The Black Wolf's Breed

for an accident. While Vauban was talking to the princess, I glanced round the room to see if Yvard was there, or any other person likely to kn

to the other and, finding all guarded, was quite alarmed, then, without perceiving himself observed, he manned himself with his former uncon

naturally, into the rear of our company, and attempted nonchalantly to saunter ou

how of haughty indignation, "do you hold m

s," the sentry r

figure recurred more strongly. I stood still to look. He turned his face. Broussard! I almost

How much and what had I told him during our voyage? How had he treasured it and where repeated it?

?" the princess broke in impati

our patience, and beg

ew the lad as a gentleman of birth and reputed honor, so with the guard and the marshal's orders felt herself safe. Despite the effort to speak coolly my

urely these soldiers are suf

determined not to be drawn aside from my purpose. My face sti

elle la P

ou kno

odd

g to relinquish the

lle la Princesse; ster

er to her lips, "addre

honor. A most urgent matter demands my presence there," pointing inside, "it may cost my life. Had I bet

stupid folly which led me here to-night and broug

thin were to be searched I took a hasty resolution, born of my confidence in the Princess. It may be said here that the lady whom I escorted on that memorable night was known throughout the

n return?" I felt my whole attitude to be i

elivered to M. Jerome de Greville before to-morrow's sun arises. He keeps his lodging in Rue St. Denis,

l touched her, for she

ot fail me as you love the glory of France. You may have M. de Greville informed h

ok the

such a tone of sincerity I felt relieved

threw my cloak, which fettered me, to one of the men, and wearing still my mask, re-entered the hall. They were already engaged in the search, questioning closely each man in rotation. None was allowed to depa

spoken privately to several men, one at a time, in careless fashion, and then tapping the legs of the tables, and kicking the chairs as he passed, he again came near the door. I managed to keep close to him. As he stood talki

nd the whole mob surged out and divided in chase. Some perhaps were in lea

but a few feet in front to guide me; behind, some twenty or thirty

our foremost pursuers swept by. The great noises they made and the resounding echoes effectually prevented their notice of a cessation of sounds from us. Nor did they pause to listen. Crushing through the narrow passage their pressure slammed the door be

to the floor. Perhaps it was as well, fo

a confederate of Broussard, and I could not have explained. The echoes of the chase died away, and all was still. My mind and ears were very busy then trying to make out what sort of a hole this was I had so unceremoniously fallen into.

d wait for the man to recover and go out. Or, the thought made me shiver-he might steal up and finish me with the dagger. As quietly as I could I loosened my own knife in its sheath and got it well in hand

the right. Reasoning in this wise, hoping to avoid a struggle with Broussard in the dark, I edged my way along the wall toward the left. Inch by inch I went, holding my sword extended at arm's length in front of me, and lifting each foot carefully to avoid the scraping. Every few feet I made a complete sw

unwittingly, "Broussard, stand still; I had no thought to at

are you to call me Brouss

it that he would remain where he was. Thereupon I ba

hat, they were interminable-Broussard spoke agai

do you want? I know you

utside? You will call them down upon us with your babb

redulity in his lowered tone. "Then you are n

uare, would be about thirty feet across-calculating by the distance from the diagonal corner-if in fact Broussard lay in the corner. There was but one openi

our brain carve deeper impressions than the petty part we play with our hands, then, ind

rkness; quivering, sou

hearing bound me to the world of living me

inging coarse songs and bandying their brutal jests. But it n

ded in slow processi

ng at his team. The day was coming at last. Did I wish it? Perhaps the night were k