Show I = AFITTE 1 JjJ L UISIANA BY BARY BEVEREUX WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY DON C WILSON Cggright 1902 W ffft Bronft anCbnyay t41 PIpe5 RrJrrneIJ CHAPTER IV Toulon on the Mediterranean was at this time the great military depot of France Its Inhabitants numbered about twentyfive thousand and moro than fifty frigates and ships of the line rode at anchor In Its harbor while within Its spacious magazines was collected col-lected an Immense quantity of military and naval stores Scarcely a day passed during the fall and early winter of 1703 that did not bring to the city families and individuals In-dividuals from all parts of France seeking protection from the Revolutionists Revolu-tionists cureltlos outrages which the I Committee were either unable to control con-trol or to which they were Indifferent At Toulon the friends of the old monarchy argued among themselves that the violence with which their land had been filled was too terrible to be longer endured and they began to discuss the Idea of surrendering tho city Its magazines forts and ships to the combined English and Spanish fleets lying outride Its harbor har-bor and thus help to bring about a return of law and reason to Insano France Among those In Toulon who heard I of the proposed surrender was Margot who with Jean and Pierre safe under tho humble roof of their now home had for these many months enjoyed a security she had never before known In a measure her own mistress and removed from the dread of Etienne she found reliance and peace In tho kindly guidance of Pero Huot to whom the boys went each day for instruction In-struction his abode being some distance dis-tance from Margots small house which was In a retired part of thu city near the suburbs A surrender suggested to her the possibility of bringing scenes of bloodshed blood-shed and violence and the very name of English was to heras also to most of her compatriots the syn onym of what was utterly detestable Her fears were realized when tho surrender was accomplished and the English ships sailed triumphantly Into port landing five thousand of their own troops and eight thousand Spaniards This proceeding was regarded with tho greatest alarm and indignation by tho Revolutionists who considering the surrender an act of treachery resolved re-solved to retake Toulon and drive the allies from tho soil of Franco Two armies were marched upon Toulon and a siege was begun which for three months made but little apparent progress prog-ress Affairs within the city became unsettled un-settled and were soon almost demoralized demor-alized and Pero Huot having fallen seriously 111 Margots heart grew heavy as Jean seeming to throw off all restraint wandered day after day about the streets associating with soldiers and rough characters Margot had not dared to communicate communi-cate much of her misgivings from the day now several weeks past when after remonstrating warmly as to Borne offense ho had committed she bade him ask himself If his father would have approved the act and started hack as from a mans threatened threat-ened attack when the boy turned fiercely upon her Never name him to me again he cried with heaving breast and flashing flash-Ing eyes I have no father Do yon know my name here In Toulon It Is tho samo as Pierres Ho Is Pierre Lafitte and I am his brother Jean Lafitto And be I saint or devil to the end of my life I am Jean lafitto lIe looked so big and terrible In his rage that Margot silent and frightened fright-ened felt that ho was almost a stranger to herthis boy she had carried car-ried In her arms and whom she had loved and watched over for so many years It was the last night of November when darkness fell early over the city and Margot was preparing her lonely evening meal Where Jean and Pierre were sho knew not but presumed pre-sumed that as was often their habit they would sup with some of their soldier acquaintances Although the evening was cold the usual number of pedestrians were abroad these being mostly soldiers who were seeking excitement and gos sip at the various eating and drinking I places frequented by them One of these was called Le Chien Hetireux a twostory house situated down near one of tho quays Lights were blinking brightly from Its small windows and Inside several stoves were burning where Thiel the landlord land-lord and his one assistant were preparIng pre-paring supper for several civilians and soldiers who sat about talking and drinking at the various small tables Sitting near the fire two soldiers and a citizen together with Jean and Pierre were listening to a man In their midst who from his talk and appearance seemed to have been an extensive traveler This was Lara an habitue of Le Chien Heureux when on shore from the Algle a rakish looking brigantine of which ho was owner and captain Jean listened with an attention which for some reason appeared to amuse Laro who now and then with i a quizzical smile lighting his black eyes glanced askance at the boys enraptured en-raptured face Laros story had been listened to by others seated around tho tables who occasionally reminded Thtcl to hurry their suppers The next minute a soldierlylooking man came In the uniform of a petty officer showing as ho unclasped and threw off tho heavy cloak that had enveloped en-veloped him After demanding supper sup-per as speedily as possible ho seated himself some distance away from the group at the fire But Pierre had been staring openmouthed open-mouthed at him and now the sound of his voice caused Jean to start and turn his head quickly In the direction of the shadowy corner where tho sol dler was seated Grclolre he breathed What Is that my cocksparrow Toulon harbors many a stranger tongue to bo sure but I speak only my own i I 1 i I I 7 lAnd l r t I t o And be I saint or devil to the end of my life I am Jean Lafittel Come gentlemen all said Thiel now bustling amongst