The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-02-22

punished. Believe me, monsieur, 1t Is
not because they are not known. Rea-
sons of state sometimes step in TO pro-
tect the guilty ones; at other times the
regent prefers to wait, playing with
them as a cat plays with q mouse, only
In the end to crush them more COM
pletely."
I glanced at Herault to discover what
meaning might lie hidden behind these
words, but his face told me nothing
He turned the conversation upon in
different topics, indicating that he had
said all he cared to say about the po-
lice department, n q few moments
later he arose to go.
The time Of your release is drawing
near, monsieur" he said. "A little pa
thence, and when the morning comes
you will be free again. Is there any
thing o wish?"
May I have a pack Of cards and a
piece Of chalk ?"I asked There is no
objection, I suppose, to M. Bernin here
playing with me?"
None whalever," answered Herault.
1.-THE cards shall be sent you, mon
sieur," and he was gone.
The cards soon came, and the after
noon passed quickly. Bernin was very
fond OF play and, as ! permitted him
to win the few pistoles l possessed. he
arose from the table in great good hu-
NOR. Supper came with the candles
Bernin Joined me at my invitation.
Ing back, n his five companions each
received another glass of wine.
You desire YOUR revenge. doubtless,
monster saio Bernin, as we finished,
n l saw that he was trembling with
eagerness to-resume the cards.
Yes, let us play" l answered. and
we continued the game. My apparent
/ roCfunnffnn 20 !, ,y fnta bn1 nnyta ~ 1nf q "
disarmed the suspicious of the men,
n they were grouped about the ia
BILE watching the fall Of the cards. An
hour passed, and 8 o'clock sounded
from Notre Dame. 1t was time to
act.
Come, M. Bernin." I said, yawn-
ing and throwing down the cards. this
Is growing wearisome. l know a bet
ter game than this. Let me explain it
to you" I picked up the piece Of
chalk n glanced around at the walls,
MY bedroom is he best place." l said.
Come with me-" and / caught up one
of the candles and led the way. Ber-
min followed me.
THE game" I said, "1s called 'Pris-
oner's Chase and may be played in a
number Of ways. The one which I am
about to show you Is, however, the
best" / held the candle in one hand
and drew a diagram on the wall with
the other. you will Observe" / con
tinued, "the board is in the form Of
a cross. and. at the upper end of the
cross is the stronghold, or fortress.
Without 1t are six guards" n I rap
idly indicated their positions.
yes, yes" said Bernin. II find the
game interesting"
you will find 1t more so before it is
ended" I said. 1.-THE guards are lin
tied to moving in straight lines and
only one base at a time. The prisoner
on the contrary, like the queen in
chess, car move the whole length of
the board IL necessary. The problem
is for the prisoner to compel the six
guards to enter the castle, in order to
avoid capture, while he himself escapes
If he cannot do this he loses"
II understand" said Bernin The
prisoner has need to use his brain. A
charming game"
I glanced i've my shoulder and saw
that two Of the other guards had en-
tered the room and were watching my
diagram with interest.
Let us now play the game I said.
1.-THE guards are drawn up in a line
across one end Of the board. The pris-
one Is within the castle. II they can
advance in an unbroken line to the
castle wall they cut off all possibility
Of escape and the prisoner loses. They
| advance to the attack. All, but see,
they nave left a break in the line. The
| prisoner sees 1t. He has been waiting
this opportunity. He swoops out. This
man must either retreat or be taken.
He retreats. He Is within the castle.
Once in he cannot get out. The prison.
or has now only five men against him."
Another Of the guards had entered
the room n was watching the game.
again the guards advance" ! con-
tinued.
Again they leave a space, since they
cannot all move together. A moment
n the prisoner has a second cap
tive" and l illustrated the word with
the action.
Really" declared Bernin, II have
never seen a more exciting game"
THE excitement is yet to come, mon
, sieur," I cried, and a glance told me
that the two remaining guards were in
the room. You see, there are now
only four guards at liberty, although
those within the castle are permitted
to harrass the prisoner as much as is in
grown wary. They advance more eau
tiously. They may still be able to sur
round and ~overpower the prisoner. All,
an opening! The prisoner sees 1t. He
is out in an instant. He has another
captive" The six men were grouped
ABOUT me ana coulQ Ieel tnelr breath
in my hair.
yes, yes" cried Bernin. II see. II
Is most interesting"
THE most interesting part is yet to
come. monsieur" l repeated. "Remem.
Der, the prisoner, to win the game
must not only get all the guards within
the castle, but must so dispose them
that he can himself escape"
True" and Bernin nodded, but how
will he do 1t, monsieur"
I VIII show you in a second I said,
and at that instant. apparently by ac-
cident, let the candle fall. "One mo-
ment, gentlemen" I cried. II will
bring another candle and will show you
the conclusion Of this interesting game"
l sprang into the outer room as
though to get another candle. n an
J instant l slammed the door and shot
the bolt. They comprehended nav pur-
pose and were hammering at tie door
almost before / could turn, but in the
same l had seized a ehair and
with a single blow dashed ous the win
dow. l heard the door cracking, and
the guard on the staircase without.
hearing he noise, were throwing the
bolts Of the outer door to snter. Even
as the n door opened ana the other
gave way, ! was through che window,
hung a second from the sill, and let
myself drop. l shot downward with
the speed OF a annou BALL, as II
seemed to me, struck n water feet
first with a mighty splash and disap-
peared beneath II.
I battled madly to regain the sur
face and came up like a cork. The
darkness concealed ma, but from the
lighted window l had lust left half q
dozen excited faces were peering. I
heard hoarse shouts VI alarm, and