Middletown transcript., 1916-10-07
CHAPTER xIx.-continued.

tween us If you are just to my men.
La Barre is not here to decide this.
but am" He put his hand on DAT
tigny's shoulder. Monsieur Cassion
charges this man with murder. He is
an officer Of my command, and |
arrest him. He shall be protected.
and given a fair trial. What more
can you ask"
"You will protect him! help him to
escape, ratherr' burst out Cassion.
"'That is the scheme, De Baugis."
"Your words are insult, monsieur.
and I bear no more, If you seek quar-
rel, you shall have It. am your equal.
monsieur, and my commission comes
from the king. All. NJ. de la Duran
taye, what say you of this matterT
A man, broad-shouldered, in the
dress Of a woodsman, elbOwed his
way through the throng of soldiers.
He had a strong, good-humored face.
an faith, heard little Of the con-
troversy. yet tbs like know the gst
Of It. as I have just cOnversed with
q wounded soldier of mine, Barbeau
who repeated the story as he under
stood it. My hand to you, Sieur d'Ar
tigny, and 1t seems to me. messieurs.
that De Tonty hath the right Of Il"
"You take his side against US who
have the authority Of the governor
"Pah! that is not the issue. IT'S
merely a question of justice to this lad
here. stand for fair trial with Henri
de Tonty, and will back my judgment
with my sword"
They stood eye to eye, the four of
them, and the group Of soldiers seemed
to divide, each company drawing to-
Rether. CassiOn growIed some vague
threat, but De Baugis took another
course, gripping his companion by the
arm.
"No. Francois, tits not worth the
danger" he expostulated. There will
be no crossing Of steel. Monsieur Cas-
sion. no doubt, hath reason to be an
gered-but not l. The man shall have
his trial, and we will learn the right
and wrong Of all this presently. Mon
sieur Tonty. the prisoner is left In
your charge. Fall back men-tO your
barracks. Madame, permit me to Of
Ter you my escort"
ITO where. monsieurr
"To the only quarters fitted for your
reception" he said gallantly. "those
I have occupied since arrival here"
"You vacate them for meT
with the utmost pleasure" bowling
CALAMITY. 81 beg of you their accept
ance; your husband has been my
guest. and will join me in exile"
81 will use your quarters gladly,
Captain de Baugis." I said quietly.
"but will ask to be left there undis-
turbed."
Most assuredly. madame-my serV-
ant will accompany you"
"Then good night, messieurs."
faced Cassion, meeting his eyes frank
". 81 am greatly wearied, and would
rest: tomorrow | will speak with you,
monsieur Permit to pass"
He stood aside, unable to anront
me. although the anger in his face was
evidence enough of brewing trouble.
No doubt he had boasted OF me to DE
Baugis. and felt no desire now to have
our true relations exposed thus pub
Hcly. passed him. glancing at none
of the others. and followed the soldier
- across the beaten parade. A moment
later was safely hidden within a
twO-rOomed cabin.
A table and two chairs. rudely made
with ak and knife, comprised the en-
tire furniture, but a small mirror. un-
framed. hung suspended against the
farther wall glanced at my renee
tion in the glass, surprised to learn
how little change the weeks had made
In my appearance. 1t was still the
face of a girl which gazed back at
me, with clear, wide-Open eyes, and
cheeks flushed in the freight. Strange
to say. the very sight Of my youthful
ness was a disappointment. and
brought with 1t doubt. How could
Aght these men? How could hope
TO win against their schemes and
plans Of vengeance?
opened the single window, ard
leaned out, grateful for the fresh air
blowing against my face. but unable
TO perceive the scene below shFouded
in darkness. Far away, down the
valley. was the red glow Of fire. it,
fame. rejecting over the surface OF
the river. I knew | stared down into
a great void. but could hear no sound
except a faint gurgIe of water directly
beneath. I closed the window shutter
and, urged by some impulse, crossed
over to the door leading to the Other
eDartment. 1t was a sleeping room
scarcely more than large closet. with
garments hanging on pegs against the
locs. and two rude bunks opposite the
door. But the thing which captured
ny eyes was a bag Of brown leather
wing on the floor at the head OF one
of the bunks-a shapelesS bag, having
No djstinctive mark about 1t. and YET
which l instantly Observation-Disclosures
we left Quebec 1t had been In OuI
boat.
As I stood staring at It, remem
bered the words of De Baugis, 'yOuI
husband has been my guest" Az
that was it-thls had been CassiOn''
quarters since his arrival. and this
vas his bag. the one he kept beside
Rim IN the canoe, his private property
NV heart beat wildly ia the excite
ment Of discovery, yet there was NJ
hesitation: instantly I was upon my
knees tugging at the straps. They
Welded easily, and forced thu
leather aside. gaining glimpse Of tho
contents.