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diff --git a/27325.txt b/27325.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..18850ae --- /dev/null +++ b/27325.txt @@ -0,0 +1,12478 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of My Sword's My Fortune, by Herbert Hayens + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: My Sword's My Fortune + A Story of Old France + +Author: Herbert Hayens + +Release Date: November 25, 2008 [EBook #27325] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MY SWORD'S MY FORTUNE *** + + + + +Produced by Al Haines + + + + + + + + + +MY SWORD'S MY FORTUNE + +A STORY OF OLD FRANCE + + +BY + +HERBERT HAYENS + + + + +LONDON AND GLASGOW + +COLLINS' CLEAR-TYPE PRESS + +1904 + + + + +Contents. + + +Chapter + + I. I Go to Paris + II. La Boule d'Or + III. I Enter the Astrologer's House + IV. I Meet the Cardinal + V. The Reception at the Luxembourg + VI. Was I Mistaken? + VII. The Cardinal takes an Evening Walk + VIII. The Plot is Discovered + IX. I Meet with an Exciting Adventure + X. Pillot to the Rescue + XI. A Scheme that Went Amiss + XII. I have a Narrow Escape + XIII. I again Encounter Maubranne + XIV. I Fall into a Trap + XV. Under Watch and Ward + XVI. I become a Prisoner of the Bastille + XVII. Free! + XVIII. The Fight on the Staircase + XIX. I Lose all Trace of Henri + XX. News at Last + XXI. The Death of Henri + XXII. The Mob Rises + XXIII. The Ladies Leave Paris + XXIV. Captain Courcy Outwitted + XXV. I Miss a Grand Opportunity + XXVI. "Vive le Roi!" + XXVII. The King Visits Raoul + XXVIII. "Remember the Porte St. Antoine" + XXIX. Mazarin Triumphant + + + +Illustrations + + +"The air was filled with the clatter of steel." + +"The nobleman caught and fixed him." + +"Keep this in remembrance of this day." + + +[Transcriber's notes: + +Gaps in the source book's page numbering indicate that four +illustrations were missing. Physical damage seems to indicate that the +frontispiece may also have been missing. Since there was no list of +illustrations in the book, it is not known what their captions were. +Short transcriber's notes indicate the locations of the missing +illustrations.] + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +I Go to Paris. + +"Let the boy go to Paris," exclaimed our guest, Roland Belloc. "I +warrant he'll find a path that will lead him to fortune." + +"He is young," said my father doubtfully. + +"He will be killed," cried my mother, while I stood upright against the +wall and looked at Roland gratefully. + +It was in 1650, in the days of the Regency, and all France was in an +uproar. Our most gracious monarch, Louis XIV., was then a boy of +twelve, and his Queen-Mother, Anne of Austria, ruled the country. She +had a host of enemies, and only one friend, Cardinal Mazarin, a wily +Italian priest, who was perhaps the actual master of France. + +Roland Belloc, who was the Cardinal's man, had been staying for a day +or two in my father's company. He was a real soldier of fortune, +strong as a bull, a fine swordsman, and afraid of no man living. He +told us many startling tales of Paris. + +According to him, everything in the city, from the throne to the +gutter, was in a state of unrest: no man knew what an hour would bring +forth. One day people feasted and sang and danced in feverish +merriment: the next the barricades were up, and the denizens of the +filthy courts and alleys, eager for pillage, swarmed into the light. + +"Mazarin is like a wild boar," said he, "with a pack of hounds baying +round him. There is the Duke of Orleans, the king's uncle, who snaps +and runs away; Conde is waiting to get a good bite; while the priest, +De Retz, is the most mischievous of all." + +"It is almost as bad as war," said my father. + +"It is war, and nothing else. But," with a laugh, "the green scarf of +Mazarin will be uppermost at the finish. What do you say, Albert? Are +you willing to don the Cardinal's colours?" + +"I know little of these things, monsieur, but my sympathies are for the +Queen-Mother." + +"Of course they are!" cried he, giving me a resounding slap on the +back; "so are mine, but Anne of Austria would never hold her own +without the Cardinal. Come, De Lalande, let the youngster go. You +will not regret it, I promise. He may not get Vancey back, but there +are other estates to be won by a strong arm. Shake yourself, boy, and +come out into the daylight. You are moping here like a barn-owl." + +"The simile is good, Roland, for he lives in a barn. If I thought----" + +"If you thought! Why, man, there is no thinking in it; the thing is as +plain as the Castle yonder from the bridge over the river. He is a +strapping lad, and knows how to handle a sword I'll warrant. Eh, +Albert? What will he do here? Take root and grow into a turnip as +likely as not. Pah! I have no patience with you stay-at-home folks. +Look at his cousin Henri!" + +"Henri is two years older." + +"Ay, he has the advantage there, but Albert's as well grown, and +better. Henri is a young scamp, too, I admit, but he is making a name +already. He is hand in glove with De Retz." + +"Albert belongs to the elder branch of the family," said my mother +stiffly, and the soldier was going to make answer but thought better of +it. + +"It is kind of you to show such interest in the lad," remarked my +father presently, "and we will consider the matter." + +"As you please, old friend. Follow your own judgment, but should he +take it into his head to wear the green scarf, let him inquire at the +Palais Royal for Roland Belloc." + +That night, after our guest rode away, I lay awake a long time thinking +over his words. The prospect held out by him seemed to be an answer to +my dreams. For many years now the fortunes of the elder branch of the +De Lalande family had sunk lower and lower. My grandfather had been +stripped of vast estates because he would not change his opinions to +suit the times, and my father had been, as most folks thought it, +equally foolish. + +Unhappily, he never by any chance espoused the winning side. His house +was a "Camp of Refuge" for broken men of every party, who never sued +for relief in vain. The poor and infirm, the blind, the halt, and the +maimed, for twenty miles around, were his family, and he never wearied +of giving, till, of all our original possessions, one poor farm and +homestead alone remained. + +The splendid mansion of Vancey, which my grandfather had owned, now +belonged to Baron Maubranne, and was often filled with a glittering +throng from Paris. Occasionally my cousin Henri made one of the party, +and I could not help reflecting somewhat bitterly on the difference +between us. + +He was two years my senior, though I was as tall as he, and more than +his equal in strength. But he was handsomely dressed and in the newest +fashion, while I went about in a dingy suit that was not far from +threadbare. I never envied Henri, mind you, or thought the worse of +him, because his father had prospered in the world, but it was seeing +him, that, in the first place, led me to build my castles in the air. + +My one idea in those days was to obtain possession of Vancey, where the +De Lalandes had lived and died for centuries. How it was to be done I +had not the least notion, and I never spoke of it to others; but +Roland's talk set me thinking. + +His advice seemed good. I must go to Paris and take service with some +prominent man. I would serve him faithfully; he would advance my +interests, and in the course of time I might save sufficient money to +purchase the family estate, whither I would remove my mother and father +that they might pass the end of their days in peace. That was the +dream which the soldier's words had started afresh. + +My father would have let me go willingly enough, but my dear mother, +who had never seen the capital, feared for my welfare. + +"This Paris," said she, "is a wicked place, full of snares and pitfalls +for young and old. Rest content where you are, my son, and be not +eager to rush into temptation. I think not so much of bodily peril as +of danger to the soul." + +"Albert is a gentleman," said my father, "and the son of a gentleman: +he will do nothing dishonourable." + +Perhaps after all I should never have left home, but for an incident +which happened a few days after Belloc's departure. One evening I had +wandered across the meadows skirting the river, and, busy with my +thoughts, had unconsciously strayed into the private grounds at Vancey. +The voices of men in earnest conversation broke my dream, and I found +myself at the back of a pleasant arbour. + +"It is far too risky," said one. "Let De Retz find his tools +elsewhere. If the plot fails----" + +"Pshaw!" exclaimed another, "it can't fail. I tell you De Retz has +spread his net so carefully that we are certain to land the big fish." + +Unwilling to pry into other people's secrets, I was turning back when +the speakers, hearing the noise, rushed from the arbour, with their +swords half drawn. One was the owner of the chateau: the other my +cousin Henri. + +"What beggar's brat is this?" cried Maubranne. "Off to your kennel, +you rascal, and stay there till I send my servants to whip you." + +"Why, 'tis my cousin," said Henri, in surprise. + +"How came you here, Albert? These are private grounds." + +"Yes," I answered bitterly, "and once they belonged to your grandfather +and mine." + +"Faith," laughed he carelessly, "he should have taken better care of +them. How long have you been here?" + +"A few minutes. Do not be afraid; I learned none of your business." + +"If I thought you had," growled Maubranne suspiciously, "you should +never leave the place. _Peste!_ it wouldn't be a bad idea to keep you +as it is; you would be back under your own roof," and he ended with a +brutal laugh. + +"Perhaps I shall be some day; less likely things than that have +happened." + +At this he laughed again, and bidding me take myself off his land, +turned back to the arbour. + +The next morning, as I stood on the rustic bridge which spans the +stream near Vancey, Henri came to join me. This was an unexpected +honour, but he soon made the reason of it plain. + +"Perhaps it is no business of mine," said he, "but I have come with a +warning. You have made an enemy of Maubranne." + +"Then we are quits," I laughed, "as I have no love for him." + +"He thinks you played the spy upon him!" + +"Has he sent you to find out?" I asked hotly. + +"No, no; but the truth is, the situation is rather awkward. You may +have heard something which Maubranne would not wish repeated." + +"I heard you say that De Retz was going to land a big fish and that he +wanted the baron's assistance. What was meant I do not know, except +that there is some conspiracy afoot." + +"I believe you, cousin," said Henri, "but Maubranne won't, and if +anything goes wrong he will not spare you." + +"Thanks," said I lightly; "but I can take care of myself. I have not +lived at Court, but my father has taught me the use of the sword." + +"Why," cried Henri laughing, "you are a regular fire-eater, but make no +mistake, you will stand no chance with Maubranne. There are twenty +stout fellows yonder ready to do whatever they are told, and to ask no +questions. I bear you no particular love, cousin, but I wish you no +ill, and will give you a piece of advice. Attach yourself to some +nobleman who will look after you; Maubranne will think twice before +harming a follower of Conde or Orleans." + +"Or De Retz." + +"Ah," said he, "to be quite frank, I don't wish you to join De Retz. +Relatives are best apart. However, I have given you my advice; it is +for you to act on it or not, as you think best." + +That night in a long talk with my father I related the whole incident, +and repeated Henri's words. + +"Your cousin is right," he said thoughtfully. "Now that you have +stirred up Maubranne's suspicions this is no place for you. The best +thing is to accept Belloc's offer, though 'twill be a dreary life for +you, alone in Paris." + +"Belloc will stand by me, and Raoul Beauchamp is somewhere in the +capital. He told me months ago that I can always get news of him at La +Boule d'Or in the Rue de Roi." + +"He is a fine fellow," said my father, "and his friendship is worth +cultivating. But you must walk warily, Albert, and keep your eyes +open. Unfortunately my purse is nearly empty, but I daresay that from +time to time I shall be able to send you a little money." + +My mother wept bitterly when she heard of the decision, but after a +while she became more reconciled, and helped to pack my few things. + +On the morning of my departure we sat down in very low spirits. +Pierre, our faithful old servant, had prepared a simple meal, but no +one seemed inclined to eat. At last we made an end of the pretence, +and went to the door. "God keep you, my son," exclaimed my mother, +embracing me; "I shall pray for you always." + +"Remember you are a De Lalande," said my father proudly, "and do +nothing that will disgrace your name." + +I kissed them both, and, walking to the gate, passed through. Outside +stood Pierre, who waited to wish me farewell. + +"Adieu, Pierre," I cried, trying to speak gaily. "Look after the old +place till my return." + +The honest fellow's tears fell on my hand as he raised it to his lips +and said, "Adieu, Monsieur Albert. May the good God bring you back +safe and sound. Three generations, grandsire, sire, and son, I have +seen, and evil days have come upon them all." + +"Cheer up, my trusty Pierre! Keep a good heart. What a De Lalande has +done I can do, and by God's help I will yet restore the fortunes of our +house. Good-bye!" and I turned my face resolutely towards Paris. + +Once only I looked back, and that was to steal a last glance at the old +home. On my left lay the pleasant meadows with the silvery stream; on +my right the woods and spires of Vancey, and in the distance the +white-roofed farm-house, the only remnant of his property which my +father could now call his own. + +"He shall have it all again," I said, half aloud, and then blushed at +my folly. What could I, who was hardly more than a mere boy, do? +Nothing, it seemed, and yet I did not altogether despair. + +Once more I turned, and, following the high road, plodded along +steadily. It was the market-day at Reves, and the little town was +filled with people, peasants and farmers mostly, though here and there +a gaily-dressed gallant swaggered by, while the seat outside the +principal inn was occupied by half-a-dozen soldiers. + +In the market-place I was stopped by more than one acquaintance, with +whom I laughed and jested for a few moments. A mile or so from the +town I sat down by the wayside and began to eat the food which Pierre +had put in my valise. + +It is not necessary to recount the various stages of my journey. +Sometimes with company not of the choicest, but more often alone, I +trudged along, sleeping at night in shed or outhouse, so as to hoard my +scanty stock of money. My shabby clothes, and perhaps the sight of my +sword, saved me from being robbed, and, indeed, thieves would have +gained no rich booty. A sharp sword and a lean purse are not ill +friends to travel with on occasion. + +It was afternoon when I reached Paris, and inquired my way to the +Palais Royal. The man, a well-to-do shopkeeper, looked curiously at my +shabby cloak, but directed me civilly enough. + +"Monsieur is perhaps a friend of the Cardinal?" said he, as I thanked +him. + +"It may be," I answered; "though it is hard to tell as yet." + +"Ah!" he exclaimed. "Monsieur, though young, is prudent, and knows how +to keep his own counsel. Monsieur is from the country?" + +"Well," said I, laughing, "that question hardly needs answering." + +The fellow evidently intended to speak again, but thought better of it, +and contented himself with staring at me very hard. In the next street +a man stopped me, and started a long rigmarole, but I pushed him aside +and went on. + +At the gate of the Palais Royal my courage oozed out at my finger ends, +and I walked about for half an hour before mustering sufficient +resolution to address one of the sentries posted at the gate. + +"M. Belloc?" he said. "What do you want of him?" + +"I will tell him when I see him." + +"_Merci!_" he exclaimed, "if you don't keep a civil tongue in your head +I will clap you in the guard-room." + +Just then an officer coming up asked my business, and I repeated my +wish to see M. Belloc. + +"Do you know him?" he inquired. + +"I am here by his own invitation." + +"Well, in that case," looking me up and down as if I had been a strange +animal, "you are very unfortunate. M. Belloc left town only an hour +ago." + +"But he will return?" + +"That is quite likely." + +"Can you tell me when?" + +"If you can wait long enough for an answer I will ask the Cardinal," he +replied with a laugh. + +"It is a pity the Cardinal doesn't keep a school for manners," I +exclaimed, and, turning on my heel, walked away. + +Here was a pretty beginning to my venture! What should I do now? I +had not once given a thought to Belloc's being away, and without him I +was completely lost. After wandering about aimlessly for some time I +remembered Raoul Beauchamp, and decided to seek news of him at La Boule +d'Or. Without knowing it, I had strayed into the very street where the +curious shopkeeper lived, and there he stood at his door. + +"Monsieur has soon returned," said he. + +"To beg a fresh favour. Will you direct me to the Rue de Roi?" + +"The Rue de Roi?" he exclaimed in a tone of surprise. + +"Yes, I want to find La Boule d'Or." + +At that he raised his eyebrows and, lifting his hands, exclaimed, +"Monsieur, then, has not received any encouragement from the Cardinal?" + +"A fig for the Cardinal," I cried irritably. "I am in need of some +supper, and a bed. You don't suppose I want to walk about the streets +all night." + +"But it seems so strange! First it is the Palais Royal, and then La +Boule d'Or. However, it is none of my business. Monsieur knows his +own mind. Jacques," and he called to a boy standing just inside the +shop, "show monsieur to the Rue de Roi." + +Jacques was a boy of twelve, lean, hungry-looking, and hard-featured, +but as sharp as a weasel. He piloted me through the crowds, turned +down alleys, shot through narrow courts, turning now to right now to +left, till my head began to swim. + +"Has monsieur heard the news?" he asked. "They think at the shop that +I don't know, but I keep my ears open. There will be sport soon. They +are going to put the Cardinal in an iron cage, and Anne of Austria in a +convent. Then the people will rise and get their own. Oh, oh! it will +be fine sport. No more starving for Jacques then. I shall get a +pike--Antoine is making them by the score--and push my way into the +king's palace. Antoine says we shall have white bread to eat; white +bread, monsieur, but I don't think that can be true." + +All the way he chattered thus, repeating scraps of information he had +picked up, and inventing a great deal besides. Much of it I understood +no more than if he had spoken in a foreign tongue, but I gathered that +stirring work was expected by the denizens of the low quarters of the +city. + +"Faith," I thought to myself, "my poor mother would have little sleep +to-night if she could see me now, wandering through these dens of vice +and crime. Old Belloc's path to fortune does not seem easy to find." + +Jacques suddenly brought me back to reality by exclaiming in his shrill +voice, "Here we are, monsieur! This is the Rue de Roi." + +The information rather staggered me, but I thanked him, and drawing out +my slender purse, gave him a piece of silver. He fastened on it with +wolfish eagerness and the next instant had disappeared, leaving me to +find La Boule d'Or as best I could. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +La Boule d'Or. + +"Faith," I muttered, "Raoul has a strange taste. One would think his +golden ball would soon become dingy in this neighbourhood!" + +The Rue de Roi was really a narrow lane, with two rows of crazy +buildings looking as if they had been planned by a lunatic architect. +The street itself was only a few feet wide, and the upper storeys of +the opposite houses almost touched. But in spite of its air of general +ruin, the Rue de Roi was evidently a popular resort. Crowds of people +went to and fro; sturdy rogues they appeared for the most part, and +each man openly carried his favourite weapon--pike, or sword, or +halberd. + +Some belonged to the bourgeois or shopkeeping class. These, wrapped in +long black cloaks, moved softly, speaking in low tones to groups of +coopers, charcoal-sellers, and men of such-like occupations. + +I was more astonished at beholding bands of young nobles who swaggered +by in handsome dresses, laughing familiarly with both bourgeois, and +_canaille_--as the lowest class was called; and I wondered vaguely if +the scene had anything to do with what the boy had told me. + +But I was tired and hungry, and the sights and sounds of the city had +muddled my brain so that I cared chiefly to discover Raoul's inn. At +any one of the numerous hostelries my lean purse would secure me a +supper and a bed, and I began to think it advisable to defer any +further search till the morning. + +I stood in the middle of the road hesitating, as one will do at such +times, when a clear young voice cried, "Hush, do not disturb him; he is +waiting to hear the tinkle of the cow-bells!" a jest due no doubt to my +ill-cut country clothes. + +At the ringing laugh which greeted these saucy words I turned, and saw +several young gallants stretched across the narrow street, completely +blocking my path. Their leader was a fair-haired lad with blue eyes, +and a good-humoured face that quite charmed me. He looked younger even +than myself, though I afterwards learned there was little difference in +our ages. + +"I thought the fashion of keeping private jesters had gone out!" I +exclaimed. "You should ask your master to provide you with cap and +bells, young sir! Dressed as you are one might mistake you for a +gentleman." + +I did not mean to deal harshly with the youngster, but the last part of +my speech hurt him, and he blushed like a girl; while his companions, +drawing their swords, were for cutting me down off-hand. But though +not understanding Paris customs I knew something of fencing, so +throwing my cloak to the ground, I stood on guard. In another minute +we should have been hard at it, but for the fair-haired lad, who, +rushing between us, called on his friends to stand back. + +"Put up your swords!" he cried in a tone of command; "the stranger is +not to blame. Your words were harsh, monsieur, but the fault was my +own. I am sorry if you were annoyed." + +"Oh," said I, laughing, "there is no great harm done. My jest was a +trifle ill-humoured, but an empty stomach plays havoc with good +manners, and I am looking for my supper." + +"Then you must let me be your host, and my silly freak will gain me a +friend instead of an enemy." + +He was a pretty boy, and his speech won on me, but I was tired out and +anxious to sleep, so I replied, "A thousand thanks, but I am seeking La +Boule d'Or. Perhaps you can direct me." + +I must tell you the street was so badly lighted that we could not see +each other clearly, but at this he stared into my face as if trying to +recall my features and said, "Why, surely you must be----; but I have +been in error once to-night, and no doubt you have reasons for this +disguise. Still, is it safe to go to the inn? The old fox has his +spies out." + +"The old fox could come himself if he would but bring a decent supper +with him!" I replied, not understanding in the least what the lad meant. + +"_Ma foi!_" cried he, "I have heard of your bravery, but this is sheer +recklessness. And to pretend you have forgotten the inn! I suppose +you don't know me?" + +"Not from Adam," I replied testily. "I have only one acquaintance in +Paris, and as for the inn----" but the youngster laughed so heartily +that I could not finish the sentence. + +"_Parbleu!_" he cried, handing me my cloak, "this is a richer farce +than mine! 'Tis you who should wear the cap and bells! But come, I +will be your guide to the hostelry you have forgotten." + +"Only to the door then, unless you would wish to drive me mad," at +which, laughing again and bidding his companions wait, he led the way +down the street, turning near the bottom into a _cul-de-sac_. + +"There is the inn which you have forgotten so strangely," he said, "but +you are playing a dangerous game. There may be a spy in the house." + +"There may be a dozen for all I care. But I am keeping you from your +friends." + +"While I am keeping you from your supper. But just one question; it +cannot hurt you to answer. Will the scheme go on?" + +"The scheme? What scheme?" I asked, in amazement + +"You are a good actor," said he a trifle crossly. "Perhaps you will +tell me if Maubranne has returned to town." + +"Maubranne is at Vancey," I answered in still greater astonishment. + +"Then you will have to do the work yourself, which will please us +better. Maubranne would have spoiled everything at the last minute. +But there, I will leave you till to-morrow--unless you will be out." + +"Out?" I exclaimed. "Yes, I shall be out all day and every day." + +"Till the mine is laid! Well, I must tear myself away. Don't be too +risky, for without you the whole thing will tumble about our ears like +a house of cards." + +I felt very thankful to be relieved of my unknown friend's company, for +my head was in a whirl, and I wished to be alone for an hour. Pushing +open the outer door and entering a narrow, ill-lit passage, I almost +fell into the arms of a short, stout, red-faced man, who leered at me +most horribly. + +"Are you the landlord?" I asked. + +"Yes," he answered, making a profound bow. + +"Then show me a room where I can eat and sleep, for I am tired out and +hungry as a famished hawk." + +"I grieve, monsieur; I am truly sorry," he replied, bowing in most +marvellous fashion for one so stout, "but, unhappily, my poor house is +full. In order to make room for my guests I myself have to sleep in +the stable. But monsieur will find excellent accommodation higher up +the street." + +"Still, I intend staying here. The fact is, I have come on purpose to +see an old friend, a gentleman in the train of the Duke of Orleans." + +"Will monsieur give his name?" + +"M. Raoul Beauchamp," I replied; "he comes here frequently." + +At this the innkeeper became quite civil, and I heard no more of the +advice to bestow my custom elsewhere. + +"Well, mine host," I said slyly, "do you think it possible to find me a +room now in this crowded house?" + +The fellow bowed again, saying I was pleased to be merry, but that +really in such stirring times one had to be careful, and that the good +Francois, who had known everybody, was dead--killed, it was hinted, by +a spy of Mazarin. But now that I had proved my right, as it were, the +house was mine, and he, the speaker, the humblest of my servants. + +"Then show me a room," I exclaimed, "and bring me something to eat and +drink." + +He lit a couple of candles, and walking farther along the passage threw +open a door which led into a crowded room. The inmates stopped +talking, and looked at me curiously. One, leaving his seat, came close +to my side. + +The fellow was a stranger to me, and, unless I am a poor judge, a +cut-throat by profession. Finding that I made no sign of recognition +he stood still saying clumsily, "Pardon, monsieur, I mistook you for +another gentleman." Then, lowering his voice he added, "Monsieur +wishes to remain unknown? It is well. I am silent as the grave." + +Gazing at me far more villainously than the landlord had done, he +returned to his place, which perhaps was well, as I was rapidly +approaching the verge of lunacy. However, I followed the innkeeper up +a crazy staircase, along various rambling corridors, and finally into a +sparsely-furnished but comfortable apartment. Uttering a sigh of +relief at the sight of a clean bed, I sat down on one of the two chairs +which the room contained. + +"Thank goodness!" I exclaimed, and waited patiently while my host went +to see after the supper. + +He was back in less than ten minutes, and I smiled pleasantly in +anticipation of the coming feast, when he entered--empty-handed! +Something had happened, I knew not what, but it had increased the man's +respect tremendously. + +"Forgive me," he murmured penitently, "but I have only just learned the +truth, and Francois is dead. Still it is not too late to change, and +monsieur can have his own room." + +"Where is my supper?" I asked. "Can't you see I am starving? What +care I about your Francois? Bring me some food quickly." + +"Certainly, monsieur, certainly," said he, and disappeared, leaving me +to wonder what the new mystery was. + +"What does he mean by 'own room'? Who am I? And who, I wonder, is the +unlucky Francois? It seems to me that we must all be out of our minds +together." + +Presently the innkeeper, attended by a servant, reappeared, and between +them they placed on the table a white cloth, a flagon of wine, a loaf +of wheaten bread, a piece of cheese, and a cold roast fowl. + +Sitting back in my chair, I regarded the proceedings with an approving +smile, saying, "Ah, that is more to the purpose! Now I begin to +believe that I am really at La Boule d'Or!" + +When the men had gone, I took off my sword, loosened my doublet, and +sat down to supper, feeling at peace with all the world, and especially +with Raoul, who had told me of this fair haven, and also how to cast +anchor therein, which, in such a crowded harbour, was of the utmost +importance. + +The bread was sweet and wholesome, the fowl tender, though of a small +breed, the cheese precisely to my palate; while I had the appetite of a +gray wolf in winter. Thus I made short work of the provisions, and, +after the empty dishes were removed, tried hard to think out an +explanation of the evening's events. + +The chatter of the young gallant, the odd behaviour of the man +downstairs, the cringing attitude of the innkeeper, the remark +concerning my own room, showed that I was mistaken for another person, +and one of considerable importance; so perhaps it was well for me that +the worthy Francois was no longer alive. + +The evident likeness between the unknown and myself pointed to the fact +that I was usurping the place of my cousin, and in that case I had +stepped into a hornet's nest. However, I was in poor condition for +reasoning clearly; the supper and fatigue had made me so sleepy that my +head nodded, my eyes closed, and I had much ado to keep from falling +asleep in the chair. + +At last I rose, and having seen to the fastenings of the door and +windows and examined the walls--Raoul had told me several strange +stories of Parisian life--I undressed, placed sword and pistols ready +at hand, blew out the light, repeated the simple prayer my mother had +taught me, and stepped into bed. + +I must have fallen into a sound sleep towards daylight, as I did not +waken till a servant knocked loudly at the door; but during the first +part of the night my rest was feverish and broken by the oddest dreams, +in which Baron Maubranne, Raoul, and my cousin, played the principal +parts. + +After breakfast, at which the innkeeper was still more humble than on +the preceding evening, I held counsel with myself as to what was best +to be done. Raoul was probably at the Luxembourg, but, remembering my +reception at the gate of the Palais Royal, I had no mind to hazard +another rebuff. + +"I will write him a note," I concluded. "He will come at once and give +me the key to all these strange doings. Meanwhile if these people +choose to treat me as a grand personage, so much the better." + +Calling for paper, I wrote a note and sent it by one of the servants to +the Luxembourg. + +Unfortunately, I was to meet with a second disappointment. The man +returned with the information that M. Beauchamp was absent on a special +mission for the Duke. He had gone, it was believed, to Vancey, and +might not return for a week. However, the instant he returned the +letter should be given him. + +This was far from pleasant news. What should I do now? My first idea +was to explain matters to the innkeeper, but would he believe the +story? Maubranne had already accused me of being a spy, and if any of +the people at the inn entertained the same notion I felt it would be +the worse for me. Besides, a week was not long, and Raoul might return +even sooner. "He will either come or send at once," I thought, "and +not much harm can happen in a few days." + +As a matter of fact I was afraid to trust the innkeeper with my story. +It would have been of little consequence in ordinary times, but just +then one could hardly tell friend from foe. + +Three days slipped by pleasantly enough. Each evening I wandered into +the streets of the city, looking with interest at the crowds of people, +the splendid buildings, the gaily-dressed roysterers, the troops of +Guards in their rich uniforms, the gorgeous equipages of the ladies, +and the thousand strange sights that Paris presented to a provincial. + +At first I found it rather difficult to make my way back to the inn, +but by careful observation I gradually acquired a knowledge of the +district. + +Once I summoned courage to accost a soldier of the Guards, and to +inquire if M. Belloc had returned from his journey. + +Looking rather contemptuously at my rusty dress, he answered, "Do you +mean M. Belloc of the Cardinal's household?" + +"The same," I said. + +"I am sorry, monsieur, but he is still out of Paris, or at least he is +supposed to be, which amounts to the same thing. But if you wish +particularly to see him, why not seek audience of the Cardinal?" + +"Thanks, my friend; I had not thought of that." + +The soldier smiled, nodded, and went on his way, humming an air as if +well-pleased with himself. + +"Seek audience of the Cardinal?" The bare idea froze up my courage; I +would as soon have entered a den of lions! + +"No, no," I thought, "better to wait for Raoul." + +During this time no message had come from him, but on the fourth +evening, as I was setting out for my usual promenade, a servant +announced a messenger with an urgent letter. + +"Show him up," I cried briskly, anxious to learn the nature of my +comrade's communication, and hoping it would foretell his speedy +arrival. + +The messenger's appearance rather surprised me, but I was too full of +Raoul to pay much attention to his servant. Still, I noticed he was a +small, weazened, mean-looking fellow, quite a dwarf, in fact, with +sharp, keen eyes and a general air of cunning. + +"You have a letter for me?" said I, stretching out my hand. + +"Monsieur de Lalande?" he asked questioningly, with just the slightest +possible tinge of suspicion, and I nodded. + +"It is to be hoped that no one saw you come in here, monsieur!" + +"Waste no more words, but give me the letter; it may be important." + +"It is," he answered, "of the utmost importance, and my master wishes +it to be read without delay." + +"He has kept me waiting longer than was agreeable," I remarked, taking +the note and breaking the seal. + +The letter was neither signed nor addressed, and my face must have +shown surprise at the contents, as, looking up suddenly, I found the +messenger watching me with undisguised alarm. Springing across the +room I fastened the door, and, picking up a pistol, said quietly, +"Raise your voice above a whisper and I fire! Now attend to me. Do +you know what is in this note?" + +"No!" he answered boldly. + +"That is false," I said, still speaking quietly, "and will do you no +good. Tell me what is in it." + +"Has not monsieur learned to read?" he asked in such a matter-of-fact +manner that I burst out laughing. + +"You are a brave little man, and when you see your master tell him I +said so." + +"What name shall I give him, monsieur?" + +"Name, you rascal? Why, my own, De Lalande! Now sit there and don't +stir, while I read this again." + +It was a queer communication, and only the fact of my chance meeting +with the youngster in the Rue de Roi gave me anything like a clue as to +its meaning. + +This was what I read. + +"I have sent to the inn, in case my mounted messenger should fail to +stop you on the road. The plan will go on, _but without us_. We move +only when success is certain. Make your arrangements accordingly. Our +friends will be annoyed, but they can hardly draw back. I leave you to +supply a reason for your absence. A broken leg or a slight attack of +fever might be serviceable. Destroy this." + +Plainly the note did not come from Raoul, nor was it intended for me. + +What did it mean? That there was a conspiracy on foot I grasped at +once, as also that my cousin was one of the prominent actors. But +what, and against whom? and why was I, or rather Henri, to draw back? +Who were _our friends_ who would do it without us? Was my acquaintance +of the Rue de Roi among them? On which side was Raoul? + +Now Raoul and my cousin had no love for each other, and therefore, I +argued, though wrongly as it afterwards appeared, they could not be +working together. + +"Come," thought I, "this is clearing the ground. By going more deeply +into the matter I may be able to do Raoul a service." + +But how to proceed? That was the question which troubled me. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +I Enter the Astrologer's House. + +It was plain that whatever I decided to do must be done quickly. I +glanced at the messenger. He sat quite still, but his shrewd, beady +eyes were fixed on me as if to read my every thought. Evidently there +was no help to be expected from that quarter. And, worse still, the +man had discovered his mistake. The instant I opened the door he would +raise an alarm, and I should probably fare ill in the ensuing scuffle. + +The rascal was aware of his advantage, and actually grinned. + +"Pardon me, monsieur," he said, "but I am always amused by a comedy, +and this one is so rich. It is like a battle in which both sides are +beaten, and yet both claim the victory. You have the paper and cannot +make use of it, while I----" + +"You are in more danger than you seem to imagine." + +"I think not, monsieur," he answered coolly. + +It was certainly a most awkward position, and I tried in vain to hit +upon some plan of action. If only the man would speak, and speak the +truth, he could make everything plain. I could not bribe him, and if I +could he would probably deceive me, but was there not a chance of +alarming him? I endeavoured to recall what Belloc had said. Henri was +hand in glove with De Retz, who was Mazarin's enemy, so that the +messenger would probably not relish an interview with the Cardinal. + +"Come," I said at length, "let us make a bargain. You shall tell me +the meaning of this letter, and I will set you free. What do you say?" + +"That you offer me nothing for something, monsieur, which is a good +bargain for you. Suppose I do not fall in with such a tempting offer?" + +"In that case," I replied, speaking as sternly as possible, "I shall +hand you over to the Guards of Cardinal Mazarin." + +At this the rascal laughed merrily, saying, "The Cardinal may be a +great personage at the Palais Royal, but his credit is low in the Rue +de Roi. No, no, monsieur, you must try again." + +It was unpleasant to be played with in this manner, yet there was no +remedy. I was still wondering what to do, when suddenly there came a +sound of footsteps in the corridor, and some one knocked at the door. +The dwarf grinned with delight, but, pointing a pistol at his head, I +bade him be silent, and asked who was without. + +"Armand d'Arcy." + +I recognised the voice at once as that of the youngster who had brought +me to the inn. The little man also knew my visitor, and moved uneasily +in his chair till my pistol came in contact with his neck; then he sat +still. + +"Pardon! I am engaged." + +"But you must spare five minutes. I have come on purpose to see you," +and lowering his voice he added earnestly, "the affair takes place +to-night." + +Laughing softly at my prisoner, I said aloud, "What of it? You know +what to do." + +"Then nothing is to be changed?" and there was a note of surprise in +D'Arcy's voice. + +"Not as far as I am concerned." + +"And you will be there by ten without fail?" + +"Certainly, why not?" + +"Well, there was a rumour floating about last night that you intended +to withdraw." + +"Rumour is generally a false jade," I said coolly. + +"Ten o'clock, then, at the new church in the Rue St. Honore," and with +that he retired, evidently annoyed at having been kept out of the room. + +"That lessens the value of your information," said I, turning to my +prisoner. + +"Considerably," he replied cheerfully. "I judged monsieur wrongly. It +is plain that his wits are as keen as his sword." + +Ignoring the doubtful compliment, and taking up the note afresh, I +observed that I should soon be able to tell who wrote it. + +"It is possible," he agreed, "quite possible." + +He had regained his composure, and, indeed, seemed rather pleased than +otherwise at the turn events were taking. Still he did not quite know +what to make of me, and now and then a shadow of anxiety flitted across +his face. + +As we sat staring at each other it dawned upon me that I had a new +problem to solve. What was to be done with this unwelcome visitor? I +had made up my mind to meet D'Arcy, and the sound of a neighbouring +clock striking nine warned me there was short time left for decision. + +"Suppose I let you go?" I asked, half amused at the comical situation. + +"That would be agreeable to me." + +"Would you promise to say nothing about this affair till the morning?" + +"Readily, monsieur." + +"And break your promise at the first opportunity?" + +"That is probable, monsieur. You see, I have a very bad memory," and +he laughed. + +"Then you must be kept here. I am sorry; I have no wish to hurt you, +but there is no other way." + +"As you please," he replied, and submitted quietly to be bound with +strips torn from the bedclothes. + +I fastened the knots securely, yet so as to cause him the least +suffering, and then proceeded to improvise a gag. At this point his +calmness disappeared, and for a short time he looked both surprised and +angry. + +[Transcriber's note: illustration missing from book] + +However, he soon recovered his spirits, and said admiringly, "Surely +monsieur must be a gaoler by profession; he knows all the tricks of the +trade." + +"Ah," said I, laughing, "you did not expect this?" + +He shook his head disconsolately. + +"But it is necessary." + +"It may be for you." + +"Let us say for both, since you will be prevented from getting into +mischief. But come; I will make you comfortable." + +The man's eyes twinkled, and any one outside hearing him laugh would +have thought we were engaged in a humorous game. + +"_Ma foi!_" he exclaimed, "you are politeness itself. First I am to be +bound and gagged, and then made comfortable. But there is just one +thing which troubles me." + +"Speak out; I may be able to set your mind at ease." + +"It is just possible that some one, not knowing your good points, may +cut off your head." + +"Well?" + +"In that case, with a gag in my mouth, I shall be unable to express my +sorrow." + +"Have no fear," I replied, catching his meaning. "Whatever happens to +me, and the venture is certainly risky, I promise you shall be released +in the morning." + +"Thanks, monsieur," he said, looking considerably relieved, "you +certainly play the game like a gentleman." + +I was really sorry to treat the man so scurvily, but, as a single word +from him would upset my plans, it was necessary to prevent him from +giving warning. So, carefully inserting the gag and repeating the +promise to set him at liberty as soon as possible, I put my pistols in +order, took my hat, and went out, closing and fastening the door. + +The sight of the innkeeper in the narrow passage reminded me that he +might be wondering what had become of the messenger, so I stopped and +said, "If the dwarf returns before me, tell him to come again in the +morning." + +"Certainly, monsieur," he replied, holding the door open while I passed +into the courtyard. + +As usual the Rue de Roi was crowded, and I thought some of the people +looked at me strangely, but this might have been mere fancy. Once, +indeed, a man placed himself purposely in my path. It was the ruffian +who had spoken to me in the inn, but, not desiring his company, I +placed a finger on my lips to indicate silence, and walked past rapidly. + +Ten o'clock struck as, entering the Rue St. Honore, I passed up the +street, seeking for the new church. Several people were still about, +but I dared not ask for information, though where the church was +situated I had not the faintest idea. However, I kept straight on, +and, a quarter after the hour, approached a huge pile of scaffolding +and the unfinished walls of a large building. + +Here I paused in doubt, which was relieved by a whispered "De Lalande?" +and the next instant Armand d'Arcy joined me. + +"You are late," he exclaimed irritably. "The others have started, and +I had almost despaired of your coming." + +Taking my arm he crossed the road, hurried down a by-street, and, by +what seemed a round-about route, led me into a most uninviting part of +the city. + +"Our friends have made good use of their time," I remarked, hoping to +learn something useful from his conversation. + +"They are anxious to surround the cage while the bird is still within. +These strange rumours concerning the Abbe have made them uneasy." + +"But I don't in the least understand you." + +"Well, they must be untrue, or you would not be here. Still, the +information came to us on good authority." + +"Speak out, man, and let us clear up the matter; I am completely in the +dark." + +"Then," said he bluntly, "it is just this. We heard De Retz intended +to trick us, and that you, instead of having returned to Paris, were +still at Vancey. Of course I knew better, but the Abbe is a slippery +customer!" + +"Why not have told him your suspicions?" + +D'Arcy slapped me on the back. + +"Behold the innocence of the dove!" he exclaimed. "Of course he would +have denied everything and demanded our proofs. But he will do well to +leave off this double game. With the Cardinal in our hands we shall be +too strong for him." + +"I don't understand now." + +"It is simple enough. You know that De Retz drew up the scheme and +induced us to join him. But he can't be trusted, and half of our +fellows believe he is playing us false." + +"But why should he?" + +"Ah, that is the mystery. He may have made his peace with the Cardinal +for all I know. However, you can't draw back now; so if he has cheated +us, he has cheated you. Is the plan changed in any way?" + +"I have heard of no alteration." + +"We had better make sure of our ground. It would be folly to miss so +good an opportunity through want of foresight, though I don't see how +we can fail," and, dropping his voice to a whisper, he went through all +his arrangements, only pausing now and again to ask my opinion, which +he evidently valued highly. + +I walked by his side like one in a dream, hardly knowing how to answer. +Here was I, a simple country youth, plunged into a conspiracy so daring +that the recital of it almost took away my breath. The enterprise, +started by the Abbe de Retz, was no less than the forcible carrying-off +of Cardinal Mazarin, the most powerful man in France. I turned hot and +cold at the thought. + +It was known that the Cardinal, as a citizen, paid occasional visits to +a certain astrologer, in whose house he was at present, and the +conspirators had arranged their plans accordingly. False passports +were obtained, a body of horse were in readiness outside the gates, and +it only remained to obtain possession of the Cardinal's person. This +part, it appeared, De Retz had promised should be undertaken by my +cousin, who was deep in his confidence, while a band of reckless young +nobles, with D'Arcy at their head, should form an escort. + +"Once we get the old fox trapped, the rest will be easy," said my +companion. "I warrant he won't get loose again in a hurry." + +"No," said I, puzzling my brain as to why De Retz had at the last +moment drawn back from the venture. + +There was no doubt he had written the note even then inside my doublet. +Something had occurred to shake his resolution, but what was it? Had +he really joined hands with the Cardinal? The letter to Henri did not +look like it. Had he intended all along to sacrifice his allies? I +did not think so, because his note seemed to hint at their possible +success. Perhaps, and it was my final conclusion, some unexpected +danger had compelled him to hold his hand. + +What ought I to do? As we walked along, Armand d'Arcy rallied me on my +silence, but happily the darkness hid my face, or he must have +suspected something was wrong. + +"Are you growing nervous, De Lalande?" he asked banteringly. "I have +always heard that nothing could alarm you." + +"I am not alarmed." + +"The old fox will be surprised by our visit. I wonder if he has gone +to the astrologer's to have his fortune told?" + +"Very likely. He believes in the stars and their influence." + +"Now, for me, I put more faith in a sharp sword," said D'Arcy, +laughing, "but everyone to his taste. Steady, now, some of our fellows +ought to be posted here." + +"Suppose," I asked, suddenly coming to a halt, "that instead of +trapping Mazarin, we are walking into a trap ourselves?" + +"Why, in that case, my friend, you will be the only one caught. We +shall remain in hiding till you give the signal." + +"Of course," and I heaved a sigh of relief, "I had not thought of that." + +D'Arcy's words had shown me a way out of the difficulty. I intended, +if possible, to save the Cardinal, yet I could not in honour betray the +men whose secret I had discovered by such a series of strange accidents. + +As it was, my course seemed plain and open. I had only to see Mazarin, +acquaint him with his danger, and get him into a place of safety; after +that I could tell the conspirators their plans were discovered, and +they would quickly disperse. Mazarin might not believe my story, but +something must be left to chance. + +"We are getting near now," whispered D'Arcy presently; "you don't wish +to draw back?" + +"Not in the least, why?" + +"Because if you do, I will take your place. If the plan fails it is +the Bastille for you, and perhaps a rope with a running knot from the +walls." + +"Pshaw! there is no danger for me, and you can take care of yourselves." + +At the end of a by-street, we were challenged by a low "_Qui-vive?_" +when we instantly halted. + +"_Notre Dame!_" replied D'Arcy quietly. "Is that you, Peleton? Are we +in time?" + +"The old fox has not come out, and a light still burns in the third +window. Have you brought De Lalande?" + +"Here he is." + +"_Ma foi!_ 'tis more than I expected. But I warn our friend that if he +means playing us false he will have need to look to himself." + +A ready answer sprang to my lips, but I checked it. D'Arcy had +evidently only a passing acquaintance with my cousin, but this man +might know him well; in which case the trick would be discovered. + +"Peleton is always suspecting some one," laughed D'Arcy, "and generally +without cause." + +"Well, if anything goes wrong, remember I warned you!" growled the +other. + +"Peace!" cried a third man, stepping from the shadow of a doorway. +"Small wonder the Cardinal wins, when we spend our time in squabbling +between ourselves. De Lalande, you are late, but now you have come, +let us begin the business without more delay. Mazarin is still in the +house, and our men are waiting. The horses are harnessed, and directly +you give the signal the carriage will be at the door. I need not warn +you to take care of yourself." + +"Three knocks, remember," said D'Arcy. "We will stand here in the +shadow; the others are in their places, and keeping a sharp look-out." + +"One minute!" I whispered to him. "There is just a trifling matter I +wish done. If I don't return--and that seems not unlikely--will you go +straight back to La Boule d'Or? You will find a man in my room tied up +and gagged; set him at liberty." + +D'Arcy gave a low whistle of surprise, but without asking for an +explanation he promised to go. + +"If we succeed I can attend to him myself," I added. "Now stand back." + +"Don't forget," said the third man, "that if the Cardinal slips through +your fingers your own neck will be in danger." + +"Good luck," cried D'Arcy softly, as I crossed the road to the +astrologer's house. + +For a moment, as my companions disappeared, my courage failed. I was +bound on a really desperate venture, and the first false slip might +land me in a dungeon of the dreaded Bastille. + +Suppose that Mazarin, having learned of the plot, had filled the house +with his Guards? Once I raised my hand and dropped it, but the second +time I knocked at the door, which, after some delay, was opened wide +enough to admit the passage of a man's body. The entry was quite dark, +but I pushed in quickly, nerving myself for whatever might happen. At +the same moment sounds of firing came from the street, and I heard the +man Peleton exclaim, "Fly! We are betrayed!" + +I turned to the door, but some one was already shooting the bolts, +while a second person, pressing a pistol against my head, exclaimed +roughly, "Don't move till we have a light. The floor is uneven, and +you might hurt yourself by falling." + +"You can put down that weapon," I said. "I am not likely to run away, +especially as I have come of my own free will to see your master's +visitor." + +The fellow laughed, and lowered his pistol. + +"You will see him soon enough," said he, and I judged by his tone that +he did not think the interview would be a pleasant one. + +Another man now arriving with a lantern, I was led to the end of the +passage, up three steps, and so into a large room, sparsely furnished, +but filled with soldiers. Truly the Abbe was well advised in +withdrawing from the conspiracy. + +"_Peste!_" exclaimed the officer in charge, "why, 'tis De Lalande +himself, only the peacock has put on daw's feathers. Well, my friend, +you have sent your goods to sea in a leaky boat this time." + +He took a step towards me, and then stopped in astonishment. + +"What mystery is this?" he cried. "Are you not Henri de Lalande? But, +no, I see the difference now. Ah, Henri is a clever fellow after all; +I thought he would not trust himself on this fool's errand. But you +are marvellously like him. Well, well; whoever you are, the Cardinal +is anxious to see you." + +"I came on purpose to speak to him. Had I known he was so well +prepared to receive visitors I might have spared myself a troublesome +journey." + +"And deprived His Eminence of a great pleasure! Unbuckle your sword, +and place your pistols on the table. The Cardinal is a man of peace, +and likes not martial weapons." + +To resist was useless; so I surrendered sword and pistols, which the +officer handed to one of his men. + +"Now," he said, "as you are so anxious to meet the Cardinal, I will +take you to him at once. This way." + +We toiled up a narrow, steep, and dimly-lighted staircase, at the top +of which a soldier stood on guard, while another paced to and fro along +the narrow landing. Both these men, as well as those in the lower part +of the house, wore the Cardinal's livery. + +There were three rooms, and, stopping outside the second, the officer +knocked at the door, while the soldier on duty stood close behind me. +For a time there was no answer, but presently a calm voice bade us +enter, and the next instant I stood face to face with the most powerful +man in France. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +I Meet the Cardinal. + +My glance travelled rapidly round the apartment, which was large, +lofty, and oddly furnished. A table littered with papers and +parchments occupied the centre; the walls were almost hidden by +hundreds of books and curious-looking maps; two globes stood in one +corner; on a wide shelf close by were several strange instruments, the +uses of which I did not understand; a pair of loosely hung curtains +screened the lower end of the room. + +At the table sat two men of striking personal appearance. + +One was a tall, venerable man with white beard and moustache, broad, +high forehead, and calm, thoughtful, gray eyes. He was older than his +companion, and the deeply-furrowed brow bespoke a life of much care, +perhaps sorrow. He was dressed in a brown robe, held loosely round the +middle by silken cords; he wore slippers on his feet, and a tasselled +cap partly covered his scanty white hair. I put him down as the +astrologer. + +The second man attracted and repelled me at the same time. He was in +the prime of life and undeniably handsome, while there was a look of +sagacity, almost of craft, in his face. + +"A strong man," I thought, looking into his wonderful eyes. "Not +brave, perhaps, but dogged and tenacious. A man of cunning, too, who +will play a knave at his own game and beat him. And yet, somehow, one +would expect to find him occupied with paint-brush or guitar, rather +than with the affairs of State." + +Stories of the powerful Cardinal had reached even my quiet home, but I +had never met him, and now stood looking at his face longer perhaps +than was in keeping with good manners. + +"Hum!" said he, watching me closely, "you are very young for a +conspirator; you should be still with your tutor. What is your name?" + +"Albert de Lalande," I replied. + +"De Lalande!" he echoed in surprise. "The son of Charles de Lalande?" + +"Your Eminence is thinking of my cousin Henri." + +"Pouf! Are there two of you? So much the worse; one of the family is +sufficient. Eh, Martin?" + +"This youth is like his cousin," replied the astrologer, "but I imagine +he knows little of Paris. I should say he is more at home in the +fields than in the streets." + +"It seems he knows enough to be mixed up in a daring plot," said +Mazarin with a grim smile. "But, after all, my enemies do not rate my +powers highly when they send a boy like this against me. I believed I +was of more importance." + +"No one sent me," I replied; "on the contrary, I came to warn you, but +I need have had no fear for you, I find." + +The Cardinal sighed. "The wolves do not always get into the +sheep-fold," he murmured gently, at which, remembering the body of +armed men below, I felt amused. + +He was about to speak again, when, after tapping at the door, an +officer entered the room. His clothes were torn and soiled, there was +a smear of blood on the sleeve of his coat, and he glanced at his +master sheepishly. + +"Alone!" exclaimed the latter in astonishment, upon which the soldier +approached him and began to speak in whispers. Mazarin was evidently +displeased, but he listened courteously to the end. + +"What bad luck!" he cried. "I thought they were all nicely trapped. +However, no doubt you did your best. Now go and let a surgeon attend +to your hurts. I see you have been wounded." + +"A mere scratch, your Eminence," replied the officer saluting, and, +when he had withdrawn, the Cardinal again turned his attention to me. + +"Yes," said he, as if in answer to a question, "your companions have +escaped: so much the better for them. But, deprived of the +bell-wether, the flock counts for little. Now, as you value your life, +tell me who sent you here. I warn you to speak the truth; there are +deep dungeons in the Bastille." + +"My story is a curious one, your Eminence, but it throws little light +on the affair. My father is the head of the De Lalande family, but he +is poor, and has lost his estates. The other day our friend, M. +Belloc----" + +"Belloc?" exclaimed the Cardinal quickly, "what Belloc?" + +"Roland Belloc, your Eminence, a stout soldier and your faithful +servant. He offered, if I came to Paris, to speak to you on my behalf." + +"Go on," said Mazarin, with evident interest. + +"Shortly after his return to Paris I had the misfortune to offend Baron +Maubranne of Vancey, and then my mother, who had before been unwilling +to part from me, agreed to my leaving home. I came to Paris, and +inquired for my friend at the Palais Royal. The soldiers declared he +was absent, which was unfortunate for me. However, I remembered the +name of an inn at which another friend sometimes puts up, and I went +there." + +"One must go somewhere," said Mazarin. + +"Yesterday," I continued, "a man brought me a note. It was intended +for some one else, but, not knowing that, I opened it. It was very +mysterious, but I gathered there was a conspiracy on foot, and that you +were to be the victim." + +"That is generally the case," exclaimed Mazarin with a sigh. + +"As the conspirators mistook me for some one else----" + +"For your cousin!" + +"I resolved to play the part, in the hope of being able to put you on +your guard." + +"A remarkable story!" said Mazarin thoughtfully. "Eh, Martin?" + +"It seems to ring true, your Eminence," replied the astrologer. + +"There are two or three points, though, to be considered. For +instance," turning to me, "to which party does this second friend of +yours belong?" + +"I really do not know that he belongs to any party." + +"Well, it is of small consequence. Now, as to the people who came here +with you?" and he cast a searching glance at my face. + +"I should not recognise them in the street." + +"But their names?" he cried impatiently. "You must know at least who +their leader was." + +"Pardon me," I said quietly, "but I did not undertake to play the spy. +What I learned was by accident." + +"You will not tell me?" and he drummed on the table. + +"I cannot: it would be dishonourable." + +"Oh," said he with a sneer, "honour is not much esteemed in these days!" + +"My father has always taught me to look on it as the most important +thing in the world." + +"A clear proof that he is a stranger to Paris. However, I will not +press you. It will ill-suit my purpose to imprison D'Arcy--he is too +useful as a conspirator," he added with a chuckle. + +I started in surprise at the mention of D'Arcy's name, and the Cardinal +smiled. + +"At present," he said kindly, "your sword will be of more service to me +than your brains. Evidently you are not at home with our Parisian +ways. Come, let me give you a lesson on the question and answer +principle. How came I to be on my guard? My spies, as it happened, +were ignorant of the conspiracy." + +"Then one of the plotters betrayed his comrades." + +"Precisely. Price--a thousand crowns. Next, how did De Retz discover +that the plot was known?" + +"That is more difficult to answer. I thought at first he himself was +the traitor." + +"A shrewd guess. Why did you alter your opinion?" + +"Because De Retz cannot be in need of a thousand crowns." + +"Quite true. Well, I will tell you the story; it will show you the +manner of men with whom I have to deal. Two thousand crowns are better +than one; so my rogue having first sold the Abbe's secret to me, +obtained another by warning him that the conspiracy was discovered." + +"But, in that case, why did he let his friends proceed with the scheme?" + +Mazarin laughed at my question, saying, "That opens up another matter. +All these people hate me, but they don't love each other. For +instance, it would have delighted De Retz to learn that young D'Arcy +was safe under lock and key in the Bastille." + +"Then he will be disappointed." + +Again the Cardinal laughed. + +"That," he said, "was my rogue's masterpiece. Having pocketed his two +thousand crowns, he sold us in the end by raising the alarm before my +troops were ready. In that way he will stand well with his party, +while making a clear gain all round. But, now, let us talk of +yourself. I understand you have come to Paris to seek your fortune." + +I bowed. + +"That means I must either have you on my side or against me. There are +several parties in Paris, but every man, ay, and woman too, is either a +friend to Mazarin or his enemy. What say you? Will you wear the green +scarf or not? Think it over. You are a free agent, and I shall +welcome you as a friend, or respect you as a foe. True, you are very +young, but you seem a sensible lad. Now make your choice." + +"Providence has decided for me," I answered. "I shall be glad if I can +be of any service to your Eminence." + +"Good! Serve me faithfully, and you shall not be able to accuse +Mazarin of being a niggardly paymaster. Belloc will return in a day or +two, and we will have a talk with him. But the night flies. Martin, +my trusty friend, I must depart: we will discuss those accounts at a +quieter season." + +"At your pleasure," replied the astrologer, and then at a signal from +Mazarin, a grizzled veteran stepped out from behind the curtain. + +"M. de Lalande's sword will be returned to him," said the Cardinal, +"and he will await me with the Guards." + +"_Ma foi!_ you are a lucky youngster!" exclaimed my guide when we were +out of earshot; "Mazarin has quite taken to you. I have never known +any one jump into his favour so quickly." + +The soldiers still stood at attention in the lower room, and the +officer on being informed of the Cardinal's orders returned my pistols +and helped me to buckle on my sword. + +"A pleasanter task," he remarked, "than escorting you to the Bastille, +where I expected you would pass the night. Have you joined the +Cardinal's service?" + +"More or less," I answered laughing. "I hardly know how things stand +till M. Belloc returns." + +"Are you acquainted with him?" + +"He is one of my father's chief friends, perhaps the only one. I +inquired for him the other day at the Palais Royal, but your men are +not too affable to a stranger. Perhaps they would have been less surly +but for my shabby mantle." + +Before he had time to reply, Mazarin made his appearance, and, after +issuing some orders, requested me to follow him. The street was +deserted, the people were in bed, there was no sign of any troops, and +I could not help thinking how completely the Cardinal had placed +himself in my power. He, however, appeared to anticipate no danger, +but walked steadily, leaning on my arm. + +"The night air is cold," he said presently, drawing his black mantle +closer round him--and after a pause, "Do you know your way? Ah, I had +forgotten. Your home is near Vancey?" + +"_At_ Vancey, my grandsire would have answered, your Eminence, but +times have changed, and we with them." + +"It is hard work climbing the ladder, but harder still to stand on the +top," remarked the Cardinal, and he asked me to tell him something of +my family history. So, as we walked through the silent streets of the +slumbering city, I described sadly how the broad acres of my +forefathers had dwindled to a solitary farm. + +We were in sight of the Palais Royal when I finished the melancholy +narrative, and Mazarin stopped. The night was already past, and, in +the light of the early dawn, we saw each other's faces distinctly. It +may have been mere fancy, or the result of the severe strain on my +nerves, or, more simple still, the manner in which the half light +played on his face, but it seemed to me that the powerful Cardinal had +become strangely agitated. + +"Did you hear anything?" he asked suddenly, pressing my arm. "Listen, +there it is again," and from our right came the sound of a low, clear +whistle. + +"It is a signal of some sort," I said. + +"Yes," he exclaimed, "but fortunately it was given just too late. I +must be more careful in future. Come! The sooner we are inside the +gate the better," and he walked so quickly that I had much ado to keep +pace with him. + +Passing the sentries at the gate, we crossed the courtyard, and entered +the Palais Royal through a narrow door leading to a private staircase. +Turning to the left at the top, Mazarin led the way along what appeared +to be an endless succession of corridors. Soldiers were stationed here +and there, but, instantly recognising the cloaked figure, they saluted +and we passed on. + +At last Mazarin paused, and blowing softly on a silver whistle was +instantly joined by a man in civilian attire. + +"Find M. de Lalande food and a bed," exclaimed the Cardinal briskly. +"For the present he is my guest, and will remain within call. Has M. +Belloc returned?" + +"No, my Lord." + +"Let him attend me immediately upon his arrival. Where are the +reports?" + +"On your table, my Lord." + +"Very good. See to M. de Lalande, and then wait in the ante-chamber. +You may be wanted." + +The man, who, I imagine, was a kind of under secretary, made a low bow, +and motioned me to follow him, which I did gladly, being both hungry +and tired. Showing me into a large room, he rang the bell and ordered +supper. The excitement had not destroyed my appetite, and I did ample +justice to the meal. Then, passing to an inner chamber, I undressed +and went to bed, to sleep as soundly as if I had still been under my +father's roof. + +For three days I saw nothing more of the Cardinal. All sorts of people +came and went--powerful nobles, soldiers, a few bourgeois, and a number +of men whom I classed in my own mind as spies. They crowded the +ante-room for hours, waiting till the minister had leisure to receive +them. + +On the fourth morning I was lounging in the corridor, having nothing +better to do, when a soldier passed into the ante-room. His clothes +were soiled and muddy; he was booted and spurred, and had apparently +just returned from a long journey. + +"M. Belloc!" I exclaimed, but he did not hear me, and before I could +reach him he had gone into Mazarin's room, much to the disgust of those +who had been waiting since early morning for an audience. + +As he remained closeted with the Cardinal for more than an hour, it was +evident he brought important news, and the people in the ante-room +wondered what it could be. + +"He is a clever fellow," remarked one. "I know him well. No one has +greater influence with Mazarin." + +"The Cardinal is brewing a surprise," whispered another. "Paris will +have a chance to gossip in a day or two." + +"It is rumoured," continued the first, "that De Retz nearly found +himself in the Bastille only the other night." + +"'Twould have served him right, too; he is a regular monkey for +mischief. I wonder the Cardinal has put up with his tricks so long." + +Thus they chattered among themselves till at last the door opened, and +the secretary came out. A dozen men pressed forward eagerly, but, +making his way through them, he approached the corner where I sat. + +"M. de Lalande," he said, "the Cardinal wishes to see you." + +I jumped up and followed him, amidst cold looks and scarcely concealed +sneers at my shabby dress. It has often astonished me that people show +such contempt for an old coat. + +Mazarin stood with his back to the fireplace talking to my father's old +friend. + +"This is the youngster," said he, as I entered. "Do you know him?" + +"Ay," answered Belloc, "I know him well, and I warrant he will prove as +faithful a follower as any who draws your pay. I have yet to hear of a +De Lalande deserting his flag. Even Henri, scamp though he may be, is +loyal to his party. When De Retz sinks, Henri de Lalande will sink +with him." + +"_Ma foi!