The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-02-22
CHAPTER XIV.
RIcHELIEU STANDS HIS GROUND

| STANDS Ills GrNOON>b'
I knew thai I had no time to lose.
and l hurried along the quay as rap
idly as the crowd would permit, hop
ing to arrive at the Hotel de Richelieu
before the duke left the house. The
half hour was striking as l reached
my destination, entered the court, ana
knocked at the door. 1t was Jacques
who opened.
as Richelieu here?" l asked. spring.
ing across the Threshold and notion
ing him to bar the doc after me. for
at every moment l was expecting TO
feel dpon ny shoulder the hand of one
Of Herault's agents.
M. lie Due left the house not 10 min
utes since" answered Jacques.
And where did he go?"
II do 10 know, monsieur"
"Was there a note left here for him
today
YES, monsieur. A small perfumed
note"
And you gave it to Richelieu?"
mot half an hour ago"
"Who delivered the note?"
"A man in the livery Of the regents
household, monsieur"
/ groaned aloud. 1t was then as I
had expected. The livery of the re-
service Of IIerault. / was for a mo-
ment stunned.
IN. de Due a greatly chagrined at
not finding you here, monsieur" con-
tinued Jacques. II told hin that you
had attended the theater last night n
had not returned. But monsieur Is
dripping wet" he cried in establishment.
as l advanced into the circle Of light
cast by the hall lamp.
Yes" l said, looking somewhat rue
fully at the ruin Of my best suit, Il
have Just come out of h Seine, n
ii Is not pleasant running through the
streets in wet garments on a December
night. I must have a change Of clothes
at once. If we are prompt l may yet
save Richelieu."
He is In danger. then. monsieur"
I'm the greatest danger" I answered.
Come"
We ran UP the stairs, and with that
promptness which ! a already so
greatly admired, jacques produced a
suit Of clothing. In five minutes I was
ready for the street, and snatching up
steps at a time. AS l passed through
the hall l glanced at the clock n saw
that ! had yet 20 minutes in which to
reach the Rue Jean Tison. The rem
devious was for 10 o'clock.
/ crossed the Pont Royal, and turning
down the DUAL des Galleries du
Louvre. as likely to be least crowded,
pdSoCu tIlC IOIt 81. lNICHOldS III d Tul,
and came to the Rue des Poulies. This
led me to the Rue Bailleul, which I
remembered only too well, and in a
moment 7 was at the Rue Jean Tison.
The end Of the street was blocked by a
house, through which a large gateway
was pierced, and I passed through this
and raped at the door of the third
10 o'clock striking from st. Honore.
Some one fumbled at the bolts within,
and the door opened. A noise at the
end Of the street caught my ear and I
paused an instant on the threshold. AS
l looked back, I saw approaching from
either direction q company Of mounted
guards, their arms clanking and the
hoofs Of their horses awakening a
thousand echoes.
Bar the door Q~uickly!" I said to the
old woman who stood within holding a
candle. Where are Rtchelieu and the
ladies?'
ION the floor above, monsieur"
WithoNt waiting for another word, I
sprang up the stairs n flung open
the first door l came to. By the dim
light l saw Richelieu holding Mile. de
Valois in his arms. She uttered a
startled exclamation as I entered, and
drew away from him.
IN. lie Due" I cried, I'VE have not a
moment to losel There are 40 guards
at the door. We much go, and quick
ly."
Upon my soul It is de B~rancas!" ex-
claimed Richelieu. And where have
you been all day. my frfend?"
do not stop for questioning, beg
Of you," l painted. IFS there any other
way out of this house?"
Il do not know. I will see," and the
princess ran to the door, where we
heard her rapidly interrogating the old
woman. At that moment a %thunderous
knock sounded on the door below and
echoed through the house.
"Oh, monsieur, what Is happenings"
cried a voice which made me start. us
this another trap?"
1T looks very much like it. Mile.
Dacour," replied Richelieu, gloomily.
and turned towards the door with
frowning face.
There was a second knock louder
than the first, which shook the house
and made the windows rattle.
open or we will force an
cried a voice outside.
There was an instant's silence. and
the princess came back to us, her face
white with fear.
There is no way Of getting cut ex-
cept by. the door below" she faltered.
CONTINUED Next Weekly