UNDERTHEREDROBE

CHAPTERI

ATZATON'S

'Markedcards！'

Therewereascorerounduswhenthefool，littleknowingthemanwithwhomhehadtodeal，andaslittlehowtoloselikeagentleman，flungthewordsinmyteeth。Hethought，I'llbesworn，thatIshouldstormandswearandruffleitlikeanycommoncockofthehackle。ButthatwasneverGildeBerault'sway。ForafewsecondsafterhehadspokenIdidnotevenlookathim。Ipassedmyeyeinstead——smiling，BIENENTENDU——roundtheringofwaitingfaces，sawthattherewasnooneexceptDePombalIhadcausetofear；andthenatlastIroseandlookedatthefoolwiththegrimfaceIhaveknownimposeonolderandwisermen。

'Markedcards，M。l'Anglais？'Isaid，withachillingsneer。

'Theyareused，Iamtold，totrapplayers——notunbirchedschoolboys。'

'YetIsaythattheyaremarked！'herepliedhotly，inhisqueerforeignjargon。'InmylasthandIhadnothing。Youdoubledthestakes。Bah，sir，youknew！Youhaveswindledme！'

'Monsieuriseasytoswindle——whenheplayswithamirrorbehindhim，'Iansweredtartly。

Atthattherewasagreatroaroflaughter，whichmighthavebeenheardinthestreet，andwhichbroughttothetableeveryoneintheeating-housewhomhisvoicehadnotalreadyattracted。ButI

didnotrelaxmyface。Iwaiteduntilallwasquietagain，andthenwavingasidetwoorthreewhostoodbetweenusandtheentrance，Ipointedgravelytothedoor。

'ThereisalittlespacebehindthechurchofStJacques，M。

l'Etranger，'Isaid，puttingonmyhatandtakingmycloakonmyarm。'Doubtlessyouwillaccompanymethither？'

Hesnatcheduphishat，hisfaceburningwithshameandrage。

'Withpleasure！'heblurtedout。'Tothedevil，ifyoulike！'

Ithoughtthematterarranged，whentheMarquislaidhishandontheyoungfellow'sarmandcheckedhim。

'Thismustnotbe，'hesaid，turningfromhimtomewithhisgrand，fine-gentleman'sair。'Youknowme，M。deBerault。Thismatterhasgonefarenough。'

'Toofar！M。dePombal，'Iansweredbitterly。'Still，ifyouwishtotakeyourfriend'splace，Ishallraisenoobjection。'

'Chut，man！'heretorted，shrugginghisshouldersnegligently。

'Iknowyou，andIdonotfightwithmenofyourstamp。Norneedthisgentleman。'

'Undoubtedly，'Ireplied，bowinglow，'ifhepreferstobecanedinthestreets。'

ThatstungtheMarquis。

'Haveacare！haveacare！'hecriedhotly。'Yougotoofar，M。Berault。'

'DeBerault，ifyouplease，'Iobjected，eyeinghimsternly。'MyfamilyhasbornetheDEaslongasyours，M。dePombal。'

Hecouldnotdenythat，andheanswered，'Asyouplease；'atthesametimerestraininghisfriendbyagesture。'Butnonetheless，'hecontinued，'takemyadvice。TheCardinalhasforbiddenduelling，andthistimehemeansit！Youhavebeenintroubleonceandgonefree。Asecondtimeitmayfareworsewithyou。

Letthisgentlemango，therefore，M。deBerault。Besides——why，shameuponyou，man！'heexclaimedhotly；'heisbutalad！'

Twoorthreewhostoodbehindmeapplaudedthat，ButIturnedandtheymetmyeye；andtheywereasmumasmice。

'Hisageishisownconcern，'Isaidgrimly。'Hewasoldenoughawhileagotoinsultme。'

'AndIwillprovemywords！'theladcried，explodingatlast。

Hehadspiritenough，andtheMarquishadhadhardworktorestrainhimsolong。'Youdomenoservice，M。dePombal，'hecontinued，pettishlyshakingoffhisfriend'shand。'Byyourleave，thisgentlemanandIwillsettlethismatter。'

'Thatisbetter，'Isaid，noddingdrily，whiletheMarquisstoodaside，frowningandbaffled。'Permitmetoleadtheway。'

Zaton'seating-housestandsscarcelyahundredpacesfromStJacqueslaBoucherie，andhalfthecompanywentthitherwithus。

Theeveningwaswet，thelightinthestreetswaswaning，thestreetsthemselvesweredirtyandslippery。TherewerefewpassersintheRueStAntoine；andourparty，whichearlierinthedaymusthaveattractednoticeandacrowd，crossedunmarked，andenteredwithoutinterruptionthepavedtrianglewhichliesimmediatelybehindthechurch。IsawinthedistanceoneoftheCardinal'sguardloiteringinfrontofthescaffoldingroundthenewHotelRichelieu；andthesightoftheuniformgavemepauseforamoment。Butitwastoolatetorepent。

TheEnglishmanbeganatoncetostripoffhisclothes。Iclosedminetothethroat，fortheairwaschilly。Atthatmoment，whilewestoodpreparing，andmostofthecompanyseemedalittleinclinedtostandofffromme，Ifeltahandonmyarm，andturning，sawthedwarfishtailoratwhosehouse，intheRueSavonnerie，Ilodgedatthetime。Thefellow'spresencewasunwelcome，tosaytheleastofit；andthoughforwantofbettercompanyIhadsometimesencouragedhimtobefreewithmeathome，ItookthattobenoreasonwhyIshouldbeplaguedwithhimbeforegentlemen。Ishookhimoff，therefore，hopingbyafrowntosilencehim。

Hewasnottobesoeasilyputdown，however，andperforceIhadtospeaktohim。

'Afterwards，afterwards，'Isaidhurriedly。'Iamengagednow。

'ForGod'ssake，don't，sir！'thepoorfoolcried，clingingtomysleeve。'Don'tdoit！Youwillbringacurseonthehouse。

Heisbutalad，and——'

'You，too！'Iexclaimed，losingpatience。'Besilent，youscum！

Whatdoyouknowaboutgentlemen'squarrels？Leaveme；doyouhear？'

'ButtheCardinal！'hecriedinaquaveringvoice。'TheCardinal，M。deBerault！Thelastmanyoukilledisnotforgottenyet。Thistimehewillbesureto——'

'Leaveme，doyouhear？'Ihissed。Thefellow'simpudencepassedallbounds。Itwasasbadashiscroaking。'Begone！'I

added。'Isupposeyouareafraidthathewillkillme，andyouwillloseyourmoney。'

FrisonfellbackatthatalmostasifIhadstruckhim，andI

turnedtomyadversary，whohadbeenawaitingmymotionswithimpatience。Godknowshedidlookyoungashestoodwithhisheadbareandhisfairhairdroopingoverhissmoothwoman'sforehead——amereladfreshfromthecollegeofBurgundy，iftheyhavesuchathinginEngland。IfeltasuddenchillasIlookedathim：aqualm，atremor，apresentiment。Whatwasitthelittletailorhadsaid？ThatIshould——butthere，hedidnotknow。Whatdidheknowofsuchthings？IfIletthispassI

mustkillamanaday，orleaveParisandtheeating-house，andstarve。

'Athousandpardons，'Isaidgravely，asIdrewandtookmyplace。'Adun。Iamsorrythatthepoordevilcaughtmesoinopportunely。Nowhowever，Iamatyourservice。'

