The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1917-05-17
CHAPTER XXI.
Condemned.

Condemned.
He opened the paper gravely, shad
owing the page with one hand so tina
Cassion was prevented from seeing tn
words. He read slowly. a frown OF
his face.
""Tis the writing Of Governor Ii
Barre, although unsigned" he said a
last.
Eyes. monsieur"
"How came the page in your pos
session."
er bag found beneath the sleeping bunk
in the quarters assigned me-"
"Do you know whose bag II was?'
Certainly: IL was in the canoe with
me all the way from Quebec-M. Cas-
sion's.'
Your husband"
"Yes. monsieur"
De Baugls' eyes seemed to darken
as he gazed at me: then his glance fell
upon Cassion. who was leaning for
ward, his mouth open. his face ashen
gray. He Strengthened up as he met
De Baugis' eyes. and gave vent to an
Irritating laugh.
"Sacre, It's quite melodramatic." he
exclaimed harshly. "But Of little value
else. / acknowledge the letter, NJ. de
Baugis, but 1t bears no relation TO this
affair. P%erchance II was unhappily
worded. so that this woman. g to
save her lover from punishment"
De Tonty was on his feet. his sword
half drawn.
""Tis a foul lie" he Numbered hotly.
81 will not stand silent before such
words
"Messieurs,' and De Baugis struck
the table. "This is a court, not a
messroom. Be seated, NJ. de Tonty;
no n in my presence will be permit
ted to besmirch the honor OF Captain
de la Chesnayne's daughter. Yet I
must agree with Major Cassion that
this letter In no way proves that he
resorted to violence, or was even urged
to do so. The governor in all prob
ability suggested other means. I could
not be led to believe he countenanced
the commission of crime, and shall
ask to read the remainder Of his letter
before rendering decision. You found
no other documents, madame?"
"None bearing on this case"
1.-THE papers supposed to be taken
from the dead body Of ChevetY
mo, monsieur"
Then | cannot see that the status
Of the prisoner Is changed, or that we
have any reason to charge the crime
to another. You are excused, madame,
while we listen to such other witnesses
% may be called"
Tears misted my eyes, so the faces
about me were blurred. but, before I
could find words in which to voice my
Indignation, De Tonty stood beside me,
and grasped my arm
"There ts no use madame" he said
coldly enough. although his voice
shook. you only invite insult when
you deal with such ours. They repre-
sent their master. and have made YER
dict already-let US CO."
De Baugis. Cassion, De la Durantaye
were upon their feet, but the dragon
lrst found voice.
"Were those words addressed to me,
NJ. de Tontyr
"Ay, and why not! You are no more
than La Barre's dog. Listen to me, all
three of you. Twas Sieur de la Sales
orders that I open the gates Of this
fort to your entrance. and that I treat
your courteously. I have done 30. al
though you took my kindness to be
dgn of weakness, and have lorded 1t
nightly since you came. But this Ii
the end; from now 1t Is war between
~, messieurs, and we will fight In the
open. Convict Rene d'Artigny from
the lies of these hirelings, and you
pay the reckoning at the point OF my
sword. I make no threat. but this IL
the pledged word Of Henri de Tonty.
Make passage there! Come. madame"
No n stopped us; no voice an
swered him. Almost before l 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"
'sThey will convictY
Beyond doubt madame. They are
"a Barre's e and hold commission
only at his pleasure. With N. de Ia
Durantaye 1t is different. for he was
soldier Of Frontenac'a, Jet I have no
hops he will dare stand out against the
rest. We must 6nd another way to
oave the lad, but when l leave you at
re door yonder I am out Of IL"
ssXou. monsieur! What can hope
- accomplish without your aidr'
ssvar more than with II, especially
" IIfurnish . good substitute. ! shah
Watched now, every step ! taxa.
III IKE enough De Baugis will send
AS challenge, though the danger that
- would 20 - h slight. n =
~ 1Sffnr who WIN have No watched
L~6x& Rr1nr0nd0k II The lnP