Belle Rose: A Romance of the Cloak and Sword — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

12 THE FALCONER’S SON. the stables of Monsieur de Malzonvilliers. He approached the horse, caressed its croup, unhitched it, and was get- ting ready to leap into the saddle, when the stranger softly placed a hand upon his shoulder. ‘*Before leaving,’’ he said to him, “it is at least neces- sary for you to know where you are to go.”’ ‘‘That is true,’’ replied Jacques, whose foot was already in the stirrup. Impatience to gallop upon such a noble horse had made him forget the object of his trip. ‘*You doubtless know where the little village of Witter- nesse is situated?”’ ‘‘Quite well—at a league, almost, to the right, in the direction of Aire.”’ ‘It is there you must go; now bear this well in mind: Before entering Witternesse you will see, to your left, a farm-house at the end of a rye field. It has four windows, and there is a weather-cock on the roof. You will give three knocks at the door; at the third one you will pro- nounce in a loud voice the name of Bergame; a man will come out, and you will hand him this paper.’’ Upon which the unknown drew from his pocket a small portfolio, took a pencil, and began to write. **Do you know how to read?’’ he suddenly asked Jacques. ‘“Yes, monsieur; quite well.”’ The stranger contracted his eyebrows; but this move- ment was so rapid that Jacques did not have time to take notice of it. For a moment the stranger turned the pencil between his fingers; then taking a sudden resolution, he rapidly wrote some words, tore out the leaf of paper, and presenting it to Jacques, fixed upon the child a searching glance. Jacques examined the paper. ‘‘I read, but I do not understand,’’ said he. The stranger smiled. ‘It is not necessary for you to understand,’’ he replied; “‘slip the paper in your pocket and mount your horse. Good! Parbleau, my boy, youcarry yourself finely! If you make the trip in that fashion you will not serve as a fas- cine to some ditch. But, all the same, keep your eyes con- stantly upon your animal’s ears. He is full of whims; but when he intends to play a trick he is honest enough to warn his rider by a certain movement of his ears, which the limbs of a great many people have caused them to recollect. Ah! you laugh. You will see, my boy.” As Jacques was about to start the stranger detained COPE OOKS (E@) im