Hesalutedandwecrossedswordsandbegan。ButfromthefirstI

hadnodoubtwhattheresultwouldbe。Theslipperystonesandfadinglightgavehim，itistrue，somechance，someadvantage，morethanhedeserved；butIhadnosoonerfelthisbladethanI

knewthathewasnoswordsman。Possiblyhehadtakenhalf-a-

dozenlessonsinrapierart，andpractisedwhathelearnedwithanEnglishmanasheavyandawkwardashimself。Butthatwasall。

Hemadeafewwildclumsyrushes，parryingwidely。WhenIhadfoiledthese，thedangerwasover，andIheldhimatmymercy。

Iplayedwithhimalittlewhile，watchingthesweatgatheronhisbrowandtheshadowofthechurchtowerfalldeeperanddarker，liketheshadowofdoom，onhisface。Notoutofcruelty——GodknowsIhavenevererredinthatdirection！——butbecause，forthefirsttimeinmylife，Ifeltastrangereluctancetostriketheblow。Thecurlsclungtohisforehead；hisbreathcameandwentingasps；Iheardthemenbehindmeandoneortwoofthemdropanoath；andthenIslipped——slipped，andwasdowninamomentonmyrightside，myelbowstrikingthepavementsosharplythatthearmgrewnumbtothewrist。

Heheldoff。Iheardadozenvoicescry，'Now！nowyouhavehim！'Butheheldoff。Hestoodbackandwaitedwithhisbreastheavingandhispointlowered，untilIhadrisenandstoodagain。

onmyguard。

'Enough！enough！'aroughvoicebehindmecried。'Don'thurtthemanafterthat。'

'Onguard，sir！'Iansweredcoldly——forheseemedtowaver，andbeindoubt。'Itwasanaccident。Itshallnotavailyouagain。'

Severalvoicescried'Shame！'andone，'Youcoward！'ButtheEnglishmansteppedforward，afixedlookinhisblueeyes。Hetookhisplacewithoutaword。Ireadinhisdrawnwhitefacethathehadmadeuphismindtotheworst，andhiscouragesowonmyadmirationthatIwouldgladlyandthankfullyhavesetoneofthelookers-on——anyofthelookers-on——inhisplace；butthatcouldnotbe。SoIthoughtofZaton'sclosedtome，ofPombal'sinsult，ofthesneersandslightsIhadlongkeptatthesword'spoint；and，pressinghimsuddenlyinaheatofaffectedanger，I

thruststronglyoverhisguard，whichhadgrownfeeble，andranhimthroughthechest。

WhenIsawhimlying，laidoutonthestoneswithhiseyeshalfshut，andhisfaceglimmeringwhiteinthedusk——notthatIsawhimthuslong，fortherewereadozenkneelingroundhiminatwinkling——Ifeltanunwontedpang。Itpassed，however，inamoment。ForIfoundmyselfconfrontedbyaringofangryfaces——ofmenwho，keepingatadistance，hissedandcursedandthreatenedme，callingmeBlackDeathandthelike。

Theyweremostlycanaille，whohadgatheredduringthefight，andhadviewedallthatpassedfromthefarthersideoftherailings。

Whilesomesnarledandragedatmelikewolves，callingme'Butcher！'and'Cut-throat！'orcriedoutthatBeraultwasathistradeagain，othersthreatenedmewiththevengeanceoftheCardinal，flungtheedictinmyteeth，andsaidwithgleethattheguardwerecoming——theywouldseemehangedyet。

'Hisbloodisonyourhead！'onecriedfuriously。'Hewillbedeadinanhour。Andyouwillswingforhim！Hurrah！'

'Begone，'Isaid。

'Ay，toMontfaucon，'heanswered，mockingme。

'No；toyourkennel！'Ireplied，withalookwhichsenthimayardbackwards，thoughtherailingswerebetweenus。AndIwipedmybladecarefully，standingalittleapart。For——well，Icouldunderstandit——itwasoneofthosemomentswhenamanisnotpopular。Thosewhohadcomewithmefromtheeating-houseeyedmeaskance，andturnedtheirbackswhenIdrewnearer；andthosewhohadjoinedusandobtainedadmissionwerescarcelymorepolite。

ButIwasnottobeoutdoneinSANGFROID。Icockedmyhat，anddrawingmycloakovermyshoulders，wentoutwithaswaggerwhichdrovethecursfromthegatebeforeIcamewithinadozenpacesofit。Therascalsoutsidefellbackasquickly，andinamomentIwasinthestreet。AnothermomentandIshouldhavebeenclearoftheplaceandfreetoliebyforawhile——when，withoutwarning，ascurrytookplaceroundme。Thecrowdfledeverywayintothegloom，andinahand-turnadozenoftheCardinal'sguardsclosedroundme。

Ihadsomeacquaintancewiththeofficerincommand，andhesalutedmecivilly。

'Thisisabadbusiness，M。deBerault，'hesaid。'Themanisdeadtheytellme。'

'Neitherdyingnordead，'Iansweredlightly。'Ifthatbeallyoumaygohomeagain。'

'Withyou，'hereplied，withagrin，'certainly。Andasitrains，thesoonerthebetter。Imustaskyouforyoursword，I

amafraid。'

'Takeit，'Isaid，withthephilosophywhichneverdesertsme。

'Butthemanwillnotdie。'

'Ihopethatmayavailyou，'heansweredinatoneIdidnotlike。'Leftwheel，myfriends！TotheChatelet！March！'

'Thereareworseplaces，'Isaid，andresignedmyselftofate。

Afterall，Ihadbeeninaprisonbefore，andlearnedthatonlyonejailletsnoprisonerescape。

ButwhenIfoundthatmyfriend'sordersweretohandmeovertothewatch，andthatIwastobeconfinedlikeanycommonjail-

birdcaughtcuttingapurseorslittingathroat，Iconfessmyheartsank。IfIcouldgetspeechwiththeCardinal，allwouldprobablybewell；butifIfailedinthis，orifthecasecamebeforehiminstrangeguise，orifhewereinahardmoodhimself，thenitmightgoillwithme。Theedictsaid，death！

AndthelieutenantattheChateletdidnotputhimselftomuchtroubletoheartenme。'What！againM。deBerault？'hesaid，raisinghiseyebrowsashereceivedmeatthegate，andrecognisedmebythelightofthebrazierwhichhismenwerejustkindlingoutside。'Youareaveryboldman，oraveryfoolhardyone，tocomehereagain。Theoldbusiness，Isuppose？'

'Yes，butheisnotdead，'Iansweredcoolly。'Hehasatrifle——amerescratch。ItwasbehindthechurchofStJacques。'

