The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-12-14
CHAPTER V.
A VENTURE.

iSp EN- lOIlE.
The troop Of guards continued onward
at a rapid pace, separating me from
Richeliu, so that / had no opportunity
OF exchanging a word with him. in a
few momentst the threatening and gloomy
walls of the Bastille doomed ahead.
towering over the Porte St. Antoine,
and we drew up at the outer gate. The
lieutenant exchanged q word with the
sentry there. and after a moment the
gates creaked back and we entered.
l looked about me ~curiously, for this
was the first time 1 had ever seen the
interior of the most famous prison in
France, though I had spent an entire
afternoon looking at it from the other
side Of the ditch.
We were in a long court, closed in
by lofty walls. h prison itself form
ing one side. We turned to the right
past some houses built against the
outer wall. which ] decided were sta
hles, and then the word was given TO
dismount. Half a dozen guards sur
rounded us, a bell rang somewhere. and
In q moment a man in uniform hur-
ried towards us-a little, dry man, with
tight shut lips, and eyes whose glance
was like q poniard thrust.
IN. de Maison-R Rouge" said the
lieutenant, saluting with great respect.
Il have here two prisoners. whom the
regent confides. to your keeping with
instructions to guard them we'll"
THE instructions We're Unnecessary
monsieur" repl'"' the newcomer,
shoruy. NO OF 0ters here ever
ave until It !. ted. Who are
the prisoners"
"Ah, NJ. de Mason Rouge" cried
Richelieu, gayly, II trust you have not
forgotten me SO speedily"
The lieutenant governor Of the great
nrfsOn ell need nf fha cnnnl-or .,:,I.
but his face remained impene trable.
and If he experienced any surprise he
certainly did not show 1t.
No, / have not forgotten you, Nj. Ie
Due" he said. quietly. And the 9TH
err"
rs my friend. Jean de Brancss J..
answered Richeiieu; and added, smiJ-
inGly, "It Is, I believe, the first time
he has had the pleasure of meeting
you
Maison-Rouge glanced at me coldIy.
| bowed. but l fear my face BETRAYED
the fact that I considered the meet
ing anything but a pleasure.
Very WELL" he said. "Wajt q NM
ment, lieutenant, and / will send Won a
receipt for the prisoners. Follow me,
messieurs," he added to us. and led
the way to n Of the buildings against
Il outer wall, which proved to be his
office. A sentry at the door salltcd as
we passed. A receipt was written and
given to him.
NOW, gentlemen" said Maison
Rouge, as the door closed, 81 must be
assured that o carry no weapons or
means OF escape into the BastiiIe with
you. Give mo your word of honor to
that effect and l will omit the formal.
ity of search"
THAT is most courteous, monsieur"
cried Richelieu. Il give you my word Of
honor gladly"
And also" said. MY sword was
my only weapon"
THAT is WELL" and Maison-R Rouge
opened the door. Follow me, then"
Midway Of the court a drawbridge
grated down to let us pass and creak-
ingly rose behind us. Turning again
to the right. we were conducted along a
still narrower court to a second gate,
and passing through this, paused be-
fore a second ~drawbridge, which wa
also lowered to permit our passage.
Still another gate was opened and
changed shut after us, and we were
in the great interior court. The after
noon sun ilumined II as brightly rs it
was ever illumined, and / perceived
two or three melancholy personages
walking slowly up and down, each in
charge Of a sentry, who followed close
ly with loaded musket and permitted
no word to be exchanged. Three lofty
towers nanked the court on either side.
They were fully 100 feet in height,
as were h walls between them, and
h court itself was near 100 feet
long, by perhaps 70 in width. We were
led straight on across another draw
bridge into q second court. much small
er than the first. and which resembled
nothing so much as a gigantic well.
AS l afterwards found out. 1t was. in
deed, called the well court.
ct fpInof hn xLa .a,, NIl -
monsieur" observed Richelieu, as we
entered this %fofbidding place, which
made my heart sink within me.
II see nothing against it," answered
Maison-Rouga. 1.-THE Tower du Puts
Is certainly strong enough to hold even
the Due de Rlchelieu."
THAT has been proved" laughed the
duke, since 1t has already held me for
more thai a year. ! had no reason to
complain OF your hospitality, mon
sieur."