"Hereisacockofafinehackle！"Andsoon，andsoforth，whileheturnedgrinningtohiscompanions，lookingfortheirapplause。
Iwasitchingtochastisehim，andyethesitating，lestthethingshouldhaveitsseriousside，whenanewactorappeared。"Shame，youbrutes！"criedashrillvoiceaboveusinthecloudsitseemed。Ilookedup，andsawtwogirls，coarseandhandsome，standingatawindowoverthestable，alightbetweenthem。"Forshame！Don’tyouseethattheyaremerechildren？Letthembe，"
criedone。
Themenlaughedlouderthanever;andforme，Icouldnotstandbyandbecalledachild。"Comehere，"Isaid，beckoningtothemaninthedoorway。"Comehere，yourascal，andIwillgiveyouthethrashingyoudeserveforspeakingtoagentleman！"
Heloungedforward，aheavyfellow，tallerthanmyselfandsixincheswiderattheshoulders。MyheartfailedmealittleasI
measuredhim。Butthethinghadtobedone。IfIwasslight，I
waswiryasahound，andintheexcitementhadforgottenmyfatigue。IsnatchedfromMariealoadedriding—whiphecarried，andsteppedforward。
"Haveacare，littleman！"criedthegirlgaily——yethalfinpity，Ithink。"Orthatfatpigwillkillyou！"
Myantagonistdidnotjoininthelaughthistime。Indeeditstruckmethathiseyewanderedandthathewasnotsoreadytoentertheringashismatesweretoformit。ButbeforeIcouldtryhismettle，ahandwaslaidonmyshoulder。AmanappearingfromIdonotknowwhere——fromthedarkfringeofthegroup，I
suppose——pushedmeaside，roughly，butnotdiscourteously。
"Leavethistome！"hesaid，coollysteppingbeforeme。"Donotdirtyyourhandswiththeknave，master。Iampiningforworkandthejobwilljustsuitme！IwillfithimforthewormsbeforethenunsabovecansayanAVE！"
Ilookedatthenewcomer。Hewasastoutfellow;notovertall，noroverbig;swarthy，withprominentfeatures。Theplumeofhisbonnetwasbroken，butheworeitinarakishfashion;andaltogetherheswaggeredwithsodare—devilanair，clinkinghisspursandswingingouthislongswordrecklessly，thatitwasnowonderthreeorfourofthenearestfellowsgavebackafoot。
"Comeon！"hecried，boisterously，formingaringbythesimpleprocessofsweepinghisbladefromsidetoside，whilehemadethedaggerinhislefthandflashroundhishead。"Whoisforthegame？WhowillstrikeablowforthelittleAdmiral？Willyoucomeone，two，threeatonce;oralltogether？Anyway，comeon，you——"Andheclosedhischallengewithavolleyoffrightfuloaths，directedatthegroupopposite。
"Itisnoquarrelofyours，"saidthebigman，sulkily;makingnoshowofdrawinghissword，butratherdrawingbackhimself。
"Allquarrelsaremyquarrels！andnoquarrelsareyourquarrels。Thatisaboutthetruth，Ifancy！"wasthesmartretort;whichourchampionrenderedmoreemphaticbyaplayfullungethatcausedthebigbullytoskipagain。
Therewasaloudlaughatthis，evenamongtheenemy’sbackers。
"Bah，thegreatpig！"ejaculatedthegirlabove。"Spithim！"
andshespatdownonthewhilomHector——whomadenogreatfigurenow。
"ShallIbringyouasliceofhim，mydear？"askedmyrakehellyfriend，lookingupandmakinghisswordplayroundtheshrinkingwretch。"Justatit—bit，mylove？"headdedpersuasively。"A
mouthfulofwhiteliverandcapersauce？"
"Notforme，thebeast！"thegirlcried，amidthelaughteroftheyard。
"Notabit？IfIwarranthimtender？Ladies’meat？"
"Bah！no！"andshestolidlyspatdownagain。
"Doyouhear？Theladyhasnotasteforyou，"thetormentorcried。"PigofaGascon！"Anddeftlysheathinghisdagger，heseizedthebigcowardbytheear，andturninghimround，gavehimaheavykickwhichsenthimspinningoverabucket，anddownagainstthewall。Therethebullyremained，swearingandrubbinghimselfbyturns;whilethevictorcriedboastfully，"Enoughofhim。Ifanyonewantstotakeuphisquarrel，BlaiseBureishisman。Ifnot，letushaveanendofit。Letsomeonefindstallsforthegentlemen’shorsesbeforetheycatchachill;andhavedonewithit。Asforme，"headded，andthenheturnedtousandremovedhishatwithanexaggeratedflourish，"Iamyourlordship’sservanttocommand。"
Ithankedhimwithaheartiness，half—earnest，half—assumed。Hiscloakwasragged，histrunkhose，whichhadoncebeenfineenough，werestained，andalmostpointless，Heswaggeredinimitably，andhadled—captainwrittenlargeuponhim。Buthehaddoneusaservice，forJeanhadnofurthertroubleaboutthehorses。Andbesidesonehasanaturallikingforabraveman，andthismanwasbravebeyondquestion。
"YouarefromOrleans，"hesaidrespectfullyenough，butasoneassertingafact，notaskingaquestion。
"Yes，"Ianswered，somewhatastonished，"Didyouseeuscomein？"
"No，butIlookedatyourboots，gentlemen，"hereplied。"Whitedust，north;reddust，south。Doyousee？"
"Yes，Isee，"Isaid，withadmiration。"Youmusthavebeenbroughtupinasharpschool，M。Bure。"
"Sharpmastersmakesharpscholars，"hereplied，grinning。AndthatanswerIhadoccasiontorememberafterwards。
"YouarefromOrleans，also？"Iasked，aswepreparedtogoin。