'Helookeddeadenough，myfriend，'theguardsmaninterposed。Hehadnotyetleftus。

'Bah！'Iansweredscornfully。'HaveyoueverknownmemakeamistakeWhenIkillamanIkillhim。Iputmyselftopains，I

tellyou，nottokillthisEnglishman。Thereforehewilllive。'

'Ihopeso，'thelieutenantsaid，withadrysmile。'Andyouhadbetterhopeso，too，M。deBerault，Forifnot——'

'Well？'Isaid，somewhattroubled。'Ifnot，what，myfriend？'

'Ifearhewillbethelastmanyouwillfight，'heanswered。

'Andevenifhelives，Iwouldnotbetoosure，myfriend。ThistimetheCardinalisdeterminedtoputitdown。'

'HeandIareoldfriends，'Isaidconfidently。

'SoIhaveheard，'heanwered，withashortlaugh。'IthinkthatthesamewassaidofChalais。Idonotrememberthatitsavedhishead。'

Thiswasnotreassuring。Butworsewastocome。EarlyinthemorningorderswerereceivedthatIshouldbetreatedwithespecialstrictness，andIwasgiventhechoicebetweenironsandoneofthecellsbelowthelevel。Choosingthelatter，Iwaslefttoreflectuponmanythings；amongothers，onthequeeranduncertainnatureoftheCardinal，wholoved，Iknew，toplaywithamanasacatwithamouse；andontheilleffectswhichsometimesattendahighchest-thrusthowevercarefullydelivered。

Ionlyrescuedmyselfatlastfromtheseandotherunpleasantreflectionsbyobtainingtheloanofapairofdice；andthelightbeingjustenoughtoenablemetoreckonthethrows，I

amusedmyselfforhoursbycastingthemoncertainprinciplesofmyown。Butalongrunagainandagainupsetmycalculations；

andatlastbroughtmetotheconclusionthatarunofbadluckmaybesopersistentastoseeoutthemostsagaciousplayer。

Thiswasnotareflectionverywelcometomeatthemoment。

Nevertheless，forthreedaysitwasallthecompanyIhad。Attheendofthattime，theknaveofajailorwhoattendedme，andwhohadnevergrowntiredoftellingme，afterthefashionofhiskind，thatIshouldbehanged，cametomewithalessassuredair。

'Perhapsyouwouldlikealittlewater？'hesaidcivilly。

'Why，rascal？'Iasked。

'Towashwith，'heanswered。

'Iaskedforsomeyesterday，andyouwouldnotbringit，'I

grumbled。'However，betterlatethannever。Bringitnow。IfI

musthang，Iwillhanglikeagentleman。Butdependuponit，theCardinalwillnotserveanoldfriendsoscurvyatrick。'

'Youaretogotohim，'heannounced，whenhecamebackwiththewater。

'What？TotheCardinal？'Icried。

'Yes，'heanswered。

'Good！'Iexclaimed；andinmyjoyandreliefIsprangupatonce，andbegantorefreshmydress。'SoallthistimeIhavebeendoinghimaninjustice，'Icontinued。'VIVEMONSEIGNEUR！

LonglivethelittleBishopofLuchon！Imighthaveknownit，too。'

'Don'tmaketoosure！'themanansweredspitefully。Thenhewenton，'Ihavesomethingelseforyou。Afriendofyoursleftitatthegate，'andhehandedmeapacket。

'Quiteso！'Isaid，leadinghisrascallyfacearight。'Andyoukeptitaslongasyoudared——aslongasyouthoughtIshouldhang，youknave！Wasnotthatso？Butthere，donotlietome。

Tellmeinsteadwhichofmyfriendsleftit。'For，toconfessthetruth，Ihadnotsomanyfriendsatthistimeandtengoodcrowns——thepacketcontainednolessasum——arguedaprettystaunchfriend，andoneofwhomamanmightreasonablybeproud。

Theknavesniggeredmaliciously。'Acrookeddwarfishmanleftit，'hesaid。'IdoubtImightcallhimatailorandnotbefarout。'

'Chut！'Ianswered——butIwasalittleoutofcountenance，nevertheless。'Iunderstand。Anhonestfellowenough，andindebttome！Iamgladheremembered。ButwhenamItogo，friend？'

'Inanhour，'heansweredsullenly。Doubtlesshehadlookedtogetoneofthecrowns；butIwastoooldahandforthat。IfI

camebackIcouldbuyhisservices；andifIdidnotIshouldhavewastedmymoney。

Nevertheless，alittlelater，whenIfoundmyselfonmywaytotheHotelRichelieuundersocloseaguardthatIcouldseenothinginthestreetexceptthefiguresthatimmediatelysurroundedme，IwishedthatIhadgivenhimthemoney。Atsuchtimes，whenallhangsinthebalanceandtheskyisovercast，themindrunsonluckandoldsuperstitions，andispronetothinkacrowngivenheremayavailthere——thoughTHEREbeahundredleaguesaway。

ThePalaisRichelieuwasatthistimeinbuilding，andwewererequiredtowaitinalong，baregallery，wherethemasonswereatwork。Iwaskeptafullhourhere，ponderinguncomfortablyonthestrangewhimsandfanciesofthegreatmanwhothenruledFranceastheKing'sLieutenant-General，withalltheKing'spowers，andwhoselifeIhadoncebeenthemeansofsavingbyalittletimelyinformation。Onoccasionhehaddonesomethingtowipeoutthedebt；andatothertimeshehadpermittedmetobefreewithhim，andsofarwewerenotunknowntooneanother。

Nevertheless，whenthedoorswereatlastthrownopen，andIwasledintohispresence，myconfidenceunderwentashock。Hiscoldglance，that，rovingoverme，regardedmenotasamanbutanitem，thesteelyglitterofhissoutherneyes，chilledmetothebone。Theroomwasbare，thefloorwithoutcarpetorcovering。

Someofthewoodworklayabout，unfinishedandinpieces。Buttheman——thisman，needednosurroundings。Hiskeenpaleface，hisbrillianteyes，evenhispresence——thoughhewasofnogreatheight，andbeganalreadytostoopattheshoulders——wereenoughtoawetheboldest。Irecalled，asIlookedathim，ahundredtalesofhisironwill，hiscoldheart，hisunerringcraft。HehadhumbledtheKing'sbrother，thesplendidDukeofOrleans，inthedust。HehadcurbedtheQueen-mother。Adozenheads，thenoblestinFrance，hadcometotheblockthroughhim。OnlytwoyearsbeforehehadquelledRochelle；onlyafewmonthsbeforehehadcrushedthegreatinsurrectioninLanguedoc：andthoughthesouth，strippedofitsoldprivileges，stillseethedwithdiscontent，nooneinthisyear1630daredliftahandagainsthim——openly，atanyrate。Underthesurfaceahundredplots，athousandintrigues，soughthislifeorhispower；butthese，I

suppose，arethehapofeverygreatman。

Nowonder，then，thatthecourageonwhichIplumedmyselfsanklowatsightofhim；orthatitwasasmuchasIcoulddotominglewiththehumilityofmysalutesometouchoftheSANG

