The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-04-04
cHApTER xx-(continued.,

SuOuSA TO UNDERTAKE TINS eXped1t1On!
asked Richelieu, as we arose from ta-
BILE.
I laughed at him.
you shall see if 1t comes to a Ques-
ton of using our swords" 1 said. And
then I remembered the bandage and my
hand went to my head. II cannot wear
this ridiculous thing, 1 must remove it,"
and I started to do SO.
mot for a moment" cried the duke,
sprtnging to my side and selling my
hands. ''Who can tell what hurt it
would do you? Leave it there, Jean.
or l swear I shall not go a step outside
this house tonight"
But" n I stopped. 1 could not tell
him that it was fear Of Louise's laugh
Ing eyes which moved me.
Richelleu understoodsin an instant.
TT is an honorable wound" he said,
received in an honorable cause. Why
seek to hide it? 1t is the sight of
wounds like that which nov q WON
ans heart. They will find your pale,
bandaged head very interesting, Jean,
believe me-"
And SO I left the bandage where it
was.
Nine o'clock came. the carriage was
waiting, we entered it, and drove by a
circuitous route to the back of the Pa
la1s Royal gardens. Here we left it,
and instructed the coachman to drive
slowly VI and down until he should be
called. Tha done, I led the way under
the shade Of the chestnuts towards the
palace. Richelieu asked no questions,
but I could see he was pale with
anxiety. We mounted the low wall en-
closing the little park which we had
entered once before under the guidance
Of Mile. Dacour, dropped down on the
other side, and turne to the right.
nAh oh uhicrara1 Pichplia1 ct ha-
gin to see. You hope to gain entrance
by the secret staircase. But can you
hnd the spring2"
Il believe so" | answered. In the
same low tone. Il was watching Mile.
Dacour closely when she opened the
door for us, and know about where 1t
U.s." AS 1 spoke 1 felt along the wall,
but my fingers detected nothing. 1T
was near here. Have patience" l said,
for 1 could feel his hand on my arm
trembling with suspense. Again l ran
my hand over the wall, pressing gently
on two or three small Irregularities, but
without result. Come, l will try again"
and a third time I examined the wall.
this time more carefully and over q
larger area. All, I have it," l eN-
claimed as I felt a yielding under my
fingers, and the door swung inward.
1T was time" said Richelieu, for as
we entered another door near by
opened, and hurrying feet passed along
the walk, even as we pushed the do91
ehut after US. We were in intense
darkness, but I knew the way, and
guiding myself by the wall. turned
without hesitation towards the narrow
hallway, Richelieu following close be-
hind, his hand in mine. We found the
hallway without difficulty and passed
along it cautiously until we reached the
end, n slowly felt our way up the
little winding staircase there. Thu
wooden wall whiehh. former The back OF
the preserve closet stopped us.
wait a moment" whispered Rich
ellen, as / began to feel for the spring
whose approximate position'I had also
seen. Does Charlotte know Of this
VISIT"
not she would have sent some n te
guide us and SO saved US ell this
trouble"
But" Richelieu objected, "perhap:
she will not be alone; per
haps she will resent an intrusion O.
his kind"
Very we'll" I answered, lostnt
patience a little at his unexpected
wavering, which was so unlike tn
duke, I'VE can yet turn back, open thu
door, return to the carriage, drive t.
your hotel, and secure a good night
rest before attending the wedding to
morrow morning.
Forgive ME, de Brancas,' said Rich
ellen, after a moment. Il am so un
strung I scarce know what I am say
Ing. Open the door If you can fint
the spring.
L felt along the boards for two Q
three minutes without result. !
doubtless seemed an g to Richelier
and / could hear him breathing un
evenly and shuffling his feet behind me
For Gods sake, de B~rancas." he sal
at last, In a strained whisper, max
haste! This is more than I can bear.
I felt myself beginning to tremble 1
sympathy with him. and pulled mysel
that it was absolutely necessary 70
one of us to keep his head.
"A little patience" I whispered; "thi
spring Is more difficult to find than tn
pther, and it is SO devilishly dark here.
Again I ran my hand up and dow
the wall. 1t was made Of narro'
boards fitted closely together. BAG
md forth I passed my hand over /
Ind just as I was beginning to despa'
felt a slight inequality. I pressed
Ind the door opened against us. W
Itepped back out Of the way, and in
moment were IN the closet. The doc
ihut behind us Of its own accord.
The door which opened from tt
closet into the room beyond was at
lightly closed, and through this openin
we could make a partial survey of tt
room. It vas empty in so far as "
could see, Inc I was about to sugge
that we make q cautious scrutiny
the remainder Of 1t, when a sound as
stif1ed sobbing startled me.
What is that?" I whispered.
my God, do you not know what
ls?" exclaimed Richelieu. TT is Cha,
ptte-Charlotte weeping over h,
eoming sacrifice. Stay here, my friend
md before I could do aught to prevel
him he had opened the door. steppt
through it, and closed 1t behind hi
heard a startled exclamation fro
the princess, and at the same insta,
another sound which sent a cold shiv
down my back. Some one was ascan,
Ing the spiral staircase with assur'
and regular tread. The footsteps paxs,
kor a moment without the door. tn,
there came a click. a breath Of air, a,
a smell as Of a candle newly e:
tinguished. I drew back into one co
ner Of the closet. and as I did SO til
unknown person stepped into 1t a,
closed the secret door behind him.
CHAPTER XXI.