Part 14 (1/2)
Andre-Louis looked a moment into that sullen, resolute face, and understood Thisunder the shadow of La Tour d'Azyr, dared exercise no will that ht be in conflict with the will of his dread lord
”Fresnel,” he said, quietly, ”if, as you say, the gallows claihtof Mabey Had not Mabey been murdered there would have been no need for me to have raised my voice as I have done Mabey was your friend, I think Will you for his sake lend me the little help I need to save lance averted, and the cloud of sullenness deepened on his face
”I would if I dared, but I dare not” Then, quite suddenly he becaht support ”Don't you understand that I dare not? Would you have a poor man risk his life for you? What have you or yours ever done for ht in o before I reerous even to have talked to you and not give infore, and a wave of hopelessness swept over Andre-Louis
But in a second it was gone The ht him of a pistol pressed upon hiift which at the time he had almost disdained True, it was not loaded, and he had no ammunition But hoas Fresnel to know that?
He acted quickly As with his right hand he pulled it froht the ferry hirily ”Haven't I told you that I”
He broke off short The muzzle of the pistol ithin a foot of his eyes
”I want the key of the boat That is all, Fresnel And you can either give it me at once, or I'll take it after I have burnt your brains I should regret to kill you, but I shall not hesitate It is your life against e that if one of us must die I prefer that it shall be you”
Fresnel dipped a hand into his pocket, and fetched thence a key He held it out to Andre-Louis in fingers that shook--er than in fear
”I yield to violence,” he said, showing his teeth like a snarling dog
”But don't ireatly profit you”
Andre-Louis took the key His pistol remained levelled
”You threaten me, I think,” he said ”It is not difficult to read your threat The ainst me You will set the marechaussee on my heels to overtake me”
”No, no!” cried the other He perceived his peril He read his doom in the cold, sinister note on which Andre-Louis addressed hirew afraid ”I swear to you, monsieur, that I have no such intention”
”I think I had better make quite sure of you”
”O my God! Have mercy, monsieur!” The knave was in a palsy of terror ”I mean you no harm--I swear to Heaven I mean you no harm I will not say a word I will not”
”I would rather depend upon your silence than your assurances
Still, you shall have your chance I am a fool, perhaps, but I have a reluctance to shed blood Go into the house, Fresnel Go, man I follow you”
In the shabby ain
”Get th of rope,” he commanded, and was readily obeyed
Five minutes later Fresnel was securely bound to a chair, and effectively silenced by a very unco improvised out of a block of wood and aAndre-Louis turned
”Good-night, Fresnel,” he said Fierce eyes glared mute hatred at hiain to-night But some one is sure to co