The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-09-06
CHAPTER XII.
(Continueo)

too young to wonder much that boy
scarcely older than themselves should
have the army Of Napoleon at his
fingers ends he gave them no time
to think about II.
"One sees. without the names, that
you are Of the noblesse." he said
simply embracing the three In his
sleepy glance. He turned to Fran
co.'s. And you. Monsieur the spokes-
man? You are also OF q great Bona
|. partist house!"
Francois stood stNight and slim;
his wellknit young body In his null
tary dress was carried with all the
assurance Of an aristocrat. He smiled
his brilliant exquisite smile into the
older boys face.
"Me-I am q peasant" he said
cheerfully. II have no house," Then
into the silence that fell he spoke
simply. There are no officers of my
family. no battles where my name
was known" The controlled glance
Of the stranger rested on him atten-
lively. With that the look Of Fran
co.'s changed in 4 fash: his eyes
blaxed as he throw out both hands In
4 strong gesture. 1T makes no dif-
ference" he cried. my life was con-
secrated from It's start TO the service
Of the house of Bonaparte. Will
count: live because | believe that.
l know surely that ] shall yet do q
thing worth while for a B0naparte."
A curious vivid glance shot at the
excited boy from under the dropping
lids of the newcomer Monsieur"
~ tail nv,t ~
had time to hear the rest. Because
Alike had suddenly thrown her arm
about Francois neck. and was crying
out impetuous words.
He 10 q peasant-yes. But he Is
also our brother. Pietro's and mine.
and no prince Ia better than Francois
not one"
''Or half so good" Pietro put In
with his slow tones.
.You are likely right" the stranger
agreed lacOnically.
And then without questions asked,
in rapid eager sentences, the three
had told him how It was; how Fran
co.'s, refusing to leave the cottage,
was yet the son of the castle: how
Pietro had come and had stayed, how
the boys were at school together;
how In the vacations they were still
sister and brothers. whether al the
castle'or the farm: all this and much
more the three poured out to the
silent lad who listened, who seemed
to say almost nothing, yet managed
to make them feel at every moment
that he cared to hear what they said
With that the ywere talking about the
village OF vicQues, and its antiquity.
and then of the old chateau; and one
told the legend of the treasure and OF
the guardian dog.
t"Just over the wall thereSis the
opening where he appeared to old
Pierre Tremblay." Francois pointed
out. And Pierre was halfwitted ever
after. know. for have seen him
myself. He mumbled."
THAT is Interesting" The stranger
spoke with more animation than he
had shown before-he was. after all,
for all OF his reserve, a boy. Il
should like an interview with that
dog. must at least see his kennel
Over that wall? will climb the
wall"
But no. Francois put In quickly.
1T 10 unsafe these last Ave years. I
have climbed II. but not In these last
years. You can 60 around and get In
by another way and see the hole OF
the dog"
The older boys eyes narrowed. II
think should prefer to climb the
wall" he said.
Alike spoke. III Francois can not
60 II IL impossible. He IL the best
climber Of al the country, are you
not then, Francois!"
"Yes," said Francois.
And Pietro echoed. But yes. All
the world knows It."
II think I should like to climb the
WALL" the stranger repeated gently.
And he did. The others watching
apxiously, he crawled out on the un-
certain pile ten feet in air. A big
stone crashed behind him: he crawled
on. Then, II see ~ he cried, and
waved Z triumphant hand, and with
loosened masonry. and down came the
great blocks close to his hands-he
was slipping--he had jumped. And
a. he Jumped q heavy square Of
stone tumbIed with him and caught
him. felled him, had him pinned into
the tumbling wall by his coat. And,
above, the wall swayed. Then, In the
instant Of time before the catastrophe,
Francois had sprung like a cat into
the center Of danger and loosened the
coat and pushed the other boy, vio-
lsntly Keeling, across the grass out
Of harms way.
, Alike screamed once sharply.
Francois lay motionless on his face
and the great stones rained around
him. II was oil over in q moment;
In . moment more Q shout Of Joy rose
from Pietro, for Francois lifted his
head and began crawling dificulty.
with Pietro's help. out of the debris.
There was . cut on his cheek. . deep
one. bleeding badly. on the back of
HE hand: and bruises were distribute
ed over him. but by q miracle he had
come or with his life and only 90
much the worse. No sooner was
Francois on his feet than Alike start
led then by turning on the innocent
and surprised Pietro In . perfect fury
OF scorn. Il
He il not dead-but that IL not
your fault" she threw ut him. You
who love him 90 much! You let him
70 into that DANGER"