_" exclaimed the Cardinal, "such a fellow would be well worth +gaining over!" + +"You would find him proof against bribes or threats. And I warrant +this lad is of the same mettle." + +"Your friend gives you a high character, M. de Lalande," said the +Cardinal smiling. + +"I hope he will not be disappointed in me, your Eminence." + +"Remember you are responsible for him," continued Mazarin, turning to +the soldier. "Let his name be placed on your books; no doubt I shall +soon find him something to do. Now I must carry your despatches to Her +Majesty." + +"Come with me, Albert," said Belloc, "and tell me all the news. You +have made a good start; Mazarin speaks highly of your intelligence. +This way! I am going to my quarters; I have been in the saddle for the +last few days." + +Roland Belloc was decidedly a man of influence at the Palais Royal. +Officers and soldiers saluted respectfully as he passed, while he in +turn had a smile and a nod for every one. + +He had two rooms in a corner of the Palace, one of which served as a +bedroom. The other was sparsely furnished, while its principal +ornaments were spurs and gauntlets, swords and pistols, which hung on +the walls. + +As soon as he had changed his clothing he sat down, and bade me explain +how I came to be in Paris. His brow darkened when I related +Maubranne's insults, and though he made no remark, I knew he was +terribly angry. + +"You have had quite a series of adventures," he said at length, "and, +for a youngster, have come remarkably well through them. Your foot is +on the ladder now, my boy, and I hope you will climb high. Mazarin is +a good master to a good servant, and he rules France. Bear that in +mind. If all his enemies joined together I doubt if they could beat +him, but they hate each other too much to unite." + +"What shall I have to do?" + +"I cannot say till the Cardinal gives his orders. He may make you an +officer in the Guards, or keep you near him as a sort of body-servant. +But do your duty wherever you are placed. Every step forward means a +brighter chance of recovering Vancey." + +"That is never long out of my thoughts." + +"'Tis a good goal to try for, and not an impossible one either. Have +you quarters in the Palace?" + +"Temporary ones, till Mazarin has decided how to employ me." + +The old soldier kept me with him some time longer, but seeing he was +tired I made some excuse to get away, promising to call again in the +morning. His return had cheered me considerably. Hitherto I had been +very lonely among the crowds of courtiers, but now I felt secure of +having at least one friend in the vast building. + +It was strange, too, what a difference his friendship made in my +position. Gaily-dressed young nobles, who, after a glance at my shabby +doublet, had passed by without a word, now stopped and entered into +conversation, pressing me to come here and there, as if I were their +most intimate friend. + +However, I declined their invitations, thinking it best to keep in the +background till I had learned more of the Cardinal's intentions. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +The Reception at the Luxembourg. + +"Albert? Is it possible?" + +"Even so. Are you surprised to see that the daw has become a peacock?" + +A week had passed since my midnight adventure, and I was taking the air +in the public gardens. Many richly-dressed cavaliers were strolling +about, and among them I recognised my friend Raoul Beauchamp. He saw +me almost at the same time, and, leaving his comrades, came over +instantly. + +"I' faith," said he merrily, "a very handsome one, too! For a +country-bred youngster you have not done badly. Let us take a stroll +on the Pont Neuf while you tell your story. I am dying of curiosity. +Do you know you have made a splash in the world?" + +"A truce to flattery, Raoul," I laughed. + +"It is a fact, my dear fellow. In certain circles you are the mystery +of the day. Your cousin Henri growls like a savage bear at your name; +Armand d'Arcy does nothing but laugh and call himself an oaf; while +only last night De Retz declared you were worth your weight in gold. +And, to make matters worse, no one could say whether you were free or +in the Bastille! Anyway, I am glad you have not joined Mazarin's +Guards." + +"Why?" + +"Because you should be one of us, and we are opposed to Mazarin." + +"The Cardinal is a well-hated man!" + +"A wretched Italian priest! The nation will have none of him. Before +long France will be quit of Mazarin." + +"And what will happen then?" + +"_Ma foi!_ I know not," replied Raoul, "except that the Duke of +Orleans will take his rightful place, as the King's uncle, at the head +of affairs. Parliament, of course, will have to be suppressed, Conde +bought over--as usual he will want the lion's share of the +spoils--while De Retz must be kept quiet with a Cardinal's hat. He +expects to be made minister in Mazarin's stead, but that is a fool's +dream." + +"But, suppose that, after all, Mazarin should win the game?" + +"Bah! it is impossible. We are too strong for him. I will tell you a +secret. In a month at the outside----" + +I stopped him hurriedly, exclaiming, "Be careful, Raoul, or you may +tell too much." + +Looking at me in consternation, he said slowly, "You do not mean to +suggest that you have gone over to Mazarin?" + +"At least I have taken service with him." + +"Then we shall be fighting on opposite sides! What a wretched business +it is, breaking up old friendships in this way!" + +"Ours need not be broken; and as to your party schemes against the +Cardinal, they are bound to fail. There are too many traitors among +you. Mazarin learns of your plots as soon as they are formed, and you +wonder at his skill in evading them! Why, he has nothing to do but sit +still and watch you destroy each other." + +"A pleasant prospect!" exclaimed Raoul; "but now about yourself. You +have not yet explained how you became a _Mazarin_, and it is difficult +to distinguish the truth among a host of fables." + +"It will be more difficult for you to believe it;" upon which I +recounted my various adventures since arriving in the city. + +"D'Arcy is true as steel," said he, "but too thoughtless to be trusted +with a secret. As to De Retz, I warned the Duke to have nothing to do +with him. He fights for his own hand, and cares not who sinks as long +as he swims." + +"Still," I suggested, "the first traitor must have been one of your own +people." + +He recognised the force of this, and eagerly questioned me with a view +to learning the name of the man who had sold his party; but in this I +did not gratify him, having no more than a suspicion, though a strong +one, myself. + +For some time after this we walked along in silence, but presently he +said, "I suppose you are established in the Palais Royal?" + +"No. Belloc--you remember my father's old friend--wished to give me a +commission in the Guards, but the Cardinal thought I could serve him +better in another direction. For the present I am living in the street +which runs at right angles to the front entrance." + +"Well within call," remarked Raoul, adding, "meet me at the Luxembourg +this evening; the Duke holds a reception. You need not fear putting +your head in the lion's mouth. There is a truce: the calm before the +storm; so let us make the most of it. You will come, will you not? +That is right. I must leave you now; there is Vautier beckoning, but +we shall meet again this evening." + +When he had gone I began to reckon up how things stood. Raoul was my +bosom friend, who had held by me through good and ill. I loved him as +a brother, and now it appeared we might be engaged at any time in +mortal strife. The prospect was not pleasant, and I walked back to the +Rue des Catonnes in anything but cheerful spirits. + +I had selected this street, because, as Raoul said, it was within call: +the rooms I had chosen on account of their cheapness. To my surprise +and disgust, the Cardinal proved a poor paymaster, and, after buying my +fine new clothes, there was little money left to spend in rent. + +But I reflected there were more people who would notice my velvet suit, +silver aigulets, lace collar, black hat with its imposing feather, and +black leather boots, than would know I lived in two small rooms in a +dirty street; and experience has taught me how high a value the world +sets on outside show. So I walked with head erect, and just the +smallest swagger, and the passers-by did not fail to yield the wall to +such a brilliant gallant. Albert de Lalande in rich velvet was a very +different person from the simple country youth in rusty black, whose +poverty had provoked the sneers of the guests at Vancey. + +By one of those wonderful changes, which, more than anything, marked +this period, Paris had become quiet and peaceful. The Frondeurs, as +Mazarin's enemies were called, had stopped their private quarrels; the +friends of Orleans joked with those of Conde; the agents of Mazarin and +the followers of De Retz walked together like brothers; the citizens +laid aside their weapons; the night-hawks had returned to their roosts. +Instead of meeting with insults, the Queen Regent was greeted with +applause; people shouted themselves hoarse on seeing the little King, +thus expressing their loyalty in the cheapest and emptiest manner. + +But no one, except his paid servants, spoke a word in favour of +Mazarin, and in his cabinet at the Palais Royal, the real ruler of +France sat like a big spider spinning his web; very slowly, very +patiently, but strongly and surely. The threads might become loose or +even destroyed; it mattered not. With a steady perseverance that no +defeat could daunt, the spinning went on. The loose ends were caught +up; fresh threads replaced those carried away. It was plain that the +death of the spinner alone could prevent the completion of the web. + +But this was looking too far ahead for all save a very few. The +majority accepted the strange truce without question, and, happy in the +present sunshine, cared nothing for the dark clouds that might arise in +the future. + +The streets were thronged with pleasure-seekers, and at night I could +scarcely reach the Luxembourg for the crowd. It was a pleasant crowd, +however, totally unlike the surly threatening mob I had twice seen and +did not wish to see again. No one quarrelled; nothing constituted a +cause for anger; the nearest approach to ill-humour being a +reproachful, "Oh, monsieur, you trod on my foot!" from a pretty girl to +a stout citizen, who offered a thousand apologies for his clumsiness, +and was charmingly pardoned. + +At the Luxembourg itself the crowds and the good-humour were repeated. +The courtyard was filled with gorgeous equipages, brilliantly dressed +lackeys, guards, musketeers, gigantic Swiss soldiers, in all +descriptions of uniform. I smiled at the vague nature of Raoul's +invitation. Certainly I had come to the Luxembourg, but to find my +friend was another matter. A few days previously I should have gone +away in despair, but Paris had begun my education, and, instead of +turning back, I walked towards the grand staircase. + +A yellow carriage had drawn up at the entrance, and two ladies +descended from it. I moved aside to let them pass, when one, a +beautiful woman, with laughing eyes, exclaimed, "M. de Lalande!" + +I had sufficient presence of mind to make a profound bow, when the fair +stranger cried with a merry laugh, "Give me your arm. What new trick +is this? What are you doing here?" + +"I am looking for M. Beauchamp." + +"He is a nice boy, but I did not know that you and he were fond of each +other." + +"We are very old friends, madame." + +We had reached the first landing, and were waiting for the people in +front to pass on, when I answered, and the lady, looking very hard at +me, exclaimed, "Why, what is the meaning of this? Surely you are, and +yet are not, M. de Lalande?" + +"I expect, madame, that you have mistaken me for my cousin Henri. My +name is Albert." + +"Why, then, you belong to Mazarin's party! I have heard of you. Do +you know that you have done us much mischief? But there, a truce to +quarrelling," and, keeping me at her side, she entered a magnificent +salon ablaze with light and colour. + +I was gazing with delight at the scene when my companion exclaimed with +a smile, "Mazarin has not destroyed us all yet, it seems. But there is +M. Beauchamp! Raoul, come here, you naughty boy! Here is a friend of +yours from the opposite camp. I leave him in your charge. I must go +to the Duke, who has just discovered me, and fancies I am hatching +fresh plots. What a suspicious world it is!" and with this the +beautiful woman swept across the room, every one making way for her. + +"That is Madame la Duchesse de Chevreuse," explained Raoul. "I suppose +she took you at first for Henri. She is one of our chief supporters, +though really she has done the cause more harm than Mazarin will ever +do. But come, there is an old friend yonder who wishes to see you." + +He led me across the salon to where sat a fair girl with large, dreamy, +tender blue eyes, an oval face framed in a mass of golden hair, +delicate features, and a complexion like the bloom on a peach. This +was Marie de Brione, who, when a little girl, had lived near Vancey, +and had often played with Raoul and myself. + +"I am going to scold you, Albert," she said smiling. "How is it you +are against us? I thought we three old friends were sure to stand +together. I could scarcely credit Raoul when he told me you had joined +the Cardinal." + +"It is very unfortunate," I stammered, "but I imagined I was acting for +the best by helping Mazarin." + +"You are a silly boy! When we have overthrown Mazarin we shall have to +put you in the Bastille!" + +"And in the lowest dungeon," added Raoul. + +"You will find me more generous," I laughed. "The Cardinal is sure to +win, and then I shall request him to forgive you two. Perhaps he will +pardon you if I beg very hard." + +"You heap coals of fire on our heads! After all, it may be a good +thing to number one friend among our enemies." + +"I am sure it will." + +"Here is Marie's aunt," said Raoul. "I do not know what she will say +at finding us on friendly terms with a _Mazarin_." + +Madame Coutance was a widow, though hardly older than her niece. She +was tall and graceful, with coils of dark hair covering her shapely +head. Her eyes were large, black, bright and flashing; she had a +straight nose, small mouth, with white even teeth, and tiny hands. I +had not met her before, but since the death of Marie's parents she had +taken the girl under her charge. + +She entered heartily into Raoul's joke, pretending to regard me as a +terrible enemy, and declaring the Duke ought not to permit me to leave +the salon except as a prisoner. Jest and laughter made the time fly +swiftly, and I was sorry when at last Raoul and I attended the ladies +to their carriage. + +"Do not forget the Rue Crillon, Monsieur de Lalande," exclaimed Marie's +aunt as we stood a moment at the foot of the staircase, "unless you +fear to trust yourself in our company. I must win you over to our +side; your talents will be thrown away on Mazarin. But the horses are +impatient, and we block the way; so adieu, messieurs," and she waved a +small, delicately-gloved hand in farewell. + +It was one o'clock, but the Luxembourg blazed with lights; the number +of guests had scarcely diminished, though numerous carriages were drawn +up in readiness to start, and groups of people still lingered outside +to watch the termination of the brilliant fete. + +"What do you think of Madame Coutance?" asked my comrade, as her +carriage rolled away. + +"She is very beautiful, and, if possible, more reckless even than +Madame de Chevreuse. I hope she will not cause Marie to suffer through +her folly." + +Raoul's face clouded, but he affected to laugh at the idea of danger. + +"The Duke will protect them," he remarked grandly, but on this point I +had my doubts. However, since no good ever comes through disputing +over a matter of opinion, I allowed the subject to drop, and prepared +to take my leave. + +"Are you going?" he asked. "I would have liked to introduce you to +D'Arcy. He has been on duty all night, but will be free shortly." + +"I should have been delighted, but I have to visit the Cardinal at +seven this morning." + +"And after?" + +"If he doesn't need me, I shall go to bed. I am fatigued by these late +hours." + +"That is right," said he laughing. "I shall make the most of the +truce, by calling for you this evening. Rue des Catonnes?" + +"Third house from the corner, but I will watch for you." + +Raoul, being in attendance on the Duke of Orleans, returned to the +palace, while I left the courtyard in a rather thoughtful mood. I did +not altogether like what I had heard of Madame Coutance. It seemed +that she had joined, heart and soul, in the plots against Mazarin, and +was regarded by his enemies with much favour. + +As a conspirator, however, she had several failings. She boasted not +alone of the victories won, but also of the victories she was about to +win, and was so confident of her powers that she could never be brought +to understand the strength of her opponents. I regarded her as rather +a dangerous guardian for a young girl, and hoped she would not drag +Marie into mischief. Away from the Luxembourg the streets were +deserted, save for a few night-birds who were slinking off to their own +quarters. The Rue des Catonnes was in darkness, but I knew the way, +and, mounting the stairs quickly, reached my room. + +"The Cardinal must not be kept waiting," I muttered, "but there is time +for a short nap," and I got into bed. + +A few minutes before seven o'clock I crossed the courtyard of the +Palais Royal, ascended the grand staircase, stopped a moment as usual +to joke with the Guards; and, traversing the corridor, reached +Mazarin's room just as his secretary came out. + +"Go straight in, M. de Lalande. His Eminence expects you at seven, and +the clock has given warning." + +The last stroke had not sounded as I entered the room. + +The Cardinal had been at work for hours. He sat at a table covered +with documents, and, still perusing one of them, exclaimed in his +silky, purring voice, "You are punctual, M. de Lalande!" + +"Yes, my lord." + +"I feared," said he slowly, and rustling the paper, "that last night's +festivities might have fatigued you." + +He turned and looked at me so as to enjoy my surprise, but, managing +with an effort to preserve my composure, I remarked that I left the +Luxembourg early. + +"Very sensible," he murmured. "And may I ask how you found your +charming friend, Madame de Chevreuse?" + +"Madame de Chevreuse is no friend of mine," I stammered awkwardly. "I +met her for the first time last night, when she mistook me for my +cousin." + +"That likeness must be very embarrassing. It would be unfortunate if +the public executioner should make a similar mistake! But let us not +dwell on these things; tell me about the latest plot of Madame +Coutance." + +I ignored the first part of this speech, though it sounded odd, and +laughed at the last, but Mazarin checked me. + +"You do not take Madame Coutance seriously?" said he. "You are wrong, +she is a very troublesome woman. She is like a child playing with +tinder, and may make a blaze at any moment without knowing it. The +safety of the State demands that such persons should be deprived of the +power to work mischief." + +"She did not tell me her plans," I said. "She was aware that I had the +honour of serving you." + +"Well, these matters are of trifling interest," he replied briskly, +"since one has enemies no longer. Really your post is a sinecure. I +have no more important business for you than to carry this letter to +our old acquaintance, Martin, the astrologer, and to bring back an +answer. Perhaps it will be as well to travel on foot; you will attract +less attention." + +Handing me a sealed note, which I placed in my pocket, he signified +that the interview was at an end, and I left the room. + +It was fortunate that the Cardinal had given me a simple task, for my +brain was in a whirl. The man was a marvel, he seemed aware of +everything one did and said, and perhaps everything one thought. His +spies were all over the city, and, whether from fear or greed, they +served him well. + +I thought of Madame Coutance, and the peril in which she stood. Thus +far he had spared her, but at any moment a secret order might go forth, +and the lady would be spirited away beyond the reach of friends. It +was possible, too, that Marie would share her aunt's fate, though I did +not believe the girl had much to do with the plots against Mazarin. + +Who could have informed him of my visit to the Luxembourg? He had +evidently heard all about it, and perhaps suspected me of playing him +false. If so, he was at fault. Rightly or wrongly, I believed him to +be the only man who could govern France till the king came of age, and, +though feeling little love for him, I resolved to do everything in my +power to defeat his enemies. + +A strong, hearty voice put dreams to flight, and, looking up, I saw +Roland Belloc, who was laughing pleasantly. + +"Dreaming, my boy, and at this time in the morning?" said he. "Have +you breakfasted? If not, come with me." + +"Many thanks," I replied, "but I have no time. I am on the Cardinal's +business, and----" + +"Enough," said my old friend; "when the Cardinal has business on hand, +breakfast must wait. Many a time it has been afternoon before I have +found leisure for bite or sup. By the way, you are growing in favour, +my boy, let me tell you. If you were only a few years older you would +obtain a high post. Only your youth is against you, and every day +makes that obstacle less." + +"It does!" I replied, laughing. "I hope you will enjoy your breakfast; +I am going to seek an appetite for mine." + +"Don't miss the breakfast when you have found the appetite," said he +merrily; "I have known that happen before now," and the jovial, though +rugged, old soldier marched off to his quarters. + +Making sure that the note was safe, I descended the staircase, crossed +the courtyard, passed the sentries, who by this time were beginning to +recognise me, and started on my journey. + +Paris was waking up when I left the Palais Royal, but only a few people +were stirring in the streets, and I pursued my way without hindrance, +musing over the Cardinal's pleasantries and Roland Belloc's information. + +"Faith," I muttered to myself, "Mazarin has a strange method of showing +his favour." + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +Was I Mistaken? + +At the corner of the narrow street opposite the astrologer's house I +stopped suddenly, and hid in the shelter of a doorway. Two men, +wearing cloaks so arranged that their faces could not be seen, stood +before the door, waiting for admission. One, a short man, was a +stranger to me, but at the other I looked my hardest. + +It is not an easy matter to distinguish a person whose features are +hidden, but if height, build, and general carriage counted for +anything, then the tall man was no other than my cousin Henri. +Presently, after a whispered conversation with some one inside, they +entered the house, and the door was shut. + +Now, although Mazarin kept his own counsel, I had learned that the +house of the good Martin was a kind of spider's web, and that the silly +flies entangled in its meshes were for the most part members of the +Fronde. The house was visited by persons of both sexes and of all +ranks, from the members of the Royal family downwards. They went there +for all sorts of purposes. Some required rare medicines, others charms +to ward off or drive away disease; one desired to learn the date of his +death, another the success or failure of his plans, which the +astrologer was supposed to tell by the stars or by means of crystal +globes. + +And the learned Martin, while plying his strange trade, discovered all +their secrets, their hopes and fears, their ambitions, their loves and +hates; and in due time the information reached that famous room in the +Palais Royal, where the wily Italian sat, spinning the fate of men and +nations alike. + +It was no rare event therefore for strangers to be observed at the +astrologer's house, and in an ordinary way I should have taken no +further notice of the incident. But if one of the visitors was really +my cousin, there must be something strange happening. He had no faith +in the stars, and would certainly not bother his head about the future +as depicted in glass balls. + +Besides--and this made the mystery deeper--he must know that Martin was +the Cardinal's friend, or rather dependant; and it seemed strange that +so clever a man as my cousin should trust himself in an enemy's power. +My head began to swim again as I tried to reason the matter out. Was +it Henri after all? It was possible I had been mistaken, and in any +case the note must be delivered, so, crossing the road, I knocked +boldly at the door. + +After some delay the window above my head was opened, and a man +glancing out asked my business. + +"To see your master, and that sharply," I replied. + +Saying he would admit me immediately, the fellow disappeared, and +presently I heard him stumbling along the passage. He spent a long +time undoing the bolts and bars, but at last the door was opened wide. + +"Enter, monsieur," said the fellow, "you will be welcome, though my +master is not dressed to receive visitors. He has passed the night in +reading the heavens, and is fatigued." + +"That is strange! I thought he already had callers this morning." + +Gazing at me in profound astonishment, the man exclaimed, "Visitors +here, monsieur? Impossible! You are the first to call." + +"I must have been mistaken, then," said I, with assumed calmness, but +really more perplexed than ever. Unless my eyes had deceived me, the +man was not speaking truly--but why? Surely his master was at liberty +to receive anyone who chose to visit him! + +Then another idea struck me. If Henri was one of the two men who had +entered the house, were we likely to meet? and if so, what would +happen? I had done his cause much harm, and had besides made him a +laughing-stock for the wits of Paris. Martin was no fighting man, and +the odds against me would be at least two to one. It seemed as if I +had stumbled again by accident into a hornet's nest. + +While I brooded over these things the man fumbled with the door, taking +so long to replace the bars that I called on him sharply to make more +haste. + +"I am ready, monsieur; this way," and he led me along the well-known +passage, up the crazy staircase, and so to the corridor, where on my +recent visit a soldier had kept guard. + +Opening the door of the room in which I had first met Mazarin, the man +requested me to step inside and wait a moment or two whilst his master +dressed. The apartment appeared empty, but I kept my hand on my sword, +and was careful to peer behind the curtain. Rather, perhaps, to my +surprise no one was there; so I returned to the middle of the room and +stood by the table. In truth I felt very uneasy, and wished myself +safely in the street. + +Five anxious minutes passed before the astrologer entered. He was +attired in dressing-gown, skull-cap, and slippers, and by his face one +would judge that he really had been keeping vigil all night. + +"I regret to have kept you waiting," he said, with an air of apology, +"but your visit is somewhat early." + +"Yet it seems I am not the first to need your services this morning." + +"How?" exclaimed he. "You are mistaken. No one but yourself has been +here since yesterday." + +"Well, I was certainly under the impression that two men entered this +house, as I approached it. But it is no concern of mine, except that +their presence might interfere with my errand. Be kind enough to read +this note, and to give me a written reply for the Cardinal." + +Breaking the seal, he read the missive, and sitting down, rapidly +covered a sheet of paper with small, cramped, but legible writing, +while I stood on guard and alert, half expecting a sudden attack from +some unknown enemies. + +However, nothing unusual happened. The astrologer finished his letter, +sealed it, and handed it to me, saying earnestly, "Take care of this, +as it is of more consequence than you may imagine. Further, it is +necessary that His Eminence should receive it without delay." + +"_Peste!_" answered I laughing; "as my breakfast still waits for me in +the Rue des Catonnes I am not likely to waste much time on the road," +and, bidding him adieu, I followed the servant, who had remained in the +corridor, downstairs. + +"Monsieur has discovered his error?" said the fellow, questioningly, as +he conducted me along the narrow passage. + +"Yes, the men must have gone into the next house. However, it does not +matter one way or another. I only feared to be kept waiting." + +It was pleasant to be in the open air again, and I drew a deep breath. +The janitor barred the door, and I crossed the road in a state of +bewilderment. That two men had entered the house I felt positive, and +the more so from the odd behaviour of Martin and his servant. Who were +they? What did they want? Why had Martin lied about the matter? +These questions, and others like them, kept my brain busily employed, +but to no purpose. I could supply no satisfactory answers, and every +passing moment left me more perplexed. + +It struck me once that Martin was playing the Cardinal false, but this +seemed absurd, and yet---- + +"No, no," I muttered, "he would not dare. Still, there is something +going on with which Mazarin should be made acquainted." + +I did not relish the idea of playing the spy, but I was breaking no +confidence, and, after all, it was necessary to protect one's own +friends. My plan was soon formed. I walked along the narrow street, +waited five minutes at the farther end, and returned cautiously to a +dingy cabaret, from which a good view of the house could be obtained. + +"Now," thought I, "unless my wits are wool-gathering, I am about to +behold a miracle. I am going to see two men leave a place which they +did not enter. Surely this Martin is something more than an +astrologer?" + +For nearly an hour I remained with my eyes fixed on the door, which, +however, remained closed, and I began to feel a trifle discouraged. +What if I had discovered a mare's nest? The important letter was still +in my pocket, and Mazarin would be none too pleased at the delay. +Perhaps it would be best to abandon the enterprise and to return at +once. + +I had almost resolved on this plan when two men strolled past the inn. +Filled with amazement, I rose quickly, and went into the street. The +door of the astrologer's house was shut; in truth it had not been +opened, yet here were my mysterious strangers several yards in front of +me! Rubbing my eyes, I wondered if I had made a second blunder! But +that was impossible, and the idea not worth considering. While I stood +thus, dazed and half-stupefied by the strangeness of the affair, the +men had walked half-way along the street. + +Paris was now fully awake, the shops were open, people were hurrying to +their daily tasks, and the number of persons abroad made it difficult +to keep sight of my quarry. Several times the men stopped, and glanced +behind, as if afraid of being followed, but they did not notice me, +and, after a long roundabout journey, we all reached the Rue St. +Dominique. + +Here the strangers, evidently concluding that caution was no longer +necessary, pushed back their hats and drew their cloaks from their +faces. It was as I had suspected from the first--the tall man was my +cousin Henri, but his companion was unknown to me. Taking a good look, +in order to describe him to Mazarin, I found him to be a short, dark +man, with an ugly face, but beautiful white teeth. His eyes were beady +and restless, he was bandy-legged, and walked with a peculiarly awkward +gait. + +Half-way along the street the two stopped outside a handsome building, +conversed earnestly together for several minutes, and then, ascending +the steps, disappeared. + +"Pouf!" I exclaimed. "What can that little bandy-legged fellow be +doing at the Hotel de Chevreuse? I wager he and my cousin are brewing +some fresh mischief." + +As no good could possibly come from further waiting, I turned away, and +hurried back to the Palais Royal, eager to inform Mazarin of my +discovery, and to get my breakfast. Roland Belloc met me in the +courtyard, and held up a warning finger. + +"You are in disgrace, my friend," said he, gravely; "the Cardinal has +been waiting for you a long time. He has sent out repeatedly in the +last hour to ask if you had returned." + +"He will forgive the delay--I have discovered something of importance." + +Dressed in his ceremonial robes, the Cardinal sat at the table, with an +ominous frown on his face. + +"The letter!" he cried impatiently, directly on my entrance. "Where is +Martin's list? By my faith, M. de Lalande, you do well to keep Her +Majesty waiting a whole hour!" and he took the paper from my hand +somewhat ungraciously. + +The letter apparently contained good news, and the Cardinal, smiling +almost joyously, rose to leave the room. + +"One moment, my Lord," I observed, "I have something to tell you which +may be important." + +"It must stay till after the audience; I cannot keep the Queen waiting +longer. I shall return in an hour or two. Meanwhile Bernouin will see +that you obtain some breakfast," and he summoned his secretary. + +"M. de Lalande has not breakfasted," said he. "I leave him in your +charge. Meanwhile I can see no one. Do you understand?" + +Bernouin, a man of few words, responded by a low bow. + +After partaking of a hearty breakfast, I lay down upon a couch, and, +being thoroughly tired, fell fast asleep, not waking again till towards +the middle of the afternoon, when Bernouin came to say the Cardinal +awaited me. + +Jumping up, I followed the secretary, not wishing to receive a further +reproof from the minister. Pausing at the door, Bernouin gave a +discreet tap, which was answered by Mazarin. + +"M. de Lalande," announced the secretary, and at a sign from the +Cardinal withdrew. + +Mazarin was writing, but, laying down his pen, he motioned me to a seat +opposite him. + +"You have breakfasted, have you not?" he asked. + +"Yes, my Lord, thank you," I replied. + +He smiled affably, and was plainly in good humour--the result perhaps +of his morning's work. Suddenly this mood changed, the frown came back +to his face, and he exclaimed sternly, "I had almost forgotten. Why +were you so long on your errand this morning?" + +"That is what I wished to speak of, your Eminence, but I am confident +you will agree that I acted rightly." + +"I dislike putting the cart before the horse," said he; "the verdict +should follow the evidence. It will be better for you to relate the +story first." + +Picking up his pen again, he sat twisting it between his fingers, but +looking me straight in the face, and listening intently to every word. +He did not once attempt to interrupt, but preserved his patience until +the end. + +"Chut! my dear Martin," said he, when I had finished, just as if the +astrologer were present; "we were mistaken. This young provincial has +eyes in his head after all. M. de Lalande, not a word, not a syllable +of this to any one. Should you babble, the Bastille is not so full but +that it can accommodate another tenant. Now, let us go through the +story again. As you rightly observe, it is most interesting, quite +like a romance. These men were in the house; of that you are sure?" + +I bowed. + +"Very good. And our friend Martin denied having seen them?" + +"He declared I was his first visitor this morning." + +"You did not press the point?" + +"Not at all, my Lord. I considered it better to admit my mistake, and +to allow the subject to drop." + +"In that you did well. You are really learning fast, and I shall find +you of service yet. Now let us proceed. You saw the two men again, +but they did not come out of Martin's house. Are you certain about +that?" + +"I did not once remove my eyes from the door, and it was closed the +whole time." + +"Then you cannot account for the reappearance of these visitors?" + +I shook my head. + +"If my explanation is correct, it throws a light on several queer +things," said Mazarin smiling. "However, that part of the business can +stand over, I am not in a hurry at present. Now as to these cloaked +gentlemen! Did you recognise them?" + +"Only my cousin Henri." + +"Ah, he is a clever fellow, a trifle too clever perhaps. Now describe +his companion to me again." + +"A little man, your Eminence, dark and ugly. An ill-made, awkward, +bow-legged fellow, looking the more ungainly because of his handsome +apparel." + +"The description is not a flattering one!" laughed the Cardinal. "This +ugly little man of yours is no less a person than Jean Paul de Gondi, +Abbe de Retz, Coadjutor of Paris, Archbishop of Corinth, a future +Cardinal--so it is rumoured--and the man who is to fill Mazarin's +office when that unworthy minister has lost his head." + +Dipping his pen in the ink, he wrote an order and handed it to me. + +"For M. Belloc," he said. "In a few hours we shall discover what your +information is worth, but, whatever the result, you have done your part +well." + +Rising from the chair, I bowed and left the room, rather puffed up by +the Cardinal's praise; but disappointed at not having learned the +nature of the secret which I had unearthed. + +Was it possible that Martin had been playing a double game? It +appeared very much like it, and, according to all accounts, De Retz +paid his servants in good money, while those who served the Cardinal +were generally rewarded by empty promises. + +Finding Belloc, I handed him the paper, at which he glanced quickly, +and exclaimed, "More work, my boy, and to be done at once. The +Cardinal's orders are all marked 'Immediate,'" and he went off with a +good-humoured laugh. + +As there was nothing more to detain me at the Palace I returned to my +rooms in the Rue des Catonnes, and, having made myself ready, sat down +by the casement to watch for Raoul. The street was very still and +peaceful that evening, and, while waiting for my friend, my thoughts +roamed over the incidents of the day. As to my own discovery, it did +not engage my attention long. I had done my duty in warning Mazarin, +and for the rest he must look to himself. + +One point, however, caused me a considerable amount of anxiety. The +Cardinal had spoken of Madame Coutance, and in no pleasant way. I knew +very little of the lady, but, as I have said, it vexed me that her +niece's safety should be to some extent in the hands of such a +hare-brained conspirator. + +"She will be doing an extra foolish thing some day," I said to myself, +half asleep and half awake, "and the Cardinal will clap both her and +Marie into the Bastille. I must warn Raoul; he may have some influence +over her." + +"Over whom?" exclaimed a merry voice, and, opening my eyes, I beheld +Raoul himself standing close to me. + +"A good thing for you that the truce still holds," cried he gaily, "or +I could easily have deprived Mazarin of a supporter." + +He laughed again quite merrily, and I laughed too; the idea of Raoul +raising a hand against me seemed so ridiculous. + +"Sit down a minute," I said, "while I explain. The affair is not a +secret," and I repeated Mazarin't remarks to him. + +"You are right, Albert," he exclaimed gravely; "this is a serious +matter, but unfortunately I can do nothing. Madame Coutance grows more +reckless every day, and at present is using all her influence to assist +De Retz. To-morrow perhaps she will join Conde's party, for any side +opposed to Mazarin is good enough for her." + +"Does Marie side with her aunt?" + +"She cannot help herself, though she has no liking for intrigue. But +come, let us take a turn in the city; it will blow the cobwebs out of +our brains." + +We had reached the Pont Neuf when a gaily dressed gallant, calling to +Raoul, caused us to stop. + +"Armand!" exclaimed my comrade in surprise. "I understood you had gone +to the Louvre!" + +"Are you not ashamed to be caught plotting with a _Mazarin_?" + +"Ah! I forgot that you knew M. de Lalande!" + +"Oh, yes," said I, "this gentleman and I are warm friends. He shows me +to my inn, comes to my rooms, and invites me to go with him on his +parties of pleasure." + +Laughing lightheartedly, young D'Arcy took my arm. + +"You rascal!" he cried, "it is fortunate we are at peace, or I should +have to run you through for the honour of the Fronde. You made us the +laughing-stock of Paris." + +I inquired if he had released the prisoner at the inn, on which he gave +us such a comical account of the dwarf's unhappy plight that we could +not keep from laughing aloud. + +"Who was he?" asked Raoul. + +"Pillot the dwarf, the trusty henchman of De Retz." + +"That is awkward for you," said Raoul turning to me. "Pillot is a +cunning rogue, and is now hand in glove with your cousin. Really, +Albert, you must take care of yourself, you have raised up a host of +enemies already." + +"And the Italian cannot save you!" remarked D'Arcy, with a superior +air; "his own downfall is at hand. Alas, my poor friend, I pity you." + +We were still laughing at him when he suddenly exclaimed, "Ah, here is +Lautrec. Tell me, is he not a show picture? I feel almost tempted to +change sides, if only to deck myself out so gorgeously." + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +The Cardinal takes an Evening Walk. + +D'Arcy's acquaintance was one of the _petits maitres_, as Conde's +followers were called, and it was easy to see that he prided himself +immensely on his fine clothes. He was dressed in a coat of dark blue +cloth covered with fine lace; his mantle was scarlet, and his silk +stockings, ornamented with lace, were of the same colour. He wore a +black hat turned up _a la catalane_, and adorned by an enormous black +feather, and his gloves were of a soft, gray buckskin. His scabbard +was picked out with various designs, and jewels shone in the hilt of +the sword. + +"Lautrec, my friend, come here!" cried D'Arcy. "_Ma foi!_ what an +interesting group! Raoul and I for the Duke; Lautrec for Conde, and M. +de Lalande for Mazarin. We only want a friend of De Retz to complete +the party!" + +"What?" cried Lautrec, looking at me with a broad smile, "the hero of +Scarron's poem? The youngster from the country who tricked De Retz? +M. de Lalande, I am delighted to meet you!" + +"We will go to Perret's, and Lautrec shall sing us the famous song +which Scarron wrote on our attempt to abduct the Cardinal," cried +D'Arcy. + +"But," said I in surprise, "it is not possible that the affair is +openly talked about?" + +"Why not? It is of the past. Who cares for yesterday's thunderstorm, +especially when it did no damage? We are all brothers now." + +"But is it safe to introduce a _Mazarin_ at Perret's?" asked Raoul. + +"Have no fear," exclaimed Lautrec, "your young friend will be welcome; +only we shall not tell him our secrets!" and he glanced roguishly at +D'Arcy. + +It seemed rather odd to be on terms of friendship with Mazarin's +enemies, but this was only one of the strange features of this strange +period. No one appeared able to remain serious long; a fight was +followed by a banquet, and your opponent of the morning supped with you +at night. + +Lautrec was correct in saying that no one would molest me at Perret's, +which was a large meeting-room, where we found a score of men, all +young or at least not more than on the threshold of middle age, and all +richly dressed, though none so extravagantly as the _petit maitre_. + +"Messieurs," cried my new acquaintance, "we have brought you an +illustrious visitor. Behold the youth whom Scarron has immortalised! +A _Mazarin_, but a prince of good fellows!" and he clapped me on the +back. + +Had I been one of them they could not have received me in a more +friendly manner, and in a very short time I was completely at my ease. + +"Let us have the song, Lautrec," said D'Arcy, "our friend has not heard +it." + +"Yes, yes, the song!" cried the others, laughing, and Lautrec stood up +to sing the famous song composed by the Abbe Scarron. + +The author had been made acquainted with the principal facts, but my +wonder at this soon gave place to amusement. Mazarin, De Retz, Henri, +myself, and even poor Pillot, were covered with ridicule, and at each +verse the merriment of the audience increased. + +It appeared that my cousin, in order to explain his absence from the +expedition, had given out that his leg was injured by a fall, and when +Lautrec reached that part the whole company screamed with delight. + +"Again Lautrec! Let us have the verse again! Oh the poor cousin +Henri! What a terrible misfortune!" they cried. + +As for me, I lay back in my chair, with the tears running down my +cheeks, and Lautrec, beginning the verse again, the others took it up, +roaring at the tops of their voices, a lament for my cousin's injury. + +In the very midst of the confusion Henri himself opened the door, and +stood in amazement, staring at the mad scene. Lautrec spied him +immediately, and crying, "Ah, here is our dear cousin!" hobbled over to +him on one leg, nursing the other and singing with all his might. +D'Arcy, Raoul and the rest followed, and forming a ring danced round +him like a pack of madmen. I could not help laughing at their antics, +and, to my surprise, Henri, instead of being angry, joined heartily in +the fun. + +"Ah," he cried presently, spying me, "there is the rogue who caused all +the mischief. I' faith, Albert, I did myself an ill turn in advising +you to come to Paris. Well, it is done with now, but I warn you not to +cross our path a second time." + +He spoke in a jesting tone, and laughed loudly, but the look in his +eyes told more than his words, and I guessed that for all his play my +cousin would show me but scant mercy. Still, he was pleasant enough, +and I passed a very agreeable hour in his company. + +Presently Raoul, who was on night duty at the Luxembourg, was obliged +to leave, and I, bidding my new acquaintances adieu, accompanied him. + +"It is a pity you are not coming in," said he, half in jest, half in +earnest, as we stopped at the gates; "we could have such pleasant times +together." + +"With young D'Arcy for a third!" I laughed. "No, no, Raoul; it looks +tempting, but it wouldn't answer. I am not much in love with Mazarin, +but France is safer with him than with your friends. Good-night. +There is Peleton coming this way, and Maubranne with him." + +"And neither of them is your particular friend. Shall I see you +to-morrow evening if the truce lasts as long?" + +"That depends on the Cardinal. If he doesn't require me I will be on +the Pont Neuf at six, but don't stay after that time," and I walked off +quickly, leaving Raoul to enter the courtyard of the palace a little +before Peleton and the baron. + +The next day Mazarin was invisible to every one except his secretary, +but in the afternoon a note bearing his seal was brought to me in my +room. Opening it hastily, I read the contents with a feeling of +disappointment, as they did away altogether with any chance of a +pleasant evening with Raoul. + +"You will attend me, well armed and cloaked, at seven o'clock this +evening." + +"What is in the wind now?" I muttered. "It seems that we have to go +outside the Palace at all events. Perhaps the adventure has something +to do with my discovery at Martin's house. I pity the astrologer if he +has made an enemy of Mazarin." + +Serving the Cardinal had at least taught me the value of being +punctual, and at seven o'clock precisely I presented myself at the door +of his apartment. The Cardinal was dressed like a simple citizen, but +over his black mantle he had thrown a long gray cloak, with a portion +of which he could muffle his face. His first words filled me with +surprise, and, for the moment, with alarm also. + +"So your cousin did not appear angry last night at the trick you played +him?" he remarked in his broken French; "but you must be careful, I +hear he is not over well pleased." + +"It seems to me that your Eminence hears everything," I replied +bluntly, as soon as my feeling of surprise would allow me to speak. + +Putting on his hat, he said with a smile, "To-night, thanks to you, I +am going to hear something interesting. Evidently you were born under +a lucky star, and I was fortunate in securing your services. Take care +of yourself, my friend, for according to the stars our fortunes are +bound up together." + +It surprised me that so clever a man should believe that the stars had +any influence over our lives, but I did not speak my thoughts, though +likely enough he knew them, for he could read one's mind like a printed +book. + +"Come," said he at length; "this way; it is not necessary to advise +every one that the Cardinal is about to walk in the city." + +Raising the tapestry, he passed into a small corridor, where the +faithful Bernouin awaited him. + +"Has Belloc made all his arrangements?" asked Mazarin. + +"Yes, your Eminence; everything is as you ordered." + +"That is well. You will stay up till our return. I am not likely to +require more help, but--in case of accidents--here is a signed order +for Ferre to turn out the Guards. Do not use it, however, unless it is +absolutely necessary." + +The secretary bowed, and Mazarin conducted me by a private staircase, +the very existence of which was known only to a few people, to the +courtyard of the Palace. + +"You do not ask where we are going," said he, as we walked along. + +"It is not my business, your Eminence," I answered, but I could not +help reflecting that Mazarin did not know himself. If the groups of +citizens had guessed who my companion was, it is likely that his +evening walk would have come to a sudden end. + +Now, I have heard Mazarin called a coward who would faint at the sight +of blood, but those who said these things spoke without knowledge. +Being a man of peace, he disliked bloodshed, but many a boasting +gallant would have held back from dangers which the Cardinal faced +without hesitation. + +On this eventful night he strolled quietly along, brushing shoulders +with men who would gladly have slain him, and displaying no sign of +nervousness. At the corner of the Pont Neuf he actually stopped to +listen to the conversation of some citizens who were holding a kind of +open-air parliament, and settling the affairs of the kingdom to their +liking. + +One fellow especially, dressed like a prosperous shopkeeper, was +exceedingly loud in describing his plan to do away with the troubles, +and I must admit that the first part of his remedy--the hanging of +Mazarin--met with the hearty approval of the crowd. + +"A beggarly foreigner!" said one. + +"A miserable Italian priest!" + +"A grasping, covetous miser!" + +"He fancies that the French people were made for the purpose of keeping +his nieces like princesses!" + +"Well, that is settled!" interrupted the first speaker. "Then, after +hanging Mazarin, I would put the Queen in a convent--she has done the +country enough mischief." + +"That's a grand idea," exclaimed one of the group. "How can a woman +rule a country? And, besides, Anne of Austria is only a foreigner!" + +I marvelled that Mazarin continued to listen to such stuff, especially +as he was risking his life, but he seemed in no hurry to depart, and, +indeed, craned his neck forward quite eagerly. + +"Next," continued the orator, "we shall require a new regent until the +little King is able to take the reins into his own hands." + +"True," interrupted one of his listeners, "and who better than the Duke +of Orleans?" + +"Pouf! Gaston is no use! He blows hot and cold with the same breath. +He would send the Queen to a convent, and alter his mind while they +were unlocking the gates. No, my friends, we need a man with a strong +arm and a stout heart; a leader whom the soldiers love; a general whom +the Spaniards fear; a prince of the blood who would make France great, +powerful, glorious; the hero of Locroi and Lens, the finest soldier in +the world, the great Conde." + +The orator finished amidst an outburst of cheering, which was renewed +again and again, till hundreds of people were shouting for Conde. + +"It is certain," said the Cardinal, turning to me, "that you bring me +luck. I will chance another turn of the wheel. Go to that man and +tell him the Duc de La Rochefoucauld says he has done splendidly, but +that he must not bear so hard on Gaston. Mind that you watch his face +closely. I will stay for you yonder in the shadow of the buttress." + +Why the Cardinal gave me this strange order I could not guess, but it +was none of my business, so, taking the orator aside, I delivered the +message word for word. The man's eyes sparkled with joy; he begged me +to thank the Duke, and to add that he would remember the hint +concerning Gaston of Orleans. More hopelessly perplexed than ever, I +returned to Mazarin, and related what had passed, on which he smiled +with a satisfied air, and hurried me away. + +"A clever rogue whose master should not begrudge him his wages!" he +said with a quiet chuckle, "though he has made one grave mistake +to-night. But what extraordinary luck! Surely my star must be in the +ascendant! Ah, Martin, my friend, one need not necessarily be an +astrologer to foretell the future." + +From this speech I gathered two pieces of information. First, that we +were on our way to the astrologer's, and second that our visit was in +some way mixed up with the knowledge I had already obtained. The scene +on the Pont Neuf I did not understand. The Black Mantle who had +stirred up the people on behalf of Conde could be no friend to Mazarin, +yet the Cardinal had sent me to him with a most astounding message. +Then again, every one knew that La Rochefoucauld was Conde's righthand +man, but he was supposed to be far away from Paris. + +Ah! That gave me a clue, and I looked at Mazarin in amazed wonder. +How clever he was! From a hint here and a word there he had discovered +that a huge plot was on foot. I did not know the truth till later, but +it may as well be set down here. + +The Cardinal's enemies found they could accomplish nothing without +Conde, but that prince and his brother were in prison. After a great +deal of talk it was decided that La Rochefoucauld should visit Paris +and stir up the people to demand Conde's release. The Black Mantle on +the bridge was no ordinary citizen, but an agent paid by the prince's +friends, and Mazarin by his mock message had gone right to the heart of +the secret. + +This successful stroke had put him in the best of humours, and from +time to time he laughed quietly to himself as if enjoying some rich +joke. Everywhere the crowd was cheering for Conde, and threatening to +hang Mazarin, but my companion proceeded calmly on his journey. + +"Through the Rue Croquin," said he presently; "it may be quieter in +that direction, and I wish to think." + +Unfortunately, about half-way along the street a mob of people, among +whom were several Black Mantles, had gathered round a man who offered +for sale copies of a song he was singing. He was a sturdy knave with a +deep voice, and he sang so lustily that it was impossible to avoid +hearing every word. + +These songs poured continually from the printing-presses of the +Frondeurs, who thought, and perhaps rightly, that an ink-bottle could +work more harm than a cannon. Many were witty and laughable, but this +one was merely a string of vulgar abuse of the Queen-Mother. + +"_Peste_," said I, losing my temper, "these hawkers are becoming too +impudent." + +"A _Mazarin_!" cried the man next to me. "Down with the _Mazarin_!" + +"A fig for Mazarin! He is a man and can defend himself, but Anne of +Austria is not only a Queen but a woman. I say shame on the Frenchmen +who will let a woman be insulted." + +"Monsieur is right," exclaimed one of the Black Mantles quickly; +"though I bear no good-will to Anne of Austria." + +The speaker who had thus interfered possessed a certain amount of +influence; the crowd, instead of rushing forward, remained still; the +mutterings died away, and some one, seizing the hawker's papers, +trampled them in the mud, and shouted, "Down with Mazarin! Live the +Queen!" + +Others responded, and, pleased with the new cry, ran off yelling +lustily, "Down with Mazarin! Live the Queen!" while the miserable +singer, a victim to the fickleness of popular favour, slunk away, +muttering beneath his breath. + +I do not know how the Cardinal felt at being mixed up in such an +adventure, but he behaved like a man of spirit, and stood close at my +side throughout the whole affair. + +"_Ma foi!_" said he, as we moved on again, "you are not an over-prudent +companion. Suppose one of those fellows had plucked at my cloak? I +fancy both the Cardinal and his servant would have received but short +shrift." + +"We should have died for the Queen, my Lord!" + +Mazarin shrugged his shoulders and answered drily, "I prefer my friends +to live. It is my _enemies_ who should get themselves killed. But +listen!" and from a distance came a tremendous roar of "Down with +Mazarin! Live the Queen!" + +"It is strange," muttered the Cardinal, "how these people will cheer +for every one but me, yet I have done them more good than all the +others put together. But come, unless the stars play me false, these +same folk shall raise my name as high as the rest." + +"Till the wind blows from a fresh quarter," I muttered, watching the +hawker; and, indeed, it seemed to me that Mazarin, though a shrewd man, +was striving for an empty honour. + +However, there was little leisure for thinking just then; we walked on +rapidly, turning to the right at the end of the Rue Croquin, and made +our way through several side streets which were nearly deserted. After +a long roundabout journey we approached the neighbourhood where Martin +lived, when suddenly an officer whom I recognised as Roland Belloc +stepped out from a hiding place. + +"Have you posted your soldiers?" asked Mazarin quietly. + +"Every avenue is guarded. No one can enter or leave the street +unchallenged." + +"The men are well out of sight?" + +"It would take your Eminence a long time to discover them!" replied the +veteran warrior smiling. + +"That is well. People who saw them might be curious. There is nothing +fresh going on yonder?" and he waved his hand in the direction of +Martin's house. + +"No, except that we arrived just in time to see Pillot going away." + +"Did you secure him?" + +"No, my Lord; I had no orders to detain him." + +"Chut!" exclaimed Mazarin testily, "you should have acted without +orders. By the way, did you know that La Rochefoucauld is in Paris? +The game grows very exciting," and he laughed softly at Belloc's +astonishment. + +"We must strike at once," said the old soldier. + +"On the contrary, we will wait till the blow will do the most mischief. +That is why I shall spare the good Martin--for a time. Now I am going +to pay my visit. There is not much chance of danger, but if the +unexpected happens, why, in that case, a Cardinal's life is worth more +than that of an astrologer. Eh? my trusty Belloc?" + +"Perhaps it will be as well for me to accompany you," said the soldier. +"M. de Lalande, here, is a trusty fellow, but after all he is only a +boy, and if----" + +"The danger, if there be any, will come from the outside," interrupted +the Cardinal. "Let your men keep strict watch, and we will take care +of ourselves. Come;" and while Belloc slipped into a doorway, we +turned the corner and crossed to that side of the street on which the +astrologer's house stood. + +Using his private signal Mazarin knocked boldly at the door; the window +above us opened, and the servant, finding who his master's visitors +were, hurried to let us in. The bolts were hastily shot back, the bars +lowered, and then the door was thrown open by the obsequious porter, +who stood bowing almost to the ground. Several lanterns suspended +along the wall shed a dim light through the passage, and a second man, +bearing another lantern, hastily came forward to conduct us. + +I could not help thinking as we stepped inside, how completely the +astrologer held Mazarin in his power! + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +The Plot is Discovered. + +"Is your master at home?" asked the Cardinal. + +"He is, my Lord," replied the man with a low bow; "but he is unwell, +and has retired to rest." + +"Ah, my poor Martin, what a misfortune! but lead the way; he will +doubtless make an effort to receive an old friend like myself." + +While one servant made the door fast, the other went forward with the +lantern, and we followed; the Cardinal, a trifle uneasy, glancing +keenly from side to side, as if half expecting to meet with some +lurking enemy. Everything, however, seemed as usual. The lower part +of the house was empty save for a woman cooking some savoury dish, and +she took not the slightest notice of us. + +The fellow with the lantern opened the door of the astrologer's room, +and, lighting several wax candles, requested us to be seated while he +informed his master of our presence. + +As soon as he had gone, Mazarin ordered me to explore the part screened +by the curtains, which I did, sword in hand. + +"These conspirators are so crafty," he murmured, "that they make one +cautious even in the house of a friend like the worthy Martin." + +"The room is empty, your Eminence." + +"Ah," said he with a sigh of relief, "then we can look forward with an +untroubled mind to meeting our kind host," and, laying aside his hat +and cloak, he sat down. + +In a short time the astrologer entered the room. He had put on +dressing-gown and slippers, and was wearing his black skull-cap. His +face, always pale, had become white, there was a constant twitching at +the corners of his mouth, and the gray eyes I had thought so calm and +powerful, fell beneath the keen gaze of the Cardinal. In spite of his +treachery, I pitied the man, and almost found it in my heart to wish I +had not observed my cousin and his companion enter the house. + +Mazarin, fondling his beard, smiled pleasantly, and begged his host in +such soft cooing tones to be seated, that Martin threw off the +half-alarmed expression his face had worn. + +"So you have been ill, my friend? _Per Baccho_! One can see it in +your face. Ah, now I can breathe more freely and laugh at my fears." + +I was standing between the table and the door, but in such a position +as to be able to watch the old man's face. + +"Fears, my lord?" he murmured questioningly. + +"Yes, yes, I was foolish enough to doubt your--vigilance." + +He purposely made a long pause between the last two words, during which +Martin sat like a man waiting to be hanged; then he recovered himself +and actually smiled. + +"Something has happened without my knowledge," said he briskly. + +"Without your knowledge, truly, my dear Martin, or you would have sent +me word. As it is, I have to inform you that Paris has had a +distinguished visitor." + +Martin went deathly pale again and murmured, "Surely it cannot be----" + +"Oh, no," interrupted Mazarin, smiling, "the Prince still occupies his +prison at Havre. But La Rochefoucauld is here to represent him. If +you go into the city you will hear the people crying for the release of +Conde. They are not aware how comfortable he is. But you will not go!" + +"Why not, my lord?" + +"Because I have need of you. We must put our heads together, and +unravel the mysteries of this plot. The matter is serious; all my +enemies seem to be in league. Come now, do you fancy De Retz has been +bought?" + +I really felt sorry for the poor wretch with whom the Cardinal thus +played as a cat plays with a mouse. + +"De Retz?" he stammered. "I should think it very likely; the others +could accomplish nothing without him, because he controls the mob." + +"It is very unfortunate. You are aware he wishes to become a Cardinal, +and now he will lose his chance. The red hat would have suited him +well, but I must give it to Riviere, the bosom friend of Orleans. But +perhaps even the Duke has been gained? What do you think, my dear +Martin?" and the purring cat suddenly became a hissing serpent. + +The unhappy astrologer bent his head. + +"They must have secured him," he gasped like a man choking. "They +would not dare to move without his support." + +"And the king of the markets?" asked Mazarin, who thus scornfully +referred to the Duke of Beaufort. + +"He has powerful friends. His help would be valuable if there really +is a conspiracy." + +Leaning back in his chair, Mazarin stroked his beard thoughtfully. +Presently he began to purr, a sure sign that he had regained his +composure. + +"This union (which he pronounced _onion_) of parties is very touching," +said he, "yet in the interests of His Majesty it must be broken up," +and he looked so fixedly at Martin that the latter was compelled to +meet his gaze. + +"How say you?" he continued, "would that little monkey of a priest rise +to the bait of a Cardinal's hat?" + +"It is probable, my Lord! That is, if the hat were a real one," at +which Mazarin laughed loudly. + +"_Per Baccho!