The Washington herald., 1913-02-02

'Nentrc Dieu!" cried the gallant
Beauregard why, this is Monsieur
lie Comte de Lussacw
| And, unless my eyes deceive me,
this is Monsieur Beauregard."
So they have set you free?"
why, yes" replied De Lussac. 'or
should not be standing before you
| here"
If you had put the situation before
De Lussac i'll his calm moments, he
would have said, speaking of his own
position, How horrible! In such a po-
sition ! would be stricken dumb"
Yet. after the first shock OF the
meeting, he felt perfectly at his ease,
and, far from being dumb, he was able
to converse fluently and nationally.
Beauregard made a clicking noise
with his tongue.
! We'll. that's astonishing, and | give
you my congratulations: for between
you and me, my dear Comte, | thought
you were badly placed. 1t is SO easy
to get into La Bastilc, but so deuced
difficult to get out But, of course,
with De Richelieu at your elbow,
things were easier And how long
have you been free?"
De Lussac paused for half a second
before making his reply, and Beaure-
gard noticed the pause
About an hour"
"Ah, an hour You have doubtless
left your carriage close by"
No, Monsieur. | am on foot" De
Lussac, as he spoke, turned and began
to continue his way across the broad
space leading to the Pont de la Tour
nellie Beauregard turned and walked
with him. The charming lieutenant Of
Monsieur dc Sartines had suddenly
| for the Comtc dc LusSac ceased to be
man and had become an obcssion. a
nightmare, thing not to be borne.
: He stopped dead.
Monsieur Beauregard," said he, Il
must wish you good day"
Monsieur lie Comte," replied Beaure-
gard, 81 am walking your way. Let us
cross the Pont de la Tournellc to-
gcther. | have many things TO say
to you"
As, for instance"
As, for instance. Monsieur. it sur
priSeS me to find you here alone and
on foot, wearing a hat which obviously
does not belong to you"
Aha" said De LuSSac. without NOV
ing an inch 'You criticise my dress: :"
mo. Monsieur, only your hat"
We'll" replied the comte. ''lct me
say that if my hat displcases you, l.,
in turn, take exception TO YOU alto
gcthcr Ii docs not please me to walk
through Paris with a thief-catchcr
dressed as a noble"
Beauregard flushed rcd as lobster.
That was i'll said, Monsieur le
Comtc. That was i'll said My family
is not behind the family OF the De
Lussacs, and my position as chief un-
| der the lieutenant general of police is
not beneath contempt. Al, Monsieur.
| il is easy to he seen in your person
how the association With the pettlfOg-
gers of scdition, the pamphlctecrs and
the canaille rusts the nobility. in a
mans nature. destroys the gold and
brings the brass to light"
Monsieur" said De Lussac. YOU
have twice insultcd me. all our pOliti-
cal differences vanish, this is matter
between YOU and me Follow me. Mon
sieur, or by the living God ] will either
pass my sword through your heart or
chastisc you with the scabbard like a
dog"
He turned on his heel and Bcaurc-
gard. choking in his gorget OF gold
| lace, blind with rage and trembling
! with passion, followed him under the
| Porte St Bernard and then along the
Port St. Bernard, which lined the bank
of the river
i To the left lay the river. where boats
| were moored to the bank, TO the right
the vast woodyardS and open spaces,
| desolatc and almost deserted.
| De Lussac led the way by the wall
skirting these yards till he reached the
entrance TO them At each side OF the
entrance way stood a watchhouse, and
here man was always on guard to
prevent pilfering from the wood piles.
When he saw the two noblemen ap-
preaching. the watchman left his little
box and came and stood in the open,
looking at them and evidently wonder
| ing what their business might be
De Lussac took the louis from his
pocket and gave it to the man.
This gentleman and | have some
| private business to transact" said the
comte. I'VE do not wish TO be dis
turbed, You understands
oh. mon Dieu" cried the delighted
watchman, IT'S not for me to dis
turb you. my lord. Beyond those
wood piles there is a big open space,
room enough and sheltered from the
port" He glanced at the swords the
gentlemen carried, and laughed.
Come" said De Lussac, and fol-
lowed by Beaurcgard he found the
place indicated, an ideal spot for the
business in hand.
There were no preliminarics the an
tagonists simple stripped off their coats,
| drew their swords, and set TO.
Beauregard was accounted one of the
best swordsmen in France but no
sooner had the swords crossed than he
! knew himself matched De Lussac at
tackled with the ferocity of wolf. the
cunning of master of arms and a
wrist of steel; the swords clung to-
gether. kissed, parted. quarreled; twen-