The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-01-25

glanced about with establishment, for
there was not a single guard in sight.
He noticed my glance and smiled yet
more broadly, but still kept silence.
the way to the same room where he
had given me audience but a few hours
before.
Sit down, M. de Brancas," he said,
throwing himself into the large chair
which he had occupied in the after
noon. d you know" he continued.
looking at me with a smile, Il greatly
enjoy adventures such that of this eve
ming. They give tone to the nerves
and prove that no all men are towards.
In times of peace, such as these, If is
often difficult to decide who is brave
and who is not. In faith, ii u treas
ury We're not sc depleted / believe |
would risk a little wal just for the
pleasure of settling the question in re-
gard to a few people 0 whom l
am undecided. 1 already know where
to place o monsieur" and l red
dened at the compliment. But" he
continued. and he changed this tone
suddenly, Il dare say you and Richie.
lieu believed O were executing a very
clever little coup this evening. You re-
minded me of nothing SO much es Of
that ridiculous Sganerelle in M.
Moliere's I'Ecole des Maris, who while
opposing his adversary with all hi;
might in reality plays into his hand."
Il confess, NJ. de Due" 1 said, that
l am still somewhat in the dark"
mo doubt" he laughed. Come, l
will lay the cards on the table for the
sheer pleasure of looking at them my
self. Did you really believe me SO
anxious to deprive Richelieu of his
head?"
You certainly seemed violent
enough, monsieur" l said.
"Ah we'll and T ChnJ11 hauo L ont NV
word under certain conditions. But L
am not of a blood thirsty humor, n
all l desired was to get Richelieu out
of the way because he interferes with
certain of my plans, as you know. Now,
at Bayonne he will be quite as power
less to interfere with me as in the
grave. Three hundred leagues is a long
distance, monsieur"
"Ah. ah!" / cried, a light beginning
to break In upon me.
We'll" continued the regent, II knew
very well that he would attempt to re-
gain Paris, for 1 suspected t~onight's
rendezvous, monsieur, as / suspect a
great many other things and he
glanced at me in a way which made
me wonder If the Cellamare conspiracy
was really such a profound secret as
the conspirators believed. "Conse-
quently 7 gave orders to his guards not
to press him too closely should he at
tempt to escape, n l prepared a trap
for him here. He was followed from
the he entered Paris until he
disappeared through NJ. de Mazarin's
private entrance below there. You do
not seem TO recognize the fact that l
have q well organized police depart
ment. monsieur, the best that the world
has ever seen. l had resolved this: If
Richelieu could escape from this trap
and set out for Bayonne as l expected,
| should make no great resistance. II
he could not escape, he should die"
The last words were uttered in a
voice that chilled me.
AS you may guess" continued the
regent, Il was not sorry when he car
rled out his plan Of escape, for I believe
that now he will really go to Bayonne,
and he cannot return from there in
time to interfere with me. He is q
popular and powerful man, and while
l should not have hesitated in sending
him to the block, it would have made
me new enemies, whom could i'll af-
ford just at this time. Have you ever
known h it is, NJ. de Brancas," he
asked, suddenly, ito be hooted and
stoned through the streets 2"
NO, monsieur" I answered, sur
prised at the turn the conversation had
had descended upon the regents face.
7 have known what 1t isl" he ex-
claimed. Il, regent of France-kinc in
everything but name. I have been
abominated, Kissed, spat upon. Even
now l am suspected, and Villeroi. the
ngts governor, surrounds him with
ridiculous precautions to keep me away
from him. l am trying to turn the tide
the other way; / am trying to make
friends, hence l am lenient with you
and with Richelieu. I do not know why
am telling you this" he added in
whether they are with me or against
me. That is all; forget this converse
ton and keep Richelieu from yexinp
me too far. You may go"
I bowed n left the room with q
daZed consciousness that I had seen a
side of the ma which the world knew
little of, and as l threaded NV way
through the corridors and down The
great staircase to the street
upon 1t wonderingly. When 1 heard,
afterwards, as / often did, of the ex-
cesses OF the little suppers which hc
gave nearly every night In his apart
ment, | Gid not find it in my heart Ia
blame him.
The increasing cold and the l~ateness
Of the hour had driven th4 people FROM
the streets, and even Ssfe Rue ST
Honore was almost deserted ae
emerged from the Palais Royal. I re
turned as ] had ome casting a pIauce
at the gloomy river as l crossed it, and
was coon at the Hotel de Richelieu
Jacques admitted me, and told me that
ms master had secured a horse from the
stables more thar al hour before and
was now well on the road to Bayonne
l was glad to learn that Richelieu
had indeed left Paris. for / had little
hope that the regent would permit
reasons of state to interfere with his
personal ~tnclinations should the duke
provoke him further. Nor. indeed. ha6
| much hope that Richelieu would re-
main at Bayonne, despite his know
ledge OF the regents rpo Phllir
OF orleans was still In my mind as
went to bed. and as I dropped asleer
| was compelled to admit that he was .
greater man than l had thought.
CHAPTER XII.
THE HOUSE IN THE RTE vrrJE.