Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1911-12-21
WITH = ss9, =. .. tn:
"rTE n Ut Conspiracy by
| i IlE ne IN j Burton Egbert
Copyright by --J B. Lipptncost Company Stevenson
b. Lippincott Company

CHAPTER w (Continued).
We had already commenced the COM
bat. and I admit that I took my chance
In lowering my guard. but 1 was not
prepared for the act Of cowardice
which followed. For before I could
recover myself I felt rather than saw
my antagonist thrust at me, and I in
voluntarily closed my eyes as I waited
to feel his sword In my flesh. But at
that instant there came a ringing clash
Of steel on steel, and 1 opened my Eyes
to see the scoundrel's weapo flying
over the heads of the spectators.
"Ah, de Gare,' cried Richelieu, for
Il was he who had disarned him. and
yet o dare associate with gentlemen!
II I gave you your deserts 1 would run
you through where you stand. But l
prefer killing you with your sword in
your hand, SO follow me to the street,
and we will finish this argument. Stand
hack, de Brancas." he continued to me.
- I attempted to interfere. This is
my quarrel. 1t was I whom they in
The Comte de Care. foaming with
yage, picked up his sword and followed
% the street. The sentiment of the
crowd was plainly with Richelteu. and
q moment later when I looked about
1or Dc Cares companions they had dis
appeared. A ring Of curious spectators
formed around the two men, and their
swords were ringing together In an in
slant. Before q moment passed I saw
that de Care had found his master.
He realized It. too, and his face went
from red to white as he felt h dukes
$0AA VapNent Nh = - n Tho 4nnvo1 M hv0 NH
pose In his eyes. Plainly it was only
the question of a few moments. The
duke was playing with him, parrying
almost carelessly his savage thrusts.
aud advancing his own point nearer
and nearer to his heart. The onlookers
which they Knew would be fatal.
Richeiieu. gayly. for His self possession
had returned the instant he felt his ad-
versAry's sword against his own, 1.-The
proper way to deal with towards. This
company Of gentlemen, and I am glad
that It was reserved for my sword to
punish him. All, you breaixl" he crieo
egatn. for tho other had given back a
I, who wa standing at the duqe's side,
cav q kind Of ferocity spring to life in
do Cares eyes, and I noticed that his
left hand was no longer behind him.
but was concealed in the folds of his
doublet. Something. I knew not what,
made mesuspect the IA
on guard. monieur," I cried to
Richelieu. "he means some ~treachery,'
and even as I spoke he drew forth his
hand and threw q poniard full at
Rlchelieu's heart. At the same instant,
comprehending de Cares purpose, ]
pushed Rachelieu to side. I felt a
sharp, hot pain In my right shoulder.
and knew thatthe dagger had wounded
me. With a terrible cry Richelieu
sprang forward. and fairly beating
down his guard. plunged his sword to
the hiit in his breast. De Care made
q desperate effort to keep his feet
wound, and fell to the street. the blood
gushing forth in a torrent. He breathed
convulsively once or twice. with the
crowd looking down upon him, his eyes
glazed. q shudder ran through his body
and he was dead.
THUS perish all coward" said Richie.
lieu. And then. turning to me. "Yo,
saved my life. de Rrancas. Twas {
brave act"
"No more than you have twice dom
fpr me-. monsieur" I answered. 50
have only half paid my debt"
"But o are wounded" he cried
seeing that I held my handkerchief tt
my shoulder and that It was red with
blood. THE dagger struck you, then:
Lef me see how serious 1t is,' and hi
was tearing the doublet away from ny
shoulder ere I a time to protest.
tbs only a flesh wound. monsieur
I said, Pray do not trouble abour
Trouble about 1t. indeed. Come II
here with me-" and he dragged rathe,
than led me into the cafe again. Come
Naltre Delorme." he cried to the pro.
prtetor. who was still wringing hi.
hands and bewailing the destruction
Of hi. glasses. bring me water and
here II one who VIII know how to dres.
tho wound" he added. al q tall, clear
shaven man. dressed severely In black
pushed his way through the crowd
'sUpon my word. Levau. you come II
the nick OF time. I have q patien,
for you" n he turned me over to the
famous surgeon.
The latter In a moment had examined
the wound. with puckered brow. washed
1otion upon 1t. which he took from {
ease hi carried in his pocket. and Sc.
ourely bandaged It. Not till then die
he deign to speak.
"a mere nothing" he said, for a mar
Who mas good blood in his veins, as m,
friend here has. A little fol
q week. perhaps. q stiffness for a fort.
night. and then only q memory"
Indeed, / am WOndrOus pleased t.
hear IT," said Richelieu. shaking hi,
hand warmly, and leaving a gold piec,
In It, I do not doubt. "But what hay,
We here?" and he turned towards tn,
door. whence came a sudden commo.
don.
sFor the king!" cried a voice. "Fol
tho king! Make way. messieurs.'
1.-THE regent" exclaimed someone ant
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