South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-11-18
CONTINUED from Monday.)

a curious vivid glance shot at the
excited boy from under the dropping
lids Of the newcomer. Monsieur, "
had time to hear the rest. Because
Alike had suddenly thrown her arm
about Francois neck, and was crying
out impetuous words.
he is a peasant-yes. But he is
also our brother. Pietros and mine,
and no prince is better than Francois
rot 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
mad told him how it was; how Fran
co.'s, refusing to leave the cottage.
was Yet the son of the castle; how
Pletro had come and had stayed; how
the boys We're at school together; how
IN the vacations they were still sister
and brothers. whether at the castle or
the farm; all this and mdch more the
three poured out To the silent lad
who listened, who seemed to say al
most nothing, yet managed to make
them feel at every moment that he
cared TO hear what they said. With
that they were talking about the viii
| iaSe OF Nicques, and it's antiquity, and
| then Of the old chateau; and one told
| the legend Of the treasure and of the
| guardian dog.
Just over the wall there is the
| opening where he appeared to old
Pierre Trernblay7" Francois pointed
out. And Pierre was half-witted
ever after. know, for I 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. l must at least see his kennel
| over that wall? l will climb the
WALL
But no." Francois put in quickly
1T is unsafe these last five years. l
have climbed it. but not in these last
years. You can go around and get
IN by another way and see the hole
Of the dog"
| The older boys eyes narrowed. 81
think | should prefer to climb the
wall he said.
Alike spoke. IF Francois can not
go 1t is impossible. lie is the best
climber of all the country, are not
| then, Francois"
YES" said Francois.
And Pietro echoed. But yes. All
the world knows it,"
Il think L should like to climb the
wall" the stranger repeated gently.
And he did. The others watching
anXiously, he crawled out on the un-
certain pile ten feet in air A big
stone crashed behind him; he crawled
| on. Then, Il see it," he cried, and
waved triumphant hand. and with
! that there was a hoarse rumble of
loosened masonry. and down came the
! great blocks close to his hands-he
| was sliping-he had jumped. And as
/ ne jumped a heavy square of stone
/ tumbled 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 catas-
! trophe. Francois had sprung like q
! cat into the center of danger and
/ lOosened the coat and pushed the
! other boy, violently Keeling, across the
/ grass out of harms way.
Alike screamed once sharply Fran
1 co.'s lay motionless on his face anC
the great stones rained around him
! 1t was all over in q moment; in z
! moment more a shout of JOY rOs,
/ from Pietro. for Francois lifted hi.
head and began crawling difficulty
with PietFQ's help, out of the debris
! There was "a cut on his check, a deer
one, bleeding badly, on the back O
his hand: and bruises were dlstrib
uted over him. but 10y miracle h'