FROIDofoldacquaintanceship。

Andperhapsthathadhadbeenbetterleftout。Foritseemedthatthismanwaswithoutbowels。Foramoment，whilehestoodlookingatme，andbeforehespoketome，Igavemyselfupforlost。Therewasaglintofcruelsatisfactioninhiseyesthatwarnedme，beforeheopenedhismouth，whathewasgoingtosaytome。

'Icouldnothavemadeabettercatch，M。deBerault，'hesaid，smilingvillainously，whilehegentlysmoothedthefurofacatthathadsprungonthetablebesidehim。'Anoldoffender，andanexcellentexample。Idoubtitwillnotstopwithyou。Butlater，wewillmakeyouthewarrantforflyingathighergame。'

'Monseigneurhashandledaswordhimself，'Iblurtedout。Theveryroomseemedtobegrowingdarker，theaircolder。Iwasnevernearerfearinmylife。

'Yes？'hesaid，smilingdelicately。'Andso——？'

'Willnotbetoohardonthefailingsofapoorgentleman。'

'Heshallsuffernomorethanarichone，'herepliedsuavelyashestrokedthecat。'Enjoythatsatisfaction，M。deBerault。Isthatall？'

'OnceIwasofservicetoyourEminence，'Isaiddesperately。

'Paymenthasbeenmade，'heanswered，'morethanonce。ButforthatIshouldnothaveseenyou。'

'TheKing'sface！'Icried，snatchingatthestrawheseemedtoholdout。

Helaughedcynically，smoothly。Histhinface，hisdarkmoustache，andwhiteninghair，gavehimanairofindescribablekeenness。

'IamnottheKing，'hesaid。'Besides，Iamtoldthatyouhavekilledasmanyassixmeninduels。YouowetheKing，therefore，onelifeatleast。Youmustpayit。Thereisnomoretobesaid，M。deBerault，'hecontinuedcoldly，turningawayandbeginningtocollectsomepapers。'Thelawmusttakeitscourse。'

Ithoughtthathewasabouttonodtothelieutenanttowithdrawme，andachillingsweatbrokeoutdownmyback。Isawthescaffold，Ifeltthecords。Amoment，anditwouldbetoolate！

'Ihaveafavourtoask，'Istammereddesperately，'ifyourEminencewillgivemeamomentalone。'

'Towhatend？'heanswered，turningandeyeingmewithcolddisfavour。'Iknowyou——yourpast——all。Itcandonogood，myfriend。'

'Noharm！'Icried。'AndIamadyingman，Monseigneur！'

'Thatistrue，'hesaidthoughtfully。Stillheseemedtohesitate；andmyheartbeatfast。Atlasthelookedatthelieutenant。'Youmayleaveus，'hesaidshortly。'Now，'hecontinued，whentheofficerhadwithdrawnandleftusalone，'whatisit？Saywhatyouhavetosayquickly。And，aboveall，donottrytofoolme，M。deBerault。'

ButhispiercingeyessodisconcertedmenowthatIhadmychance，andwasalonewithhim，thatIcouldnotfindawordtosay，andstoodbeforehimmute。Ithinkthispleasedhim，forhisfacerelaxed。

'Well？'hesaidatlast。'Isthatall？'

'Themanisnotdead，'Imuttered。

Heshruggedhisshoulderscontemptuously。

'Whatofthat？'hesaid。'Thatwasnotwhatyouwantedtosaytome。'

'OnceIsavedyourEminence'slife，'Ifalteredmiserably。

'Admitted，'heanswered，inhisthin，incisivevoice。'Youmentionedthefactbefore。Ontheotherhand，youhavetakensixtomyknowledge，M。deBerault。Youhavelivedthelifeofabully，acommonbravo，agamester。You，amanoffamily！Forshame！Doyouwonderthatithasbroughtyoutothis！YetonthatonepointIamwillingtohearmore，'headdedabruptly。

'ImightsaveyourEminence'slifeagain，'Icried。Itwasasuddeninspiration。

'Youknowsomething？'hesaidquickly，fixingmewithhiseyes。

'Butno，'hecontinued，shakinghisheadgently。'Pshaw！Thetrickisold。Ihavebetterspiesthanyou，M。deBerault。'

'Butnobettersword，'Icriedhoarsely。'No，notinallyourguard！'

'Thatistrue，'hesaidslowly。'Thatistrue。'

Tomysurprise，hespokeinatoneofconsideration；andhelookeddownatthefloor。'Letmethink，myfriend，'hecontinued。

Hewalkedtwoorthreetimesupanddowntheroom，whileIstoodtrembling。Iconfessit，trembling。Themanwhosepulsesdangerhasnopowertoquicken，isseldomproofagainstsuspense；andthesuddenhopehiswordsawakenedinmesoshookmethathisfigureashetrodlightlytoandfrowiththecatrubbingagainsthisrobeandturningtimefortimewithhim，waveredbeforemyeyes。Igraspedthetabletosteadymyself。IhadnotadmittedeveninmyownmindhowdarklytheshadowofMontfauconandthegallowshadfallenacrossme。

Ihadleisuretorecovermyself，foritwassometimebeforehespoke。Whenhedid，itwasinavoiceharsh，changed，imperative。'Youhavethereputationofamanfaithful，atleast，tohisemployer，'hesaid。'Donotanswerme。Isayitisso。Well，Iwilltrustyou。Iwillgiveyouonemorechance——thoughitisadesperateone。Woetoyouifyoufailme！DoyouknowCocheforetinBearn？ItisnotfarfromAuch。'

'No，yourEminence。'

'NorM。deCocheforet？'

'No，yourEminence。'

'Somuchthebetter，'hereplied。'Butyouhaveheardofhim。

HehasbeenengagedineveryGasconplotsincethelateKing'sdeath，andgavemoretroublelastyearintheVivaraisthananymantwicehisyears。AtpresentheisatBosostinSpain，withotherrefugees，butIhavelearnedthatatfrequentintervalshevisitshiswifeatCocheforetwhichissixleagueswithintheborder。Ononeofthesevisitshemustbearrested。'

'Thatshouldbeeasy，'Isaid。

TheCardinallookedatme。'Chut，man！whatdoyouknowaboutit？'heansweredbluntly。'ItiswhisperedatCocheforetifasoldiercrossesthestreetatAuch。Inthehouseareonlytwoorthreeservants，buttheyhavethecountrysidewiththemtoaman，andtheyareadangerousbreed。Asparkmightkindleafreshrising。Thearrest，therefore，mustbemadesecretly。'

Ibowed。

'Oneresolutemaninsidethehouse，'theCardinalcontinued，thoughtfullyglancingatapaperwhichlayonthetable，'withthehelpoftwoorthreeservantswhomhecouldsummontohisaidatwill，mighteffectit。Thequestionis，Willyoubetheman，myfriend？'

Ihesitated；thenIbowed。WhatchoicehadI？

'Nay，nay，speakout！'hesaidsharply。'Yesorno，M。deBerault？'

'Yes，yourEminence，'Isaidreluctantly。Again，Isay，whatchoicehadI？

'YouwillbringhimtoParis，andalive。Heknowsthings，andthatiswhyIwanthim。Youunderstand？'