"Yes，fromOrleanstoo，gentlemen。Butearlierintheday。Withletters——lettersofimportance！"Andbestowingsomethinglikeawinkofconfidenceonus，hedrewhimselfup，lookedsternlyatthestable—folk，pattedhimselftwiceonthechest，andfinallytwirledhismoustaches，andsmirkedatthegirlabove，whowaschewingstraws。
Ithoughtitlikelyenoughthatwemightfindithardtogetridofhim。Butthiswasnotso。Afterlisteningwithgratificationtoourrepeatedthanks，hebowedwiththesamegrotesqueflourish，andmarchedoffasgraveasaSpaniard，humming——
"Cepetithommetantjoli！
Quitoujourscauseettoujoursrit，Quitoujoursbaisesamignonne，Dieugard’demalcepetithomme！"
Onourgoingin，thelandlordmetuspolitely，butwithcuriosity，andasimmeringofexcitementalsoinhismanner。
"FromParis，mylords？"heasked，rubbinghishandsandbowinglow。"Orfromthesouth？"
"Fromthesouth，"Ianswered。"FromOrleans，andhungryandtired，MasterHost。"
"Ah！"hereplied，disregardingthelatterpartofmyanswer，whilehislittleeyestwinkledwithsatisfaction。"ThenIdareswear，mylords，youhavenotheardthenews？"Hehaltedinthenarrowpassage，andliftingthecandlehecarried，scannedourfacesclosely，asifhewishedtolearnsomethingaboutusbeforehespoke。
"News！"Iansweredbrusquely，beingbothtired，andasIhadtoldhim，hungry。"Wehaveheardnone，andthebestyoucangiveuswillbethatoursupperisreadytobeserved。"
Buteventhissnubdidnotcheckhiseagernesstotellhisnews。
"TheAdmiraldeColigny，"hesaid，breathlessly，"youhavenotheardwhathashappenedtohim？"
"Totheadmiral？No，what？"Iinquiredrapidly。Iwasinterestedatlast。
Foramomentletmedigress。Thefewofmyagewillremember，andthemanyyoungerwillhavebeentold，thatatthistimetheItalianqueen—motherwastherulingpowerinFrance。ItwasCatharinede’Medici’sfirstobjecttomaintainherinfluenceoverCharlestheNinth——herson;who，ricketty，weak，andpassionate，wasalreadydoomedtoanearlygrave。Hersecond，tosupporttheroyalpowerbybalancingtheextremeCatholicsagainsttheHuguenots。Forthelatterpurposeshewouldcoquetfirstwithoneparty，thenwiththeother。AtthepresentmomentshehadcommittedherselfmoredeeplythanwasherwonttotheHuguenots。Theirleaders，theAdmiralGasparddeColigny，theKingofNavarre，andthePrinceofConde，weresupposedtobehighinfavour，whilethechiefsoftheotherparty，theDukeofGuise，andthetwoCardinalsofhishouse，theCardinalofLorraineandtheCardinalofGuise，wereindisgrace;which，asitseemed，eventheirfriendatcourt，thequeen’sfavouriteson，HenryofAnjou，wasunabletoovercome。
SuchwastheoutwardaspectofthingsinAugust，1572，buttherewerenotwantingrumoursthatalreadyColigny，takingadvantageofthefootinggivenhim，hadgainedaninfluenceovertheyoungking，whichthreatenedCatharinede’Mediciherself。Theadmiral，therefore，towhomtheHuguenothalfofFrancehadlonglookedastoitsleader，wasnowtheobjectoftheclosestinteresttoall;theGuisefaction，hatinghim——astheallegedassassinoftheDukeofGuise——withanintensitywhichprobablywasnottobefoundintheaffectionofhisfriends，popularwiththelatterashewas。
Still，manywhowerenotHuguenotshadaregardforhimasagreatFrenchmanandagallantsoldier。We——thoughwewereoftheoldfaith，andtheotherside——hadheardmuchofhim，andmuchgood。TheVicomtehadspokenofhimalwaysasagreatman，amanmistaken，butbrave，honestandcapableinhiserror。Thereforeitwasthatwhenthelandlordmentionedhim，Iforgotevenmyhunger。
"Hewasshot，mylords，ashepassedthroughtheRuedesFosses，yesterday，"themandeclaredwithbatedbreath。"Itisnotknownwhetherhewillliveordie。Parisisinanuproar，andtherearesomewhofeartheworst。"
"But，"Isaiddoubtfully，"whohasdaredtodothis？Hehadasafeconductfromthekinghimself。"
Ourhostdidnotanswer;shrugginghisshouldersinstead，heopenedthedoor，andusheredusintotheeating—room。
Somepreparationsforourmealhadalreadybeenmadeatoneendofthelongboard。Attheotherwasseatedamanpastmiddleage;richlybutsimplydressed。Hisgreyhair，cutshortaboutamassivehead，andhisgrave，resoluteface，square—jawed，anddeeply—lined，markedhimasonetowhomrespectwasdueapartfromhisclothes。Webowedtohimaswetookourseats。
Heacknowledgedthesalute，fixingusamomentwithapenetratingglance;andthenresumedhismeal。Inoticedthathisswordandbeltwereproppedagainstachairathiselbow，andadag，apparentlyloaded，layclosetohishandbythecandlestick。Twolackeyswaitedbehindhischair，wearingthebadgewehadremarkedintheinnyard。
Webegantotalk，speakinginlowtonesthatwemightnotdisturbhim。TheattackonColignyhad，iftrue，itsbearingonourownbusiness。ForifaHuguenotsogreatandfamousandenjoyingtheking’sspecialfavourstillwentinParisindangerofhislife，whatmustbetheriskthatsuchanoneasPavannesran？Wehadhopedtofindthecityquiet。IfinsteaditshouldbeinastateofturmoilBezers’chancesweresomuchthebetter;andours——andKit’s，poorKit’s——somuchtheworse。
Ourcompanionhadbythistimefinishedhissupper。Buthestillsatattable，andseemedtoberegardinguswithsomecuriosity。
Atlengthhespoke。"AreyougoingtoParis，younggentlemen？"
