Part 32 (1/2)

At four the fencing bouts began between the gentle contests, but ere half an hour was gone the number had resolved itself into two, Victor and the vicomte

”Well, Monsieur,” said the latter, pleasantly, ”suppose we share the laurels?”

”We shall, with your permission, make the victoryhis foil and saluting the ladies above

”As you please,” and the vicomte stepped into position

It was a pretty exhibition For a long time it seee What Victor lacked in reach and height he ht on his feet as a cat In and out he went, round and round; twice his button came within an inch of the vicoht no conclusion As the foils met in the third bout, the vicomte spoke

”Now, Monsieur,” he said, but in so low a tone that only Victor heard hi, and, on my word, you hold a tolerable blade for a poet Now then!”

Victor smiled, but a moment later his smile died away, and he drew his lips inith anxiety He felt a neer in the foil slithering up and down his own Suddenly a thousand needles stung his wrist: his foil lay rolling about the deck The vicoly, stepped forward and picked up the foil, presenting it to its owner Again they resuht the vicoainst the poet's doublet From this time on the poet played warily

He an to gather in the vicomte's eyes Twice Victor stooped and his foil slid under the vicoh, But Victor was fighting against the inevitable Gradually the vicoain Victor's foil rested frorasp The contest came to an end, with seven points for the vicomte and two for the poet The vicomte was loudly applauded, as was due a famous swordsman and a hail-fellow

[Illustration: ”The Vicoly”]

The Chevalier, who had followed each stroke with feverish eyes, sighed with chagrin There were three strokes he had taught Victor, and the poet had not used one of them

”Why did you let those opportunities pass?” he asked, petulantly

”Some day I may need those strokes The vicomte does not know that I possess them” Victor smiled; then he frowned ”He is made of iron; he is a stone wall; but he is not as brilliant and daring as you are, Paul”

”Let us prolong the truce indefinitely,” said the vico The courtesy had so non-committal in it, and it did not escape the keen eye of the vicoallant poet I know,” and the vicoravely

They were becal The afternoon of the second day pronant with possibilities when the Comte d'Herouville addressed the vicomte with these words: ”Monsieur, I should like to speak to the Chevalier du Cevennes Will you take upon yourself the responsibility of conducting me to his cabin? It is not possible for me to ask the courtesy of Monsieur de Sauht of him”

”Certainly, Monsieur,” answered the vicoh the perpendicular line above his nose deepened ”I dare venture that the ement at Quebec, and you desire a witness”

”Your sure of him I wish to know if he believes he will be in condition”

”Follow me” The vicomte started toward the companionway

The Chevalier lay in his bunk, in profound slu over his Rabelais The clothes on the hooks htly As the two visitors entered, the lackey lifted his head and placed a finger against his lips

”He sleeps?” whispered the vico d'Herouville with disapproval

The vicoed his shoulders, and there was an essence of pity in the azed with idle curiosity at the partitions He saw the Chevalier's court rapier with its jeweled hilt The Chevalier's grandsire had flaunted the slender blade under the great Constable's nose in the days of Henri II There had been a time when he himself had worn a rapier even aered the long ca to penetrate the future A sharp gasp slipped past his lips

”Boy,” he said lowly and with apparent cal?”

Breton looked out of the port-hole As he did so the count grasped the vicomte's arm The vicomte turned quickly, and for the first tirey cloak His breath came sharply, while his hand stretched forththough it was There followed his touch a crackling sound, as of paper D'Herouville paled On the contrary, the vicomte smiled