CIHM
Microfiche
Series
(Monographs)
ICMH
Collection de
microfiches
(monographles)
Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut canadien de microreproductions historiques
1999
^-'y-.-.jm^^^
Technical and F' iographic Notes / Notes techniques et bibliographiques
The Institute has attempted to obtain ♦^i■ >6St original
copy available for filming. Features of tt, ropy which
may be bibliographically ur- que, which may alter any of
the images in the reproduction, or which may
significantly change the usual method of filming are
checked below.
□
Coloured covers /
> I Couverture de couleur
□ Covers damaged /
Couverture endommagee
□ Covers restored and/or laminated /
Couverture restauree et/ou pelliculee
Cover title missing / Le titre de couverture manque
I I Coloured maps / Cartes geographiques en couleur
□ Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black) /
Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire)
□ Coloured plates and/or illustrations /
Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur
□
D
D
Bound with other material /
Reiie avec d'autres documents
Only edition available/
Seule edition disponible
Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along
interior margin / La reliure serree peut causer de
I'ombre ou de la distorsion le long de la marge
interieure.
Blank leaves added during restorations may appear
within the text. Whenever possible, these have been
omitted from filming / Use peut que certaines pages
blanches ajoutees lors d'une restauration
apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela etait
possible, ces pages n'ont pas ete filmees.
Additional comments /
Commentaires supplementaires:
L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire quil lui a
6te possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exem-
plaire qui sont peut-etre uniques du point de vue bibli-
og^aphique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite,
ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la metho-
de normale de filmage sont indiqu6s ci-dessous.
Coloured pages / Pages de couleur
I I Pages damaged / Pages endommag^es
n
Pages restored and/or laminated /
Pages restaurees et/ou pellicul6es
Pages discoloured, stained or foxed /
Pages d6color6es, tachetees ou piquees
Pages detached / Pages d6tach6es
I vj Showthrough / Transparence
I I Quality of print varies /
n
D
Qualite inegale de I'impression
Includes supplementary material /
Comprend du materiel supplementaire
Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips,
tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best
possible image / Les pages totalement ou
partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une
pelure, etc., ont 6te filmees a nouveau de fa?on a
obtenir la meilleure image possible.
Opposing pages with varying colouration or
discolourations are filmed twice to ensure the best
possible image / Les pages s'opposant ayant des
colorations variables ou des decolorations sont
filmees deux fois afin d'obtenir la meilleure image
possible.
This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below /
Ce document est filme au taui de reduction indique ci-desseus
10x
14x
18x
22x
26x
30x
'
...
12x
16x
20x
24 x
28x
32x
The copy filmed here haa been reproduced thanks
to the generosity of:
National Librery of Canada
L'exemplaire filmd fut reproduit grace i la
gin^rositd de:
Bibliotheque nationale du Canada
The images appearing hare are the best quality
possible considering the condition and legibility
of the original copy and in keeping with the
filming contract specifications.
Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed
beginning with the front cover &nd ending on
the last page with a printed or illustrated impres-
sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All
other original copies are filmed beginning on the
first page with a printed or illustrated impres-
sion, and ending on the last page with a printed
or illustrated impression.
Las images suivantes ont ili reproduites avec le
plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et
de la nertetA de lexemplaira filmA. et en
conformity avec les conditions du contrat de
filmage.
Les exemplaires originaux 'ont la couverture en
papier est imprimis sont filmis en commencant
par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la
derniire page qui comporte une empreinte
d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second
plat, salon la cas. Tous les autres exemplaires
originaux sont filmis en commenpant par la
premiere page qui comporte une empreinte
d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par
la derniAre page qui comporte une telle
empreinte.
The last recorded trame on each microfiche
shall contain the symbol — ^ (meaning "CON-
TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"),
whichever applies.
Un des symboles suivants apparattra sur la
derniire image de cheque microfiche, selon le
cas: le symbole — ♦■ signifie "A SUIVRE", le
symbole V signifie "FIN".
Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at
different reduction ratios. Those too large to be
entirely included in one exposure are filmed
beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to
right and top to bottom, as many frames as
required. The following diagrams illustrate the
method:
Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent etre
filmis i des taux de reduction diffirents.
Lorsque le document est trop grand pour etre
reproduit en un seul cliche, il est filmi i partir
de Tangle supirieur gauche, de gauche i droite.
et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre
d'images nicessaire. Les diagrammes suivants
illustrent la mithode.