heasked，histoneharshandhigh—pitched。
Weansweredintheaffirmative。"To—morrow？"hequestioned。
"Yes，"weanswered;andexpectedhimtocontinuetheconversation。Butinsteadhebecamesilent，gazingabstractedlyatthetable;andwhatwithourmeal，andourowntalkwehadalmostforgottenhimagain，whenlookingup，Ifoundhimatmyelbow，holdingoutinsilenceasmallpieceofpaper。
Istartedhisfacewassograve。Butseeingthattherewerehalf—a—dozenguestsofameanersortatanothertablecloseby，I
guessedthathemerelywishedtomakeaprivatecommunicationtous;andhastenedtotakethepaperandreadit。Itcontainedascrawloffourwordsonly——
"Vachasserl’Idole。"
Nomore。Ilookedathimpuzzled;abletomakenothingoutofit。St。Croixwrinkledhisbrowoveritwiththesameresult。
ItwasnogoodhandingittoMarie，therefore。
"Youdonotunderstand？"thestrangercontinued，asheputthescrapofpaperbackinhispouch。
"No，"Ianswered，shakingmyhead。Wehadallrisenoutofrespecttohim，andwerestandingalittlegroupabouthim。
"Justso;itisallrightthen，"heanswered，lookingatusasitseemedtomewithgravegood—nature。"Itisnothing。Goyourway。But——Ihaveasonyondernotmuchyoungerthanyou，younggentlemen。Andifyouhadunderstood，Ishouldhavesaidtoyou，’Donotgo！Thereareenoughsheepfortheshearer！’"
HewasturningawaywiththisoracularsayingwhenCroisettetouchedhissleeve。"Praycanyoutellusifitbetrue，"theladsaideagerly，"thattheAdmiraldeColignywaswoundedyesterday？"
"Itistrue，"theotheranswered，turninghisgraveeyesonhisquestioner，whileforamomenthissternlookfailedhim，"Itistrue，myboy，"headdedwithanairofstrangesolemnity。"WhomtheLordloveth，Hechasteneth。And，Godforgivemeforsayingit，whomHewoulddestroy，Hefirstmakethmad。"
HehadgazedwithpeculiarfavouratCroisette’sgirlishface，I
thought：MarieandIweredarkanduglybythesideoftheboy。
Butheturnedfromhimnowwithaqueer，excitedgesture，thumpinghisgold—headedcaneonthefloor。Hecalledhisservantsinaloud，raspingvoice，andlefttheroominseeminganger，drivingthembeforehim，theonecarryinghisdag，andtheother，twocandles。
WhenIcamedownearlynextmorning，thefirstpersonImetwasBlaiseBure。Helookedratherfiercerandmoreshabbybydaylightthancandlelight。Buthesalutedmerespectfully;andthis，sinceitwasclearthathedidnotrespectmanypeople，inclinedmetoregardhimwithfavour。Itisalwaysso，themoresavagethedog，themorehighlyweprizeitsattentions。IaskedhimwhotheHuguenotnoblewaswhohadsuppedwithus。ForaHuguenotweknewhemustbe。
"TheBarondeRosny，"heanswered;addingwithasneer，"Heisacarefulman！Iftheywerealllikehim，witheyesonbothsidesofhisheadandadagbyhiscandle——well，mylord，therewouldbeonemorekinginFrance——oroneless！Buttheyareablindlot：asblindasbats。"HemutteredsomethingfartherinwhichIcaughttheword"to—night。"ButIdidnothearitall;orunderstandanyofit。
"YourlordshipsaregoingtoParis？"heresumedinadifferenttone。WhenIsaidthatwewere，helookedatmeinashamefacedway，halftimid，halfarrogant。"Ihaveasmallfavourtoaskofyouthen，"hesaid。"IamgoingtoParismyself。Iamnotafraidofodds，asyouhaveseen。Buttheroadswillbeinaqueerstateiftherebeanythingonfootinthecity，and——well，Iwouldratherridewasyougentlementhanalone。"
"Youarewelcometojoinus，"Isaid。"Butwestartinhalf—an—
hour。DoyouknowPariswell？"
"Aswellasmysword—hilt，"herepliedbriskly，relievedI
thoughtbymyacquiescence，"AndIhaveknownthatfrommybreeching。IfyouwantagameatPAUME，oraprettygirltokiss，Icanputyouinthewayfortheoneortheother。"
ThehalfrusticshrinkingfromthegreatcitywhichIfelt，suggestedtomethatourswashbucklingfriendmighthelpusifhewould。"DoyouknowM。dePavannes？"Iaskedimpulsively，"WherehelivesinParis，Imean？"
"M。LouisdePavannes？"quothhe。
"Yes。"
"Iknow——"herepliedslowly，rubbinghischinandlookingatthegroundinthought——"wherehehadhislodgingsintownawhileago，before——Ah！Idoknow！Iremember，"headded，slappinghisthigh，"whenIwasinParisafortnightagoIwastoldthathisstewardhadtakenlodgingsforhimintheRueSt。Antoine。"
"Good！"Iansweredoverjoyed。"Thenwewanttodismountthere，ifyoucanguideusstraighttothehouse。"
"Ican，"herepliedsimply。"Andyouwillnotbetheworseformycompany。Parisisaqueerplacewhenthereistroubletothefore，butyourlordshipshavegottherightmantopilotyouthroughit。"
Ididnotaskhimwhattroublehemeant，butranindoorstobuckleonmysword，andtellMarieandCroisetteoftheallyI
hadsecured。Theyweremuchpleased，aswasnatural;sothatwetooktheroadinexcellentspiritsintendingtoreachthecityintheafternoon。ButMarie’shorsecastashoe，anditwassometimebeforewecouldfindasmith。ThenatEtampes，wherewestoppedtolunch，wewerekeptanunconscionabletimewaitingforit。AndsoweapproachedParisforthefirsttimeatsunset。A
