The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-03-24

clung to his legs. Madame Roussilon,
to be sure Of no mistake, lighted a
lamp with a brand that smoldered on
the hearth and held it up, then, salts
fed as to her husbands identity, set
it on a shelf and flung herself into
the affectiOnate group with clumsy
abandon. making a great noise.
"Oh, my dear Gaspardr' she cried
as she lunged forward. "Gaspard,
Gaspard!' Her voice fairly lifted the
roof; her great weight, hurled with
such force, overturned everybody, and
all Of them tumbled in a heap, the
rotund and solid dame sitting on top.
"Ouf! not so impetuous, my dear, 3"
pulled NJ .Roussillon, freeing himself
from her unpleasant pressure and
scrambling to his feet. Really YOU
must have Jared well in my absence.
Madame, you are much heavier" He
laughed and lifted her up as if she
had been a child, kissing her
resonantly.
His gun had fallen with a great
clatter. He took it from the floor and
examined it to see If it had been in
jured. then set ii in a corner.
II am afraid we have been making
too much noise" said Alice, speak
ing very low. There is a patrol guard
every night now. II they should
hear you"
'Sh-h.' whispered NJ RoussiIIon.
we Will be very still Alice, is there
something TO eat and a drop Of wine
handy? l have come many miles;
am tired. hungry, thirsty.-zifr"'
Alice brought some cold roast ven
ison, a loaf, and bottle Of claret.
These she set before him on a little
table.
'Ah. this is comfort" he said after
he had gulped a full cup. Have you
all been weli2'
Then he began to tell where he
had been, what he had seen, and
the many things he had done. A
F'renchman must babble while he acts
and drinks. A little wine makes him
eloquent. He talks with his hands.
shoulders. eyes. Madame ROussiilon,
Alice and Jean. wrapped in furs,
huddled around him TO hear. He was
very entertaining, and they forgot the
was the low Of a COW. They laughed
and the master of the house softened
his voice.
VI. Rousisllon had been the guest Of
a great Indian chieftain. who was
called the Gate Of the WABASH" be
cause he controlled the river. The
chief was an old acquaintance and
treated him well.
But I wanted to see you ALL" Gas
pard said. 4 was afraid something
might have happened 70 you. So I.
came back just to peep IN. I can't
stay, of course; Hamilton would kill
me as il I were wolf I can re
main but an hour and then slip out of
town again before daylight comes.
The rain and darkness are my
friends"
He had seen Simon Kenton, who
said he had been in the neighborhood
Of Vincennes acting as a scout and
spy for Clark. Presently and quite
casually ne added:
And I saw Lieutenant Beverley.
too. I suppose you know that he hae
escaped from Hamilton, and" Herr
big mouthful Of venison interfered
Alice leaned toawrd him white and
GREATNESS, her heart standing still.
Then the door. which had been LETT
unbared, was flung open and along
with q great rush of wind and rain.
the patrol guard, five in number.
sprang in.
N. RoUssillon reached his gun with
one hand. with the other swung Il
tremendous blow as he leaped against
the intruders. Madame RoussilIor
blew out the light. No cave in the
depth Of earth was ever darker than
that room. The patrolmen could not
see one another or know what to do.
hut NJ. Roussillon laid about him with
the strength Of a giant His blows
sounded as II they smashed bones.
Men fell heavily humping on the floor
where he rushed along. Some one
fired pistol and by it's fash they all
saw him; but instantly the darkness
closed again, and before they could
get their bearings he was out and
gone, his great hulking form making
its way easily over familiar ground
where his would-be captors could have
"A
light to guide them.
There was furious cursing among
the patrolmen as they tumbled about
in the room. the unhurt ones tramp-
ling their PROSTATE companions and
striking wildly at each other I'm tbei,
blindness and confusion. At last one
of them bethought him to open a
dark lantern with which the night
guards were furnished. It's flame was
fiuttering and gave forth a pale red
light that danced weirdly on the floors
and walls.
Alice had snatched down one Of her
rapiers when the guards first entered.
They now saw her facing them with
her slender blade leveled, her back
to the wall, her eyes shining danger
ously. Madame RoussilIon had fed
into the adjoining room. Jean had
also disappeared. The officer. \
subaltern, in charge Of the guard
seeing Alice, and not quickly able to
make out that it was a woman thus
detying him, crossed swords with her
There was small space for action.
moreover the officer being not in the
least swordsman. played awkward
", and quick as flash his point was
down. The rapier entered Just below
his throat with a dull chucking stab.
Me leaped backward, feeling at the
same time a pair Of arms CLASH his
legs. 1t was Jean, and the lieutenant
thus Unexpectedly tangled. fell to the
floor. breaking but not extinguishing
the guards lantern as he went dow,