1
2
3
1
2
3
4
5
6
MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART
ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No 2
1.0
ii> mil 2^8
»-. iilli
I 2.5
2.2
I.I
SI ■•0
2.0
1.8
1.25
1.4
1.6
^ APPLIED IM/1GE
'- • -JS' Men st-eer
'C-estef, St. fork 14609 jSA
■6; 482 - 030C - Pnor^e
■6; 288 ^- 5989 - r;,.
THE ,<-
ni:\Mi ui NAVARRE
PS 3535
U47
H46
1901
C.2
JdeniT^C
a ijffynR&,.
)rL
' Cdnada oj Can
'<'
III! , Vl^^
Canada
-•% :j : . ->■
Kg;;"5.2a;xft'"r,
T^z^j;sp?S^SS£^
THE
Helmet of Navarre
ar
BERTHA RUNKLE
ILLUSTRATIONS Bv ANDRE
CASTAIGNE
TORONTO
-^"E COPP, CLARK COMPANY
LIMITED
ipot
■ ■.**?■ T .^^-ffA...:^ m*
!1t
r
12o(
C.2.
CONTENTS
1. A Flash oit Lionr^iNf* 3
II. At thk Amoi k dk Uiitt' g
m. M. LE 1)1 1- n Will (Uarded ic
IV. TuK 'InitKE Men n thk Wiirnow '_>;
V. Uai-ieks axd a Vkw ^^-
VI. A Mattir of Lii-r and Death 51
VII. A Divided Drrr (5'_>
VIII. ('HAKI.tCS-.\vDKE KtIKX.NE-.MaKIE 74
IX. The Honocr ok .St. Qi-estin f,5
X. LfCAS AMI "Le Oaicher" 9t)
XT. VlOO jOy
XII. The Comte de Mar 120
xni. Mademoiselle 1 34
XIV. In the Oratory 1 53
XV. .Mv Lord Maye.nne HJ7
XVI .Mayenne's Ward isi;
XVII "I'll Win Mv Lady!" ._>03
XVIII. To THE Bastille . . - ooj
xi\. To the HAtel dk Lorraine ..-.,.. '241
•vx. "On (Uard, Mon.sieur" -v;;
\xi. A Chance Encointer 266
wW^A
CONTENTS
('■ArritR t'Aitii
x\ii. TiiK SKiNn or tup Kino . ■ 278
xxiii. Tub Cbkvalibk or thk Tou«wr.i.i.r„s .... '29<>
xxiv. Tm« Florkntinks 3IU
XIV. A l)<)ri.f,r. .M.\.syi iRAnr 3'M
XXVI. WlTHIH TUB SI'IIiKR's \V«II 3»')J
XXVII. TlIK ('(lUNTKKSKlN 370
xxviii. St. Dknis — ANii Navakrr ! 4(i-J
XXIX Tub Twd r)rKBi 4'J;*
XXX. My Yoimo Ia)HU Sktti.k.s Siiikf-m With Two
FoB.s AT On< K 440
XXXI. "Tub Vbrv rAxxBUN <ik a Ki.nu' 461
I'Wtm/mmjL! -r-
^.^~S^^5^*'?
iSl^^l£^^^,xm
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Thk Kiokbntinks iv tiih Hotki. i.e Mavinnk . f'nmtisf.iece.
"XNiiir A CUV NFoNsifi i: si'r.\n«; towakd mi
i'*or.
til
"Iv A FLASH IIK WAS HIT OK TIIKIli (iKASf, H.VrMt LOWS
TUB AI.I.KV " J j-
"I DO KOI roKUIVE UH liKMAIi HIM, mk 111-* IIdIchK-IIoV " (49
Ml.l.K. I.K MosTLIT AM) KkI.IX Itk.il X IV TlIK t.KATDKY . 16!»
"SoKKV T> I.ISTl'KH MoNSIKII:, 111 r Tlin l(OKSI>. Ml ST UK
FPU
"Hk was IJKI'OSITKI. IN TIIK MKi KI.AIK COACH " .
"\Vk ciimKEIJ OCT INTO A SlIK-MEIlCKKH ShuC"
At THE " l!i)(«sK Kemmk"
" It ue.>oi.atf_s mk to hkak ok hkk kxikkmitv"
On iHK WAV to St. Dk.nis
Thk Mkktinc
'-'01
237
261
397
411
4C7
'■■■ i(c^*d*--#^»s*^-!
r5P<iS:v^rt»»>*^«3
f^y.^3j=^'t-
THE HEL>ET OF NAVARRE.
A flash of lightning.
[T the stair-foot tli.- landlord stopped m.'
'■Hert'. lad. taki- a eaiidl.'. Tli.
stairs aro dark, and, since I like yout
looks, I would not have you break voui
ii.'ek."
