Page 134 (1/1)

I was in the act of settling my score with the landlord when of a sudden there were quick steps in the passage, the clank of a rapier against the wall, and a voice--the voice of Castelroux--calling excitedly "Bardelys! Monsieur de Bardelys!"

"What brings you here?" I cried in greeting, as he stepped into the roo back his head

"Why, yes," I answered, wondering at this excite of Saint-Eustache and his "

"Yet theyhis hat on the table and speaking with sudden vehemence: "If you have any interest in the family of Lavedan, you will return upon the instant to Toulouse"

The h to quicken nation, and in doing that we school ourselves to much restraint I turned slowly, and surveyed the little Captain attentively His black eyes sparkled, and his moustaches bristled with excitement Clearly he had news of import I turned to the landlord

"Leave us, Monsieur l'Hote," said I shortly; and when he had departed, "What of the Lavedan faht

"The Chevalier de Saint-Eustache left Toulouse at six o'clock thisfor Lavedan"

Swift the suspicion of his errand broke upon my mind

"He has betrayed the Vicomte?" I half inquired, half asserted

Castelroux nodded "He has obtained a warrant for his apprehension froone to execute it In the course of a few days Lavedan will be in danger of being noa brisk trade, by God, and some fine prizes have already fallen to his lot But if you add theether, they are not likely to yield as much as this his latest expedition Unless you intervene, Bardelys, the Vicomte de Lavedan is doomed and his family houseless"

"I will intervene," I cried "By God, I will! And as for Saint-Eustache--he was born under a propitious star, indeed, if he escapes the gallows He little dreams that I am still to be reckoned with There, Castelroux, I will start for Lavedan at once"

Already I was striding to the door, when the Gascon called ood will that do?" he asked "Were it not better first to return to Toulouse and obtain a counter-warrant fro?"

There isdom in his words--much wisdom But my blood was afire, and I was in too hot a haste to reason