ruddyglowwasatthemomentwarmingtheeasternheights，andpickingoutwithflamethetwintowersofNotreDame，andtheonetalltowerofSt。JacqueslaBoucherie。Adozenroofshigherthantheirneighboursshonehotly;andagreatbankofcloud，whichlaynorthandsouth，andlookedlikeaman’shandstretchedoverthecity，changedgraduallyfromblood—redtoviolet，andfromviolettoblack，aseveningfell。
Passingwithinthegatesandacrossfirstonebridgeandthenanother，wewereastonishedandutterlyconfusedbythenoiseandhubbubthroughwhichwerode。Hundredsseemedtobemovingthiswayandthatinthenarrowstreets。Womenscreamedtooneanotherfromwindowtowindow。Thebellsofhalf—a—dozenchurchesrangthecurfew。Ourcountryearsweredeafened。Stilloureyeshadleisuretotakeinthetallhouseswiththeirhigh—
pitchedroofs，andhereandthereatowerbuiltintothewall;
thequaintchurches，andthegroupsoftownsfolk——sullenfellowssomeofthemwithafiercegleamintheireyes———who，standinginthemouthsofreekingalleys，watchedusgoby。
Butpresentlywehadtostop。Acrowdhadgatheredtowatchalittlecavalcadeofsixgentlemenpassacrossourpath。Theywereridingtwoandtwo，loungingintheirsaddlesandchatteringtooneanother，distainfullyunconsciousofthepeopleaboutthem，ortheremarkstheyexcited。TheirgracefulbearingandtherichnessoftheirdressandequipmentsurpassedanythingI
hadeverseen。Adozenpagesandlackeyswereattendingthemonfoot，andthesoundoftheirjestsandlaughtercametousovertheheadsofthecrowd。
WhileIwasgazingatthem，somemovementofthethrongdrovebackBure’shorseagainstmine。Burehimselfutteredasavageoath;uncalledforsofarasIcouldsee。ButmyattentionwasarrestedthenextmomentbyCroisette，whotappedmyarmwithhisridingwhip。"Look！"hecriedinsomeexcitement，"isnotthathe？"
Ifollowedthedirectionofthelad’sfinger——aswellasIcouldfortheplungingofmyhorsewhichBure’shadfrightened——andscrutinizedthelastpairofthetroop。Theywerecrossingthestreetinwhichwestood，andIhadonlyasideviewofthem;orratherofthenearerrider。Hewasasingularlyhandsomeman，inageabouttwenty—twoortwenty—threewithlonglovelocksfallingonhislacecollarandcloakoforangesilk。Hisfacewassweetandkindlyandgracioustoamarvel。Buthewasastrangertome。
"Icouldhavesworn，"exclaimedCroisette，"thatthatwasLouishimself——M。dePavannes！"
"That？"Ianswered，aswebegantomoveagain，thecrowdmeltingbeforeus。"Oh，dear，no！"
"No！no！Thefartherman！"heexplained。
ButIhadnotbeenabletogetagoodlookatthefartherofthetwo。Weturnedinoursaddlesandpeeredafterhim。HisbackintheduskcertainlyremindedmeofLouis。Bure，however，whosaidheknewM。dePavannesbysight，laughedattheidea。"Yourfriend，"hesaid，"isawidermanthanthat！"AndIthoughthewasrightthere——butthenitmightbethecutoftheclothes。
"TheyhavebeenattheLouvreplayingpaume，I’llbesworn！"hewenton。"SotheAdmiralmustbebetter。TheonenextuswasM。
deTeligny，theAdmiral’sson—in—law。Andtheother，whomyoumean，wastheComtedelaRochefoucault。"
Weturnedashespokeintoanarrowstreetneartheriver，andcouldseenotfarfromusamassofdarkbuildingswhichBuretolduswastheLouvre——theking’sresidence。Outofthisstreetweturnedintoashortone;andhereBuredrewreinandrappedloudlyatsomeheavygates。Itwassodarkthatwhen，thesebeingopened，heledthewayintoacourtyard，wecouldseelittlemorethanatall，sharp—gabledhouse，projectingoverusagainstapalesky;andagroupofmenandhorsesinonecorner。
Burespoketooneofthemen，andbeggingustodismount，saidthefootmanwouldshowustoM。dePavannes。
Thethoughtthatwewereattheendofourlongjourney，andintimetowarnLouisofhisdanger，madeusforgetallourexertions，ourfatigueandstiffness。GladlythrowingthebridlestoJeanweranupthestepsaftertheservant。Thethingwasdone。Hurrah！thethingwasdone！
Thehouse——aswepassedthroughalongpassageandupsomesteps——seemedfullofpeople。Weheardvoicesandtheringofarmsmorethanonce。Butourguide，withoutpausing，ledustoasmallroomlightedbyahanginglamp。"IwillinformM。dePavannesofyourarrival，"hesaidrespectfully，andpassedbehindacurtain，whichseemedtohidethedoorofaninnerapartment。Ashedidsotheclinkofglassesandthehumofconversationreachedus。
"Hehascompanysuppingwithhim，"Isaidnervously。Itriedtoflipsomeofthedustfrommybootswithmywhip。IrememberedthatthiswasParis。
"Hewillbesurprisedtoseeus，"quothCroisette，laughing——alittleshyly，too，Ithink。Andsowestoodwaiting。
Ibegantowonderasminutespassedby——thegaycompanywehadseenputtingitinmymind，Isuppose——whetherM。dePavannes，ofParis，mightnotturnouttobeaverydifferentpersonfromLouisdePavannes，ofCaylus;whethertheking’scourtierwouldbeasfriendlyasKit’slover。AndIwasstillthinkingofthiswithouthavingsettledthepointtomysatisfaction，whenthecurtainwasthrustasideagain。Averytallman，wearingasplendidsuitofblackandsilverandastifftrencher—likeruff，camequicklyin，andstoodsmilingatus，alittledoginhisarms。Thelittledogsatupandsnarled：andCroisettegasped。
