The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-10-19

ne sentinel that allowed the Black
Seigneur to pass through the entrance
near the barracks; the watchman en-
countereo on the stairway, and the sol
dler that had been overpowered I'm
the stable, his Excellency could, how
ever lay hands on, and promptly or
dered into custody to await his Off
cial attention. For this last culprit
the commandant--mindful, perhaps, Of
Dolsterlng his own position-interced
ed; pointing out that the man had TO
get the gag rom his mouth and give
the alarm; also, that the mountebank's
appearance and acting had been cal.
culated to deceive even one of the
governors discernment. Which re.
mark his Exce.lency had received With
sphinx-like, and not altogether reas.
suring, gravity; had reserved his YER.
dict, and continued, after his own
FASHION, TO collect the details of the
effair
The searching process should have
led him almost at once to his daueh.
ter-a puzzling figure in the maze of
events; but the Governor had exhib.
lted no haste in approaching that i'm
portant witness. Only when he had
marshaled his other testimony and put
II IN order did the scope Of his sitting
extend to the girl. And then had his
manner been strictly judicial; main.
tanning an imperturbable mask. he
professed not to notice the pallor of
her face. the unnatural brightness of
her glance.
when you sent for the mountebank
to come to your apartments, did you
know who he was" the Governor
asked.
mo"
when did you find out7"
When you entered the room"
why did you not give the alarm
then?"
Because" she hesitated; her face
changed. The would have killed you.
I think-if I had!"
Was that solicitude for me the
only reason?"
why, what other could there ber'
What other, truly? And after he
left with the commandant-why did
you not, then. inform met"
you remember you had something
important, from the King, to consider"
hastily.
More important than this?"
He was going to be locked up,"
was the best reply she could make.
And in the morning set free!"
She did not answer.
"And yet, you gave the word that
enabled US to capture him at the
Wheelhousel How, by the way, came
you therein the wheel-housef"
II saw him from the abbots bridge:
S1ard him tell the watchman he had a
message to deliver at your palace. and
followed"
Again feeling solicitude for me!"
u did not know-he would dare
s~sch: and what does It matter now ?"
almost wildly. "You have captured
him. ehut him up som where IN some
terrible, deep dungeon. whers-"
He is safe? True; that is the main
consideration"
Thereafter had the subject of the
Black Seigneur been dropped between
them; the pilgrimage over, the Mount
resumed It's normal aspect, but only
for a little while! One day about q
week later, a bright cortege whose ap-
pearance was In marked contrast to
that Of the beggarly multitude. late
visitors to the rock, came riding down
through the forest to the sea: at the
verge OF the sands, stopped for frSt
distant impression Of the rock.
Noble monument I salute youi"
Smiling. debonair. the Marquis dc
Beauvilliers removed his hat.
"And the noble mistress thereosf"
suggested one Of his train.
She. OF course. he said, still sur.
veyinG scene different from that final
memory he had carried away with him.
Then had the rock reared itself in all
the glamour OF sunny day; now was
the Sky overcast, while through a sui.
len mist the Mount loomed like q
shadow Itself.
"A cold place for our gay Elise!"
One or two who viewed the sight for
the first time looked disappointed
even the Marquis appeared for the in.
slant more sober; but Immediately re-
gained his lively demeanor.
wait until you have seen 1t at its
best" he retorted carelessly. and set
the pace across the sands.
Midway, where once on the sands
the men OF Brittany had engaged In
fierce conflict the ancient abbot's
forces. were the newcomers met by an
Imposing guard; escorted with due
honor through the gates. and up the
narrow street Of the town.
AS he climbed the winding high
way. my lord. the Marquis, bestowed
approving nod and smile this wav and