them with a huge platter Your suppers are ready Neither Laro nor the others paid any further heed to the soldier who seated apart from them ate his supper sup-per with an appetite that boro witness to previous fasting But at odd moments mo-ments when unnoticed his eyes with a smiling warning In them met those of the two boys and cued while Jean was staring at him ho laid a finger upon his lips with a swift cautioning gesture of silence Ills supper finished Jean strolled back to tho fire before which Greloiro had seated himself while the others remained at the tables some still eating eat-Ing and all of them discussing matters mat-ters pertaining to the siege Leaning carelessly against the fireplace fire-place after a quick glance about to make sure ho was not observed the boy looked at the isoldlcr with a world of Inquiry in his dark eyes Greloiro replied with a comprehending smile but again laid his finger against his lips us If Impressing silence and then turned to tho fire I Ho had picked up his long cloak and was putting It on And no one noticed the suggestive motion of tho head and hand as with slightly arched eyebrows ho looked once more toward Jean who was still standing beside the fireplace But the boy was quick to see these and understood that he might expect to find Grcloln outside Allowing what he felt to be a proper amount of time to pass after tho latter had closed tho door behind him lean put on his cap and having motioned I to Pierre they both followed regardless regard-less of Laros declaration that It was I earlier than usual and not yet time for them to start for home The two boys with occasional sharp glances around passed along the almost al-most deserted street Presently Pierre after aquick loop over his shoulder gripped Jeans arm There Is a man who looks like Grelolre coming on just behind us Ho had scarcely spoken when a swift but cautious footfall came close behind him and a hand caught his shoulder while Greloiro said In a carefully care-fully lowered voice Tlons My quick witted comrade how are you As you sec or might were It nol RHEI so dark replied Jenn srasPnl soldiers hand And you Much better for the fine suppl ps Ft r have been eating said Qrelob He note of laughter In his voice t heumal Pierre now fell behindand and sell by t three stepped more briskly What have certaIn you to tell tnej s arc 0 quired Joan after they had relic toC4 y few paces and Greloiro remain t nmatist lentDid lug tb Did your lieutenant send you rl Fn he wishing to know of mo7 to 1tiSittI Jean eagerly But there was no title swerWell first Well yes and no replied C n 111 111 loire speaking slowly as if COnsl gelar 1 ing his words and adding aT citttct down Into I looked the boys uprji tly face which even the dim light 01 IIltlfrs oft and 11 stars showed to be filled with k disappointment Surely you tl ett lilc every reason to know his love for y pnlll and he Is one who never forgets for HI his days are now filled with u lorA c which leaves little time for bin J ell the think of anything but this siege nod n I r is outside the city with the ReT < 1 for tlonnry forces lied II I Ho without and you within aced ring r-ing against him burst from Jell Iu tit lips as ho drew himself away of n Shhl whispered the sold limns I These streets may seem dcsert 11 t abut ely cif but tis as well not to speak ugo words for tho winds may carry Ib gnu t to where tho wrong cars may k pall them tlllrll Jean laughed softly and came clctj bout to Grelolre emir AhaI see how It is I WO Be all tho careful ° more thent 1 young master warned the soldletl of n lu There was silence for a time 11 nino the three walked slowly along 11 dr they reached a street where Icln houses were far apart and the one of all from whose windows ca > j To a faint gleam of light Jean JOIn he out to Grelolre as his present atx nic And so that is where you are ho ing said the soldier as they stotl Den looking toward It I tell you hi ei that had I tho chance to possess i 1 port quiet n home I should stop within ij ness deitn I and not be wandering Into such sbu ill oiilllr I Inn bles of carnage and blood as Is U I feet be city now Take my advice and ke 1 lit nOUt the away from Le Chien Heureux I e he ° r now como to your house and that kalnfl be the best placo for me to see J Suets twill i But if you are to undertake the i Eilli slon of which I spoke the less Jt ab see of that scoundrel Laro the bet ° ° will It be DNS Laro Is my friend declared Je his quick temper rising like a to n of fire Ho Is my friend and en you must not name him in such fa I fhe ion to me lea So said Grelolre calmly tail tur his hand from the boys arm The turmi I doubt If you are to be trusted mib regret telling you as much as I bin f Laro Is not to bo trusted He Is Ii de most old enough to be your fatha r g and his suspicions once aroused 111 has sufficient craftiness to surprh jsti your secret and use it for our harm lie Jean was silent and Grelolre wttj non n-on In a milder tone Now tell itl the wero you In my place would you no fthl think twlco before risking secrets Till r such a keeper ono who cares tol o y much for Laro as to have temper wi itl ss an older friend who knowing ttii Jdi mans reputation warns you against him es I am not angry Grelolre declare jtdei Jean penitently and regret that I was so Pardon me pen All right all right mon ami ml ng Grelolres hearty reply Then agalsl d lowering his voice ho asked In a bill entIre quizzical tone And do you wish bj th see our little colonel ps YesIndeed yes You know thrtl Ire IreRC I would not give ono of his fingers li RC exchange for a dozen Laros Blen said Grelolre Now I moat be going So adieu and my compliments Bus he ments to the good dame Margot With this he turned about anil bei whistling softly went back the wjl n i they had come while the two boyi at Bin after watching him a few moment bent their steps toward the cottage To be continued |