The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-02-15

- AaN oSOil q QQSStlOA VI necessity dIO
not at all of affection, but at that mo-
ment the bell rang and the second act
began. I forgot my fair companions In
the interest of the tragedy. The laugh
ing voice of Mile. de Valois aroused
me.
"Ah. M. de Brancas," she said at
Is evident that you have never before
seen the 'Oedipe.' Here, sit beside me.
II you are very good and answer nv
questions nicely I shall let you sit be-
side Louise. and you will have only
yourself to blame II you do not make
osity to learn the lady's name. Have
you heard from Richelieu?" she asked
in a lower tone.
I have heard only that he is on the
road to Bayonne," I answered.
And you think he should remain
there?"
Il believe It would be best for the
present, mademoiselle."
"Ah, but M. de Brancas," she said,
suppose o were Richelieu and 1
Louise Dacour. Would you remain al
Bayonne? Do not answer me. I see IN
your race that you would not. Listen.
R1chelieu will be In Paris tomorrow
night"
Tomorrow night" I gasped.
YES. He will doubtless go first to
his hotel, where o will meet him. So
soon as you see him Civ him this
note" n she handed me a little per
TUNED missive. The note, I may as
well tell you, states that at 10 o'clock
tomorrow night I shall be at the house
OF a friend in the Rue Jean Tison. the
thlrd mousse from the corner Of the Rue
Bailleul, on the right hand side. Rap
three times and the door will be opened
to you without question. Mount the
stairs to the first floor. Louise will be
there also. Do o understand, mon
sieur?"
Yes, yes" I said, and placed the
note In my pocket.
longer the danger to which Richelieu
viii be exposed" she said, slyly.
oh, If Louise is there" I muir
INJURED.
said the princess. and she gave me an
adorable smile. Now take your re-
ward. Sit by her side and whisper a
few sentences such as that into those
little pink ears Of hers. She will soon
be smiling"
The end Of the second act gave me
the opportunity of changing my seat.
"Oh, mademoiselle," WHISPERED. as
| sat down beside her, believe me,
there are only two hands in the whole
world that I desire to kiss-those two
which are lying in your lap"
"Who was the lady you were with
this a~fternoon?" she asked, not deign-
ing to glance at me, but gazing straight
In front Of her.
Mile. de Launay," ! answered.
Mile. de Launay?"
Yes"
you know her, them"
Ricfeiieu ~troduce us. Madame
du Maine asked me to accompany her
this afternoon on an errand. On our
way back to the Tuileries we found the
way blocked by the flooded street. She
was in haste, and as there a no
other way, I carried her across. I did
not enjoy the task, l assure you, made
moiselle."
She glanced at me, and 1 thought I
saw signs Of relenting in her ewes.
Come, Louise" cried the duchess,
I'VE must go. 1t was not to see the
Oedipe' that we came here. We have
accomplished u mission and must
return"
Till tomorrow, then" I whispered to
Louise as the ladies arose, and 1 fan
cied that she gave a slight affirmative
nod of the lead. I would have accom-
panied them, but the princess waved
me back, and I returned to my box to
witness the remainder Of the play. 1t
moved me strongly, and I was still
thinking over its stirring periods as 1
reached the quays n crossed the
river. AS I turned down the DUAL Male
quest I fancied I heard footsteps be-
l me, but when I turned, saw no
one. The street was very dark, the
SoAtAASSb "lllSl1 swung lSIe dI1U CncTo
In lanterns 20 feet above the roadway,
having been extinguished by a gust of
rain earlier in the evening and no at
tempt having been made to relight
them.
I was stumbling along over the un-
even pavement, when suddenly half a
dozen shadows detached themselves
from the wall in front of me, and at
the same instant I heard Fastening
footsteps In my rear. Before I could
draw my sword, or even, in fact, APP
preciate my danger, a dozen men threw
themselves upon me. A gag was thrust
into my mouth, a scarf bound over nv
eyes, my hands and feet were tied, and
in a moment I was helpless. Some one
was searching my pockets.
Some more of the Cartouche gang"
1 thought.
Handle him as gently as possible"
I heard a voice say Now two of you
lift him and bring him along"
I was lifted from the pavement and
borne along for some distance. Then I
was placed in a carriage, which was
driven rapidly through the streets. 1t
rumbled across a bridge. stopped, and
I heard a sentry's challenge.
1.-THE Bastille again." I groaned to
myself.
The carriage drove on and then came
to a sudden stop. l was lifted out and
carried into a room, the door Of which
l heard closed after me.
Unite him." commanded a voice, and
in a ome my hands and feet were
free, the gag was taken from my mouth
and the scarf whisked from my eyes.
A man of middle age in the uniform
of an officer of the guards stood be-
fore me.
1T is the first time I have had the
pleasure of meeting you, M. de Bran
cas- he said, smiling. "I trust we shall
be good friends"
"The beginning of our acquaintance
does not seem to be a happy one" I
answered. But may l ask your NAME,
monsieur?"
Il am called Herault, lieutenant of
police" and he bowed.
"Herault?" I exclaimed.
lat your SERVICE" and he bowed
again.
And why have 1 been arrested?"
MONSIEUR" I asked
"Ah, do not use so harsh a word
he cried. st assur you, monsieur, you
are not arrested, but merely detained.
There is nc charge against you and on
my word you shall be free again day
after tomorrow"
But in the meantime?"
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