Belle-Rose — page 282: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A PONIARD THRUST. 271 causing the glass and china to rattle in a frightful fashion, after which he descended. When they were in the street, each one went his way, one toward Monsieur de Louvois’ hotel, the other toward Monsieur Mériset’s inn; but when about to separate, Monsieur de Pomereux, taking from his finger a ring, handed it to Cornelius. ‘Take this, my Irish friend,’’ he said to him; ‘‘I do not know what enterprise you are pursuing, but, in case of misadventure, strike boldly at the Hotel de Pomereux, Rue du Roi-de-Sicile; this ring will open all its doors to you,” and you will be in safety.”’ Cornelius slipped the ring in his pocket, and the two guests having pressed each other’s hand, separated. The young Irishman found Belle-Rose in conference with Grip- pard. The honest corporal entertained the idea that the expedition would be perilous. Bouletord was always around the convent with seven or eight rascals armed to the teeth. There was in a stable in the Rue St. Maur half a dozen -horses all saddled and bridled in case of alarm, and the watch was kept up day and night. ‘Tf it was only a question of my skin, it would be noth- ing,’’ said the soldier, by way of peroration, ‘“‘but I am afraid of the galleys.’’ ‘‘Bal!’’ said Cornelius, who just then came in, ‘‘a brave man is always master of his own life.’ This argument appeared final to Grippard, who said nothing more. ~ “Come,’’ said Belle-Rose, ‘we will act soon.’ “We will act to-morrow, ’’ said the babe: And he related what he had learned from Monsieur de Pomereux. Belle-Rose bounded like a lion. ‘If I fail,’’ said he, ‘‘as true as there is a God I shall go to Monsieur de Louvois and bury this poniard in his heart:”’ And he turned toward heaven the blade of a poniard which he carried under his coat. It was decided that the abduction should take pace the rext evening. Cornelius and Belle-Rose had agreed with Déroute upon a signal which would inform him of the day fixed on for the escape; this signal was to come from the mansard formerly hired by the sergeant, and upon which he was to throw his eyes from time to time. Belle-Rose had provided himself with a rope-ladder. While they were arranging plans, Monsieur -Mériset entered the apartment, cap in hand. He was some- what pale, and he wore an air of mystery. “*Pardon, messieurs, if I disturb you,’’ said he, ‘‘but I Eomicboo cS (e(0)