Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1912-03-07
CHAPTER xy-(ContinuedN

was whispering in her ear.
In a he turned to me.
d B~rancas," he said. Il am weary
of this perpetual game OF hide and
seek. 1 am tired of forever running
away. l swore last time that l should
never do it again. Go, my friend. AS
for me, 1 intend to stay"
looked at him aghast. He was
smiling calmly and was holding out
his hand to me.
But to stay means to be captured,'
l stammercd, not yet understanding
him. w cannot defeat a regiment,
monsieur"
That may be- and the duke still
smiled.
and the Bastille."
Very likely"
and" but here l paused.
Go on, my friend" said Richelieu,
calmly, II read your thought. You
would say that after the Bastille the
Place de Greve n the block. Is it
not so? But heads do not fall so easily,
de Brancas. The regent would think
twice before sending me to the axe"
Flows were raining upon the door,
and knew that it must soon give way.
1 looked at Richelieu again. but he had
returned to the princess.
Very WELL" 1 muttered. 1--WE must
stay in this devil of a hole, then. it
seems" and I folded my arms and
walked moodiiy toward the door.
But I paused as 1 felt a light touch
upon my elbow.
"Oh. NJ. de Brancas." murmured
Louise. when NJ. lie Duo told us that
he had not seen you. hat you had not
returned to his hotel after the theater
last night, but that the note had been
delivered. l suspected a trap. 1 i'm
plored him to go, but he would not lis
ten"
II can we'll believe it," 1 groaned.
HE is capable of any Madness"
heard the door below splitting. In
another moment the soldiers would be
upon us.
And conceive our anxiety for you,
monsieur" continued Louise. in a low-
er tone.
"For me?' cried. And you have
then forgiven me. Louise?"
oh. Jean"" and my arms were
around her. did you think these tears
were for Richelieu?"
With a crash the door gave way, and
l heard the tramp of heavy feet upon
the stairs.
Come. my friend" said Richelieu,
door of which he closed after us.
The guards were already half way up
the stairs, but pause at the sight of
us standing there in the shadow above
them.
Good evening. gentlemen" said
Richciieu. May I ask your errand in
this hOuSe?"
Ills Ricl,elieu." cried a voice. which
I recognized as that of Herault. Wait
a moment. men
He pushed his way to the front of the
crowd
Our errand here concerns only your
self. NJ. lie Due" he said. I'VE are
charged to arrest you"
And of what am l accused? 2" asked
Riche!ieu.
You were ordered to join your regi-
ment at Bayonne. monsieur" answered
Herault, land YOU are now in Paris.
That is your offense."
Ills not a great one"
But we must arrest you neverthe-
less. monsieur. Do you surrender, or
shall we be compelled to take you by
force?"
Monsieur. cried Richelieu, you
have just said that III mission here
concerns only myself. If l accompany
word that no one else in this house
will be molested?"
you have my word, monsieur an
ewered Herault. who had not perceived
me in the dim light ofthe hall and
thought only that Richelieu was trying
to protect the princess.
oh. do not do this; we may yet
escape | implored. but the duke 81
fenced me with a smile.
"On those conditions I surrender" he
said. II will come down to YOU. NJ.
Herault," n he started to descend.
but paused as he perceived q sudden
cOrumotion at the door.
"a messenger for M. Herault!'' cried
| some one.
"What .s it," asked Herault.
A man forced his way up the stair
case and to Herauit's side.
"Bcrnin." cried the latter, what are
you doing here?"
Il have to report. monsieur" he said,
hulnbly. that my prisoner has es-
capped"
"lIscaped!." exclaimed Herault. I'm
possible! How could one unarmed man
defeat six guards and wade through
20 n.ore?'
This was not a man, it was a DEVIL"
declared Bernin. He locked us In his
bedroom like SO many pigs. having first
decoyed us there to show US how to-
play u wonderful game. He broke open
the window and dropped 10 feet into
the Seine. We had the door down in
. moment, but he was gone"
And where did he go?" cried He
rnult, Tell me that. Bernin?"
Alas. I do not know, monsieur"
II think l can relieve your anxiety
on that score. NJ. Herault." I said. de-
scerdfng to u lower step. II wish you
q very good evening, monsieur" and I
bowed politely.
He stared at me with open mouth, as
though unable to believe his eyes.
Someone brought a torch. which cast q
red glow over the hallway and threw
INTO relief the faces Of the soldiers
looking up ct us. But he was accus-
toned to establishments. ana he soon
pulled himself together.
You will pardon my surprise, N.
de Brancas." he said. at last. sYou
seem to be possessed Of an amazing
n E RAS ~ 49, -.