Belle-Rose — page 283: what you’re looking at

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

~ 272 | A PONTARD THRUST. would fail in all that which I owe my re if I did not warn them of what is taking place.”’ ‘“What is taking place, then, my worthy Monsicnr were se$?’’ said Belle-Rose. ‘“This is it: Some persons whose appearance I Laea thought suspicious are prowling around my house. I am — certain that they are not WARS me; from which I have concluded——’’ ‘That not prowling for you, they are prowling for us,”’ interrupted Cornelius. Monsieur Mériset bowed in sign of assent. ‘‘It is a logical reasoning,’’ continued Belle-Rose, ‘‘and which is not devoid of truth.’’ “That is why I have mounted to your room,’ said the proprietor. ‘‘It is not very far from the Rue du Pot-de Fer St. Sulpice to the Bastile; therefore be on your guard——”’ ‘‘We are on our guard, my worthy host, and it is with ~ the intention of avoiding a new disturbance with the men - of the king that I ask you to render me a service.”’ ‘‘Speak, monsieur,’’ said Monsieur Mériset, bowing low. | ‘‘Have you still that dear nepoe™ who is your heir?’’ said Belle-Rose. ‘*T have.”’ - ‘‘He is a boy who knows something of horses. I recollect the lively fashion in which he-has galloped from Paris to Bethune. ’’ ‘‘T¢ does not become me to praise my nephew, but if is certain that no one purchases a horse in the quarter with- out consulting him.’ _ **Agk him, then, to procure me to-morrow four horses of good blood, having nerve and wind. Grippard here will - take them to the place where they will be wanted. As to the price, I shall not stand upon it, and your nephew shall have ten louis for his trouble.’ Monsieur Mériset promised and withdrew. Grippard slipped away to rejoin Bouletord; Cornelius and Belle-Rose leaped over the garden walls and gained the lodging va- cated by the sergeant. On turning the corner of the Rue — du Pot-de-Fer St. Sulpice, they perceived in the corner of a porte cochére two disagreeable looking fellows, who im- mediately came forth. But at sight of the swords which shone in the moonlight, the rascals made off. ‘‘Monsieur Mériset was not deceived,’’ said Belle-Rose. Five minutes after three lights forming the points of a brilliant iets te shone at the window of the garret. ee > comic boo (S.com e - * lal