Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1912-04-11
CHAPTER xx-1continued.o

10 v, 'N' w *
bic.
j laughed at him.
You shall see if it comes to n ques-
ton OF using u swords I said. And
then 1 remembered the bandage and my
hand went to my head. Il cannot veal
this ridiculous thing. | must remove it,"
and ] started to do so.
Not for Il moment" cried the duke,
springinE to my side and Selling my
hands. Who can tell what hurt it
would do you? Leave it there. Jean,
or l swear 1 shall not go a step outside
this HOUSE tonight"
But" and l stopped. could not tell
him that it was fear of L.ouise's laugh
ing eyes which moved me.
Rtcheiieu understood i'm an instant.
Ut is an honorable wound. he said,
received in an honorable cause. Why
seek to hide 1t? 1t is. the sight OF
wounds like that which moves Il wom-
ms heart. They will find your pale.
bandased head very interesting. Jean.
believe me-"
And so I left the bandage where it
WAS.
Ninc o'clock came. the carriage was
waiting, we entered it, and drove by a
circu!tOus route. to the back OF the Pa
la;s Royal gardens. Here we left it,
and instructed the coachman to drive
slowly up and down until he should be
called. That done. l led the way under
the shade of the chestnuts towards the
palace. Richelleu asked no questions,
but l could see he was pale with
anxiety. We mounted the low wall en-
closing the little park which we had
entered once before unde the guidance
OF Mile. 1S0cour. dropped down on the
other side. and turned to the right.
"Ah. an" whispered Richelieu. II be-
| gin to soc. You hope to gain entrance
by the secret staircase. But a you
find the spring."
Il believe So" answered; i'm the
Dacour closely when she opened the
door for us. and know about where it
is" Az 7 spoke 1 felt along the wall.
but my fingers detected nothing. 1t
was near here. Have patience" i said,
sor l could feel his hand on my arm
trembling with suspense. Again i ran
my hand over the wall. pressing gently
on two or three small irregularities. but
without result. "Come. will try again.
n a third time l examined the wall.
this time more carefully and over a
larger area. "Ah. 1 have it," l ex-
claimed as l 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 door
shut after US. We We're in intense
guiding myself by the wall, turned
without hesitation towards he narrow
hallway. Richelieu following close be-
hind. his hand in min We found the
hallway without difficulty and passed
along it cautiously until we reached the
end, and slowly felt our way up the
little winding staircase there. The
wooden wall which former the back OF
| the preserve closet stopped US.
wait q moment whispered Rich
| ellen. as I began to feel for the spring,
whose approximate position I had also
visit7'
No.. 1 answered.: II had no oppor-
tunity to warn her OF it. else I doubt
not she would have sent some n to
guide us and so saved us all this
trouble"
she 0'. will not be s's alone: per.
haps she will resent an intrusion Of
| this kind"
Every WE'LL" answered. losing
patience a little at this unexpected
wavering. which was so unlike the
duke. we can yet turn back. open the
door. return to the carriage, drive to
our hotel. and secure a good nights
rest before attending the wedding to-
morrow morning."
Forgive me, de Brancas." said Rich
elieu. after a moment. Il am SO UNI
strung l scarce know what I am say
ing. Open the door II you can find
the spring."
I felt along the boards for two or
three minutes without result. It
doubtless seemed an g to Richelieu.
and I could hear him breathing UNI
evenly and shuffling his feet behind me.
'FOr Gods sake, de Brancas," he said
at last. in a strained whisper. make
haste! This Is more h a I can BEAR
I felt myself beginning to tremble in
sympathy with him. and pulled myself
up with a jerk. recognizing h fact
that 1t vas absolutely necessary for
n of US to keep his head.
"A little patience I whispered; this
spring Is more dificult to find than the
other. and 1t IL so devifishly dark here
Again I ran my hand up and down
the WALL, Il was made Of narrow
boards fitted closely toeether. Back
and forth I passed my hand over It,
I felt a slight inequality. I pressed II
and the door opened against US. We
stepped back out Of the way, and in q
moment were In the closet. The door
shut behind US Of It's own accord.
The door which opened from the
tightly closed. ana through this opening
we could make q partial survey OF the
room. Il was empty In 30 far AZ we
could see. and I was about to suggest
that, we make q cautious scrutiny OF
! the remainder Of It. when a sound 40 OF
stjied sobbing startled me.
what 10 THAR" I whispered.
MY God, do you not know what II
isc" exclaimed Richelieu. TT IL Char
lotte-Charlotte weeping e hel
coming sacrifice. Stay here. my friend
and before I could do aught to prevent
him he had opened the door, stepped
l thpnu1h' ~ and rloaAA n hAhtnd hin,