Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1916-08-18

mand now"
$50 I hear. Doubtless you could con-
vict me as easily"
What do you mean?"
"Only that your whole case is a It's
u of lies"
"Pah! you have her word for 1t, no
doubt. But you will sing a different
song presently. Ay, and 1t will be her
testimony which will hang the villain"
What is this you say, monsieur
my testimony"
Just that-the tale of what you
saw in the Mission garden at st. Ig-
mace. Sacre, that shot hits, does itf
You thought me asleep, and with no
knowledge Of your escapade, but l had
other eye open that night, my lady.
Now will you confess the TRUTH"
." shall conceal nothing, monsieur"
Twill be best that you make no at
tempt" he sneered, his old braggart
spirit reasserting itself as De Tonty
kept silent. II have guard here to-
escort you to the commandments Office"
You do me honor" I turned to De
Tonty. "Shall I go, MONSIEUR"
81 think it best, madame" he replied
soberly, his dark eyes contemptuously
surveying Cassion. ITO refuse would
only strengthen the case against the
prisoner. NJ. Cassion will not, l am
sure, deny me the privilege of accom-.
panying you. Permit me to offer my
arm"
l did not glance toward Cassion, but
felt nc doubt as to the look on his face.
yet he would think twice before laying
hand on this stern soldier who had
offered me protection. The guard at
the door fell aside promptly, and per-
mitted us to pass. Some order was
spoken in a low tone, and they fell be-
hind with rifles at trail. Once In the
open l became, for the first time,
aware Of irregular rifle firing, and OBJ
served in surprise men posted upon a
narrow staging along the side of the
log stockade.
SIS the fort being attacked? /
asked.
"There has been firing for some
days." he answered, "but no rea at
lu&h. LC CdNdSCS AlClClJ IN Va
der amid the rocks and woods, and
strive TO keep us from venturing down
the trail. Twice we have made sor-
tie. and driven them away, but it's
a useless waste of fighting" He called
to a man posted above the gate: "How
is it this morning, Jules?"
The soldier glanced about cautious
ly, keeping his head below cover.
'Thick as flies out there, monsieur"
he answered. "and with a marksman
or two among them. Not ten minutes
since Bowain' got a ball in his head"
"And no orders to clear the devils
out?"
"No. monsieur-only to watch that
they do not form for a rush"
The commandments Office was built
against the last stockade-a long hut
no more pretentious than the others.
A sentry stood at each -si9e Of
closed door. but De Tonty ignored
them and ushered me into the room.
1t was not large, and was already we'll
filled. a table Uttered with papers oc-
cupying the central space, De Baugis
and De la Durantaye seated beside it,
while numerous other figures were
standing pressed against the walls. I
recognized the familiar faces of sew
eral of u party, but before 1 ecov-
cred from my first embarrassment De
Baugis arose, and with much polite
ness offered me a chair.
De Tonty remained beside me, his
hand resting on my chair back, as he
coolly surveyed the scene. Cassion
pushed past, and occupied a vacant
chair, between the other officers, laying
his sword on the table. My eyes swept
about the circle of faces seeking DAT
tigny, but he was not present. But for
q slight shutting Of feet, the silence
was oppressive. Cassion's unpleasant
voice broke the stiffness.
IN. de Tonty, there is a chair yon-
der reserved for your use"
81 prefer remaining beside Madame
Cassion," he answered calmly. at
would seem she has few friends In this
company"
1--WE are all her friends" broke in
De Baugis, his face flushing, "but we
are here to do justice, and avenge a
foul crime. TITS told us that madame
possesses certain knowledge which has
been revealed. Other witnesses
have testified, and we would now
listen to her word. Sergeant If the
guard, bring in the prisoner"
He entered by way of the real door,
m~anacled, and with an armed soldier
either side. Coatless and barehead-
he stood erect in the place assigned
him, and as his eyes swept the faces,
his stern look changed to a smile as
glance met mine. My eyes were
still upon him, seeking eagerly for
message of guidance, when Cas-
sion spoke.