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

other documents which had best be
destroyed. Do not fail in this, nor
fear results. We have gone too far
to hesitate now"
l took this page, and thrust 1t into
my breast. 1t was not much, and yet
1t might prove the one needed link l
ran through the packet of letters, but
they apparently had no bearing on the
case.
Assured that I had overlooked moth
ing, l thrust the various articles back,
%restrapped the bag. and returned to
the outer room. AS 1 paused before
the fire, someone raped at the door.
l stood erect, my fingers gripping the
pistol, which I still retained. Again
the raps sounded, clearly enough de-
fined In the night, yet not violent or
threatening.
"Who is there?" I asked.
'Your husband, my dear-Francois
Cassion."
"But why do you come? It was the
pledge of De Baugis that / was to be
left alone"
"a fair pledge enough, although l
was not consulted. From the look OF
your eyes,, little difference II l had
been. You are as sweet in disposition
as ever, my dear; yet never mind that
we'll soon settle our case now, l
warrant you. Meanwhile l am content
to wait until my time comes. IT'S not
you l seek tonight, but my dressing
case"
your dressing case?"
SAY, you know it well, a brown
leather bag 1 bore with me during u
journey"
"And where is 1t, monsieurY
Beneath the bunk in the sleeping
room. Pass it out to me, and I will
ask no more"
"'Twill be safer If you keep your
word" 1 said quietly, "for I still carry
Hugo Chevet's pistol, and know how
to use it. Draw away from the door,
monsieur, and l will thrust out the
bag"
l lowered the bar, opening the door
barely wide enough to permit the bags
pdSSdBc. Lie ilSAl lAOhl ehC hAO
cleaned on the barrel of the pistol held
in my hand. 1t was the work of an
instant, and 1 saw nothing of Cassion,
but, as the door closed, he laughed
scornfully.
""Tis your game tonight, madame"
he said sp%itefully, "but tomorrow I
play my hand. l thank you for the
bag, as it contains my commission.
By virtue of it 1 shall assume COM
mand of this Fort st. Louis, and /
know how to deal with murderers. l
congratulate you Oh your lover, ma
dame-good night"
1 must have slept from sheer exhaus-
ton, although 1 made no attempt to
lie down. 1t was broad daylight when
I awoke, aroused by pounding on the
door. To my inquiry a voice an
nounced food, and 1 lowered the bar,
permitting an orderly to enter, bearing
a tray, which he deposited on the table.
Without speaking, he turned to leave
the room. but I suddenly felt courage
to address him.
"You were not of our party" I said
gravely. Are you a soldier of NJ. de
Baugis?"
mo, madame" and he turned fac
ing me, his countenance a pleasant
one. 81 am not a soldier at all. but I
serve NJ. de Tonty."
"Ah, l am glad Of that You will
bear to your master a messenger
Ano.lo-. -.oJa-aobp bic Aan0 can4
what doubtful. You are the wife of
Monsieur CassionT
"Do not hesitate because of that" I
fastened to say, believing l understood
his meaning. while it is true l am
legally the wife of Francois Cassion,
my sympathies now are altogether
with the Sieur d'Artigny. 1 would
have you ask NJ. de Tonty to confer
with me-"
"Yes, madame"
'You have served with D~'Artigny?
You know him well?"
-"Three years, madame; twice he
saved my life on the great river. NJ.
de Tonty shall receive your message"
I could not eat, although 1 made the
endeavor, and finally crossed to the
window, opened the heavy wooden
shutters, and gazed without. What a
marvellous scene that was! Never be-
fore had my eyes looked upon so fair
a view, and l stood silent and fasci-
mated. My window opened to the
westward, and l gazed down from the
very edge of the vast rock into the
wide valley. Great treetops were be-
low, and l had to lean far out to see
the silvery waters tapping the base
of the preciplce, but, a little beyond.
the full width of the noble stream
became visible, decked with islands,
and winding here and there between
green-clad banks, until it disappeared
In the far distance.
1 had neglected to bar the door, and