ItwasnotouroldfriendLouiscertainly！ItwasnotLouisdePavannesatall。Itwasnooldfriendatall，ItwastheVidamedeBezers！
"Welcome，gentlemen！"hesaid，smilingatus——andneverhadthecastbeensoapparentinhiseyes。"WelcometoParis，M。Anne！"
CHAPTERIV。
ENTRAPPED！
Therewasalongsilence。Westoodglaringathim，andhesmileduponus——asacatsmiles。Croisettetoldmeafterwardsthathecouldhavediedofmortification——ofshameandangerthatwehadbeensooutwitted。FormyselfIdidnotatoncegrasptheposition。Ididnotunderstand。IcouldnotdisentanglemyselfinamomentfromthebeliefinwhichIhadenteredthehouse——
thatitwasLouisdePavannes’house。ButIseemedvaguelytosuspectthatBezershadswepthimasideandtakenhisplace。Myfirstimpulsetherefore——obeyedontheinstant——wastostridetotheVidame’ssideandgrasphisarm。"Whathaveyoudone？"I
cried，myvoicesoundinghoarselyeveninmyownears。"WhathaveyoudonewithM。dePavannes？Answerme！"
Heshowedjustalittlemoreofhissharpwhiteteethashelookeddownatmyface——aflushedandtroubledfacedoubtless。
"Nothing——yet，"herepliedverymildly。Andheshookmeoff。
"Then，"Iretorted，"howdoyoucomehere？"
HeglancedatCroisetteandshruggedhisshoulders，asifIhadbeenaspoiledchild。"M。Annedoesnotseemtounderstand，"hesaidwithmockcourtesy，"thatIhavethehonourtowelcomehimtomyhousetheHotelBezers，RuedePlatriere。"
"TheHotelBezers！RuedePlatriere！"Icriedconfusedly。"ButBlaiseBuretoldusthatthiswastheRueSt。Antoine！"
"Ah！"herepliedasifslowlyenlightened——thehypocrite！"Ah！
Isee！"andhesmiledgrimly。"SoyouhavemadetheacquaintanceofBlaiseBure，myexcellentmasterofthehorse！
WorthyBlaise！Indeed，indeed，nowIunderstand。Andyouthought，youwhelps，"hecontinued，andashespokehistonechangedstrangely，andhefixedussuddenlywithangryeyes，"toplayarubberwithme！Withme，youimbeciles！YouthoughtthewolfofBezerscouldbehunteddownlikeanyhare！Thenlisten，andIwilltellyoutheendofit。Youarenowinmyhouseandabsolutelyatmymercy。Ihavetwoscoremenwithincallwhowouldcutthethroatsofthreebabesatthebreast，ifIbadethem！Ay，"he，added，awickedexultationshininginhiseyes，"theywould，andlikethejob！"
Hewasgoingontosaymore，butIinterruptedhim。TherageI
felt，causedasmuchbythethoughtofourfollyasbyhisarrogance，wouldletmebesilentnolonger。"First，M。deBezers，first，"Ibrokeoutfiercely，mywordsleapingoveroneanotherinmyhaste，"awordwithyou！LetmetellyouwhatI
thinkofyou！Youareatreacheroushound，Vidame！Acur！abeast！AndIspituponyou！Traitorandassassin！"Ishouted，"isthatnotenough？Willnothingprovokeyou？Ifyoucallyourselfagentleman，draw！"
Heshookhishead;hewasstillsmiling，stillunmoved。"Idonotdomyowndirtywork，"hesaidquietly，"norstintmyfootmenoftheirsport，boy。"
"Verywell！"Iretorted。AndwiththewordsIdrewmysword，andsprangasquickaslightningtothecurtainbywhichhehadentered。"Verywell，wewillkillyoufirst！"Icriedwrathfully，myeyeonhiseye，andeverysavagepassioninmybreastaroused，"andtakeourchancewiththelackeysafterwards！
Marie！Croisette！"Icriedshrilly，"onhim，lads！"
Buttheydidnotanswer！Theydidnotmoveordraw。Forthemomentindeedthemanwasinmypower。Mywristwasraised，andIhadmypointathisbreast，Icouldhaverunhimthroughbyasinglethrust。AndIhatedhim。Oh，howIhatedhim！Buthedidnotstir。Hadhespoken，hadhemovedsomuchasaneyelid，ordrawnbackhisfoot，orlaidhishandonhishilt，Ishouldhavekilledhimthere。ButhedidnotstirandIcouldnotdoit。Myhanddropped。"Cowards！"Icried，glancingbitterlyfromhimtothem——theyhadneverfailedmebefore。"Cowards！"I
muttered，seemingtoshrinkintomyselfasIsaidtheword。AndIflungmyswordclatteringonthefloor。
"Thatisbetter！"hedrawledquiteunmoved，asifnothingmorethanwordshadpassed，asifhehadnotbeeninperilatall。
"ItwaswhatIwasgoingtoaskyoutodo。Iftheotheryounggentlemenwillfollowyourexample，Ishallbeobliged。Thankyou。Thankyou。"
Croisette，andaminutelaterMarie，obeyedhimtotheletter！I
couldnotunderstandit。Ifoldedmyarmsandgaveupthegameindespair，andbutforveryshameIcouldhaveputmyhandstomyfaceandcried。Hestoodinthemiddleunderthelamp，aheadtallerthanthetallestofus;ourmaster。Andwestoodroundhimtrapped，beaten，foralltheworldlikechildren。Oh，I
couldhavecried！Thiswastheendofourlongride，ouraspirations，ourknight—errantry！
"Nowperhapsyouwilllistentome，"hewentonsmoothly，"andhearwhatIamgoingtodo。Ishallkeepyouhere，younggentlemen，untilyoucanservemebycarryingtomademoiselle，yourcousin，somenewsofherbetrothed。Oh，Ishallnotdetainyoulong，"headdedwithanevilsmile。"YouhavearrivedinParisatafortunatemoment。Thereisgoingtobea——well，thereisalittleschemeonfootappointedforto—night——singularlyluckyyouare！——forremovingsomeobjectionablepeople，somefriendsofoursperhapsamongthem，M。Anne。Thatisall。Youwillhearshots，cries，perhapsscreams。Takenonotice。Youwillbeinnodanger。ForM。dePavannes，"hecontinued，hisvoicesinking，"IthinkthatbymorningIshallbeabletogiveyoua——amoreparticularaccountofhimtotaketoCaylus——toMademoiselle，youunderstand。"
