The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1914-07-09

She breathed hard. Yes,
Monsieur" she whispered, as
though fearful of the very
shadows He has talked with
me unmasked. He came first In
disguise, thinking | would not
know who he was. but from the
very first word he spoke l knew
him.
But you have not Told me-
who is the man? DO l know
him."
The kings friend. the Duke
de Saule."
Il doubt it not." l said. Il met
his man Gospele. below. and made
him tell me where you were"
And the dwarf-he has gone
to tell?"
mo hei l took no sueh
chance as that. And what Is the
dukes purpose In this outraged
To compel me to marry him
He told me. laughingiy. the
whole plot. | was a victim of his
plans before l even left Paris
II was arranged that should
carry the dispatch TO Louis.
There was no dispatch; only a
blank sheet of paper. enclosed in
an envelope. stamped with the
official seal of France. All they
wished was to get me alone away
from Paris. here into st. QUEEN
tin, where I would be helpless.
and without friends. The very
guide they sent with me was In
de Saule's pay, with instructions
where to be at a certain hour. IL
was the unexpected coming of
that English scouting party which
disarranged the plot.
DE Saule's party was not large
enough to attack them, and could
only skulk about in the dark,
seeking some chance to lay hand
on me. Then fortune favored
them. They we're hiding in the
very hut beside which you left
me. The first knew I was
seized roughly. and a cloth flung
over my face. could not
scream or make the slightest out
cry.
They dragged me with them
there were five in the party-and
they must have had a horse. for
l was lifted to the back of an
animal. and bound there with
ropes.
''At last, and while IT was still
dark, We arrived at this old
tcastle-they call IT Roisel, Mon
sieur-and they kept me down
below until daybreak, because
they were all afraid of ghosts,
and none would venture up the
dark stairs. Then they led me
up here, and locked me In. Not
until | saw the dwarf, Gospele.
did | ever dream of why I had
been captured Then | suspected
de Saule might be behind Il all. !"
"And he wssl he came him
self"
Two hours ago. He pledged
me instant release IL would
marry him. I am sure he told me
more than he meant to tell, but
he thought | would admire him
II he boosted of what he had
done and could do"
did he tell you he held your
brother prisoner also7"
Yes, but I knew that was not
true, although / did not tell him.
Where did you hear, Monsieur
from Gospele?"
1T wasl part of his tale. but I
cannot deem IL possible" ! replied
regretfully, telling her of the emp
ty cell. Believe me. Mademoi-
selle, I do not know that your
brother is dead. IL may indeed
be that the capture of d'Enville
was also a part of the plot. yet
II Is my Judgment that these fell
lows have made prisoner a man
resembling the chevslfer-of the
same rank-and have taken It for
granted IL is he"
"Ohl Monsieur; I hope he Is
not here in the power of these
cruel men, and l pray that he be
alive. IL cannot bear to thing
that-that you killed him."
"You care than; and for my
sake?"
How could I help IL, Mon
sieur? You have been my friend.
| cannot bear to thing that
Charles d'EnvfIls died from your
hand. Hush! what was that"
II was some movement below
us on the dark stair.
CHAPTER XIV.
We Face the Situation.
I grabbed the man as he ap-