Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-29

THIRTEENTH INSTALLMENT.
TN a chamber sparsely furnished, the
hearth cold and empty and the
square window barred like a prison
4 sat the King of France.
A knock fell upon the door. The King
! jumped. His nerves were in execrable
| case. A page entered to say that the
duke. accompanied by Count Anthony
Of Guelders, begged an audience.
The keen, eager eyes of the King
f1ickered at the announcement and a
measure of relieved surprise showed in
his face. II Count Anthony Of Guelders
was in this his case must be far from
hopeless. Count Anthony, that mirror
of chivalry and pattern of honor, did
not deal In murder or basenesS of any
kind. He rose and nodded his consent.
First came groom of the chamber
bearing a great gilded candle branch
Of dozen candles, whose golden light
Suffused the bleak room almost with a
sense of warmth. Then the duke en-
tered, followed closely by his cousin.
In the presence of the King, Charles
of Burgundy, although sullen of face,
would have bent his knee in formal
homage, but that Louis, springing for
ward, prevented him by selling his ell
bows and upholding him.
Fair cousin, this is to honor me. And
you, my lord count. bid you welcome. Z"
He removed a hand from the dukes
sleeve to extend it to Count Anthony,
who dutffully kissed it while he bent his
knee. You find me in deep distress, I"
he ran on, "at the events which have
come to trouble the harmony I had
hoped should prevail between US here.
It was that hope, that confident hope,
which made me anxious to come in
person to adjust our differences under
the surety of your safe conduct"
The duke began to rumble an an
swer. 'Monseigneur, but for that safe
conduct"
Fearing imprudences from the duke,
Count Anthony made haste to assume
the craftsmanship.
Sire, his highness has ventured to
intrude upon you in the hope that it
may be your good pleasure to fulfill
now tie purpose Of your visit to
Peronne"
His tone and words were Of the ut
most difference. So much, indeed, that
they made the alert King suspicious Of
their ultimate intention. He licked his
coarse lips and his quick little eyes
flashed from one to the other of them.
why, this Is good hearing" said he.
Excellent hearing. I had feared that
the discussions Of terms might have
been indefinitely postponed by these UNI
fortunate events, which, which"
While he flmbled for euphemistic
expressions, the duke cut in harshly:
There was good reason for your
fears, monseigneur. These events cry
out for satisfaction"
Count Anthony broke in sharply:
"By your leave, Charlesl" His glance
said more than his words, and It was
not lost on the watchful monarch.
With gracious difference, he turned to
the King again. You perceive. sire,
that an obstacle exists to the calm
discussion of any terms of peace be-
tween France and Burgundy, however
deeply desired by both. But If have
brought the duke here to consider them
with you, monseigneur, it is In the very
confident hope that In spite of the
reports his highneSs has received you
will yourself, sire, be able to remove
the obstacle"
The King considered. "God and Our
Lady know I have the will As for the
ability VIII your lordship tell me
the prince bishop has been murdered,
and with him the Burgundian lieuten-
ant and the papal legate. That may
be true. It Is not at all surprising
The people Of Liege have never shown
any love for Louis Of Bourbon. Also 1t
is known that they did not willingly
submit to the Burgundian yoke which
was imposed upon them. People do not
always understand what may be ulti-
mately for their own good, and the
illusion which they call liberty COM
monty leads to extravagant excuses
Knowing the Duke of Burgundy en-
gagged upon my frontiers, it is not sur
prising that they should have deemed
the occasion opportune for the revolt
they will have been meditating ever
since they were brought into Burgun-
dian subsection. I conceive and under
stand my cousins indignation. share
How Is 1t reported, how assumed, that
am concerned in events in distant
Liege?"
1T is not assumed" the duke rasped
There is evidence of it. We know now
| Of the activity Of your agents. Ofdcers
OF your own. soldiers Of experience
such as Fremont de Marie, des Angus
du Breuil and Grandmaison were seer
/ TO be leading the insurrectionaries."
Who says SOP" snapped the King.
MY messengers, gentlemen Of my
own who have ridden in from Liege
Shall send for them to tell you them.
selves. sire, what they witnessed?"
Count Anthony cut in smoothly:
But where Is the need for that? Thu
King himself is here and can speak OF
1t. His royal word cannot be held II
doubt"
Thus Count Anthony opened as {
door OF escape the door of falsehood
And the King, never dreaming whittier
that door would lead him, boltet
through it.
Il thank you, Lord Count" he said
with dignity, for hesitating to believe
that the King Of France Is a knave.
shall hope to remember it to your ad
vantage, my lord, If ever 1t should b,
my good fortune to have occasion Il
do so. AS for these men Of mine whC
are implicated, three of them are meI
Of mine no longer; they ceased to b
men Of mine in the course Of the las
half year. As for Grandmaison, he 1
to the best Of my belief in Paris at thI
moment. So that In respect Of him a
least, your report is inaccurate. II In
accurate in respect Of him, why shoulC
it be accurate in respect of the others
even II they were men of mine, which
say again they are not"
You have not proved 1t, SIRE" sale
the duke, uncompromisingly
Charles! Charles!" Count Anthem,
admonished him. His highness has In
deed proved 1t by stating the contrar!
upon his kingly word. Or If the state
ment as it stands is insufficient, HI
viii, am sure, graciously condescenS
to amplify it."
"I do" the king assented quickly
When those men quilted my service
had no knowledge Of or concern In theil
intentions. disavow then entirely ii
whatever they may have done In Lege.