The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-02-29
CHAPTER xv--(Continued.)

But there must bel" I cried. "The
roof-can we not escape by the roof?
Come. M. le Due. I implore you." for.
seemingly oblivious to the sounds be-
low, he had gone to his mistress and
was whispering In her ear.
In q moment he turned to me.
DE Brancas," he said, II am weary
of this perpetual game Of hide and
seek. I am tired Of forever running
away. I swore asst time that I should
for me, I intend to stay"
I looked at him aghast. He was
smiling calmly and was holding out
his hand to me.
But to stay means to be captured"
! stammered. not yet understanding
monsieur"
That may be-" and the duke still
smiled.
"And the Bastille."
Very likely"
And" but here I paused.
GO on, my friend" said Richelieu,
would say that after the Bastille the
Place de Greve and the block. Is 1t
not SO? But heads do not fall SO easily,
de Brancas. The regent would think
twice before sending me to the axe"
Blows were raining upon The door,
and I knew that 1t must oon give way.
u oohSN ~ COZ WV Aio a
returned to the princess.
Very WE'LL" I muttered, I'VE must
stay In this devil of a hole. then. 1t
seems" and I folded my arms and
walked moodily toward the door.
But I paused as I felt a light touch
'"Oh, M. de B~rancas," murmured
Louise, when M. le Due told us that
he had not seen you, that you had not
returned to his hotel after the theater
last night, but that the note had been
delivered, I suspected a trap. I i'm
plored him to go, but he would not lis
ten"
II can well believe it," I groaned.
"He is capable of any madness"
I heard the door below splitting. In
another moment the soldiers would be
upon us.
monsieur" continued Louise. In a low
er tone.
For me?" I cried. AN you have
then forgiven me, Louise?"
"Oh. Jean!" and my arms were
around her, did you think these tears
were for RichelieuT"
With a crash the door gave way, and
! heard he tramp Of heavy feet upon
the stairs.
Come. my friend" said Richelieu.
anE together we left the ROOM, the
door Of which he closed after Us.
The guards were already half way up
the stairs, but paused at the sight Of
us standing there In the shadow above
them.
Good evening, gentlemen said
Richelieu. May I ask your errand in
this house?"
ITS Richelieu!" cried a voice, which
! recognized as that Of Herault. "Wait
a moment, men"
He pushed his way to the front Of the
crowd.
Our errand here concerns only your
self, M. le Due" he said. I'VE are
charged to arrest you"
And Of what am I accused" asked
Richelieu.
you were ordered to join your regi-
Herault, land o are now in Paris.
THAI Is your offense."
"'Tfs not a great one"
But we must arrest you neverthe-
less, monsieur. Do you surrender, or
shall We be compelled to take you by
force?"
Monsieur cried Richelieu, you
have just said hat YOU mission here
concerns only myself. II I accompany
you without resistance have I your
word that no one else in this house
will be molested?"
swered Herault, who had not perceived
me in the dim light ofthe hall AND
thought only that Richelieu was trying
to protect the princess.
"Oh, do not do this; we may yet
escaped" I implored, but the duke 81
fenced me with a smile.
Q those conditions I surrender" he
said. II will come down to you, M.
Herault," m he started to descend,
but paused as he perceived q sudden
commotion at h door.
"A messenger for M. Herault!" cried
some one.
What Is it?" asked Herault.
A man forced his way up the stair
case and to Herault's side.
"Bernin," cried the latter. what are
you doing here?"
II have to report, monsieur" he said,
humbly, that my prisoner has es-
capped"
Escaped" exclaimed Heraurt. TIM
possible! How could one unarmed man
defeat six guards and wade through
20 more?"
This was not a man, it was a devil"
declared Bernin. He locked us in his
bedroom like so many pigs, having first
oecoyed US there to show us how to
play a wonderful game. He broke open
the window and dropped 40 feet into
the Seine. We had the door down in
q moment, but he was gone"
And where did he go?" cried He
rault. Tell me that, Bernin?"
Alas, I do not know, monsieur"
Il think / a relieve your anxiety
on that score, M. Herault." I said, de-
Sending to a lower step. II wish you
a very good evening. monsieur" and I
bowed politely.
He stared at me with open mouth, as
though unable to believe his eyes.
someone brought a torch, which cast a
red glow over the hallway and threw
mo relief the faces of the soldiers
looking up at us. But he was accus-
TONED to establishments, and he soon
pulled himself together.
DC B~rancas," he said. at last. you
seem to be possessed Of an amazing
agility, May I ask how you entered
here?"
by the door" I answered, still smil-
Ing, and rejoicing that 1t was my turn,
an instant before you men appeared
al the end of the street. monsieur"
He gazed at me for a moment longer
as | smiled down into his eye
Come, M. de Brancas," he said, at
last, mounting to the step where I
stood. give me your hand. BY my
soul, you are a brave man n I ad-
Mlre you. You must some day show
me this game with which you beguiled
my soldiers"
With pleasure" I laughed. 1T is
IN excellent game"
And what is 1t called?" he asked.
rerhaps ! already know it."
! do not think so, monsieur. It Is
caHed Prisoners Chase II properly
fapes."
Well. you are free, NJ. de Brancas."