The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-03-14
CHAPTER XvII-(continued.)

you leave here as quickly as possible
as M. Herault will probably not lone
delay paying me n visit"
Even as they turned to go there wal
a tramp of feet at the door, whicf
swung open, giving a glimpse of armed
men beyond. But only W. men en-
tered. They were Herault and the
Marquis d'Ancenis. Without glancine
to the right or left, and with an ad.
mirable composure, they van
straight to the duches along the lane
which was opened for them.
Madame du Maine, said d'Ancenis
bowling. Il regret to inform o that
you are under arrest"
What, captain" cried the duchess,
n / could not but admire the brave
manner in which she took the blow,
you dine with me one evening and ar
rest me the next? Is not that un-
gallant?"
IT'S a disagreeable duty, madame
answered d'Anconis, but one which
must be performed, nevertheless. Let
no one leave the ROOM" he added
sharply, in a louder tone, hearing a
movement behind him. But it was no
one trying to escape-every one seemed
too nearly paralzed to think of that,
ever had It been possible. 1t was only
the Cardinal de Polignac, intriguer;
liar. and arrant coward. who had
tumbled in a heap on the floor. COM
pletely overcome by terror. He was
pushed to one side with scant ceremony
n left to recover as best he might.
II am at your orders, monsieur" said
Madame du Maine, proudly. and
d'Ancenis bowed again.
Herault returned TO the entrance and
ordered in q company Of the guards,
whom he posted at all the doors. while
d'Ancenis prepared to AXE a list of all
the people in the room. This occupied
some time, and while II was in pro-
gress l again gained the side of
Madame du Maine.
Permit me to compliment you,
madame" l said in n low tone, upon
the heroic manner In which you with
stand this reverse. 1t is magnificent"
The duchecs looked at me with a
smile.
Perhaps all is not yet lost. mon
sieur," she said, glancing quickly
around to see that no n else could
hear.
Not yet lost?" and I looked at her
in amazement. II do not understand,
madame"
Can l trust your" she asked, look
Ing at me q moment. Yes. | think /
can. 1t 4 o'clock this afternoon, mon
sieur, the Due d'Orleans. accompanied
only by three or four gentlemen, left
Paris to visit the king at Versailles. to
10y pNlStN l1lIi L az iol oAb tihS
details Of cur plans and to get his sig-
nature to certain papers which Orleans
might himself hesitate to enforce with
out the royal approval. st. Aulaire was
mistaken in saying that the regent was
In the city this evening"
what thcr, -,C2er:c?' ! asked. II
confess that 7 a.h Atii in The dark"
AT 9 O'Clock this evening the regent
was to leave Versailles to return 70
Paris. Two hours later he will arrive
at that part Of the road nca It. Cloud,
where it passes through a strip Of
woodland. At that point he will dis
appear. Fc will enter the wood II enc
side. but he wiz lrc c2@le out at the
othA. He will vanish rs though the
earth had opened and swallowed him.
1t is q detail Of the plan which. until
this moment. / HAYS kept to myself.
and of which ] am certain the police
know nothing. ] was arranging D
pleasant little surprise 70" our con
federates, for WITH Cr'"ar. OUT &c the
way what serious opposition could
there be to Philip of Spain? All, well,
to a V us. and which may yet make
Philip of Spain regent Of France. You
understand now, MONSIEUR"
/ gaZed in Amusement at this extra
ordinary woman, who permitted moth
ing to stand in the way of her ambi-
ton.
"But that is assassination" I gasped
ct last.
The duchess looked at me cody.
Call 1t what you please. NJ. de Bran
ces,' she said.
but, madame, K is something to
which no gentleman could consent"
"Do you presume to give me q lesson
In honor, monsieur" she demanded,
h%aughtily, though still preserving the
low fnna IN xrhfnh tha ArttrA nNnx,ar
sation had been conducted.
ooh. madame" I said. you do not
understand. Your standards of honor
are different from those of a man. To
a woman everything is permitted-al-
most everything. for even n woman
will not break her word If she be hon
orable"
"And what then, monsieur" she
asked, looking at me in establishment.
simply this. madame" and l gave
her look for look: IT do not consent
to this assassination"
You do not CONSENT" she Kissed.
her eyes blazing with anger. "And pray
who asks o to consent. monsieur?
i DO not see that 1t 10 any concern Of
yours. Do you mean that you, who
pirate so prettily of honor. will betray
me?"
mo, madame" I answered, " shall
not betray you-not even to save the
regent from assassination. What you
have told me in confidence I shall tell
no one. Only I shall save the regent
II 1 can"
IF you can," she sneered. THAT is
well said. Unassisted. M. de Brancas,
I defy you to save the regent"
/ looked at her once again but said
nothing. Then l left her side. DAN
cents was still busy taking the names
of the prisoners. A group OF guards
lounged at each door. L considered a
moment. If I could reach the horse
which had been waiting for me since
10 o'clock outside the little rate at the
back Of the palace I might yet be in
time TO warn the regent. Clearly. that
was the only thing to be done. since 7
could not betray the duchess.
l sauntered carelessly towards the
group of guards who stood at the
entrance OF the hall which led to the
rear of the building. There were six
OF them, and they were chatting among
themselves. i saw with satisfaction
that the hall was dark. I was within
three feet Of them, and still they did
not suspect me-. ], gathered myself for
a spring.
Take care, gentlemen" cried the
snrill voice of the duchess, IN. de
Brancas is going to escape!'
But she was toe late, for ever as she
spoke i sprang ct the guards. hurled
back two that barred the way. and dis
appeared into the darkness OF the hall.
They were thrown into confusion for
a moment, end In that moment
reached the rear door and felt with Joy
that IL WELDED 10 NV touch A 7