Middletown transcript., 1916-07-22
~Hers. e.yrye.e,i in olled sllk."


one else; they give him an authority
1 could not grant before, and should
end La Salle's control of that country.
You have met this Henri de Tonty?
He was here with his master three
years since and had audience"
SAY, but that was before my time
Is he one to resist De BaugisY
"He impressed me as a man who
would obey to the letter, monsieur;
dark-faced soldier, with an iron jaw.
He had lost one arm in battle, and
was loyal to his chief"
$50 1 have heard-a stronger mar
than De Baugis?"
"a more resolute; all depends on
what orders La Sale left, and the
number of men the two command"
'In that respect the difference is
not great. De Baugis had but hand
full of soldiers to take from MackiDac,
although his voyageurs may be de-
pended upon to obey his will His In
structions were not to employ force"
"And the garrison of st. Louis?"
"'Tis hard to tell, as there are fur
hunters there of whom we have no
record. La Salle's report would make
his own command 1S. but they are
we'll chosen, and he hath lieutenants
not so far away as to be forgotten.
La Forest would strike at word, and
De la Durantaye is at the Chicago por-
tage, and no friend Of mine. 'Tis Of
Importance, therefore, that your vOy-
age be swiftly completed, and my or
ders placed in De Baugis' hands. Are
all things ready for departure"
GAY, the boats only await my COM
ing"
The governor leaned his head on his
hand, crumbling the paper between his
fingers.
''This young fellow-D'Artigny," he
said thoughtfully, ''you have some spe-
cial reason for keeping him in your
companyT
Cassion crossed the room, his face
suddenly darkening.
cay, now I have" he explained
shortly, although 1 first engaged his
services merely for what 1 deemed to
be their value. He spoke me most
fairly"
"But since?"
81 have cause to suspect. Chevet
tells me that today he had conference
with mademoiselle at the house of the
Ursulines."
"Ah, twas for that then you had his
ticket revoked. 1 see where the shoe
pinches. Twill be safer with him in
the boats than back here in Quebec.
Then 1 give permission, and wash my
hands Of the whole affair-but beware
of him, Cassion."
81 may be trusted, sir"
''I question that no longer" He hest
tated slightly, then added in lower
tone: 'If accident occur the report
may be briefly made. 1 think that
will be ALL"
Both men were upon their feet, and
La Barre extended his hand across the
desk. 1 do not know what movement
may have caused it, but at that mo-
ment a wooden ring holding the cur
| tain fell, and struck the floor at my
feet Obeying the first impulse l
thrust D'Artigny back behind me into
the shadow, and held aside the drap-
cry. Both men, turning, startled at the
sound, beheld me clearly, and stared In
| amazement. Cassion took a step for
ward, an exclamation Of surprise
breaking from his lips.
"AdeleI Mademoiselle"
l stepped more fully into the light,
permitting the curtain to fall behind
me, and my eyes swept their faces.
Eyes, monsieur-you were seeking
me?"
"For an hour past; for what reason
did you leave the ballroom"
With no purpose in my mind but to
gain time in which to collect my
thought and protect D'Artigny from
discovery, made answer assuming a
carelessness of demeanor which was
far from feeling.
! "Has it been so long, monsieur" l
returned in apparent surprise. ''Why
1 merely sought a breath of fresh cir,
and became interested in the scene
without"
La Barre stood motionless, just a.
he had risen to his feet at the first
alarm, his eyes on my face, his heavy
eyebrows contracted in a frown.
81 will question the young lady, Cas-
sion," he said sternly, ''for have in
terests here of my own. Mademoi
seller
''Yes, monsieur"
"How long have you been behin>
that curtain?"