Part 71 (1/2)

CHAPTER xxx

THE VICOMTE D'HALLUYS RECEIVES BROTHER JACQUES' ABSOLVO TE

The fort had four large compartments which consisted of aquarters for the Jesuit Fathers, lay brothers and officers, and a large room for stores

A rooain over the sleeping quarters, the living-roo situated between Unknown to the Iroquois, a carpenter's shop had been established in the loft for the purpose of constructing so-room there cah He was unaware of how much time passed He was conscious only of the voices, the occasional laugh, and the shi+ning pieces of silver in his hand The perpendicular furrow above his nose grew deeper and deeper, the line of his lips grew thinner and thinner, and the muscles of his jaws became and remained hard and square

Presently he shook his head as a lion shakes his when about to leap

He righted the corporal's chair and pushed his own under the table He had forgotten his hunger With the coin closed tightly in his fist, he started toward the door which gave into the living-room He stopped still when his foot touched the threshold, and leaned against the ja the occupants of the roo corrections on the pages of as to be his book of lore Father Chaumonot and Brother Jacques shared the table with the poet, and both were reading The gentle hand of adventure to take parts in thisthe days of prosperity and the court of Louis XIII A few feet from the poet's table stood another, and round this sat Major du Puys, Nicot, and the vicoame of dominoes D'Herouville, Corporal Fre the assee

Victor saw his friend, nodded and smiled But the Chevalier did not return the smile Had Victor looked closer he would have seen the pall of iedy on the Chevalier's darkened brow

”Ha!” said the vicomte, as he stirred the dominoes about; ”there you are, Chevalier Coly

The Chevalier went slowly toward the table, never taking his eyes from the vicomte's face When he finally stood beside the vicomte's stool, he stretched out his arm and opened his hand

”Monsieur le Viconize these ten pieces of silver?”

Not athem all but felt the ice of a chill strike his spine at the sound of the Chevalier's voice Every head in the roonize?” The vicomte looked from the hand to the owner's face upon which lay a purpose as calnize? What do you mean, Monsieur?”

The Chevalier answered with a repellent laugh ”Your economy does you credit; you have sold me to a drunken corporal for ten pieces of silver” With a swiftthe silver into the vicomte's upturned face

The vico to his feet

But no sound escaped hi and there were blue ridges on his cheeks and forehead

Confusion Priests and soldiers and adventurers gathered quickly around Du Puys took the Chevalier by the shoulders and pressed him back from the table, while Brother Jacques threw his arms around the vicoe were apparently calm

”Are you mad, Chevalier?” demanded Du Puys ”What the devil!”

”Be seated, Messieurs,” said the vico his lips ”You are all witnesses to this unprovoked assault There can be but one result

You shall die, Monsieur,” to the Chevalier

”It is possible” The Chevalier brushed aside Du Puys's hands and tried to reach his sword

”I will have one or the other of you shot, or both of you,” roared Du Puys But his heart was not in his voice

”That is a s of all this?” cried Chauhed the vicomte; ”tell him!”

The Chevalier was loith a terrible fury

”Monsieur,” continued the vicoht”