Foramomentthemaskwasoff。Hisfacetookasombrebrightness。Hemoistenedhislipswithhistongueasthoughhesawhisvengeanceworkedoutthenandtherebeforehim，andweregloatingoverthepicture。TheideathatthiswassotooksuchaholduponmethatIshrankback，shuddering;readingtooinCroisette’sfacethesamethought——andalaterepentance。Nay，themalignityofBezers’tone，thesavagegleamofjoyinhiseyesappalledmetosuchanextentthatIfanciedforamomentI
sawinhimthedevilincarnate！
Herecoveredhiscomposureveryquickly，however;andturnedcarelesslytowardsthedoor。"Ifyouwillfollowme，"hesaid，"Iwillseeyoudisposedof。Youmayhavetocomplainofyourlodging——Ihaveotherthingstothinkofto—nightthanhospitality，Butyoushallnotneedtocomplainofyoursupper。"
Hedrewasidethecurtainashespoke，andpassedintothenextroombeforeus，notgivingathoughtapparentlytothepossibilitythatwemightstrikehimfrombehind。Therecertainlywasanoddqualityapparentinhimattimeswhichseemedtocontradictwhatweknewofhim。
Theroomweenteredwasratherlongthanwide，hungwithtapestry，andlightedbysilverlamps。Richplate，embossed，I
afterwardslearned，byCellinitheFlorentine——whodiedthatyearIremember——andricherglassfromVenice，withacrowdofmeanervesselsfilledwithmeatsanddrinkscoveredthetable;
disorderedasbytheattacksofanumerousparty。Butsaveaservantortwobythedistantdresser，andanecclesiasticatthefarendofthetable，theroomwasempty。
Thepriestroseasweentered，theVidamesalutinghimasiftheyhadnotmetthatday。"YouarewelcomeM。leCoadjuteur，"hesaid;sayingitcoldly，however，Ithought。Andthetwoeyedoneanotherwithlittlefavour;ratherasbirdsofpreyabouttoquarreloverthespoil，thanashostandguest。PerhapstheCoadjutor’sglitteringeyesandgreatbeak—likenosemademethinkofthis。
"Ho！ho！"hesaid，lookingpiercinglyatus——andnodoubtwemusthaveseemedamiserableanddejectedcrewenough。"Whoarethese？Notthefirst—fruitsofthenight，eh？"
TheVidamelookeddarklyathim。"No，"heansweredbrusquely。
"Theyarenot。Iamnotparticularoutofdoors，Coadjutor，asyouknow，butthisismyhouse，andwearegoingtosupper。
Perhapsyoudonotcomprehendthedistinction。Stillitexists——forme，"withasneer。
ThiswasasgoodasGreektous。ButIsoshrankfromthepriest’smalignanteyes，whichwouldnotquitus，andfeltsomuchdisgustmingledwithmyangerthatwhenBezersbyagestureinvitedmetositdown，Idrewback。"Iwillnoteatwithyou，"
Isaidsullenly;speakingoutofakindofdullobstinacy，orperhapsachildishpetulance。
ItdidnotoccurtomethatthiswouldpiercetheVidame’sarmour。Yetadullredshowedforaninstantinhischeek，andheeyedmewithalook，thatwasnotallferocity，thoughtheveinsinhisgreattemplesswelled。Amoment，nevertheless，andhewashimselfagain。"Armand，"hesaidquietlytotheservant，"thesegentlemenwillnotsupwithme。Layforthemattheotherend。"
Menareodd。ThemomenthegavewaytomeIrepentedofmywords。ItwasalmostwithreluctancethatIfollowedtheservanttothelowerpartofthetable。Morethanthis，mingledwiththehatredIfeltfortheVidame，therewasnowastrangesentimenttowardshim——almostofadmiration;thathaditsbirthIthinkinthemoment，whenIheldhislifeinmyhand，andhehadnotflinched。
Weateinsilence;evenafterCroisettebygraspingmyhandunderthetablehadbeggedmenottojudgehimhastily。Thetwoattheupperendtalkedfast，andfromthelittlethatreachedus，I
judgedthatthepriestwaspressingsomecourseonhishost，whichthelatterdeclinedtotake。
OnceBezersraisedhisvoice。"Ihavemyownendstoserve！"hebrokeoutangrily，addingafierceoathwhichthepriestdidnotrebuke，"andIshallservethem。ButthereIstop。Youhaveyourown。Well，servethem，butdonottalktomeofthecause！
Thecause？Tohellwiththecause！Ihavemycause，andyouhaveyours，andmylordofGuisehashis！Andyouwillnotmakemebelievethatthereisanyother！"
"Theking’s？"suggestedthepriest，smilingsourly。
"SayrathertheItalianwoman’s！"theVidameansweredrecklessly——meaningthequeen—mother，Catherinede’Medici，I
supposed。
"Well，then，thecauseoftheChurch？"thepriestpersisted。
"Bah！TheChurch？Itisyou，myfriend！"Bezersrejoined，rudelytappinghiscompanion——atthatmomentintheactofcrossinghimself——onthechest。"TheChurch？"hecontinued;
"no，no，myfriend。Iwilltellyouwhatyouaredoing。Youwantmetohelpyoutogetridofyourbranch，andyouofferinreturntoaidmewithmine——andthen，sayyou，therewillbenosticklefttobeateitherofus。Butyoumayunderstandonceforall"——andtheVidamestruckhishandheavilydownamongtheglasses——"thatIwillhavenointerferencewithmywork，masterClerk！None！Doyouhear？Andasforyours，itisnobusinessofmine。Thatisplainspeaking，isitnot？"
Thepriest’shandshookasheraisedafullglasstohislips，buthemadenorejoinder，andtheVidame，seeingwehadfinished，rose。"Armand！"hecried，hisfacestilldark，"takethesegentlementotheirchamber。Youunderstand？"
