The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-02-29
CHAPTER xv-tcon,inued.)

CHAPTER xv-(Coniinued.)
but there must bel" l cried. The
roof-can we not escape by the roof?
Come, M. lie Due, I implore YOU" for,
seemingly oblivious to the sounds be-
low, he had gon to his mistress and
was whispering in her ear.
In a momen he turned to me.
de Brancas." he said, Il ar weary
OF this perpetual game of hide and
seek. I am tired of forever running
away. 1 swore last time that I should
never do 1t again. Go, my friend. AS
for me, I intend to stay"
I looked at him aghast. He was
smiling calmly and was holding out
his hand to me.
But to stay means to be captured"
him. I'VE ann defeat a regiment.
monsieur
/. That may be-" and the duke still
smiled.
'And the Bastille."
Very likely"
Go on. my friend" said Richelieu,
calmly, II read your thought. You
would say that after the Bastille the
Place lie Greve and the block. Is it
not so? But heads do not fall SO, easily,
de Brancas. Mi regent would think
twice before sending me to the axe"
Blows We're raining upon the door,
.nd ! knew that y must soon give way.
I looked at RicheHeu again, but he had
returned to the princess.
Very WE'LL" I muttered, W must
stay in this devil of a hole, then, it
seems" and I folded my arms and
walked moodily toward the door.
But I paused as I felt a light touch
upon my elbow.
ooh, M. de Brancas." murmured
Louise, when M. lie DUO told Us that
he had not seen you, that you had not
returned to his hotel after the theater
last night, but that the note had been
delivered, I suspected a trap. I ina
plored him to go, but he would not lis
ten"
HE is capable of any madness"
I 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
or tone.
For me?" I cried. And you have
then forgiven me. Louise?"
"Oh, Jeanl' and my arms were
around her, did you think these tears
were for Richelieu?"
With a crash the door gave way, and
I heard the tramp Of heavy feet upon
the stairs.
Come, my friend" said Richelieu,
and together we left the room, the
door of which he closed after us.
The guards were already half way up
the stairs, but paused at h sight Of
US standing there in the shadow above
them.
Good evening, gentlemen" said
Richelieu. May I ask your errand in
this house?"
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, M. lie Due he said. I'VE are
charged to arrest you"
And of what am I accused?" asked
Richelieu.
you were ordered to join your regi-
ment at Bayonne, monsieur" answered
Herault, land you are now in Paris.
Tha is your offense."
"'Tis 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?"
have just said that your mission here
concerns only myself. If I accompany
you without resistance have I your
word that no n else in this house
will be molested?"
"You nave my word, monsieur" an
swered HeTault, who a 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
escaped" I implored, but the duke ST.
fenced me with q smile.
o those conditions I surrender" he
said. IT will come dow to you, NJ
Herault," and he started to descend
but paused as he perceived a sudden
commotion at the door.
"A messenger for M. raj CRIED
some one.
What Is it?' asked Herault.
A man forced his way up the stair.
case and to Herault's side.
"Bernin," cried the latter, what are
you doing here?"
II have to report, monsieur" he said
humbly, that my prisoner has es'
capped
''Escaped!" exclaimed Herault. I'm.
possible! How could one unarmed mar
defeat six guards and wade through
20 more2"
This was not a man, it was a devil,
declared Bernin. HE locked US in hi!
bedroom like so many pigs, having frs
decoyed US there to show US how tt
play q wonderful game. He broke ope1
the Seine. We had the door down il
a moment, but he was gone"
"And where did he go?" cried He
rault. Tell me that, Bernin?"
Alas, I do not know. monsieur"
IT think I can relieve your anxiet,
OH Lila l SSoiC =" ~ ~
scending to a owe step. II wish yol
a very good evening. monsieur" and
bowed politely.
He stared at me with open mouth, a
though unable to believe his eye:
Someone brought a torch, which cast
red glow over the hallway and thre1
into relief the faces of the soldier
looking up at us. But he was accus
toned to establishments. and he 500
pulled himself together.
you will pardon my surprise, n
de Brancas," he said, at last. "Yo
seem to be possessed of an amazin
agility. May I ask how you entere
here?" l..
"By the door," 1 answered. still smil
ing, and rejoicing that it was my turf
IAN instant before your men appeare
at the end of the street, monsieur"
He gazed at me for a moment longe
as / smiled down into his eyes.
Come, NJ. de B~rancas," he said,
last, mounting to the step where
stood, "give me your hand. By m
soul, you are a brave man and 1 ad
mire you. You must some day sho
me this game with which you begui.e
NV soldiers"