The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-12-28
CHAPTER vI-(Cvntinued.)
Copyright by

ieiieVe Us. LUCKILY we Knew tho IVA
tion Of the governors office. The dark
ness favored us. and at the magic.
words Montjoy and st. Denis the
drawbridge was lowered and the gates
were opened into the outer court.
This way" said Richelieu, and pray
heaven he be alone"
We FASTENED towards a lighted win
dow, which we could see distinctly
through the darkness. Richelieu peered
into the room.
1T is he" he whispered. He is sit
ting at q table writing, with his back
to the door. ]. think he Is alone. We
must surprise him. Are you ready?"
and he drew his dagger from his belt.
Z YES" I said, II am quite ready" and
! also drew my dagger.
He opened the door noiselessly, and
into place. and with one spring Richie
lieu was at the side Of Maison-Rouge.
his poniard against his throat,
"One SOUND, one movement" he said,
between his teeth, land you are a dead
man. monsieur"
Maison-R Rouge looked around with a
start, felt the dagger against his neck.
and like a discreet man remained silent,
his face impassive as ever.
Nov. de Brancas, quick. A gag n
some rope" I found both without diff
ficulty. I'VE forget the window" cried
Richelieu suddenly. '"Close 1t, man."
I closed the iron shutter so that not a
ray Of light could be seen from with
out, and Maison- Rouge was soon Sc
cured.
Now" said Richelieu, 'let us go"
o he contrary, let us stay" l an
swered.
How. stay? Are you mad?"
mot at all. Alone, we shall never
be able to pass the outer gate. Only
M n de MaisOn,Rou ug Ca can ~ get y, US out
Hardly" said Richelieu.
II believe that he WILL" I said,
when he has fully considered the Sit
uation. One question, M. lie Due. DO
you wish to leave PARISH"
Certainly not"
And yet, IL you escape, you will have
to leave Paris, will you not, and per-
haps France"
II fear So" said Richelieu, gloomily.
"Ah, now ] am sure that you will
favor my plan. Now, NJ. de Mason
Rouge. attention. Let me tell you first
that we have a very important engage
ment for this evening, which We are
determined to keep. II we escape, leav-
tige is lost. Conceive the an
ger Of the regent when he
finds that you nave permitted to sliI
through your fingers the two prisoners
whom he had especially charged you te
watch closely"
man. His impassiveness yielded tc
this blow. as I had thought 1t would.
ION the other hand. what l propose
to you is this. You order your coach
we enter with YOU. you drive ou'
through the gates, announcing tina
you go or a mission Of Importance
Three hours later you drive in again
xrya r,ixh x,n,,p cor, both MAN cfa ~
You will send us back to our SECOND
watch on the roof. We release the tive
sentries, who will not have been dis
covered, return them their uniforms
secure their silence. regain our rooms
and remove all traces of u flight
Everything will be as 1t was before
and when in the morning the regen
sends to inquire after his prisoners
you can inform him that they are safe
Does the plan strike you favorably
MONSIEUR"
I had been watching him closely a!
I talked and ! was satihed that n
would consent. I looosened the gag.
do you consent, MONSIEUR" I re
peated.
What assurance have I hat yol
will return with me?' he asked.
my word Of honor"
"And yours also, M. lie Duc?"
Certainly, mine also" answered
Ricnelleu.
"Messieurs,'' said Maison Rouge. g.
understand nothing Of all this, out
am in you power. I will do anything
to keep my prisoners. I consent"
And what assurance have we?"
asked.
My word of honor also"
"That will do, said Richelieu. BE
Let us make haste, them" I cried
and I united Maison-Rogue, first assur
ing myself that he was unarmed.
"Unbolt the door," he said. Richeliel
did 30. The governor rang a bell. 4
man entered, and I saw Richelieu girl
his dagger convulsively. At least
Maison-Rougo would not escape If h,
showed a sign Of treachery.
my coach. at once" said the gov
rno Inform Lieutenant Perralt tina
he is to take by place here until / re
turn from a mission Of Importance"
The man saluted and withdrew.
drew a breath Of relief, and I felt tina
my forehead was damp with .perspira
ton for the secon time that night
Maison-Rouge donned his cloak an
hat. Five tense minutes passed. Thel
the door opened and the man reap
'peared.
1.-THE coach is waiting, monsieur h,
said. 3
Very we'll" replied the governor
k1ilQ
win be here in a moment, mon
sieur."
1--WE will not wait for him. Follow
me, my men," and he led the way t,
the coach whose lanterns CLEANED
through the darkness. He entered
first and we followed him. We wer,
stopped at the d~rawbridge. and tn,
sentry thrust in his head to be certain
that It was really the governor of tn,
bastille who passed.
"Alps WELL" he cried. The d~rawbridg,
creaked down and we rumbled over
There was q moments delay at tn,
outer gate, then 1t was opened and W,
were free.
I whispered in the governors ear.
ITO the Hotel de Richelieu." he an
swered.
Not a word was spoken as we dashed
through the almost deserted streets
and we were soon in the Rue de!
Saints Peres. The coachman stopped
before the central gate of the hotel.
wait a moment here" said Richie
lieu, and he sprang from the coach
ran to the gate n rang the bell. A
lacquey answered the summons, anc
after a whispered word with hin
Richelieu motioned us forward. AS w,
passed he stepped again into the coach
and the gate was closed behind us. II
a moment we were at the great en-.
trance OF the house.
"Come with us, monsieur" I said 1,
Maison-Rouge, and motioned him t.
get put first.
THE governor wishes you on no &C
- - I---.- AIG- 49, - A. A.