'Iunderstand，Monseigneur，'Ianswered。

'Youwillgetintothehouseasyoucan，'hecontinuedwithenergy。'Forthatyouwillneedstrategy，andgoodstrategy。

Theysuspecteverybody。Youmustdeceivethem。Ifyoufailtodeceivethem，or，deceivingthem，arefoundoutlater，Idonotthinkthatyouwilltroublemeagain，orbreaktheedictasecondtime。Ontheotherhand，shouldyoudeceiveme'——hesmiledstillmoresubtly，buthisvoicesanktoapurringnote——'Iwillbreakyouonthewheelliketheruinedgamesteryouare！'

Imethislookwithoutquailing。'Sobeit！'Isaidrecklessly。

'IfIdonotbringM。deCocheforettoParis，youmaydothattome，andmorealso！'

'Itisabargain！'heansweredslowly。'Ithinkthatyouwillbefaithful。Formoney，hereareahundredcrowns。Thatsumshouldsuffice；butifyousucceedyoushallhavetwiceasmuchmore。Thatisall，Ithink。Youunderstand？'

'Yes，Monseigneur。'

'Thenwhydoyouwait？'

'Thelieutenant？'Isaidmodestly。

TheCardinallaughedtohimself，andsittingdownwroteawordortwoonaslipofpaper。'Givehimthat，'hesaidinhighgood-

humour。'Ifear，M。deBerault，youwillnevergetyourdeserts——inthisworld！'

CHAPTERII。

ATTHEGREENPILLAR

Cocheforetliesinabillowylandofoakandbeechandchestnuts——alandofdeep，leafybottomsandhillsclothedwithforest。

Ridgeandvalley，glenandknoll，thewoodland，sparselypeopledandmoresparselytilled，stretchesawaytothegreatsnowmountainsthatherelimitFrance。Itswarmswithgame——withwolvesandbears，deerandboars。TotheendofhislifeIhaveheardthatthegreatkinglovedthisdistrict，andwouldsigh，whenyearsandStatefellheavilyonhim，forthebeechgrovesandbox-coveredhillsofSouthBearn。FromtheterracedstepsofAuchyoucanseetheforestrollawayinlightandshadow，valeandupland，tothebaseofthesnowpeaks；and，thoughIcomefromBrittanyandlovethesmellofthesaltwind，Ihaveseenfewsightsthatoutdothis。

ItwasthesecondweekofOctober，whenIcametoCocheforet，and，droppingdownfromthelastwoodedbrow，rodequietlyintotheplaceatevening。Iwasalone，andhadriddenalldayinagloryofruddybeechleaves，throughthesilenceofforestroads，acrossclearbrooksandgladesstillgreen。Ihadseenmoreofthequietandpeaceofthecountrythanhadbeenmysharesinceboyhood，andforthatreason，orbecauseIhadnogreattasteforthetaskbeforeme——thetasknowsoimminent——Ifeltalittlehipped。Ingoodfaith，itwasnotagentleman'sworkthatIwascometodo，lookatithowyoumight。

Butbeggarsmustnotbechoosers，andIknewthatthisfeelingwouldnotlast。Attheinn，inthepresenceofothers，underthespurofnecessity，orintheexcitementofthechase，werethatoncebegun，Ishouldlosethefeeling。Whenamanisyoungheseekssolitude，whenheismiddle-aged，hefliesitandhisthoughts。Imadethereforeforthe'GreenPillar，'alittleinninthevillagestreet，towhichIhadbeendirectedatAuch，and，thunderingonthedoorwiththeknobofmyridingswitch，railedatthemanforkeepingmewaiting。

Hereandthereathoveldoorsinthestreet——whichwasamean，poorplace，notworthyofthename——menandwomenlookedoutatmesuspiciously。ButIaffectedtoignorethem；andatlastthehostcame。Hewasafair-hairedman，half-Basque，half-

Frenchman，andhadscannedmewell，Iwassure，throughsomewindoworpeephole；forwhenhecameouthebetrayednosurpriseatthesightofawell-dressedstranger——aportentinthatout-

of-the-wayvillage——buteyedmewithakindofsullenreserve。

'Icanliehereto-night，Isuppose？'Isaid，droppingthereinsonthesorrel'sneck。Thehorsehungitshead。

'Idon'tknow，'heansweredstupidly。

Ipointedtothegreenboughwhichtoppedapostthatstoodoppositethedoor。

'Thisisaninn，isitnot？'Isaid。

'Yes，'heansweredslowly。'Itisaninn。But——'

'Butyouarefull，oryouareoutoffood，oryourwifeisill，orsomethingelseisamiss，'Iansweredpeevishly。'Allthesame，Iamgoingtoliehere。Soyoumustmakethebestofit，andyourwifetoo——ifyouhaveone。'

Hescratchedhishead，lookingatmewithanuglyglitterinhiseyes。Buthesaidnothing，andIdismounted。

'WherecanIstablemyhorse？'Iasked。

'I'llputitup，'heansweredsullenly，steppingforwardandtakingthereinsinhishand。

'Verywell，'Isaid。'ButIgowithyou。Amercifulmanismercifultohisbeast，andwhereverIgoIseemyhorsefed。'

'Itwillbefed，'hesaidshortly。Andthenhewaitedformetogointothehouse。'Thewifeisinthere，'hecontinued，lookingatmestubbornly。

'IMPRIMIS——ifyouunderstandLatin，myfriend，'Ianswered。'thehorseinthestall。'

Hesawthatitwasnogood，turnedthesorrelslowlyround，andbegantoleaditacrossthevillagestreet。Therewasashedbehindtheinn，whichIhadalreadymarked，andtakenforthestable，IwassurprisedwhenIfoundthathewasnotgoingthere，butImadenoremark，andinafewminutessawthehorsemadecomfortableinahovelwhichseemedtobelongtoaneighbour。

Thisdone，themanledthewaybacktotheinn，carryingmyvalise。

'Youhavenootherguests？'Isaid，withacasualair。Iknewthathewaswatchingmeclosely。

'No，'heanswered。

'Thisisnotmuchinthewaytoanywhere，Isuppose？'

'No。'

Thatwassoevident，thatIneversawamoreretiredplace。Thehangingwoods，risingsteeplytoagreatheight，soshutthevalleyinthatIwaspuzzledtothinkhowamancouldleaveitsavebytheroadIhadcome。Thecottages，whichwerenomorethanmean，smallhuts，raninastragglingdoubleline，withmanygaps——throughfallentreesandill-clearedmeadows。Amongthemanoisybrookraninandout，andtheinhabitants——charcoal-

burners，orswine-herds，orpoordevilsofthelikeclass，werenobetterthantheirdwellings。IlookedinvainfortheChateau。Itwasnottobeseen，andIdarednotaskforit。

Themanledmeintothecommonroomofthetavern——alow-roofed，poorplace，lackingachimneyorglazedwindows，andgrimywithsmokeanduse。Thefire——agreathalf-burnedtree——smoulderedonastonehearth，raisedafootfromthefloor。Ahugeblackpotsimmeredoverit，andbesideonewindowloungedacountryfellowtalkingwiththegoodwife。IntheduskIcouldnotseehisface，butIgavethewomanaword，andsatdowntowaitformysupper。

