Mexico Missouri message., 1913-07-31
CHAPTER XVII.
The Mountebank and Ny Lady.

The Governors daughter" Had
the light been stronger they must
have seen the start the mountebank
gave. "Impossiblel"
"Eh? What?" Surprised in turn.
the officer gazed at him. you dare
out with HIM" To the soldiers.
But in a moment had the mounte-
bank recovered his old demeanor, and,
without waiting for the troopers to
obey the commandments order. walked
voluntarily toward the door and into
the passage.
Our supper! Our supper" A num-
Der of the prisoners, crovding for
ward. began once more TO call Justify.
when again was the disk-studded
woodwork swung unceremoniously to,
cutting short the sound Of their lam
entatons.
Dogs" Malevolently the dwarf
gaDed back ITO want to gorge them.
selves on a holy day"
"Picus jacques" murmured the
rommandant. But always said you
made a model landlord"
When not interfered with" grum-
bled the other.
AT any rate he doesn't seem to ap-
preciate his good fortune" with a
glance at the mountebank.
NO" jeering. "A gallant cavalier
TO step blithely at q great lady's com
mand! your Ladyship overwhelms
met" bowling grotesquely. Your
I-adyship's concesoension'-"
why, then. need you take me7" In.
terposed the mountebank quickly.
~Can you not tell her ladyship I am
not ft 10 appear in her presence-an
uncouth clown"
Bah. I've already done that" an
swered the commandment
But how came her ladyship TO
know Of me-here-?"
How indeed"
And what does she want OF me-"
That" roughly. you will find QUIT"
and stepped down the hall. followed
by the soldiers, mountebank and
dwarf. the last OF whom took leave OF
chem al the door.
Clear was the night; the stars, like
liquid drops about ~ fall. caressed
With silyery rays the granite piles.
In contrast 10 the noisome atmosphere
~ the prison, faint perfumes, borne
from some howery slope Of the dis
rant shore, swept dangerously in and
nut the open aisles and passages Of
tie Mount In such an hour that up
per region seemed to belong entirely
20 the sky; TO pariake Of It's wondrous
stiffness; 10 share its mysteries and
its secrets. Like intruders, penetrat-
ing an enchanted spot, now they trod
soft shadows; then, dangerous, beat
beneath foot delicate laceworks Of
light
Here We are" The officer stopped.
At the same time upon a nearby bal
cOuy nightingale began 20 sing. ten
tatively, as If trying the scope and
quality Of its voice. You are to 20
tn" he announced abruptly.
Such a fine palace! IL would
rather mott" muttered the fellow. as
they crossed an outer threshold and
proceeded to mount some polished
stairs.
Stubborn dolt. Now in you march"
pausing before q door. But, bark
you! and my men remain without
So. mind your behavior. or" A look
from the commandant completed the
sentence.
Alone, in an apartment OF the pal
acc. some moments later, the mounte.
cank's demeanor underwent a quick
change; he glanced hastily toward the
door the commandant had closed In
leaving. and then, with sudden bright
ening gaze. around him, as II making
note OF every detail Of his surround
ingo. Set with columns OF warm
bned marble, relieved with ornate
carvings and designs, the spacious
chamber presented an appearance al
once graceful and charming. Nor
were Its furnishings at variance with
Ata architectural elegance; on every
hand soft colors met the eye. in rugs
OF ancient pattern; in tapestries, sub
sdued: In the upholstering OF Breton
oak A eliminating note was in the
iceuter OF the room. where greal
bunch Of roses opened wide thelr
petals.
sas AriAnr. however. the clown per