The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1917-02-16

Nv
~Thick ~ dies out there. monsieur"
he answered. "and with . marksman
OF two among them. Not ten minutes
since Bowain got q ball In his head"
And no orders to clear the devils
outT'
mo. monsieur-only to watch that
they do not form for . rush."
The commandant's Office was built
against the last stockade-a long hut
no more peetentious than the others.
IA 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 1t,
while umerou other figures were
standing pressed against the walls. !
recognized the familiar faces Of sev-
eral Of nj 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 Ger Cassion
pushed past, and occupied a vacant
chair, between the other officers, laying
his sword on the table. Ny eyes swept
about the circle Of faces seeking DAT
tigny. but he was not present But for
q slight stunning Of feet, the silence
was oppressive. Cassion's unpleasant
voice broke the stiffness.
IN. de Tonty. there is Z chair yon-
der reserved for your use."
II prefer remaining beside Madame
Cassion," he answered calmly. 1T
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. IT'S 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-
ed, be stosd erect IN the place assigned
him, and ~ his eyes swept the faces.
his stern hook changed to Z smile ~
his glance met mine. Ny eyes were
still upon him, seeking eagerly for
ONE message of guidance, when Cas-
sion spoke.
IN. Do Bausis win question the wit
ness"
THE court VIII pardon me-" said
D'Artgny. The witness to be heard
a madamcr'
Certainly; what means your inter-
ruptionr'
ITO spare tho lady unnecessary en-
barrassment. She = my friend, and.
no doubt, may and It dinacult to testify
against me. I merely venture to ask
her to give this court the exact truth"
"Your words { impcrtinent."
sNo, NJ. dc Baugis." I broke In. I'M
Outstanding Ill that was meant. '.Sieur
n'Artigny has spoken IN kindness, and
has my thanks. l am ready now to
bear witness frankly. What II It you
desire me to tell, monsisur1"
1.-THE story Of your midnight visit
20 the Mission garden at st. Ignace,
the night Hugo Chevet was killed.
Tell It In your own wordg. madame"
As I began my voice trembled. and
I was obliged to grip the arms Of the
chair to keep myself arm. ! read SYM
pathy In De Baugis' eyes. and ad-
dressed him alone. Twice he asked me
questions, IN % kindly Z manner - to
win instant reply. and once he checked
Cassi0n when h. attempted to inter-
,rupt, his voice stern with authority.
l told the story simply. plainly, with
no attempt ct eQuivocation. and when
! ceased speaking the room was ~
silent a Z tomb. De Bau2is sat mo
tionless, but Cassion stared 1t me
across the table. his face dark with
passion.
"Wait," he cried - though thinking
me about to rise. There are ques-
lions yet"
: "Monsicur." said De Baugls coldly.
'If there are questions It Is my place
to AK them"
.Ay," angrily beating his hand on
she board, ''but It Is plain to be seen
tbe woman has bewitched you. No.
II will not b denied; I nm comman-
dant here, and with force enough be-
hind me- to make my will law. Scowl
i1f you will, but hero II La Barre's COM
mission, and ! dare ron ignore It. So
answer me, madame-you saw DAT
Etlgny bend over the body Of Chevst-
Twas your uncle tAen leadf'
II know NOT m~onsieur; but there
was no movement
NvVhy did you make no report-was
Il % shield D'ATtignyr"
hesitated, vt tho answer had to
- made.
~The Sieur d'ATtiGuy was my friend.
adnsieur. I ia not believe him guilty.
ut ny evidences would have cast sus-
lnie1on upon him. ! FIT # best to -.
s0aia st1ll and wait"
sxea suGpsctsd anotherf'
| MOT 1hen, measaeur. out since"
Co. mt Gfle9t not overly pleased