Westifflyacknowledgedhissalute——thepriesttakingnonoticeofus——andfollowedtheservantfromtheroom;goingalongacorridorandupasteepflightofstairs，andseeingenoughbythewaytobesurethatresistancewashopeless。Doorsopenedsilentlyaswepassed，andgrimfellows，incorsletsandpaddedcoats，peeredout。Theclankofarmsandmurmurofvoicessoundedcontinuouslyaboutus;andaswepassedawindowthejingleofbits，andthehollowclangofarestlesshoofontheflagsbelow，toldusthatthegreathousewasforthetimeafortress。Iwonderedmuch。ForthiswasParis，acitywithgatesandguards;thenightashortAugustnight。YettheloneliestmanorinQuercycouldscarcelyhavebristledwithmorepikesandmusquetoons，onawinter’snightandintimeofwar。
Nodoubtthesesignsimpressedusall;andCroisettenotleast。
ForsuddenlyIheardhimstop，ashefollowedusupthenarrowstaircase，andbeginwithoutwarningtostumbledownagainasfastashecould。Ididnotknowwhathewasabout;butmutteringsomethingtoMarie，Ifollowedtheladtosee。AtthefootoftheflightofstairsIlookedback，Marieandtheservantwerestandinginsuspense，whereIhadleftthem。Iheardthelatterbidusangrilytoreturn。
ButbythistimeCroisettewasattheendofthecorridor;andreassuringthefellowbyagestureIhurriedon，untilbroughttoastandstillbyamanopeningadoorinmyface。Hehadheardourreturningfootsteps，andeyedmesuspiciously;butgavewayafteramomentwithagruntofdoubtIhastenedon，reachingthedooroftheroominwhichwehadsuppedintimetoseesomethingwhichfilledmewithgrimastonishment;somuchsothatIstoodrootedwhereIwas，tooproudatanyratetointerfere。
Bezerswasstanding，theleeringpriestathiselbow。AndCroisettewasstoopingforward，hishandsstretchedoutinanattitudeofsupplication。
"Nay，butM。leVidame，"theladcried，asIstood，thedoorinmyhand，"itwerebettertostabheratoncethanbreakherheart！Havepityonher！Ifyoukillhim，youkillher！"
TheVidamewassilent，seemingtoglowerontheboy。Thepriestsneered。"Heartsaresoonmended——especiallywomen’s，"hesaid。
"ButnotKit’s！"Croisettesaidpassionately——otherwiseignoringhim。"NotKit’s！Youdonotknowher，Vidame！Indeedyoudonot！"
Theremarkwasill—timed。IsawaspasmofangerdistortBezers’
face。"Getup，boy！"hesnarled，"IwrotetoMademoisellewhatIwoulddo，andthatIshalldo！ABezerskeepshisword。BytheGodaboveus——iftherebeaGod，andinthedevil’snameI
doubtitto—night！——Ishallkeepmine！Go！"
Hisgreatfacewasfullofrage。HelookedoverCroisette’sheadashespoke，asifappealingtotheGreatRegistrarofhisvow，intheverymomentinwhichheallbutdeniedHim。IturnedandstolebackthewayIhadcome;andheardCroisettefollow。
Thatlittlescenecompletedmymisery。AfterthatIseemedtotakenoheedofanythingoranybodyuntilIwasarousedbythegratingofourgaoler’skeyinthelock，andbecameawarethathewasgone，andthatwewerealoneinasmallroomunderthetiles。
Hehadleftthecandleonthefloor，andwethreestoodroundit。
Saveforthelongshadowswecastonthewallsandtwopalletshastilythrowndowninonecorner，theplacewasempty。Ididnotlookmuchatit，andIwouldnotlookattheothers。Iflungmyselfononeofthepalletsandturnedmyfacetothewall，despairing。Ithoughtbitterlyofthefailurewehadmadeofit，andoftheVidame’striumph。IcursedSt。Croixespeciallyforthatlasttouchofhumiliationhehadsettoit。Then，forgettingmyselfasmyangerabated，IthoughtofKitsofarawayatCaylus——ofKit’spale，gentleface，andhersorrow。AndlittlebylittleIforgaveCroisette。Afterallhehadnotbeggedforus——hehadnotstoopedforoursakes，butforhers。
IdonotknowhowlongIlayatsee—sawbetweenthesetwomoods。
Orwhetherduringthattimetheotherstalkedorweresilent，movedabouttheroomorlaystill。ButitwasCroisette’shandonmyshoulder，touchingmewithaquiveringeagernessthatinstantlycommunicateditselftomylimbs，whichrecalledmetotheroomanditsshadows。"Anne！"hecried。"Anne！Areyouawake？"
"Whatisit？"Isaid，sittingupandlookingathim。
"Marie，"hebegan，"has——"
Buttherewasnoneedforhimtofinish。IsawthatMariewasstandingatthefarsideoftheroombytheunglazedwindow;
which，beinginaslopingpartoftheroof，inclinedslightlyalso。Hehadraisedtheshutterwhichclosedit，andonhistip—
toes——forthesillwasalmosthisownheightfromthefloor——waspeeringout。IlookedsharplyatCroisette。"Isthereagutteroutside？"Iwhispered，beginningtotinglealloverasthethoughtofescapeforthefirsttimeoccurredtome。
"No，"heansweredinthesametone。"ButMariesayshecanseeabeambelow，whichhethinkswecanreach。"
Isprangup，promptlydisplacedMarie，andlookedout。WhenmyeyesgrewaccustomedtothegloomIdiscernedadarkchaosofroofsandgablesstretchingasfarasIcouldseebeforeme。
Nearer，immediatelyunderthewindow，yawnedachasm——anarrowstreet。Beyondthiswasahouseratherlowerthanthatinwhichwewere，thetopofitsroofnotquitereachingthelevelofmyeyes。