_" exclaimed he, "we would not attempt to deceive so +skilful a plotter. Then that is settled! A cardinal's hat for De +Retz, and you shall make him our offer. But he must accept quickly; in +twenty-four hours it will be too late. I am sorry to drag you from +your sick bed, but the King's interests are above all." + +"Come," thought I, "it promises to turn out not so badly. Mazarin must +be a good fellow in the main, to let the astrologer off so lightly." + +Martin, too, shared my satisfaction, especially when the Cardinal rose +as if to depart. But the play-acting was not yet finished. I was +moving towards the door when Mazarin suddenly sat down again. + +"I had almost forgotten," said he softly, "and yet it is very +important. I am about to set you a difficult task, my friend! no one +else could do it, but then you are so wonderfully clever. Sit down and +write a list of all those likely to have joined in this plot--men and +women--the powerful and the insignificant; do not leave out one. And +if you can make a guess what each has promised the other, put that in +also. It will be interesting to see if our guesses are alike." + +Still Martin did not break down, but his voice was very unsteady as he +replied, "You over-rate my powers, my Lord, it would be impossible to +do as you wish." + +"You may have some papers which will help you," said Mazarin quietly. +"Look them over, my friend, I can wait." + +At that the wretched man's courage forsook him, and, realising that his +treachery was discovered, he flung himself at Mazarin's feet, crying, +"Pardon me, Monseigneur, and you shall be told everything, but I have +not the papers." + +"Who has them?" + +"Madame Coutance! She promised to obtain the signature of the King's +uncle." + +"That woman mixes herself up in everything," exclaimed Mazarin, +irritably, "and does more harm by her folly than De Retz can manage by +his scheming. She must be kept quiet for a month or two. De Lalande, +ask M. Belloc to station a carriage, six troopers, and a spare horse at +the corner of the Rue Crillon, and to remain there till he receives +fresh orders." + +I bowed, and leaving the room, hurried downstairs, where one of the men +undid the fastenings of the door. + +"Do not replace the bar till my return," I said, "I shall be away a +short time only." + +Belloc, who was watching from his hiding-place, perceived me +immediately, and crossed the street. + +"What is it?" he asked anxiously. "Has anything gone wrong?" + +"No," said I, and delivered Mazarin's message. + +"Rue Crillon?" he exclaimed. "That is where Madame Coutance lives." + +"She is mixed up in the plot which Mazarin has discovered. I am sorry +for her niece." + +"Mazarin will do the maid no harm," exclaimed the old soldier. "I have +always found his bark worse than his bite. Are you sure that he is +quite safe yonder?" + +"Everything appears as usual." + +"Still, in case you are sent on another message, it will be as well +that the Cardinal has some protection," and he gave a private signal +which quickly brought two soldiers to our side. + +"You are under the orders of M. de Lalande," he exclaimed, and, leaving +me to return to the house, hurried off. + +"Affairs go well," said the Cardinal briskly, as I entered the room, +"and the credit is yours, M. de Lalande. But for your sharp eyes I +might have failed to get on the track of this conspiracy against the +King. There is one thing more for you to do. Take this note to Madame +Coutance in the Rue Crillon. It is a request by our dear Martin that +she will give up the papers relating to the plot. You will pass them +to M. Belloc with orders to bring them here at once." + +"Suppose the lady refuses to surrender them, my Lord?" + +"You will search her room, while this _lettre de cachet_ will secure +her a lodging in the Bastille. If, on the other hand, she has the good +sense to yield quietly, you will simply escort her to her chateau. The +carriage will be in readiness." + +I told him of the soldiers stationed in the corridor, and once more +left the house. The night was growing late, and the streets, in spite +of the _falots_ filled with burning pitch, and the dingy lamps +suspended by chains passing from one side of the road to the other, +were almost in darkness. + +But Paris was wide awake and unduly excited. Swarms of people of the +lowest class, unkempt, ragged, and frowsy, but all armed in some +fashion, were prowling around intent on mischief, and cheering for De +Retz. Bands of Black Mantles, grave and preoccupied as became owners +of property, guarded the shops, in dread equally of the _canaille_ and +the nobles. + +These last swaggered about showing off their finery, singing noisily, +and occasionally compelling the passers-by to cheer for Conde. Now and +again a coach, preceded by lackeys bearing flambeaux, would roll by, +conveying ladies of distinction to or from some brilliant assembly. + +At the corner of the Rue Crillon I looked for M. Belloc, but some time +passed before he appeared, and then I could see nothing of a carriage. + +"In the yard of the 'Plume of Feathers,'" said he, in answer to my +question; "it would attract too much attention standing here. Paris is +in a turmoil to-night. I do not like the signs. The people are +restless without knowing why, though there is some talk of Conde's +returning." + +"The Cardinal has first to unlock the door," I replied, at which the +old warrior smiled grimly, thinking such a proceeding on Mazarin's part +very unlikely. + +"Why is the carriage required?" he asked. + +"To convey Madame Coutance either to the Bastille or to her own place +at Aunay. It is a troublesome business," and I explained just what my +orders were. + +"Better get it over at once," he suggested, "it will be none the +pleasanter for delay;" so, putting a bold face on the matter, I walked +to the door of the house, and inquired for Madame Coutance. + +"She is not at home, monsieur," replied the porter. "Both the ladies +went out early this evening with Madame de Chevreuse." + +I put several further questions, but the porter was either a very +stupid man or a very faithful servant--he knew nothing, and I had to +retire baffled. + +"They will return soon," said my companion, when I rejoined him, +"unless madame has received a hint of her danger." + +"That is hardly probable! Even Mazarin had no suspicion until an hour +ago. But he will begin to wonder if anything has gone wrong." + +At the end of half an hour a carriage drew up before the door, and +Marie and her aunt descended. They stood for a moment on the top of +the steps, and then, as the vehicle passed on, entered the house. + +Leaving our post of observation, we crossed the road, and the servant, +showing us into an ante-room, went to announce my name. + +"Get it over quickly," whispered M. Belloc, as the man returned. "Most +likely there will be a few tears, but you must not mind those." + +I did not feel particularly happy as I followed the servant along the +corridor. The errand was far from my liking, and I would rather have +stormed a breach; but, as I ate Mazarin's bread, it was my duty to obey +his orders. + +The ladies were seated in a small but luxuriously appointed room, and +Madame Coutance welcomed me with embarrassing warmth. + +"The hour is somewhat late," she said, "but I expect the Cardinal keeps +your time fully occupied. You do not favour us with much of your +company." + +"I am very unwilling to be here now," I blurted out, not knowing what +else to say. "The fact is, I have come on an unwelcome errand," and, +producing Martin's note, added, "that will explain the object of my +visit." + +I scarcely dared glance at Marie, who remained very still while her +aunt was reading. + +M. Belloc had warned me to expect a few tears, but, instead of weeping, +Madame Coutance launched into an angry speech against Mazarin, whom she +called a wicked and infamous man, and concluded by a blunt refusal to +surrender any papers whatever. + +"But," I suggested feebly, being overwhelmed by her torrent of words, +"you have no choice in the matter, madame. Unless you give me this +list of your own free will, my orders are to lodge you in the Bastille, +and to search your rooms." + +"And if my aunt yields the papers?" asked Marie, who, I fancy, was +rather alarmed at the mention of the Bastille. + +"In that case, mademoiselle, the affair ends with a trip to Aunay. A +carriage is outside, and in ten minutes we leave for one place or the +other." + +"Come, _ma chere_," said the girl soothingly, "you must submit. Life +in the Bastille cannot be nearly as pleasant as at Aunay." + +Madame Coutance opened a desk which stood in a corner of the tiny room, +and drew out a roll of paper. + +"There is what your master wants!" she exclaimed angrily, "but let him +take care; it will be our turn soon." + +"Do you accompany us to Aunay?" asked Marie. + +"Yes, with an escort of troopers; for all the world as if you were two +desperate prisoners. I am really sorry, but perhaps you will object +less to me than to some rough soldier." + +"Indeed we shall," she replied. "When do we start?" + +"As soon as madame is ready," I answered. "The Cardinal likes not +delay." + +"In an hour then, though I do not care for travelling by night." + +"The carriage is roomy and comfortable; there is no danger, and perhaps +you will be able to sleep on the journey." + +Bowing to the ladies, I rejoined Belloc, who was waiting impatiently in +the ante-room. + +"Well?" he exclaimed. + +"It is all right. Here is the paper, and we leave for Aunay in an +hour. I am not looking forward with any pleasure to the journey, I can +assure you!" + +"You are obeying orders," said he, taking the paper. "Now I must +return to the Cardinal; and, by the by, take care of yourself! The +troopers will be sufficient protection against robbers, but, should you +meet with any of Conde's friends, you may have to fight." + +"I hope not, at least until the ladies are safely disposed of." + +Wishing me good-bye, he walked away at a rapid pace, while I, glad of +the chance to divert my thoughts, paid a visit to the inn. The +troopers, who were in charge of a grizzled sergeant, had dismounted, +and were amusing themselves in a small room looking into the courtyard. +The sergeant saluted, listened respectfully to my order, and +accompanied me to inspect the carriage and horses. + +"Are we going far, monsieur?" + +"Two or three days' journey. I hope you can depend on your men? The +ride may not be altogether a holiday jaunt." + +"I chose them myself, monsieur. They would as soon fight as eat, and +have all been in many a rough scrimmage." + +"They may be in another before long!" said I, remembering M. Belloc's +words; and then, bidding him have all in readiness, I returned to the +house, wishing that Mazarin had entrusted this particular commission to +any but myself. + +Yet, after all, the Cardinal had acted very generously. There was +really no great hardship in being sent to one's country seat, and I +suspected that Marie would rather enjoy the change. As to her aunt, +she would find it irksome, being a woman who could not live without +excitement of some sort. + +Presently the carriage rumbled to the door, and jumping up, I hurried +into the hall, nearly falling over the servants, who were carrying rugs +and shawls and various packages to the main entrance. When the parcels +were stowed away, I stepped forward to assist the ladies into the +coach, but Madame Coutance, who was still very sulky, haughtily +declined my proffered help. However, I saw them safely in, had the +leathern coverings let down to exclude the night air, posted the +troopers in front of the carriage, mounted the spare horse--a splendid +animal by the way--and gave the word for the gate St. Denis. + +It was fortunate that the ladies had prevented an earlier start. +Although late, numerous citizens were still abroad, and their curiosity +made them troublesome. Twice the troopers were compelled to clear a +way for the coach by force, and, had the streets been more crowded, we +should never have reached the gate. + +"Down with Mazarin! To the lamp-post with the _Mazarins_!" yelled the +people, but at sight of the grim sergeant and his stalwart troopers +their courage oozed away. These night-birds were mostly followers of +De Retz, but occasionally we met with a swaggering young noble or two +wearing the colours of the great Conde. + +At the gate we were stopped by the officer on duty, who refused to let +us pass, quoting an order from the Duke of Orleans to prevent all +persons from leaving the city. Even after inspecting my papers, which +were signed by the Queen, he hesitated, declaring the Duke's commands +were strict. + +"As you please," said I, "only remember that Gaston of Orleans is not +King yet, and you will be guilty of the crime of high treason. Unless +the gates are opened within five minutes, I shall return to the Palais +Royal." + +The officer was a brave man, and had he served any other master would +doubtless have stood his ground, but no one could depend on Gaston. As +likely as not, if any trouble arose, the Duke would throw over his own +servant, and expose him to the vengeance of Mazarin. + +"Come," I said, when half the time had passed, "which is it to be? +Will you take your orders from the Queen or from the Duke?" + +At the last minute, though still grumbling, he permitted us to continue +the journey, and the coach passed outside the city walls. For several +miles we rode forward slowly, till the dawn of another day began to +appear in the sky; then we quickened the pace, as I was anxious to get +as far away from Paris as possible. It was scarcely likely that any +one would attempt a rescue, but so many foolish things were done in +those days that I did not feel at all secure. + +The road along which we travelled was lonely and deserted, the country +looked very desolate, and even after the sun had risen there were few +people to be observed abroad. At that time I did not know what I +afterwards learned, that our route lay through a district which had +been swept bare again and again by the horrors of war. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +I Meet with an Exciting Adventure. + +About nine o'clock we came to a country inn where I decided to halt, +and the troopers, well pleased at the prospect of refreshment, +proceeded to stable the horses, while the hostess showed madame and her +niece into the best room of the house. The arrival of such a large +party caused some consternation, but the host and his servants bustled +about cheerfully, and the soldiers were soon sitting down to a rough +but abundant meal. + +Having seen them satisfactorily settled, I was debating whether to +intrude myself on the ladies or not, when the innkeeper informed me +that they desired to see me. Accordingly, after speaking a word to the +sergeant, I went upstairs, and entered the room where they sat at table. + +Madame Coutance, who shortly before had sulked like a spoiled child, +had now regained her good humour, and received me with smiles. + +"Come, Sir Gaoler, it is not polite to keep your guests waiting," she +exclaimed, and I excused myself on the ground of being uncertain +whether my presence would be agreeable. + +"Certainly! we require you as a taster. The Duke of Beaufort was +allowed one at Vincennes, and you would not count him of more +consequence than two ladies?" + +"I' faith!" I exclaimed, glancing at the viands, "if I am to play that +part, there will be little for those who come after me. The night's +ride has given me a wolf's appetite!" + +"In that case," said Marie laughing, "we will be our own tasters. Sit +down, Albert, and let us begin." + +For some reason best known to herself, or perhaps for no reason at all, +Madame Coutance had become reconciled to the situation. I was received +into favour again. We laughed and joked merrily, and resumed the +journey in the best of good humour. The leathern coverings were +fastened back, and I rode beside the open carriage more as an attendant +cavalier than as the officer of an escort. This was far more agreeable +to me, though I found it rather awkward to answer some of the questions +which madame asked concerning the Cardinal. + +"It is a pity the plot was discovered," she said; "in a day or two at +the outside Mazarin would have been lost." + +"Conde is still in prison," I remarked meaningly. + +"He will soon be free. The people are rising, and Mazarin will not +dare to keep him in captivity. Ah, my friend, the tables will be +turned then!" + +"I wish these useless squabbles were at an end," said Marie. + +"Have patience, child," exclaimed her aunt, "all will come right in +time," and, turning to me, she added, "how long am I expected to remain +at Aunay?" + +"The Cardinal mentioned a month or two." + +"Good faith!" she exclaimed with a toss of her head, "the Cardinal will +be over the borders before then!" + +"It may be so," I admitted, not anxious to dispute the point. + +We were still several miles from Aunay, when the sergeant, who rode +with two men in the rear, trotted forward briskly, and reining up my +horse, I waited for the soldier to speak. + +"Are we likely to be pursued, monsieur?" asked he. + +"It is just possible. Why?" + +"Because there are a score of horsemen on our track. Pierre, who has +keen sight, declares they are cavaliers, young bloods most likely, from +Paris." + +In a few minutes they came within sight, and, as they approached more +closely, I recognised that Pierre's description was correct. They +certainly were not ordinary soldiers, and the only doubt remaining was +whether they were friends or foes. + +The grizzled sergeant decided the question for me. + +"Frondeurs, monsieur," he announced with the utmost coolness. + +"Then they intend to rescue our prisoners. Can we throw them off?" + +"We can try, monsieur, but they will probably overtake us in ten +minutes." + +"Then we must fight, though the odds are terribly against us." + +"As monsieur pleases; we have only to obey orders," and without another +word he recalled the soldiers who were in advance. + +"What is it?" cried Madame Coutance, excitedly, as I returned to the +carriage, "what has happened?" + +"Nothing as yet," I answered smiling; "but some of your party have +followed us from Paris. For what purpose I leave you to guess." + +She clapped her hands and laughed like a child; it just suited her to +be the central figure in any kind of adventure. + +"A rescue!" she cried. "Marie, do you hear? Our brave cavaliers think +we are being dragged to prison, and have come to rescue us. Ah, the +fine fellows! How vexed Mazarin will be! Perhaps he imagined I had no +friends!" + +"Their folly can only do harm, madame," I replied. + +"Chut! what absurdity! It is a rich joke, and Scarron shall make a +song about it. How they will laugh when I explain that we are going to +Aunay and not to prison!" + +During this conversation Marie, had remained silent, but now in a low +voice she asked, "Are there many, Albert?" + +"A score, perhaps," I replied; "but do not be alarmed. As your aunt +says, they will probably regard the venture as a rich joke. Now I must +go to my men," and I ordered the coachman to drive on rapidly. + +The six troopers rode three abreast behind the coach, which rattled +along swiftly, while the sergeant and I followed. Each instant brought +our pursuers nearer, and it soon became evident that they were able to +ride us down. + +"Pardon, monsieur," said the sergeant, "but if there is to be a fight +we had better get it over. At present we are only spoiling our horses." + +"True," I replied, and called on the troopers to halt. + +The cavaliers were advancing at a gallop. Foremost of the throng rode +my cousin Henri and Baron Maubranne, while close in their rear pressed +Peleton, and half a dozen horsemen with whose features I was +unacquainted. Behind these again came several men whom I had met at +Perret's--Armand d'Arcy, Lautrec, and finally, Raoul. + +The sword trembled in my hand, and my heart sank on recognising Raoul. +How could I fight against the staunch comrade who had always been +dearer to me than a brother? It was impossible. For the sake of our +friendship I must endeavour to avert a struggle. + +The Frondeurs, I gladly believe, would have listened to reason but for +Peleton and Baron Maubranne, who, with raised swords, rushed at me, +yelling "Down with the _Mazarin_!" + +In self-defence I was compelled to parry their blows, and Peleton, +lunging rather wildly, received the point of my sword in his chest. At +this the cavaliers, headed by Maubranne, charged us in a body, but my +troopers withstood the shock manfully, and the baron rolled to the +ground. + +At the first clash of swords all thoughts of peace took wing; the +intoxication of the fight got into our blood, and made us reckless. +Spurring into the throng, I called on my men, who attacked with such +zest that the cavaliers began to give way. + +Henri, however, quickly rallied them; the fight was renewed with +increased fury, and the air was filled with the clatter of steel and +the shouts of the combatants. + +[Illustration: "The air was filled with the clatter of steel."] + +The old sergeant had not praised his men without cause. They were +seasoned soldiers, hard and tough as iron, and without the least sense +of fear. Fighting was their trade, and they were masters of the craft. + +As for myself, I could ride, and handle a sword, but this was my first +experience of a fight. I forgot the lessons in sword-play my father +had taught me, and struck out wildly, hitting right and left. I saw +D'Arcy's smiling face go down before me, felt Lautrec's sword pierce my +arm, and then came directly in front of Raoul. + +As it chanced I was able to stay my hand at the very moment of +striking, but Raoul, poor lad, had not the same good fortune, and, just +as I lowered my weapon, his sword passed through my body. I am an old +man now, but I can still see the look of horror on his face, and hear +his cry of anguish. I remember smiling at him feebly and trying to +speak; then the fading daylight vanished, and with the darkness came +unconsciousness. + +The next thing I can remember was Raoul asking some one if I should +die. Not being able to see him I stretched out my hand, and he, +bending over me, spoke my name softly. + +"My men?" I whispered faintly. + +"They are all living! Do you know who I am?" + +"Yes. Raoul." + +"If you do not go away, M. Beauchamp, you will kill my patient." + +This was said in a voice soft and sweet as a child's, and I concluded +the speaker was a doctor. Raoul made some reply, but I could not +understand his words, and gradually my sense of hearing failed +altogether. For weeks I lay hovering between life and death, and when +at length I was able to look about me and realise something of what +went on, I was painfully weak and helpless. + +Thrice every day there came into my room a tall, grave, white-bearded +man, who sometimes smiled kindly, but more often shook his head in a +sorrowful manner. And always, throughout the day and night, there sat +by my bedside a grief-stricken youth who tended me with the utmost +care. This youth, so sad and melancholy, was Raoul, but Raoul so +altered as to be scarcely recognisable. For hours he would sit +motionless as a statue, then, rising gently, he would give me the +medicine according to the doctor's orders, or smooth the tumbled pillow +which I was helpless to re-arrange for myself. + +One morning, waking after a long sleep, I felt considerably better. My +comrade sat as usual beside the bed, but, wearied by the night watch, +his head had sunk on his breast, and he had fallen asleep. I half +turned to look at him more closely, but at the first movement he +started up wide awake. + +"Raoul!" I whispered. + +"Albert!" + +"It is all right, old friend; I shall get on now." + +Grasping my hand, which lay outside the coverlet, he pressed it gently, +and, kneeling down, gave thanks to God for this first step in my +recovery. + +"Amen to that," said I. "And now, my dear Raoul, tell me the news. +Remember that I am ignorant of everything." + +"First let me hear you say that you forgive me." + +"Forgive you, old comrade? _Peste!_ there is nothing to forgive. Is +it your fault that I am the less skilful hand with the sword?" + +"That is nonsense," he replied slowly. "You could have killed me, but +you refused to strike." + +"Friendship stayed my arm in time." + +"But not mine!" + +"Then after all I am the more skilful swordsman!" + +"I nearly killed you," he said, and his lip quivered. + +"But not quite. Let us forget all about it." + +From that morning I began to regain strength, and could soon converse +with Raoul without fatigue. From him I learned that the safety of the +troopers was due to Marie, who, leaving the carriage, and running to +the scene of the fight, had called upon the Frondeurs to sheathe their +swords. + +"Two of your men were wounded, though not seriously," said Raoul; +"young D'Arcy received a nasty cut; Maubranne was picked up insensible, +and Peleton will not forget you for some time." + +"But for him and Maubranne, there need not have been a fight." + +"They have a spite against you, and will make mischief if they can." + +"Never mind them. What became of the escort?" + +"The wounded men were taken to the inn; the others returned to Paris. +Madame Coutance insisted on your being brought to Aunay, and here you +have remained ever since." + +"Then really," I said, when Raoul gave me this information, "you have +all done your best to fulfil Mazarin's orders!" + +"It was a mistake. We believed the ladies were to be imprisoned at +Reuil, and, besides, it was possible that Madame Coutance had +possession of a valuable document." + +"You should have searched the Palais Royal for that," I remarked with a +laugh. + +"You have spoiled our scheme for a time. Your cousin did the Fronde an +ill turn when he advised you to go to Paris; you have proved a thorn in +our side from the very first day." + +I asked after D'Arcy, and found that he had returned with his friends +to the capital, where new and startling plots were being hatched. + +"Without a doubt we shall crush the Cardinal this time," exclaimed my +comrade, whose good spirits revived with my increasing strength. "He +will miss his trusty henchman, and there is really no one of importance +on his side." + +"Then De Retz has not received his red hat?" + +"No! Mazarin played him a fine trick over that, and set all Paris +laughing for weeks. The little abbe is desperately angry, and intends +taking ample vengeance." + +"How Marie's aunt must wish she were back in the Rue Crillon!" + +"She has vowed not to leave Aunay till you have recovered. The doctor +declares you owe your life to her and Marie, who nursed you during the +first fortnight. By the way, your doublet was spoiled; so I sent for +another; you shall put it on in the morning." + +"To go downstairs?' + +"If you can persuade the doctor to grant you permission. And now try +to sleep, or you will be ill again." + +The doctor appeared rather reluctant next morning to give his consent, +but I begged so hard that at last he yielded, and Raoul helped me to +dress. Then, leaning on the arm of my comrade, and partly supported by +the medical man, I made my way to the drawing-room, where the ladies +gave me a hearty welcome. The disagreeable part I had played in +carrying out Mazarin's orders was forgotten; Madame Coutance could talk +only about the fight, and her niece about my wounds. + +"Between you all," I said, "you have saved my life." + +"Next to God you have the doctor and Raoul to thank," remarked Marie. + +"Raoul certainly," exclaimed her aunt laughing. "But for his sword-cut +in the first place we could not have nursed you at all." + +"It was, indeed, very kind of you," I replied, ignoring the first part +of her speech, "especially as I am in the pay of the hated Mazarin." + +"That is nothing, absolutely nothing. We are winning, and can afford +to be generous. The Cardinal stands on the edge of a mine which will +shortly explode. De Retz and your cousin Henri have made things +certain this time; there will be no more mistakes." + +There was something in her speech and manner which made me wonder why +she was so bitter against the Cardinal. My recent adventures had +taught me valuable lessons, and I knew that many of those who talked so +loudly of liberty and justice had their own private schemes to advance +at the expense of the public welfare; and I was half-inclined to think +that Marie's aunt was a Frondeuse of this description. However, she +was very kind to me, and I still look back on those early days of my +recovery with a certain amount of pleasure. + +From the date of my leaving home I had lived at high pressure, in a +maze of intrigue and strife. My wits, such as they were, had ever been +employed; my life had been in danger a score of times. The calm which +followed this incessant scheming and fighting was delicious, and I did +not feel very sorry that Raoul had given me a dig with his sword. + +Though sorely needed by his patron, he refused to leave Aunay as long +as I was in the slightest danger; the ladies treated me like a brother, +while the doctor spared neither time nor trouble to bring about the +restoration of my health. It was new to me to be thus petted, and I +thoroughly enjoyed it. + +Madame would not hear of my going home. + +"That would be a fine thing indeed!" she exclaimed banteringly. "I +mean to claim the credit of your recovery. But as soon as your +strength returns you shall write, and I will provide a messenger to +deliver your letter." + +"My mother will be anxious," I said. "No doubt Belloc has told her +something of what has happened." + +"Make yourself easy on that head," exclaimed Raoul. "I thought of +that, and sent D'Arcy to caution him. He will only mention that you +have met with a slight accident." + +This was very thoughtful as well as kind of my comrade, and I thanked +him heartily. + +Three weeks after my first coming downstairs, he took his departure for +the capital. His patron had already sent him several urgent messages, +and now that the doctor had pronounced me out of danger he felt it his +duty to go. + +"We are nearing the end," said he; "and the Duke has need of all his +friends. Mazarin may make a desperate effort, but I prophesy that by +the time you are well he will be dead or banished." + +"In either case Paris will be no place for me, and I shall return to +the farm." + +"Not at all," he answered earnestly. "I shall speak to the Duke, and +he will take you into his service." + +Unwilling to vex him, I let the subject drop, though not having the +slightest intention of joining the Cardinal's enemies. So I hobbled +into the courtyard to witness his departure, and echoed his farewell, +"Till we meet again," as he passed through the gateway. + +At first I missed him a great deal, but each succeeding day increased +my strength; I was able to walk alone, and altogether felt very +comfortable. Either by myself or accompanied by the ladies I took the +air on the terrace, or, wandering through the charming grounds, +strolled by the margin of the silvery stream skirting the chateau. + +The bitter strife of clashing interests, the tumult and horrors of the +capital, did not extend to this peaceful spot; it might have been the +heart of another country. The peasants were courteous and respectful, +toiling patiently like oxen in yoke. As yet they had not learned their +power, and the noble was still a master to be obeyed without murmur or +complaint. Much to her aunt's annoyance, Marie went among them, +smiling pleasantly, speaking kind words, bearing help to the +distressed, soothing the sick, and treating them all, in fact, like +human beings. At Aunay she was really happy, and her face wore an +expression of content which one never saw in Paris. + +"I could wish to live in the country always," she remarked once, "it is +so peaceful after noisy, brawling Paris." + +So the days glided by till there came to us in the chateau strange +echoes of the outside world. The wildest rumours were repeated by the +gentry of the neighbouring estates. One day we heard Conde was +marching on Paris with ten thousand soldiers; the next that he had been +poisoned in his cell at Havre. Some asserted that Mazarin, having made +peace with De Retz, had triumphed over all his enemies, others that +Orleans had hanged the Cardinal out of hand. + +These tales agitated Madame Coutance, and I knew she longed to be back +in the midst of the storm. While I remained at Aunay this was +impossible, but, in spite of her desire, she would not let me depart. + +"You will become a vegetable at Vancey," she said, "and I want to push +your fortunes. Mazarin must soon be beaten, and you shall join the +great prince. I have influence with him, and will use it." + +Thanking her warmly, I pointed out that, having pledged my word to +Mazarin, I could not accept the prince's favours. + +"Bah!" she exclaimed, "no one can help a fallen favourite!" + +"Then there is the Queen-Mother; I cannot range myself among her +enemies." + +"You are very simple," said madame smiling. "Anne of Austria has no +enemies; we all bow to her and the little King. Conde is her chief +friend," and with that she went away, leaving me to think over the +matter. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +Pillot to the Rescue. + +Every day now the rumour of Mazarin's defeat grew louder, but, knowing +the man well, I doubted if all France could disturb his position. And +though I felt little personal liking for the Cardinal, it seemed to me +that the country was safer in his hands than it would be in the hands +of those opposed to him. + +De Retz, a noisy brawler, stirred up the mob in his own interests; +Gaston of Orleans, unstable as water, was a mere shuttle-cock tossed to +and fro by any strong man who chose to make use of him; Conde, though a +brave and skilful general, already grasped more power than a subject +should possess. Between them they had turned Paris into a hot-bed of +rebellion and discontent. + +I was musing over these things one evening when a horseman came at +walking pace into the courtyard of the chateau. The animal appeared +tired out, and the man himself was covered with dust and dirt. + +"A special messenger from Paris," I muttered, and, going forward, +recognised Pillot, whom I had treated so scurvily at the inn. + +The little man displayed no malice, but his eyes twinkled as he slipped +from the back of his exhausted horse. + +"You have ridden fast," I remarked, and, calling a servant, ordered him +to give the animal a good feed and a rub down. + +"Thanks, monsieur, he deserves it. A plague on these troublesome +journeys. Why do people live outside Paris, I wonder?" + +Laughing at the question, I inquired if he had come to see me. + +"No, monsieur; this is an unexpected pleasure," and he showed his teeth +in a broad grin. "I have brought a letter certainly, but this time +there can be no mistake, as it is for a lady." + +"If it is for Madame Coutance, you had better come to the house." + +Madame had just returned from riding with Marie, but she at once +received the messenger, and then sent him to obtain some much-needed +refreshment. Breaking the seal, she read the letter hurriedly, with +flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes. + +"It is from Henri!" she exclaimed, excitedly, "and contains startling +news. The old fox is beaten at last! De Retz has declared for Conde, +who will soon take the reins into his own hands." + +"Is Gaston left out in the cold?" + +"_Pouf!_ Henri doesn't even mention him; he is only a puppet." + +"But he has a strong party!" + +"Young scatter-brains like Raoul Beauchamp and Armand d'Arcy! Nice +boys, but nothing more. Marie, we must go to the court to congratulate +the Queen on her freedom." + +"Or rather on her change of masters!" laughed the girl. + +Later in the evening I went to find Pillot. Having eaten and drunk +well, Henri's messenger was in a good temper, and willing to inform me +of the most recent events. + +"It is time to make a fresh move, monsieur," he said mockingly. "With +so many brave Frenchmen to lead us we have no need of a beggarly +foreigner. The first step was to join our forces, which made us so +strong that Mazarin fled. By now, no doubt, Conde is out of prison." + +"Then you are all friends together! How long will that last?" + +"How long, monsieur? What a question!" + +"Till you come to divide the spoils, I suppose?" + +Pillot's eyes twinkled, and he answered roguishly, "Monsieur has +learned the ways of the world. It is true thieves often quarrel over +their booty, but on the other hand they do not share it with their +victim's friends." + +"What does that mean?" + +"Simply that Paris at present is not a suitable place for a _Mazarin_. +While dogs are growling over a bone, they are apt to snap at a +passer-by." + +"One should wait till they have turned to fighting among themselves," I +remarked. + +"If one has the patience, monsieur!" + +"Oh, the quarrel soon begins. In less than a month's time you will be +flying at each other's throats, and Mazarin will return with more power +than ever." + +"You are mistaken there, monsieur. Whatever else happens, we have +finished with the Italian. Were he to set foot in Paris again, the +people would tear him limb from limb." + +"I suppose De Retz pays you well for your services?" + +"I have little to do with the Abbe now," he said. "I am in the service +of monsieur's cousin, and a man could have no better master." + +That night when the household had retired to rest, I sat at my bedroom +window looking out over the park. It was a beautiful scene; everything +was hushed and still, and the quiet earth lay bathed in silvery +moonlight. Pillot's talk had set me thinking. My wound had completely +healed, and I felt strong enough to take a further part in the +struggle. The situation was, however, puzzling. Mazarin's downfall +had left me without a patron, and I could not join his enemies, most of +whom, utterly and heartlessly selfish, cared for nothing but their own +welfare. Their senseless squabbles were dragging France through the +mire, and I longed to see my country strong and powerful. + +From the dwarf's remarks I gathered that Conde intended going to Paris +as the Queen's friend, but this could be nothing more than play-acting +of the flimsiest character. It was as if a housebreaker took it upon +himself to protect the building he had just robbed. + +Reflecting calmly on these matters, I saw my duty plain. The Lady Anne +was the natural guardian of the young King, and she required the aid of +every honest Frenchman till her son became of an age to rule for +himself. Reasoning thus, I resolved to set out straightway for Paris, +and, having made up my mind, I closed the window and went to bed. + +As soon as Madame Coutance heard of my intention she urged me to stay +longer, but the look of relief in her eyes showed she was really +pleased at my resolve. The country wearied her; she was eager to +return to the old life, and after my departure there would be no +necessity for her to remain at Aunay. + +"We must make the most of Albert to-day, _ma chere_," she exclaimed +brightly. "The house will be positively gloomy without him." + +"When do you start?" asked Marie. + +"To-morrow at day-break. I am strong enough now to use a sword, and +the Queen-Mother has not too many friends around her." + +Marie sighed. "I am tired of a contest in which selfishness plays so +large a part," she remarked. + +"Yet it is distinctly droll," observed her aunt. "For example, here is +Albert, anxious to serve the Queen, while his cousin does his best for +De Retz. On the other hand I wish to help the prince, while our friend +Raoul takes orders from the King's uncle. Oh, it is a charming play!" + +"Meanwhile the people die of starvation!" said Marie. + +"That is unfortunate, certainly. But what would you? There must +always be some to suffer." + +"It is the people now; it will be the turn of the nobles later. The +peasants won't always stand being ground down and starved," I said. + +"Chut! my dear Albert, you talk like a carter. What have the people to +do with us beyond cultivating our land? You should join De Retz, who +intends doing so much for the _canaille_ in the future." + +"The very distant future," I said drily, and she laughed. + +Personally she cared no more for the people than for the oxen on her +estate, and said so openly. + +During the afternoon I went for a turn in the park with Marie, when, +strolling as far as the rivulet, we sat for a while on its bank. It +was good to drink in the calm beauty of this scene, so utterly +different from any Paris could offer; and the memory of it returned to +me long afterwards, when, faint with hunger, and weary with fighting, I +lay amid the dead and dying on a stricken battle-field. In the +lengthening shadows we returned to the house, little dreaming what +strange events would happen before we next wandered together in the +park at Aunay. + +It was not a cheerful evening, though madame laughed and said many +smart things, in her brilliant way, to raise our spirits. At length +she rose to retire to her own room. + +"I will not say 'good-bye,'" she exclaimed saucily, "as we are certain +to meet again. If you act on my advice it will be in the palace of +Conde. The prince loves a lad of mettle." + +"Albert must consult his own honour," said Marie. + +"And ruin his prospects for an empty whim! Don't listen to her, +Albert, and above all things, don't let Mazarin drag you down. Keep +constantly in your mind that he has had his day, and will never return +to power. Last of all, remember you are always welcome in the Rue +Crillon, whether fortune treat you well or ill." + +When they had gone I sent for Pillot, who was still in the house. Food +and rest had performed wonders for the little man, who looked as jaunty +and self-possessed as ever. + +"Has your horse recovered?" I asked. + +"Perfectly, monsieur." + +"I am starting for the capital at day-break. If you care to ride with +me, I shall be glad of your company." + +"Monsieur honours me!" said he, making a bow. + +"Then tell the servants to prepare you an early breakfast, and join me +in the courtyard at seven." + +"I shall be there, monsieur," and the rascal tripped off smiling, while +I, taking a candle, went to bed, hoping to obtain a good night's rest. + +It was a glorious morning when we left Aunay, and Etienne, an old +retainer on the estate, came to the gate to wish us God-speed. + +"Give my respects to your mistress and to Mademoiselle de Brione," I +said as we rode away. + +The air was fresh and cool; dew-drops gemmed the earth's green carpet, +and hung like pendants of brilliants from the leaves of the trees; +hundreds of songsters poured forth delicious hymns of praise to the +opening day; the rising sun tinted the distant peaks with purple and +gold; the whole earth seemed like fairy-land. + +Shaking his handsome mane, my horse, of his own accord, broke into a +canter, while I, almost involuntarily, trolled forth a well-known +hunting song. + +Pillot, who rode at my side, was a merry companion, full of quips, and +jests, and odd conceits, which lightened the tedium of the journey. +The fellow was undoubtedly a rogue of the first water, but he possessed +many amiable traits, and had a fine sense of humour. + +Not being in a particular hurry, and still feeling the effects of my +recent illness, I resolved to stay for the night at Aviers, a village +about thirty miles from Aunay. The inn was dirty, the accommodation +meagre, and the landlord a surly boor, who behaved as if we had done +him a grievous injury by stopping at his house. After providing a feed +for the horses, his resources appeared to be exhausted, and, but for +Pillot, I should doubtless have gone to bed without supper. He, +however, had a keen appetite, and meant to satisfy it. + +"Stay here, monsieur," said he, cheerfully; "if there is anything +eatable in the place we will soon have it on the table. _Peste!_ +things are coming to a fine pass when a gentleman cannot be served with +food at an inn!" + +He skipped away, and I heard him storming at our host in a high-pitched +voice, threatening all manner of penalties unless supper was +immediately forthcoming. Precisely what arguments he used I cannot +say, but presently he returned in triumph with the surly innkeeper, +carrying bread, butter, cheese, poached eggs, and a bottle of wine. + +"There is a fowl cooking on the spit," said he, "but I thought that, +meanwhile, monsieur would not object to begin with this." + +He was right, I made no objections whatever, and, having finished the +first course, was equally ready to proceed with the second. The fowl +was done to a turn, and when at length the innkeeper came to clear +away, he looked aghast at the wreck of his provisions. + +"An excellent supper, Pillot!" I exclaimed contentedly. "I have no +doubt that my cousin finds your services valuable." + +"We all have our gifts," he replied laughing, "and the wise folk are +those who know how to make use of them. But a word in your ear, +monsieur. To-night it will be as well to sleep lightly. These +villagers are hangdog looking fellows, and if they fancy we are worth +plundering, why----" and he finished with a most comical shrug of the +shoulders. + +"It is a queer world, Pillot," I remarked. "Here at Aviers you do your +best to keep me from harm; in Paris most likely you will be doing all +in your power to kill me." + +"Only in the way of business, monsieur, and for the good of the Cause!" + +"What do you call the Cause?" + +"The filling of my pocket, monsieur." + +He was a thorough rascal, but not a hypocrite, and so far was a better +man than those he served. He marched to battle under the banner of +Pillot, and gathered in the spoils openly. He had a stout heart, too, +and did not whine when the luck was against him, as he had shown at La +Boule d'Or. Altogether, I could not help feeling a sort of liking for +the rogue. + +The chamber to which the innkeeper showed me after supper was small, +dark, and low in the ceiling, but, as I have mentioned, the inn itself +was a poor place. I looked to the fastenings of the door; they were +very slight, and completely useless as a protection. + +"Take no notice, monsieur," whispered Pillot, rapidly. "The boor has +given me a sleeping place downstairs, but presently I shall return here +quietly, and then--ah well, we shall see." + +Then he wished me good-night loudly, and followed the landlord +downstairs, while I, blowing out the light, lay fully dressed on the +bed, and with my weapons close at hand. In spite of Pillot's warning I +fell asleep, but it was still dark when I wakened with a curious +feeling that something was happening. Being unable to see, I lay still +and listened intently. + +Creak! Creak! The sound was very low, but I recognised that some one +was opening the door from the outside. Another creak, and then +silence. Very quietly I reached for my sword and prepared to spring +from the bed. Presently, as if satisfied that the sound had not +disturbed me, my uninvited guest pushed the door ajar and slipped into +the room. I could not perceive him, yet I knew he was creeping closer +to my side. + +"_Pouf!_" I thought to myself, "there will be an unwelcome surprise for +you in a moment, my friend." + +Suddenly the silence was broken by a loud and terrified cry, followed +by a harsh laugh. Then there was a rush of feet towards the door, and, +jumping to the ground, I groped for the tinder-box and procured a +light. Running to the landing and holding up the candle, I was just in +time to behold a most comical sight. One of the villagers was running +down the stairs as fast as his legs would carry him, and screaming with +fright, while Pillot clung firmly to his back. + +"Help! help!" shouted the fellow; "help! the Evil One has got me," and +very soon every one in the house was running to discover the cause of +the tumult. At the bottom of the stairs the two passed from sight, but +the screams continued, and presently we heard a smash as if a door had +been burst open. + +"What is it?" cried one of the trembling servants. + +"It was Pierre Angin who called," said another, "I would swear to his +voice." + +The innkeeper turned to me appealingly, and willing to give them a +further fright I said, "It is simple enough. This fellow came to rob, +perhaps to kill me. I heard him in my room. For the rest I do not +think he will turn thief again in a hurry." + +In the midst of the hubbub, Pillot came towards us, rubbing his eyes +sleepily, and asking in a cross voice what the mischief was, and why a +man could not be allowed to sleep without all that clatter. So well +did he act that, but for my glimpse of him on the stairs, I should not +have guessed he was the author of the trick. + +"If monsieur will lend me the candle," said he, "we will make a +search," and he gravely led the way downstairs. + +"This is the way," cried the innkeeper, "see here!" and, perspiring +with excitement, he pointed to the door which led into the stable yard. +In his desperate efforts to escape, the fellow had burst it open at a +blow. + +No one in the inn went to sleep again that night. Pillot returned to +my room, and told with evident enjoyment all about his trick. He was +lying in wait when the man first entered, and, as the fellow crouched +to the ground, had sprung lightly on his back. + +"He thought the Evil One had him, monsieur, to a certainty, and yelled +loud enough to waken the dead. I do believe that till his dying day +Pierre Angin will be an honest man!" + +As soon as it was light the innkeeper, still looking white and scared, +prepared some breakfast, and afterwards ordered our animals to be +brought to the door. From the joyful way he pocketed the coin I gave +him, it was evident he had not counted on payment, which perhaps +explained the surliness of his manners. Might was right in those dark +days of the Fronde, and the folk of the strong hand cared little for +justice. Pillot, I am sure, thought me crazy, to pay this simple boor +in money, when a cut with a whip would, in his opinion, have done just +as well. + +The weather remained beautifully fine, and, until near the capital, our +ride was very pleasant. During the last part of the journey, however, +my cheerfulness was dashed by the universal signs of desolation and +decay. The ground lay bare and unfilled, the fat beeves and sturdy +oxen had vanished, to be replaced here and there by a lean scraggy +beast or two, all skin and bone; the yards were destitute of ricks, the +hovels were deserted or inhabited by diseased and half-starved +scarecrows; erstwhile honest villagers, rendered desperate by hunger, +prowled in the woods to pounce on any unwary traveller whom chance +should deliver into their hands. + +Pillot saw to his pistols and I loosened my sword, since it was +probable we should have occasion for both. One ragged, unkempt fellow +did take a shot at us from behind a tree, but, missing his aim, he +dashed into the thick wood and was lost to sight. + +"_Parbleu!_ these peasants need not talk of the wickedness of Paris!" +exclaimed my companion, "when a peaceful citizen cannot travel in +safety on the king's highway." + +"Starving men rarely distinguish between right and wrong, and these +people have been turned into wild beasts. Robbed and beaten as they +are, I don't wonder that they rise against those who oppress them!" + +"Ah!" cried Pillot with a grin, "it is all the doing of the wicked +Cardinal, and these poor people perhaps recognise monsieur as his +friend." + +"I wonder you are not afraid to ride with me," said I, laughing at his +impudence. + +After this trifling adventure we rode warily, keeping a sharp look-out +for any further ambush, but perhaps our display of weapons frightened +the robbers, as no one interfered with us again until we arrived at the +gate of St. Denis just before it closed for the night. Here I parted +with Pillot, who had to make his report to my cousin Henri. + +"Till our next merry meeting, monsieur!" cried he heartily. "By that +time I hope we shall both be on the same side. Mazarin is gone for +good, and you cannot do better than join us--we play the winning game." + +The rascal bowed low and rode off, while I turned towards the city. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +A Scheme that Went Amiss + +Paris seemed much as usual. The streets were filled with noisy bands +of turbulent people, but there were fewer cries of "Down with Mazarin!" +the mob contenting itself with cheering for Conde and De Retz, though +several times I heard the Prince's name uttered with every sign of +anger and disapproval. + +Fortunately my former rooms were still vacant, so, having stabled my +horse at the inn two doors below, I took possession, and soon had the +satisfaction of sitting down to an ample supper. + +"Monsieur has been long away," remarked the landlord on coming to +remove the things. + +"I have been in the country for the benefit of my health," I replied +carelessly. "Affairs have changed since I was here last." + +"Ah, yes! The Cardinal has fled, and Conde will be master now. The +stupid Fronde is done with, monsieur, and we are all brothers together." + +"And the Queen?" I asked curiously, "does she approve of all these +changes?" + +"She is delighted, monsieur. There will be no rough places or crooked +paths for her any more; the prince is so powerful that no one dares to +attack her," and the honest fellow departed, smiling with pleasure at +the prospect of peace. + +Early the next morning I walked across to the Palais Royal, wondering +what was best to be done, when, to my lively joy, I found that Belloc +still held a command there. I gave my name to the officer on duty, and +was immediately admitted to the old soldier's quarters. He was sitting +in his room, looking harassed and worn, which rather surprised me, +because as a rule nothing troubled him. He greeted me kindly, and as +we sat chatting I thought he was trying to make up his mind on some +knotty point. + +"Were you in the city last night?" he asked presently. + +"Yes! The people are wild with delight at the idea of seeing Conde." + +Casting an anxious glance round the room, he said in a low voice, "Come +nearer, Albert, I am going to reveal a secret. First of all, the +Prince is still in prison, and if all goes well this evening he will +stay there. You are a brave lad, and honest, and I think you can help +me." + +"I will do my best," said I, flushing with pleasure at his praise. + +"The adventure is dangerous, and it worries me, not for myself but for +others. If it succeeds, the Cardinal will be stronger than ever; if it +fails----" and he finished with a shrug of his shoulders. + +"You may count on me." + +"Yes, I am sure of it. Well, this is what we intend to do. At present +the Queen has few friends in Paris, but the country will fight for the +King. Now, the plan is to smuggle them out of the city, when they will +join the Cardinal, and take up arms for the freedom of the throne. +Without Conde, the rest will be able to accomplish nothing." + +"A good plan," said I, "and the sooner it is carried out the better." + +"If all goes well, to-morrow morning will find us far away from Paris. +Everything is ready, but I cannot trust the Queen's coachman. He is an +honest fellow enough, but timid, and likely to lose his head at the +first sign of danger. Do you think you can drive the coach safely?" + +"Let me choose my horses!" + +"You can have the pick of the royal stables. But, mind you, Albert, +this is no child's play. If the mob gets wind of the affair there will +be a terrible struggle. I shall not think the worse of you if you +decide to leave the business alone." + +"I will undertake it, old friend, but you must supply me with a +coachman's dress." + +"That can be obtained easily; there are plenty for sale in the city, +and I will send a trusty fellow to buy one which will fit you." + +He left the room, hinting it would be better that I should not show +myself, and leaving me in a high state of excitement to ponder over the +coming venture. It was a risky one, but I was young and hot-headed, +and did not fully realise the danger. + +The old soldier returned about noon, bringing my fresh clothes with +him, and I put them on. Then he browned my face and hands with some +colouring matter, and I was transformed into a very fair specimen of a +coachman. + +"_Parbleu!_" cried he, rubbing his hands, "you will do famously. Now I +will take you to the stables; choose your horses; have them ready, and +bring them round to Mazarin's private entrance at six o'clock +precisely. You have your pistols? Right. I don't know about your +sword, but perhaps it will be useful. I will have it placed on the +seat of the coach. First of all, though, you must have something to +eat, and I will serve you myself; it is doubtful which of the servants +can be trusted." + +During the meal he repeated his instructions, and it was plain that the +terrible responsibility had made him extremely anxious. + +"Mind," said he, as we rose at length to leave the room, "from this +moment your life is no longer your own. You must sacrifice it, if need +be, for the Queen." + +"I am willing to do that, monsieur, though I hope there will be no +occasion." + +Passing along the corridor, and descending a flight of steps, we +reached a part of the palace which I had not visited before, and were +met by M. Corveau, who was really in command of the stables, though +most of the fees went to a much more distinguished person. + +M. Belloc introduced us to each other, and with a last whispered word +of advice returned to his duties. I accompanied my new acquaintance to +the stables, and after some delay chose two animals for the work in +hand. + +"You evidently know something of horseflesh," said Corveau, smiling, +"but these are rather difficult to drive; they are too spirited." + +"They will make it the more awkward for any one who happens to get in +their way." + +"True; but are you strong enough in the wrists to hold them?" + +"I believe I can manage it." + +"Well," he said, "I wish you good luck," but his tone clearly showed +that he did not expect it. + +However, it was useless being alarmed; so, putting a bold face on the +matter, I made friends with the horses, fed and watered them myself, +and spent all the afternoon with them. A quarter before six I had them +put to, and, mounting the box, drove the carriage--a private one +borrowed for the occasion--slowly round to the appointed place. It +still wanted a few minutes to six when the bells of the city churches +clanged forth in thunderous peals, and, though ignorant of the cause, I +felt somewhat alarmed. + +"That will be awkward for our plan," I muttered. "There is a tumult of +some sort going on, and the streets will be crowded. So much the worse +for us." + +Five minutes passed, but no one had opened the door of the Palace; +another five minutes slipped away and the animals were growing +restless, when suddenly Belloc himself appeared. One glance at his +face was sufficient to tell me that something had gone amiss. + +"Get your weapons," he cried, "send the horses back to the stables, and +come inside." + +As soon as I had joined him, he fastened the door, and led the way +upstairs. + +"What has happened?" I asked, feeling strangely bewildered. + +"Treachery," said he sternly; "we have been betrayed. Orleans has +seized the gates, and the streets are filled with a shouting mob. +Change your dress quickly, we shall need every sword." + +"But the mob will not dare----" + +"_Peste!_ the mob will dare anything! De Retz has called the people to +arms, and presently they will attack the Palace. Paris will swim in +blood before morning." + +"But De Retz will prevent the _canaille_ from going too far." + +"Bah! you speak like a boy! Once they are roused, De Retz can no more +hold them back than he can fondle a starving tigress without being +bitten. Make haste and come to me." + +By the time I had cleansed the stain from my hands and face, and +resumed my ordinary apparel, every one in the Palace was aware of the +terrible danger. Trembling servants went about with white faces; +high-born cavaliers lined the corridors leading to the royal +apartments; officers silently posted their men; everything was made +ready for a fierce struggle. + +"No surrender!" was the cry from every fighting man. "Let us die where +we stand." + +Gradually the noise and tumult outside came nearer; we could hear the +tramp of marching feet and the savage shouts of the populace clamouring +to see the King. Choosing the post of danger, M. Belloc had stationed +himself with a few trusty soldiers near the main entrance, where I +joined him. The veteran was fuming with impatience; he only awaited an +order from the Palace to sally forth upon the advancing multitude. + +"The King!" roared the excited mob; "where is the King? show us the +King!" and our leader glanced at me as if to say, "I told you the plot +had been betrayed." + +Meanwhile the Queen and her attendants, working hard, had restored the +Palace to its usual appearance; Louis was in bed, sleeping soundly, and +all traces of the intended flight had been removed. + +Presently a note was brought from the Queen to Belloc, who, reading it +hastily, told the messenger to inform her Majesty that her commands +should be obeyed; then turning to us, he added that no one was to fire +a shot until he himself gave the signal. + +"Her Majesty," he explained, "hopes no blood will be shed, but that the +mob having discovered its mistake will disperse quietly." + +"A fig for the mob!" said a grim-looking trooper to a comrade; "let our +leader give the word and we will soon clear the courtyard." + +"Here comes an officer," said another; "he is wearing the Orleans +colours. What does he want?" + +"Bah!" cried a third trooper, who spoke with a strange accent, "this +isn't the way to quell a riot. My old master lost his head through not +knowing how to deal with rebels. The block for the leaders and a +whipping for the others would soon teach them their manners." + +The words and the accent made me look at the speaker more closely. He +was a young fellow with fair hair and blue eyes like D'Arcy, but he was +built more stoutly and looked stronger altogether. His name, I learned +afterwards, was John Humphreys, and he was the son of an English +gentleman who had lost his estates through fighting for his King, +Charles I. At the moment, however, I could not think much of this +young exile, my attention being engrossed by the Orleanist officer, who +rode across the courtyard towards us. + +"Raoul!" I exclaimed to myself, and drew back into the shadow, not +caring that he should notice me. He did not seem very happy, and +approached our leader as if thoroughly ashamed of his errand. + +"I am Captain of the Guard to the Duke of Orleans," he explained, "and +am desired by the Duke to seek an audience with her Majesty the +Queen-Mother." + +"Are those your followers?" asked Belloc scornfully, pointing to the +howling mob outside. + +Raoul returned no answer, but bit his lip deeply, while the other +continued, "It is no fault of mine, M. Raoul Beauchamp, that you gain +admittance to the Palace. But for the Queen's orders I would gladly +send you back to your friends who make war so bravely--on a woman and a +boy." + +"Your speech is a trifle unjust, M. Belloc," said Raoul; "I am a +soldier, and cannot question the commands of my chief. As to my own +feelings--well that is another matter," and with a studied bow he +passed into the building. + +Meanwhile the mob was increasing in numbers and violence every moment, +and, as the soldiers had received orders not to fire, the courtyard was +soon filled with excited people who howled, and danced, and shouted for +the King to be produced. Two or three times I glanced anxiously at +Belloc, wondering how much longer his patience would last. + +"Open the doors," cried the foremost rioters; "we will enter and see +for ourselves where the King is." + +"The King is in bed!" cried M. Belloc angrily. + +"Ah! at St. Germain!" shouted a fellow dressed like a street hawker, +but whose voice I recognised, "We are betrayed!" + +It was very stupid to interfere, but I could not resist the chance. + +"Ha! ha! friend Peleton, then for once you are on the wrong side!" I +laughed. "Generally it is you who do the betraying." + +The fellow rushed at me savagely, but the young Englishman drove him +back, saying, "Down, dog! Keep with your kind! You are not wanted +with honest men." + +"Peace!" cried M. Belloc angrily, for he saw, what I did not, that the +crowd was gradually working itself into a fit of passion. + +Fortunately, just then the door was opened, and Raoul, coming outside, +was immediately recognised as the messenger of the Duke of Orleans. + +"The King!" they yelled; "Where is he?" "Have you seen him?" "Speak +or we will pull the place down." + +Raoul stood on the topmost step, and raised his hand for silence. His +face was pale, but he looked very handsome, and was evidently not in +the least afraid. + +"You have been deceived," he said. "The King is within the Palace. I +have seen him; he is sound asleep. Go away quietly, or you will waken +him." + +They would probably have taken his advice but for Peleton, who cried +lustily, "We are betrayed! How can we tell what is true, unless we see +for ourselves." + +"Yes, yes," shouted the mob; "that is the best way; we will see the +King with our own eyes!" + +Again Raoul raised his hand and spoke, telling them the King was +asleep; they would not be satisfied, but demanded loudly that they +should be admitted to the Palace. The situation was growing critical; +we stood, as it were, upon a mine, which a spark might explode at any +moment. M. Belloc's face was pale but determined; his brows were +knitted; he gazed at the mob with angry scorn. + +"Give us the word, sir," said the young Englishman, "and we will +scatter them like chaff!" + +This, I knew well, was mere reckless bravery; we were but a handful +compared with the multitude, and would quickly have been lost in the +human sea. Still, I liked the speaker none the less for his daring, +and more than one trooper grimly growled approval. + +Raoul was white now, and the perspiration stood in beads on his +forehead. At first I did not understand why he should be afraid, but +his hurried words to our leader made the reason plain. + +"Unless something is done quickly," he exclaimed, "there will be a +frightful tragedy. I will write a note to the Duke, and you shall send +it by a private way. He is the only man who can induce these people to +disperse." + +"He, or De Retz," said Belloc with a sneer. + +I had never seen the old warrior so angry. He was playing a part for +which he had no liking. It was not in his nature to stand quietly by +while his sovereign was insulted; his fingers strayed nervously towards +the hilt of his sword; he would have leaped for joy had his Queen sent +him permission to charge headlong at the rabble. But he realised, as +we did, that the safety of the Royal Family depended more on tact than +on brute courage, and he had just agreed to Raoul's proposal when a +note was handed him from the Palace. + +"_Parbleu!_" he exclaimed savagely, having mastered its contents, "this +goes against the grain, but the Queen's commands must be obeyed. Here +is an order, monsieur, to admit a part of the _canaille_ into the +Palace! Perhaps, monsieur, you will select the sturdiest of your +ruffians for the honour." + +Raoul did not resent the insult, though his face burned like fire, but +facing the angry people he spoke to them boldly. + +"Citizens," cried he, in a clear ringing voice, "I have a message for +you from Her Majesty. I have told you the King is in bed and asleep, +but you are not satisfied. That you may be quite sure, the +Queen-Mother desires that a deputation shall visit the royal +apartments. Will you be content with the report of your own friends?" + +"Yes, yes," shouted the mob; "let us see the King!" + +"One word more," continued Raoul sternly, when the hubbub had subsided. +"I am, as you are aware, for the Duke of Orleans, and he, mind you, is +loyal to the crown." + +"So are we! _Vive le roi!