Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1913-06-05
81 HENRY MON TJOY

.risht ,s,a. He Bosbs Aerin co.npsay.
that the due. engaged on the heavy
half yearly accounts of his estates,
would be there, perhaps. till the eve-
ming; still he should not have left such
desperate business to develop unat-
tended. He felt now as he thought OF
the five leagues separating him from
Versailles, and he walked swiftly, maxi
ing by the shortest cut for the Rue de
Valois.
His plan was to return home, take
the swiftest horse from his stables
have to account for the horse he had
killed; this would be an easy matter;
he could say. simply that he had left
it In Paris, as 1t was unfit for the re-
turn journey. Walking swiftly and en-
gagged in these thoughts. he did not mo-
tice that he was being followed till q
voice from behind made him start and
turn.
Good day, Monsieur lie Comte.''
1t was Monsieur Beauregard, Mon
sieur de Sartines' lieutenant.
Monsieur Beauregard was man of
that magnificent type which seems to
have been left to the Latin races as q
legacy by the Roman consuls. Aqui-
line nosed. heavy jawed, imperious, his
ial, might have been copied by nature
from some coin of the Caesars. Yet,
it was a full blooded face and kindly
withal; the face of a man who eats
and sleeps we'll. and is successful in
life and love. He was a terrible lady
killer. this Monsieur Beauregard.
All, good day, Monsieur Beaure-
gard"
De Lussac, though very brave man,
face to face with this, charming lieu
tenant OF Monsieur de Sartines', felt
his lips suddenly become dry as pum-
ice-stone, and unconsciously exhibited
that fatal sign which betrays the ner-
vous and the guilty-he moistened
them.
What weather." said Beauregard. TT
might be June"
De Lussac assented. and they walked
on together.
Are you walking far? Z"
only to my house," replied De LUIS
sac, land your
"Oh, ma fol-" said Beauregard, ut
seems am walking with you, going in
the same direction. It Is good to walk
through Paris on such a pleasant eve
ming as this"
cold hand seemed to have fallen
on the heart of De Lussac. Was this
an arrest? He knew that against a
man of his rank no common police
agent would be used; he knew that the
gallant Beauregard was most nice in
his methods. He knew the character
of Beauregard-a perfect gentlemen, a
good hearted soldier; man with four
ideas-women, duty, wine and food
and all the more terrible just because
of this simplicity.
1T is strange said De Lussac, that
l should meet you accidentally like
this. and that our ways should lie to-
gether.''
..Oh. ma fol, not SO. strange. replied
the other, for, as a matter of fact, my
dear Monsieur De Lussac. have been
looking for you.
Looking for me 2"
Yes and delighted to find you look
ing so we'll. This is the Rue de Va
lois; why, It's but step from the Rue
Cog Heron; and there, as live is my
carriage"
Not far from the house of De Lussac.
drawn up by the pavement, stood u
closed carriage heavily built, dark cel-
oreG and without crest or coat of arms
on the door panels. Two powerful
Mecklenburg horses were in the traces,
and upon the box sat coachman in a
plain livery.
An" said De Lussac, you drive in q
asst this. Well. Monsieur, can not
commend your CHOICE
II am not following my choice, but
my duty, Monsieur replied Beuare-
gard, and though my carriage is a
closed one, and the evening is fine, I
must ask you to take drive with me;
that, too, is my duty
De Lllssac stopped and faced his
companion.
Monsieur Beauregard,' said he, .let
us drop discrimination. You arrest me?"
You have said the word, Monsieur
de Lussac. not IL
by whose order, may inquire. has
this thing been done?"
monsieur" replied Beauregard, .all
this falls under the orders of the day.
It is not my duty to give explanations,
but, speaking unofflcially, as Monsieur
Beauragard to Monsieur de Lussac, I
may say that one man only, save his
majesty, has power to give me orders,
and that man is Monsieur de Sartines.'
.'And il / resist %
Resistance would be useless. Mon
sieur; besides you have noticed that
on my part have said nothing of a
disagreeable nature; I have not even