been
concealed near by, were upon me, while
Cartouche stood calmly to one side and
watched the conflict. The foremost ran
on my sword as upon spit, and as he
fell with a single sobbing cry, l stepped
back against the wall, prepared to give
the others a warm argument. Yet /
knew / must be overpowered in the
end by sheer weight of numbers, and ii
was reputed that Cartouche had only
one penalty for resistance. For some
minutes l managed to keep the space
in front Of me clear, running one of
the scoundrels through the shoulder
before they saw they had a swords
man to deal with and retired to a safer
distance. / heard windows near by
opening, and looked for assistance
from that direction, but in a moment
they were closed again. Evidently no
one dared interfere with Cartouche
Then back at me his rascals came,
all together, and evidently counting on
overwhelming me In the rush, as, in
deed, thought they must do. Another
fellow felt the point Of my sword in his
thigh. but matters were growing des-
perate, for I had myself been stabbed
in the arm and was fast becoming
winded. This was hotter work than
had ever done.
What have we here?" suddenly rang
out q new voice above the clash OF
swords IAN honest gentleman beset
by knaves? A moment, monsieur. and
am with YOU"
discerncd dim, figure running to-