_" + +"And I will run my sword through the first man who insults the +Queen-Mother by word or look." + +I was proud of Raoul at that moment, and Belloc gripped his hand, +saying heartily, "Forgive my rough words, Beauchamp; you are made of +the right stuff after all!" + +Directly the door was opened the mob pressed forward, and I called +mockingly to Peleton to come inside the Palace, but that worthy, having +finished his work, slunk away. + +To relieve the pressure other doors were opened, and soon we had a +motley throng of carters, hawkers, and shopkeepers, waiting to be led +to the King's room. At a sign from Belloc I accompanied them, and for +the first time Raoul perceived me. He dared not speak just then, but +his face showed how completely he detested his errand. + +After a short delay the procession was marshalled into something like +order, and I must say, in justice to our uninvited visitors, that, now +their point was gained, no one could grumble with their behaviour. +They walked softly, and spoke in whispers, and as we approached the +royal apartments every man bared his head. The soldiers were out of +sight, and the Queen-Mother was attended only by the ladies of her +household. The Lady Anne's face betrayed no sign of fear. From her +manner one would have thought she was receiving a deputation from the +crowned heads of Europe. + +The King, as Raoul had declared, was in bed, and sleeping so soundly +that the tumult and confusion failed to awaken him. Very softly the +men stole past on tip-toe, and, as they gazed at the handsome boy, more +than one grimy unkempt fellow murmured, "God bless him!" + +All danger was at an end, the raging tigers who had stormed in the +courtyard were changed into lambs, and the only cry to reach the +soldiers on guard at the gates was, "_Vive le roi!_" As soon as the +last man had departed, the doors of the Palace were securely fastened, +and then M. Belloc despatched me by a private way to discover what was +happening in the city. In order to avoid undue attention I threw a +plain cloak over my gaudy apparel, but there was no danger. A few +hired agitators endeavoured to stir up the tumult afresh, but the men +who had beheld the sleeping King would not give them hearing. + +"The Duke has been deceived," shouted one burly ruffian. "I have been +to the Palace and seen the King asleep. The Queen does not wish to +leave Paris, I tell you!" + +In this, of course, he was wrong, but his words had effect, and the mob +at that point breaking up dispersed to their homes. For two hours I +roamed about, and then, finding the streets rapidly clearing, returned +to the Palais Royal with the assurance that, for the time at least, De +Retz and his friends had failed. + +"Had I my way," exclaimed Belloc wrathfully, "both De Retz and Orleans +should find lodgings in the Bastille. However, we have done our best, +and must wait events. This night's work means that Conde must be set +at liberty. A plague on it!" + +"Then we may bid a long adieu to the Cardinal!" + +"Don't be so sure of that, my boy. Mazarin may have a fall or two, but +he generally wins at the finish. And now, go to my room and rest; we +will have a further talk in the morning." + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +I have a Narrow Escape. + +At breakfast, M. Belloc, who had not retired during the night, informed +me that he had already received the Queen's commands, and was on the +point of setting out for Havre, where the Cardinal was expected to be +found. + +"At present," he continued, "we must play a waiting game. Our time +will come when the new allies begin quarrelling, and that will not be +long." + +"Do I go with you?" I asked. + +"No. It is possible you may be of some use to us in Paris, and I have +told Le Tellier where to find you. I have also given your name to the +Queen, and informed her she may rely on your services. It may be that +I shall return shortly; if so, you will hear from me. Meanwhile, keep +eyes and ears well open, and be ready to obey any order from Le Tellier +or the Queen." + +As soon as my friend had started--and he was in a desperate hurry--I +returned to my rooms, feeling rather lonely and disappointed. On the +table was a brief note from Raoul, announcing that he had gone to +Havre, and could not tell when he would be in Paris again. + +"_Peste!_" I exclaimed moodily, "one might as well be at Vancey as +here. How shall I pass the time? It seems that, after all, I have +brought my produce to a bad market." + +I had stayed at home several days doing nothing, when one evening my +landlord, bustling into the room, exclaimed, "Is it possible monsieur +does not know that the city is _en fete_ in honour of the prince's +arrival? All the world has gone to witness the sights, and the prince +is expected in an hour's time!" + +I had no desire to swell the welcome to Conde, but to sit moping alone +was dreary work; so, buckling on my sword, I sallied out. Always at +one extreme or the other, the Parisians had prepared a magnificent +reception for their latest favourite. Lanterns were hung from the +windows of the houses, bonfires blazed, bands of nobles in gorgeous +dresses lined the streets, splendid carriages with richly-caparisoned +horses were drawn up, ready to take part in the procession, while the +people were cheering in their thousands for Conde. + +"_Ma foi!_" exclaimed a strong voice, which sounded somewhat familiar, +"one would imagine this Conde to be a king!" and looking round, I +recognised the Englishman who belonged to the Queen's Guards. + +"Be careful," said I, warningly. "It is unwise to abuse Conde here." + +"For to-day!" replied he, laughing. "To-morrow it may be different. +Pardon me, monsieur, but I do not understand your people. They are too +much like quicksilver; one is never sure where to catch them. Just now +they welcome Conde as a hero, but who can say what they will do in a +week?" + +"Monsieur makes the mistake of most strangers; he judges the country by +Paris, which is wrong," I remarked. + +"Perhaps so. Paris is almost the only place with which I am +acquainted. But are you, too, waiting to cheer Conde? If not, let us +slip away from the crowd; the noise is becoming a nuisance." + +He was such a pleasant fellow that I gladly joined him, and we strolled +back together to the Palais Royal. His name, as I have mentioned, was +John Humphreys, and, although still a young man, he had already been +through numerous adventures. In the great English Civil War he had +fought at his father's side for King Charles. Then, being left alone +and penniless by the death of his father in the Low Countries, he had +journeyed to Paris and taken service in the Queen's Guards. There were +numerous English exiles in Paris at that time, but most of them, I +think, were in the pay of Conde. + +Raoul had not returned, so that I was glad of the Englishman's company, +and, indeed, we very soon became good friends. He was never tired of +talking about his country and of his hope one day to live there again. +Sometimes I accompanied him to his quarters at the Palais Royal, where +he introduced me to a few of his comrades, but more often we strolled +about the city. + +For once in a while Paris was actually quiet. The people went +peacefully to their daily work; the lowest classes retired to their +dens, and one could take a morning walk without meeting a howling mob. +Every one repeated the same tale. Mazarin would never return; Conde +was master, and the stupid Fronde was at an end. + +Madame Coutance had returned to Paris with her niece, and occasionally +I spent an hour at her house, where she treated me with much kindness; +only she would insist that I was a silly fellow not to abandon a lost +cause. + +For a time it really seemed that Conde's triumph was assured, but soon +I began to hear whispers that all was not right in the Palais Royal. +Bits of gossip picked up by the Englishman, and a word or two from Le +Tellier, made me imagine that Conde's position was less safe than he +imagined. + +Sitting alone one evening by the open window of my room, I noticed, +approaching the house, a handsomely-dressed gallant, holding in his +hand a naked sword on which were some fresh blood-stains. He, glanced +up at me, smiling, and I, recognising Raoul, ran hastily to meet him. + +"Why, it is as dangerous to visit you as a deposed favourite!" he cried +merrily. + +"You come in such gorgeous plumage. Many a man in the Rue des Catonnes +would cheerfully risk his life for the value of your gold braid. But," +glancing at the blood on his sword, "you have discovered that!" + +"Yes, there is a poor wretch farther down nursing his arm and grumbling +frightfully at his own clumsiness; but I threw him a pistole or two to +buy some ointment. So you have not followed the Cardinal?" + +"No! I am waiting here till his return," and we went upstairs +together, Raoul laughing heartily at what he called my impudence. + +He did not refer to our last meeting at the Palais Royal, but chatted +gaily about his sudden visit to Havre, though, of course, without +revealing to me the secrets of his party. + +"Well," I remarked presently, "now that the wretched squabble is over, +what have you gained by it?" + +"Over?" he cried in astonishment; "come to the Pont Neuf and see for +yourself what is going on. The cards have been shuffled again, and we +are playing the game with different partners. Conde has gone too far, +and Dame Anne will have none of him. He claims every office in the +State for his friends, and three-fourths of the country for himself. +Unless he is put down, as Mazarin says, there will be nothing left but +to carry him to Rheims." + +"Then you have broken with the prince?" + +"Our party holds the scales at present; neither side can do anything +without us." + +"What of De Retz?" + +"That is the most comical part of all; he is hand in glove with the +Queen, and has become Conde's bitterest enemy. At least that was the +situation this morning. To-morrow perhaps will furnish a fresh move." + +"One has to blush for being a Frenchman! I shall go to Marshal +Turenne; he is the only honest man in the country." + +"Another broken reed, my friend! If rumour speaks truly, he has made a +bargain with Conde, and will support him even in open rebellion. By +the way, do not wander about the city too much at night." + +"Why?" I asked, looking at him in surprise. + +"Because you have made two bitter enemies--Maubranne and Peleton. They +have both joined De Retz, and Peleton will work you all the mischief he +can. He is a dangerous man." + +"A fig for Peleton! He is a coward." + +"A coward can often strike a sure blow in the dark." + +We were in the streets by this time, and, passing with difficulty +through the crowds of people, I was strongly reminded of the evening +when I accompanied the now exiled minister to the house of the +astrologer. + +The riff-raff of the city were out in large numbers; the hawkers were +crying their literary wares; the Black Mantles had gathered in knots to +guard their property; while the young bloods swaggered along, laughing +and joking, but toying with their swords as if longing for a chance to +use them. On the previous occasion the rabble had roared themselves +hoarse with cries against Mazarin and the Queen-Mother; now they +shouted with equal vigour against Conde and his friends. + +"The Abbe is still alive," remarked Raoul, as we pushed a way through +the crowd. + +"Is this his doing?" + +"Every bit of it, and your cousin Henri makes an able lieutenant. De +Retz is a dangerous enemy; all the blackguards in the city are under +his thumb. You will find that he will drive the prince out of Paris +before he has finished." + +"What are they doing to that fellow yonder? Why, it is Joli, and they +are making him cry 'Down with Conde!'" + +Raoul burst out laughing. "Joli is Conde's henchman!" he exclaimed, +"and a week ago he had the mob at his call. To-morrow as likely as not +the idiots will be bawling for Mazarin." + +"The nobles have set them a good example. There goes Joli. I did not +think he could run so fast. But these fellows are becoming too daring. +See, they have stopped a carriage at the corner of the street, and are +threatening the occupants." + +"More of Conde's friends," said Raoul lightly. "Fortunately, Joli has +put the crowd in good humour, and there will be no mischief done unless +those inside are obstinate." + +"Listen. There is one woman not easily frightened!" and above the +turmoil caused by the _canaille_ rose a defiant "_Vive le Prince!_" + +"Imbecile!" cried Raoul angrily, "they will tear her in pieces!" + +"She has plenty of pluck, whoever she is!" I replied. + +The next instant we had drawn our swords; for the woman in the carriage +who had so proudly defied the ruffians of Paris was Madame Coutance, +and by her side, pale yet undismayed, sat Marie. + +The elder lady, marvellously handsome in her excitement, stood up in +full view of the crowd. Her cheeks were flushed; her large black eyes +flashed with surprising brilliancy; her lips were firm and compressed; +and she gazed at the mob in scornful disdain. At first the people +laughed good-naturedly, telling her that if she would cry "Down with +Conde!" they would let her carriage pass. Then some of the fiercer +ones pressing closer, used threats, but Madame Coutance, either +reckless from excitement or not understanding the danger, only smiled. + +Raoul and I had reached the fringe of the now angry crowd, when, +turning round at a touch on my shoulder, I perceived my English friend. + +"What is it?" he asked. "Another revolution?" + +"The people are trying to force a woman to cry 'Down with Conde.'" + +"There's her answer," said he, as in a clear ringing voice Madame +Coutance cried aloud, "Pah! You are not good enough for Conde to wipe +his boots on!" + +There was no disguising the bitterness of the insult. The aristocrat +flung it at them, flung it fight in their faces, and laughed as she saw +it strike home. A howl of rage greeted the taunt, and, listening to +the wild, fierce yell--so different from the noisy bravado of a few +minutes before, I shuddered; there was something so stern and +purposeful about it. + +For fully a minute each man stood in his place, nursing the insult he +had received; then, as if by one common impulse, the whole body sprang +at the carriage. The uproar waxed furious; the narrow street became a +pandemonium; in their savage eagerness the people struggled and fought +without order or method. + +The occupants of the houses on both sides, joining in the fray, +showered missiles on the excited mob; the horses, maddened by the din, +kicked and plunged; men shouted and women screamed; while Marie's aunt +stood laughing defiantly at the monster her words had conjured up. She +had thrown one arm around her niece as if to protect her, and +confronted the mob with flashing eyes and scornful brow. + +At the first sign of danger we had drawn our swords; now, flinging +ourselves headlong into the press, we struck out fiercely to right and +left, trying to force a passage to the carriage. Raoul cut and thrust +in gallant style, and all the time he shouted with the full power of +his lungs, "Orleans! Orleans! To me, friends of Orleans." I, taking +my cue, yelled for Conde; the Englishman shouted, "Way for the Queen's +Guards," while the mob endeavoured to drown our appeals by the ugly +menace of "Death to the Nobles!" + +There was scant leisure in which to look at the ladies, but Madame +Coutance did not once alter her position, nor try to hide the sneering +smile on her face. + +Meanwhile our lusty shouts had brought assistance. Several Black +Mantles, fearful lest the riot should spread, fought with us; a couple +of gentlemen, responding to the cry of "Conde!" had dashed in behind +me, and presently from the street corner came a shout of "Beauchamp! +Beauchamp!" + +"Bravo, D'Arcy!" cried Raoul in answer, and we continued the fight with +greater zest. After all, the nobles of France were not quite dead to +honour; their lives were still at the service of their friends. + +Taking the shortest cut through the crowd, John Humphreys and I had +reached the carriage door, and now stood with our backs to it, striving +desperately to keep the ruffians off; Raoul, aided by several Black +Mantles, was working round to the other side. + +At first we fought with a certain amount of skill and method, only +endeavouring to parry our opponents' strokes, but presently the +struggle became grim and deadly. Then the fading daylight rapidly gave +place to darkness, which was hardly lessened by the lanterns swung from +the windows or by the fitful glow of the glaring pitch in the _falot_ +at the corner of the street. The figures of the combatants, now +momentarily lost in the black shadows, again springing forward into +full relief, were horribly grotesque. + +Like ourselves, the people of the gutters were growing desperate, +holding their own lives of no account, if only they could seize their +prey. Yelling and screaming, they struck out wildly with the oddest of +odd weapons, and sprang at us, gnashing their teeth like wild beasts. + +[Transcriber's note: illustration missing from book] + +Of the Black Mantles who supported us, two went down quickly and were +trampled on; Raoul was bleeding in the face, and I had received a nasty +cut across the head; but Armand d'Arcy and his friends were breaking +through the crowd, while the cries of "Orleans!" and "Conde" redoubled. + +Suddenly in the midst of it, my sword snapped against a pike-head, and +in another instant I should have been killed but for Madame Coutance, +who, with the heavy end of the coachman's whip, struck my assailant +across the forehead, felling him like a log. + +Taken by surprise, I turned to glance at my deliverer, when a brawny +fellow with fiery red hair, whose weapon had been wrenched from him in +the fray, leaped at my throat. By the flame of a lackey's torch I saw +he was as ugly a rascal as one would find in Paris. He had a huge +mouth, with yellow, wolf-like teeth; his face was scarred in a dozen +places; the bridge of his nose had at one time been broken, while the +veins of his neck stood out like cords, A pair of tattered breeches and +the remnant of a shirt constituted his fighting costume. + +Missing my neck, he caught me round the body just under the arm-pits, +but leaving my arms free. For a second or two I was held as in a vice; +I thought my ribs would crack under the pressure, and struggled wildly +for breath. The main fight went on around us unheeded, as we swayed to +and fro, now lurching against the broken carriage, now pushed under the +heels of the kicking horses, or stumbling beneath the weapons of the +other combatants. + +I could no longer distinguish anything clearly, and the shouting +sounded in my ears like the thunderous roaring of the ocean. Blood was +running from my nostrils; the pain in my chest might have been caused +by red-hot knives; it was almost impossible to breathe. The fellow was +slowly crushing me, and I was helpless. I should have cried aloud in +agony, but could make only a faint gurgling noise. Closer and closer +pressed the iron grip; my eyes burned like fire, while my breath came +in short, stifling gasps. Still I stood firmly on the ground with my +feet wide apart, and, strong as my assailant was, he had not beaten me +completely. + +If only I could get a breath of air into my lungs! It was my one +chance and the last; but the brawny ruffian, guessing how nearly gone I +was, hugged me ever the more tightly, till it seemed that the unequal +strife could not last another second. Whether the final result was +brought about by my last desperate effort, or was due to chance, I +could not tell, but suddenly both of us, locked as we were in each +other's arms, fell. I was underneath, but, strangely enough, the +pressure relaxed, and my assailant uttered a deep groan. + +Presently the heavy weight lying across my body was removed; I began to +breathe, and to wonder what had happened. Very slowly I opened my eyes +and gazed in astonishment at the altered scene. + +The street was in possession of the Queen's Guards, at whose approach +the rioters, acting on instructions from their leaders, had fled, +carrying their wounded comrades with them. In the middle of the +roadway stood a group of young gallants--all of whom had borne a part +in the fray, and several Black Mantles, attending to a slightly injured +man! Raoul and Armand d'Arcy were wiping the blood from my face, while +the Englishman was forcing some liquid between my teeth. + +"How do you feel?" he asked. "Can you stand?" + +"Yes, there is nothing much wrong; only I have had a bear's hug, which +was by no means pleasant. What has become of my opponent?" + +"His friends carried him off. He was insensible; one of the frightened +horses kicked him. He was a savage customer." + +"You had a narrow escape, my boy," said Raoul, smiling cheerfully; "you +were black in the face when we removed the fellow. Now, lean on me, +you must pay your respects to the ladies." + +"Salute the hero!" laughed D'Arcy. "Bring flowers and wreathe a +garland for his brow. Let the conqueror be crowned on the tented +field." + +"Be still, D'Arcy," said Raoul, "your tongue runs like a woman's," and +he conducted me to Marie and her aunt, who, between them, made a pretty +speech in my honour. They wished me to enter the carriage, which, +though badly damaged, remained fit for use; but to this I would not +agree, preferring to walk beside it. + +While the coachman put his harness straight, and quietened his +frightened horses, the ladies spoke a few kind words to the wounded +Black Mantle who had fought for them so bravely. Fortunately he had +not been seriously hurt, and was able, with the assistance of his +friends, to walk home. + +Suddenly young D'Arcy, who could never remain long in a serious humour, +requested us to wait a few minutes, and without staying for answer +darted off to his friends, who immediately dispersed. + +"What mischief is the young madcap bent on now?" I asked, wonderingly. + +"Armand has a brilliant idea," Raoul replied, laughing, "be patient and +you will see." + +Now that the excitement had cooled, I looked round for the Englishman, +but he had vanished, for which, when D'Arcy's hare-brained scheme +became plain, I was not altogether sorry. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +I again Encounter Maubranne. + +The Queen's Guards had disappeared; the coachman was mounting to his +seat when Armand and his friends returned, flourishing lighted torches, +and singing a ridiculous song about the Abbe de Retz. + +"A torchlight procession in honour of the bravery of the ladies!" +exclaimed D'Arcy with a merry laugh. "Form your ranks, gentlemen; we +will teach the impudent little Abbe to keep his place!" + +Holding torches in their left hands and naked swords in their right, +the youthful gallants fell in; some in front, others to the rear of the +carriage, while Raoul and I, unable to oppose this ludicrous whim, +walked on either side. Marie, who did not favour D'Arcy's pleasantry, +sat so far back that her face could not be observed, but her aunt +entered into the fun, and laughed merrily when the torchbearers, +catching some luckless wight, forced him to bow humbly before the +carriage and to cry, "_Vivent les Dames!_" + +The glare of the torches, the trampling of feet, the songs and laughter +of the escort, brought the people out in crowds, which compelled us to +proceed at a slow pace. Here and there we heard a growl of "Down with +Conde!" but for the most part the worthy citizens enjoyed the spectacle +and cheered heartily. + +In the Rue Michel we were brought to a halt, and it appeared as if a +second and more serious blood-letting would occur. The narrow street +was already crowded, and a carriage, preceded by half-a-dozen lackeys +bearing torches, came towards us. Casting a furtive glance at Raoul, I +discovered him looking anxiously at me; it was obvious to us both that +one party must turn back, but, unfortunately for any peaceful +intentions we might have had, young D'Arcy who led the van, showed no +sign of yielding. + +"Make room there!" he shouted imperiously, as if he were Conde himself, +and the people, cowed by our display of strength, parted to right and +left, leaving a clear passage. + +This gave us a clearer view of the other carriage, and I noticed with +dismay that it must belong to some important personage. Behind rode a +number of cavaliers richly dressed, and what was more to the purpose, +well armed. Suddenly a mocking cry from Armand informed us who it was +that paraded the streets thus numerously attended. + +"Bring your torches nearer, gentlemen, that we may observe the red hat +of our little friend the better!" he exclaimed. + +A burst of mocking laughter greeted this speech, as every one knew how +De Retz had been tricked by Mazarin, and how furious he was at having +failed to obtain a Cardinal's hat. Even the bystanders, most of whom +were the Abbe's friends, joined in the laugh, for your true Parisian +loves nothing so much as ridicule. + +"Poor little man," cried one of the gallants, with assumed sympathy, +"it is difficult for him to hit on the exact shade to suit his beauty +best!" + +Now, as De Retz was one of the ugliest men in France, this pleasantry +was not likely to be well received, and I ran to the front with the +idea of preserving peace. At the same time the Abbe, followed by my +cousin, left the carriage, and the cavaliers pressed up from behind. +Instead of retreating, Armand stood his ground firmly, and continued +waving his lighted torch in the face of the Abbe, crying, "Make way for +His Eminence! The Cardinal wishes to visit the ladies his mob tried to +murder!" + +"Eh? What's that? Ladies? Murder? What do you mean?" cried the +Abbe, affecting not to notice the ridicule. + +"Permit me to give your gentlemen the word," interposed Henri, "and +these popinjays shall soon be cleared from your path." + +"The popinjays will take some time to clear!" remarked Armand laughing. +"I am not acquainted with any law which gives a private citizen, even +though he be a prospective cardinal, sole right to the streets of +Paris." + +Now my cousin Henri was not noted for his lamb-like temper, so, without +waiting for the Abbe's commands, he drew his sword and rushed at +D'Arcy, crying, "On guard!" + +Another instant and the Rue Michel would have become the scene of +fierce combat, but, unseen by us, a stranger quietly pushed his way +through the crowd, and placed himself without the least hesitation +between the combatants. I gazed at him with interest. He was a tall, +finely-built man, with a long, flowing beard, and the most resolute +face I had yet beheld in Paris. His eyes were bright, shrewd, and +piercing, his chin was square and firm, every line of his features +betokened power and the habit of command. Looking at him one was +tempted to exclaim, "Here at least is a man!" + +He wore the long robe of a councillor, and carried no weapon, but he +would have been a daring man who attacked him. The danger in which he +stood troubled him not at all; he did not seem even to be aware of it. + +"Put up your swords, gentlemen," he said quietly, and as if quite sure +that no one would question his right to command. Then, turning to De +Retz he added in the same cool tones, "Monsieur l'Abbe, I am surprised +you have not sufficient influence to prevent a breach of the peace! It +ill becomes a dignitary of the Church to be taking part in a street +brawl." + +I can hardly imagine that De Retz was awed by the speaker--perhaps he +had private reasons for avoiding a quarrel with this strong, purposeful +man: at least he showed no offence at the rebuke, and not only +requested Henri to sheathe his sword, but actually offered a half +apology for the quarrel, which really was none of his seeking. + +"One must always yield to the ladies!" he exclaimed gallantly, and, +with a courteous bow to the stranger, ordered his coach to be turned +back. + +"Who is he?" I asked Raoul, as the peacemaker, after scolding D'Arcy +for his rudeness, and bidding him be less hasty in future, withdrew. + +"Matthew Mole, the first President, and the only honest public man in +France," replied Raoul bitterly, as he resumed his place in the +procession. + +The torch-bearers were not yet weary of their mischief, but the +encounter with De Retz rendered them less demonstrative, and the +remainder of the journey passed without incident. On arriving at the +Rue Crillon, in order to keep up the character of the play, Armand +marshalled his comrades in two lines, forming a kind of triumphal +passage for Marie and her aunt. + +As soon as the ladies entered their house the escort dispersed, some +going one way, some another, Raoul and I walked away together, and +D'Arcy, still bubbling over with fun, accompanied us. + +"A nice evening's amusement," laughed the young scamp; "but what was it +all about? _Ma foi_, Beauchamp, I shall have to look after you more +carefully in the future, or you will be getting into further scrapes!" + +"Take care yourself," I suggested, "or De Retz will lay you by the +heels. He won't be in a hurry to forgive this night's work." + +"Oh! the Abbe is a man of sense; he will laugh at the joke to-morrow, +and accept his defeat gracefully. What a firebrand your cousin is! +Did you notice his eyes flash? I thought he meant to make mincemeat of +me! It is a pity you are always against him; he will take quite a +dislike to you." + +"Peleton and Maubranne are more to be feared than Henri," said Raoul. +"Each of them has several scores to settle with our friend." + +"And with you and D'Arcy!" + +"Yes, but we possess powerful patrons; you have none. If Peleton +stabbed either of us in the back he would have to answer to the Duke of +Orleans, but who is there to champion your quarrel? Come with us to +the Luxembourg, and let us introduce you to the Duke. There is no +dishonour in taking fresh service now that Mazarin has fled." + +"Still I intend to stand by the Cardinal!" + +"Bravo!" cried Armand; "never desert your colours! I wish, though, +that you belonged to our side." + +"You will come over to us yet," I said. "A week ago you were hand in +glove with De Retz; now you are Conde's friends. Next week----" + +"That is too far off to consider," laughed Armand. "Next week? Why +there are several days before that time arrives! Your mind flies too +fast, my boy. I have yet to hear what led to such a hubbub this +evening!" + +"A mere trifle," remarked Raoul; "Madame Coutance behaved foolishly. +The Abbe's mob ordered her to cry 'Down with Conde!' and she told them +they weren't fit to be his doormat." + +"She has plenty of pluck!" + +"It is a pity she hasn't a little more common-sense. To-night she +might have set all Paris by the ears through her want of thought. +Mazarin was right in declaring she is like a child playing with fire." + +"By the way," asked Raoul, "who was the soldier fighting for us? By +his uniform he should be one of the Queen's Guards." + +"He does belong to them. He is an Englishman named Humphreys, and a +right good fellow." + +"A fine swordsman! It was wonderful how he cleared a space; the people +were afraid to be anywhere near him." + +"I must introduce him at the first opportunity. You are sure to like +him." + +"Not as an opponent," laughed Raoul; "and he doesn't seem likely to be +anything else at present. Well, we turn off here; I shall see you at +the end of the week." + +"Meanwhile keep your eyes open!" D'Arcy advised, as they proceeded +towards the Luxembourg, while I, crossing the Pont Neuf, turned down by +the Quai. + +I had at the time a great deal to think of. Being young and strong, I +cared little for the threatened danger, but my stock of money was +running low, and I foresaw that, unless something unexpected happened, +I should be stranded before long for want of funds. + +Thus far, I thought bitterly, my search for fortune had not met with +much success. Twice I had been within an ace of death, and my body +still bore the marks of several wounds. Mazarin, to whose service I +was pledged, had been banished, and I could find another patron only +among his enemies. Completely wrapped up in these thoughts, I wandered +along the dirty quay, and turning mechanically in the proper direction, +reached the Rue des Catonnes. + +The next day I increased my stock of ready money by the sale of my +horse, which enabled me to carry on again for a time, and I hoped that +before the supply was exhausted a fresh turn of fortune's wheel would +relieve my difficulties. Raoul, of course, would have lent me his +purse freely, but that I did not wish. + +During the evening my English friend came across from the Palais Royal +for a chat about the adventure of the previous night. Like Raoul, he +blamed Madame Coutance for her stupid behaviour, speaking his mind +freely, and not stopping to choose his words. + +"Did you return with your comrades?" I asked. + +"Yes, and a lucky thing too, or I should have got into worse trouble. +As it was, our captain reproved me severely for engaging in a street +brawl. Upon my word I think my brain must be softening." + +"What is the matter?" + +"Matter?" he cried, banging his fist on the table. "Why, it takes a +man all his time to find out where he stands in this topsy-turvy city. +Just tell me what this commotion is about, will you? It may be easy +enough for a Frenchman to understand, but for me--it makes my head +swim." + +He listened attentively while I explained the situation, asking a +question here and there, and turning the answers over in his mind. + +"Oh," he observed at the end, "the affair is simple enough after all. +The Queen has only to clap Orleans, Conde, and De Retz into the +Bastille, and the trick is done. If their friends grumbled, why they +could go too, and fight out their quarrels in prison. What is the use +of being a Queen if you don't rule?" + +"Your plan is excellent, but it would bring about civil war, and we +don't want that." + +"But you have it now!" he objected quickly. "What else was the visit +of the mob to the Palace the other night? And this Conde--he issues +his orders like a king, though according to you he is only a subject. +I would have no such subjects in my country." + +"The trouble must be over soon. The King will be proclaimed of age on +his fourteenth birthday, and all parties will rally round him." + +"A good thing for the country!" said he, rising. "Well, I must get +back; I am on guard to-night." + +It was dreary work sitting in my room alone, so, putting on my hat, I +strolled into the streets, and finally found myself at the house in the +Rue Crillon. Madame Coutance was at home, and she received me with +high good-humour, calling me one of her knights-errant, and declaring I +had helped to save her life, which was really true. + +It was interesting to observe how differently the two ladies regarded +the same circumstance. The elder one could talk only of the romantic +parts; the challenge of the mob, the defiance, the fight, the arrival +of the soldiers, the torchlight procession, the humbling of De Retz. +Marie, on the contrary, cared little for these things; all her anxiety +was for the people who had been injured. + +"The more I see of these troubles, the more hateful they become," she +said. "They have divided families, and parted friends; they have +starved the poor and desolated the country, and no good has resulted +from them." + +"The country requires a strong man like Conde to hold the reins," +remarked her aunt. + +"Or a learned priest like De Retz," I put in slily, and was met at once +by strong expressions of dissent; Marie, in particular, declaring she +would rather hear of the recall of Mazarin, which I ventured to +prophesy would be the outcome of these petty squabbles. + +The girl seemed rather sad, and I was not surprised when she said, "I +wish we were back at Aunay, away from the turmoil. There is no peace +in this continual whirl of excitement. I am always thinking some evil +is going to happen." + +"Nonsense," exclaimed her aunt. "How can there be any danger now that +Conde has returned to his rightful place? De Retz will never dare to +harm the prince's friends," a naive remark, which much amused me. + +It was late when I left the house, and the street was nearly deserted. +Standing a moment on the step, I suddenly became aware of an +ill-dressed fellow evidently watching me from the shelter of a door-way +nearly opposite. + +"A spy!" I concluded, "and a very clumsy one, too. I wonder if he has +been set to dog me?" + +I crossed the road carelessly, when the fellow, no doubt hoping he had +not been noticed, slipped off, and, on my following a short distance, +he darted into a narrow street and disappeared. Puzzled by this +strange behaviour, I hid in the shadow of a wall, and kept a patient +watch for over an hour, but he did not return. + +"Chut!" I exclaimed at last, "Raoul has shaken my nerves with his +warning of Peleton and Maubranne. Most likely the man did not know me +from Adam." I endeavoured to dismiss the incident from my mind, yet I +could think of little else during the walk home, and even the next day +the memory of it clung to me. It seemed absurd to suppose that any one +would spy on my actions, but in those days nothing was too absurd to be +true. + +"Well," I thought, "it can soon be tested. I will visit the Rue +Crillon again to-night, and keep a sharp look-out." + +The streets as usual were extremely noisy; the citizens were out in +crowds, and several slight scuffles occurred between the friends of +Conde and De Retz. Taking no notice of these squabbles, I proceeded +briskly to the Rue Crillon, and there found my man in his hiding-place. +He was carefully watching the house opposite, but as soon as I appeared +within sight he vanished. + +"Oh, oh," said I to myself, with a chuckle, "it is Madame Coutance you +are watching, is it? Well, my friend, you will find that two can play +at that game!" and, discovering a quiet corner, I stood flattened +against the wall with my face muffled. + +Two hours passed, but the man did not re-appear, and, when midnight +arrived without any incident, I left the Rue Crillon, which was now +almost deserted. + +In a side street a number of people were cheering loudly for Conde, and +farther on I met half a dozen cavaliers evidently returning from some +meeting. One was Baron Maubranne. Willing to keep out of mischief, I +drew aside to let him pass, hoping he would not recognise me. He +passed on singing lustily, but a second man stared insolently into my +face. Keeping my temper, though my fingers itched to chastise the +fellow, I went on my way, thinking the danger past; but in this I was +wrong. + +To reach the Pont Neuf it was necessary to traverse a narrow dingy +court, and here my life and my story nearly came to an end together. + +Still thinking of the mysterious spy in the Rue Crillon, and not at all +of Maubranne's friends, I proceeded slowly, paying little heed to my +route. Happily for me the court was very quiet; the inmates had +retired to rest, and nothing broke the stillness of the night. + +Suddenly I stopped, with my hand on my sword, and listened intently. +From behind came the swift patter of footsteps, and turning round I +perceived dimly the figure of a man gliding along in the shadow of the +wall. Before I could get my sword free he sprang at me, and, in +endeavouring to avoid the blow, I fell heavily. With a jeering laugh +the assassin flourished his sword, and, as I caught sight of his face, +all hope vanished, for the man was Peleton. Looking down at me, he +gripped his weapon more firmly, and prepared to strike home. + +"You are a clever lad," said he tauntingly, "but all the skill in the +world won't save you now. I intend to pay off my old debts." + +The fall had half stunned me, but the sound of his voice and the gleam +of steel brought back my senses. I was struggling to regain my feet, +when I heard a hoarse shout, and the next instant Peleton's weapon went +flying into the air. A second man had run up hurriedly, and was +gripping my assailant's arm. + +"Fool!" cried he, "can't you wait? Don't you know the Abbe has need of +him? A plague on your stupid temper; it will ruin everything. Put up +your sword, M. de Lalande," for by now I was standing on guard, "our +friend here has made a trifling mistake, that is all." + +It was difficult to refrain from laughing at the man's coolness. He +spoke as if a sword thrust was a matter hardly to be considered; but I +thanked him, nevertheless, for having saved my life. + +"Not at all, not at all!" he replied. "There is nothing to be thankful +for. I only grudged my friend the pleasure of paying his score before +my own account was settled." + +By this time I had recognised Maubranne, who, for some reason best +known to himself, had interfered to prevent my being killed. Now he +rejoined Peleton, who meanwhile had groped about in the darkness and +recovered his sword, and the two worthies departed together, leaving me +in a state of considerable amazement. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +I Fall into a Trap. + +For a short while I remained trying to understand clearly what had +happened, but it was all so strange that I could make nothing of it. +There was, of course, no mystery in Peleton's attempt on my life, but +what was I to think of Maubranne's rescue? + +The baron had distinctly stated I had no reason to thank him, I was +only enjoying a respite, and that for the oddest of reasons--the Abbe +had need of me! What could be made of so astounding a remark as that? +De Retz was no friend to me, while almost every act of mine had been +opposed to his interests. Without having the least suspicion as to the +actual truth, I felt that the Abbe's plans boded me no good. I was +like a person groping in the darkness, and expecting every moment to +fall into a deep pit. + +"Can't you wait?" Maubranne had asked. + +For what was Peleton to wait? And how could it affect me? Why should +the fellow's temper spoil everything? From Maubranne's words it +appeared that the success of their scheme, whatever it was, depended on +me. Yet from the very beginning I had fought them tooth and nail. + +"This business will drive me crazy," I muttered, "it is worse than the +muddle at La Boule d'Or. Both these blackguards would gladly give me a +few inches of steel, and yet, having me wholly in their power, they do +me no injury. It is evident that I, in some manner, am to further the +interests of their party. Am I to be offered a bribe?" + +This was making myself out to be a person of some consequence, but I +could think of nothing else. However, it was useless to stand there +all night, so, keeping a keen look-out for fresh danger, I hurried from +the court and made straight for the Pont Neuf. A few night-birds were +abroad, but I passed on swiftly, keeping well within the shadow of the +walls. + +As it chanced, the night's adventures were not finished even yet. +Turning into the Rue des Carolines, I was almost at home, when a man, +slipping from the shadow of a doorway, swung a lantern in my face. +Peleton's cowardly attack had put me on my guard, and in less than a +second my sword was at the fellow's throat. + +He was either very stupid or very brave. + +"M. de Lalande?" said he quietly, and, thrusting a folded paper into my +hand, vanished. + +I ran a few yards hoping to catch him, but he was soon swallowed up in +the darkness, and there was nothing for it but to return. In my room I +opened the packet with nervous haste. The letter, or rather note, +consisted of only a few words, and had no signature. I gazed at the +writing curiously, it was cramped, partly illegible, and in a man's +hand. By supplying a letter here and there I managed to piece together +the strange message. + +"When the net is spread openly, only a foolish bird will be ensnared. +A wise one will fly away. An old story relates how a swallow once +found safety in the tents of an army." + +Nothing more! I read it through again and again till I had learned +every word by heart. Who wrote it? I knew not. I counted no friends +among the enemy, and danger was hardly likely to come from Raoul's +party. Peleton's attempt to murder me was merely the outcome of +personal spite, and had nothing to do with this fresh adventure. Yet, +on one point, the message was clear. Some peril threatened me, and my +best chance of safety lay in flight. But why? I sat down to thresh +the matter out. + +Including my cousin, I had three enemies. Henri disliked me, because I +had, to a certain extent, spoiled his plans; yet I did not, for an +instant, imagine that he sought my life--that was out of all reason. +There remained Maubranne and Peleton, either of whom would kill me +without scruple, but that very night the baron had interfered to save +my life! Once more I was forced back on the mystery attached to his +words. What was it the Abbe proposed to do with me? Buzz! buzz! buzz! +The question hummed in my head till I was nearly wild. It went with me +to bed, it kept me awake half the night, and was the first thing I was +conscious of in the morning. + +Directly after breakfast, I hurried to the Luxembourg to take counsel +with Raoul. He was on duty, but young D'Arcy, observing my agitation, +volunteered to relieve him. + +"What is it?" asked my comrade anxiously. "Has anything happened? +Here, come into this room where we shall not be interrupted." + +Without delay I plunged into the story, telling him first of the +mysterious spy in the Rue Crillon, the encounter with Peleton, and +Maubranne's strange action and words. + +"Well, my friend," said he, "you have an adventure on hand now that +ought to keep your time fairly occupied! I don't understand it in the +least, but it is plain you have become an important person. There is +one thing I would like to know, but don't answer if you would rather +not. Are you in Mazarin's secrets?" + +"I have heard nothing of the Cardinal since my visit to Aunay." + +"Then that notion falls to the ground. I thought De Retz might imagine +you could give him some useful information. And yet, I don't know. +People say he is already in the Queen's confidence." + +"Well," I remarked, "if the first chapter is exciting, what do you +think of the second?" and I showed him the warning note, which he read +with a strangely puzzled air. + +"Where did this come from?" he asked, and I informed him, adding that +the messenger was a total stranger whom I should be unable to recognise. + +"Still," said he, "it shows there is some one in the Abbe's confidence +who wishes you well. I wonder if it can be Madame de Chevreuse? She +is concerned with most of his plans." + +"I have not met her since the night of the ball and besides, this is a +man's writing." + +"That can be accounted for easily; she employs several secretaries." + +I shook my head, saying Madame de Chevreuse was not likely to interest +herself in my welfare. + +After walking about the room for a time, Raoul stopped and exclaimed, +"Suppose we are looking at the matter from the wrong side? How can you +be certain this note comes from a friend? It may be a trick to lure +you away from Paris!" + +"If so, it will fail. I will not leave the city for an hour, even were +Turenne to offer me the command of a regiment." + +"Why not accept service with the Duke? You would be in a much safer +position." + +"No. I will see this thing through alone. I will not budge a foot for +all the fighting priests in the country." + +"Don't be over venturesome. De Retz is a crafty foe and is playing +just now for high stakes. If rumour speaks true, he is going to try a +fall with Conde himself. Now I must set Armand at liberty, but I will +come to your rooms at the first opportunity. Meanwhile, if you require +help, a note will bring me instantly." + +I returned home still in a state of bewilderment. The mystery was as +dark as ever, and, cudgel my brains as I would, I could throw no light +on it. + +That same evening I laid the case before John Humphreys, but naturally +he was unable to offer any explanation. + +"Show me an enemy," said he, "and I will stand up against him, but I am +a poor hand at fighting shadows. However, it is plain enough that some +one has marked you down, and you will have to walk warily." + +That, indeed, was the only advice any one could offer. The thing which +troubled me most at this time was the presence of the spy in the Rue +Crillon. The ladies apparently had not noticed him, so I said nothing +to them, but continued to keep a strict watch on the mysterious +stranger who night after night prowled about near their house. What he +expected to gain was difficult to imagine, as he neither followed +Madame Coutance abroad nor attempted to molest her. At first I thought +him a clumsy fellow, but twice when I tried to catch him he vanished +cleverly down the narrow streets. + +One evening, while strolling carelessly along the Rue Pierre, I met my +cousin Henri. He was wearing a long mantle with a hood, and appeared +in a great hurry. To my surprise, however, he stopped and exclaimed +quite cordially, "Ah, cousin, you are a stranger! I have not seen you +for a long time. I was sorry to hear of Peleton's mad prank. Were you +hurt?" + +"No," said I, rather shortly. + +"You are a lucky fellow, Albert. For a lad from the country, you have +done well. _Peste!_ You have made quite a splash in the world, and I +am proud of my cousin." + +"You do me great honour," said I, with a mocking bow. + +"Not more than you deserve. By the way, is it true that you have +joined Conde's party?" + +"Why?" + +"Because you were with his mob when Madame Coutance behaved so +stupidly." + +"I did my best to save a woman from being torn to pieces--nothing more." + +"It was very gallant of you," and then, as an afterthought, "so you +still fancy there is a chance of Mazarin's return?" + +"There may be, or not. I only know that I am pledged to assist him, +and that the De Lalandes have been taught to keep their word." + +"Quite right!" returned Henri, gaily. "Well, adieu, my faithful +cousin! Your constancy is touching, and I hope it may bring you good +fortune, but of that I am doubtful," and, with a careless laugh, he +hurried on. + +"Planning some fresh mischief!" I muttered, and dismissed the incident +from my mind. + +Nearly a week had now passed since the receipt of the mysterious note, +and nothing of consequence had happened. Every day I went into the +streets without disguise or attempt at concealment, and no one paid any +attention to my doings. + +About this time the city was considerably agitated, and filled with all +sorts of conflicting rumours. Among other things it was hinted that +Mazarin, having re-entered France, was marching at the head of a +foreign army on Paris, with the avowed object of razing it to the +ground. + +De Retz, laughing in his sleeve, went about attended by a numerous and +well-armed retinue to protect him from being murdered; Conde followed +his example, and the _petits maitres_ swaggered more than ever, +especially when they met the friends of De Retz; at the Hotel Vendome, +the Duke of Beaufort stayed in bed, having, according to rumour, been +poisoned; while Gaston of Orleans was popularly supposed to have joined +four separate plots in one day, and betrayed them all to the Queen +before night. Thus far, however, nothing serious had resulted from +these wonderful doings, and I was chiefly concerned with my own private +affairs. + +"It seems to me," I said to Raoul one night, as we walked together +toward the Rue Crillon, "that we have been making a mountain out of a +mole-hill. More than a week has passed now since the warning, and I am +none the worse." + +"Yet the spy still keeps watch?" + +"He was there last night, but I could not get near him. Perhaps you +may have better luck." + +The man was in his usual place, and I pointed him out to Raoul, +whispering, "That is he. Are you acquainted with him?" + +"No. He belongs to the class that either De Retz or Conde can buy by +the dozen. Don't look that way. Let us cross the road. I will slip +through this alley and enter the street at the other end; then we shall +have him between us." + +Unfortunately for our purpose the fellow was particularly wide-awake, +and as Raoul appeared at the corner he moved away. Following +cautiously, we kept him in sight for a good distance, but finally he +disappeared in a maze of alleys. + +"_Peste!_" exclaimed my comrade, discontentedly, "he is an artful +rascal. If we could catch him he might be able to tell us all we want +to learn. There must be some reason for his actions. Is he always +alone?" + +"Always." + +"We must set a trap for him." + +"Let me try once more by myself. I dislike the idea of being beaten by +a spy." + +"As you will; and if you fail, I will borrow some troopers from the +Luxembourg and lay him by the heels. At all events the fellow will +know who pays him." + +The next night I set off for the Rue Crillon, and, after spending an +hour or two with Marie and her aunt, went back into the street. My +man, as usual, was in full view, and it appeared to me, rather overdid +his part, as if he was anxious to attract my attention. + +However, there was not much leisure for reflection, and I walked +quickly and boldly towards him, when he immediately made off. Angry at +being baulked so often, and determined to discover his business, I +followed sharply, and nearly caught him at the bottom of the narrow +street running at right angles to the Rue Crillon. A stupid +charcoal-burner lost me my advantage here, but perceiving which way the +spy went I hurried on in the same direction. + +For half an hour I patiently tracked my quarry, through a network of +narrow streets and alleys crossing and re-crossing each other like an +Eastern puzzle. By this time I was hopelessly astray, never having +been in that quarter, which was one of the worst in the city. Under +other circumstances I should have feared to trust myself in those +horrible courts, but now I did not even remember the danger. + +Presently the spy himself seemed doubtful as to which turning to take. +He stood a moment in apparent hesitation, but, finding me close on his +heels, darted as if at random up a narrow entrance. It was a +_cul-de-sac_ containing perhaps half a dozen houses, and I chuckled +inwardly on finding how completely he had trapped himself. I could not +have desired a better place for my purpose. The court was very quiet; +the houses were old and dilapidated, and the inmates had either gone to +bed or had not returned from their nightly wanderings. We two had a +clear stage to ourselves. + +The man was a regular coward after all. He looked this way and that +with frightened eyes, ran on a few paces as if hoping to find a way +out, came back, and finally made a dash to get past me. + +"Oh, ho, not so fast, my good fellow!" I cried, barring his path. +"Where are you going in such a hurry?" + +"I have lost my way, monsieur," he answered in a whining voice. + +"How strange! So have I! We may as well keep each other company. +Don't look like that, I am not going to hurt you." + +"I feared monsieur meant to kill me," he whimpered. + +"Bah! I only want a little information, which will be well paid for. +Are you willing to earn ten crowns?" + +"Ten crowns, monsieur? Certainly." + +"Then tell me what you do in the Rue Crillon and who pays you? Answer +these questions and here are the ten crowns." + +"And if not, monsieur?" said he, still whining like a beggar. + +"If not it will be the worse for you. Quick, make your choice, I +cannot stay here for ever." + +It was the rascal's turn now to laugh, as some one, throwing a heavy +mantle over my head, tripped me up violently. + +"His sword, quick! Take it away! Tie his arms firmly; he is a mad +bull for fighting. Now his pistols, Francois, you fat pig! Softly +monsieur! Tap him on the head if he struggles. Are you ready, Pierre? +What a time! are your fingers in knots? Now, monsieur, your +choice--will you come quietly or must we use force?" + +I lay on the ground half dazed and only partly understanding the +fellow's meaning, so, to awaken my interest he repeated his questions, +pressing one of my own pistols to my head. + +"Take that thing away," I said, "and help me to my feet. You have the +upper hand at present." + +Laughing mischievously, he withdrew the weapon, and his companions, +pushing me upright, half led, half dragged me into one of the +dilapidated houses. We ascended a flight of stairs, went along a +narrow passage, and so into a room which had been prepared for my +reception. + +At least, that was the conclusion I arrived at when two of the men +having gone out, the third said, "Monsieur, there is a bed of straw in +the corner, the door is bolted, the window barred, and I am going to +keep watch inside all night, while Pierre and Francois relieve each +other outside the door." + +I could not see the speaker, as the room was in darkness, but his voice +sounded familiar, and I tried, but in vain, to remember where I had +heard it before. However, this did not matter, so I lay down on the +straw, and wondered what the adventure meant. + +Who were my gaolers, and what did they intend to do with me? Presently +Maubranne's words flashed into my mind, and set me thinking that this +might be a move in the plot at which the mysterious note hinted. Just +how De Retz could make use of me I had not the faintest notion, but he +was a clever schemer, and had, presumably, laid his plans carefully. +However, as no amount of speculation on this head would improve +matters, I began to reflect on the best way of escape. My arms were +tightly bound, the door was well secured, the window barred, and a +gaoler, wide-awake and armed, sat between me and it. Altogether the +prospect was far from cheering. + +"Sleep will perhaps bring counsel," I muttered, and, turning on my +side, I dozed off into a light, restless slumber. + +With the coming of day I was able to make an inspection of my new +abode. The room was small, dirty, out of repair, and destitute of +furniture. In the corner opposite to mine was another heap of straw, +and on it sat the man whom long ago I had gagged and bound in the +chamber at La Boule d'Or, and who afterwards was my companion from +Aunay to Paris. Perceiving that I recognised him, the rascal showed +his teeth in a broad grin, and exclaimed, "The wheel has turned, +monsieur! It seems that we have changed parts." + +"And you are uppermost this time," I answered, striving to speak +good-humouredly, for it is a bad plan to quarrel with one's gaoler. + +Rising and taking a turn round the room, Pillot stood still at my side. + +"Listen to me, monsieur," said he. "Some months ago I lost the game to +you and you acted like a lad of honour. When your own life was in +danger you remembered me, and I am still grateful. Now let me give you +a friendly warning. Of course, you are planning to get away. Abandon +the idea, as you cannot escape alive. There is an armed man beneath +the window, while Pierre or Francois will knock you on the head without +the least hesitation. We all have our orders." + +"_Merci!_ It is just as well to know what one has to expect. Do the +orders include starving your prisoner?" + +"Here comes Francois in reply to the question; but you must pass your +word not to take advantage if I unbind you." + +After a moment's reflection I gave the required promise, upon which +Pillot untied my arms, and then, opening the door, admitted Francois, +who carried the food. + +"Here is breakfast, monsieur," said the dwarf, making an elaborate bow. +"It is not as good as the supper we enjoyed together in the village +inn, but Francois has not had much experience in the character of host. +Later on he will doubtless acquit himself better." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +Under Watch and Ward. + +As soon as breakfast ended my arms were bound again, and Francois took +his departure, leaving me with Pillot, who could not conceal his +amusement at my plight. + +"Pardon me, monsieur," said he laughing, "it is comical! You expected +to trap Francois, and behold, you are caught yourself!" + +I tried to look at the rascal sternly, but the humour of the thing +tickled me so, that I joined in the laugh myself. Truly I had gone out +for wool, and should return shorn! + +"Tell me," said I presently, "am I forbidden to ask questions?" + +"Why, no! Indeed it would be impossible to stop monsieur, unless a gag +were placed in his mouth," and thinking, probably, of the incident at +La Boule d'Or, he showed his teeth in a broad grin. + +"A truce to your mummery," I cried; "will you answer my questions?" + +"I do not remember that monsieur has asked any?" + +"Well, here is one. How long am I to be kept in this den?" + +"It is impossible to say precisely, but monsieur will not continue to +occupy this apartment for more than a day or two." + +"A day or two?" I thought my ears must have played me false. Noticing +my surprise, he added, "Monsieur will have done his part by that time." + +"What will happen then?" + +"Ah!" said he, shrugging his shoulders and raising his eyes, "who can +tell? We are all in the hands of Providence." + +"True, my friend, but I am also in the hands of De Retz, which is +hardly as pleasant. It seems that I have suddenly become a person of +some consequence!" + +"Sufficiently important to have made many enemies, monsieur!" + +"De Retz among them?" + +"Chut! no; he would be pleased to call you his friend. I was thinking +of personal enemies like M. Peleton and the Baron Maubranne. The Abbe +and M. de Lalande will only use you for the good of the Cause; but I +distrust the others." + +"The good of the Cause? You speak in riddles, my friend!" + +"It is necessary, monsieur; as it is, I have spoken too much." + +"But you will answer one other question? Why did that wretched +Francois prowl about the Rue Crillon?" + +Pillot burst into a peal of such merry laughter that I thought he would +be choked, and it was long before he could reply. + +"Pardon me, monsieur," he exclaimed at length, "but really the joke was +excellent. Francois acted the spy only when you were about; and simply +to attract your attention. He was the bait, and you--pardon the +expression--were the fish, though I, for one, did not expect to see you +landed so easily." + +Pillot's explanation made the affair a trifle plainer, and showed how +foolishly I had acted. Instead of being a stupid dolt, this Francois +was really a clever fellow, who had tricked me admirably. My cheeks +burned as I saw what a dupe I had been. As a matter of fact, he could +have slipped away at any moment, instead of which he had purposely +lured me on. His hesitation at the corner of the _cul-de-sac_, his +apparent attempt to dash past me, his whining answers, all had their +purpose, and, while I reckoned myself master of the situation, Pillot +and the third man were creeping out of their hiding-places. Truly, I +had myself been a stupid dolt! + +Still there was one point which puzzled me, and I asked Pillot why the +fellow waited so long before playing his trick. + +"Francois obeys orders," he replied. "It would not have suited our +purpose to have shut you up before last night." + +This sounded mysterious, but Pillot would not enlighten me further, and +alone I could make nothing of it. Except on one point, the dwarf +talked freely enough, and was a very agreeable gaoler. A true child of +Paris, he knew the city well, and having been mixed up in all sorts of +adventures, was able to relate numerous startling stories. The time +passed pleasantly enough till about eleven o'clock, when he went away, +and his place was taken by the man called Pierre. + +At first I was rather glad of the change, imagining this fellow might +be more simple, as indeed he was; so simple, in fact, that he knew +nothing. He was a short man with a massive head, thick neck, broad +shoulders, and limbs like those of a gladiator. He sniffed +contemptuously at the pistols which Pillot had left, but handled a huge +iron-shod club lovingly, and on being spoken to, grunted like a pig. +Sitting on the straw, he laid the club beside him, and, having cleared +a space, produced a dice-box and dice, with which he played left hand +against right. + +After watching this monotonous game for half-an-hour, and finding +Pierre absolutely deaf to my questions, I turned my face to the wall +and tried to think. Pillot's conversation had explained many things, +but unfortunately it threw no light on the reason for my imprisonment. +He had not denied that De Retz was the man behind the curtain, but what +was it the Abbe wished me to do? + +The more I puzzled the more mysterious the affair looked. I invented a +thousand reasons, all more or less fantastic and absurd, till my mind +grew wearied with thinking. Meanwhile, Pierre sat on his heap of straw +calmly playing his ridiculous game, calling out the numbers as the dice +fell, but keenly alive to the slightest sound. + +Thus miserably the afternoon wore away; the room grew dark; Pierre +packed up his dice, and, walking to the barred window, peered into the +darkness. I wondered whether Raoul or John Humphreys had called at my +rooms, and if so, what they would think of my sudden disappearance. + +Presently, I heard the sound of approaching footsteps; the door was +unfastened, and Pillot entered with a couple of candles stuck in broken +bottles, which only served to make the place more dreary than before. +Then Francois followed with some supper, and after he and Pierre had +departed, my gaoler did the honours of the table--or rather the +floor--like a generous host bent on pleasing his guest to the utmost. + +He was rather excited, and talked so freely that I hoped to worm some +information out of him, but the rascal guarded his tongue well, only +letting fall a hint that we might take a long journey on the following +night. Still I gathered from his air of mystery, and the importance he +displayed, that the plot--whatever its nature--was rapidly ripening. + +"Now, monsieur," he observed, when we had finished supper, "I shall +leave you to the care of Francois. Remember my warning, and do not +attempt to escape, because it is useless. If all goes well we shall be +able to provide you with better accommodation in a day or two. +Meanwhile, you have only to enjoy yourself, and to thank the kind +friends who are keeping you out of mischief." + +Having finished this pretty speech he took his departure, the door was +fastened, and Francois began his watch for the night. Afraid, perhaps, +of falling asleep, he stalked up and down the room, stopping +occasionally beside my bed to hope that monsieur found himself well. +Francois was more polished than Pierre, and certainly replied to my +questions. Only, whatever I asked, he answered, "I am truly sorry, +monsieur, but I do not know." + +The fellow might have been a talking bird that had been taught to +repeat but one sentence. As a last effort I offered him a heavy bribe +for his information, but he was too honest to betray his trust, or, +which was just as probable, he had no wares of any marketable value. + +I slept that night by fits and starts, but whether asleep or awake my +mind was filled with omens of evil. What was happening in the outside +world? Again and again I asked the question without finding any answer. + +Spurred on by my fears, I began to dream of escape, but the adventure +was so absolutely impossible that I had to abandon the idea. My arms +were tightly bound; Francois walked up and down, ever watchful and +alert, carrying his half pike; outside the door lay Pierre with his +huge club, while Pillot was within call; and I had a suspicion that he +was not the least capable of my gaolers. No, it was evident that I +must wait till a more favourable opportunity presented itself. + +I watched the earliest streaks of light streaming through the barred +window, and, though it was summer time, I shivered with cold. The dawn +broadened, became morning; a few wandering sunbeams that had lost their +way came peeping through the bars and cheered me, though their stay was +brief. Later, sounds of life arose outside; I heard Pierre's deep +tones, followed by Pillot's milder ones, and presently the door was +opened. + +Now, had my arms been free at this moment I would have made a dash for +liberty, in spite of Pierre's club and Pillot's pistols, but, in the +circumstances, it was madness to think of such a venture; so I lay +still. Francois by now was almost too sleepy to walk straight, and +Pillot, bright, fresh, alert as a bird, entered on the duties of gaoler. + +The prisoner who feeds with his keeper is not likely to starve, and I +certainly cannot accuse my captors of being niggardly in the matter of +food. On this particular morning Pillot was too agitated to eat; twice +he jumped up and walked to the window; indeed, but for my exertions, +the breakfast would have been removed untasted. As it chanced, my +appetite remained good, and, in view of the possible journey, I ate for +both. + +Only once during the day did Pillot leave the room, and then his place +was taken by Pierre, who, in less than three minutes, was deep in his +usual game of throwing the dice, left hand against right. To do the +villain justice, however, he did not neglect his duty. His eyes were +upon me frequently, while at the slightest stir, he turned quick as +lightning, one hand grasping his ponderous club. + +Toward the middle of the afternoon Pillot returned, and kept me company +for the remainder of the day. He was deeply excited, and as the +evening approached began to bubble over. He would break off in the +middle of a sentence, and, running to the window, listen intently, +holding up his hand meanwhile for silence. Francois, too, who came in +once or twice, seemed equally agitated, but Pierre, I have no doubt, +was calmly playing, interested chiefly in the result of his game. +Perhaps he did not understand why the others were so anxious, or why +they spoke to each other in low whispers! + +As for me, I soon became as deeply interested as Pillot. Why did he +listen at the window? Did he expect to hear some pre-arranged signal, +or the rattle of the carriage which was to bear me away? + +Once I nearly tricked him into betraying the secret. He had dispatched +Francois on some errand, and was pacing the room restlessly, when I +said at a venture, and in a careless tone, "So the grand coup is to be +made to-night?" + +"This very evening, monsieur!" and he rubbed his hands briskly. + +"It will cause an immense sensation?" + +"A sensation? _Corbleu!