Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1912-02-29
CHAPTER XIV.

SNS 49, SHA - sAA AoN
mingled with the crowd.
CHAPTER XIV.
RICHEL1EU STANDS HIS GROUND.
l knew that j had no time to lose,
and I hurried along the quay as rap
idly as the crowd would permit, hop
ing to arrive at the Hotel de Richelieu
before the duke left the house. The
half hour was striking as 1 reached
my destination, entered the court, and
knocked at he door. 1t was Jacques
who opened.
is Richelieu here?" I asked, spring.
ing across the Threshold and notion
ing him to bar the door after me. for
feel upon my shoulder the hand of one
of Herault's agents.
M. lie Due left the house not 10 min
utes since" answered Jacques.
And where lid he go?"
Il do not know. monsieur"
WAS there a note left here for him
today
Yes. monsieur. A small perfuned
note"
And you gave it to Richelieu?"
Not half an hour ago"
who delivered the note?"
"a man in the livery OF the regents
household, monsieur"
1 groaned aloud. 1t was then as I
had expected. The livery of the re-
gents household was of course at the
service of Herault. l was for a mo-
ment stunned.
m: de Due was greatly chagrined at
not finding you here, monsieur" con-
tinued Jacques. Il told him that you
had attended the theater last night and
had not returned. But monsieur is
dripping wet" he cried in establishment.
as I advanced into the circle OF light
cast by the a lamp.
YES" I said, looking somewhat rue
fully at the ruin of my best suit, 81
have just come out of the Seine. and
it is no pleasant running through the
streets in wet garments on a December
night. / must have a change of clothes
at once. If we are prompt 1 may yet
save Richelieu."
H is in danger, then, monsieur? %
I'm the greatest danger" l answered.
Come"
We ran up the stairs, and with that
promptness which I had already so
greatly admired. Jacques produced a
suit of clothing. In five mute ] was
ready for the street, and snatching up
a sword, descended the staircase three
steps at a time. AS I passed through
the hall I glanced at the clock and saw
that l had yet 20 minutes in which to
reach the Rue Jean Tison. The rem
devious was for 10 o'clock.
1 crossed the o Royal, and turning
down the Quail des Galleries du
Louvre, as likely to be least crowded,
passed the Port st. Nicholas at q run,
and came to h Rue des Poulies. This
led me to h Rue Bailleul, which !
remembered only too we'll, and in a
moment I was at the Rue Jean Tison.
The end of h street va blocked by a
house, through which q large gateway
was pierced, and I passed through this
and raped at the door Of h third
house on the right. Az I did so I heard
10 o'clock striking from st. Honore.
Some one fumbled at the bolts within,
and h door opened. A noise at the
end Of the street caught my ear and ]
paused an instant on the threshold. AS
I looked back, ! saw approaching from
either direction a company Of mounted
guards, their arms clanking and the
hoofs Of their horses awakening q
thousand echoes.
Bar the door quickly!" I said to the
old woman who stood within holding q
candle. Where are Richelieu and the
ladies?"
ION the floor above, monsieur"
Without waiting for another word. ]
sprang up the stairs and flung open
the first door I came to-. BY the dim
light I saw Richelieu holding Mile. de
valois in his arms. She uttered q
startled exclamation as I entered, and
drew away from him.
m. le Due" I cried. 1--WE have not a
moment to lose! There are 40 guards
at the door,. We much go. and quick
ly."
upon my soul It is de Brancas!" ex-
claimed Richelteu. And where have
you been all day. my friend?"
do not stop for questioning, I beg
Of you" I painted. 'Is there any other
way out Of this house?' p.
II do not know. I will see," ana the
princess ran to he door. where we
heard her rapidly interrogating the old
woman. At that moment q thunderoua
knock sounded on the door below and
echoed through the house.
"Oh. monsieur. what II h~appening?'
cried.a voice which made me start. III
this another trap?"
ut looks very much like Il: Mile
Dacour." replied Richelieu. eloomily
apd turned towards tho door WITH
frowning face.
There was . second knock loude,
than the i1rst, which shook the house
and made the windows rattle.
sOpen or We VIII force IN entrancel"
cried Q voice outside.
There was an instant's silence. and
the princess came hack to N, her hNet
white with 6ear.
There . no way of getting out az
cept by the door below" she uttered
lcsa.iassd M wssk,