The Light That Lures

ightmare hours and Seth's deep slumbers. The sun was streaming in through the little

proprietor of the house. "My knuckles are sore with knocking. Monsieur l

w m

e said, and I gave him the mon

called Barringt

and sent to fetch him to lodgings in the castle. You

ard?" questioned Seth

uvais you would know that it was v

" said B

d wondered how much the propri

ut the door. "I shouldn't wonder if any one could slip into this

"The wine was strong, or this mountain air

pt so soundly since

uch horrible dream

ledge of how to handle ropes and set sail-an extra puff of wind, and we risk being overturned. There's something to learn about the methods of these Frenchmen,

y of time to learn t

f wind may come, Master Richard.

ust me to b

differ a little," Seth answered. "You

Neither our blatant friend Sabatier, nor our courteous acquaintance of last night, sha

iselle St. Clair has so little attraction about her. I've been young my

th. I have thought that no wom

of twenty may make a fool of a veteran, and set his tired old heart trying to beat like that of a lad just out of his school days. Only last yea

ces might arise which would make them useful, and he would have liked to find out what position they held among the other exiles in Beauvais. A prominent one, surely, since the Marquise had fetched them to lodgings in the chateau, and therefore it was possible that Barrington's arrival had puz

tened in the lining of his coat was the little gold star he had taken from the dead man's coat. He fingered it through the cloth to make sure that it was safe as he crossed the, square and went toward the chateau. Seth may have been right, a

ruction. Many horrible things must be in the knowledge of this massive masonry. The great hall, where men at arms, after a foray or raid upon some neighboring stronghold, must have caroused times without number, making the roof ring with their rude rejoicing, was alive to-night with men and women, exiles forgetting their exile for a while or exchanging news which might mean a speedy return to t

ssing word of greeting, there was news to be imparted by one lately in communication with Austria or Prussia, or perchance with England; there was the latest news from Paris to be had from one who had just escaped from his enemies; there was news, too, of friends who had not been s

proof that what he had known was right, and this was wrong. His blood was pulsating, the atmosphere was exhilarating. Pleasure flung him her gauge, why should he not pick it up? A woman was beside him, dark eyes flashing through he

r," she said presently, when a

d, and it was perhaps this suggestion of the future which

who completed the full description he had had of Mademoiselle St. Clair. Certainly she was not among those who stood near the Marquise, and Barrington went from vantage point to vantage point in search of her. Neither coul

anding before him. He could have overheard their conversation, but he was not listening. He was wondering how he could find made

r does n

of him had gone, and near him was a woman. It was difficult to know

nced, made

w waiting f

moiselle wil

times, monsieur, and am i

or smiles, yet there was a line of firmness in it suggestive of determination. There was a cadence in her voice, a musical rise and fall which held an appeal. The lines of her figure were graceful, there was youth and vigor in every movement, and without being above the medium height, the pose of her head on her shapely shoulders gave her a certain air of stateliness, natural and becoming to her it seemed. She was a woman designed for happiness and laughter, Barringto

onsieur has not entere

a moment. He could not afford

nored by mademoi

ent displeased her. "It seemed to me you were a stranger in B

The laughter of a woman as she passed, dancing, gave point

ie weeping," she said. "Those

me good shall com

ed at hi

g to one idea which by brutal force has been driven into our souls-revenge.

a deep meaning in

not be out of place," an

y help me. Can you tell me where I

know

escription I h

cient to help you," and a smile p

too, for I assure you the description

m did you

cent on that point. It

ue my cu

ow her, mad

, y

r, with a desire perhaps to be a little witty

you some message for h

t I must speak to

we cause comment, I will bring you to her. I am supposing that you

ecret, mad

te if any one shows interest in our movements. We

er in how crowded a world of women he might meet her, no matter how long a time should pass before such a meeting. Obeying her, he glanced swiftly to right and left as he went. Eyes certa

ned her pace, and at the end of it she had paused a moment that he might see which way she turned. He followed more quickly, and found her in a small vestibule, part of the old chateau. A

one from the lamp,"

emoiselle?" he asked. "Truly this is a

e answered. "I am Ma

ou

. Already almost unconsciously he had laid the foundations of a dream fabric,

nsieur unmask

his face satisfied her, for she undid her mask and stood before him. She was a woman, and beauty must ever be the keenest weapon in woman's armory; the

ould seem, by his friend who was witty a

I shall punish him for th

," she answered. "You have a message for

h deceit makes a man suspicious. I was told to seek Mademoiselle St. Clair in a fat, ugly, simpe

es not anger me. Let me think. Will i

believe so and trust you. To you I can prove that I am an honest messenger," and Barrington tore from the linin

to the table, and by the light of the lantern unfolded t

aid, starting back

t her sudden question, and then

le of the lantern light, but a common thing