_ There will be----" He checked himself, +looked at me slily, and finished by saying, "Ah, yes, monsieur, perhaps +so." Then he returned to the window to listen; so my attempt to catch +him by surprise had failed. + +Another hour passed, Francois had returned, and the two stood talking +rapidly but in such low tones that I could not catch a word. To judge +by their gestures, Francois was the bearer of fresh news, but whether +good or evil I could not determine. It was, however, evidently of +considerable significance, and such as to astonish the dwarf. + +This secrecy and show of excitement played on my nerves. I became +restless and irritable, and chafed more and more at my confinement. +Whatever was about to happen, I wished it was over and done with. + +The evening wore on, it became dusk, in an hour or two night would +fall; but still, as far as I was concerned, there was no change. The +two men maintained their position at the window; but they no longer +talked; it seemed as if they could only wait. The silence became +painful; there was not a sound in the half darkened room; I wondered if +my gaolers had forgotten how to breathe. I rustled the straw: they +turned swiftly, and Pillot shook his head as if to reprove the action, +but he did not speak. + +Presently Francois said something in a low whisper to his companion, +and the dwarf in a sort of hoarse scream cried, "Be still. It must be +now, I tell you; it was all arranged this afternoon." + +After this neither of them spoke, but both stood still and motionless, +till suddenly there came to our ears the sounds of hurrying footsteps +in the street. It was a relief to hear them, even if the runner had +nothing to do with me. They came nearer and nearer; the pace +slackened; finally some one stopped beneath the window. Evidently this +was the man for whom my captors watched. What news did he bring? +Pillot himself could not have waited more anxiously than I did to hear +the tidings. I felt sure that in some mysterious way my fate hinged on +the words of this unknown messenger. + +Very quietly I raised my head from the straw and listened with strained +ears. No sound save the heavy breathing of its occupants broke the +stillness of the room. At last I seemed likely to hear something which +would afford a clue to the mystery; but here again I met with +disappointment. Only one word came from the man in the street, and I +was scarcely wiser than before. + +"Failed!" he said, and immediately began to whistle the air of a +popular song, which probably conveyed some information to the dwarf. + +Muttering savagely, Pillot ordered the messenger to bring the carriage +round, and, turning to me, said more calmly, "Monsieur, the plot has +miscarried, and you must leave Paris. I cannot explain further, but +you have no choice. Come with me quietly, or----" and he raised his +pistol. + +My head began to swim again. The plot had failed! What plot? What +had I to do with it? Why should these people wish to carry me off? +Afterwards, when the truth came out, the affair seemed simple, so +simple, that I was ready to laugh at my own stupidity. I tried to +obtain some information, but Pillot stopped me promptly. I had never +seen him so thoroughly roused; he dug his nails viciously into the +palms of his hands; his eyes looked like those of a hunted animal. + +"Quick! There is no time to argue. It is a case of life and death for +you and me, and perhaps for many besides. I wish you no harm, +monsieur! I will save your life if you will let me." + +"Set me free," said I, "and I will save my own." + +"I cannot do that--for the sake of others." + +Francois had disappeared, but Pierre was in the room, and he toyed +nervously with his club. I do not know how the dwarf would have acted, +but there was no mistaking his companion's purpose. + +"An end to this," he exclaimed. "Come, monsieur--or stay!" and he +flourished his huge weapon threateningly. + +"It is best, monsieur; it is really best," cried the dwarf. "Ah, +_corbleu_, it is too late! Listen! There are the soldiers! Oh, +monsieur, what can I do?" + +"Bah!" said Pierre, raising his club, "it is his life or ours." + +At that moment Francois, whose face was livid with fear and passion, +burst into the room. + +"Fly!" cried he, "fly, while you have the chance!" + +"Is it the soldiers?" asked Pillot. + +"No, worse! Conde's ragamuffins, and they are yelling for M. de +Lalande." + +At these words I was speechless with amazement, but Pillot cried, "The +people? Conde's mob, did you say, Francois? Then there has been +treachery. This is Peleton's work; he wishes to find revenge and +safety at one time. Unbind the prisoner, Pierre. Quick, you dolt! I +am no murderer, as M. Peleton will find. Monsieur, I give you a chance +of your life let what will come of it. Francois, a sword! Here, +monsieur, this way, and the saints preserve us!" + +I was free and armed: the door was open; yet I had never stood so near +death since my first coming to Paris. From the terrible uproar one +would have concluded that the inhabitants of every alley in the city +had gathered outside. The street door was being smashed by heavy +blows, and, as I ran out on the landing, a fierce mob swarmed up the +stairs, screaming, yelling, and shouting for De Lalande. + +There was no time to ask questions or even to think. Carried away by +passion, the people were thirsting for my blood, though why, I could +not imagine. Was this a part of the plot too? What did it all mean? +No one had ever called me a coward, but at that moment my limbs +trembled, and perspiration oozed from every pore. The cries of the mob +were more awful than the roar of some savage beast. + +"Quick!" cried Pillot, "it is an affair of seconds," and then every +sound was drowned in a fierce shout of "Where is he? Death to the +assassin! Kill them all!" + +"No, no," exclaimed one voice, louder than the rest, "the others may be +honest folk! Only one came in. I saw him! I shall know him! You can +tell him by his gay dress!" + +"That is Peleton, the scoundrel!" said Pillot "If you are killed now, +he will be safe," and the dwarf hurried me along. + +With bull-dog courage Pierre and Francois stood at the head of the +stairs, demanding to know why their house was invaded, and denying that +any one had recently entered. + +"A lie! A lie!" shouted Peleton from lower down. "I chased him all +the way, and saw him enter here!" + +"Stand aside," commanded a second man, "and let us search the house, or +it will be the worse for you!" + +Pierre and Francois were both sturdy fellows, but they could not have +held the stairway long, and besides, why should they sacrifice their +lives for me? + +From where we were the mob was out of sight, and we could not perceive +what was going on, but it seemed as if they hesitated, when suddenly +the cry of "The soldiers" was raised. Then, making his final effort, +Peleton urged the mob on with renewed shouts of "Kill the assassin!" + +At the end of the passage three steps led down to a room, the door of +which was locked, but Pillot possessed the key. We could hear the +crowd rushing up the stairs and on to the landing; another moment and +we should be too late, but my companion, who had recovered from his +nervousness, succeeded in opening the door. + +"The window!" he exclaimed, pushing me forward. "Quick! I will put up +the bars and follow." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +I become a Prisoner of the Bastille. + +I ran across the room and then stopped suddenly: it was a cowardly +action to leave the man to face my enemies alone! + +"Fly, monsieur, fly!" he implored. + +"Not I, Pillot, until we can go together. You have stood by me, I will +stand by you. The bars are up? Good! That will delay them a moment. +Can we move this chest? Take one end and we will try. _Ma foi!_ +'twill be quite a war of the barricades! Now this table. 'Tis heavy! +So much the better. Here they come!" + +With a roar the mob swept along the landing. Our door, which was +strong and massive, withstood for a time their heaviest blows. + +"Now, monsieur, the window!" cried Pillot; "the barricade will soon be +down. This way. _Peste!_" and he uttered a groan. + +In the excitement he had forgotten, and I had not noticed, that the +window was barred. + +"We have trapped ourselves, M. de Lalande!" he exclaimed bitterly. +"There is no way out!" + +"Chut! The bars will break," said I, clambering to the ledge, and +grasping the middle one; but it was very thick and firmly fixed. + +The roar of the mob outside doubled my energy; I pulled and tugged with +all my might, skinning my hands in the effort. Hammer, bang, crash! +behind me. How long would our defences stand? Would the soldiers +arrive in time? Would the bar never loosen? Surely it was giving! +Yes! I could have shouted aloud in triumph--it was yielding! Another +wrench would be sufficient! Oh, for the strength of twenty men! Now! + +A yell of joy and a groan of despair announced that I was too late. +The door was down, the table overturned, the room was filled with the +howling mob. They were headed by two men, one dressed as a +charcoal-burner, the other as a mason. Each, however, carried a good +sword, and in spite of their disguises I recognised them as Maubranne +and Peleton. + +"There he is!" cried the baron pointing to me, and again the appalling +shouts of "Kill the assassin!" were raised. + +For these poor deluded people, led away by such scoundrels, I felt only +a deep pity, but my anger rose hot against Maubranne and Peleton. Why +did they call me assassin? Why endeavour to take my life and to +blacken my good name at the same time? + +At the last pinch Peleton hung behind, but the baron, who did not lack +courage, advanced, and the mob followed with a hideous roar. Do not +imagine that I wish to set myself up for a hero. At that terrible +moment I had no thought of anything, and what I did was done almost +unconsciously. + +Maubranne came first, while behind him waved a forest of clubs and +staves. I saw in his eyes that he intended to kill me, and, rendered +desperate by fear, I leaped at him, plunging my sword into his breast. +He dropped heavily, and for the moment an intense hush fell on the +startled crowd. As if by inspiration I saw my one chance and seized it +eagerly. + +"Citizens!" I cried, gazing boldly on the sea of angry faces, "that man +lied to you. He is no charcoal-burner, but the Baron Maubranne, +Conde's bitterest enemy. I am ignorant of what has happened in Paris. +Two nights ago this Maubranne set a trap for me and shut me up here." + +"That is true," exclaimed Pillot. "Maubranne was the plotter, this lad +is innocent; he does not even guess why you wish to kill him!" + +Would they believe? Was it possible? My heart almost ceased beating +as I gazed at the fierce faces. The weapons were lowered. Staring at +each other dubiously, the men hesitated, and I breathed more freely. I +had forgotten Peleton, who, safe behind the human screen, cried +savagely, "Kill the murderer! Down with the assassin!" + +That served his purpose better than the finest argument. Heated by +passion the people thought no more of the dead charcoal-burner but only +of his slayer, and made a movement to surround me. My last hope had +failed, but I stood on guard, my one regret being that the cowardly +Peleton would not trust himself within reach of my sword. + +Now, however, another sound mingled with the shouts of the populace, +and a swift glance showed that the soldiers were forcing a passage into +the crowded room. + +"Make way there!" exclaimed the leader in a tone of authority. "In the +King's name! Drop that pike, you rascal, or I'll run you through. +Where is this M. de Lalande?" + +At first it appeared certain that there would be a terrible conflict +between the mob and the soldiers, but the officer, by a lucky hit, not +only saved my life--at least for the time--but cajoled the crowd into +good humour. + +"Is this the fellow who slew Conde?" he asked, to which came an +answering chorus of "Yes, yes! Down with the murderer!" + +Until that moment I had no idea what my supposed crime was, and the +officer's question filled me with horror. Conde dead! and I charged +with murder! It seemed monstrous, impossible. But the officer was +speaking, and I must try to understand. + +"Do you want all who were in the plot punished?" and again there broke +out an assenting yell. + +"Then let me remove this lad, you imbeciles! If you knock him on the +head now, it will be all over: while, if he is imprisoned, the +authorities will soon discover his accomplices." + +This suggestion met with a torrent of applause, and the ruffians +offered no further resistance to the soldiers, who, forming in a body, +marched me downstairs into the court where they had left their horses. +I was immediately placed on one and firmly bound; the troopers mounted, +the officer issued his orders, and we set off accompanied by the mob. + +The city was in a state of seething excitement, which increased +wherever our procession came in view. The people, pouring from the +houses in thousands, blocked the roads until they became almost +impassable, and the leader of the horsemen was in despair. Every one +wished to see the wretch who had murdered Conde, and numbers shook +their fists at me and cried, "Kill the assassin!" + +Some, however, regarded me as a martyr, and angry cries against the +soldiers, mingled with shouts of "Down with Conde!" began to be heard. +At one spot in particular a determined rush was made by a number of +burly ruffians directed by a little man from the window of a corner +house. I recognised my late gaoler, Pillot, and was glad that he had +escaped, though much afraid that his attempted rescue would only make +the authorities more certain of my guilt. + +Two or three soldiers were knocked over, but the rush was stayed, and +after this the friends of De Retz, for such I concluded them to be, +confined their attention chiefly to threats. Still the danger of an +outbreak was considerable, and the officer in charge, fearful of the +consequences, decided to convey me to the Bastille. + +By riding through the less frequented streets, and breaking into a trot +wherever such a course was possible, we gradually drew ahead of our +undesirable escort, and at length turned into the famous avenue. +Throughout the journey I had anxiously scanned the faces of the +multitude, hoping to see Raoul, or D'Arcy, or my English friend, John +Humphreys. But I had not recognised a single acquaintance, and now my +heart sank as we halted before the first massive gate, guarded by +sentries. + +As soon as the drawbridge was lowered, we crossed to the court where +the Governor's house was situated, and the officer, dismounting, +entered, reappearing in a few minutes with the order for my admission +into the fortress. Escorted by two prison officials, I walked up the +narrow avenue to the second drawbridge, passed the guard-house, and +stood in the wide court, while the ponderous gates clanged behind me, +as if shutting out all hope. + +"La Calotte de la Baziniere," said one, and the other, bidding me +follow, ascended to the highest storey of the nearest tower, and +unlocked the door of a room into which I entered--a prisoner of the +Bastille! + +The turnkey swung his lantern around, hoped--rather sarcastically to my +thinking--that I should be comfortable, relocked the door, then the +outer door, and I was left, not simply alone and in darkness, but +beyond the reach of human hearing. Stumbling across the room, I lay +down on a mattress and endeavoured to account for the events of the +last two days. + +From a few words let fall by the officer, it appeared that some one had +killed, or attempted to kill, the prince, and I had been arrested as +the assassin. That the plot was hatched by the Abbe's party I had +learned from Pillot, though, as it afterwards appeared, no one intended +anything more serious than kidnapping Conde and shutting him up in a +safe place. + +Now, in an enterprise of this daring nature, the actual leader was +likely to be my cousin Henri, and working from this I began to piece +together a very tolerable story, which after events proved not to have +been far wrong. My previous adventures had proved how easy it was to +mistake me for my cousin, and on this point the conspiracy hinged. If +the plot succeeded, well and good; if not, it was necessary to show +that the Abbe's party had nothing to do with the affair. + +I was well known as a devoted _Masarin_, and it was no secret that the +Cardinal, though banished, still communicated with his friends in the +capital. What more likely then, than that the attempt on Conde's life +was made by _Masarins_? And if so, who more likely to lead it than the +penniless youth who had refused point-blank to join any of the other +parties? Mazarin, it would be asserted, must have left me in Paris for +this very purpose. + +Then again the crafty plotters had so arranged that everything would +fit neatly into place. It could easily be proved that I had suddenly +disappeared and remained in hiding till the appointed night, when, +having failed in my object, I had hurriedly and secretly left the city. +This, I concluded, was the outline of the plot, but De Retz and my +cousin had not made allowance for the cowardly treachery of Maubranne +and Peleton. + +These worthies, by both of whom I had the honour of being much hated, +had worked out a different, and to them, a much more satisfactory +ending. If Conde's assassin could be caught, red-handed as it were, +and slain by the angry people, there would be an end to the business. +For this purpose they had conducted the mob to my prison, but the +speedy arrival of the soldiers had upset their plans; Maubranne was +dead, and I lay on a mattress in La Calotte de la Baziniere. + +"_Peste!_" I exclaimed irritably, "I have intrigued myself into an ugly +mess. This comes of being too clever. What will they do with me, I +wonder?" + +The situation was indeed serious. With the exception of Raoul, D'Arcy, +and John Humphreys, I had no friends, and these three could do little. +De Retz would naturally use all his powerful influence to prove my +guilt, and as likely as not I should be condemned without a trial. As +far as I could judge the future did not look particularly bright. + +As soon as dawn came straggling through the window I rose and peered +about me. The room arched to support the roof, and only in the middle +was it possible to stand upright. It contained but one window, having, +both outside and inside, double iron gratings. The furniture consisted +of a worm-eaten chair, a table with a leg broken, an empty jug, a +mattress, and two flagstones on which in cold weather a fire could be +built. + +Raoul once told me of a man who had escaped from the Bastille, but I +fancy he could not have been lodged in my cell. I could tell by the +window that the walls were tremendously thick, while the door was of +iron, and fastened on the outside by massive bolts. Still I was not +altogether discouraged, and, dragging the table beneath the aperture, I +climbed to the top. Crash! I had forgotten the broken leg, and fell to +the ground, wrecking the table and giving myself a considerable shock. + +After that I lay down again on the mattress till about nine o'clock, as +near as I could judge, when there was a noise outside as of bolts being +withdrawn, and the turnkey entered the room with my breakfast. He was +a short, sturdy man, somewhat after the build of Pierre, but with a +more intelligent face. + +"Monsieur has met with an accident?" he said, gazing with a grin at the +ruined table. + +"I knocked the wretched thing over." + +"Ah, it was not meant for monsieur's weight," he laughed, and putting +the breakfast on the ground, contrived to prop the table up. + +"There," he exclaimed triumphantly, "now it will serve, but I would +advise monsieur not to place it in a draught, it may catch cold." + +Guessing that he understood what had happened, I said, "I wished to get +a view of the scenery; there is little to look at inside. The +Bastille, or at least the prisoner's part of it, is not pretty." + +"It is strong, monsieur, and one cannot have everything. Has monsieur +learned that the prince was not hurt." + +"No," I cried briskly, "tell me all about it." + +"There is not much to tell beyond the fact that monsieur missed his +aim." + +"What! Do you really believe it was I who shot at Conde?" + +"Monsieur is certainly very young for such a deed," he replied, shaking +his head solemnly, and with this evasive answer he took his departure, +bolting and barring the door behind him. + +In the evening he returned, but this time I had no word with him, as he +was accompanied by the officer of the rounds and several soldiers. The +officer gave me a casual glance, searched the cell carefully--though +what he expected to find I cannot imagine--shrugged his shoulders, +ordered the turnkey to fasten the door, and presently I heard the tramp +of their feet along the corridor. + +Several weary days dragged by in this manner. The turnkey regularly +brought my meals, and sometimes in the morning stayed for a few +minutes' gossip, but with this exception I was left alone. + +One morning, contrary to the usual custom, he was attended by four +soldiers, who stood at attention while I ate my breakfast. As soon as +the meal was finished, the gaoler directed me to follow him, and, +escorted by the soldiers, I descended the massive staircase shut in on +each storey by ponderous double doors, crossed the wide court, ascended +another staircase, and so into a large room known as the Council +Chamber. + +Here four men sat at a table, and one--an ugly, weazened fellow dressed +as a councillor--ordered me to stand before them. Then the soldiers +retired well out of earshot, and the examination began. First of all +the councillor asked a number of questions concerning my age, name, +family, and estate, one of his colleagues writing down the answers as I +gave them. Then followed a long harangue on the infamy of my crime, +after which the speaker implored me to make a full confession, and to +throw myself on Conde's mercy. + +"Not," he exclaimed, "that we require your confession; these proofs are +too clear," and, noticing my start of surprise, added coolly, "listen, +and then say if I am not right." + +Turning the papers slowly over one by one he read the heads of a mass +of evidence which his agents had collected, evidence so clear and +convincing that, on hearing it, I almost believed myself guilty. It +began by describing me as a penniless lad, who, having come to Paris to +seek my fortune, had taken service with Mazarin as a secret agent; and +all my doings with the Cardinal were carefully noted down. + +For this I was prepared, but the next paragraph brought the blood to my +face with a rush. It stated that, having discovered Madame Coutance +was a friend of Conde, I had struck up an acquaintanceship with her for +the purpose of worming out the secrets of his party. + +"That is false!" I cried hotly. + +"Softly, my friend, softly!" exclaimed the weazened little councillor, +"we will hear your remarks at another time and in another place," and +he continued calmly with his reading. + +The third stage showed how cleverly the conspirators had laid their +plans. Numerous witnesses had met me going towards that part of the +town where I was afterwards discovered in hiding, and they all affirmed +that I acted as if not wishing to be recognised. This, of course, I +could not deny, as many people must have noticed me when chasing the +crafty Francois. + +"We are ready to prove these things against you, monsieur, and more +also," said the councillor. "For instance, there are the names of two +men who saw you take a prominent part in the attack on the carriage and +afterwards run away. Now, will you confess?" + +"I am innocent, monsieur." + +"What an absurdity! Must we then put you to the question?" + +"It is needless, monsieur; I am speaking the truth." + +"You are obstinate," he exclaimed, screwing up his little eyes, "but a +turn or two on the rack will alter that. Come now, will you deny that +you are a spy of Mazarin's?" + +"Certainly, monsieur. It is true that I am in the Cardinal's service, +but I have heard no word from him since he left Paris." + +"Are you acquainted with Madame Coutance?" + +"Yes, she is a friend of mine." + +"Good! I thought we should arrive at the truth. Now, will you explain +how you came to be in the house where the soldiers found you?" + +"It is a strange story, monsieur, and says little for my sense, but you +shall hear it," and I related how cunningly Francois had lured me into +the arms of his fellow-plotters. + +"Pah!" exclaimed the councillor, wrinkling up his forehead, "that is a +child's invention. You cannot expect us to believe such a tale." + +"Still it is true, monsieur." + +For nearly an hour longer the councillor continued putting all sorts of +questions concerning Mazarin's plans, none of which I could answer. My +silence made him very angry, and at last he exclaimed in a passion, +"Take him away. I warrant we shall soon find a means of loosing his +tongue." + +The soldiers formed up and I was marched across the courtyard, where +several prisoners who were not confined to their cells assembled to +watch me pass. I gazed at them eagerly, but they were all strangers +who only regarded me as a prisoner in a far worse plight than +themselves. + +"Courage, monsieur," whispered the gaoler, as the soldiers turned back +from my cell, "we all have our misfortunes." + +He spoke in a kindly manner and I looked at him gratefully, for a +prisoner has but few friends. Then the door clanged, the bolts were +pushed home, and I was left alone to reflect on the councillor's last +words. I had heard too much not to understand what he meant by finding +a way to loose my tongue, and I instantly began to conjure up all kinds +of horrible pictures. However, it was useless going to meet trouble, +so I endeavoured to banish the subject from my mind, and to think of my +friends, Raoul, Marie, and the Englishman, who were doubtless wondering +what had become of me. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +Free! + +On the third night after my visit to the Council Chamber I was awakened +from a sound sleep by some one shaking my arm. Looking up and rubbing +my eyes, I beheld the gaoler with a lantern in his hand bending over me. + +"Rise, monsieur, and dress quickly," said he. + +"Who wants me at this time of night?" I asked. + +"I do not know, monsieur. I have my orders, and the soldiers are +waiting at the foot of the stairs. But courage, monsieur!" + +The tone in which the man spoke made me shiver. It was plain that he +expected the worst, and I immediately remembered the councillor's +threats. My heart beat quickly at the thought of the dreaded torture +chamber, and my fingers trembled as I fastened my clothes. + +"Am I to be put on the rack?" I asked, but the gaoler, shaking his held +slowly, replied that he knew nothing. + +"An officer of police brought an order signed by the Governor, but he +would answer no questions. If it should be so, confess everything, +monsieur. You are very young, and the rack--ah!" + +"Thanks, my friend, though I am sorry your advice will not help me. I +have already told the truth, and they would not believe it." + +"Say what they wish, monsieur! Anything to escape the torture! I have +been in the chamber once, and it was horrible for a strong man even to +look on. And they are sure to get what they want in the end." + +"At all events I will bear up as long as I can!" + +"It is useless, monsieur, useless, I assure you," said he, as I +finished dressing. + +We left the room, and, descending the stairway, found the soldiers +drawn up at the bottom. + +"Albert de Lalande!" exclaimed their officer, and the next minute I was +walking in the midst of my escort to the court, where a carriage stood +in waiting. + +"Enter, monsieur," said the officer, who himself followed, while the +troopers mounted their horses. + +I leaned my head against the back of the coach in a state of both +wonder and relief. Whatever else happened it seemed that I was not to +be taken to the torture chamber. The night was dark, but I could tell +that we were leaving the Bastille. Where were we going? I addressed +myself to the officer, but received only a curt "Silence!" in reply. + +Did they intend to execute me without further trial? It might be +so--more than one prisoner had been hurried from the Bastille in the +darkness for that purpose. Might was right in those days, and justice +stood a poor chance of getting itself heard. + +I could not discover in what direction we drove, but the journey was +long and apparently roundabout, perhaps in order to avoid attention. +The officer sat rigidly upright, with his sword drawn, keeping keen +watch and ward as if I had been a most desperate criminal. There was, +however, small chance of escape, even if I could overpower my guard. +The soldiers rode on each side of the coach, and I should have been cut +down instantly. + +At last the carriage stopped, the officer opened the door and ordered +me to descend. We had halted in front of a large building, which at +first I failed to recognise. Several armed men stood on the top-most +step. + +"At least the place isn't a prison!" I concluded, as the officer +hurried me to the entrance and along the corridor, while two of the +gentlemen in waiting followed close behind. + +Nearly at the end, and on our right hand, was a door hung with rich +tapestry. Pushing the curtains aside, the officer knocked softly, and +then ushered me into a large apartment furnished in the most sumptuous +and magnificent manner. + +"Albert de Lalande, your Highness!" he announced, and I looked quickly +at the man who stood up to receive me. + +This, then, must be the renowned Conde who had restored lustre to the +French arms, though I held that the country had amply repaid the +brilliant soldier for his skill and valour. I was also one of those +who believed that winning a battle did not place a man above the laws, +nor give him the right to ride rough-shod over his fellows. Still, +Conde was a brilliant general, and certainly second to none save +Turenne; while there were not wanting numerous flatterers who ranked +the prince first. + +A thin man of average height it was who stood before me; firmly set, +well-proportioned and muscular. The Bourbon type was strongly marked +in this member of the family--thick lips, large mouth, high and +prominent cheek-bones. He possessed a good brow, betokening +intelligence, and sharp, keen, blue eyes that pierced through me. + +"Why, monsieur the assassin is scarcely more than a boy!" he exclaimed +with a sneering laugh. + +"I am old enough not to be frightened, even by Louis de Bourbon!" said +I, angry at his taunt. + +"_Parbleu!_ These are brave words from a prisoner of the Bastille! +The Governor feeds you too well! But come, I have several questions to +put. Why did you try to kill me?" + +"I did not try, your Highness! At the time of the attack I was a mile +away, shut up in a room and well guarded." + +"You seem fond of prison," he said, and I felt that he did not believe +a word of my story. + +"I had no choice in the matter, your Highness." + +Conde looked me straight in the face, and I met his gaze without +flinching. + +"You look like an honest lad," he exclaimed grudgingly, "but the +evidence against you is strong. Come, tell me everything, and I will +promise you a pardon beforehand. Was it Mazarin who urged you on?" + +"I have not heard from the Cardinal for months, monsieur. If the plot +was his work, he did not take me into his confidence. But I think, +monsieur, that your enemies are nearer home." + +"How? No one in Paris but De Retz would plan such a deed." + +"The Abbe is a dangerous enemy, your Highness." + +"No," said Conde, looking puzzled, "it could not have been De Retz. He +and his henchman, De Lalande--your cousin by the way--were with me five +minutes after the pistol was fired. I wish you would trust me." + +"You will laugh at my suspicions, and the explanation will not benefit +me." + +"_Ma foi!_ I have learned to consider nothing strange in this citizen +squabble. Come, speak as a friend, and I promise on my honour not to +repeat your words." + +I hardly knew what to do. I had no wish to injure either Henri or +Pillot, but on the other hand, my own life was in danger, and finally I +resolved to relate the story with as little mention of names as +possible. + +Conde listened attentively, stopping me now and then to ask some +searching question, and evidently considerably puzzled by the whole +affair. + +"If this be true," said he at last, "it seems that Mazarin had nothing +to do with the plot. But there is one point which still requires +explanation. If you were not there, how could the mob have followed +you to the house?" + +"They did not follow me, but were led by two of my enemies." + +"Who were they?" + +"One was Baron Maubranne dressed as a charcoal-burner, and him I +killed." + +"Who was the other?" + +"M. Peleton, disguised as a mason. He kept out of my way, the coward!" + +"_Corbleu!_" exclaimed Conde, laughing, "that showed his discretion. +Now, M. de Lalande, I am going to think over this extraordinary story. +Meanwhile you must return to the Bastille. It is not exactly a +pleasant residence, but it is above all things safe. True, the +Governor will keep out your friends, but I will take care that he does +not admit your enemies. By the way, who is this M. Beauchamp of whom +you have spoken?" + +"An officer in the household of the Duke of Orleans." + +"Ah, well, I shall be visiting the Luxembourg in a day or two, and I +may meet him." + +Summoning the officer, who had remained on guard just inside the door, +he directed that I should be driven back to the Bastille without delay; +and thus my night adventure ended. + +It was early morning when we reached the famous prison, but my gaoler +received me with a cheerful smile. + +"I hope monsieur's journey has proved a pleasant one," said he, for, of +course, he had watched the departure of the carriage. + +"It has not been amiss," I answered, "and it may help to prove my +innocence. At any rate, it was more agreeable than a visit to the +torture chamber," and I began to undress. + +The interview with Conde had raised my spirits, and I felt more +cheerful than at any time since my arrest. Although doubtful at first, +he was evidently impressed by my story, and for his own sake would +endeavour to unravel the mystery. I had, however, to exercise +considerable patience. Another week passed wearily enough, and during +the whole of that time no whisper reached me from the outside world. I +was left entirely to my imagination, and even Gaston of Orleans could +not have changed his mind as many times as I did during that period. + +At one moment I felt sure of freedom; the next I listened to the roar +of the hungry mob assembled to witness my execution. I turned hot and +cold at every sound; now fancying the gaoler was coming to set me at +liberty, again that he was bringing news of my condemnation. + +One morning after breakfast I was sitting daydreaming as usual, when +the door was opened, and the turnkey requested me to finish dressing +and follow him. + +"What is it now?" I inquired anxiously. + +"An order to attend the Council Chamber, monsieur." + +"Am I to receive my freedom?" + +"I cannot tell, but there are no soldiers below, which is not a bad +sign." + +I knew my way by now, and followed my gaoler briskly down the staircase +to the chamber. The four councillors were there, standing together, +and near them was Conde himself. + +"Well, M. de Lalande, did you expect to see me again?" he asked. + +"I hoped to do so, your Highness." + +"Then you do not fear my discoveries? Well, I have inquired into your +story, and am inclined to believe you spoke the truth. For one thing, +M. Peleton has disappeared." + +"Then he has received a warning, your Highness." + +"That is possible, as he may know too much. Still, without his +evidence I cannot probe to the bottom of this affair. Now I am going +to make you a proposal. If I set you at liberty, will you find this M. +Peleton and bring him to me? His arrest is necessary, you understand, +in order to clear your own character." + +"Then I shall be the more anxious to discover him, your Highness." + +"Very well; and remember, it must be done without noise or fuss, by +yourself and your friends. If my fresh suspicions are correct, he has +powerful patrons whom I have no desire to ruffle for the present. So +it must be your private affair, and you take all the risks." + +"I will do that willingly." + +"So I expected," said he, laughing, and at once directed the weazened +councillor to make out my paper of discharge. Having fulfilled certain +formalities, I was escorted beyond the five gates and set at liberty. + +It was strange what an unfamiliar aspect the streets of the city at +first bore. I stood for a time perplexed by the change from the gloomy +Bastille, bewildered by the noise of the traffic, and scarcely knowing +which direction to take. Wandering on aimlessly, I at length found +myself on the Quai Henry IV., and, keeping steadily along past the +Hotel de Ville, reached the head of the Pont Neuf. Turning off here, I +was soon in the familiar net-work of streets near the Palais Royal, and +presently entered the Rue des Catonnes. + +My landlord, who would hardly have raised an eyebrow in the midst of an +earthquake, made no comment on my long absence, but, merely observing +that monsieur would perhaps like something to eat, disappeared. + +Going to my room, I removed my sword, which had been returned to me on +leaving the Bastille, and sat down. In a short time my worthy host +brought some food, for which I was really grateful, and I asked +cheerfully if any one had called at the house to inquire for me. + +"A soldier of the Queen's Guards who comes every evening, monsieur. He +is a foreigner, I think, he speaks French so badly." + +"Ah, an Englishman, a fine fellow, and my very good friend." + +"There is also a young cavalier who comes from the Luxembourg to +inquire if you have returned. He it was who informed me that monsieur +had gone into the country." + +"And they come every evening?" + +"Without fail, monsieur." + +"Then be sure to send them up the instant they arrive." + +About six o'clock, observing Raoul approach the house, I withdrew +quickly from the window, so that he might be taken the more completely +by surprise. Suddenly the footsteps ceased, and I heard my friend +putting his question to the landlord. The answer was not +distinguishable, but it produced a remarkable effect. There was a rush +and a clatter on the stairs, the door of my room was opened quickly, +and Raoul threw himself into my arms. + +"Albert," he cried, "I began to fear we should never see you again. +You are too venturesome, my dear fellow. Listen! What is that? Ah! +here is your English friend, and mine, too, now. He is a splendid +fellow." + +"Back again, my friend!" cried John Humphreys, as he entered the room. +"You have had a long holiday this time." + +"Longer than was agreeable," I answered, laughing, "but sit down and +tell me the news; I am dying with curiosity." + +"So are we," observed Raoul; "we want to know all that has happened to +you." + +"Didn't the story get abroad?" + +"Only a little. We heard you were suspected of leading the attack on +Conde. In fact, there were people who swore they saw you fire, though, +naturally, I knew that was rubbish." + +"Did you guess the truth?" + +"Yes, and told Humphreys here. But I have not cried it from the +housetops." + +"You were wise; it is an affair that requires delicate handling," and I +repeated the story of my adventures, from my disappearance to the +moment of my being liberated from the Bastille. + +"The plot is no mystery to us," said Raoul thoughtfully, "but it will +be difficult to prove. We have not the slightest doubt that your +cousin Henri fired the pistol." + +"Is he still in Paris?" I asked curiously. + +"Yes, and goes about quite openly with De Retz." + +"Why doesn't Conde arrest him?" asked Humphreys, who was not in the +habit of beating about the bush. + +"Henri de Lalande has played his game far too cleverly," laughed Raoul, +"you may depend that his share in the plot was known only to himself +and De Retz." + +"But," said I, "the instructions for trapping me must have been given +by him." + +"There you are wrong. The man Francois has been examined, and he knows +nothing of your cousin. He was employed and paid by Peleton, who was +wise enough to mention no names." + +"Peleton is an arrant coward, and a traitor to boot." + +"Just so," said Raoul, "and were he caught the whole secret would be +laid bare. But he has vanished." + +"And it is my business to find him; I have promised Conde to do so, +though without implicating him, and, besides, I want to clear my own +name. Is he likely to have left Paris?" + +Raoul went to the door to make sure that no one was listening, and +coming back, said quietly, "I will tell you my idea. Everything +depends on Peleton, and De Retz is aware that he would betray his +dearest friend for a hundred pistoles. Do you follow me?" + +"Perfectly," said I impatiently, "go on." + +"As soon as Conde got on the right track, Peleton disappeared and has +not been seen since. Now if he were a free man, he would long before +this have made a bargain with Conde in order to preserve his own skin." + +"Do you think----" I began in horror, but Raoul interrupted me, saying, +"No, no, not as bad as that. I simply mean they are holding him a +prisoner till the affair has blown over. De Retz is making a hard +fight with Conde, and if the prince is beaten, why, then Peleton can +talk as much as he likes. Of course for your own sake you must try to +unearth him, and I will help in the search." + +"So will I," exclaimed Humphreys, "though I shall be of little use +unless it comes to fighting." + +"There may be enough and to spare of that," said Raoul, "if Henri de +Lalande is the fellow's gaoler. He may be a rogue, but he is a +fearless one." + +Raoul's theory was, certainly, mere guess-work, but the more we +discussed it the more likely it appeared to be correct. Peleton was a +tricky fellow, and I understood my cousin too well to believe that he +would allow him to be at large. + +"If Peleton's hiding-place is to be discovered we must watch Henri," I +suggested at length, and the others agreed. + +"There is one thing I can do," remarked Raoul. "The Duke of Orleans +has command of the gates, and I can request the officers on duty to +watch for Peleton. I shall leave Conde's name out, and make it a +personal favour." + +"Meanwhile Humphreys and I will take a walk in the neighbourhood of +Notre Dame. We may possibly meet Henri on his way to visit the Abbe." + +"Don't run too far into danger; the Abbe's parishioners are not the +most gentle of citizens." + +The Englishman laughed lightly, and tapped his sword as if to say, +"This will prevent them from being too saucy." + +We went down into the street, and Raoul, promising to return the next +evening, departed on his errand, while Humphreys and I turned in the +direction of the cathedral. The people, as usual, were in a high state +of excitement, but we met with no adventure worth relating, and +unfortunately saw nothing of my cousin. + +"Never mind," said Humphreys, "the luck doesn't always come at the +first throw." + +Next morning I paid a hurried visit to the Rue Crillon, where I +received a warm greeting from the ladies, who had already heard of my +release. + +"At first the prince thought you were guilty," exclaimed Madame +Coutance. "It was stupid of him, but then, appearances were against +you." + +"They certainly were," said I, "and even now there are people who +imagine I had a share in the plot." + +"Not those in high quarters. They know the truth, but cannot prove it. +By the way, had you come last night you would have met your cousin." + +"It is so long since I saw him that he is quite a stranger. Did he +inquire for me?" + +"Yes," replied Marie, "and he was delighted to learn that you were free +of the Bastille. At least, he said so," and she looked at me with a +meaning smile. + +It was apparent that both Marie and her aunt guessed the truth, but the +subject was a delicate one, and they did not dwell on it; only, as I +was leaving, Madame Coutance whispered, "Do not forget that the street +as well as the Bastille has its dangers." + +"Thank you for the warning," I answered, "but I shall be more wary in +future." + +The rest of the day I spent in prowling about the city, in asking +questions here and there, and in watching sharply for either Pillot or +my cousin, but the search proved fruitless, and towards the end of the +afternoon I returned to my rooms, jaded and weary. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +The Fight on the Staircase. + +About seven o'clock in the evening John Humphreys, who was just off +duty, joined me, and shortly afterwards Raoul arrived. + +"No news?" cried the latter, noticing my gloomy looks. "Well, there is +no need to despair. I have so arranged that Peleton will find it +difficult to slip through the gates, and I have heard something of your +cousin. Young D'Arcy met him last evening in the Rue de Roi." + +"Then he has taken up his old quarters in La Boule d'Or and hidden +Peleton there!" I exclaimed; but Raoul shook his head. + +"Conde's troopers have searched the house by now, and no doubt a watch +is set. Still, we might walk that way." + +"Have you told Armand the story?" + +"Yes, he can be trusted; and he has a host of acquaintances." + +"Very well, let us go down to the Rue de Roi;" then, turning to +Humphreys, I remarked, "we may have need of our swords to-night." + +We had only just turned the corner of the street, when Raoul exclaimed, +"Why, there is D'Arcy! Armand, here is an old friend who will be glad +to see you." + +"De Lalande! So they have let you out of the Bastille? Conde made a +mistake. He should have kept you behind the bars till the trouble is +at an end. You will soon be running into fresh mischief. Where are +you going now?" + +"On a voyage of discovery," said Raoul. "Will you come?" + +"Gladly! The times are out of joint, and I have nothing to do." + +I introduced him to Humphreys, and we went on together to the Rue de +Roi. Leaving us at the corner, to watch, Raoul crossed the road and +boldly entered the famous inn. The street was crowded with people, +and, lest some chance passer-by might recognise me, I muffled my face, +and leaned against the wall, while Armand and John Humphreys stood a +short distance off. + +Raoul was absent a long time, and we began to fidget, but presently he +came out and made his way toward us. + +"We are on a false scent," he said; "our quarry has not been there, +though Henri has. Conde's troopers have searched the house twice in +three days, and the landlord is quite indignant. But I believe the +rascal knows something about Peleton." + +Armand was on the point of answering when I caught sight of a figure +which induced me to draw my companions back where they would not be +noticed. It was Pillot in a tremendous hurry. He had been running +fast: his hair and face were wet with perspiration; he was breathing +irregularly, and kept glancing over his shoulder as if expecting to +discover an enemy. Stopping outside the inn, he looked anxiously up +the street, was apparently reassured, and then darted like an eel up +the side entrance. + +"The Abbe's man," said D'Arcy; "the poor fellow our friend here half +murdered." + +Raoul became excited. "A messenger either to or from Henri de +Lalande!" he exclaimed, and was about to dart across the road when I +pulled him back roughly, saying, "Be still! You will spoil everything. +Let us stay here and follow when he returns." + +"Good advice!" agreed D'Arcy. "We may learn something. Hola! What an +uproar! Something serious the matter one would imagine. Here comes +D'Artagnan with his musketeers! The fellow rides as if Paris belongs +to him. See how he sweeps the _canaille_ out of his path!" + +"The crowd is closing up," said Humphreys, "and the musketeers will +have hard work to force a way. Ah! there's one fellow down. +D'Artagnan is a fine rider. See how he manages his horse! He would +have done good work in our ranks at Naseby. And a sworder, too! +There's a stroke!" + +"Smother him!" laughed D'Arcy; "we shall have the rabble here in a +minute. Be quiet, my dear fellow; I warrant D'Artagnan is no better +fencer than yourself." + +"Hang D'Artagnan!" cried Raoul excitedly. "Look, there goes the little +man." + +"And a man in a gray cloak behind him! Is that Peleton?" + +"No," said I, "it is my cousin. Quick, let us follow and see where +they go." + +While the squabble progressed in the narrow street, and the air was +filled with threats and cries of terror, while steel rang against +steel, and from more than one quarter came the sounds of firing, we ran +swiftly in the wake of my cousin and his henchman. Pillot surprised us +by the rapidity of his movements. Though so short of stature he ran at +a tremendous pace, and had the man in the gray cloak been able to keep +pace with him, we must soon have been thrown off. As it was, we kept +the second of the fugitives well in view; and so the chase continued +almost without a stop, save when Pillot halted from motives of prudence. + +The noise of the strife behind us died away; we were in a labyrinth of +narrow streets, and had need of caution, though Humphreys suggested +overtaking my cousin, and forcing him at the point of the sword to +speak. + +"No, no," I exclaimed, panting, "that will never do. A fight here +would bring the people out in hundreds. Besides, my cousin is no +coward, and we should obtain nothing from him by force." + +So we ran on, maintaining the interval between us and the gray mantle, +till at length Pillot stopped for his master, while Armand d'Arcy, +plucking my sleeve, whispered, "Do you know where we are?" + +"Yes," I answered quietly, "I recognise the street. Higher up on the +other side is the house of Martin the astrologer. We shall discover +something now. Unless I am very greatly mistaken we are close to +Peleton's hiding-place." + +"Your cousin is an artful rascal, Albert. Just notice how +unconcernedly he walks along. No one would imagine he was in any +danger. Ah! They are crossing the road! _Corbleu!_ you were +right--they are going to Martin's." + +"Follow me one at a time, and without making a sound," I said, softly. +"Keep close to the wall, and well out of sight. What an old fox Martin +is! I thought Mazarin had taught him a lesson." + +Hiding in a doorway below the astrologer's house we awaited events. It +was evident that Pillot had not fetched his master for nothing, and +Raoul, who stood next to me, whispered, "They have scented danger of +some sort, either to Henri or to Peleton." + +"Peleton is shut up in that house somewhere, take my word for it," I +answered quietly. "Look!" + +Drawing a whistle from beneath his mantle, Henri blew sharply, and +almost immediately the window was thrown up. We could not hear the +conversation, but presently the man inside closed the window, and a few +minutes later the door was opened. Then Henri said something in a +whisper to Pillot and entered. The little man waited till his master +had disappeared, gave a last glance at the house, and turned, as we +supposed, to come down the street. + +"Let him pass," whispered Raoul, "then spring on him from behind and +clap a mantle over his head. We must not let him call for help." + +"Be as gentle as possible; he is a plucky fellow, and I am a long way +in his debt. Don't forget that he saved my life." + +To our surprise, however, Pillot did not get farther than the next +house, when he stopped, and began to unlock the door. This unexpected +manoeuvre held us in amazement, but Raoul, who had no intention to be +thus baulked of his prey, acted promptly. Bounding from his +hiding-place, he reached the door almost at one leap, and his hands +closed like a vice round Pillot's neck. The next instant we were all +in the passage, and D'Arcy closed the door. + +"Now," exclaimed Raoul, loosening his grip, "if you raise your voice +you are a dead man. Do you understand?" + +"'Tredame!" spluttered the dwarf, rubbing his neck, "monsieur explains +himself well. He speaks to the point and leaves no room for mistakes. +But perhaps monsieur will tell me the reason for this unexpected visit. +My poor house is not often honoured by such company!" + +"The wheel has turned again, Pillot; nothing more," I laughed. "We +want to see M. Peleton, who is a very dear friend of ours." + +"Is it you, monsieur? It would have been better for us had I left you +to Maubranne's mercy. As to M. Peleton, how should I know anything of +him? He disappeared after that affair with Conde." + +"Be sensible, Pillot, the game is against you. We are four; you are +one, and in our power. Accept your defeat like a man, and wait till +the wheel brings you on top again. Peleton is in this house or the +next, and we intend to find him. Come, there is no time to waste." + +"Monsieur is so pressing one cannot refuse him," said he, and led the +way along the passage, with Raoul's pistol at his head by way of +reminder. + +"We must have a light," D'Arcy declared; "there is no fun in visiting +our friends in the dark." + +"There is a lighted candle in the room on our left," remarked Pillot, +and, with Raoul still guarding him, he went to fetch it. + +We were now at the bottom of the stairs, and I suggested that Armand +and Humphreys should stay there as a kind of rear-guard. + +"A good plan!" said Raoul. "Should this fellow attempt to escape run +your sword through him. Now, my man, lead on, and remember you will +pay dearly for mistakes." + +I had rarely known my comrade so firm, so energetic and determined: +this was a phase of his character not often shown. Pillot shrugged his +shoulders carelessly and led the way. Up we went through the silent +house, past many empty rooms, till our guide came to a halt on the +topmost storey. + +"Our dear Peleton likes to be high up," said he with a grin; "it is so +quiet and pleasant. By this time most likely he has gone to bed; he +keeps good hours. Perhaps monsieur will unlock the door while I hold +the candle," and he handed Raoul a key. + +Stooping down, my comrade endeavoured to insert the key, but there was +evidently something amiss. + +"Monsieur has not the knack," said Pillot. "Shall I try?" + +"I believe you have given me the wrong key, you rascal." + +"Oh, surely not, monsieur! I could not have been so stupid. Let me +see it. No, it is the proper key, monsieur. See," and taking the key +from Raoul, he asked him to hold the light. + +In passing from one to the other the candle by some means dropped to +the ground and the light was extinguished, leaving us in darkness. + +"Do not move, monsieur; it is close to your foot. Now I have it! Ah, +you have kicked it away. What a misfortune!" + +We could hear the rascal groping about for a time; then all was still, +and he made no reply to our calling. Raoul was furious, and threatened +to kill the fellow, when he caught him, a clause very needful to add. + +"He has tricked us!" said Raoul, searching for the candle, though with +small hope of finding it. + +To my astonishment, for I thought Pillot too sharp to leave it behind, +the candle lay unbroken not a yard from my feet, and a light soon +showed that our guide had disappeared. It was very annoying to be +duped in this way, but I could not help laughing at Pillot's craftiness. + +"He won't try to get past Armand and Humphreys," said Raoul; "he will +hide away in one of the empty rooms." + +Suddenly some words spoken by Mazarin months before came into my mind, +and I began to rail at my folly. + +"Raoul," I cried, "unless we get Peleton out quickly it will be too +late. There is a means of communication between the two houses, and +Pillot has gone for assistance." + +"Peleton isn't likely to be in here," growled Raoul. + +"Why not? Pillot would have given you the right key if the room was +empty. Anyway we will find out," and taking a run I dashed myself +against the door. + +Raoul followed, and then we went at it together. Once, twice, thrice. +The last time it showed signs of yielding--presently with a crash it +burst open. + +"Come on," I cried, seizing the candle which I had placed upright +against the wall. "Can you see anyone?" + +"No," answered Raoul, "but there is a bed in the corner. Bring the +candle." + +We ran across the room quickly, and there, fully dressed, but with his +arms bound, lay Peleton. His face was ghastly white, and he shook with +fear. + +"Get up," I cried sharply--there was no leisure for ceremony--"do you +hear?" + +"What do you want with me?" he whined, for, with all his bluster, the +fellow had no more pluck than a pigeon. + +"To carry you to Conde--dead or alive--you can take your choice. If +you listen to my advice, you will come peaceably. I will go first, +Raoul; you come behind and keep a sharp eye on our friend." + +"And I will use a sharp sword if he doesn't mind himself," said Raoul. + +Now I shall always believe that as soon as his first fright had passed, +Peleton was rather pleased than otherwise to accompany us. His +information would be worth much to Conde, and I have no doubt he +expected to drive a very good bargain. He did not attempt the least +resistance, nor did he endeavour to lag behind as I hurried him from +the room. + +We had reached the head of the stairs when I drew a sharp breath, and +Raoul uttered a cry of anger. The scene was lit up by the flare of +torches, and Pillot's shrill laugh came floating up to us. At the same +moment we heard Henri's mocking voice, and there, sword in hand, stood +my cousin, barring our path. Below him were several brawny ruffians, +bearing pikes and clubs, and, last of all, Pillot, who shouted with +good-humoured banter, "Aha! the wheel has turned again, monsieur!" + +Henri affected to treat the matter as a joke, saying, "Chut! Albert, +did you not know Peleton was my guest? I cannot allow him to leave at +this hour! The night air is not good for him. Return to your room, M. +Peleton, my cousin will accept your excuses." + +"A truce to this farce," I cried. "Will you let us pass peacefully?" + +"Certainly. You can come down, but I cannot part with M. Peleton just +yet. I enjoy his society too much." + +"We shall not leave without Peleton," I cried. + +"Then you will not go at all. I am sorry, there is no help for it." + +He kept his temper admirably, but none the less I felt that if we were +to get past, it would be by force of arms, so, raising my voice, I +called to Armand and Humphreys who were still keeping guard at the foot +of the stairs. In an instant they came bounding up, and Henri, polite +to the last, exclaimed, "As you will, cousin, but remember I am not to +blame." + +The next instant we were in the thick of the fight. By the accident of +position Raoul was opposed to Henri; Pillot, with three companions, +disputed the way with our friends below, while three others rushed +fiercely at me. One, advancing too hurriedly, ran himself on the point +of my sword, but the others pressed their assault so savagely that I +had much ado to preserve my head from being battered in. + +Once during the melee my foot slipped, and I was brought to my knees. +A short, thick-set man, whom I dimly recognised as Pierre, stood over +me with his club raised for striking. I saw him swing the weapon round +so as to deliver a sturdier blow, when, with a howl of pain he let the +club fall. + +"Jump up, De Lalande! Where's our man? Ah, there he is! Get him +between us and we will make a rush for it." + +The speaker was John Humphreys, who had gallantly fought his way to my +side, and was now keeping a clear space with his sword. Peleton stood +just above us, shivering with fear, and I must admit that his position +was far from pleasant. His arms were still bound, so that he could not +ward off a blow, and one brawny ruffian was making desperate efforts to +reach him. + +Suddenly there arose a terrible cry, sending a thrill of fear to our +hearts. The staircase was on fire! Armand called to us to descend +quickly; Pillot screamed to his master. My assailants, thoroughly +cowed, beat a hasty retreat, Raoul and Henri alone, undisturbed by the +cries, continued the deadly fight. + +"Run, Humphreys," I cried, "and do not let this fellow slip away when +he reaches the bottom." + +The Englishman nodded, and dashed off, while I turned to Peleton. + +"Come," I said, "or you will be burned to death," but he stood like a +statue. He seemed numbed by fear and unable to move a step, until I +shook him roughly. Then he roused himself and let me lead him. + +As we came abreast of my cousin, I saw him fall, wounded, but could not +go to his help. Peleton's nerves had broken down, and without me to +lean on he must have stumbled. The flames took a firmer hold, the heat +became intense, the smoke was suffocating. I called Raoul by name; he +answered cheerily, bidding me not to lose Peleton. + +One man, quickly followed by a second, sprang past me and hurried to +the top of the staircase. It was Pillot with a trusty comrade, and the +dwarf, recognising me, shouted some directions, which, unfortunately, I +failed to understand. The smoke filled my nostrils, I began to +suffocate, but staggered on blindly, dragging Peleton with me. Below +us the stairs had begun to burn--soon they would fall with a crash. + +And where was Raoul? Why was my gallant friend not by my side? Had +Pillot slain his master's enemy in the confusion? I endeavoured to +call again, but only a dull, choking sound came from my throat. The +horror of the situation gave me superhuman strength. I dragged Peleton +from step to step, caring nothing for smoke or flames; if the fire +scorched my feet I felt no pain. + +Suddenly two figures sprang toward me; they were Armand and John +Humphreys, and together we hurried Peleton into one of the lower rooms +which the flames had not reached. + +"Attend to him," I cried, "don't let him escape," and ran swiftly to +the staircase, but Armand was as quick as I, and as I mounted the first +step he pulled me back. + +"Where are you going?" he demanded, and his tone was stern and +peremptory. + +"To seek for Raoul. Quick, let me go, or I shall be too late." + +In reply he tightened his hold on my arm, exclaiming, "It is utterly +useless, Albert, the staircase will be down in a few seconds, you will +only throw your life away." + +I begged and prayed him to release me, but he clung the more +strenuously for my appeals, till at last I struggled like a madman to +get loose. The steadfast fellow, however, kept his grip, and I could +not fling him off. + +In the very midst of the struggle came the sound of a terrific crash, +and a broad tongue of flame leaped up to the roof of the building. +Then Armand freed my arms; against my will he had saved me from a +terrible death--the staircase had fallen in bodily. + +"Poor Raoul!" exclaimed my companion sorrowfully, but the lump in my +throat prevented me from making any reply. I could only stand and +stare at the burning debris which formed the funeral pile of my gallant +comrade. