Evening star., 1941-10-02
sound of activity came from within

sound of activity came from within
the ship.
He did not seek any ganglank.
There would be guard stationed at
its head. He turned to the thick
rope that was the nearest haWSeT.
Wrapping arms about its taut length,
he began to climb as one would
mount a slanting palm tree.
Montjoie Is Startled.
When he reached the hawse-pipe
he drew himself erect. steadying
himself against the gently-moving
hull. Reaching up with his free
hand, his fingers closed upon a rat
line of the foremast Shrouds, and he
swung himself on board.
Down the dark deck he moved
until he stood in the shadow of the
mainmaSt. The ship was not as
deserted as it had appeared from
the shore. He could now see the
shadOWy figure of a man seated
upon keg at the head of the gang
way he had avoided, and through
an open hatch at his feet came the
glow of shaded light and the coarse
laughter of men in their cups.
He turned toward the castle.
Montjoie was Of enough consequence
to be quartered with the officers.
Stepping gingerly through the scat
tered gear at his feet, he reached
and climbed the short ladder.
He walked the length of the pas
sage to see if any light cleaned
through the cracks of the closed
cabin doors. All the rooms were
dark save the last but one on the
left side. He drew his sword and
felt for the door.
He checked himself in time to
pause, then knock upon the panel
If the door was locked no diplomacy
could gain him entrance if he COM
mitted the initial blunder of trying
to force it.
A voice bade him enter MontjOie
was in the small cabin. seated at a
table beneath a swinging lamp, idllng
with a greasy deck of cards. With
his left hand Warburton closed the
door behind him.
Only when the bolt clicked die
/ Montjoie look up.
/ Mon dleu" he choked, spilllne
/ the cards upor the floor. His hanc
flew to bulge at his waist before ht
could tontrol the gesture. Deliber-
ately he forced his hands to the table
and smiled upon his unexpected
visitor. You should not Startle me
like that, Adam"
MOntjOie Stalks.
The fellow was only sparring fol
time. Hand over that letter War
burton ordered brusquely.
What letter." Montjoie askeC
blandly.
NO nonsense, Bartho!" Warbur.
ton lifted his sword. Give me th'
package you have inside YOU
doublet."
Montjoie wore a sword, but HI
made no effort TO draw it. Seated
he was at a disadvantage; Warbur'
ton could disarm him before HI
could bring his weapon into play
/ So. reluctantly he drew a thick en-
velope from within his shirt anC
/ tossed it upon the table A quicl
/ glance informed Warburton that i
was the one he had seen before-i
bore the same superscription-tht
name OF the King of France Ht
picked it up and thrust it inside
/ his doublet
Aren't you going to read it?'
! asked Montjoie. How do you know
I have not stuffed it with blank
/ paper?"
/ Warburton shook his head. 'I an
under oath not to investigate the
contents of this letter"
To his surprise Montjoie laughed
sardonically. He would make you
promise that And you. you poor
romantic imbecile, are going to re-
turn that letter unread?"
Il am Warburton declared
firmly.
You consider it your duty, eh?'
Montjoie nodded We'll, I would
talk to you of duty. What would
you say. my Bayard. if I told you
that you are the catSpaw Of the mos
audacious adventureT of history?"
Il 90 not quite grasp your mean
ing"
Then listen TO this. mon beau