Sheseemedmoresilentthanthecommonrunofherkind；butthismightbebecauseherhusbandwaspresent。Whileshemovedaboutgettingmymeal，hetookhisplaceagainstthedoor-postandfelltostaringatmesopersistentlythatIfeltbynomeansatmyease。Hewasatall，strongfellow，withashaggymoustacheandbrownbeard，cutinthemodeHenriQuatre；andonthesubjectofthatking——asafeone，Iknew，withaBearnais——andonthatalone，Ifounditpossibletomakehimtalk。Eventhentherewasasuspiciousgleaminhiseyesthatbademeabstainfromquestions；sothatasthedarknessdeepenedbehindhim，andthefirelightplayedmoreandmorestronglyonhisfeatures，andI

thoughtoftheleaguesofwoodlandthatlaybetweenthisremotevalleyandAuch，IrecalledtheCardinal'swarningthatifI

failedinmyattemptIshouldbelittlelikelytotroubleParisagain。

Theloutbythewindowpaidnoattentiontome；norItohim，whenIhadoncesatisfiedmyselfthathewasreallywhatheseemedtobe。Butby-and-bytwoorthreemen——rough，uncouthfellows——droppedintoreinforcethelandlord，andthey，tooseemedtohavenootherbusinessthantositinsilencelookingatme，ornowandagaintoexchangeawordinaPATOISoftheirown。Bythetimemysupperwasready，theknavesnumberedsixinall；and，astheywerearmedtoamanwithhugeSpanishknives，andmadeitclearthattheyresentedmypresenceintheirdullrusticfashion——everyrusticissuspicious——Ibegantothinkthat，unwittingly，Ihadputmyheadintoawasps'nest。

Nevertheless，Iateanddrankwithapparentappetite；butlittlethatpassedwithinthecircleoflightcastbythesmokylampescapedme。Iwatchedthemen'slooksandgesturesatleastassharplyastheywatchedmine；andallthetimeIwasrackingmywitsforsomemodeofdisarmingtheirsuspicions，orfailingthat，oflearningsomethingmoreoftheposition，whichfarexceededindifficultyanddangeranythingthatIhadexpected。

Thewholevalley，itwouldseem，wasonthelook-outtoprotectmyman！

IhadpurposelybroughtwithmefromAuchacoupleofbottlesofchoiceArmagnac；andthesehadbeencarriedintothehousewithmysaddlebags。Itookoneoutnowandopeneditandcarelesslyofferedadramofthespirittothelandlord。Hetookit。Ashedrankit，Isawhisfaceflush；hehandedbackthecupreluctantly，andonthathintIofferedhimanother，Thestrongspiritwasalreadybeginningtowork，andheaccepted，andinafewminutesbegantotalkmorefreelyandwithlessoftheconstraintwhichhadbeforemarkedusall。Still，histongueranchieflyonquestions——hewouldknowthis，hewouldlearnthat；

buteventhiswasawelcomechange。ItoldhimopenlywhenceI

hadcome，bywhatroad，howlongIhadstayedinAuch，andwhere；

andsofarIsatisfiedhiscuriosity。Only，whenIcametothesubjectofmyvisittoCocheforetIkeptamysterioussilence，hintingdarklyatbusinessinSpainandfriendsacrosstheborder，andthisandthat；inthiswaygivingthepeasantstounderstand，iftheypleased，thatIwasinthesameinterestastheirexiledmaster。

Theytookthebait，winkedatoneanother，andbegantolookatmeinamorefriendlyway——thelandlordforemost。ButwhenIhadledthemsofar，Idaredgonofarther，lestIshouldcommitmyselfandbefoundout。Istopped，therefore，and，harkingbacktogeneralsubjects，chancedtocomparemyprovincewiththeirs。

Thelandlord，nowbecomealmosttalkative，wasnotslowtotakeupthischallenge；anditpresentlyledtomyacquiringacuriouspieceofknowledge。Hewasboastingofhisgreatsnowmountains，theforeststhatproppedthem，thebearsthatroamedinthem，theizardsthatlovedtheice，andtheboarsthatfedontheoakmast。

'Well，'Isaid，quitebychance，'wehavenotthesethings，itistrue。Butwehavethingsinthenorthyouhavenot。Wehavetensofthousandsofgoodhorses——notsuchponiesasyoubreedhere。AtthehorsefairatFecampmysorrelwouldbelostinthecrowd。Hereinthesouthyouwillnotmeethismatchinalongday'sjourney。'

'Donotmaketoosureofthat，'themanreplied，hiseyesbrightwithtriumphandthedram。'WhatwouldyousayifIshowedyouabetter——inmyownstable？'

Isawthathiswordssentakindofthrillthroughhisotherhearers，andthatsuchofthemasunderstoodfortwoorthreeofthemtalkedtheirPATOISonly——lookedathimangrily；andinatwinklingIbegantocomprehend。ButIaffecteddullness，andlaughedinscorn。

'Seeingisbelieving，'Isaid。'Idoubtifyouknowsgoodhorsewhenyouseeone，myfriend。'

'Oh，don'tI？'hesaid，winking。'Indeed！'

'Idoubtit，'Iansweredstubbornly。

'Thencomewithme，andIwillshowyouone，'heretorted，discretiongivingwaytovain-glory。Hiswifeandtheothers，I

saw，lookedathimdumbfounded；but，withoutpayinganyheedtothem，herose，tookupalanthorn，and，assuminganairofpeculiarwisdom，openedthedoor。'Comewithme，'hecontinued。

'Idon'tknowagoodhorsewhenIseeone，don'tI？Iknowabetterthanyours，atanyrate！'

Ishouldnothavebeensurprisediftheothermenhadinterfered；

butIsupposehewasaleaderamongthem，theydidnot，andinamomentwewereoutside。Threepacesthroughthedarknesstookustothestable，anoffsetatthebackoftheinn。Mymantwirledthepin，and，leadingthewayin，raisedhislanthorn。Ahorsewhinniedsoftly，andturneditsbright，mildeyesonus——abaldfacedchestnut，withwhitehairsinitstailandonewhitestocking。

'There！'myguideexclaimed，wavingthelanthorntoandfroboastfully，thatImightseeitspoints。'Whatdoyousaytothat？Isthatanundersizedpony？'

'No，'Ianswered，purposelystintingmypraise。'Itisprettyfair——forthiscountry。'

'Oranycountry，'heansweredwrathfully。'Oranycountry，I

say——Idon'tcarewhereitis！AndIhavereasontoknow！Why，man，thathorseis——Butthere，thatisagoodhorse，ifeveryousawone！'Andwiththatheended——abruptlyandlamely；loweredthelanthornwithasuddengesture，andturnedtothedoor。Hewasontheinstantinsuchhurrytoleavethathealmostshoulderedmeout。