"Iseenobeam，"Isaid。
"Lookbelow！"quothMarie，stolidly，Ididso，andthensawthatfifteenorsixteenfeetbelowourwindowtherewasanarrowbeamwhichranfromourhousetotheoppositeone——forthesupportofboth，asiscommonintowns。Intheshadownearthefarendofthis——itwassodirectlyunderourwindowthatIcouldonlyseetheotherendofit——Imadeoutacasement，faintlyilluminatedfromwithin。
Ishookmyhead。
"Wecannotgetdowntoit，"Isaid，measuringthedistancetothebeamandthedepthbelowit，andshivering。
"Mariesayswecan，withashortrope，"Croisettereplied。Hiseyeswereglisteningwithexcitement。
"Butwehavenorope！"Iretorted。Iwasdull——asusual。Mariemadenoanswer。Surelyhewasthemoststolidandsilentofbrothers。Iturnedtohim。Hewastakingoffhiswaistcoatandneckerchief。
"Good！"Icried。Ibegantoseenow。Offcameourscarvesandkerchiefsalso，andfortunatelytheywereofhomemake，longandstrong。AndMariehadahankoffour—plyyarninhispocketasitturnedout，andIhadsomestoutnewgarters，andtwoorthreeyardsofthincord，whichIhadbroughttomendthegirths，ifneedshouldarise。Infiveminuteswehadfastenedthemcunninglytogether。
"Iamthelightest，"saidCroisette。
"ButMariehasthesteadiesthead，"Iobjected。Wehadlearnedthatlongago——thatMariecouldwalkthecoping—stonesofthebattlementswithaslittleconcernaswepacedaplanksetontheground。
"True，"Croisettehadtoadmit。"Buthemustcomelast，becausewhoeverdoessowillhavetolethimselfdown。"
Ihadnotthoughtofthat，andInodded。ItseemedthattheleadwaspassingoutofmyhandsandImightresignmyself。StillonethingIwouldhave。AsMariewastocomelast，Iwouldgofirst。
Myweightwouldbesttesttherope。Andaccordinglyitwassodecided。
Therewasnotimetobelost。Atanymomentwemightbeinterrupted。Sotheplanwasnosoonerconceivedthancarriedout。Theropewasmadefasttomyleftwrist。ThenImountedonMarie’sshoulders，andclimbed——notwithoutquavering——throughthewindow，takingaslittletimeoveritaspossible，forabellwasalreadyproclaimingmidnight。
AllthisIhaddoneonthespurofthemoment。Butoutside，hangingbymyhandsinthedarkness，thestrokesofthegreatbellinmyears，Ihadamomentinwhichtothink。Thesenseofthevibratingdepthbelowme，theairiness，thespaceandgloomaround，frightenedme。"Areyouready？"mutteredMarie，perhapswithalittleimpatience。Hehadnotascrapofimagination，hadMarie。
"No！waitaminute！"Iblurtedout，clingingtothesill，andtakingalastlookatthebareroom，andthetwodarkfiguresbetweenmeandthelight。"No！"Iadded，hurriedly。
"Croisette——boys，Icalledyoucowardsjustnow。Itakeitback！
Ididnotmeanit！Thatisall！"Igasped。"Letgo！"
Awarmtouchonmyhand。Somethinglikeasob。
ThenextmomentIfeltmyselfslidingdownthefaceofthehouse，downintothedepth。Thelightshotup。Myheadturnedgiddily。
Iclung，oh，howIclungtothatrope！Halfwaydownthethoughtstruckmethatincaseofaccidentthoseabovemightnotbestrongenoughtopullmeupagain。Butitwastoolatetothinkofthat，andinanothersecondmyfeettouchedthebeam。I
breathedagain。Softly，verygingerly，Imadegoodmyfootingontheslenderbridge，and，disengagingtherope，letitgo。Then，notwithoutanotherqualm，Isatdownastrideofthebeam，andwhistledintokenofsuccess。Successsofar！
Itwasastrangeposition，andIhaveoftendreamedofitsince。
InthedarknessaboutmeParislaytoallseemingasleep。A
veil，andnottheveilofnightonly，wasstretchedbetweenitandme;betweenme，amerelad，andthestrangesecretsofagreatcity;stranger，grimmer，moredeadlythatnightthaneverbeforeorsince。Howmanymenwerewatchingunderthosedimly—
seenroofs，witharmsintheirhands？Howmanysatwithmurderatheart？Howmanywerewaking，whoatdawnwouldsleepforever，orsleepingwhowouldwakeonlyattheknife’sedge？ThesethingsIcouldnotknow，anymorethanIcouldpicturehowmanyboon—companionswerepartingatthatinstant，justrisenfromthedice，onetogoblindly——theotherwatchinghim——tohisdeath？I
couldnotimagine，thankHeavenforit，thesesecrets，orahundredthpartofthetreacheryandcrueltyandgreedthatlurkedatmyfeet，readytoburstallboundsatapistol—shot。Ithadnosignificanceformethatthepastdaywasthe23rdofAugust，orthatthemorrowwasSt。Bartholomew’sfeast！
No。Yetmingledwiththejubilationwhichthepossibilityoftriumphoverourenemyraisedinmybreast，therewascertainlyaforeboding。TheVidame’shints，nolessthanhisopenboasts，hadpointedtosomethingtohappenbeforemorning——somethingwiderthanthemeremurderofasingleman。ThewarningalsowhichtheBarondeRosnyhadgivenusattheinnoccurredtomewithnewmeaning。AndIcouldnotshakethefeelingoff。I
fancied，asIsatinthedarknessastrideofmybeam，thatI
couldsee，closingthenarrowvistaofthestreet，theheavymassoftheLouvre;andthatthemurmurofvoicesandthetrampofmenassemblingcamefromitscourts，withnowandagainthestealthychallengeofasentry，therestrainedvoiceofanofficer。
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