The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-01-04
CHAPTER vII-tcontnued).

F.. naACAg = ooAos 49,
was off under the trees. The sounds
grew louder CT ] approached. and 1t
was evident that the whole palace had
been aroused. windows were thrown
open. soldiers were pouring out Of a
room in the left wing. and near the
edge OF the garden Ave or six men had
a single man surrounded. At q glance
saw the latter to be Richelieu. He
had placed his back against a tree and
was fencing coolly. Even as ran l
saw one Of his assailants totter and
fall. / kept on without q sound,
reached the group, and ran a man
through before they perceived they
were attacked In h rear. They gave
back a PACE. -,
"Come, monsieur" I cried. there will
be others here In q moment"
"Ah. gentlemen" said Richelieu, sa-
iuting with his sword In careless dis
regard OF the thrusts aimed at him,
"believe me, were there only yourselves
NE should not think Of leaving until
our argument had reached a conclu-
sion, but as II L.. I regret that We must
20" And them he added to me. In q
lower tone, Retreat towards the
horses. II we can a them we are
safe"
heard hurying feet from the direc-
sion Of the palace and did not doubt
that we should be overwhelmed un-
less we reached the horses quickly.
Richelieu had disabled another OF our
opponents. 30 that there were only
three, and these drew off and followed
us more warily. I saw others hasten.
ting towards US under the trees. but
we had not far to CO., and soon reached
the horses.
Charge them!' I cried. for they were
iust out OF sword reach.
Our nearest pursuers reiterated before
us, and In the instant. OF time tfat FOL
lowed we threw ourselves into the sad
die. As we dashed: out into the open
an overhanging branch caught my
companion.s hat and tore 1t from his
head, leaving his face fully exposed
In the bright moonlight.
"'Tis Richelieu!" cried n Of the
men. With an oath. the duke
snatched a pistol from the holster and
nred. The man threw his arms above
his head and fell like q log. In q flash
We were out Of the avenue n In the
cty.
There was need OF haste, for cnce
the regent should learn that Richelieu
had been IN the garden, he would lose
no time In getting to the bastiiie to
nnd out the truth. So we, put spurs
10 our horses n dashed on like the
wind, raising O veritabie ~cannonade OF
echoes. In 10 minutes were We're at
the Hotel de Riohelieu, and throwing
our brides to a lacquey, rushed up the
stairs, tore off u masQuerades, and
drew on our old suits, n over them
the suits of the two sentries.
zone moment, / said. as Richelieu
started out Of the room: I'VE shall need
money, monsieur. Have you any?'
You are right" cried the duke, and
he ran to a secretary, opened II, and
flled his pockets with pistoles. Now
we are ready. Come"
The cement?" / asked. Where Is
~"
Here" and Richelieu handed me a
small package from the table. I placed
II carefully In q pocket Of my W suit.
All light" ! cried, and we descended
the stars in three bounds Richelieu
led the way along the corridor down
which Jacques had taken his prisoner
two hours before. He paused before a
door and tried to open 1t. 1t was locked
ON the inside.
who is there ?" cried q voice.
TT 10 I, Richelieu; open quickly"
The bolt was thrown n the door
opened. Inside were jacques and two
pacing nervously Up and down. :
"Ah, m~essieurs,'' he cried. II thought
you were " comingl 1t Is near
midnight"
Richelieu, cody, but there Is no time
20 lose Come" and he led the way
towards the door. We picked up the
muskets as we passed through the hall,
and as the door opened we fell a pace
behind Maison-R Rouge, and resuming
our character Of simple sentrtes, fol-
lowed him to the carriage.
ITO the bastillei" cried the governor,
And In a moment we were numbering
along the street. .
M. de Maison-Rouge." said Rich
siieu, In a low voice, do not be as
tonished II you receive an early visit
from the regent"
Prom the rsgent7 And why so?"".
my friend and I hadtt the misfortune
TO encounter some of the regents
guards this evening"" said the duke,
calmly, land I fear that ! was recog-
nized."
"The devil!" exclaimed Maison-
Rouge. Then all is lost"
mot at ALL" I said. quickly. AT IL
o'clock we will be sent to the roof to
20 on guard. We will regain our
rooms and remove all traces OF our
flight. You. monsieur. will go directly
TO bed, and should you be aroused, must
consume as much time as possible In
putting or our clothes. Even X the
regent is right at our heels, that will
give US at least 10 minutes, and 10
minutes Is more than we shall need.
] think when you show him that you
have us safe, he will have little more
to say"
II trust so, at least" murmured
Maison-Rouge, though / confess l do
DO not understand how you will ac-
complish all his. Until tonight l had
thought the bastille impregnable, but
you seem to ave found some mircul-
GUS way of leaving your cells and en-
tering them again"
I smiled as ! encountered his daZed
glance, but ! Judged It best to "a
nothing more. A moment later we
reached the prison, h gates Of which
opened to the governors coach on the
instant. There was q short delay at the
nrst drawbridge. when the sentry again
peered into the coach to see that all
was right. Their we were In the court,
the carriage stopped and we sprang
out. Just as midnight pealed from the
tower.
Lieutenant Perrault.' said the gov
srnor to a man h FASTENED toward us
and saluted. let Bastien and Drouet here
tax the next watch on the parapet.
Tomorrow let them have a holiday to
repay for this double duty"
Very good, monsieur" answered the
lieutenant.
You have nothing to report" asked
the gocernor. sharply.
Nothing. monsieur. Everything has
gone as usual" / breathed q sigh OF
relief. The prisoners In the chimneys
had not, then, been discovered.
That Is all. lieutenant" said the
governor. II am going TO bed immed-
iate:r ala a. 20 tharn ta naa1