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +I Lose all Trace of Henri. + +By this time the flames had attracted a number of people, who ran from +all directions to gaze at the spectacle. Armand brought me back to my +senses by saying, "We must make sure of Peleton, Albert, or he will +escape." + +"Humphreys will guard him while you fetch a coach," I said, "then drive +him straight to Conde." + +"And you?" + +"I shall stay here till--till----" + +"I understand. We will escort this fellow to the Hotel de Conde, and +then return." + +My passion had exhausted itself by now; I could only stand bewailing +the loss of my trusty friend. Meanwhile the crowd increased; soldiers +appeared on the scene; men dashed buckets of water on the fire; some +seized burning pieces of wood and flung them into the street where they +could do no more mischief. + +I toiled with the rest, and gradually we got the flames under, but +there was no sign of Raoul's body. One man we found was quite dead, +and no one recognised him. What had become of the others? Some had +dashed down the stairway in front of me, but I had left Raoul and +Henri, Pillot and his companion, nearly at the top. Where were they, +if not buried beneath the smouldering debris of the fallen staircase? + +Presently a roar of excitement came from the people behind me, and +glancing towards the astrologer's house I beheld a man, hatless, +bleeding, and scorched by the hungry flames, rush into the street. + +A hubbub of voices at once arose. + +"Bravo, monsieur!" + +"That's one who was in the house!" + +"He has saved one man's life!" + +"See, his face is cut!" + +At sight of him my heart for a moment stood still; then I called aloud +"Raoul!" and, scattering the people right and left, ran, frantic with +joy, toward the friend I had never again expected to meet alive. + +"Raoul!" I cried, "Raoul! Where have you been? I thought you were in +the burning house!" + +"There was your cousin to save," he answered simply, flushing like a +girl. + +"You risked your life to save his?" + +"Pshaw! I could not leave him to die like a rat. Then Pillot came +with one of his fellows and we carried him through the secret passage +into the next house." + +"Is he seriously hurt?" + +"I am afraid so; though Pillot calls his wound a scratch. But what of +Peleton? Has he escaped?" + +"No! He is safe in the Hotel de Conde by now. D'Arcy and Humphreys +took him there in a coach. But come, let us get away from this crowd, +and visit the surgeon in the Rue Pierre. It is quite time your wounds +were attended to." + +"It is scarcely worth the trouble; I can have that done at the +Luxembourg." + +However, I managed to persuade him, and the surgeon, a man whom I had +met more than once at the Palais Royal, bathed his wounds, applied some +ointment, and lent him a hat. He was a wise man and asked no +questions, though no doubt he learned in the morning all that he wished +to know. + +Leaving the house we walked to the end of the street, when Raoul +stopped, saying, "You had better not go any farther with me; Conde will +be expecting you." + +"To-morrow will do," I replied, and we were still discussing the point +when Armand and the Englishman suddenly made their appearance. + +I need not describe their joyful surprise on perceiving Raoul, whom +both believed to be dead. John Humphreys did not make a great display +of his feelings--he rarely did--but Armand clapped Raoul on the +shoulder and executed a lively dance. + +"Where is Peleton?" I asked, when he had sobered down. + +"In the Bastille by now, I expect. Conde is delighted; he will learn +all about the plot within twenty-four hours. I never saw such a coward +as Peleton!" + +"The fellow isn't worth powder!" exclaimed Humphreys in disgust. + +"Anyhow there is an end to De Retz's scheming," I remarked cheerfully, +but Raoul shook his head. + +"The Abbe can take care of himself," said he; "you will find that +Peleton has no proof against him. It is your cousin who will suffer." + +"I thought Henri was killed on the staircase'" cried Armand. + +"No, he was wounded, but we managed to convey him along a secret +passage, of which Pillot knew, into Martin's house. He is a bold +rascal! I shall feel quite sorry if he falls into Conde's clutches. +Did the prince question you, Armand?" + +"No, he was too much occupied with Peleton, but he intends sending for +Albert in a day or two. You will be wearing his livery soon, my +friend!" said he, turning to me. + +"Not likely!" I replied laughing. "Remember I am still a _Mazarin_!" + +Humphreys and I accompanied our friends some distance on their way, and +then turned off in the direction of the Palais Royal. We did not talk +much, for I was tired and sleepy, but I thanked the Englishman for the +gallant part he had played in Peleton's capture. Indeed, without his +assistance I question if the adventure would have ended so successfully. + +Remembering Armand's remarks, I remained in the house the whole of the +next day, in case Conde should send a message; but it was not until the +third evening after the fight that one of his gentlemen appeared with a +request that I would go immediately to the Hotel de Conde. The prince +received me graciously, and, indeed, he displayed a very winning manner +when it suited his purpose. + +"Well, M. de Lalande," he exclaimed, "you have kept your promise, and +Monsieur Peleton is occupying your old cell in the Bastille. Do you +know, I fancy he is rather pleased at leaving his late quarters?" + +"I can well believe that, your Highness! He does not like being on the +losing side. But I hope he has made it quite plain that I had nothing +to do with the conspiracy?" + +"He has told me everything in his power. By the way, De Lalande, that +cousin of yours must be a very daring fellow!" + +"My cousin Henri, your Highness?" said I, with a start of surprise. + +"Yes, the man who carried the plot through! De Retz has an able +lieutenant in him. Oh, come, do not look so astonished. You must have +guessed the truth, and now there is no need for concealment. Peleton's +evidence is sufficient to bring your cousin's head to the block. But I +bear him no ill-will, and he can still save himself." + +"How, your Highness?" + +"You are a clever lad," said the prince, "and honest, as far as honesty +goes in these days. You are from the country, I believe?" + +"Yes, your Highness," I answered, really surprised now. + +"And have enjoyed many a good day's fishing, I warrant? Ah, I see you +have. Have you ever gone out with the determination to hook one +particularly big fish?" + +"Why, yes," I replied, laughing, and quite at my ease. "I remember an +old trout, a regular monster, that I could never catch, though I tried +often enough. He was a wily fellow and would not take the bait." + +"But you landed others?" + +"A good many, your Highness, though they did not make up for the one I +missed." + +"Then you can understand my feelings, De Lalande. I have been angling +a long time for a very wily fish, but I cannot get him on my hook; and +the lesser ones are not worth catching. They are useful only as bait." + +Now I began to perceive the prince's drift. The big fish was, of +course, De Retz, who so skilfully avoided capture; Peleton only ranked +as one of the smaller fry. + +After a time, Conde, who had been watching my face closely, spoke more +plainly. + +"M. de Lalande," he began, "I am going to ask you a question. Will you +take service with me?" + +"You do me great honour, your Highness, but it is impossible. I have +pledged my word to Cardinal Mazarin." + +"His power is gone." + +"Which seems to me all the more reason why I should stand by him, your +Highness. A fallen man has the most need of friends." + +"And obtains few. However, I will not attempt to persuade you, but +there is one matter in which it may suit your interest to serve us. +Would you like to see your cousin led out to execution?" + +"By no means, your Highness! He played me a nasty trick, 'tis true, +but I am sure he had no hand in Maubranne's scheme." + +"Very well. I will speak plainly to you. This Peleton has told me all +he knows. His confession is sufficient to bring your cousin to the +block, but it is not enough for my purpose. It strikes at the second +man and leaves the first untouched. Now, I would much prefer that it +should be the other way, and in this you can assist me." + +"I will enter into no schemes to entrap my cousin, your Highness." + +"No, no!" answered the prince pettishly; "you mistake my meaning. I +want you to go to him from me, privately. Make him aware that Peleton +has confessed and his own head is in danger. Do you understand?" + +"So far, your Highness." + +"The rest is simple. He can save his life if he chooses, by adding to +Peleton's confession. If he will not do this he must take the +consequences." + +"Your Highness has made a mistake," I answered coldly. "Henri de +Lalande is not another Peleton. He will not purchase his life on these +terms." + +Conde laughed and exclaimed, "At least you can offer him the chance. +Find out where he is hiding and deliver my message. Then he can please +himself." + +Although feeling sure that Henri would refuse to avail himself of +Conde's offer, I allowed myself to be persuaded, and, before leaving +the house, agreed to report to my cousin what the prince had said. + +I soon discovered that the promise was easier to make than to fulfil. +Henri had vanished, and on all hands I heard rumour of his death. So +steady and persistent was the report that even Marie and her aunt, on +whom I called the next day, believed it. + +"It is quite true," Madame Coutance declared. "De Retz has offered up +prayers for the repose of his soul, which he would hardly venture to do +if he believed your cousin was still alive. I met Madame de Chevreuse +last night and she informed me that the Abbe is disconsolate." + +I did not argue the point, though in my own mind I concluded that De +Retz was a very clever schemer, and that these reports of Henri's death +were circulated in order to deceive Conde. + +In the afternoon I paid a visit to the astrologer's house, and by dint +of bribing the porter gained admittance. Fortunately for the learned +Martin the fire had not reached his rooms, though some parts of the +buildings were damaged. The philosopher received me very affably, and +spoke in feeling terms of my cousin's illness, but when I asked if +Henri would see me the wily old fellow regarded me with the utmost +astonishment. + +"M. de Lalande is not here!" he observed. "Did you not know? How +strange! Why, he had left before D'Artagnan arrived with his +musketeers to search the house. It appears that your cousin has +offended Conde, or the Duke of Orleans, or some powerful person, and is +in danger of being imprisoned." + +"It is said in the city that he is dead." + +"Dead? I hope not, but in his weak state the hurried flight may easily +have proved fatal. The soldiers were sent to arrest him, but his +faithful servant, by some means, heard of their coming, and smuggled +his master out just in time." + +"Pillot?" + +"Yes, he is a trusty fellow." + +"Where was my cousin taken?" + +"Pillot did not trust me with his secret," said the astrologer, smiling +blandly, "and I have not seen him since." + +"But you can guess where he is to be found?" + +"Indeed, I have not the least notion, monsieur," and the bland smile +became still more bland, "but as to the rumour of your cousin's death I +would fain hope that it is not true." + +Remembering the nature of my last visit with Mazarin to this house, I +placed small faith in Martin's remarks, but as it was clearly +impossible to obtain any further information I took my leave, resolving +to discover for myself what really had become of Henri. Raoul joined +me in the search, but for a long time our efforts were fruitless. It +became, indeed, difficult not to believe in my cousin's death. Many +even of Conde's friends accepted the report as true, while the Abbe's +henchmen openly mourned the loss of their brilliant leader. Still I +was not entirely satisfied, especially as no trace could be found of +Pillot. + +During one of our expeditions we came across Pierre and Francois, the +one grim and hostile, the other smiling and communicative. + +"Monsieur is right," replied Francois in answer to my questioning, "M. +de Lalande did leave the astrologer's house; I helped to carry him. He +was ill--dying, I think. We took him to a safe place. Pillot stayed +to nurse him and I left them. He instructed me to go because the +soldiers were watching." + +"Could you show us this house?" I asked. + +"Monsieur would have his journey in vain. M. de Lalande is not there +now. Pillot took him, or his dead body, away in a carriage." + +"Where is Pillot now?" + +"Ah! monsieur asks a question! Perhaps he is dead too! I have not +seen him since." + +For a moderate consideration Francois agreed to point out the haunts +which his former ally had been in the habit of frequenting. Such dens +of vice and misery, where crime, starvation, and disease went hand in +hand, I had never beheld. I wondered how any one could live in such +noisome places even for a day. The sufferings of the people were +terrible; a dreadful pestilence mowed them down in scores. Small +marvel that a clever agitator like De Retz could obtain hundreds of +willing tools ready for any act of bloodshed and violence. + +Always hungry, always in filth and rags, scarred and disfigured by +disease, their numbers decimated many times over by an ever-present +plague, what could they know of the sanctity of life? Death walked and +talked with them continually; a familiar guest, eating and drinking by +their side like a trusty comrade--feared by none, welcomed by many. +But for Francois we should never have left these dens alive. + +With all our care and trouble we could obtain no information. My +cousin had vanished so completely that I gradually became convinced of +his death, and an accidental meeting with De Retz confirmed me in this +belief. + +Coming one day from the neighbourhood of Notre Dame, I met the Abbe +face to face. He stopped involuntarily and his face became white. + +"De Lalande?" he gasped. "De Lalande? Is it possible?" + +"Albert de Lalande," I said. + +"Ah," he exclaimed with a sigh of relief, "Henri's cousin! I had +forgotten you, and it is a shock to one's nerves to meet a dead man in +the flesh." + +"Is my cousin really dead, monsieur?" + +"_Ma foi!_ What a question! Why do you ask?" + +"Because I imagined the report had been spread about to deceive Conde." + +"No," he replied, showing no offence at my remark, "I would it were so, +but M. Beauchamp's sword bit deeply. Pillot should have informed you, +but he has had much to do. He has taken his master's body home for +burial. I feel his loss greatly. Your cousin was an admirable man, +and I shall never find his equal. But what of yourself? Have you +taken service with Conde?" + +"No, monsieur, I still fight for the Throne." + +"And for Albert de Lalande! Well, well, as long as you steer clear of +me I wish you no harm." + +"Monsieur is pleased to be gracious," I returned with a mocking bow. +"I am indeed grateful." + +The little rogue's eyes twinkled brightly, and he went away laughing. + +So Henri was really dead and laid to rest in the family vault! I could +no longer question the truth of the rumour after seeing the Abbe's face +when he met me. It was certain that he, at least, believed my cousin +was dead and buried. Even Raoul could not shake me on this point, +though he rather scoffed at the story. + +"It is a trick to deceive Conde," he said. "If Henri is dead, where is +Pillot?" + +"He has taken the body home." + +"Chut! The tale is a pack of lies. The Abbe is keeping your cousin in +hiding till Conde has lost his power. Have you heard that he is going +to accuse the prince of high treason?" + +"De Retz?" + +"Yes, to-morrow in open court at the Palais de Justice. There are +likely to be warm doings, and it is my belief if De Retz wins your +cousin Henri will soon come to life." + +That night I wandered about the city by myself. Raoul and Armand were +with the troops in the Luxembourg; John Humphreys was at his post in +the Palais Royal; the gates of both palaces were closed and barred, for +no one knew what an hour would bring forth. The night passed quietly, +but, as soon as the dawn broke, bands of armed men, in the pay of De +Retz, moved down on the Palais de Justice, swarming into the halls and +galleries and seizing the best positions. The crowd outside rapidly +increased to enormous numbers, and very soon cries of "Down with Conde" +were heard. + +About an hour after De Retz put in an appearance loud shouts announced +the coming of the prince. He rode haughtily at the head of some two +thousand fighting men, who marched afoot with their hands on their +swords, and apparently quite ready to use them. I was standing near +the gate as Conde passed, and to my surprise he beckoned me toward him. + +"Has your search failed?" he asked. + +"Yes, your Highness. According to all accounts my cousin is dead, and +I am sure De Retz thinks so." + +"Why do you say that?" he asked quickly. "Come with me; it is +important that I should have the latest news." + +Accordingly we walked together along the corridor, which was filled +with armed men, and so into the Parliament Hall, Conde listening with +deep attention to the story of my chance meeting with De Retz. + +"Ah!" he exclaimed thoughtfully, "that will account for more than one +strange incident," and leaving me he took his seat in the assembly. + +I was too far off to hear the speeches, but there was tremendous +excitement, and I think everyone was expecting the meeting to end in +bloodshed. Better sense, however, prevailed; Conde sent a nobleman to +ask his friends to withdraw, and De Retz went with a similar message to +his own retainers. Then something happened which threatened to undo +all the good. Conde's messenger getting back first shut the door, and +when the Abbe knocked, opened it only a little way. As De Retz +endeavoured to squeeze through, the nobleman caught and fixed him +between the two halves, at the same time calling to his friends to kill +the Abbe. + +[Illustration: "The nobleman caught and fixed him."] + +It was a critical moment, as the first blow would have been the signal +for a fierce fight, yet I could hardly refrain from laughing at the +spectacle. The little man's head and shoulders were within the hall, +and the rest of his body was outside, while he could not stir an inch. +Happily no blow was struck, as one of Conde's captains, crying "Shame!" +ran forward, and two or three of us nearest the door managed to +extricate the Abbe from his awkward situation. + +"Thank you, gentlemen," he exclaimed; "I am glad there are some men of +honour in the prince's train," and he passed to his seat as if nothing +unusual had happened. + +"There will be no more trouble to-day," said a man close to me; and he +was right, but Paris had only just missed another revolution. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +News at Last. + +The incident at the Palais de Justice somewhat sobered the Parisians, +and for several days the city presented quite an unusual appearance of +peace. Once more the mob retired to its own quarters, and the nobles +of the different parties renewed their private friendships. + +By this time I had abandoned my search for Henri, and spent most of my +time with Raoul and Armand d'Arcy, or with John Humphreys. + +One evening while chatting with the Englishman at the Palais Royal, Le +Tellier, the Under Minister, passed by. + +"Are you not M. de Lalande?" he asked, turning and looking hard into my +face. + +Now, coming from him, this was a very stupid question, as, when Mazarin +ruled in Paris, Le Tellier had often seen me with the Cardinal. +However, I shrugged my shoulders, and answered carelessly that he made +no mistake. + +"I believe you are in the Queen's service?" he continued. + +"It is an office without salary, then," I answered, thinking of my +nearly empty purse, which was not likely to wear out through the +rubbing of coins against it. + +"Tut, tut!" he exclaimed, "money is not plentiful at Court just now; +nevertheless you will be amply rewarded. Come with me, I have a word +for you," and he led me aside. + +Wondering at his manner, but glad of a chance to do something, I waited +for him to speak. + +"You are aware," he began, "that, in two days from this, the King is to +be declared of age, and that he will proceed in state to the Parliament +House?" + +"Certainly, monsieur, that is common talk; the citizens are very +pleased." + +"Those who are peacefully disposed!" he exclaimed; then, sinking his +voice to a whisper, he added, "but there are some still eager for +mischief. It would be a pity if a tumult should arise during the +King's progress. The soldiers, fortunately, can be depended on, but in +addition, we require a band of gallant gentlemen to line the route. +Can I rely on you for one?" + +"Assuredly," I replied, "I shall be glad to assist." + +"Then come to me at midnight to-morrow, and I will inform you where to +station yourself." + +"Another adventure?" inquired Humphreys, when I returned to him. + +"Pouf! A bagatelle, nothing more! Le Tellier is anxious that I should +have a good view of the procession. You will accompany the Queen, I +suppose?" + +"The orders have not yet been issued. It is a good idea this of +declaring the King of age; though he is only a youngster." + +"Fourteen," I said. "It is understood that his mother will continue to +rule as before." + +"Just so. But in the King's name. Don't you see that it will cut the +ground from under the feet of her enemies? While they would plot +against the Regent, they will not dare to raise arms against the King. +I call it a very sensible proceeding. People will have to choose sides +now, either with the King or with his foes. If Conde and De Retz do +not submit, they will be rebels. They must either obey or defy the +King, and we shall have a plain issue." + +"It will keep Mazarin out, though." + +"Quite so. If I were you I should obtain a post under the young King." + +This was sensible advice, but considering myself still in Mazarin's +employ, I decided to let the matter wait a while longer. Perhaps I +might even yet hear from Belloc. + +On the morning of the eventful day I took my place, by Le Tellier's +orders, about a hundred yards from the gates of the Palais de Justice. +Other cavaliers, well armed, were stationed at short intervals along +the line of route, making little show, but ready at any moment to +pounce on any one endeavouring to stir up strife. + +As it chanced, Le Tellier's precautions were not required. There was a +tremendous crowd, but the people were in the best of humour, and amused +themselves by shouting "_Vive le Roi!_" with all their might. They +cheered for the Queen-Mother as well, and, listening to them, one would +have thought Paris the most loyal city under the sun. + +"_Ma foi!_" exclaimed the cavalier on my right, "it is wonderful; but +how long will it last?" + +"Till the show is over most likely. The citizens love a pretty +spectacle, no matter who provides it." + +Round after round of cheering announced the approach of the procession, +which was on the most magnificent scale. After a body of trumpeters +came fifty guides clothed in the Royal livery, and then eight hundred +gorgeously dressed nobles on horseback. + +I felt a passing pang of envy at sight of the nobleman who led the +Light Horse. His robe was of gold embroidery, and he carried his sword +in a baldrick of pearls. In his hat waved a splendid plume of +feathers, and the trappings of his white horse were of scarlet adorned +with pearls. The spectators could not contain themselves, but clapped +their hands and cried "Bravo!" vigorously. + +After the Light Horse came the Hundred Swiss in their romantic costume, +and then a crowd of gentlemen, followed by the marshals of France--one +carrying the King's sword, with the scabbard resting on his arm. Then +a thundering roar broke out, and the people appeared beside themselves +with delight. + +"Live the King!" they cried. "God bless him!" "God save his Majesty!" + +I craned my neck as eagerly as any other sightseer, as our youthful +monarch approached. He was truly a handsome boy, and managed his fiery +horse with the grace and skill of an accomplished rider. + +"What a King he will be!" exclaimed one bystander. "He will bring back +the glory to our country. _Vive le Roi! Vive le Roi!_" and again +there was an outburst of cheering. + +No one paid any attention to the princes and nobles following him; all +the cheers were for the King and the King alone. + +I observed Raoul ride by, and presently John Humphreys appeared with +the guards who surrounded the Queen's carriage. Raoul was smiling, +for, like a true Parisian, he enjoyed a pretty show, but the Englishman +strode along as if he had a mind to be done with the business. Just as +he was on a level with me I received a great surprise. On the other +side of the road a little man had pushed himself right into the front +line of spectators, and was gazing anxiously up and down as if +expecting to recognise some one. + +"Why, surely," I said, half aloud, "that is my old acquaintance, +Pillot!" and, looking a second time I became sure of it. + +The dwarf seemed ill at ease, and altogether unlike his usual self. +His face, too, was white and pinched, as if he had been suffering from +a severe illness. + +"_Parbleu!_" I muttered, "one would not think he had but just returned +from the country! Perhaps he missed the air of Paris! Anyhow, I am +glad he is back, as now I shall learn the truth as to my cousin's +death. When the procession is gone by I will beckon to him to come +over." + +At that moment Pillot caught sight of me; he became more nervous than +before, and to my astonishment instantly began edging back into the +crowd till he was lost to view. Now this curious behaviour set me +thinking. Why should Pillot endeavour to get out of my way? Was he +afraid that I should hand him over to Conde? Certainly he had been +mixed up in the plot, but so had Pierre and Francois, and the prince +had not thought it worth while to imprison either of them. + +"There is some mystery about this which I must look into!" I muttered. +"Pillot is not the man to slink away without reason." + +For the time, however, I could do nothing, but as soon as the King +returned to the Palais Royal I began an eager but unavailing search for +the dwarf. He had disappeared completely, and there was no trace of +him anywhere. + +In the evening Raoul and John Humphreys met at my rooms and I informed +them of my discovery. The Englishman thought little of it, saying +Pillot was likely to keep out of my way, but Raoul, like myself, +fancied he had some reason for his strange behaviour. + +"The fellow isn't afraid for himself," he declared. "He knows Conde +will not touch him, and besides, he is a plucky rascal. Depend on it, +there is something beneath this business, and I should guess it has to +do with Henri de Lalande." + +"But my cousin is dead and buried!" I objected. + +"Chut! You have no proof of it. He may be in hiding for what we know, +and waiting his opportunity. According to all accounts, he will soon +have little to fear from Conde." + +"The prince is lost," exclaimed Humphreys. "Did you notice he stayed +away to-day? It is rumoured in the palace that the Queen is furious, +and that there is to be no more giving quarter. Conde will be an +outlaw before long." + +"And it is my belief," remarked Raoul, "that when Conde goes, Henri +will reappear. Still, if you wish, Albert, we will help you to find +Pillot." + +"The worst of it is I have not the faintest idea where to look." + +"We can try the house in the Rue de Roi." + +"The walk will do us good," said Humphreys, "and I am off duty till +midnight;" so, putting on our hats, we went into the street. + +Paris was holding high holiday that evening. The buildings were +decorated with flags and streamers; bonfires cast a lurid light on the +animated scene; crowds of people went to and fro, laughing merrily and +cheering the nobles and ladies who rode by in their gorgeous carriages. +The spell of the morning was on them all; and though many realised that +the troubles would soon break out more fiercely than ever, every one +seemed bent on making the most of the brief truce. + +"You Parisians are a remarkable set!" exclaimed Humphreys as we walked +along; "I believe you would dance on the edge of a mine." + +"Till the explosion occurred!" laughed Raoul. "Did you notice the +folks in that carriage, Albert? One was your friend Lautrec; he still +follows Conde's fortunes. Ah! there goes Marshal Turenne!" + +"A fine general!" remarked Humphreys. "Why doesn't the Queen give him +the command of the army? He would make short work of Conde." + +"Wait till the prince draws the sword," said Raoul, "and we shall see. +Have you forgotten that at present we are all friends?" + +The Englishman declared it was scarcely worth remembering, as, in a day +or two, we were just as likely to be enemies, and I thought there was a +considerable amount of truth in his remark. + +We wandered along slowly, chatting together, but scanning the faces of +the passers-by and keeping a sharp look-out for Pillot. There was, +however, no sign of him, and I had just suggested going straight to the +inn, when Raoul, suddenly taking a man by the arm, exclaimed, +"Francois? How lucky! Why, you are just the fellow we want!" and +turning round I saw that he was addressing the amiable spy of the Rue +Crillon. + +Francois gazed at us with a beaming smile. He was not a bad-hearted +fellow, and bore no malice in spite of all that had passed. + +"Where are your friends?" asked Raoul. "You should not be alone on +such a night as this. Where have you left Pillot?" + +"Pillot?" echoed Francois wonderingly. "I have not seen him for weeks; +he is in the country somewhere." + +"Oh, now, Francois, you are making fun of us! We know that our friend +Pillot is in Paris." + +"Monsieur is wiser than I, then!" replied Francois. "They say, down in +our quarter, that he went to bury his master and has not returned. I +assure monsieur that not one of his old friends has set eyes on him for +a long time past." + +The man spoke so straightforwardly that even Raoul believed he was +telling the truth, though it seemed strange, if Pillot were really back +again, that none of his acquaintances should be aware of it. Why had +he kept himself hidden all this time? + +"We want to find him," said Raoul after a pause, "but not to do him any +injury. Suppose he has returned to Paris--if he ever went away--where +is he most likely to be? I assure you, Francois, that he has nothing +to fear from us." + +"I cannot tell, monsieur. I think you must have made a mistake. If he +were inside the walls I should have seen him. He has not been back to +any of his usual haunts." + +Evidently there was no information to be obtained from Francois, so +Raoul gave him some money and let him go. + +"Perhaps the fellow was right in saying you had made a mistake," +remarked Humphreys, but this I would not admit. Not only had I seen +Pillot, but he had recognised me. + +"Let us try at La Boule d'Or," Raoul suggested, "and, if that is +useless, we will not bother any further. After all, it really is of +small consequence one way or the other." + +The famous inn was crowded as usual, but Raoul conducted us to a +private room, where, in a few minutes, we were joined by the landlord. +He remembered me immediately, and began to speak of the trick I had +played on the dwarf. + +"We have come to meet Pillot," interrupted Raoul playing a bold game; +"tell him we are here." + +"But, monsieur, it is impossible! He is not in my house. He has been +here only once since monsieur tied him up. It would not be a safe +place for him. Besides, I have heard that he is no longer in Paris. +Monsieur can search the place himself if he wishes. At the present, +the inn is empty of guests. Two friends of the prince have been +staying here, but they departed yesterday." + +"And all your rooms are free?" + +"That is so. Monsieur is at liberty to search the house." + +"Come," said Raoul to us, "we are not likely to discover anything, but +we shall feel more satisfied perhaps." + +Taking a candle the landlord led the way, and we tramped after him, +searching every room. Raoul knew the house thoroughly, so that nothing +escaped us, and we were bound to admit that Pillot was not in the inn. +Leaving us outside, Raoul entered the public rooms, but he could +neither find the dwarf nor gain any information of him, and at last we +departed, my comrades feeling more than half inclined to believe that +my eyes had deceived me. + +However, as Raoul said, I should gain little even by finding Pillot. +If my cousin still lived--which I sincerely hoped--he could not be in +much danger from Conde. Beneath all the gaiety and merriment of that +night, it was easy to observe the shadow of coming trouble, and, +indeed, before many days had passed Paris was again in a state of +turmoil. + +Conde was almost openly in rebellion: the country trembled on the brink +of civil war; of authority there was none save in the strong hand; +every man did that which seemed right in his own eyes. Bands of armed +ruffians paraded the streets, robbing and murdering as they pleased; +the soldiers quarrelled among themselves; the nobles fought in the +public places, unsheathing their swords even in the Parliament House. +Thoroughly wearied of this meaningless strife, I longed for a strong +man, such as our present most gracious King has proved, who should whip +these snarling dogs back to their kennels. + +One evening I sat at my window looking into the street below. The +inhabitants of the Rue des Catonnes were having fine doings. From one +end to the other they swarmed--a heaving mass of excited humanity. It +was plain that a crisis had arrived. Paris was in rebellion, but +against whom or what not one in a thousand knew or cared. For the +moment the people were masters, and they made the most of their +opportunity. + +I watched their antics in amazement. Costly furniture, handsome +brocades, rich tapestry and gorgeous hangings littered the street. +Grimy, unwashed ruffians swaggered about in clothes costly with lace, +and plumed hats, some even carrying swords. They were in the merriest +humour imaginable, but I knew well that a chance word might change +their mirth into madness. + +"They have plundered some nobleman's house," I muttered. "I wonder who +the victim is?" + +I was still sitting at the window when the tramp of horses' feet +sounded in the distance, and presently D'Artagnan appeared at the end +of the street with a body of cavalry. For a minute or two it seemed as +if the rioters would oppose his progress, but, having no leader, and +perhaps being in no mood for a fight, they began to slink away by ones +and twos into the houses. A few lingered half defiantly, but obtaining +no support from their fellows, they also disappeared, and not a blow +was struck as the soldiers rode through the street. + +"Bravo!" I exclaimed, "the mischief may be stamped out yet. I wonder +if the other quarters are quiet," and, buckling on my sword, I crossed +the room just as a man in dishevelled dress rushed panting up the +stairs. + +I gazed at my unexpected visitor in amazement and rubbed my eyes. Were +they playing me false? No! It was Pillot sure enough, and he was +gasping for breath. Why had he come to me? + +"Just in time, monsieur," he stammered as he leaned against the wall to +recover. + +"What is it?" I exclaimed. "What do you want? Quick, I am in a hurry." + +"Wait, monsieur. Listen; you must! I ran all the way to the Rue +Crillon, but you were not there." + +"The Rue Crillon?" I interrupted, thinking of Madame Coutance and +Marie. "Is anything the matter there? Are the ladies in danger?" + +"No, no," he answered impatiently. "No one will harm them. They are +as safe as at Aunay. It is of your cousin. He calls for you, +monsieur; he is dying--and alone! Come with me, monsieur, quick! I +must return at once; he may be dead!" + +"A truce to this mummery," I said sternly. "What new trick is this? +Do you imagine I am to be trapped a second time? My cousin is dead and +buried; the Abbe himself told me." + +Pillot gazed at me in blank despair. His face was white, his lips +twitched nervously, his words came with a sob. + +"It is false, monsieur, false. I deceived the Abbe as I deceived all +for my master's sake. I spread about the story of his death; I tricked +De Retz because he could not be trusted. To save his own life he would +have thrown your cousin to the wolves. It is each for himself, +nowadays, monsieur. I wormed out their plots: they could not deceive +Pillot. De Retz is a clever schemer, but the biggest rogues make +mistakes. He believed my tale, and so did Conde. Only one man besides +myself and M. de Lalande knew the truth, and I was obliged to trust +him. As to your cousin I have guarded him against all comers; I have +nursed him day and night; I have tricked the soldiers, but now the end +is come. Prince and priest are welcome to the secret now." + +"But what do you wish me to do?" I asked suspiciously. + +"To soothe your cousin's last moments, monsieur; to close his eyes in +death. He calls for you always." + +If Pillot was playing a part, he was indeed a superb actor. Yet still +I hesitated, so intense was the distrust with which in these days each +regarded his neighbour. + +"Do you doubt me, monsieur?" he asked. "Do I plead for the dying in +vain? This is no trick. Why should I deceive you? We have been on +opposite sides, but we have played the game fairly. I have even gone +out of my way to serve you. It was I who sent the note warning you +against our own trap." + +"And saved my life after I had blundered into it!" + +The dwarf watched my face as if his own life depended on my decision. + +"Pillot," I said at length, "I will trust you. But, if you deceive me, +so surely as you stand there I will run you through with my sword." + +"Monsieur is welcome in any case," he answered, "if only he will come +at once." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +The Death of Henri. + +Many a time I had left the house in the Rue des Catonnes with a very +doubtful chance of returning, but I had rarely gone out with such a +pressing sense of danger as now. Pillot's sudden appearance, his +strange story, and the memory of former deceptions wrought on my +nerves, and I almost wished Raoul or John Humphreys was with me. + +The rioters, too, now that the soldiers had departed, returned to the +street in a very quarrelsome humour. They stood in groups talking +angrily; and one brawny ruffian, yelling "Death to the Nobles!" struck +at me with a pike. Happily my sword was free and I pinked his arm; +still it would have gone hard with me but for Pillot, who procured us a +passage by the use of some jargon well-known to these night-birds. + +"Be cautious, monsieur," he said, "the mob is growing dangerous. The +riot has not spread far, but to-morrow----!" + +"Will the city rise?" + +"Nothing can stop it, monsieur. These people are like wild animals. +You can excite them to a certain pitch, but beyond that----" + +"What is the grievance now?" I asked, and Pillot shrugged his shoulders. + +"There are many things, monsieur, but at present the chief is hunger. +The inhabitants of these quarters are half starved, and they want to +know why. They will put the question very loudly in a day or two." + +"Will they rise against the throne?" + +"It all depends. A whim or a word will do it. Some one will cry 'Down +with Conde!' and there is your revolution ready-made. The man who is +starving does not stop to reason. The cry may be 'Down with the +Nobles!'--no one knows as yet, and no one cares." + +Presently I asked why he had ventured abroad on the day when the King +was declared of age. + +"My master was better then," he said, "and desired to learn how affairs +were shaping. We heard a rumour that Conde would not be present; so I +went to find out. It was a risky thing, and the sight of you +frightened me." + +"It need not have done; I wish my cousin no harm." + +"True, monsieur, but we were not aware of that." + +"Where have you hidden your master?" + +"In an outhouse at La Boule d'Or. We dared not take him to the inn; he +would have been discovered. I was afraid the other evening when you +came with M. Beauchamp." + +"Then you saw us?" + +"I watched you enter, monsieur--and go away," and the rascal could not +help chuckling. + +Through dirty courts and fetid alleys where the sun never shone, my +guide led the way, bringing me at last to the familiar Rue de Roi. My +distrust had vanished by now, and I followed him unhesitatingly. +Crossing the road and walking rapidly through a private passage, we +reached the back of the inn. The yard was in partial darkness, but I +made out an old building which communicated by a covered way with the +hostelry. Lighting a candle, Pillot entered this passage and stood +listening intently. No sound could be heard; all was silent as the +grave. + +"Too late!" he exclaimed sadly, and, heedless of me, sprang up the +stairs two at a time, the flame of the candle flickering violently. I +heard him turn the handle of the door, and, running up quickly, passed +in with him. + +The evening shadows were relieved only by the glimmer of the candle, +but I gave no more than a passing glance at the wretched room. Somehow +I had felt convinced almost from the first that Pillot was telling the +truth, and now the proof was before me. + +The dwarf, who had placed the candle on the table, was bending over a +figure close by. It was my cousin, wrapped in an old dressing-gown and +seated in a deep arm-chair. He looked wasted and white, his mouth was +drawn at the corners, his eyes burned deep in their sockets with a red +glow, I could almost see through the thin white hands that lay loosely +on his lap. + +Pillot, as I have mentioned, bent over him, and called softly, +"Monsieur, monsieur, your cousin has come; I have fetched your cousin." + +"Henri!" I cried--for the dying man apparently took no notice--"I am +your cousin, your cousin Albert. Do you not wish to speak to me?" + +There was a faint gleam of recognition in his eyes, and it appeared as +if he were trying to brace himself; then he extended one hand, and said +quietly, "Albert!" + +I urged him to let me send for a skilful surgeon, but he shook his head +impatiently, saying, "No, no, he could do nothing. Pillot has been my +doctor and nurse. Good little man!" + +One could perceive that he was dying, and I would not disturb him +further, though the dwarf wished to carry him to his bed. + +Presently he looked at me with a faint smile whispering, "The elder +branch will lead again. It is well; you are a better De Lalande than +I. At one time I hoped we might have been friends, but you had chosen +your part." + +"We can be friends yet." + +"No, no; it is too late. What I have done I have done; but there is +one matter pressing on my mind. Will you forgive me for--for----" + +"The plot?" I put in cheerfully. "Of course, I forgive you freely; it +was all in the game." + +"You did not believe I meant to kill you?" + +"Not for an instant," I answered honestly. + +He lay back in his chair, and a gratified smile flickered across his +face. + +"Maubranne did not tell me," he said feebly. "He knew I would not--not +consent. I only intended to keep you shut up for a few weeks. What +have you done with Peleton?" + +"He is in the Bastille! He informed Conde of all that he knew." + +"Pah! I warned the Abbe against him, but he refused to listen. Tell +Raoul not to worry about me. I should have recovered but for the +soldiers. Pillot had to move me. It was horrible, but the end is near +now. Ask the Abbe to bury me in Paris." + +He stopped exhausted; his eyes closed; his head fell forward, and I +thought that life was gone. Pillot stood near me choking back his +sobs. I had not given him credit for such feeling. + +"Oh, monsieur," he whispered, "your cousin was good to me; I would have +given my life freely to save his!" + +"Hush! He is speaking again!" + +Very low and faint were the words, but we heard him say, "Pillot, are +you there? Good little man, I will not forget. Fetch my cousin, +Pillot. Quick, do you hear? Ah, _monsieur le prince_, you are too +late! It is a pity!" and he laughed derisively. + +There was silence for a time, and then I whispered softly, "Henri!" but +he made no answer. + +The feeble light played on his face, half hiding, half revealing the +ghastliness of it; and we, without speech or movement, stood watching +him, till the candle sputtering out left us in darkness. Pillot would +have fetched another from the inn, but he feared to stir lest the sound +should disturb the dying man. How long we remained thus I cannot tell, +but shortly before morning broke there came a strange, convulsive +rattle from the huddled figure in the chair, and we knew that Henri de +Lalande had passed from the power of man. + +"May his soul rest in peace!" said Pillot simply. + +"Amen," I replied, and, moving softly, closed the dead man's eyes. + +I was scarcely more than a lad then, and Henri's melancholy death in +this wretched room made a deep impression on me. It was a sad ending +to what might have been a brilliant career. The early dawn, creeping +into the room, cast fantastic shadows everywhere, and the light falling +on my cousin's face imparted to it a strange appearance of life. I +could almost have thought he was smiling at me. + +"I have lost a good master," said Pillot. "You and he were not the +best of friends, monsieur, but there are many worse men in Paris than +the one who has just died." + +"I am sure of it," said I somewhat absently, for my thoughts had turned +to the previous night's rioting. + +"The King is dead; live the King!" What a world of meaning lies in +those simple words! I was really sorry for my cousin's death, but +there was no leisure to indulge in grief; the living were in need of my +assistance. + +Paris was up in arms! The mob had already broken loose, and, unless +the ruffians were quickly checked, no one could foretell how the tumult +might end. As yet only a house or two had been plundered, but within +twenty-four hours Paris might be reduced to ashes. I thought of Marie +and her aunt, and determined by some means to get them from the city. +It seemed pitiful to leave my cousin lying dead there, but I could do +him no good, and Pillot would carry his message to De Retz. + +"Pillot," I exclaimed, "I must leave you to attend to your master's +burial. The Abbe will not refuse his last request. I would stay, but +it is necessary for me to attend the ladies in the Rue Crillon. If the +mob rises there may be danger." + +"You are right, monsieur! Paris is no place for them at present. Take +them out of it as quickly as possible. As to your cousin, I will see +that he has proper burial; I will go to De Retz at once." + +"What will you do afterwards? You will not care to serve the Abbe +again?" + +"Ah, no! I would wring his neck with pleasure, monsieur!" + +"I do not wish that. Come, let me make you an offer. I am not rich +like my cousin, but if you will take service with me, I will arrange +that you are properly paid." + +"After all that has passed? Monsieur is exceedingly trustful." + +"Because I am aware how loyal you have been to M. de Lalande." + +"Very well, monsieur; let it be so. You will find that I shall serve +you faithfully." + +"I am sure of that. Now listen. As soon as my cousin is buried, start +for Aunay--you know the road. If you do not find me there I shall have +gone to join the Cardinal and you can follow. Here is some money; you +will need it before we meet again." + +As soon as these matters were arranged we went out, and Pillot +carefully secured the door. The morning had broken cold and gray, a +drizzling rain fell, the streets were deserted; the night-owls, wearied +by their exertions, had returned to their roosts. + +"There is still time to see Raoul," I muttered; so, bidding Pillot go +straight to the Abbe, I turned off in the direction of the Luxembourg. + +At the Palace the change from the stillness of the city was startling. +The gates were closed and guarded; soldiers, fully equipped, stood at +their posts; the courtyard was filled with nobles in a state of +excitement. Happily for my purpose Raoul observed me and came to the +gate. + +"What has alarmed you so down here?" I inquired. "Is the Duke afraid +of a siege?" + +"Have you not heard the news? Come inside where we can talk. It has +all happened just as we reckoned it would. Conde has thrown off the +mask and broken with the Court. It is rumoured that Spain has offered +him a body of troops, and that he intends to tempt fortune in a Civil +War. The Queen is firm and does not mean to let him back out; it is do +or die for him now." + +"All the better; we shall be able to distinguish friends from enemies. +It will be an awful thing, but once Conde is well beaten the country +will stand a chance of peace. The Duke of Orleans will join forces +with the Queen?" + +"I cannot say," answered Raoul shamefacedly; "he is pulled this way and +that, by both parties. Most probably he will wait to find how things +go." + +"Then he is a coward as well as a traitor! _Faugh!_ I wonder you have +patience to stay with him! I can understand a loyalist and even a +rebel, but a weather-cock like the Duke is beyond me. Why does he not +come boldly into the open? This twisting and turning will do him no +good. One would imagine he was a hunted hare." + +"There is no need to ask what you will do?" + +"Not a bit, I shall join the royal army and serve as a trooper, if no +better berth offers. Thank goodness the field is clear now, and we +shall know where we stand. But first I must get Marie and her aunt out +of the city. Paris will not be safe for them when the mob rises, as it +is sure to do. But I have some further news; my cousin is dead." + +"I thought you said he died weeks ago." + +"Pillot spread that rumour about, but there can be no mistake now, as I +have just come from his deathbed," and, while my friend listened +attentively, I related the strange story of the past night. + +"Poor fellow!" exclaimed Raoul; "we were never very friendly, but I am +sorry for him. He would have made a name for himself in time. He must +have had some good points for Pillot to stick to him so closely. The +little man will be lost without his master." + +"He has taken service with me." + +"I have no doubt he will serve you well. Shall you go to the Rue +Crillon at once?" + +"Yes, and endeavour to induce Madame Coutance to leave before the +danger becomes pressing. Well, I must be off, and I wish you were +coming with me." + +"I shall follow you," he said resolutely, "and fight for the Crown, +with or without the consent of the Duke." + +"Bravo, old friend!" I cried impetuously. "Conde against De Retz or +Orleans I can understand; but Conde against the Throne is another +matter. The point of every honest man's sword should be turned against +a traitor! Why not come now?" + +"Because the Duke may yet take the field for the Queen! He must make +up his mind in a few days at the most." + +He walked with me to the gate, and after a brief farewell I set out +towards the city. Thus far nothing unusual had occurred, but there +were numerous signs of a coming storm. Most of the shops remained +closed, door and windows were barricaded, sober Black Mantles, armed +from head to foot, stood in groups talking of the situation. The +denizens of the courts still rested, but some, more energetic than +their neighbours, made furtive excursions into the main streets. They +slunk along with pike and club, as if even now half doubtful of their +own strength, though here and there a self-appointed leader shouted for +death to the nobles. But the time was not yet. The appetite of the +_canaille_ was not sufficiently whetted; later they would be ready for +the feast. + +Walking quickly to the Rue Crillon, I found the ladies breakfasting, +and was glad to join them, as I had eaten nothing for many hours. They +were not aware of the previous night's riot, and Madame Coutance +laughed at the idea of leaving the city. + +"There is no danger," she declared, "and, besides, I have business in +Paris." + +"But your friends are gone," I urged. "You have heard that Conde has +turned traitor?" + +She flushed angrily, and answered in her masterful way, "I know the +prince has taken up arms to secure his rights." + +"In any case he is not here to protect you from the fury of the mob." + +"Bah!" said she scornfully, "a pack of cowards! Any one--a woman +even--could send them flying with a riding-whip!" + +Argument was thrown away on her, but I did my best, even exaggerating +the danger, and begging her to depart if only for the sake of her +niece. However, she remained obstinate; not, I think, out of mere +bravado, but because she misjudged the strength of the rising. +Standing at the window, she pointed to the quiet street, saying +triumphantly, "Where is the danger, M. de Lalande? The Rue Crillon +looks to me as peaceful as the park at Aunay. Besides, the citizens +are in favour of the prince, and they will not injure us." + +Shrugging my shoulders impatiently, I made no reply; she must bear the +consequence of her folly. Even Marie seemed to think lightly of the +peril, though she thanked me prettily for my thoughtfulness. At last, +annoyed by my failure, I bade them farewell, and returning to the +Luxembourg despatched a soldier in search of Raoul, who looked +surprised at seeing me again. + +"The woman is an imbecile," he exclaimed angrily, "but we must save her +in spite of herself, if it is at all possible. Are you aware that the +gates are guarded, and that no one is allowed to pass without a permit? +The Duke has just issued the order." + +"In that case I may as well abandon the idea of getting them through, +unless you can obtain a permit for us." + +"I will try, if you will wait here a few minutes," and off he went to +the palace. + +"Another plot, De Lalande?" cried a laughing voice at my elbow, and, +turning my head, I perceived Armand d'Arcy, who had just come up. + +"Only an attempt to get Madame Coutance and her niece out of the city. +I am afraid there will be mischief in a day or two." + +"Sooner than that, my friend! The pikes are being sharpened and the +_canaille_ will be all armed by nightfall. I suppose you have heard +the news of Conde?" + +"That he has shown his true colours? Yes! it is the best thing that +could have happened. Of course you are for the Crown and against +Conde?" + +"I am for the Duke of Orleans," said he. + +"What, against the King?" + +"Against the world, if it comes to that! I chose him as my patron and +must stand by him, though I hope he will not assist Conde." + +"If he does you will be a rebel." + +"All right," cried he, with his merry laugh, "there will be small +novelty in that. Ah! here comes Beauchamp, looking as solemn as an +owl. Can you not manage to screw out a smile, Raoul? A glimpse of +yourself in a glass just now would frighten you to death. Look a bit +lively, there is plenty of time for being miserable." + +"Brule has arrived with his report," said Raoul, "and things are even +worse than we expected; the barricades will be up to-night. Here, +Albert, take care of this," and he gave me an order signed by the Duke: +"Allow bearer and two friends to pass the gate of St. Denis without +question or delay." + +"Thanks," said I, slipping it into my pocket, "it may mean all the +difference between life and death, though whether Madame Coutance will +leave is more than I can tell. And now, good-bye, for the second time; +I am going to my rooms for a few minutes, and after that to the Rue +Crillon." + +"Avoid the short cuts," D'Arcy advised; "or you may get into trouble, +and if you are invited to cry 'Down with the King!' shout with all your +might. Better to use your breath unpleasantly than to lose it +altogether." + +"It is as likely to be 'Down with Conde!' as anything else," I answered +laughing, "and in that case you will hear my voice at the Luxembourg." + +"By the way," said Raoul, "have you seen John Humphreys?" + +"No, I must spare five minutes for him. It is only a hop, skip, and +jump from my place to the Palais Royal," and, with their good wishes +ringing in my ears, I set off for the Rue des Catonnes. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +The Mob Rises. + +"Ah! it is monsieur!" and my landlord came from his room, where he had +evidently been watching for me. "A note from the Palais Royal, +monsieur! The messenger has called three times; it is of importance." + +"From the Palais Royal? Let me see it. Ah! what a nuisance. Well, I +must attend to it; meanwhile, get me a coarse blue woollen overall and +a workman's cap. My finery and plumed hat are likely to cause trouble." + +"They shall be at once obtained, monsieur," said he without a trace of +surprise. + +"Good!" and I turned back, glancing again at the paper as I walked. + +"Come to me at once. Le Tellier." That was all! What was in the wind +now? The under-minister had kept me waiting long enough, and sought my +service just when I required leisure for other matters. If Le +Tellier's business did not fit in with my own it must wait, as I had +resolved on saving Marie and her aunt at all costs. + +Inside the gates John Humphreys met me. He was in good humour, and +delighted that Conde had at last thrown down the gauntlet. + +"It is a straight fight now," said he; "the sort of thing I understand. +It is rumoured that the Queen will leave Paris, and the guards will +escort her. Have you a berth in the King's household yet?" + +"No, I am still unattached, but Le Tellier has just sent for me; so +there is no knowing what may happen. By the way, I have seen my +cousin," and I related briefly the story of his illness and death. + +"Bravo, Pillot!" exclaimed Humphreys when I had finished; "he's a +plucky rascal, and loyal, too. What will become of him now that his +master is dead?" + +"He has agreed to take service with me. But I must go; Le Tellier has +been waiting for some time," and I proceeded quickly to the +under-minister's apartment. + +"At last, M. de Lalande," rather irritably. "I began to wonder if you +had left Paris! Are you still willing to do the King a service?" + +"I shall be delighted, monsieur." + +"Humph!" said he, making a wry face, "I am not so sure of that. I +intend to send you on a dangerous errand. You will need a keen eye, +sharp brain, and, as likely as not, a strong arm. My last messenger +was waylaid and nearly killed, and you may fare even worse." + +"The prospect is not over pleasant," I answered laughing, "but I may +have better luck." + +"I hope you will," said he doubtfully, "but it is a risky venture. You +know that Cardinal Mazarin is at Bruhl, near Cologne? Well, it is +necessary to take him an important paper." + +"There seems small risk in that!" + +"There you are wrong. It is well understood that letters pass to and +fro, and his enemies are on the watch. It may be they will learn your +secret before you get outside the gates. Their spies are everywhere; +even, I may say, in the Palace itself. Now, will you undertake the +commission?" + +"Certainly, but I cannot travel on foot." + +"There are horses in France, I suppose." + +"One cannot buy them without money, which so far, has never been +plentiful with me." + +"Oh," said he, "I will attend to that. The King cannot afford to be +niggardly in this matter, eh?" and without even making a wry face he +gave me a liberal supply of money. + +"Now," he continued, when I had replaced my purse, "this is a serious +affair, and the Court will depend not only on your courage but on your +skill. Mazarin must receive that letter, and no one else must see it. +Do you understand?" + +"Perfectly, monsieur." + +"You will leave Paris to-night; trust no one, and remember that every +man you meet on the road may be a spy in Conde's pay." + +"Then the chief danger is to be expected from the prince?" + +"From every one," he exclaimed sharply. "King's friends. Queen's +friends, _Frondeurs_ and _petits maitres_ are all to be suspected until +that letter is placed in Mazarin's own hands." + +Being a very tiny packet it was hidden without much difficulty, and, +after listening to Le Tellier's cautions all over again, I left the +apartment. Humphreys was waiting in the courtyard, but, staying only +to whisper, "Secret service," I hurried on to my own rooms. + +"Monsieur will find his things on the bed," said the landlord; "they +are rather shabby, but they will attract less notice than new ones." + +I asked if the town was quiet, and with a shrug, of his shoulders he +said, "As yet, but there will be mischief presently. Monsieur is wise +to put on an overall if he wishes to walk abroad." + +"I am going to look on, nothing more. Now bring me something to eat, +and I will pay your bill." + +"I am obliged," said he as coolly as if it were an everyday incident, +though I am sure he must have felt surprised at such an unexpected +stroke of luck. I know I was astonished at my own ability to pay him. + +"Monsieur will return?" said he questioningly, when at last I was ready +to depart. + +"I trust so. Keep the rooms for me." + +He took the money, opened the door, and bowed low as I went out. He +had always treated me well, and I was glad to have the means of +settling my debt to him. + +A considerable change had taken place in the streets since the morning, +and there were numerous signs of the threatening storm. The Black +Mantles had disappeared, having shut themselves up in their barricaded +houses. Brawny men, half-naked and unwashed, patrolled the roadway, +mostly in two and threes, but here and there in larger groups. Every +one had a weapon, pike or club, axe or chopper, while a certain +proportion carried horse-pistols, or blunderbusses. + +I pushed on quickly through the crowd to the Rue Crillon, feeling more +alarmed at every step, as the promenaders were rapidly getting ripe for +mischief. Thus far I believe they had no settled purpose beyond +general plunder, but no one could tell what might happen at any moment. +I ought really to have gone on with Le Tellier's note, but I could not +make up my mind to abandon the ladies. Most of their friends had +followed Conde, Raoul could not leave the Luxembourg, and they were +practically alone in Paris. + +When I reached the Rue Crillon it was nearly empty, and I managed to +pass unobserved into my friends' house. Marie and her aunt were +sitting in an upstairs room that faced the street. Madame Coutance was +looking out with an expression of scorn, but the girl's face was pale +and apprehensive. At first they failed to recognise me in my workman's +disguise, but after a second or two the elder lady exclaimed, "Why +surely it is M. de Lalande, our cavalier, the knight-errant who goes +about rescuing distressed dames. But why this mummery, my trusty +knight? What does it mean?" + +"That I intend doing my utmost to save your life, madame. Come, before +the mob begins to work mischief. Raoul has procured me a permit which +will pass us through the gates." + +"You have grown wondrous timid of a sudden," she laughed. "I can +perceive no sign of danger. There are a few people in the street, but +they are quiet enough." + +"They are swarming from their dens in all quarters of the town, madame, +and they are as likely as not to come here." + +"But why should they?" she inquired, and I could only reply by asking +why they should not. + +"They cannot wish to injure us," exclaimed Marie; "we have done them no +harm!" a remark which showed how little the girl understood the +passions of an angry mob. + +For ten minutes or more I stood there begging Madame Coutance to +escape, and all the while the number of people in the street steadily +increased. They had done no mischief as yet, but passed their time in +an aimless sort of promenade, shouting, singing, and mocking at any +well-dressed passer-by. Once the whole crowd for some reason swept +into the adjoining street, and for a brief period the Rue Crillon was +left empty. + +"Your bogey has vanished, Albert," cried Madame Coutance in triumph; "I +told you there was no danger." + +"I trust madame will prove the surer prophet, but I am still doubtful." + +"Here they come again!" cried Marie. "What a horrid din! What are +they doing, Albert?" + +"Singing, but I cannot distinguish the words. They are growing more +restless now. I should like to see D'Artagnan ride up with his +troopers; he would soon clear the road. But I expect there is +sufficient work for him in other parts." + +For a while we stood, half hidden by the heavy curtains, watching the +antics of the crowd, and wondering what would happen next. The people +moved to and fro like caged animals, walking a few steps and turning +back or crossing repeatedly from one side of the road to the other. A +body of soldiers would have dispersed them easily, as they had neither +purpose nor leader. + +Presently they began to cluster more thickly at a spot some twenty +yards below our house, and then I saw a big ragged fellow holding aloft +a red flag, while another was pointing to it, and talking violently. I +could not hear what he said, but every now and then the crowd shouted +approval of his words. + +"The fellow is hatching trouble," I muttered to myself, and, almost +unconsciously, I felt for Le Tellier's note. + +"They will attack the Palais Royal," said Madame Coutance. "They are +angry because the prince has been driven away. I am sorry for the +Queen, but they will not hurt her, if she promises to recall him." + +"Be still!" I exclaimed with more freedom than politeness, "and listen. +Now, can you understand?" + +It had come at last. Chance or fate had given the mob a cry, which was +all they needed. They were bent on plunder and violence, and any +excuse was good enough. Low, deep, and stern, like the early rumblings +of a volcano, the cry sounded; then the volume swelled, became clearer +and more piercing, till at last in one stupendous roar it shook the +place. + +"Down with Conde! Down with Conde!" + +Marie shivered and gave a gasp of terror, but her aunt still smiled +scornfully; she was really an amazing woman. + +"What imbeciles!" she exclaimed; "they do not know who is their best +friend." + +"Nor care," said I, "they intend being their own friends this evening. +Stay there a moment while I see to things downstairs." + +"Do not venture into the street, Albert," cried Marie, "you will be +killed," and I promised to take no risks. + +Collecting the servants, who were half dead through fright, I set them +to work barricading the lower part of the house, and as soon as they +had done all that was possible, I ran again up the stairs to the room +which the ladies still occupied. By now the street was packed, and +more than one dwelling house had been broken open. Out went costly +furniture to be smashed into fragments by the howling rioters, and, +"Down with Conde! Death to the friends of Conde!" echoed and re-echoed +on all sides. + +The mob moved nearer, and attacked the house on the opposite side of +the street. Crash went the door, and the people rushed in with cries +of triumph. We saw them appear in a room on a level with our own; the +window was flung open, and a beautiful statue was hurled on to the +pavement below. Down came rich hangings, costly pictures and gilded +mirrors; the small articles only were stolen, the others were hacked +and chopped and trampled to pieces underfoot. + +"Madame," said I firmly, "you must delay no longer. For your niece's +sake, if not for your own, you must attempt to escape." + +A loud howl added force to my advice, and a dozen stalwart hands banged +at our frail barricade. It could not resist long, and what chance +would there be for us, when the rioters had swept it away? + +"Down with the house! Burn it! Burn it! Have them out! Friends of +Conde to the death! Room there for Pierre's club! Bravo, Pierre!" + +"Madame," I cried passionately, "listen to reason. Do you want this +innocent girl killed before your eyes? These wild beasts will have no +mercy." + +"It is too late," she answered calmly, "and we both come from a race +that knows how to die." + +"It is not too late; there is still a chance. Get some clothes from +the servants, and disguise yourselves; we can slip out at the back." + +Even then I believe she would have stood her ground, but for Marie's +evident terror. The poor girl could not conceal her dismay, and her +eyes distended in fright as the hungry roar of the mob leaped from the +street. Those in front hacked at the barrier: those behind urged on +their fellows with deep-mouthed baying. + +"In! In! Set it on fire! Death to Conde's friends!" they roared. + +"Go!" said I sternly, pushing Madame Coutance out of the room, "and I +pray that this poor girl's death is not laid to your account." + +The terrified servants had already fled, but madame found some +garments, in which the two dressed. I waited for them on the stairs, +and my blood ran cold at the yells of the ravenous pack below. Crash! +Crash! The barrier was yielding! A few more stout blows and they +would be upon us. A second, aye, even half a second might mean the +difference to us between life and death. + +"Quick! Quick!" I cried, as the ladies in their borrowed dresses ran +from the room. "The barricade will fall at any moment!" + +Half dragging, half supporting Marie, Madame Coutance and I ran swiftly +along the landing, as, with the noise of a river in flood, the crowd +burst into the hall. + +"Down with Conde!" + +The shout was appalling, and even Marie's aunt, for all her bravado, +shrank at it. The sound of the savage voices urged us on, through the +servants' quarters, down a narrow staircase, into the kitchen, and so +to the yard beyond. The door was already wide open, and we pushed +through to a side street. Just in time! A portion of the mob had +swept round to the back of the house, and almost directly we found +ourselves in the midst of the crowd, fighting, pushing, struggling, +with all our might to force a way through. + +Marie, poor girl, clung to me nervously in an almost fainting state, +but her aunt walked boldly with head erect and her eyes flashing like +stars. In spite of the terrible danger I could hardly repress a smile +at sight of this high-born dame in her servant's dress, compelled to +struggle with the _canaille_ like a woman of the markets. To make +matters worse, we were forced to cry aloud, "Down with Conde!" which I +did lustily, but madame made many wry faces, and, but for her niece, +would have refused outright. It was quite painful enough for her to +hear others insulting the great hero. + +Twice we were swung back to the door of the house, which was now +completely wrecked; then, still surrounded by the mob, we were tossed, +like floating straws, clear of the street. Since that night I have +taken part in more than one fierce battle, but have never experienced +the same feeling of horror as during that eventful struggle in the Rue +Crillon. + +The danger was not yet over; we had still some distance to walk, and +every few yards we met groups of rioters hurrying to the work of +destruction. Some cried, "Down with the Queen!" or "Down with the +Parliament!" but most of them yelled "Down with Conde!" because for the +moment that was the popular cry. + +Just at first we walked rather briskly, but very soon Marie's pace +became slower, she hung with greater weight on my arm, and I feared +every moment she would faint; It was evident that unless she got better +we should not reach St. Denis that night. + +We were in a fairly quiet street when Madame Coutance suddenly +exclaimed, "Let us rest a few minutes in this doorway. Marie, look up, +child; there is nothing to fear now; we are safe here." + +For answer, the girl, whose nerves were completely overwrought, +shuddered and sobbed. + +"Take me away," she cried, "oh, take me away. Back to Aunay; anywhere +out of this horrible place." + +"That is what we are going to do," I said soothingly. "I have a +special permit which will pass us through the gate of St. Denis. But +you must be strong and brave, or we shall not get there." + +"I will try," she moaned, "I will try; but oh, it is horrible." + +"Hush!" exclaimed her aunt sharply, "listen." + +I had been too much occupied with Marie to pay attention to anything +else, but now I distinctly heard the sound of voices on the other side +of the door. + +"Poor child," a woman was saying softly, "she is half dead with fright. +Let her come in, I say." + +"But the rioters?" exclaimed a second person. + +"Pouf! The street is clear enough. Take down the bar, Jules." Then +we heard a sound as of a heavy bar being removed. + +The door opened ever so slightly and a woman cried, "Quick, come in, +before you are seen. Where is the poor girl? Cheer up, my little one, +no one shall harm you here. Now, Jules, put up the bar again! Ah! +that is right. This way, monsieur," and she led us all into a tiny +room, poorly furnished, but neat and clean. + +She was a comely woman of middle age, rather short, with bright keen +eyes, and pleasant face: her husband, Jules, was a ruddy-cheeked man, +bald on the top of his head, but with a ring of stiff white hair which +stood up like a fence. + +"It is really very generous of you to risk so much for strangers," I +began, but the woman would not let me finish. + +"One cannot let a child die for want of a helping hand," said she +briskly, "and as for these brigands, I would cut off all their heads at +a blow. Ah, it is easy to see that you do not belong to the +_canaille_." + +I have had little experience of the sea, but as we sat in that room I +think we must have felt like sailors who, after a stormy voyage, have +glided into a peaceful harbour. + +Both Jules and his wife were very attentive, especially to Marie, who +was getting much calmer; they gave us food and drink, and offered to +hide us in the house as long as we cared to stay. + +"It is growing late," said they, "and you cannot go abroad to-night. +To-morrow----" + +"The danger will be just as great," interrupted Madame Coutance. "We +thank you for your kind offer, but, believe me, it will be better for +us to depart now. Monsieur has a pass, and once outside the city we +shall be safe." + +"And to-morrow," said Marie, "it may be too late. Besides, you may get +into trouble for hiding us, and then I should never forgive myself." + +As far as my plans were concerned it was better to start at once, but I +took no part in the discussion one way or the other, though feeling +extremely pleased when Madame Coutance decided that we should sleep +outside Paris. + +The kindness of our good Samaritans, and the relief from the tumult, +had done Marie so much good that she was ready to face the danger +again, so, at the end of an hour, we prepared to start. I offered +Jules a sum of money, but neither he nor his wife would take it, and we +could only thank them, and hope they would not suffer for having +afforded us a temporary refuge. