Adventure Magazine, December 10, 1924 — page 151: what you’re looking at

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

Under the Fleur-de-Lis zy {A LOOSE-MADE man thrust for- aoe ward. Silvain saw the red face of ued Gilbert du Marais grin at him. “T can tell you that, Sir Etienne,” Gilbert cried. ‘This knight spied upon us when we laid an ambush to seize the Lady of Mantua to be a hostage for her lord and brought the Mantuans down upon us and delivered her. But for him we should have had her safe and my lord of Mantua would not dare to lead his league against France.” “Why, the man is a traitor!” cried Etienne. “He fights for Mantua, not France. Bear me witness, Philibert.’”’ Gilbert turned and thrust his cousin forward. “He fought for the lady,” Philibert’s little eyes glowed. ‘He delivered her. He broke our company. He tricked us.” “Look at him!” Gilbert laughed, for Silvain stood pale and silent. ‘‘He dares not deny it. He is a Mantuan—no French- man.” Silvain flung back his head. “By my faith, I did not think I should live to hear a French knight boast to his king of your deeds. This is true: You did lay an ambush to capture the Lady of Mantua and I found it out and delivered her.”’ He turned upon the king. “TI pray you my lord, is this your way of war that you would have your knights lie in wait for a woman and take her to hold her at their will?” “What do you say?” big head. “TI know nothing of it. folly.” “Folly and worse,” said Etienne de Vesc. “Here is one who would be on both sides. He fights for Mantua. He comes to tell tales of Mantua. Go your way, sirrah, the king wants no men of two faces.”’ “Sir,” said Bayard. “It was I who brought Sir Silvain to my lord.” Then the Marshal d’Esquerdes cried— “Do you answer for him, Bayard?” “Sir, his honor is my honor,” Bayard said. The Marshal laughed— “‘___ Etienne, it will be long before you have such warranty,” and the King, too, cackled laughter. ‘‘Hear my mind, my lord. This news is true and I thank God we have it. For we must march and march fast or the rogues will gather and hold the passes against us and we shall be trapped in the mountains and never win out. 9 The king rolled his It is all 129 ‘“Name of God, how can the man be false? He bids us march on to France and march fast and that is right soldierly reason. But if a man says there is nothing to fear and we can wait and take our ease, I hear Italian gold clink in his pockets.” He looked with a sneering smile at Etienne and Gilbert. “To the —— with all traitors. This knight is true!’”’ he clapped Silvain on the shoulder. “Let us march, my lord!” Then one man and another cried out, “Forward, forward,” and Etienne de Vesc held his tongue and the king said angrily, “Forward, then. Why are we kept here? To horse!” Bayard took Silvain’s arm and drew him away. “This was a mean welcome, brother. Patience yet and you shall shame them.” “T have done my part,” Silvain said. “TI am content. But I should have done noth- ing without you, Bayard.” They found their horses and mounted. ‘May I serve in your company?” ‘You serve who should lead.” Silvain smiled. “TI have ridden alone all my days. I am no leader. But I would ride under the lilies before I die and I think I can serve France yet. You will need every sword.” “Your heart is heavy, brother. What do you fear? There are no troops in Italy will stand against a French charge. We shall win great glory of this host.” There rose up before Silvain a vision of Philibert’s low brow and his little gloomy eyes and he heard Philibert’s growl— “What has he won, poor loon? Glory and smoke.” Bayard looked at him curiously. ‘What It is not I who fear. is in your mind? It is not like you to go— sad upon danger.”’ “T think of the men about the king. When I told you of danger, your heart was glad. But there was no joy in that tent, Bayard.” “Tt is true. They treated you vilely. Bad blood thrives in a court. You have had evil fortune, Silvain.” He smiled in- dulgent sympathy. ‘But you will ride on lonely ventures. It makes you enemies.” “T live my life, brother,” Silvain smiled. “‘No matter for me. Who leads the army? Not you nor I. Your little king? He will be a child all his days. He is in the hands of men who send him to war that they may fill their pockets.” Comicbook © =