The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-04-05
The BLADE of PIC.ARDY

Vi j M A1\D j
.Anita's father; yet here was the In,
triguing colonel, welcome que In
her home, and an avowed sutton tor
her hand.
"SenOrita," he said, a proprietary
confidence in his tone. ''it Is trifle.
| assure yon. You may depend upon
me to see that no awkward questions
are asked"
"YOu are very kind" she murmnred,
Now she turned to me: "HOw much
may depend upon lie comte?'
think she knew my standing with
the emperor. "Just so much as my
service to his majesty will permit"
said |.
Anger famed in Madrella's eyes.
"You make your service convenient
thing, senior, as well as faithful
shield"
AT lastl wild exhilaration pos
sessed me; had drawn him out. "Aly
service has never been shield. senior;
and | prefer to be-here II is: Four
officers of his majesty's service have
come to this house; two have disap.
peared completely. the third, an In
different swOrdsman. today nurses a
wounded shoulder, and the body of
the fourth was taken from the canal
One loss might have been passed over
as an accidents coincident-but
four would seem to take on the phase
of deliberate planning.
MAY tell you, captain. what hap
pened to them?"
three only, senior; Mironsac vii.
speak for himself. You may tell me
II you so desire. but retain the
right to believe or not. as | choose"
"SenOr!" he raSped You"
Lopez broke in: SLOWLY. Pablo.
slowly; Captain Vigny is on mission
for Macmillan"
II am not" said l. II have finished
the business of the emperor"
VERY well. hOt-head," the colonel
placated. "Remain quiet while Senior
Madrella tells us. Have you not the
cOurtesy-?"
PLENTY, my colonel" said |. "where
courtesy is required"
La Anita gasped, and | turned TO
her. all humiliation. "Your pardon
senOrita; forgot"
go on, Pablo" urged Lopez.
"Duroc." said Madrella, she whom
you found in the canal, died In honor.
able combat"
with you, senor?"
He nodded. with me-"
"Perchance the sword of Duroc was
not so skiIIful."
Not so bad" unused the cousin in
the tone of a connoisseur. mot so
bad"
"DurOc, as remember, was a Gas
con. and faithful. Did you make GER
tain Overtures, senOr?"
Madrella hesitated.
Yes" said La Anita, my cousin
offered him honorable service under
the deposed President"
"He refused" said Madrella.
"And died" | finished. "Any sol.
dier of France would have done the
same"
But Leroux." smiled Madrella
land the other one-Besancon-did
not refuse, and did not die"
do you mean to say" | gasped
"Of surety. captain" The worthy
cousins face took on look of great
cGmpIacency. '"They recognized the
error of their ways. they foresaw the
fall of Macmillan. or, possibly. it
may be that they did not relish the
taste of cold steel, for-believe me
it has an evil flavor At all events
they serve now under the glorious
banner Of Benito Juarez!"
"You lie. senOr." said: mo soldier
Of France would do that thing"
| heard sharp intake of breath
whistle through the teeth of Colonel
Lopez: La Anita sighed. deep sigh
of anguish and of horror, and Madrel-
la stOod-pOised, expectant-a cold
smile on his face. The precious ras-
cal was enjoying himself: and al
most loved him for it.
A massive walnut library table
stood between us. Madrella placed
the Outspread fingers of both hands
upon it and studied me long mo-
mcnt: You will apoIogize-is ii not
sO?"
at Is not So" said |.
"Then, Of course" smiled Pablo
lyon will fight.
That. senior. has been the actual
intent Of my mission"
Madrella raised his eyes to the man
tel over which hung the two swords
Mironsac had called them rapiers. hut
he had been in error. for they were
really small-swords. and most ideal
for fenring.
Colonel Lopez stood on chair.
and taking down the weapons. laid
them side by side upon the table, s'It
you two must fight" he said. Though
consider IL stupid. and entirely IN
necessary. the least I can do will he
to assist you"
:"Are you not called" said Madrel
Ia, still with his blue-gray eyes upon
me, "the Blade of Picardy? II affords
me fine delight, Captain vigny to
try the skill of one whose name and
fame have gone so far" He indicated
the weapons with glance. and as
made nc move. continued: "Will you
choose"
''But should |. the challenged party
be required 10 choose merely of
swords, senior? Is II the custom In