The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-11-23
ATnDnC WITH A Story Of the
\ L ODD0 wv IL Gel am are
TrIE TT ~r@T" Conspiracy by
i lE X T. " T. IN i Burton Egbert
Copyright by --J B. 1apptncou Company Stevenson
j. B. Lippincott Company


and his blade was free to thrust, he
ran one Of the thieves through the
breast without more ado. THIS re-
duced their number to three, and they
gave back a little, evidently appalled,
at our workmanship.
"A pistol shot!"cried one of the
rogues to Cartouche. "A pistol shot!
Twill settle the business quickly"
With an Undesirable gesture Car
touche dlew his pistols from his belt.
$50 let it be- he said. "Your deaths
on your own heads, my braves" and
my heart stood still as l heard him
pull back the triggers.
charge him. We cannot remain here
to be shot down like dogs."
He responded with a merry laugh.
why, this is better than the Com
edie." he said speaking for the first
time since he had entered the fray. 1T
thrills the nerves and makes the heart
beat high. But all things must end,
and SO. M. Cartouche. think 1t would
be just as well to put up your pistols
and call your scoundrels off. You will
get no purses here this evening"
"De Richelieu!" cried Cartouche; and
then in tore Of deepest concern, "be-
lieve me, M. lie Due. l did not recognize
you In the darkness, nor did l know
this gentleman to be friend Of yours,
else this would not have happened"
Enough. enough" laughed my COM
panion; as Cartouche's men skunk back
into the gloom. "A man could not
recognize his mistress on q night like
this. My friend and I bid you adieu,"
and sheating his sword and motioning
me to follow he turned away without
once looking back. / admit that for
my part l lacked his assurance, and
more than once glanced over my
oh a. IL ~&asx. hot
not about to receive stab In the
back. But my fears were seemingly
groundless, for / saw no more Of Car
touche or his men.
1t was not until we reached a more
frequented street that I turned my
thoughts to my companion. l glanced
at him with no little curiosity, for l
knew the young Due de Richelieu by
reputation. as, indeed, did every other
gentleman in the kingdom. yes. and all
the ladies, too. A granddaughter Of the
great cardinal. he resembled in many
ways that intrepid and indomitable
man. A fine swordsman, gallant lover.
and brave gentleman.-that Is
what reports said of him-and I
taph upon my gravestone, should
ever merit one. / saw straight, slight,
handsome man of % or %, with blue
eyes and smiling lips. His hat was
worn we'll down over his forehead and
his cloak pulled negligently about his
chin, as though he knew the need Of
disguise and yet disdained to use 1t,
which in the end found to be the case
There was something strlngely famil-
lar in the face, but / banished the
thought in moment, for I knew very
well that l had never before met the
Due de Richelieu.
We walked for time in silense, and
as l glanced at him again / recalled
with amusement the story of his debut
at Marty, seven or eight years before,
when Madame de Maintenon had pro-
nounced him the dearest doll in the
world" He had found favor with the
ladies from the first, and. so the story
ran, had made such violent love to the
Duchess Of Burgundy that he was dis
under guard, together with lettre de-
cachet which had compelled his father
to take him to the bastille, where he
had been imprisoned more than a year.
The story had been repeated in all four
corners Of the kingdom, and his reputa-
ton was made from that moment.
could not but admit his comeliness,
and Of his courage had already. suf-
ficient proof. With this man for a
friend. I reflected, even youth from
the provinces might go far. My arm
was giving me some pain where 1t had
been wounded, but I managed to bind
my handk erchief about 1t under my
cloak and determined that it must wait
a more convenient season for atten-
ton. It was ,Richelieu who broke the
silence.
Twas fortunate l had some busi-
ness in this quarter of the town tonight
and CHANGED to pass this way" he said,
with light laugh. "Cartouche is an
old friend Of mine. I did him a SER
vice once--saved him from the wheel,
in fact-and since then he has been
friends; a forbearance which they
greatly value. and which may account,
in part, for my having so many. You
perhaps heard him call my name and
so know who I am. May l ask who l
mad the honor Of rescuing?"
I'm faith, 1t was no less than a res
cue," answered, warmly. for the
rogues had me all but overcome. l
am Jean de Brancas, at your service,
NJ. lie Due"
Jean de Brancas?" and Richelieu
glanced at me with little air Of sur
prise. You are from Potiers?"
YES, from Poitiers," 1 answered,
looking at him with establishment. But
may | ask how you know that, mon
sieur?'
"And you are new to Paris, I sup
poser" he continued, smiling and dis
regarding my question.
Il came here but q week ago. mon
sieur."
May l ask for what?" and he
smiled yet more broadly. But I do
not need to ask. 1t was for adventure,
was it not? So many youths come
here for that; and though most Of them
find adventures in great numbers, they
are seldom to their liking"
THAT Is my case precisely, mon
sieur." ] said, with the exception of
this evening, which is greatly to my
liking"
Perhaps may find you more Of the
same kind" and his face darkened
grimly. There are many such, If one
but knows where to look for them. May
ask concerning your family. mon
sieurY'
MY father died week before 4
started for Paris" / answered, simply.
my mother had preceded him to the
grave by two years. had no brothers
nor sisters"
"Ah," he said, not unkindly. and
what heritage did your father leave
your"
can honorable name, his sword and
some skill In welding it, monsieur"
answered. proudly.
Heritage enough FOR any gentleman
of spirit" cried the duke, heartily. I'm
truth, M. de Braneas, l think we shall
be friends"
MY heritage is at your service, mon
sieur," ] said. Il could ask no better
employment for it."
"'Tis DONE" and Richelieu laughed
gayly. Here, strike hands upon it.
Henceforth M. de Brancas is the friend
n Il. H. -