The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-01-25
CHAPTER X-(Continued.)
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you, SHdTlOtte, ne Crled. ines are
but empty vaporings, believe me. 1t
seems to me that at present l am not
IN this mans power, but he in mine,'
and with a movement swift as light
ming his sword was at the regents
breast. IF you so much as move a
muscle, monsieur" he said. II swear
to o upon my honor that l will
drive this sword through your heart"
The regent did not move only his
admire the man.
de Brancss,' cried Richelieu, blind
your scar lightly over his mouth. Do
not lift Your rand, monsieur" he con-
tlnued waTuinyly to the regent.
did as ne bade me, marvelling that
Orleands did not show more spirit.
Now off with his hat and cloak"
continued Richelieu.
l obeyed, and still the regent made
no sign. l began to fear some further
trap.
What now, monsieur" / asked.
I'm faith, 1 do not know said Rich
ellen. II might. indeed, don the cloak
n hat, go out and order the guard
away so that we could escape, but If
We both leave, who will guard the re-
gent? We might tie him. but 1t must
needs be most securely"
go, 60, monsieur" / cried, seizing
his sword, but still keeping the point at
the regents breast. Put on the cloak
and hat and G. 1 will stay, and / an
swered for 1t he will make no cutlery"
impossible" said Richelieu. II go
n leave you, my friend?"
Eyes, yes" I answered. ut is not
with, me a matter Of life and death.
Besides, with my sword at his heart l
shall be able to make my own terms"
True" said Richelieu, but he still
hesitated and turned towards Mile. de
| Valois.
"Ah, Charlotte" he said, dropping
on n knee before her and lifting her
hand to his lips, 1T seems hat l am
never to be permitted to tell you how
I love you. But what is this?" he
cried, looking up into her eyes to find
them closed. ooh, what has hap
pened?"
Mile. Dacour fastened to her.
She has merely tainted, M. lie Due"
she said after a moment. 1T is moth
Ing. She will soon be herself again, 1
answer for It,"
Thank God!" exclaimed the duke.
and he covered with kisses the hand he
held In his own. Il cannot go leaving
her So"
II implore you to go. monsieur" I
entreated. I'VE do not know what in
structions have been given the guards
at the door. They may break in at any
moment"
II YIELD" Richelieu, and
he picked up the regents cloak and
wrapped 1t about him; 'but his Is the
last time that will run away. l shall
take horse for Bayonne," he continued.
With my regiment 1 shall be safe.
They would go to hell for me-
But | looked at him gloomily, for /
saw that even In that disguise his 1.-the,
upright figure bore little resemblance
to the shorter and stouter form of the
regent. -.
monsieur l said. "The disguise is a
poor one."
$50 be it," cried the duke. flinging
the cloak n hat from him
and picking up his own. II will
go without disguise, and trust to
my sword to win me passage He
placed his hand at his side, and re-
against h regents heart. I drew my
own with my other hand, and present
ing 1t TO the prisoners throat, handed
Richelieu his own.
May, wait a moment, NJ. lie Due"
cried Mile. Dacour. as he started to-
wards the door; there is another way"
And ~unguarded?" he asked paus-
ing.
II believe SO. Come" and she led the
way towards the apartment in the rear
of that in which we were.
"Adieu, de Brancas,' said Richelieu,
pausing on the threshold. IF you suf-
fer for this 1 will bring all Brittany to
your rescue n he was gone.
/ glanced at Orleans, but he made no
sign. What new trap was he preparing
that he should sit here so contentedly?
/ strained By ears for the clash Of arms
or for any cutlery which would tell Of
the discovery of the fugitive, but none
came. The moments passed.
He must be safe by this time" l
murmured.
THAT being the case, let us put an
end to this farce" said the regent,
speaking quite distinctly through the
scarf which encircled his head, and
putting up his hand, he tore the scarf
away. My sword quivered in my hand,
yet 1 had never killed a man but in
fair fight and my heart failed me now.
Come. M. de Brancas," he continued,
calmly, reading my thought in my face,
put down our sword. Did you think
that / should have sat quiet here so
obligingly had / desired to detain the
duke? Surely, you gave me credit
.or more spirit. monsieur" .
Then there was q trGp?" / STAN
mered, though not surprised 1t this
confirmation of my suspicious.
well, not precisely" and the regent
smiled. But here Is Mile. Decour, who
may have some news for you"
She entered as he spoke n cast an
alarmed and ~astonished glance at my
lowered sword n the regents smiling
'The duke Is safe, is he not?" 1 cried,
alarmed In my turn.
II belive So" she answered. IT let
him out by the little DOR into the Rue
de Richelieu. There was no guard at
the door and apparently we were un-
observed. I watched him until he
turned into the Rue St. Honore and
mingled with the crowd. Then 1 closed
the door and returned"
Come said Orleans. rising, you |
sec that your friend Ia safe, de Bran |
cas-, and thEt you ave again outwitted
me. Make your adieux to Mile. Da-
cour and a her to attend to my |
daughter. Come with me. / nave w
words to say to YOU" and he picked up /
his hat and cloak and walked towards
the door.
.'Oh, what does he mean" whispered
Louise, clutching at my sleeve, her
eyes dark with terror. Does he mean
to do you harm. Jean?"
That one word would repay me for
il ALL" / said, looking down with in |
finite love into hat sweet, upturned
face. But | do not think so, Louise. |
faith, l believe ii Is he who "a out
witted us this evening, and not we
have outwitted him. But, oh, my
l whispered, pressing her to me-,
"you are a little. them"
Go, go." she said. pushing me to-
wards the door. do not keep him wait
ing. DO not make him angry, IL he
be not already so," and she gave me
one glance that made my heart leap
and closed the door upon me. Some