Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-08-23

Then l remembered the morning after
my flight from Paris, seven years be-
| fore. Montignacs Notwithstanding COM
panion had been the gay gentleman
eoing north, AT whom had looked from
an inn she'd The other was the nah
N who had afterwards chased me south
ward at the behest of the Duke of Guise.
But he no longer wore on his hat the
white cross of Lorraine and the Nieomte
&c Bcrqnin's apparel was no longer gay
and sp6tless The two had doubtless
fallen on hard WAYS. Both showed the
marks ef rcverscs and hard drinking.
Barbcmouchcs sword was, manifestly,
no longer in the pay of the Duke OF
Guisc. but was ready to serve the hrst
bidder.
Barbcmouche shrugged his shoulders
at De Bercuin's reproof, and led his
three sorry-looking companions to a
bench in front of the mn, where they
,earched their pockets for com before
yenturing to cross the threshold.
Montignae now pointed to the inn.
spoke few last earnest words TO ber,
ouin. handed .he latter = lew & Id
pieces, cast ut him a threatening look
Z at parting. and galloped oil to relola
NJ de In Chatre, whose eayaieade -
now out OF sight. DE Berquia gave. I'm
an ironical bow, kissed the gold pieces
before poclSeting them, disrnounted, ana
entered the inn, replying only with
laugh TO the supple ting looks OF INC
moneyless Barbemouche and ms huhsry-
looking comrades on the bench
snow | wonder what IN the devil
name the governors secretary was say
ing to that mang" growled biaisc
Trlpault.
For reply, gave look which re-
fe ted the s,Irmise that | saw IN BlaIse $
ssWel" / said. ''if it be that, the
yicomte doBcrquin will be vastly
ingenious gentleman If he can elther
find our hidinr-place, or deiude me
away from my men To think that they
shoull have chosen the first mercenary
wretch thew met on their wayi let
doubtless the perspicacious Monugnac
knows his man.
sThe secretary pointed to this inn as
if- he were telling him that YOU We're
here" observed Blaise, meditativeiy
@But inasmuch as the secretary docs
nor know that | am here, said l, his
pointing to the inn could not nave
accompanied that information. he was
doubtless advising hls friend TO begia
his enterprise with 3 hearty meal, which
was very good advice. And now, rs
this Vicomte de Berquin does not know
me bv sight, le' us 60 down and make
his acauarntance. Remember that YOU
arc the master, and make better pre-
tence OF it than YOU have usually mate,
II pretend the master no wore than
YOU pretend the servant. muttefea
Rlaise. while / opened the door OF our
chamber A moment later we were
descending the stairs leading TO the
kitchen.
An unexpected sight met our eyes.
Nj de Berouin stood with his back TO
a rear door, his arms extended, as q
To prevent the eparture of the la
who stood facing him, in the atntude
of shrinking back from him. She s Ill
wore her mask. Beside her stood her
maid. who darted looks h Indignation
AT the smiling De BerquIn. These three
were the only ones in the kitchen.
Il do not know YOU, monsieur, the
lady was saving, IN low voice oil great
beauty. :,
? aDeath of my hfel But YOU shall
know me, mademoiselle, replied DE Ber.
ouin. who had not noticed the entrance
OF myself and Blaise; "for intend &c
guard YOU from harm on the rest OF youl
Journey, whether you will or mott
Blaise shot at me Glance OF inter.
rogation. To keep up our assumed
characters. it was for him, not me, &c
interfere n behalf of this lady; yet he
dared not act without secret dir ctiol
from me. But ! forgot our pretence ald
FASTENED forward, my hand on my sword
hilt
Il fear monsieur is annoying made
mofselle.'' | said, gently, assuming thai
De Berquin had been correct IN ad
dressing her IS mademoiselle.
Startled at the voice OF newcomer
the three turned and booked at me II
surprise. Blsise, at a loss as to what ht
ought TO do, renal e 1 IN the back
ground.
do so again for the present
DE Berquin took me IN at a glance,
and, deceived by my dress, said care