The Washington herald., 1912-12-29
PART II.
CHAPTER I.
The Mini.ter Makes Love.


TN THE time of his majesty King
Louis XIV the nobility dined at
= O'Clock and supped at 8 o'clock ;
the King dined at five and his supper
was served at nine; the common peo-
pie, when they dined at all, sat down
to table at two.
Monsieur de Sartines, to mark his
position beneath the King, but closer
to him, by virtue of his Office. even
than the Due de Choiseul, dined at
half past four and stpped half an
hour later than the nobility-that is
to say, at half past eight
At half past seven on the day OF
De Lussac's imprisonment Monsieur de
Sartines, who had dined badly, owing
to business preoccupations, was seated
before his bureau in that octagon
chamber of the Hotel de Sartines,
where we have seen him interviewing
the agent, .Lavenne, while beside him
stood Monsieur Beauregard.
Good" said the minister. who was
seated sidewise in his chair, which he
had turned slightly away from the bu-
rcau so that he might converse the
more easily with his lieutenant And
he made no resistance?
None, Monsieur"
No attempt at bribery
None, Monsieur"
No appeal to be allowed TO return
to his house for clothes and linen
They usually do that when they wish
to destroy themselves, as in the case
of Wattelet; or to burn papers, as in
the case of De White. You remember
the case of De White?"
mo, Monsieur" replied Beauregard,
flushing. for the case of De White
was a sore point with him, as he had
been the officer in charge of it. and
the prisoner, taking advantage of his
good nature, had succeeded in destroy
ing certain documents which De Sar-
tines had very much desired to possess.
you saw nothing Of the woman,
Madame Linden?"
NO, Monsieur. | followed him to
her house. He entered and remained
there some time. As he left / fol-
lowed him again, accosted him. arrest
ed him and conveyed him to the Bas-
tile, where he now is. safe in the keep
ing of Monsieur Vity.'
Monsieur Vitry?"
Monsieur De Launay was absent,
Monsieur"
well. Monsieur Vhry is a very
good substitute. That will do. Any
news of Lavenne?"
"No. Monsieur"
well, he is dismissed. but should
he turn up send him here that ] may
give him his dismissal in person"
Beauregard Withdrew, and De Sar-
tines. raising his voice, cried, Ger
mainp
A door in the paneling of the room
opened and a man dressed in black en-
tered. He had evidently risen from a
dask in haste to obey the summons,
for lie held pen in his hand. Ger
main was De Sartines' private sacre-
tary and factotum, an oddity who was
AZ the same time perfect r7sohf're
He was as trustworthy as a well-con-
structed mechanism, but quite without
initiative.
"A special messenger to take this
dispatch to Monsieur Beaupre, the
Governor of La Force. You remcm-
Der my saying of the forger Beaujon,
L will find him out, will catch him,
! will hang him."
YES. your excellency."
well. that's his death sentence,
signed by the King. never go back on
my word. Here, take this other dis
patch and send it by special messenger
to the Governor of Vincennes it's
for De Walters. I promised him his
release if ne gave information on the
Matthew affair, and never 60 back
on my word; take it"
German took the document and left
the room by the door leading to his
Office just as a stroke of the usher's
wand sounded at the door opening on
the corridor.
Lavenne has returned, Monsieur
"Ah," said De Sartines, glancing
over his shoulder at the usher la
venue has returned, has he? Show
him in"
A moment later .Lavenne made his
appearance.
De Sartines turned his chair half
round, crossed his legs, and looked
straight at the agent, who. standing
near the door, did not advance farther.
$50" said De Sartines, 1T is you"
Eyes, Monsieur"
Come to report yourself?"
YES, Monsieur"
And take my orders?"
Eyes, Monsieur"
Then take them. You are dismiss
ed Reponep