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +The Ladies Leave Paris. + +We could still hear the hoarse shouts of the people, but the streets in +the direction of St. Denis were quiet, and the darkness prevented us +from being observed. As Marie had recovered her strength we walked +quickly, and finally arrived at the gate, where the Duke of Orleans had +stationed a double guard. The officer on duty regarded us with +suspicion, but I showed him the order, which he dared not disobey. + +"You may pass, monsieur," said he with mocking politeness, "it is not +for me to disapprove of the Duke's friends." + +The fellow's words roused my anger, and my face burned, but time was +too precious for me to quarrel with him. We had saved our lives, it is +true, but our plight was still miserable enough. + +"We must find somewhere to sleep," said Madame Coutance, "and in the +morning we can hire a carriage. Marie is too tired to walk farther." + +This was the best plan, but I knew nothing of St. Denis, and it was +only after a weary search that I secured accommodation for them in a +small inn. The place was dirty, and the landlord ugly enough to +frighten one, but Marie and her aunt behaved very bravely, making no +complaint. They retired to their room at once, while I kept guard +outside the door with loaded pistols and naked sword. + +The next morning I learned the lesson that it is not always well to +judge by appearances. Touched by the ladies' distress, the innkeeper +did all he could to help me, and, through his assistance, I succeeded +in hiring a wretched cart to carry us a stage on our journey. + +"I am sorry it is such a poor affair," said the man, "but there is not +a carriage in the place. It is strange how many people have left Paris +during the last few days. One would think the plague had broken out." + +"The plague would have been less harmful," said I, remembering the +scene in the Rue Crillon. + +In view of Le Tellier's note all this delay was extremely awkward, but +there was no help for it; I could not leave Marie and her aunt stranded +at St. Denis. + +Madame Coutance laughed merrily at sight of the clumsy vehicle, and she +joked on my taste in choosing such an elegant equipage. However, we +made the inside fairly comfortable with rugs and cushions, and, having +paid the inn-keeper, I assisted the ladies to their seats and clambered +in after them. The driver, a stolid, thick-headed fellow, cracked his +whip, and we started off at a brisk trot, which, however, the horses +did not keep up long. + +Hitherto there had been no opportunity to speak of my cousin's death, +but now I informed my companions of what had happened. Both were +deeply grieved at the news, Madame Coutance especially showing more +feeling than I should have expected. + +"Did he die of his wound?" she asked. + +"In a measure; but chiefly from the hardships endured through hiding +from Conde." + +"The prince would have forgiven him!" + +"On conditions; and Henri would have refused them. My cousin was not +the best of men, but he was loyal to his friends." + +"You are right," exclaimed Madame Coutance warmly; "in many ways Henri +de Lalande was a gallant gentleman. And now, what are you going to do?" + +"As soon as you reach Aunay I shall join the King's friends." + +"Ah!" she exclaimed with a smile, "I know you are against the prince, +but I wish you success for yourself, and if you fall, well, the +battlefield is a fit resting-place for a gentleman of France." + +"I shall pray for you, Albert," whispered Marie, "that you may come +safely through every danger. I hate all this fighting and bloodshed, +and wish the country could be at peace." + +"It will be soon," I answered, and then for a while we journeyed in +silence. + +About four o'clock in the afternoon we reached a large village, and the +driver pulled up at the principal inn. This was the end of his stage, +and though we offered him a handsome sum of money he refused to go a +yard farther. He declared that his horses required rest, which was +true enough, and that his master had ordered him to return to St. Denis +in the morning. + +"We must make the best of it," exclaimed Madame Coutance; "I daresay we +can obtain some sort of accommodation for the night." + +Our reception was far from encouraging, but when the innkeeper +discovered that we were not penniless, his manner changed. The ladies +were shown into the best room, a chamber was made ready for them, and +the servants received orders to prepare a good meal. All this was +extremely pleasant, but there was a greater slice of luck to follow. +As soon as I had explained the situation he offered to solve our +difficulty. A carriage? Certainly, he had the very thing, and a team +of beautiful horses as well. Of course it would be expensive, but +then, no doubt, monsieur would be willing to pay for the privilege. + +Finally it was agreed that we should start at dawn, and I went to sleep +that night with a feeling of relief. It was barely light when we sat +down to breakfast, and the ladies shivered on going into the cold air, +but the carriage was comfortable, and, when the leathern coverings were +drawn down, warm. + +"Decidedly an improvement on the open cart," exclaimed Madame Coutance, +as she leaned back against the cushions. "We ought to reach Aunay +before nightfall." + +I earnestly hoped we should, as I was becoming uneasy concerning Le +Tellier's note. However, as nothing could be done until the ladies +were placed in safety, I endeavoured to dismiss the subject from my +mind, and to appear as pleasant as possible. There is no need to +linger over the details of the journey. We stopped two or three times +for food and rest, and at one place to change the horses, but we met +with no adventure of any kind, and arrived at the chateau about three +o'clock, quite two hours sooner than I had dared to hope. + +"Home again," said Marie softly, as we entered the hall, "and I hope it +will be long before we leave it." + +"Not until the prince rides triumphantly into Paris!" exclaimed her +aunt. "Why do you smile, M. de Lalande? The prince has already beaten +Mazarin, and he will make short work of the rest." + +"Very likely, madame," I said, not wishing to be drawn into an +argument, but, remembering the note in my pocket, I greatly doubted if +the Cardinal were as completely overcome as his enemies believed. + +It was a difficult matter to get away from Aunay that evening. The +ladies declared I was tired, and begged me to stay until the next day, +but this, though they were not aware of it, was out of the question. +Finding at last that I was resolved to depart, Madame Coutance insisted +on my wearing a plumed hat which had belonged to her husband, and told +me to choose the best saddle-horse in her stables. + +"True," said she, with a charming smile, "you are an enemy to the +prince, but I do not forget that you are also one of my best friends." + +[Transcriber's note: illustration missing from book] + +The scene of my departure from the chateau is still very vivid in my +memory. It was evening, and the sky flushed red with the glories of +the setting sun. From afar came the tinkling of bells, the lowing of +kine, and the chatter of the serving-men. The ladies stood on the +terrace overlooking the fine park, and as I rode off they waved their +hands in farewell, and wished me God-speed on the journey. + +I was half sorry to plunge again into the strife, but the beautiful +evening and the brisk ride soon restored my spirits. I wished Pillot +had been with me, not alone for the sake of his company, but for his +help also. However, I was young and strong, and having a certain +amount of confidence in myself rode on cheerily enough. + +On the third evening after leaving the chateau I arrived at Rheims, +passing into the town just before the closing of the gates. The +streets were filled with people who wore an air of excitement as if +something was going forward. A number of soldiers loitered about in +groups, but whether they were the King's friends or Conde's I could not +determine, as they wore no distinguishing colours. + +Riding slowly down one of the less frequented streets, I discovered an +inn which had every appearance of being clean and comfortable. + +"This is the place to suit me," I said half aloud, and was proceeding +to dismount, when I caught sight of a man staring hard in my direction +from the window of the opposite house, and while I was talking to the +ostler the stranger had run down and clapped me on the back in the +heartiest manner. He looked rather like a soldier of fortune who had +fallen on evil times. His finery was distinctly faded, but he carried +a good sword, and seemed capable of using it. His face was tanned by +exposure to the weather, both cheeks bore the marks of sword-cuts, and +there was a scar on his forehead just above the left eye. Altogether +he appeared a far from desirable acquaintance. + +"Henri, my boy," he cried, giving me another tremendous thwack, "how +came you here? Ah, you are a sly rascal! Plotting more mischief, eh? +Well, well, you are safe for me, though I am for the King." + +The speaker rattled on at such a rate that I could scarcely manage to +put in, "Pardon me, monsieur, but you have made a mistake." + +"A mistake?" he exclaimed. "_Peste!_ I must be growing old. My +eyesight is failing. Aren't you Henri de Lalande? You are very much +like him. Ah, no, I perceive now you are younger. He is an old +friend, but we see little of each other. I am in the King's service +and he is a Frondeur. But in private life, you know, eh?" and he gave +me a vigorous dig in the ribs, following it up by saying, "Perhaps +monsieur is a relative?" + +I cannot say what my answer would have been, but just then I received +another shock. A few yards farther along, standing well back against +the wall, was a little man, evidently endeavouring to attract my +attention. Directly his attempt succeeded he placed a finger on his +closed lips, held it there a second or two, and vanished. + +It was Pillot, and in my amazement I almost spoke the name aloud. How +did he get there? What mystery was afoot now? + +Presently the stranger, who had been trying to account for the new +expression in my face, exclaimed, "Monsieur then is not a relative?" + +"A relative," I answered vaguely, for the unexpected appearance of +Pillot had put the soldier's remarks out of my head altogether; "I wish +you would not pester me with your questions. I am tired and hungry, +and do not understand what you mean." + +"I am sorry, monsieur," he said humbly; "I have few friends, and seeing +one of them, as I fancied, was carried away. Well, there, let it pass. +Time was when Captain Courcy could ruffle it with the best." + +He really seemed so downhearted that I was ashamed of my brusque +behaviour, and exclaimed, "It is I who should ask pardon, monsieur, but +indeed, I am badly in want of food and rest: I have ridden far. Later, +perhaps, we shall meet again, when I am in better condition for +talking." + +"It may be so, monsieur," and, saluting me with a courtly bow, he +turned and re-crossed the street, while I entered the inn and was +ushered into a private room. + +"A good supper, landlord," I said, "the best you have in the house, and +while it is being prepared I will see to my horse." + +"The servants will attend to the animal, monsieur," he answered; but it +has always been a fancy of mine that every rider should see that his +horse is made comfortable. + +By the time I returned supper was ready, and I sat down to an ample +meal, which reminded me strangely of the one I had eaten in La Boule +d'Or on the night of my arrival in Paris. At that time, my purse was +nearly empty; now it was full almost to bursting--a welcome difference. + +After supper I leaned back in my chair, musing over the strange event +that had occurred outside. But for one thing I should soon have +banished all thoughts of Captain Courcy from my mind. He was, I +imagined, a gentleman who, either through ill-luck or his own folly, +had come to grief in the world, and was at present reduced to borrowing +money from his acquaintances. + +But if this were so, why had Pillot acted in such a strange manner? +Why, indeed, was he in Rheims at all? I had ordered him to proceed to +Aunay, which it was certain he had not done. I was still turning these +things over in my mind when the door was pushed open softly, and Pillot +himself entered. He glanced round the room cautiously, and finding me +alone closed the door behind him. + +"Monsieur is in danger," said he quietly, and without wasting any time +in greeting; "his errand is known, and Conde's friends are tracking +him." + +I gave a start of surprise, and thought instantly of the man who had +accosted me outside the inn; but Pillot, not allowing me time to speak, +continued, "You were unlucky in choosing this street, monsieur. +Captain Courcy with two others have ridden straight from Paris +expecting to overtake you on the road. They were unaware that you had +gone to Aunay, disguised in a blue over-all and a workman's cap." + +"If Mazarin ever returns to power, Pillot, I will ask him to put you at +the head of police. How did you discover that secret?" + +"It was whispered to me just after the funeral of monsieur's cousin. +Monsieur will be pleased to hear that the Abbe himself performed the +last rites." + +"He could do little less, considering what my cousin had done for him. +But now, about this other business! Has Captain Courcy recognised me?" + +"Yes, and he is at present informing his friends of the discovery. But +I had better begin at the beginning. After you had received the +note--oh, it is well known, monsieur!--this Courcy and two others of +his stamp were sent in pursuit. Concluding that you had gone straight +to Bruhl, they rode day and night, changing horses on the road, through +Rheims and almost as far as Mezieres. Naturally they were +unsuccessful, and, not knowing what else to do, they returned here." + +"And you followed them?" + +"As far as Rheims, but no farther. Knowing you had gone to Aunay, I +felt confident you could not be in front of us." + +I sat drumming idly on the table, and wondering what was best to be +done. The most simple plan was to give Pillot the note, but then I had +faithfully promised Le Tellier that it should not go out of my +possession. I was in a hobble. This Courcy was evidently an old +campaigner, equally ready with his brain or sword. It would be hard to +outwit him, and I guessed that he was more than my match in a fight. + +Suddenly Pillot astonished me by asking where I had hidden the note. +Perhaps it was foolish to trust one who had worked so hard for my +enemies, but somehow I felt no fear that he would play me false. He +had plotted willingly against Mazarin, but on the other hand he did not +love Conde, and was hardly likely to assist him. Remembering these +things, I answered without hesitation, "In my doublet." + +"A poor hiding-place, monsieur," said he; "one always looks there +first. Stay here a few minutes and I will show you a trick." + +With that he stole out of the room, and closed the door, leaving me in +a state of wondering excitement. He could certainly show me a trick +now if he pleased, and an ugly one too, by returning with Captain +Courcy. I confess that the idea did cross my mind, but I would not +heed it, and in less than half-an-hour the dwarf returned alone. + +"Now, monsieur," said he, "take off one of your riding-boots. Quick, +we may be interrupted. Is it a large packet?" + +"No," I answered, giving him the boot, "it is nothing more than a slip +of paper." + +With a sharp instrument he made a tiny slit at the back of the boot on +the inside, just large enough to allow of the paper being inserted, and +then with some shoemaker's implements sewed the edges together so +neatly that one could hardly detect the joinings. + +"There, monsieur," he exclaimed chuckling; "I doubt if Captain Courcy +will be clever enough to discover that. Now, listen to me, monsieur. +Your only plan is boldness. It is known you are in Rheims, and without +a doubt the gates will be watched, while the captain will keep an eye +on this inn." + +"Well?" I exclaimed rather impatiently. + +"Go into the common room, and show yourself as if you had nothing to +fear. Do not hurry in the morning, but about ten o'clock ride out of +the town. The others will follow, but they are not likely to attempt +anything till nightfall. By keeping along the highroad to Mezieres, +you will reach a village called Verdu. By that time, your horse will +be tired, and you must ask the innkeeper if he knows of a horse for +sale. Should he request you to go to the stables, invite your friends +to accompany you." + +"My friends?" + +"Why, yes," exclaimed Pillot, "by then you will probably have three +friends." + +"Oh," said I, beginning to understand, "go on." + +"The animal will not be worth buying, and you will return to your room. +Since monsieur cannot leave Verdu without a horse, he may as well sit +up late; there will be agreeable company." + +"Now I am puzzled again." + +Pillot laughed. "It is a child's trick, monsieur. When it is getting +very late a man from the village will arrive with a fresh horse. After +some delay you will go out and instruct him to call in the morning." + +"Yes," said I, still wondering. + +"Monsieur will go out, but he will not return, and when his friends +hurry to the stable they will find only two horses which cannot run a +mile. Now I must slip away without being seen, and I trust you will +remember not to start before ten o'clock." + +After waiting a few minutes in order to let him get clear, I strolled +into the common room, and sat a while talking with the people on the +state of the country. Rather to my surprise very few of them spoke in +favour of Conde, the majority exclaiming against him as a traitor, and +saying he ought to be executed. + +"He is a fine general, though," remarked the inn-keeper; "I fought +under him at Rocroi." + +"He has brought the Spaniards into the country," cried a stout-looking +fellow, hotly, "and I will never forgive that. What say you, monsieur?" + +"Why, I am of your opinion. The Frenchman who bargains with Spaniards +to shoot down his own countrymen, is not deserving of much pity." + +"Bravo, monsieur! Well said! I would have helped him fight Mazarin or +any of these squabblers in Paris, but to raise arms against the King is +a different matter. Perhaps monsieur belongs to the royal army?" + +"You are not far from the mark," said I laughing; "you evidently have +sharp eyes, my friend." + +I looked about for Courcy, half expecting he would enter, but there was +no sign of him, so at last I went to the chamber which had been +prepared for me. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +Captain Courcy Outwitted. + +After securing the door I loaded my pistol, undressed, and stepped into +bed, quite intending to remain awake all night. However, my eyes were +heavy, I was tired out, and in spite of danger I soon fell asleep, not +to waken again till a servant, hammering at the door, inquired if I was +nearly ready for breakfast. Jumping up hastily, I took a glance round +the room, and found to my relief that nothing had been disturbed. + +"Pillot was right," I muttered, "the rascals are waiting till I am +beyond the town. I wish Captain Courcy had introduced his two friends." + +After making my toilet I went to the stables, where my horse, quite +recovered from his fatigue, was looking in fine condition. Then, +returning to the inn, I ate a substantial breakfast, and, obeying +Pillot's injunctions, made no attempt to start till ten o'clock. How +shrewdly the little man had judged my enemies' plans was made plain +almost at the instant of my passing through the gate. + +"I trust monsieur is better," exclaimed a voice in my ear, and there +was Captain Courcy mounted on a powerful horse close by my side. + +And here I must stop to mention that the old soldier performed his part +very cleverly. He exhibited such surprise at seeing me, that, but for +Pillot's warning, I should have believed we met by accident. As it +was, he found me on my guard. + +"I owe you an apology, captain," said I pleasantly; "I fear that last +night you must have considered me very ill-mannered." + +"No, no, the fault was mine. You were tired and I worried you +thoughtlessly. Ah, now I see you are not my old friend, De Lalande." + +"Yet I am a De Lalande," I laughed, telling him what he already knew; +"Henri de Lalande was my cousin. He is dead now, poor fellow; you will +not see him again." + +"Dead?" he exclaimed in a tone of surprise; "Henri dead? No; it is +impossible." + +"Yet it is true! I was with him when he died." + +It was vastly entertaining to watch the old rogue's antics as he +expressed his astonishment, though knowing as well as I that my cousin +was dead and buried, but I kept a grave face. + +"Well, well," said he, "I shall miss him sorely. We were excellent +friends, though there were twenty years between us. Do you know---- +But there, I am wasting your time and my own. I have an errand in +Mezieres. I suppose you are not riding in that direction?" + +"As it happens it is precisely where I am going." + +"How odd," he cried. "Why, if you do not object we can travel +together. The roads are not over safe, and in case of danger one can +help the other." + +"A good plan, captain, though these highway robbers are not much to be +feared! I always keep my sword sharp and my pistols loaded." + +"And I warrant you can use both at a pinch. Henri, now, was a famous +swordsman. Poor fellow; he would not leave that wretched Abbe, though +I often begged him to come over to our side." + +The easy, natural way in which the fellow foisted himself on me as a +travelling-companion was really wonderful. There was no sign of any +plan or arrangement; we were, it seemed, chance travellers proceeding +to the same place, and having a subject to discuss which interested us +both. + +As for me, I endeavoured not to betray my suspicion, but you may be +sure I did not sleep on the journey. Courcy himself, especially if he +caught me at a disadvantage, was more than my match, while his two +companions might appear at any moment. So I rode warily, keeping the +captain on my left and taking care that he did not lag behind. +Fortunately, perhaps, there were numerous people on the highroad, and +once we overtook a body of troops wearing the King's colours. Their +officer stopped and questioned us, but our answers being satisfactory +he allowed us to proceed. + +"Conde evidently has few friends in these parts," remarked the captain. + +"And fewer still the farther we go, which is a lucky thing for us. I +suppose your regiment is at Mezieres?" + +"Why, no," he answered carelessly, and lowering his voice, he added, +"the truth is I am despatched on a special service. I cannot very well +say more but----" + +"No, no, keep your secret," I interrupted hastily; "it is enough for me +that you are on the King's side," at which the rascal smiled +pleasantly, thinking how easy it would be to pluck such a simple goose. + +About four o'clock we approached the village of Verdu, when, oddly +enough, my horse began to show signs of distress, and I was compelled +to slacken pace. The captain expressed his sorrow, and would not hear +of riding on alone. + +"No," said he, "it is not my custom to leave a comrade in the lurch. +We will push on together, and perhaps in the village you may be able to +purchase or hire another animal which will carry you as far as +Mezieres. Besides, the night bids fair to be stormy, and we may as +well lie snug at the inn." + +For some time I had noticed the sky was becoming overcast; dark clouds +were hurrying up, and, as we dismounted, the storm burst. + +"_Corbleu!_" cried the captain, "only just in time! The inn will be +full to-night," and as he spoke two other horsemen dashed up to obtain +shelter. + +The innkeeper bade us welcome, the servants led away our horses, and we +all entered the house together. The last two comers sat at a distance +from us, as if not wishing for company, but I did not for an instant +doubt that they were the crafty captain's missing friends. + +"Landlord," exclaimed one of them, "my friend and I will stay here +to-night; so put your two best rooms in order." + +"There are but two, monsieur," replied the innkeeper. + +"We require only two, stupid, but see to it that the linen is clean and +wholesome." + +"Wait a moment, monsieur," cried the captain gaily, "this gentleman and +I intend to stay here while the storm lasts, and we shall require one +of these same rooms." + +"Oh," said I, "pray leave me out of the question; I can sleep here in +my cloak," but the captain blustered loudly, vowing that I should do +nothing of the kind, and at last it was decided that he and I should +share one of the rooms between us. + +This point being finally settled, after much wrangling, we sat down to +our meal, and the two strangers gradually became more friendly. It +appeared they were on their way to Vouziers, but, foreseeing the storm, +had turned back to seek shelter. + +Thus far I had seen nothing of Pillot, but, remembering his advice, I +asked the innkeeper if he had a horse for sale or hire, explaining that +I wished to leave early in the morning for Mezieres. + +"I have none of my own, monsieur; horses are scarce in these parts +since the troubles began; but there is one in the stables which belongs +to a poor traveller who might sell it." + +"Is it a good one?" + +"Monsieur can judge for himself, but I do not think monsieur will care +to ride it." + +"Captain," said I, "will you come with me? You know more about a horse +than I." + +"Certainly," he exclaimed, jumping up. "Bring a lantern, landlord; we +will go at once." + +There were five horses in the stables--those of the captain and the two +strangers, my own which was in a state of prostration, and a thin +long-legged beast whose body was composed of skin and ribs. + +On seeing this uncouth animal, the captain said with a laugh, "_Ma +foi_, M. de Lalande, you would make a pretty picture riding into +Mezieres on this brute. _Peste!_ Let us return to the fire." + +I asked where the owner was, and the innkeeper replied, "Somewhere in +the village, monsieur, endeavouring to sell his goods." + +"Is it not possible to obtain a decent animal anywhere?" I inquired. + +"I will do my best," he answered, holding up the lantern to guide our +steps as Courcy and I returned to the inn. + +"It is a nuisance," exclaimed the captain, warming his hands at the +fire, "but I fear you will have to stay here over to-morrow. If my +business were not so urgent----" + +"Oh, the landlord may find an animal by the morning, especially as I am +prepared to pay a good price." + +"Monsieur makes a thrust there," remarked one of the strangers; "one +can do most things with a full purse. After all, it will only be a +delay of a few hours or so." + +We sat a long time listening to the storm, which, after a lull, had +broken out with redoubled fury, and once or twice I detected a stealthy +exchange of glances between Captain Courcy and the two travellers. +Thus far their plans had worked out beautifully; I was, to all +appearance, entirely in their power, and it would be easy for them +during the night to abstract the note. The one point in my favour was +that they believed I knew nothing of the plot, and I took pains not to +undeceive them. I laughed at the captain's jokes, and applauded his +stories, though half expecting every moment to hear him say, "And now, +M. de Lalande, I will trouble you for that slip of paper." + +However, the evening wore on, the storm stopped, the servants fastened +the doors and went to bed, leaving their master to attend to us. And +all the while, whether laughing or talking, I was listening anxiously +for Pillot's signal. At last there came a tremendous knocking at the +outside door, and we heard the innkeeper stump along the passage. + +"A late guest," laughed Courcy; "he will find but scant accommodation. +Oh, after all, it is only one of the villagers. What does he want, I +wonder?" + +"Monsieur!" exclaimed the innkeeper, putting his head into the room; +"it is a man who has a horse for sale." + +"I hope it isn't brother to the one in the stable!" exclaimed Captain +Courcy with a laugh. "However, we may as well look at it, De Lalande, +and then we will go to bed." + +He was rising from his comfortable seat, when the landlord said, "The +horse is not here; the man has only just heard in the village that +monsieur required one." + +"Still, he may bring it round soon enough in the morning! At what time +do you intend to start, captain?" + +"Not a moment later than six." + +"Well, I will ask him," and without the least appearance of hurry, +though my heart was thumping like a big hammer, I left the room. + +This was the one critical moment. Would Courcy scent mischief and +follow? I purposely left the door ajar so that they might listen to +the conversation while they could see my hat and cloak in the room. + +"Now, my man," I began brusquely, "about this horse? Can you bring it +here by five o'clock in the morning?" + +"Certainly, monsieur." + +"If it suits me, there will be no haggling over the price, but unless +the animal is thoroughly sound you will have your trouble for nothing." + +"Monsieur will be satisfied, I know. It is as good a horse as one +would wish to meet with." + +"Well, we shall see. Be here at five o'clock sharp, or even a little +earlier." + +"Yes, monsieur," then the door slammed, and I was on the outside of the +inn with Pillot. + +"This way, monsieur, quick. Here is the captain's horse for you; I can +manage the others. Here, Alphonse," and I saw a man at the animals' +heads, "help me to mount, and then vanish. Unless you talk no one will +suspect you. Ready, monsieur? Away then. Ah, they have discovered +part of the trick and are running to the stables. Ho, ho! Captain +Courcy! Captain Courcy!" + +There was a shout from the inn; then a pistol shot, and my late +companions ran this way and that in confusion. + +"Not a moment later than six, captain," I cried. "Shall I carry a +message to your friends in Mezieres?" and then, with a triumphant +laugh, we clattered off in the darkness. + +"We have scored the trick and the game," said Pillot, "though I thought +we were beaten when the captain talked of coming out. However, they +cannot catch us now, before reaching Mezieres, and beyond that they +will not venture." + +Nothing more was said for a long time; we rode hard side by side, +Pillot leading the third horse. It was still dark and a high wind had +sprung up, but the rain had ceased. Occasionally we stopped to listen, +but there was no sound of galloping hoofs in the rear, and, indeed, we +hardly expected that the captain and his friends would follow very far. +Pillot reckoned the distance from Verdu to Mezieres at thirty miles, +and with several hours' start it seemed ridiculous to think of pursuit. +Presently we slackened pace, and I asked Pillot if he was sure of the +road. + +"I think so; I have been making inquiries. By the way, monsieur must +be very cold without a hat." + +"It is not pleasant; but better lose a hat than a head!" I replied with +a laugh. + +Pillot proved a good guide, and Mezieres was still half asleep when we +rode into the town and pulled up at the principal inn. + +"We can give ourselves two hours' rest," said the dwarf, "and then, in +case of accidents, we had better proceed. After breakfast, monsieur +can provide himself with a fresh hat and cloak." + +"I will send for them, which will save time. We must leave nothing to +chance, Pillot. I am much mistaken if this Captain Courcy is the man +to confess himself beaten." + +"He is beaten this time, confession or no confession," answered the +dwarf, with a shrug of his shoulders. "Still, it is always well not to +be too confident." + +While we waited for breakfast he proceeded to give a brief account of +his doings. Before leaving the inn at Rheims he had slipped into my +horse's feed a powder, which, after a few hours' exercise, would +produce a temporary weakness. Then, directly the gates were open, he +had started for Verdu on the sorry beast which the innkeeper had showed +me. On the plea of being a poor man he had obtained permission to +sleep in an outhouse, and then his only difficulty was to discover some +one who would help him in bringing out the horses. All this he related +in high glee, laughing merrily at the idea of having tricked the +gallant captain. + +I inquired if he was sure the others were in the plot, to which he +replied, "Perfectly, monsieur; they are both in Conde's pay, but just +at present they will not have much to show for their wages!" and he +laughed again. + +"Thanks to you," I said warmly. "But for your cleverness, I should +have fallen into the pit." + +As soon as the horses were rested and I had provided myself with a new +hat and cloak, we made a fresh start, riding fast till Mezieres was at +least a dozen miles in our rear. + +I do not propose to linger over the remainder of the journey; if the +account were a tithe as tedious as the actual ride I should lose all my +readers. As far as Captain Courcy and his friends were concerned the +paper was safe; they were not in the least likely to catch us, and if +they did, Mazarin had as many friends as foes in that part of the +country. Our chief danger now came from the highwaymen who prowled +about the roads, and twice we were attacked by these worthies, who, +however, upon finding us well-armed and resolute to defend ourselves, +quickly moved off. + +It was, I think, on the fifth morning from leaving Mezieres that we +rode into Bruhl, and being directed to the Cardinal's residence, +encountered Roland Belloc, who at first did not recognise me. + +"Have you quite forgotten me?" said I. + +"De Lalande? Is it possible? I understood you were still in Paris." + +"I was there until a few days ago. But where is the Cardinal? I have +a letter for him, and as soon as it is delivered I want to go to bed." + +"You shall see him at once, follow me." + +"Put the horses up somewhere, Pillot," I said, and throwing the reins +to him, followed Belloc. + +Several French gentlemen wearing Mazarin's colours lounged about; the +courtyard was filled with soldiers, and sentries were stationed at the +entrance. As for the Cardinal himself he looked very little like a +beaten man. + +"M. de Lalande," he purred in his silkiest tones, as Belloc showed me +into the room. "You have been a long time doing my errand!" + +"A sword-thrust in the side kept me in bed some weeks," I replied, "and +on my return to the city I found that your Eminence was no longer +there." + +"Paris had grown unhealthy," said he smiling, "so I sought the purer +air of the country. You, I believe, preferred the quiet seclusion of +the Bastille." + +"The choice was none of mine, my Lord." + +"No? And so you have come to share my fortunes again?" + +"I have brought your Eminence a letter from Le Tellier," and I handed +him the document, which I had previously taken from its hiding-place. + +Opening the note, he read the communication quickly, and, turning to me +with a smile, exclaimed: "De Lalande, I certainly must keep you by my +side! Positively, you always bring me good-luck. I am deeply in your +debt, but my secretary shall settle our account. You must don the +green scarf and join my body-guard." + +This was a great honour, and I thanked him warmly, but he interrupted +me with a laugh, saying, "It is well, in these troublous times, to have +a skilful sword to rely on, and I have proved the worth of yours. You +will find your comrades brave youths and all anxious to distinguish +themselves. _Pardieu!_ Conde has made a huge blunder and played into +my hands nicely. Request M. Belloc to find you quarters--and now I +must deal immediately with my correspondence." + +Thus it was that I came to take service again with Mazarin, and to wear +the green scarf in many a hot encounter. + +Sturdy old Belloc was delighted to have me under his charge, and, as +there was no room at Mazarin's residence, he arranged that I should +stay at the inn where Pillot had stationed the horses. + +"And now," he said, "get some breakfast and go straight to bed. I will +come over during the evening for a chat. I am curious to learn how you +fared in Paris." + +"The story will surprise you, but I am too tired to tell it now." + +"Yes," said he, kindly, "you evidently need a long rest." + +It was strange to get into bed without feeling any cause for alarm. +From sheer force of habit I placed my weapons handy, but there was no +barricading of the door, or listening for the sound of stealthy +footsteps, and almost before my head touched the pillow I was fast +asleep. Pillot, whose powers of endurance were marvellous, wakened me +early in the evening, and when M. Belloc paid his promised visit, all +traces of my recent fatigue had vanished. + +The old soldier displayed intense interest in my story, especially to +those parts relating to the plot against Conde and my cousin's death. + +"I am sorry for Henri," he said, "he was a bit of a rascal, but a brave +fellow for all that, and he stood by the Abbe from the beginning. +However, things have altered now, and before six months have passed +Mazarin will be in Paris again. Conde will make a stiff fight, but we +are bound to win, and if you live your fortune is made." + +"Unless Mazarin suffers from a lapse of memory," I remarked. "So far +his payments have been made mostly in promises, which do little towards +keeping a full purse." + +At this M. Belloc laughed, but he assured me that when the day of +reckoning came I should have no cause to complain. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +I Miss a Grand Opportunity. + +For several weeks now I stayed idly at Bruhl, having nothing to do +beyond an occasional turn of duty, which was really more a matter of +form than of aught else. + +Underneath the peaceful surface there were, to shrewd observers, signs +of a stirring agitation. Couriers came and went by night and day; +noblemen of high rank made mysterious visits, stayed a few hours, and +then disappeared; a rumour arose that the Cardinal had actually been +recalled to Court. It was even said that the order was contained in +the letter I had carried from Paris, but on that point I was still in +ignorance. By degrees, however, it became plain that the Cardinal had +resolved to return and I learned from Belloc that Marshal Hocquincourt +was busy raising an army to conduct him across France. + +No one was more pleased to receive this news than Pillot, who could not +live happily without excitement. He uttered no complaint, but I knew +he was longing to be back in his loved Paris, from which he had never +before been so long absent. To Pillot the walls of the capital bounded +the one oasis in a desert world. + +One evening, early in December, Belloc ordered me to be ready for a +start the next morning. The die was cast; Mazarin had made up his +mind, and I was to form one of the advance-guard in the journey to +Sedan. + +"Bravo!" cried Pillot, joyfully; "it is time we moved, monsieur. I am +beginning to forget what Paris is like." + +During the evening he was in a state of excitement, polishing my +weapons and setting them in order, running to the stables to attend to +the animals, and packing food for consumption on the march. As for +sleeping, I am nearly sure that he did not close his eyes all night. + +The advance-guard formed a goodly cavalcade. Most of my comrades were +either sons of noblemen, or at least cadets of some distinguished +house. They were well-mounted and richly dressed, and all wore the +green scarf of Mazarin. Like Pillot, they were delighted at the idea +of returning to Paris again, and gave no thought to the fact that many +of them would never reach the city walls. + +M. Belloc remained with the Cardinal, but I had made several new +friends, and the journey, though full of peril, was pleasant enough. +We youngsters laughed and joked, formed plans for the future, defeated +Conde many times over--in imagination--and, I think, each of us +secretly felt sure of becoming a Marshal of France. The older ones +shook their heads, foretelling a long and difficult campaign, but we +paid scant heed to their melancholy prophecies. + +Pillot, who travelled with the attendants, made me an object of envy to +my comrades. Never was there such a capital servant or one so full of +contrivances. Once, through some stupid mistake, we were compelled to +halt for the night on a dreary, barren waste. It was bitterly cold, +being almost mid-winter; we had no tents, and indeed no other shelter +than our cloaks. + +The young nobles stamped about in high dudgeon, bidding their +attendants light fires and bring food, though there was no wood to be +seen, and the last of the provisions had been eaten in the morning. +The poor lackeys raced about here and there endeavouring to accomplish +what was quite out of the question, but the exercise at least kept them +warm. I did not call Pillot, and, indeed, two minutes after the order +to halt he had vanished. I thought it odd, but made no remark, and +dismounting like the others walked about briskly to restore the +circulation in my numbed limbs. + +Presently some one nudged my elbow, and a voice whispered softly, "Let +monsieur choose three of his friends and follow me." + +Rather astonished, I sought out three of my comrades and we followed +the dwarf, who led us perhaps two hundred yards, and stopped at a +sheltered gully. + +"Those who come first get the best seats," said he, and going down on +his knees fumbled about for a time, till at last we broke into an +exclamation of delight. + +"A fire!" cried one. + +"Pillot, you are a genius!" said I, and the other two declared he ought +to be made a nobleman. + +How he managed it was a mystery, but there was the fire blazing +cheerfully, and in another moment a fowl spitted on a pike was roasting +in the flames. We overwhelmed Pillot with thanks, and what he +considered more to the purpose--gave him a share of the bird. It was +rather tough and very stringy, but when one is hungry these defects +pass as trifles. + +Before long our fire attracted general attention, and as many as could +crowded around it. Then, not wishing to be selfish, we vacated our +seats in favour of others, and, wrapped in our mantles, lay down in the +shelter of the hollow. This was our worst hardship, and at length we +reached Sedan, where Mazarin, who arrived the next day, took up his +abode with Marshal Fabert. + +In the early part of the year 1652, we moved once more, and, crossing +the frontier, re-entered France in triumph. Every day now added to our +strength. We were joined by Marshal Hocquincourt, who commanded 5000 +soldiers, each wearing the green scarf of the Cardinal. Here and there +a number of officers rode up decorated with the same colours; town +after town opened its gates at the first summons, and Mazarin might +well have imagined that his period of exile was over. + +"Well, Pillot," said I one evening, "what do you think of all this?" + +"It is a fresh act in a comedy, monsieur, in which the next is not yet +written." + +"Not even thought out, perhaps." + +"There is no thinking, monsieur, or the play would become a tragedy. +As to your Mazarin, he may be flying for his life again to-morrow." + +"I hardly think so; he has the young King on his side now." + +"Well, well, monsieur, it matters little as long as we enter Paris. +After all that is the chief thing." + +I did not answer him, but my mind turned to the frightful misery of the +district through which we were passing. The country lay unfilled for +miles; the woods swarmed with robbers; the peasants were dying of +starvation; the towns were filled with people who had neither work nor +food. Everything except fighting was at a standstill: trade was dead, +manufactures had ceased, and no one cared to sow the seed when others +would eat the crops. + +A young officer in Hocquincourt's army informed us that affairs were +equally bad in Paris. Rendered desperate by hunger, the citizens were +up in arms, and no one's life was safe for a day. By a stroke of good +fortune the Queen-Mother had escaped from the city, and was now with +the young King at Poitiers. Of Raoul I could learn nothing, but the +Duke of Orleans was still see-sawing; now helping Conde, and again +endeavouring to make terms with the King. In these circumstances I +half expected to find my old comrade at Poitiers, where it was almost +certain John Humphreys would be. + +Meanwhile we marched peacefully through the country, and the friends of +Conde, if the rebel prince possessed any friends in these parts, +remained very quiet, and most of the people cheered Mazarin as loudly +as they had before hooted him. At Poitiers itself we had a magnificent +reception. We marched along with drums beating and banners flying; the +road was lined with throngs of excited people cheering madly for the +army of the Cardinal, and presently a loud cry announced the coming of +the King. + +Thunders of applause arose on all sides, and people screamed themselves +hoarse shouting, "_Vive le Roi!_" "_Vive Mazarin!_" + +I caught a glimpse of the boy king and his young brother as they joined +the Cardinal, and rode with him to the town, where the Queen waited at +a window to see him pass. It must have been a proud moment for the man +who had once been ignominiously expelled from France. + +As soon as the procession broke up, I instructed Pillot where to stable +the horses, and went about seeking Raoul and John Humphreys. The town +was filled with soldiers and officers of the Court, while thousands of +the troops were quartered in the neighbouring villages. I met several +old friends, but not Raoul, when suddenly I heard a hearty, "How are +you, De Lalande?" and there was the smiling face of an officer of the +Queen's Guards. + +"John Humphreys!" I exclaimed, and then grasping the meaning of his new +uniform, "you have received a commission? Splendid! I knew from the +first it must come. Presently, my dear fellow, you must tell me all +about it, but first, do you know anything of Raoul Beauchamp? Is he +still at the Luxembourg, or has he joined the King?" + +"Turenne has given him a commission in the royal army, and he is +quartered in one of the villages near. If you are not on duty we will +visit him." + +"With all my heart! I have nothing in particular to do before the +morning." + +"Very well; it is not far; we can walk easily." + +The district round Poitiers had the appearance of a huge camp, and the +white scarves of the King mingled with the green ones of the Cardinal. +We moved with some difficulty, until, at last, getting clear of the +crowd, we reached the road, or rather cart-track leading to the village. + +"There he is!" cried Humphreys presently. "Just returned, I warrant, +from visiting his troopers; he looks after them well," and, glancing +ahead, I observed my old comrade about to enter the village inn. + +"Raoul!" I shouted, "Raoul!" and at the sound he turned back to meet us. + +"I told you that De Lalande would come to no harm!" exclaimed Humphreys +with a laugh. + +"He was as anxious as I, Albert," said Raoul. "We discovered that you +had escorted the ladies to Aunay, but after that no one could guess +what had become of you. Naturally, we expected to find you with the +army." + +"Instead of which I was at Bruhl with the Cardinal. I concluded +Humphreys would guess what the secret service was." + +"Come to my room," said Raoul; "we must hear your story." + +As there could be no harm in mentioning the matter now, I related what +had passed, and they were much amused by Pillot's trick at Verdu. + +"But you must keep out of Courcy's way for a time," said Raoul. "I +know him well, and he is a tremendous fire-eater. I expect he has +joined Conde in the field by now." + +"Where is D'Arcy?" + +"At the Luxembourg, and thoroughly miserable. He hates the idea of +supporting Conde against the King, but imagines he ought not to desert +the Duke of Orleans. Most of his comrades came with me, but he would +not. 'I am for Orleans,' he said, 'no matter whom he is against.' Of +course, he is right in a way." + +"Not at all," declared Humphreys. "Conde is a rebel, and has assisted +the enemies of his own country. Every man should regard him as a +traitor." + +"Well," said Raoul frankly, "it was his trafficking with the Spaniards +that decided me to fight against him. I am for France, whoever rules +the country." + +"I am for the King," said Humphreys. "My father taught me to say, 'For +God and the King!' as soon as I could talk. That was my earliest +lesson." + +"And yet your people cut off their king's head!" + +"A set of sour knaves," he cried, "but the finest fighting men in the +world! You should have seen them at Naseby with their leader, +Cromwell! Old Noll we call him; he rules the country now, while Prince +Charles, the rightful king, is here in exile." + +"When our own troubles are settled we will set your prince on his +throne," laughed Raoul. "Mazarin will provide him with an army, and +Albert and I will obtain commissions in it. Then we shall see your +country for ourselves." + +"Ah," exclaimed Humphreys, "you do not understand the English any more +than I understand your Parisians. If Prince Charles crossed the water +now with a French army, he would never be king; his own friends would +fight against him. He must wait awhile till his people have recovered +their senses, then they will beg him to return." + +"By the way," said I, "you have not told me yet how you won your +commission." + +"A lucky accident; a mere trifle; what you call a bagatelle." + +"Have you not heard?" inquired Raoul. "I must relate the story myself, +as our friend here is as modest as brave. The affair occurred at +Montrond, and the whole camp talked of it." + +"Things were very dull just then," interrupted Humphreys. + +"We were besieging the town," continued Raoul, "and one night the enemy +made a sortie. It took us by surprise; our outposts were rushed, a +dozen officers fell, and the troops were panic-stricken. General +Pallnau was with the Court, and the next in command lost his head. As +it chanced our friend was staying with me that night, and he stopped +the rout." + +"No, no," said the Englishman, with a smile; "he is making too much of +it altogether." + +"He saved the army at least. My quarters happened to be on a hill. +Conde's troops were pouring towards it; half our men had scattered, and +the others were wavering, when Humphreys sprang to the front, calling +us to rally. A few of us ran up, and only just in time. The enemy, +perceiving we held the key to the position, swarmed to the attack. We, +knowing how much depended on every minute's delay, stood our ground. +Once we rolled them back, but they came again. Our men fell fast, but +Humphreys was a host in himself, and through him we held on till the +runaways had time to re-form. Every one declared he had saved the +army, and he received his commission on the field." + +"And the credit was as much Raoul's as mine," said Humphreys, "but +things go like that in this world. I suppose, now that Mazarin's +troops have reinforced us, we shall march south and fight Conde." + +"It is possible, though there is a whisper that we are to move on +Angers. I wish we three could keep together." + +"It would be splendid," said Raoul, "but we must make the most of our +opportunities," which, as long as the army remained in the +neighbourhood of Poitiers, we did. + +Very soon, however, we advanced on Angers, and having captured that +town removed to Saumur. Here we were joined by Marshal Turenne, and +being too weak to reduce the important town of Orleans proceeded to +Gien. Raoul was quartered with his regiment some miles away, but +Humphreys and I were both stationed in the town. I was spending an +hour with him one evening when Pillot, in a tremendous hurry, came with +a message that M. Belloc wished to see me immediately. + +"It must be something important, monsieur," said the dwarf, "as M. +Belloc ordered me to saddle the horses." + +I found my old friend in a state of great agitation, and without giving +me time to speak he asked, "Do you know where Conde is?" + +"In Guienne, monsieur." + +"So we all thought, but it is a mistake. He is hurrying to take +command of the army of the Loire. A courier has just arrived with the +information, and we are despatching parties to capture him, dead or +alive. He is travelling with six companions, and will endeavour to +reach Chatillon. If he can be caught, we shall finish the war in a +week. You are well acquainted with the prince?" + +"Yes, monsieur." + +"Take half a dozen troopers; ride to the bridge at Chatillon, and let +no one pass till I send permission." + +"Very good, monsieur," and within ten minutes I was tearing along at +the head of my men as fast as my horse could gallop. + +It was still fairly light when we arrived at the spot, and, leaving two +of the troopers on the bank to look after the horses, I ambushed the +others, and took up my own position so that no one could pass without +being challenged. Soon the light faded, the air grew chill, a gray +mist rose from the river. The men crouched silently in their hiding +places; the only sounds were the melancholy lapping of the water, and +the mournful cry of an occasional night-bird. M. Belloc's commission +was certainly an honour, but this watching was dreary work, and I +thought with regret of my cosy quarters. + +It must have been an hour past midnight when Pillot, who had kept me +company, whispered softly, "Listen, monsieur! Do you hear the beat of +hoofs? I should say there are a couple of horsemen coming this way." + +"Or more. No, there is only one." + +"The others have stopped." + +"Perhaps there was only one in the first instance. He is drawing +nearer now. Listen, he has reached the bridge. Stand well behind me, +so that he cannot observe you." + +The horseman had approached at a trot; now he slowed down to a walking +pace, and advanced carelessly, humming a tune as if there was no such +thing as danger in the world. + +With a loud "_Qui Vive?_" I sprang from my hiding-place and clutched +his horse's bridle. + +"An officer of the King," he replied coolly, and the white scarf on his +arm showed up in the darkness. "I have come from the Marshal to ask +for your report. I can testify at least that you keep an excellent +watch." + +The man's voice sounded familiar, but concluding we had met at the +Court, I was in all innocence about to answer when Pillot, touching me +lightly, whispered "Captain Courcy!" + +In a flash I remembered, but it was too late. The captain's sharp ears +had caught the words; with a violent wrench he twisted my arm from the +bridle, and turning his horse's head dashed back at headlong speed. + +"Stop him!" I yelled, "stop him!" but the rascal knocked over two of my +men like rabbits, and disappeared along the bank of the river. + +"Conde is not far off," said Pillot; "he feared a trap and sent the +captain on in advance." + +"Mount, and ride after them. Take a man with you, keep on their track +and pick up all the King's friends you meet. Say it is the order of +Marshal Turenne. Two of you fellows get your horses and cross to the +other side of the river. Keep your eyes open and spread the news that +Conde is hiding in the neighbourhood. There is a fortune for the man +who captures him." + +The troopers mounted and galloped off; Pillot had already disappeared, +and I was left with one man to attend to my wounded troopers. +Fortunately they were not seriously hurt, though of little more use +that night. As it chanced, however, nothing further occurred, and when +Belloc sent to relieve us, I rode back feeling that I had missed a +grand opportunity. My troopers accomplished nothing, but Pillot, who +did not return for several hours, brought the certain news that Conde, +accompanied by several gentlemen, had crossed the river. + +"Never mind," said M. Belloc kindly, "you did your best, and no one can +do more. Besides, even if you had caught this Captain Courcy, the +prince would have escaped," which was quite true, though the reflection +did not make my feelings any the more friendly towards the daring +captain. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +"Vive le Roi!" + +The day after Conde's narrow escape I received a visit from Raoul. He +was as lively as ever, and in high spirits at the prospects of fresh +work. My connection with Mazarin prevented me from sharing in many of +the minor engagements, but Raoul missed nothing. His courage was a +proverb among Turenne's gentlemen, while the soldiers followed without +question on the most dangerous enterprise if Raoul Beauchamp led the +way. + +"What is going on now?" I inquired. + +"A general advance, I believe; at least we have received orders to +move; the Marshal does not like to sit still." + +I laughed at that, for Turenne was a general who allowed neither his +own troops nor the enemy any rest. Ambush and surprise, hot attack and +feigned retreat, he employed them all, keeping every one busy. Raoul +had not heard of Conde's movements, and when I told him, he exclaimed, +"We can keep our eyes open now, Albert; there will be little time for +sleeping when the prince takes command of his army. A good thing for +us that Turenne is on our side. Most likely that accounts for our +advance. Don't you envy us?" + +"Well, I should not object if the Green Scarves were sent to the front." + +"You will have your chance," said he laughing, and wishing me farewell, +departed to join his men. + +The town was a scene of unusual activity that day. Soldiers were +moving about in all directions. Here a column of infantry trudged +along; there a squadron of horse passed at the trot; occasionally a +gaily-dressed gentleman with a white or green scarf on his arm flew by, +bound on some errand of importance. Once I met Humphreys, who, much to +his disgust, had received orders to remain behind with a number of the +Queen's Guards. + +"There will be stirring business soon," said he. "Turenne is moving, +and I hear that Conde has arrived from the south on purpose to oppose +him. It will be a battle of giants, and here are we tied up in this +wretched hole doing nothing. We shan't even see the fight, much less +take part in it." + +"Why, you are becoming a regular fire-eater! Have you not had enough +fighting?" + +"I only object to all the work being done by others. I would rather +take my own share. What are you supposed to be doing?" + +"Nothing, and for once in a way it is a very pleasant occupation. Have +you met Raoul?" + +"No, and I expect he is a dozen miles off by now. He is in luck; his +squadron acts as a kind of bodyguard to the Marshal. I had no idea +that Beauchamp was such a daring fellow." + +"He is like the rest, anxious to make a name for himself. Ah, here +comes Pillot to warn me that it is my turn for duty." + +Gien was still crowded with numbers of the Queen's troops, gentlemen of +the King, and Mazarin's bodyguard, in addition to the hosts of servants +and attendants on the Court. Hundreds watched Turenne's advance, and +almost every one seemed to imagine that the Marshal had little to do +but march peacefully to Paris. + +From the gossip among Mazarin's gentlemen next morning I gathered that +Turenne had halted at a place called Briare, while Hocquincourt, our +second general, had advanced to Blenau. + +"The Marshal is preparing his plans," exclaimed one of our fellows +complacently, "and if Conde's army stays to fight it will be soundly +beaten. I prophesy that within a month we shall be inside Paris." + +I remembered these boastful words and laughed, when, a night or two +afterwards, Pillot burst into my room and wakened me rather brusquely. + +"Get up, monsieur," said he, "Conde has sent to announce his arrival." + +"Conde," I growled sleepily. "Where? What do you mean? What is all +the noise outside?" + +"The town has gone mad with fright--that is all. Monsieur must be +quick in dressing." + +In a few minutes I was dressed and out of the house. Pillot was +right--the town certainly had gone mad. The street was packed with +people surging this way and that, pushing, struggling, and asking +questions. There were hundreds of rumours in the air: Conde had crept +into Gien, and had hanged Mazarin in his own room. The Queen-Mother +was a prisoner with her two sons, and all her Guards had died fighting. +I had hardly witnessed such a tumult even in Paris. Couriers and +lackeys, coachmen and grooms; soldiers, citizens, peasants, and ladies +of the Court, were all grouped together, making the oddest spectacle. +No one really knew what had happened, though a hundred people were +willing to tell. + +I would have gone straight to the Cardinal's quarters, but such a +course was out of the question; so, following Pillot, I found myself on +a piece of high ground to the left of the town. + +"Ah!" said I, drawing a deep breath, "now it is plain what has +occurred. You are right, Pillot, that is a message from Conde, sure +enough!" + +The night was dark, but far away in the distance the gloom was lit up +by numerous tongues of fire that extended for miles. Now one died +away, but the next minute a fresh one shot skyward, and in places +several merged together in one broad flame. + +"Conde is amusing himself and providing us with a fine spectacle," said +Pillot. "It seems to me that the prince has lost neither his cunning +nor his boldness. Turenne is a good soldier, but it looks as if Conde +were a better." + +"Turenne is not over there. Conde has fallen on General Hocquincourt, +and things will be serious for the Marshal." + +"And for the Cardinal," laughed Pillot, who never saw any good in +Mazarin; "he must run, monsieur, and fast, too." + +"So must we--he will need help. Come, let us find him." + +This, however, was not a simple matter, and we were nearly an hour in +forcing a way to Mazarin's rooms. They were empty, and the frightened +servants had no idea where their master was. Some asserted he had gone +to reassure the Queen; others that he had galloped off to the +battlefield, at which Pillot laughed unkindly. + +Turning back I encountered Humphreys, who, with a dozen troopers, was +clearing a passage through the crowd. In answer to my question he said +that Mazarin had ridden toward the river, where he himself was going; +so, bidding Pillot stay behind, I joined company with the Englishman. + +"Well," said I, as we rode along, "Gien is not such a humdrum place +after all!" + +"Faith! this Conde has played a clever game. A courier has brought +word that Hocquincourt's army has vanished, while Turenne has only +about four thousand men with which to oppose fourteen thousand. And +look at this rabble! Out of the way there, or we will ride you down!" + +"Have you had orders to join Turenne?" + +"No," he answered, with a touch of scorn. "My duty is to escort the +carriages, which are all on the other side of the river. The Queen has +sent for them, so that her ladies can escape if Turenne gets +beaten--which he will. Ah! there is Mazarin with the King. Look how +the boy manages his horse! He should make a fine cavalry leader in +time." + +Leaving Humphreys, I turned aside to the edge of the plain, where the +boy king and Mazarin were surrounded by a group of gentlemen. Louis +was flushed and excited, but he showed no fear, and, indeed, I heard +that he begged hard for permission to gallop to the scene of conflict. +At frequent intervals Mazarin despatched a gentleman on some errand. +His face was pale, and he looked anxious, which was not to be wondered +at, since the safety of the Court depended on so slender a thread. + +Presently, catching sight of me, he said, "De Lalande, come here. I +see you have a good horse. Do not spare it, but ride top speed to +Marshal Turenne, and inquire if he has any message for His Majesty." + +"Yes, my Lord!" I answered, and saluting, rode off quickly. + +The confusion was worse here than in the town. Crowds of ladies, +attended by their servants, waited anxiously for the carriages; boxes +and bales lay strewn around, and directly a carriage appeared the whole +mob rushed at it, fighting like the _canaille_ of Paris. Once past the +bridge, however, it was possible to increase the pace, and at Briare I +began to make inquiries as to where the Marshal was most likely to be +found. + +"On the plain between this and Blenau," said an officer who had +received orders to stop at Briare with a few troops. "Do you bring any +fresh news from Gien?" + +"None, except that the place is upside down with fear. Conde has +managed to startle the Court." + +"He would do more than that if we were under any general but Turenne, +and even he will have need of all his skill." + +Far away in the distance the houses were still burning, and now and +again a fresh sheet of flame would leap skyward. Here and there I met +with riderless horses, and men bringing in wounded comrades. They all +told the same story. Conde had fallen upon Hocquincourt, and simply +swept his army away. His quarters were in ruins, many of his infantry +were killed, and his cavalry had become a mere rabble. + +"Everything depends on Turenne," said a wounded officer whom I knew +slightly. "If he can hold his ground, all may yet be well, but the +odds are terribly against him." + +At length I reached the plain where the Marshal had drawn up his +troops, and, though quite unversed in real soldiering, I could see that +he had chosen a position of great strength. Beyond the plain were a +marsh and a wood--one on the left, the other on the right--with a +narrow causeway over which the enemy must pass, between them. The wood +was filled with infantry, while a battery of artillery was stationed so +as to command the causeway. + +Noticing a group of officers at the entrance to the plain, I rode over +and asked where I should have the most chance of finding Marshal +Turenne. + +"With the cavalry, monsieur," one of them answered courteously, and +glancing at my green scarf, added, "Do you come from Gien?" + +"Yes, with a message from the Cardinal." + +"Ah," said another, "I suppose this business has frightened the Court? +Conde has made a good start, but he will meet his equal now." + +"The Marshal is overweighted," remarked a third man, gloomily. "His +Majesty can trust us to die here, but I doubt if we can stop the prince +from breaking through. He has four men to our one." + +This did not sound very cheerful, and before long I heard that several +officers of the highest rank were just as doubtful of success. +However, my business lay with the Marshal himself, so I advanced to the +causeway, and found that he was at the farther end with two or three +squadrons of cavalry. He was talking earnestly with a group of +officers, so I waited till he had finished, and then, with a salute, +gave him the Cardinal's message. + +At first he appeared angry, but gradually a smile stole over his face, +and he exclaimed, "_Corbleu!