Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1916-12-22

open. Convict Rene d'Artigny from
the lies of these hirelings, and you
pay the reckoning at the point of my
sword. l make no threat, but this is
the pledged word of Henri de Tonty.
Make passage therel Come, madame"
No one stopped us; no voice an
swered him. Almost before realized
the action, we were outside in the sun
light, and he was smiling into my face,
his dark eyes full of cheer.
1T will make them pause and
think-what l said" he exclaimed,
''yet will not change the result"
They will convictT
Beyond doubt, madame. They are
La Barrels men, and hold commission
only at his pleasure. With NJ. de la
Durantaye it is different, for he was
soldier of Frontenac's, yet I have no
hope he will dare stand out against the
rest. We must find another way to
save the lad, but when leave you at
the door yonder am out Of it,"
"You, monsieur! What can I hope
to accomplish without your aid?"
Ear more than with 1t, especially
IL furnish a good substitute. / shall
be watched now, every step take.
'Tis like enough De Baugis will send
me challenge, though the danger that
Cassion would do so is slight. 1t is
the latter who will have me watched.
No, madame, Boisrondet is the lad
who must find a way out for the pris-
oner; they will never suspect him, and
the boy will enjoy the trick. Tonight,
when the fort becomes quiet, he will
your room dark, and the window
open"
"There is but one, monsieur, out
ward, above the precipice."
'That will be his choice; he can
reach you thus unseen. IT'S quite
possible a guard may be placed at your
door,"
He left me, and walked straight
across the parade to his own quarters.
an erect, manly figure in the sun, his
long black hair falling to his shoulders.
drew a chair beside the door, which
l left partially open, SO that I might
view the scene without. l could see
the door of the guardhouse, and. at
last, those in attendance at the trial
emerged, talking gravely, as they scat
tered in various directions. The three
officers came forth together, proceed
ing directly across toward De Tonty's
office, evidently with some purpose in
view. No doubt. angered at his words,
they sought satisfaction. I watched
until they disappeared within the dis
tant doorway, De Baugis the first to
enter. A moment later one Of the sol
diers who had accompanied lis from
Quebec, a rather pleasant-faced lad.
whose injured hand l had dressed at
ST. Ignace. approached where I sat.
and lifted his hand In salute.
"a moment, Jules" I said swiftly.
"You were at the trial?"
"Yes, madame"
"And the result?"
"The Sieur d'Artigny was held
guilty. madame" he said regretfully,
glancing about as though to assure
himself alone. 1.-THE three officers
agreed on the verdict. although know
some of the witnesses lied"
you know-who"
"My own mate, for one-George
Descartes: he swore to seeing DAT
tigny follow Chevet from the boats,
and that was not true, for we were
together all that day. would have
said so, but the court babe me be STILL"
"Ay, they were not seeking such tes-
timony. No matter what you said,
Jules, D'Artigny would have been con-
demned-it was La Barrels orders"
Eyes, madame, so l thought"
Ibid the Sieur d'Artigny speakY'
"a few words, madame, until NJ.
Cassion ordered him to remain still.
Then NJ. de Baugis pronounced SEN
tence-it was that he be shot tomor-
row."
1.-THE hour?" q
II heard none mentioned, madame"
"And purpose In that also to my
mind. This gives them twenty-four
hours In which to consummate muir
der. They fear De Tonty and his men
may attempt rescue; It's to find out the
three have gone now to his quarters.
That is all, Jules; you had best not be
seen talking here with me-"
closed the door, and dropped the
bar securely into place. I knew the
worst now, and felt sick and faint.
Tears would not come to relieve, yet 1t
seemed as though my brain ceased
working. as If had lost all physical
and mental power. know not how
long sat there. dazed, incompetent to
even express the vague thoughts which
flashed through my brain. A rapping
on the door aroused me. The noise,
the insistent raps awoke me as from
sleep.
"Who wishes entranceY'
"I-Cassion; demand speech with
you"
For what purpose, monsieur
''Mon Dieu! Does man have to