"And ^rive the house a had name." I said.
"Xo fear of that; uiy house has a -ood name
There is no fairer inn in all Paris. And voui- eham-
Ikt is a orood chamber, thou^'h you will have lar-er,
<ioubl less, when you are .Minister of Finance."
This raised a laujrh amonj,' the tavern idlers, for I
had been bra^-in- a bit of my i)rospecfs. I retorted :
"When I am. Maitre Jacpies, look out for a ris.-
ill your taxes."
The laufrh was turned on mine host, ami F retired
with the honours of that encounter. And thou<'h th.-
stairs were the steepest T ever elimbrd. I had th.-
breath and the spirit to whistle all the wiv up
W hat mattered it that already I ached iu every bone
* TJfJ.; HKLMKT (,F .NAVARKK
"1";;: i;z:::.;7.r:' ""■ ' - ■•'■
I— —■■I'll.... i,,''v,..,,''\,T '•■";':■>■
'■"'■■-'•.",,1 i„i,„r„i ».,..„„ n,;;"'''^"'"'"
(,»lU'iifin Tl, ""■ ''"'^'■^ "t •'^t
, -„'- -■••at U...M ,,, ,,.,„,, ,,. ^j_^_ •
","""• ^ "•'"'■"" yn: A. in.Hiiv ... •
^■■lly .nd Vi,K.,...,. T,v,nouilK. .n.l Hin
•'")U-I, for tlu' Ih-OUK.
I)i
I'.
lis
I
hi
'"".^ "f uas ,„un|,.,v,|. Mnnsirur ,.a„HMo liv
:::?;:"'■ ' ^'"" '-" "-' '-^ ''"• ^";:'.::
ssun.l.,. \| I,. ",■,''■•'""- '""I ' l-V.M„r
" ""' '<''i.t:. liis inastcr.
;'„'";;;. ':,;■■■.;.;;■ ;.■"'■/••■■•■ -.„;,,::■
■:;;;'■ "'""•" -■ .".,.■ ,„i ,„„ „„,.„
^^:^-'
A FLASH OK LKillTNINO
cat would jmiip, taking' no i)arl in tlif (juartvl lest
lie slioiilil niix with \hv losin<: side, lint this theory
jibed so ill with Monsit-nr's eliaraeter that not even
his worst detraetor eonld aeeept it. For he was
known to all as a hotspnr-a man who aeted <|nit'kly
and s.'ldi.in counted the eost. Thrrefore his present
conduct was a riddle, nor could any of the emissaries
from Kins.' or LeaL'Uf, who came from time to time
to enlist his aid and went away without it. read the
answer. The puzzle wa.s too deep for them. Yet it
was oidy this: to Monsieur, honour was more than n
pi'etty word. If he could not tind his cause honest,
he would not draw hi.s sword. thoui,'h all the curs iu
the land called him cowartl.
Thus he stayed alone in the chAteau for a long,
irksome three years. .Monsieur was not of a reflec-
tive mind, content to stand aside an<l watch while
othei- men fouj.'ht out ^'reat issues. It was a wearj
[)r()cession of days to him. His only son. a lad a
few years older than I, shared none of his father's
scruples and refused point-l)lank to follow him into
e.xile. lie remained in Paris, where they knew how
to be <iay in spite of sie^'es. Therefore I, the For-
ester's son. whom Monsieur took lor a patre. had a
chance to come closer to my lord and be more to him
than a mere servant, and I loved him as the d(.<,'s did.
Aye. and adir.ired him for a fortitude almost more
than human, in that he could liold himself passive
here in farthest Picardie, whilst in Xorniandie and
He de France battles ra^'ed and towns fell and cap-
tains won iijiory.
At length, in the opening of the year lo9;J, M. Ie
I
6
TIIK UK I. MET OF NAVAKKE
Due be^an to have a fr«'(jiifiit visitor, a !,'L*nlk'iuau
ill no wist' ivniarkahk- save for that he was aecordetl
louii; inteivieus witli Monsieiii-. After these visits
my k)rcl was always in '_'reat spiiits, putting on
frisky airs, like a stallion when he is led out of the
stable. I looked foi- something' ;i» happen, and il
wius no sui-prise to uie when M. le Due announoed
one day, ipiite without wai'iiintr, that he w.us done
with St. (^ueiitin and would |je olf in the inornin<^
lor Mantes. 1 was in the seventh heaven of joy
when he added that he should take nie with him.
