Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-10

sary, who still remained on the edge oi
the wood. Then, having reached 8
favorable distance. he stopped firmly
for the impressions Of both his heels
were left in the ground, quite close to
each other. He fired and missed.
know he missed, for I found hat with
hole through it. Yet the hat is with
out letters indicating ownership and Is
without arms. 1t has red feather as
all hats have. The lace even had moth
| ing peculiar in it."
did the owner of that hat fire a
second timer"
"Oh, sire, he had already fired twice .
How did you ascertain that?"
II found the waddingS of the pistol
The bullet which did not kill the horse
| had cut in two the feather of the hat
belonging to him against whom it was
aimed and broke a small birch at the
other end of the open glade"
Then the man on the horse was dis
armed, while his adversary had still one
more shot to fire." put in the King.
Sire, while the dismounted rider was
extricating himself from his horse the
other was releading his pistol. Only he
was much agitated while he was loading
it, and his hand tremhled greatly. ]
know this, for half the charge fell to
the ground, and he threw the ramrea
aside, not having time to replace it In
the pistol"
LET us return to the dismounted cav
alier," said the King. "You were saying
that he walked toward his adversary
while the latter was reloading his
pistol"
eyes. But at the very moment he
was taking aim the other fired. The
shot told terribly. The dismounted
cavalier fell upon his face after having
staggered forward three or four PAGES.
He was hit in two places-first, in his
right hand, and. second, by the same
bullet in his chest. know this because
the butt end of the pistol was covered
with blood and the trace of the bullet
could be observed, with fragments Of a
broken ring. The wounded man In all
probability had the ring finger and the
little finger carried off. AS for the
chest, there wire two small pools OF
blood at q distance OF about 21a feet
from each other. At one of these pools
the grass was torn UP by a clenched
hand; at the other the grass was simply
pressed down by the weight Of the
body"
"And do you think he is seriously
wounded?" asked the King.
Every seriously, since he fell imme-
diately and remained a long time In
the same place. However, he was able
to walk as he left the spot, supported
by two friends; for ! observed the foot
prints of three men, all except the
middle one walking freely and easily
but he dragging his feet as he walked
Besides, he left trail Of blood"
"Now,' monsieur" said the King
''since you saw the combat so distinctly
that not single detail seems to have
escaped you, tell me something about
this mans adversary, for we know the
name of the wounded man."
But ] do not know him." said D'Ar-
tagnan.
True. But since the poor devil has
escaped do not choose to denounce
him"
"Yet he is guilty, since he fought q
duel" reminded the King.
mot guilty In my eyes, sire. Accord
| ing to my notions, man who nights q
duel is a brave man. Such at least Is
my own opinion, but your majesty may
have another It is but natural, fol
you are master here"
But ordered you" expostulatec
the King.
"You ordered me, sire, to gather wha'
particulars could respecting a hostile
meeting that had taken place. Those
particulars you have. If you order me
to arrest your courtiers adversary,
will do so. But do not order me tc
expose him, for in that I cannot OBEY
YOU"
IAN right, arrest him" said the King
"Give me his name. sir"
[ After q moments reflection In ri:
anger the King said:
"You are absolutely right, monsieur
| And, monsieur, you are positively the
| cleyerest man in my kingdom."
"The identical thing M. de Richelieu
| thought and that NJ. de Mazarin said
SIRE" returned D'Artagnan.
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