ButIunderstood。Iknewthathehadneatlybetrayedall——thathehadbeenonthepointofblurtingoutthatthatwasM。deCocheforet'shorse！M。Cocheforet'sCOMPRENEZBIEN！AndwhileI

turnedawaymyfaceinthedarknessthathemightnotseemesmile，Iwasnotsurprisedtofindthemaninamomentchanged，andbecome，intheclosingofthedoor，assoberandsuspiciousasbefore，ashamedofhimselfandenragedwithme，andinamoodtocutmythroatforatrifle。

Itwasnotmycuetoquarrel，however。Imadetherefore，asifI

hadseennothing，andwhenwewerebackintheinnpraisedthehorsegrudgingly，andlikeamanbuthalfconvinced。TheuglylooksanduglyweaponsIsawroundmewerefineincentivestocaution；andnoItalian，Iflattermyself，couldhaveplayedhispartmorenicelythanIdid。ButIwasheartilygladwhenitwasover，andIfoundmyself，atlast，leftaloneforthenightinalittlegarret——amerefowl-house——upstairs，formedbytheroofandgablewalls，andhungwithstringsofapplesandchestnuts。

Itwasapoorsleeping-place——rough，chilly，andunclean。I

ascendedtoitbyaladder；mycloakandalittlefernformedmyonlybed。ButIwasgladtoacceptit，foritenabledmetohealoneandtothinkoutthepositionunwatched。

OfcourseM。deCocheforetwasattheChateau。Hehadlefthishorsehere，andgoneuponfoot；probablythatwashisusualplan。Hewasthereforewithinmyreach，inonesense——Icouldnothavecomeatabettertime——butinanotherhewasasmuchbeyonditasifIwerestillinParis。ForsofarwasIfrombeingabletoseizehimthatIdarednotaskaquestion，orletfallarashword，orevenlookaboutmefreely。IsawIdarednot。Theslightesthintofmymission，thefaintestbreathofdistrust，wouldleadtothroat-cutting——andthethroatwouldbemine；whilethelongerIlayinthevillage，thegreatersuspicionIshouldincur，andthecloserwouldbethewatchkeptuponme。

Insuchapositionsomemenmighthavegivenuptheattemptindespair，andsavedthemselvesacrosstheborder。ButIhavealwaysvaluedmyselfonmyfidelity，andIdidnotshrink。Ifnotto-day，to-morrow；ifnotthistime，nexttime。Thedicedonotalwaysturnupaces。Bracingmyself，therefore，totheoccasion，Icrept，assoonasthehousewasquiet，tothewindow，asmall，square，openlattice，muchcobwebbed，andpartlystuffedwithhay。Ilookedout。Thevillageseemedtobeasleep。Thedarkbranchesoftreeshungafewfeetaway，andalmostobscuredagrey，cloudysky，throughwhichawetmoonsaileddrearily。

Lookingdownwards，Icouldatfirstseenothing；butasmyeyesgrewusedtothedarkness——Ihadonlyjustputoutmyrushlight——

Imadeoutthestabledoorandtheshadowyoutlinesofthelean-toroof。

Ihadhopedforthis，forIcouldnowkeepwatch，andlearnatleastwhetherCocheforetleftbeforemorning。Ifhedidnot，I

shouldknowhewasstillhere。Ifhedid，Ishouldbethebetterforseeinghisfeatures，andlearning，perhaps，otherthingsthatmightbeofusetomeinthefuture。

Makingupmymindtotheuncomfortable，Isatdownonthefloorbythelattice，andbeganavigilthatmightlast，Iknew，untilmorning。Itdidlastaboutanhour，attheendofwhichtimeI

heardwhisperingbelow，thenfootsteps；then，assomepersonsturnedacorner，avoicespeakingaloudandcarelessly。Icouldnotcatchthewordsormeaning，butthevoicewasagentleman's，anditsboldaccentsandmasterfultoneleftmeinnodoubtthatthespeakerwasM。deCocheforethimself。Hopingtolearnmore，Ipressedmyfacenearertotheopening，andhadjustmadeoutthroughthegloomtwofigures——onethatofatall，slightman，wearingacloak，theother，Ifancied，awoman's，inasheenywhitedress——whenathunderingraponthedoorofmygarretmademespringbackayardfromthelattice，andliedownhurriedlyonmycouch。Thesummonswasrepeated。

'Well？'Icried，risingonmyelbow，andcursingtheuntimelyinterruption。Iwasburningwithanxietytoseemore。'Whatisit？Whatisthematter？'

Thetrap-doorwasliftedafootormore。Thelandlordthrustuphishead。

'Youcalled，didyounot？'hesaid。

Hehelduparushlight，whichilluminedhalftheroomandlituphisgrinningface。

'Called——atthishourofthenight，youfool？'Iansweredangrily。'No！Ididnotcall。Gotobed，man！'

Butheremainedontheladder，gapingstupidly。'Iheardyou，'

hesaid。

'Gotobed！Youaredrunk，'Ianswered，sittingup。'ItellyouIdidnotcall。'

'Oh，verywell，'heansweredslowly。'Andyoudonotwantanything？'

'Nothing——excepttobeleftalone，'Irepliedsourly。

'Umph！'hesaid。'Good-night！'

'Good-night！Good-night！'IansweredwithwhatpatienceI

might。Thetrampofthehorse'shoofsasitwasledoutofthestablewasinmyearsatthemoment。'Good-night！'Icontinuedfeverishly，hopingthathewouldstillretireintime，andIhaveachancetolookout。'Iwanttosleep。'

'Good，'hesaid，withabroadgrin。'Butitisearlyyet，andyouhaveplentyoftime。'

Andthen，atlast，heslowlyletdownthetrap-door，andIheardhimchuckleashewentdowntheladder。

BeforehereachedthebottomIwasatthewindow。Thewoman，whomIhadseen，stillstoodbelowinthesameplace，andbesideherwasamaninapeasant'sdress，holdingalanthorn。Buttheman，themanIwantedtosee，wasnolongerthere。Hewasgone，anditwasevidentthattheothersnolongerfearedme；forwhileIgazedthelandlordcameouttothemwithanotherlanthornswinginginhishand，andsaidsomethingtothelady，andshelookedupatmywindowandlaughed。

Itwasawarmnight，andsheworenothingoverherwhitedress。

Icouldseehertall，shapelyfigureandshiningeyes，andthefirmcontourofherbeautifulface，which，ifanyfaultmightbefoundwithit，erredinbeingtooregular。Shelookedlikeawomanformedbynaturetomeetdangersanddifficulties，andtoplayagreatpart；evenhere，atmidnight，inthemidstofthesedesperatemen，shedidnotseemoutofplace。Icouldfancy——I

didnotfinditimpossibletofancy——thatunderherqueenlyexterior，andbehindthecontemptuouslaughwithwhichsheheardthelandlord'sstory，therelurkedawoman'ssoul，asoulcapableoffollyandtenderness。Butnooutwardsignbetrayeditspresence——asIsawherthen。

