Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1916-10-06
CHAPTER xX-Continued.

And no orders to clear the deVllS
outT'
mo. 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 side of the
closed door, but De Tonty ignored
them and ushered me into the room
1t was not large, and was already well
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.
recognized the familiar faces of sew
eral of our party, but before l recov-
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 vacant
chair, between the other officers, laying
his sword on the table. My eyes swept
about the circle Of faces seeking D'Ar-
tigny, but he was Rat present But for
a slight shuffling of feet, the silence
was oppressive. Cassion's unpleasant
voice broke the stiffness.
IN. de Tonty, there is chair yon-
der reserved for your use"
II prefer remaining beside Madame
Cassion," he answered calmly. cit
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
foul crime. TITS told us that madame
possesses certain knowledge which has
not been revealed. Other witnesses
have testified, and we would now
listen to her word. Sergeant of the
guard, bring in the prisoner"
He entered by way of the rear door,
manacled, and with an armed soldier
on either side. Coatless and barehead
cd, he stood erect in the place assigned
him, and as his eyes swept the faces,
his stern look changed to a smile as
his glance met mine. My eyes were
still upon him, seeking eagerly for
some message of guidance, when Cas-
1ion spoke.
an. de Baugis will question the wit
ness"
'"The court will pardon me-" said
D'Artigny. 1.-THE witness to be heard
Is madame"
Certainly; what means your inter-
ruption?"
"To spare the lady unnecessary en-
barrassment. She is my friend, and,
no doubt, may find it difficult to testify
against me. l merely venture to ask
her to give this court the exact truth"
'Yo1r words are impertinent"
"No, NJ. de Baugs," l broke in, I'M
Outstanding all that was meant. "Sieur
d'Artigny has spoken in kindness, and
has my thanks. l am ready now to
bear witness frankly. What is it you
desire me to tell, monsieur?"
"The story of your midnight visit
TO the Mission garden at st. Ignace,
the night Hugo Chevet was killed.
Tell it in your own words, madame"
/, As I began my voice trembled, and
I was obliged to grip the arms of the
chair to keep myself firm. 1 read SYM
pathy in De Baugis' eyes, and ad-
dressed him alone Twice he asked me
questions, in so kindly a manner as to
win instant reply, and once he checked
Cassion when he attempted to inter
rupt, his voice stern with authority.
told the story simply, plainly, with
no attempt at equivocation, and when
I ceased speaking the room was as
silent as a tomb. De Baugis sat mo-
tionless, but Cassion stared at me
across the table, his face dark with
passion.
wait" he cried as though thinking
me about to rise. '"There are Ques-
tons yet"
Monsieur" said De Baugis coldly.
eff there are questions it is my place
to ask them"
cay" angrily beating his hand on
the board, "but it is plain to be seen
the woman has bewitched you. No.
I will not be denied; / am comman-
dant here. and with force enough be-
hind me to make my will law. Scowl
IL you will, but here is La Barre's COM
mission, and / dare you ignore 1t So
answer me, madame-you saw DAT
tigny bend over the body of Chevet-
was your uncle then dead?"
"I know not, monsieur; but there
was no movement"
"Why did you make no report-was
1t to shield D'Artigny?"
hesitated, yet the answer had to
be made.
'eThe Sieur d'Artigny was my friend.
monsieur. did not believe him guilty.
vet my evidence would have cast sus-
picion upon him. 1 felt it best to re-
main still and wait"
"You suspected another?"
"Not then. monsieur. but since"
Cassion sat silent, not overly pleased
with my reply. but De Baugis smiled
grimly.
.By my faith" he said, 1.-The tale
Fathers interest. You have grown to
suspect another since, madame-dare
you name the manY