_ His Eminence is a very glutton for +information. I have just sent the Marquis of Pertui with a despatch to +His Majesty, and there is nothing fresh to add. A battle is not fought +in five minutes!" + +I bowed low, and presently he added kindly, "You can stay here: in an +hour or so I may have some information to send back." + +Saluting him in answer, I backed my horse to the rear of the group, +when some one cried, "De Lalande!" and glancing round I observed Raoul, +with his troopers stationed close at hand. + +"What are you doing here?" he asked gaily, as I went over to him. "I +understood you were guarding Mazarin!" + +"I have brought a message for the Marshal, and am to wait for an +answer." + +"You will see some hot work presently. Ah, there is Bordel! He brings +fresh news of the prince, I warrant." + +An officer, followed by an escort of troopers, had just galloped in +from the country behind Blenau. His horse was covered with foam, and +he himself was bleeding from a wound, but he jumped lightly to the +ground, saluted, and began talking earnestly to the Marshal. We could +not hear what was said, but his information was evidently serious, for +Turenne immediately sent off several of his staff. + +"Conde is approaching!" exclaimed Raoul, and even while he was speaking +an officer galloped over with orders from Turenne for the squadron to +hold itself in readiness. + +I had met with numerous adventures in my short career, but had never +witnessed a real battle, and I was on fire with excitement. Raoul +desired me to return to the rear, saying there was no need to expose +myself to danger, but I shook my head and resolved to stay with him. + +With a few of his staff the Marshal advanced beyond the end of the +causeway, but presently came riding back, and every man knew +instinctively that Conde was quickly approaching. Presently we caught +a glimpse of his cavalry, and at sight of the serried ranks of +horsemen, most of our hearts, I think, began to droop. It seemed to me +that, by one swift rush across the causeway, they would have us +completely at their mercy. + +As if of the same opinion Turenne ordered us to retire, and we fell +back slowly, while the hostile cavalry halted to gather strength for +the spring. Then came the order to increase the pace, and our men +sullenly obeyed. They did not like retreating, even to escape from +death. Raoul looked puzzled, and from time to time I noticed him +glance back over his shoulder. + +Suddenly a whisper of "Here they come!" ran through the ranks; our pace +grew faster, and soon we were flying like timid hares before a pack of +dogs. + +Conde's cavalry made a splendid show. Squadron after squadron, fifteen +or twenty in number, advanced with pennons flying and banners waving in +the breeze. The sun shone on the steel-tipped lances, and the bared +swords flashed like a forest of steel. Nearer and nearer thundered the +horses: their hoofs rang hard on the causeway, and I expected every +moment to hear the roar of our artillery. But every gun was dumb; not +one opened its mouth, and not a single musket shot came from the +shelter of the thick wood. + +What did it all mean? I did not know; in the excitement, did not even +guess; it was enough that Turenne with his handful of troopers was +flying before Conde's host. Still we maintained our order, and though +riding fast rode together, every man preserving his proper place and +distance. Suddenly there came an order from the Marshal, and like a +flash we turned with our horses' heads facing the exulting enemy. + +"Charge!" shouted a voice, and without break or pause we thundered +back, waving our swords and yelling, "_Vive le Roi!_" + +It seemed a mad thing to do, but Turenne was with us, and Turenne was +worth an army. Conde's troopers tried to gather themselves against the +shock, but, confident of victory, they were riding in loose order, and +we gave them no time to close their ranks. Crash! We went into them +like a thunderbolt, and the bravest rebel there could not stand against +the furious onslaught. + +Turenne fought like an ordinary trooper, and as for Raoul, he outshone +himself. I tried hard to keep up with him, but he outpaced me and +every horseman in his squadron. + +"_Vive le Roi!_" he shouted, and "_Vive le Roi!_" answered back his +toiling troopers. + +Once I lost sight of him in the press and feared he had gone down, but +the next instant I heard his battle-cry again, and there he was, amidst +a throng of foes on the very edge of the causeway. Another order from +Turenne brought us to a halt, and we cheered frantically as the broken +rebels crowded together in their efforts to escape. + +Suddenly Turenne's plan was made clear. A noise of thunder broke on +our ears; the air was filled with smoke and flame, the struggling +horsemen were bowled over by the great iron balls from the battery. +The causeway had become a lane of death; men and horses fell to the +ground; the confusion grew terrible; Conde's splendid cavalry was a +mere rabble, struggling and fighting to get clear of the awful passage. +Those who succeeded in breaking through galloped off swiftly, but, when +the gunners ceased their work of destruction, the lane was carpeted +with the bodies of the dying and dead. + +"Now, young sir," exclaimed Turenne, turning to me, "you may return and +tell the Cardinal there is nothing to fear. The prince is thoroughly +beaten and can attempt no more to-day. His Majesty can sleep in peace +at Gien." + +I would gladly have stayed longer, for Raoul was being carried off by +some of his troopers, and I feared he was badly wounded. However, in +the army one has to obey; so, gathering up my reins, I galloped back +towards Gien, spreading the news of the victory on the way. In the +town itself the crowds of frightened people thronged around me, +pressing so closely that I could barely proceed at a walking pace. + +"The news, monsieur?" they cried. "What of the battle? Has Conde won? +Tell us what the prince is doing!" + +Again and again I repeated that the prince was defeated, but they +seemed not to understand, or understanding, not to believe. By slow +degrees I reached Mazarin's apartments, and the Cardinal, agitated and +almost trembling, advanced quickly to meet me. + +"The news?" said he. "Is it good or ill?" + +"Good, your Eminence," I answered, and at that he bade me accompany him +into the presence of the boy-king and the Queen-Mother, to whom I +repeated Turenne's message. Then they asked about the fight, and I, to +the best of my ability, gave them a description of the battle. + +"My son," said the Queen-Mother gravely, "you must be very grateful to +Marshal Turenne. He has placed the crown a second time on your head." + +As soon as I was dismissed from the royal presence I sought Pillot, and +told him we must ride at once to Blenau to look for Raoul. + +"M. Beauchamp wounded, monsieur? Is he hurt very much?" + +"That is what I want to find out." + +We were silent on the journey; I was greatly troubled about Raoul, and +the dwarf did not care to disturb my thoughts. We met some of the +wounded being taken to Gien and Briare; others were at Blenau, and +amongst these we found Raoul. + +"M. Beauchamp?" said the surgeon to whom I spoke. "Yes, he is here, +waiting to have his wounds dressed; he is a lucky fellow; there is +nothing serious; he will return to Gien to-morrow. In less than a +month he will be in the saddle again. You can see him if you wish." + +Raoul's eyes flashed with pleasure at my approach. He was very pale +from loss of blood, but was able to talk, and spoke hopefully of +returning to duty in a few days. He did not tell me, however, what I +afterwards learned from others, that the Marshal had paid him a visit +and had spoken in the highest terms of his bravery. + +As soon as his wounds were dressed and he was made comfortable I +returned to Gien, in order to be at hand in case the Cardinal needed my +services. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +The King Visits Raoul. + +I shall not soon forget the day the Court left Gien. Mazarin had kept +me fully employed until a late hour on the previous evening, and +directly after breakfast I went to spend a last five minutes with +Raoul. Turenne had given orders that he should be well lodged, and the +King's own surgeons had attended to dress his wounds. The news of his +gallant exploit had quickly spread abroad, and numerous luxuries had +been forwarded to the sick room from the royal table. + +Happily his hurts were not serious, a gash across his sword-arm being +the worst, but he could dress himself with the assistance of Pillot, +whom I had sent to wait on him, though he had to let the right sleeve +of his tunic hang empty. Pillot had finished dressing him when I +entered, and Raoul exclaimed with a laugh, "I shall be sorry when you +go, Albert; I shall lose an admirable valet." + +"We move at once," I answered, "but Pillot will remain here till you +can manage without his assistance. Is it not so, Pillot?" + +"Certainly, monsieur, if M. Beauchamp permits." + +"Why," exclaimed Raoul, smiling, "as to that I should be very pleased, +but how will M. de Lalande manage?" + +"Look after himself," said I. "The change will do me good; I have been +growing lazy of late. Listen! What a hubbub in the street! Some one +is coming up the stairs. Run to the door, Pillot, and see who our +visitor is." + +The dwarf had just crossed the room when there was a knock at the door, +and an officer high in the royal household entered. + +"M. Beauchamp," said he, glancing round with a smile, "I congratulate +you on your good fortune. His most gracious Majesty is below, with +Marshal Turenne, who has sung your praises so loudly that, before +leaving Gien, His Majesty insisted on coming to visit you." + +Never in all my life had I felt such a thrill of joy as at these words. +The King was coming to visit Raoul! My heart beat fast at the sound of +footsteps on the stairs, and I bubbled over with happy excitement as +the famous soldier and the royal boy made their appearance. + +"M. Beauchamp," exclaimed the Marshal, "His Majesty has heard of your +brave deeds, and has done you the honour of paying you a visit before +he leaves Gien." + +Raoul bowed respectfully, speaking just the words required, and acting, +in short, as a French gentleman should, who is honoured by his +monarch's approval. + +[Transcriber's note: illustration missing from book] + +I watched the young King closely. He was a handsome lad, and, though +not forgetting his regal dignity, he spoke from his heart with all a +high-spirited boy's emotion. + +"Monsieur," said he, "to the soldier honoured by the greatest general +in Europe, a king's gift can have little value. Yet keep this in +remembrance of this day, and if ever the need should arise for your +monarch's favour, it shall prove a sure passport." + +[Illustration: "Keep this in remembrance of this day."] + +As he spoke he took a star set with brilliants from his own breast, and +fastened it on Raoul's. + +Bowing low, my comrade spoke his thanks like a gallant knight, and then +the royal boy, flushing with pleasure at his own kindly act, and +bidding Raoul recover his strength soon, took his departure, +accompanied by the Marshal. + +"Well done, Raoul!" I cried, "now your fortune is assured. That star +will carry you to the very highest position in the days to come. I +wish Humphreys had been here to share our pleasure." + +"What is it?" cried a cheery voice from the door. "Do you know the +King is in the street?" + +"Yes," said I, pointing to the star on Raoul's breast, "he has been +here, and that is what he has left behind." + +"Hurrah!" cried the Englishman. "Bravo, Raoul! You deserve your luck +if any one does." + +"I owe the honour to Marshal Turenne's considerate kindness." + +"And to something else! The Marshal doesn't escort young Louis round +giving brilliants to every one who was in the battle! I suppose you +have heard we are moving again? Conde has left his army and gone to +Paris. I really believe the war will not last much longer." + +"I hope not," said I heartily; "if it does, the country will be ruined +completely." + +"Conde and his friends are to blame for that. But I must be off now; I +am baggage-minder-in-chief to the Court." + +"It must be a terrible responsibility having to look after the ladies' +dresses," laughed Raoul. + +"Don't be in too great a hurry to take the field," advised Humphreys, +as we wished him good-bye. "That is a nasty gash on the sword-arm, and +will require some time to heal. Does Pillot stay behind? Ah! I +congratulate you, Beauchamp; he is a capital nurse. See that M. +Beauchamp is quite well before he leaves, Pillot." + +"Monsieur will find that I shall do my best," exclaimed the little man, +and then with a last farewell to Raoul, Humphreys and I took our +departure. + +Nothing of any consequence occurred during the next fortnight. The +Court removed to St. Germain, and the army to Palisseau, but, beyond a +skirmish or two, there was no fighting. As usual, however, there were +plenty of rumours, and every man had a different story to relate of +what was going on. As to Mazarin, he spent his days, and nights too, +in writing and reading innumerable notes, and in interviewing +mysterious people. + +One evening, having for a wonder no duties to perform, I strolled over +to the palace for a chat with Humphreys. + +"Have you heard the latest news?" he asked, and, as I shook my head, +added laughingly, "it is not a rumour but a fact. Turenne has doubled +back on Etampes, and has shut up the bulk of the rebels there. It will +be a grand stroke if he captures the town." + +"Is Conde there?" + +"I think not. Most accounts state that he is still in Paris. A lucky +thing you took the ladies away; the city, according to some of the +Queen's friends who have just crept out, is in a frightful state. The +people are up in arms, and the mob is burning and plundering on all +sides." + +"What is the Duke of Orleans doing?" + +"Making up his mind and altering it again; he has no leisure for +anything else. Mazarin seems to have been busy lately." + +"Spoiling paper! there will be soon none left in the kingdom. While +Turenne is fighting, the Cardinal is driving bargains." + +"Ah!" exclaimed my comrade scornfully, "the truth is, it is every man +for himself and the country can go to the dogs." + +About a week after this conversation with Humphreys, M. Belloc ordered +me to be at the Cardinal's room at four o'clock the next morning. + +"Have your horse ready, and in good trim, as I believe you have a long +journey." + +"Not as far as Bruhl, I hope?" + +"No," said he with a smile; "I think none of us will need to return to +Bruhl in a hurry, though it is difficult to prophesy. However, see to +your horse, and then get off to bed. The Cardinal will expect you at +the very second." + +By this time I was well aware of Mazarin's crotchets, and took care to +present myself at the proper time. His secretary opened the door, and +admitted me into his master's room. Whether Mazarin ever went to bed +at this period of his life I cannot say, but he always gave me the +impression that he could live without sleep. There he was at four +o'clock, in dressing gown and slippers, writing with no sign of +weariness whatever. + +"Is your horse saddled, M. de Lalande?" he asked, without stopping or +taking his eyes from the paper. + +"Yes, your Eminence." + +"Very good. Here is a little document; put it away safely. It is for +Marshal Turenne, and it must be given to him this evening. He is at +Etampes, or rather in the neighbourhood. Do not lose the missive, +though it is less important than some you have carried." + +"Do I return at once, your Eminence?" + +"That will depend on Marshal Turenne. You will place yourself under +his orders. And now, a prosperous ride to you." + +M. Belloc, who had placed my horse in care of a soldier, was waiting +outside. He evidently knew the nature of my errand, and, as I mounted, +wished me a quick and pleasant journey. + +"The country is fairly clear," he said, "and there is not much chance +of meeting with an enemy. Still, it will be as well to keep your eyes +open." + +"I will," said I, thinking of my journey to Bruhl, and of the +smooth-spoken Captain Courcy. + +There was, however, little cause for alarm, the only soldiers I +encountered being King's troops. At Limours, where I intended to stop +for an hour or two, the inns were filled with them, and I found some +difficulty in getting my horse stabled. The inn at which I at length +stopped was the Golden Fleece, and even there every room was occupied. + +"I am grieved," exclaimed the innkeeper, a portly man with rubicund +face, "but monsieur can have a table for his refreshment, and he will +not find the guests objectionable." + +Opening a door, he ushered me into an apartment where three men sat. +Two of them were evidently in company; the third, rather to my +astonishment, was Pillot, who, glancing up at my entrance, rose to +greet me. + +"You have left Gien then?" I said. "Where is M. Beauchamp?" + +"In the camp before Etampes, monsieur. He has recovered from his +wounds, and has returned to his squadron. I offered to stay with him a +while longer, but he preferred that I should join you." + +"When did you leave him?" + +"This morning, monsieur." + +As there was no need to take Pillot with me, I ordered him to remain at +the inn until my return, which would probably be the next day. + +"Very well, monsieur," said he pleasantly. + +As soon as my horse was sufficiently rested I resumed my journey, +telling Pillot he might expect me at any hour of the day or night. I +was sorry Raoul had left Gien, though pleased at the prospect of seeing +him at Etampes, and, but for the strangeness attending our meeting, I +should have entirely passed over the episode of this otherwise +uneventful ride. + +Marshal Turenne was inspecting the position of a battery when I found +him, but he instantly opened and read the Cardinal's note. + +"Hum!" said he, knitting his brows, "this is a serious matter, and +requires thought. You will remain in the camp until I am ready to +furnish his Eminence with an answer. You have friends among my +gentlemen?" + +"M. Beauchamp is my chief friend, general." + +"Ah! I remember you now. I saw you at Blenau and again at Gien. +Well, you cannot do better than spend an hour or two with M. +Beauchamp," and he directed one of his attendants to conduct me to +Raoul's tent. + +"Albert!" exclaimed my comrade, jumping up in surprise. "How came you +here? Ah! I forgot! You are on the Cardinal's business?" + +"Yes, but I met Pillot at Limours, and he told me you had rejoined your +squadron. I hope you did not leave Gien too soon?" + +"No, I am quite strong again, and I could not lie there doing nothing." + +Now, I do not pretend to explain his behaviour at that time, or the +mystery which followed; my readers must judge for themselves after I +have stated the facts. That something had altered my old comrade very +much was plain. He had lost his high spirits, and replied to my +sallies with only a half-hearted smile. When I rallied him on this +gloomy fit he dismissed the subject hastily, leading me to talk of John +Humphreys and what the Court was doing at St. Germain. + +I had been with him an hour or a little more when an officer brought +word that Marshal Turenne desired to see M. Beauchamp immediately. + +"Stay where you are, Albert, and make yourself comfortable," he +exclaimed. "It is an order for some piece of special service perhaps; +the Marshal is always planning a fresh surprise." + +Left alone, I began wondering more than ever at the remarkable change +which had come over him. He was as keen as ever to perform his duties, +but the quick, bright smile, the joyous laugh, the old boyish merriment +had vanished. + +"He is weak from his wounds," I thought; "he should have stayed longer +at Gien, and let Pillot nurse him. Perhaps he will throw off this +gloomy air as he gets stronger." + +At the end of half-an-hour he returned, and I concluded by his manner +that the Marshal had entrusted him with some important business. + +"Another expedition," I said, springing up. "Take care, Raoul, the +pitcher may go to the well once too often." + +"It matters little, dear friend, but at present there is no need for +alarm. Do you know what was in that packet from the Cardinal? Conde +has won over the Duke of Lorraine, who is marching on Paris with a +large army. Turenne intends to break up his camp and attack the Duke." + +"That will be awkward; we shall be placed between two fires." + +"Trust to Turenne; he understands his business. A few troops will stay +here for a day or two. Meanwhile, we march light; we shall strike our +blow at Lorraine, and then the rest of our army will rejoin us." + +"Leaving Conde's troops to slip out of Etampes!" + +"So much the better; they will be compelled to fight in the open." + +"Are you riding with the Marshal?" + +"In front of him. He has selected my squadron to scour the country in +advance. It will be a change from camp life. Now, I must go; we shall +meet again soon." + +"I hope so!" + +"It is certain," he answered calmly, "the stars have foretold it." + +I looked at him in surprise, and said, "You were not used to put your +faith in the stars, Raoul!" + +"No," he answered, dreamily, "but I have learned much of late. Do you +remember the open space before the Porte St. Antoine? It is there we +shall meet. I hear the roar of cannon, the rattle of muskets, the +hoof-beats of horses, the fierce shouts of struggling men. I see---- +Ah well, dear friend, it is not long to wait!" + +I tried to detain him, to make him speak more plainly, but he would say +nothing further, and, leaving the tent, we walked in silence to the +lines farthest from Etampes. Raoul's horsemen were already there, and +presently Turenne himself, attended by two officers, rode up. In a few +stirring words he addressed the troopers, bidding them justify his +choice, and speaking in high terms of their young leader. Then he gave +Raoul his final instructions, and my friend pressed my hand in a last +grasp. + +"_Au revoir!_" said he quietly. "Remember the Porte St. Antoine!" + +I stood for a while watching the weird scene as the troopers filed off +silently, and in perfect order. Raoul, who had placed himself at their +head, was soon out of sight, but I could not banish his strange words +from my mind. + +"Remember the Porte St. Antoine!" What did he mean? Why had he +mentioned that particular spot as the scene of our meeting? What was +the strange vision at which he had hinted? Alas! I understood later, +but even to this day the manner of his foreknowledge remains a mystery. + +"Is that M. de Lalande?" + +Starting from my dream, I found it was Marshal Turenne who addressed +me, and saluting, I answered his question. + +"Come to me at daybreak," he said; "I wish to send a letter by you to +Cardinal Mazarin," and he galloped off, the two officers following. + +Returning to Raoul's tent--for the troopers had left every thing +standing--I lay down, and tried, though unsuccessfully, to sleep. My +comrade's mysterious speech haunted me; I could make nothing of it, and +it was with a feeling of relief that I saw the day open. Having +groomed and fed my horse, I went to the Marshal's tent. The famous +soldier had the note written, but he made me stay while his servant +prepared a simple breakfast, to which we both sat down. Then, sending +a man for my horse, he wished me a safe journey, and I rode from the +camp as the troops began to stir. + +Pillot was waiting for me at Etampes, and I questioned him closely +concerning Raoul. + +"It is true that M. Beauchamp has changed much," said he; "I noticed it +at Gien." + +"Was there any reason for it?" + +"Ah, monsieur, it is hard to tell. For a week after you left Gien, M. +Beauchamp was bright and cheerful as usual, and planning great things +for you and himself. Then, one evening, on going to his room, I found +him lying down, fully dressed. He seemed to be asleep." + +"Seemed to be?" I interrupted crossly, "could you not make sure?" + +"He did not hear me, monsieur, and he did not answer when I spoke, but +his eyes were open and bright. Presently, as I stood in a corner of +the room, he began talking as if to some person. Then suddenly he +sprang up, his face was white, and his eyes stared as if they had seen +something dreadful, and he trembled all over. I called his name, and +he glanced round in a frightened way as if surprised to find himself in +a room." + +"Did he make any remark?" + +"He said he had been dreaming, and made me take him into the street to +clear the cobwebs from his brain. I think the same dream came again +afterwards, but he would not speak of it, though once I heard him +mutter to himself, 'It was the Porte St. Antoine!'" + +"The Porte St. Antoine?" I cried, more astonished than ever; "that is +where he declared I should meet him next!" + +"There are many strange things for which we cannot account, monsieur!" +exclaimed Pillot--a remark which, though true enough, gave me small +comfort. + +The little man did his best to cheer me, but it was a dreary ride +notwithstanding, and he must have been glad when towards evening we +reached St. Germain. Having given Mazarin the Marshal's note, and +finding the time at my own disposal, I went to seek Humphreys. + +"Well, my friend, so you have returned," exclaimed the jovial +Englishman. "You look tired and troubled. Is anything wrong?" + +"I have seen Raoul." + +"That should not have depressed you! So he is back with the army? I +thought he would not stay quiet long." + +"It is on Raoul's account I am uneasy," I replied, and without more +ado, described the change that had come over him, and repeated his +mysterious words. + +"A bagatelle!" declared Humphreys, "a mere trifle! He has been moping, +and has got queer fancies into his head; sick people often do. Think +no more of it, that is my advice; in a week he will be laughing at his +dreams. The jingle of spurs and the blare of trumpets will soon drive +away those notions." + +"I am not so certain of that, my friend. Besides, he is not suffering +from his wound now; he has recovered his strength." + +"Of body, I grant you; and when his mind becomes clearer, these +whimseys will vanish like ghosts at cock-crow." + +The Englishman seemed so sure, and spoke so confidently, that while in +his company I felt half inclined to smile at my childish ideas; but +later, in the solitude of my own room, they did not appear so childish. +The notion that Raoul was in some danger had disturbed my brain, and +several times during the night I awoke with a start, fancying I heard +him call my name. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +"Remember the Porte St. Antoine." + +It was, perhaps, fortunate that about this time Mazarin kept me very +busy. Events moved quickly; the situation changed every day; no one +knew at one hour what would happen the next. The Cardinal remained +with the Court, but I spent most of my time on horseback, galloping +with hastily written letters from one leader to another. + +One day I was sent to Villeneuve St. Georges, where Turenne, having +made a daring march, had just arrived. The Marshal was in a position +of extreme danger. Lorraine was in front of him with a large army; +Conde's troops were approaching swiftly from Etampes. There was an +even greater peril, of which, however, I had no idea, till the famous +soldier had read Mazarin's note. + +"Here is news," said he, speaking to an officer of high rank; "Conde +has left Paris and has joined his troops. We must settle this affair +soon, or the prince will be too quick for us." + +He possessed the highest respect for Conde as a soldier, and the prince +on his part regarded Turenne as the only enemy to be feared. These two +were, in fact, the most celebrated generals in Europe, and it was a +thousand pities for France that their swords were not pointed against a +common enemy. + +"Let us see what the Cardinal offers," he continued, proceeding to read +Mazarin's note. "Hum! Lorraine won't accept those terms, unless I +back them up by a show of bayonets. Yet he must be got rid of! We +can't fight both him and Conde at the same time." + +Presently turning to me he said, "Ride back to St. Germain, De Lalande, +and inform the Cardinal that I will send a messenger within twenty-four +hours. By then Lorraine will be in full retreat or His Majesty will be +minus an army." + +Before leaving the camp I endeavoured to find Raoul, but without +success. Several officers informed me that he was rarely with the main +body, his troopers being chiefly used for scouting purposes. This was +disappointing; so, as there was clearly no chance of meeting him, I +returned to St. Germain and delivered my message. + +How he managed it I cannot explain--some people hinted that Mazarin's +craft had most to do with it--but Turenne was as good as his word, and +the next evening an officer from his army galloped into St. Germain +with the information that, without striking a blow, Lorraine had broken +up his camp and was retreating to Flanders. Mazarin rubbed his hands +at the news, and purred softly, as he usually did when well pleased. + +"We are getting on, gentlemen!" said he. "Before long His Majesty will +be in his capital again." + +In this the Cardinal was mistaken, but every day still further improved +our position. The Court removed to St. Denis; Conde, who had posted +his troops on the bank of the Seine, near St. Cloud, was being pressed +day and night by Turenne, and was at length forced to retreat in the +direction of Charenton. + +As soon as this became known in St. Denis the utmost excitement +prevailed, and every one began asking what the people of Paris would +do. Unless the gates of the city were opened the prince must either +win a brilliant victory or be crushed. On this point Mazarin spoke +very sensibly. + +"Everything depends on the result of the first stroke," said he. "The +Duke of Orleans is in command of the town. He will blow hot and cold +after his manner: Conde will ask for shelter, and Gaston will hesitate. +There lies our chance. If we can catch and beat the prince meanwhile, +all will go well; Gaston ever leans to the strongest side." + +Turenne, who had come to consult with the Cardinal, smiled grimly. + +"Take His Majesty to Charonne," he advised, "and bid him write a letter +with his own hand to the Council, forbidding the gates to be opened. +It may do good: it cannot do harm." + +"And meanwhile?" asked Mazarin. + +"My cavaliers are hot on the prince's track. I have ordered La Ferte +to cross the river with his artillery, and Conde must either surrender +or accept battle at St. Antoine." + +"Remember the Porte St. Antoine!" The words sounded in my ears so +clearly that it almost seemed as if I heard Raoul speaking. + +"The Court will be in no danger," Turenne continued, "but I shall +require every man who can use a sword or fire a musket. Have you ever +seen a wild boar at bay? That is how Conde fights. I shall beat him, +but the pack will be badly mauled. Gentlemen, who will ride with +Turenne, and die with Turenne, if needs be, for the honour of France?" + +There were a dozen of us, all belonging to Mazarin's body-guard, at the +lower end of the room, and instantly every sword leaped from its +scabbard and flashed in the air. + +"I! I! I!" we shouted like a number of enthusiastic boys, and the +famous general laughed genially. + +No one, I fear, waited for the Cardinal's consent, and when, a few +minutes later, Turenne mounted his horse, fifty headstrong cavaliers +fell in joyously behind him. + +"For the King! gentlemen," cried he. "For the King!" we echoed +loyally, and the royal boy, with flushed cheeks and gleaming eyes, came +in person to bid us farewell. + +"I thank you, gentlemen, all," said he, and there was a curious catch +in his voice. "I would I were riding in your ranks, but while the King +has such loyal servants France need fear no rebels. I wish you +success, gentlemen, you and your gallant leader." + +At this, waving our plumed hats high, we cheered again and swept +forward with a rush. From the Faubourg St. Denis came the sounds of +musketry, of wild battle shouts, and cries of triumph and despair. + +"Forward!" cried Turenne. "Forward!" + +Riding with loose reins we spurred hard to the scene of conflict, just +in time to see the backs of Conde's rearguard. The gallant fellows had +fought stubbornly, contesting every foot of ground, and sacrificing +themselves in order to delay our advance. Now, however, they were in +retreat, and Turenne, leaving his victorious infantry to re-form, +collected his horsemen and pressed on in pursuit. + +Among the foremost rode my old comrade, and my heart beat fast at sight +of him. His head was bare, his long fair curls fell about his +shoulders, his cheeks were flushed, his eyes fiercely bright. I had +never seen him in such a state of intense excitement. As I joined him +he greeted me with a forced smile, but there was no time for speech. +Side by side we dashed through the streets into the Faubourg St. +Martin. Here several squadrons of Conde's cavalry barred our way, but +Raoul halted not. + +"For the King!" he cried, waving his sword. "For the King!" as we +leaped at the horsemen, while our comrades, answering with a lusty +shout, galloped madly behind us. + +Crash! We were in the midst of the throng, cutting, thrusting, +parrying, pressing the rebels back slowly. They fought well, as became +Frenchmen, but we were too many, and at last they broke. + +"Forward!" cried Raoul, who was still in front, but Turenne called us +back. + +"Softly, softly," exclaimed our leader; "a few hundred horsemen cannot +defeat an army in position. We must go slowly for a while. The enemy +are entrenched behind barricades in the Faubourg St. Antoine." + +Raoul looked at me meaningly, and I became unnerved by the odd +coincidence. Was it chance or fate? + +"Together till the end," he whispered. "Do not grieve for me, dear +friend, it is written in the stars, and I am content." + +I tried to reply, but my lips were dumb; I could only press his hand in +silence. + +Like a wise general Conde was meanwhile seizing and strengthening every +defensible post. His men pierced the houses for musketry, raised new +obstacles everywhere, heightened the barricades, and dragged the big +guns into the open space. Every moment's delay on our part rendered +the position more formidable, and we listened anxiously for the tramp, +tramp, of our brave infantry. + +"Can't we take the place at a rush?" asked one man impetuously, and +Raoul looked at him with a smile. + +"You do not know the Faubourg St. Antoine," said he; "I do. I was here +when Lorraine's troops put up the barricades. Even with our infantry +we shall be too weak to force a passage." + +"Bah!" cried a listener impatiently, "there are three broad streets +leading to the gate, and we can have our choice of them. Then Conde +will be cornered." + +"Every house is a fortress," said Raoul, "and a dozen narrow streets +lead into each avenue. Turenne will attack when the infantry arrives, +but with any other general I should call it madness to move without La +Ferte's artillery." + +My comrade's reputation for reckless bravery was so well established +that his words produced some impression, though it was tantalising to +wait there while the enemy worked with all their might to render the +Faubourg impregnable. Presently, a thundering cheer announced the +arrival of our infantry, and we looked anxiously at Turenne to discover +if he would risk the hazard of the die. A very rash general would have +flung us at the barricades without a thought; a weak one would have +hesitated too long; what would Turenne do? + +Sitting his horse calmly at the head of his troops, he summoned his +principal officers around him, and explained his intentions. We could +only guess at his words, but very soon the group broke up, the officers +galloped to their stations, commands were issued: first one section, +then another of the troops moved slowly forward, and we became aware +that Turenne had resolved to attack without waiting for his artillery. + +It has been mentioned that three principal streets led to the open +space before the gate, and along these avenues of death we fought our +way in three divisions. Raoul and I accompanied Turenne in the centre. +Foot by foot, almost inch by inch, we advanced beneath a hail of +bullets. Men fell fast, but the survivors struggled on undauntedly. +From every window sped the leaden messengers into our midst; from +behind each barricade flashed a flame of fire. + +"The houses must be cleared!" exclaimed the general. "Let the +musketeers clear them one by one!" and he ordered us to seek shelter, +though he himself continued in the open, coolly directing the +operations. + +With fierce cries the musketeers swarmed into the buildings, and at the +point of the bayonet drove the enemy from room to room, slaying all +those who refused to surrender. I had thought the fight on the plain +of Blenau terrible, but it was child's play to this. Stoutly and +gallantly the rebels fought, but one by one the houses fell into our +hands; the barricades were torn down, and again the signal sounded for +the cavalry to advance. + +Alas! Already many of the gay gentlemen who had ridden so joyously +through St. Martin had fallen; but there was no time to mourn their +loss. Turenne was in front, and the folds of the King's banner, +shot-torn and blackened, were fluttering in the breeze. In after years +our gracious monarch's colours were borne in many a hot encounter, but +never, I think, in a more desperate fray than the struggle at St. +Antoine, between--shame on those who made it possible--Frenchmen and +Frenchmen. + +No war is good to look upon in cold blood, when the lust of battle has +died away, but a cruel fight between men of the same blood and race is +abominable. Yet, on that day, I question if it made any of us more +gentle to know that our enemies were Frenchmen. + +"Forward!" cried our chief, and with a rush we swept the street from +end to end, crying, "_Vive le Roi!_" as if victory were already won. + +Then, suddenly, the roar of the guns greeted us, and, under cover of +the smoke, Conde leaped into our midst at the head of his household +troops. From the first I have maintained that the prince did France a +foul wrong in setting himself against his rightful monarch, but it +cannot be denied that he was a splendid soldier. With his war-cry +ringing high and clear above the tumult he came at us; the fight grew +terrible; our infantry, unable to avoid the horses, fell back in +confusion, leaving a scattered handful of cavaliers to continue the +contest alone. Seeing his advantage, the prince flung every available +horseman at us, and, though fighting desperately, we were driven back +by force of numbers. + +Again and again we returned to the charge, and many gallant feats of +arms were performed, but victory appeared hopeless, and we listened +anxiously for the sound of La Ferte's cannon. Thus far, at least, +Raoul's judgment had proved correct. Ill news came both from right and +left. Our men, suffering fearfully from the hidden musketry fire, made +headway only at a wasteful expense of life. More than one high officer +had fallen at the barricades, and Conde, who seemed to be in several +places at once, beat back each fresh assault. + +Everywhere our soldiers were growing dispirited, and even talked of +waiting for help; but Turenne, who had an iron will, would not hear of +defeat. Rising in his stirrups, and looking steadily at his band of +cavaliers, he cried cheerfully, "One more charge, gentlemen!" + +"For the King!" answered Raoul, waving his stained sword above his +head, and we all echoed the cry lustily. + +Turenne gave the word, and once again we swept like a hurricane through +the street. The rebels awaited the onset, but the shock was too great. +Back they went, steadily at first, then swiftly, and at last in +headlong flight. Conde, brave as a lion--to my thinking no braver man +took part in the fight--endeavoured in vain to rally them; only his +staunchest leaders stayed at his side. Raoul, a horse's length in +front of us, galloped forward, and struck furiously at the rebel chief. +The blow partly missed, but the sword drew blood. + +"For the King!" shouted my comrade. + +"Down with Mazarin!" responded our opponents defiantly, and surrounding +Conde forced him against his will to retire. + +Meanwhile our musketeers, swarming into the houses, maintained an +incessant and destructive fire, The rebels in their turn lost heart, +and even their leader's matchless courage could hardly keep them at +their posts. A cheer on the right announced our success in that +quarter, and presently arose an answering cry from the left. The three +divisions had fought their way to the open space, and unless the +Parisians unbolted the gate the rebel army was doomed. Paris was at +their backs, we were in front, and they could not break through us. + +A band of their leaders held the last barricade with heroic courage. +Separated from all their friends, they were in desperate plight; yet +they blenched not. One after another they fell grievously wounded, and +some among them bore the highest names in France. It was a pitiful +sight, yet they refused to surrender, though Turenne, I am certain, +would gladly have spared them. Presently Conde, who had meanwhile been +endeavouring to stem the tide of battle elsewhere, observed their +plight, and, collecting a band of devoted adherents, made a gallant +attempt at rescue. + +Raoul, evidently thinking this a fine opportunity to seize the prince, +spurred into the open; I raced after him quickly, others followed, and +crying, "Down with Conde!" charged in a body at the princely rebel. + +While some of his friends rescued the survivors at the barricade, the +others rode in our direction. With a ringing cheer we sprang at them, +struck out furiously right and left, spurred our horses into the +throng, pierced it in every direction, till finally it fell apart. +Disdaining meaner foes, Raoul rode at the prince, engaging him in +deadly combat. He still wore the King's gift on his breast, and fought +as if he were the monarch's sole champion. Whether he was Conde's +equal in swordsmanship I cannot say, but he kept the prince well +employed. + +Suddenly, as they fought, the roar of La Ferte's guns broke out, and we +had the enemy at our mercy. Conde, as if recognising this, began to +withdraw, and Raoul was pressing on more vigorously when a rebel +horseman, spurring toward the gate, cut him down. I saw the tragedy +distinctly, but could do no more than utter a warning cry, which, alas, +my comrade did not hear. + +How the Parisians by opening the gate and letting the rebels through +robbed us of victory, the world knows, but at the moment I cared +little. All my hopes and fears were centred in Raoul, and, heedless of +the dropping bullets, I rode across to the spot where he lay. He was +in terrible pain, stricken I feared unto death, but his wonderful +courage remained unbroken, and he did not even murmur when, with the +assistance of some trusty comrades, I carried him to one of the empty +houses. + +The fight was over now; Conde's troops had escaped into the city; the +sullen roar of the guns died away; men thought only of succouring the +wounded who dotted the ground in large numbers. A kindly surgeon, +hearing of Raoul's plight, hurried to the room where we had placed him, +but at the first glance he shook his head sorrowfully, and I knew there +was no hope. + +"An hour, or two at the most," he whispered to me. "The best physician +in France could do no more than ease his pain." + +He did what he could and went his way, for there were many who needed +his services; the soldiers, too, had departed, and I alone remained to +watch my friend die. Very still, and with closed eyes he lay, but his +breathing was laboured, and from time to time a hoarse rattle sounded +in his throat. Presently his eyes opened, and he looked at me with a +faint smile. Then pointing to the King's star, he whispered, "For +Marie," and I, not trusting myself to speak, bowed my head. + +"True friend," said he softly, "ever loyal! Do not grieve, Albert; it +must be for the best. I am happy, quite happy. Let me clasp your +hand. Ah, heaven was good in giving me such a friend!" + +His voice became more and more broken; the last sentence I could +understand only by following closely the movements of his lips. What +could I say? I could not bid him hope; we both knew he was dying, and +that, in fact, his very moments were numbered. So I sat there in the +gathering gloom, holding his hand, and at intervals wiping the +perspiration from his forehead. + +He spoke again, but now his mind wandered, and his thoughts drifted +back to the happy days of our youth. He recalled past events, smiling +or frowning as they pleased or angered him in the days gone by. Then +for a time he lay still, but suddenly, as if coming to his senses, he +looked up straight into my face. + +"Good-bye," he murmured. "Tell Marie. The open space--the guns and +the hoof-beats. Strange, strange!" + +And that was the end of it! Raoul was dead! How I mourned for him +none can ever know: it is not seemly to lay bare the inmost secrets of +our hearts to the gaze of curious eyes. + +Raoul was dead, and on the very threshold of life. + +We took him to St. Denis with many another gallant cavalier who had +ridden out joyously to the fight with the cry of "For the King!" on his +lips. The monks buried him in a plot of consecrated ground without the +monastery walls, and Turenne, who recognised his worth, attended the +funeral. Stalwart John Humphreys, who had been chosen to guard the +young King, was there also. He had loved the dead man dearly, and +though he could say nothing to lessen my bitter grief, yet somehow his +presence comforted me. + +The next day I despatched Pillot with the star and a letter to Aunay, +paid a farewell visit to Raoul's grave, and before the sun had gained +his full power was riding sword in hand at Turenne's side. For in +warfare action alone must be the solace for one's private griefs. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +Mazarin Triumphant. + +Of my life during the next few months there is little to tell, beyond +the ordinary perils of a soldier's career. I carried the green scarf +of Mazarin into several desperate battles, and stained my sword at the +taking of more than one hostile town. I marched and fought, was +wounded and got well again, was complimented by Turenne and rewarded by +the Queen-Regent. In fine, I figured as a successful soldier as far as +my youth permitted. + +Fortune favoured me, as the jade often does those who care nothing for +her frowns or smiles, and in the affair at Brie Comte Robert, when the +Court was once more in danger, I distinguished myself sufficiently to +be thanked by our youthful monarch in person. + +But the praises and rewards showered upon me were not honestly earned, +for my deeds were due to recklessness rather than to true bravery. Day +and night I was ready to take my life in my hands, and I lived in a +whirl of excitement. I made no new friends, though many dashing +spirits offered me comradeship. My heart was still sore for the loss +of Raoul, and except for Pillot and the sturdy Englishman, John +Humphreys, I went my way alone. + +While at Pontoise I saw much of Humphreys, who, in his bluff hearty +way, did a good deal to cheer me. He talked freely of Raoul, and I +liked to listen to his praises of my dead friend. However, the fortune +of war was soon to cut me adrift from him. Things were going very +badly for us just at that time, and Turenne could barely hold his own. +The Duke of Lorraine had returned to help Conde, and the Spanish +general, Fuensaldana, was hurrying with a strong army to the Duke's +side. + +"The Cardinal has played a clever game," remarked Pillot, one evening, +"but he has lost now. I heard it whispered this afternoon that he is +likely to take another journey." + +"The Queen will not desert him," said I. + +"She cannot help herself, monsieur. Even her strongest friends are +clamouring for the Cardinal's dismissal." + +The next day I found that Pillot was right, and it was from Humphreys I +heard it. + +"The matter has been all arranged," said he. "The King is to be asked +to dismiss Mazarin, and he will agree. When that is done, it is +thought the princes will lay down their arms." + +"And if not?" + +"The fighting will continue, I suppose. But even Turenne will not be +able to defeat Conde and Lorraine and the Spaniards. They are too many +for him." + +"He will do his best." + +"I grant you that, but even Turenne cannot accomplish impossibilities." + +This was almost the last chat I had with Humphreys for several months. +Things turned out as he had prophesied. Mazarin quitted the Court, and +I accompanied him on the journey to Sedan. For a beaten man he was +very cheerful, and I felt sure that, even then, he was reckoning on a +triumphant return. + +"This travelling is troublesome, De Lalande," said he, pleasantly, "but +I have no doubt we shall find rest after a while." + +Now, although I served him faithfully and to the best of my ability, +the Cardinal was no favourite of mine, yet I found it impossible not to +admire him. My old idea of the huge spider returned to me in stronger +force. He was always spinning, and with patience almost incredible. +Now a thread was broken, now several; sometimes it seemed as if the web +were entirely destroyed; yet still he persevered, never disheartened, +never discouraged, never once, as far as I could judge, losing hope. + +Couriers from the Court followed us on every stage, bringing countless +letters and messages, and Mazarin was always ready to send back +instructions or advice. He would write a despatch at two in the +morning as cheerfully as at ten, and the worst tidings found him cool +and collected. Even Pillot began to admire the man, though the poor +fellow was in despair at being taken farther and farther away from his +beloved Paris. He did not grumble, save in a comical manner, but his +long absence from the capital was undoubtedly a sore trial to him. + +One evening--we were entering Soissons, if my memory serves me--a +messenger galloped up in hot haste, and delivered a letter to the +Cardinal, who was, at the moment, on horseback. He read it through, +and turning to the courier, said calmly, "Tell the Marshal there is no +need for alarm; I will find a plan." + +During the remainder of the journey he rode in deep thought, but on +reaching the house where he was to stay for the night, he said, with a +smile, "De Lalande, I have yet another piece of work for you. Come to +me in the morning as soon as you have breakfasted." + +I saluted, and, turning away, ordered Pillot to see that the horses +were ready early, as we might have a long journey the next day. + +"Perhaps it is to Paris, monsieur," he suggested, his eyes sparkling. +"I wonder if we could find our way to the inn in the Rue de Roi? I +fear not. It is so long since we were there. The citizens will take +me for a peasant!" + +"Hardly that!" I answered laughing. "But why do you think we may go to +Paris?" + +"I do not know," said he comically, "perhaps because I hoped it might +be so." + +Poor Pillot was fated to be disappointed, as I discovered in the +morning. Mazarin had apparently been up for hours when I entered his +room. His table was littered with papers and letters, one of which was +addressed to the Duke of Lorraine. + +"De Lalande," said he without ceremony, "how would you like to be +captured by the Spaniards?" + +"Captured by the Spaniards, my Lord?" + +"Why, yes," said he, "it does not sound pleasant, but I fear that is +what will happen to you. This letter is addressed to the Duke of +Lorraine, but it is really meant to fall into the hands of the Spanish +general." + +"I understand, my Lord," I replied, though not with any degree of truth. + +"Hardly, De Lalande," said he lightly, "but I will make it clear to +you. Marshal Turenne has too many foes, and if we can induce +Fuensaldana to retreat, it will be a point in our favour. Should this +letter fall into his hands he will decide to go, but the affair +requires caution. That is why I have selected you. The Spaniards are +near Compiegne, and I want you to be taken prisoner as soon as +possible." + +"I will do my best, my Lord, though it is a queer errand," I replied as +I took my leave. + +"_Parbleu!_ this Cardinal is a cunning fox," exclaimed Pillot, when I +informed him of the kind of adventure in which we were engaged. "The +Spaniards will think Lorraine is making friends with the Court; they +will take fright and decamp. Truly this Mazarin is a shrewd rascal. +But," he added more soberly, "the affair will be awkward for monsieur." + +"Why, yes; it will not be altogether pleasant," I replied, "but the +Spaniards will soon release me." + +Mounting our horses, we rode off, and by early evening had reached the +neighbourhood of the Spanish camp. + +"Monsieur will soon have his wish," whispered Pillot, as we proceeded +through a small hamlet. "See, the road yonder is blocked by a body of +horsemen. Does monsieur intend to show fight?" + +"Why, no; yet I must not be caught too easily, or I shall arouse +suspicion. Let us ride on carelessly, and turn when it is just too +late." + +"Monsieur may get a bullet," suggested Pillot, but I told him I must +chance that, though he was, on no account, to risk his own life. + +Accordingly we proceeded along the road toward the Spanish outpost, +when suddenly a gruff voice roared some words in a foreign tongue. I +have often laughed since at the remembrance of Pillot's face at this +time. The fellow was a born actor and might have made a fortune on the +stage. Now, his eyes rolled in fright, he was the very picture of +misery, and he cried in trembling accents, "Fly, monsieur, fly, or we +are dead men! Oh, good people, I pray you, do not hurt us. I will +give you five pistoles--ten even----" + +"Be still!" I exclaimed roughly, "what a coward you are!" + +Again the gruff voice sounded, and just as I turned my horse's head, a +dozen men, or more, came rushing up, while some one shouted in bad +French, "Halt, or we fire!" + +Pillot gave a scream of fright and jumped down, while I galloped off. +The ride was not a long one, however, for my horse had scarcely got +into his stride when a bullet struck him and he rolled over, pinning my +leg to the ground. In an instant the soldiers were around me, and +Pillot was crying fearfully, "Do not kill him, good people. He is a +high officer and a friend of the King's. He is on an errand for His +Majesty now. Oh, I will give you five, ten pistoles, and----" + +"Cease that noise and answer my questions," exclaimed some one in +French. "Who is your master, and where is he going?" + +I did not hear Pillot's reply. My leg had been released, but the pain +caused me to faint, and several days passed before I was able to +understand what had happened. Then I found myself in a bed in a small +chamber, with Pillot waiting upon me. He would not talk much at first, +but after a time he recounted in high glee how the soldiers had +discovered Mazarin's note, and how the Spanish general had almost +immediately broken up the camp and withdrawn the greater part of his +troops. + +"And where are we now?" I asked. + +"In Compiegne, monsieur. The surgeon says you will not be fit for the +field for months, but in a fortnight or so I am going to take you in a +carriage to Paris," and his face beamed with delight. + +"I wonder if the Cardinal knows what happened?" + +"Yes, monsieur. I sent him word by a trusty courier. Monsieur should +be made a nobleman." + +I did not wish that, but I was gratified when, on the very day before +setting out for Paris, a special courier brought me this note, written +by the Cardinal himself: + +"Well done, De Lalande! Get well soon. Your services will not be +forgotten." + +My leg was still painful, and I could not use it at all, but Pillot had +hired a roomy carriage, and fitted it up with soft cushions. Indeed, +his thoughtfulness was remarkable, and he treated me with as much care +as if I had been a child. We did the journey by easy stages, and I at +length found myself back in my old rooms. + +The surgeon whom Pillot now called in gave me small hope of a speedy +recovery, and as a matter of fact I did not leave the house till the +beginning of the new year. Before that time, however, many changes +occurred. Conde marched south with his troops and the Court returned +to Paris. This was a pleasant change, as John Humphreys was once more +at the Louvre, and hardly a day passed without his spending an hour or +so with me. + +Naturally, he brought all the news; so that I could easily follow the +course of events. Day by day the Royal power increased; the people +were becoming fond of their youthful monarch, and Turenne was more than +holding his own against the rebels. + +"Faith!" exclaimed Humphreys, one evening towards the close of the +year, "it looks as if that Cardinal of yours were going to win, after +all. He is back in France with an army, and is hurrying to meet the +Marshal!" + +"He will be in Paris before long," said I laughing, "and then we shall +see a sight." + +Every day now brought news of some fresh success, and much of the glory +fell to the share of Mazarin. People began to talk of him as a great +general, and to compare him, as a soldier, with Conde and Turenne. +This was, of course, very absurd, but the talk increased the Cardinal's +popularity. + +At the beginning of the new year, 1653, my leg was so much stronger +that I was able to go out, and every day I walked a little distance in +the streets, accompanied by Pillot. I could not ride as yet, but even +that I was able to manage by the time Mazarin returned to Paris. + +Yes, the great struggle was over, and, as I had foreseen in the +beginning, the _Frondeurs_ had been smitten hip and thigh. Conde, +overshadowed by the genius of Turenne, was a fugitive; Gaston of +Orleans, who ever blew hot and cold in one breath, had left the capital +in disgrace; the parliament men had been brought to their knees; and +that sturdy rogue, De Retz, having lost all his power, was openly +arrested and imprisoned at Vincennes. + +But the crowning triumph was the return, on 2nd February, of my early +patron to the city which had hounded him out with hoots and jeers and +savage threats of death. The streets were gaily decorated, and the +citizens, apparently all of one mind, held high holiday in favour of +the recalled exile. + +I listened in vain for the ribald songs, the biting jests, the terrible +threats and vows of vengeance; in their stead I heard praises of the +Queen-Mother; openly expressed admiration of the youthful monarch, who +has, since then, advanced his country to the highest pinnacle of fame; +and words of good-will towards the wily Italian, who, whatever his +defects, had toiled hard and successfully for France. + +"The people are like dolls that jump when the showman pulls the +strings," remarked Pillot, as we made our way through the throng. + +But if the common people bawled themselves hoarse in welcoming the man +they had more than once threatened to murder, the higher classes +tripped each other up in their eagerness to render him homage. Louis +himself rode in state six miles from the city to greet him, and the +proudest nobles in the land were glad to appear in the Cardinal's +train. The Royal Guard was mounted at the gate in his honour, and +thousands welcomed, with joyful shouts, the Italian priest who had +returned to govern their country as a master. + +The _Black Mantles_ and the clergy, the cadets of illustrious houses, +the inferior nobles, and those who had raised themselves within an ace +of princely rank, nay, even princes of the blood royal, bent the knee +to this man against whom all France had pitted itself in vain! The +triumph, indeed, was such as falls to the lot of few men, and it must +be said that Mazarin bore his honours well. Many enemies who had +insulted or injured him were in his power, but he took no vengeance, +bidding them live at peace and devote their talents to the advancement +of their country. + +For my own part I had no cause to complain. On the very day after his +arrival he sent for me to attend him in his apartments at the Louvre. + +"Well, De Lalande," said he smiling, "so we are back in our old +quarters! Have you recovered from your accident?" + +"Yes, my Lord, I thank you." + +"You are not looking well; you must go away for a change! Let me see, +did we not have a talk once about a place called Vancey?" + +"That was my father's estate, my Lord." + +"Ah, and then it passed into the hands of Baron Maubranne? Your +father, if I remember rightly, offended Cardinal Richelieu? Strange, +that the father should anger one cardinal and the son gain the goodwill +of another! Now, listen to me, De Lalande. Go home and rest, and tell +your parents that the title-deeds of Vancey are following you." + +"My Lord!" I gasped. + +"There are those who call Mazarin a niggard," said he, still smiling, +"but there will be at least one to hold him a good paymaster. You have +done your share, De Lalande, and now I will do mine. There, go now; +you must be anxious to see your parents. Some day I may need your +services again." + + * * * * * + +I suppose that the story of my adventures really ends with my dismissal +from the Cardinal's room, but there are a few matters on which my +readers may like a little further information. + +I need not dwell on my reception at home; of my father's pride, of my +mother's unfeigned joy as she kissed and embraced me; nor is it +necessary to add that the Cardinal was as good as his word, and that +Vancey has long since been once again in the possession of the De +Lalandes. I may, however, say a word or two about those whose +acquaintance I made during that stirring period of my life. + +Lautrec, of the gorgeous attire, followed the fortunes of Conde and was +slain outside Bordeaux. Young Armand d'Arcy clung to the weak Gaston +of Orleans and left Paris with the disgraced Duke. He was one of the +first to congratulate me on my success, though he would never bow the +knee to Mazarin. John Humphreys fought his way to a high rank in the +Queen's Guards, and might have gained even further honours, but, in +1660, he returned to England with King Charles, and had his rich +estates restored to him. + +My old friend, Roland Belloc, had deservedly gained the King's favour, +and spent several happy years as the youthful monarch's personal +attendant, instructing him in the art of horsemanship and in the use of +a soldier's weapons. Afterwards he retired on an ample pension to his +country seat, and frequently paid a visit to Vancey, where he was +always sure of a cordial welcome. + +The unlucky Peleton never left the Bastille. Harassed by his own +difficulties, Conde had forgotten his prisoner, who remained in his +cell until released by a merciful death. + +As for Pillot, I tried hard to induce him to stay at Vancey, but he +could not tear himself from his beloved Paris; so I set aside for him a +sum of money on which he was able to live in comfort. + +Only one other matter remains to be told, and my readers will readily +guess what it is. As soon as the troubles were at an end, I posted +down to Aunay, where I was received by the ladies with every mark of +pleasure. The old friendship was renewed, and in course of time Marie +de Brione accompanied me to Vancey as my wife. Madame Coutance rarely +visited Paris again, but spent the rest of her life quietly either on +her own estate or with her niece at Vancey. + + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of My Sword's My Fortune, by Herbert Hayens + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MY SWORD'S MY FORTUNE *** + +***** This file should be named 27325.txt or 27325.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/7/3/2/27325/ + +Produced by Al Haines + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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