Iscannedherverycarefully；andsecretly，ifthetruthbetold，IwasgladtofindthatMadamedeCocheforetwassuchawoman。I

wasgladthatshehadlaughedasshehad——witharingofdisdainanddefiance；gladthatshewasnotalittle，tender，child-likewoman，tobecrushedbythefirstpinchoftrouble。ForifI

succeededinmytask，ifIcontrivedto——but，pish！Women，I

toldmyself，wereallalike。Shewouldfindconsolationquicklyenough。

Iwatcheduntilthegroupbrokeup，andMadame，withoneofthemen，wentherwayroundthecorneroftheinn，andoutofmysight。ThenIretiredtobedagain，feelingmorethaneverperplexedwhatcourseIshouldadopt。ItwasclearthattosucceedImustobtainadmissiontothehouse，whichwasgarrisoned，accordingtomyinstructions，bytwoorthreeoldmen-servantsonly，andasmanywomen；sinceMadame，todisguiseherhusband'svisitsthemoreeasily，lived，andgaveoutthatshelived，ingreatretirement。Toseizeherhusbandathome，therefore，mightbenoimpossibletask；thoughhere，intheheartofthevillage，atroopofhorsemightmaketheattempt，andfail。

ButhowwasItogainadmissiontothehouse——ahouseguardedbyquick-wittedwomen，andfencedwithalltheprecautionslovecoulddevise？Thatwasthequestion；anddawnfoundmestilldebatingit，stillasfaraseverfromananswer。Anxiousandfeverish，Iwasgladwhenthelightcame，andIcouldgetup。I

thoughtthatthefreshairmightinspireme，andIwastiredofmystuffycloset。Icreptstealthilydowntheladder，andmanagedtopassunseenthroughthelowerroom，inwhichseveralpersonsweresnoringheavily。Theouterdoorwasnotfastened，andinahand-turnIwasinthestreet。

Itwasstillsoearlythatthetreesstoodupblackagainstthereddeningsky，buttheboughuponthepostbeforethedoorwasgrowinggreen，andinafewminutesthegreylightwouldbeeverywhere。Already，evenintheroadway，therewasaglimmeringofit；andasIstoodatthecornerofthehouse——whereIcouldcommandboththefrontandthesideonwhichthestableopened——sniffingthefreshair，andlookingforanytraceofthemidnightdeparture，myeyesdetectedsomethinglight-colouredlyingontheground。Itwasnotmorethantwoorthreepacesfromme，andIsteppedtoitandpickeditupcuriously，hopingthatitmightbeanote。Itwasnotanote，however，butatinyorange-colouredsachetsuchaswomencarryinthebosom。Itwasfullofsomefaintly-scentedpowder，andboreononesidetheinitial'E，'workedinwhitesilk；andwasaltogetheradaintylittletoy，suchaswomenlove。

DoubtlessMadamedeCocheforethaddroppeditinthenight。I

turneditoverandover；andthenIputitinmypouchwithasmile，thinkingthatitmightbeusefulsometime，andinsomeway。Ihadscarcelydonethis，andturnedwiththeintentionofexploringthestreet，whenthedoorbehindmecreakedonitsleatherhinges，andinamomentthehoststoodatmyelbow，andgavemeasurlygreeting。

Evidentlyhissuspicionswereagainaroused，forfromthistimehemanagedtobewithme，ononepretenceoranotheruntilnoon。

Moreover，hismannergreweachmomentmorechurlish，hishintsplainer；untilIcouldscarcelyavoidnoticingtheoneortheother。Aboutmid-day，havingfollowedmeforthetwentiethtimeintothestreet，hecametothepointbyaskingmerudelyifI

didnotneedmyhorse。

'No，'Isaid。'Whydoyouask？'

'Because，'heanswered，withanuglysmile，'thisisnotaveryhealthyplaceforstrangers。'

'Ah！'Iretorted。'Buttheborderairsuitsme，yousee，'

Itwasaluckyanswer，for，takenwithmytalkthenightbefore，itpuzzledhim，bysuggestingthatIwasonthelosingside，andhadmyreasonsforlyingnearSpain。Beforehehaddonescratchinghisheadoverit，theclatterofhoofsbrokethesleepyquietofthevillagestreet，andtheladyIhadseenthenightbeforerodequicklyroundthecorner，anddrewherhorseontoitshaunches。Withoutlookingatme，shecalledtotheinnkeepertocometoherstirrup。

Hewent。Themomenthisbackwasturned，Islippedaway，andinatwinklingwashiddenbyahouse。Twoorthreeglum-lookingfellowsstaredatmeasIpasseddownthestreet，butnoonemoved；andintwominutesIwasclearofthevillage，andinahalf-worntrackwhichranthroughthewood，andled——ifmyideaswereright——totheChateau。Todiscoverthehouseandlearnallthatwastobelearnedaboutitssituationweremymostpressingneeds；andthese，evenattheriskofaknifethrust，Iwasdeterminedtosatisfy。

Ihadnotgonetwohundredpacesalongthepath，however，beforeIheardthetreadofahorsebehindme，andIhadjusttimetohidemyselfbeforeMadamecameupandrodebyme，sittingherhorsegracefully，andwithallthecourageofanorthernwoman。

Iwatchedherpass，andthen，assuredbyherpresencethatIwasintherightroad，Ihurriedafterher。Twominuteswalkingatspeedbroughtmetoalightwoodenbridgespanningastream。I

crossedthis，and，asthewoodopened，sawbeforemefirstawide，pleasantmeadow，andbeyondthisaterrace。Ontheterrace，pressedupononthreesidesbythickwoods，stoodagreymansion，withthecornertourelles，steep，highroofs，androundbalconies，thatmenlovedandbuiltinthedaysofthefirstFrancis。

Itwasofgoodsize，butworeagloomyaspect。Agreatyewhedge，whichseemedtoencloseawalkorbowling-green，hidthegroundflooroftheeastwingfromview，whileaformalrosegarden，stiffeveninneglect，layinfrontofthemainbuilding。

Thewestwing，ofwhichthelowerroofsfellgraduallyawaytothewoods，probablycontainedthestablesandgranaries。

Istoodamomentonly，butImarkedall，andnotedhowtheroadreachedthehouse，andwhichwindowswereopentoattack；thenI

turnedandhastenedback。Fortunately，Imetnoonebetweenthehouseandthevillage，andwasabletoentermyhost'swithanairofthemostcompleteinnocence。

Shortashadbeenmyabsence，however，Ifoundthingsalteredthere。Roundthedoorloungedthreestrangers——stout，well-armedfellows，whosebearing，astheyloiteredandchattered，suggestedacuriousmixtureofsmugnessandindependence。Halfadozenpack-horsesstoodtetheredtothepostinfrontofthehouse；andthelandlord'smanner，frombeingrudeandchurlishonly，hadgrownperplexedandalmosttimid。Oneofthestrangers，Isoonfound，suppliedhimwithwine；theothersweretravellingmerchants，whorodeinthefirstone'scompanyforthesakeofsafety。AllweresubstantialmenfromTarbes——solidburgesses；

andIwasnotlonginguessingthatmyhost，fearingwhatmightleakoutbeforethem，and，particularly，thatImightrefertothepreviousnight'sdisturbance，wasontenter-hookswhiletheyremained。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读