I knew the Kin^' of Xavarre was at Mantes — at last
we were ^i-oin-.' to make histoiyl Thei'e wa.s no
hounil to my ^^olden dreams, no limit to my future.
But my housi' of cards sufi'ered a rude tumble,
and by jio hand but my father's. He came to Mon-
sieur, and, presuming on a!i old sei-vitor's ju-ivilejro.
be-ij^ed him to leave me at home.
"I have lost two sons in Monsieur's service,'" ho
.said: ".Jean. huntin<i in this forest, and Blaise, in
the IVay at Blois. I have never '.ii'udiivd them to
Ah)nsieui'. iiut Felix is all I have left."
Thus it caiiu' about that I was left beliind, liidden
in the hay-loft, when my duke I'ode away. I could
not watch liis <:()in^'.
Though the days passed drearily, yet tlu-y passed.
Time does pa.ss. at len<;th. even when one is youn^'.
It was duly. The Kiii<:' of Xavai'i'e had moved up
to St. Denis, in Ins sie..^e of Paris, but most folk
thouiiht he would never win l!ie eit\. the hotbed of
the lAa':ue. Of M. 1,. Due we heard no word till,
I'lie nii^ht, a .■liatic traveller, [luttiny: up at the iini
ill Ilie \iiia-e ioi(i a stariiinix tale. The Duke of
A FLASH OP LIGHTNING
St. (^lU'ntin, though known to liiivc Itn'n al Mantt's
and stron>rly suspt'ctecl of cspoiisin;; Navarre's
cause, liad rickh-n calmly into Paiis ami opened his
hotel I It was mail ness — madness sheet' and stark.
Thus fai- his i-eli;_'ioM had savi-d him, yet any day he
mi^lil tail under the swords of the Lea^'uors.
My faliier came, after hearinjj this tale, to where
I was lyin;: on the irrass. the warm summer ni^ht,
thinkin<r hard thouj-'hts of him for keepitiii me ai
home and spoiling: my chances in life, lie gave me
straightway tlie whole of the story. Long hefore
it was over I had sprung to my feet.
"Do you still wish to join M. le Due?" he said.
"Fathi'i-!" was all I could gasp.
"Then you shall go." he answered. That was not
had for an old man who had lost two sons for
Monsieur !
I set out in the iiiorninL'. light of haggage. purse,
and heart. 1 can tell naught of the joui'iu'y, for I
heeded only that at the end of ii lay I'ai'is. I
reached the city one day at sundown, and etitere<l
without a passport at tiie St. Denis gate, the warders
heing hardly so strict as Mayenne supposed. I was
dusty, foot-sore, and hungry, in no guise to present
myself hefore Monsieur; wherefore I went no far-
thei' that night than the inn of tlu- Ana.ur de Dieu,
in the Hue des C'oupejanets.
Far helow my gari'et window lay the stivet — a
trench between the hiirh houses. Scarce eigiit feet
olT lodiiied the tlaik wail of the house opposite. To
me, fresh from the wide woo'ls of St l^ueiitlii, it
seemed the desii'e of Paris iulk to oulhuddle in close-
ness the iid)hits in a waiini. "-^i ingenious were
8 THE HKLMKT OF NAVAKKE
they at contriving t(t wiuste no inch of open space
that the houses. stan(lin<; at the base hut a scant
street's width apart, ever jutted out farther at each
story till they looked to be fairly topplin«r tos^'ether.
f could see into the windows up and down the way;
see the pco{)le move about within; hear opjiosite
neifrhbours call to each other, lint aei-oss from my
aeiy wei'e no li<,'hts and no people, for that house
was shuttered tijrht from attic to cellar, its dark-
front as exi)ressionless as a blind face. I marvelled
how it came to stand empty in that teeming (luarter.
Too tired, however, to wonder loni:. I bk'W out the
candle, and was asleep before I could shut my eyes.
Crash ! Crash ! Cnush !
I spranjjf out of bed in a panic, thinking Ileury of
Navarre was bombarding' I'aris. Then, ueiui,' fully
roused, I perceived that the noise was thuniler.
From the window I peered into floods of rain.
Tlie peals died away. Suddenly came a terrific
li^'htnin.ir-llash. and I cried out in a.stonishment.
For the shutter opposite was open, and I !iad a
vivid vision of Www men in the window.
Then all wa.s dark a^'ain. and the t'tuinder shook
the loof.
I stood sti-ainin^ my eyes into the ni^'ht. waiting'
lor the next flash. When it came it showed me the
window biirred as before. Flash followed flash: I
wiidu'd the rain from my eyes and t)eered in vain.
The shutter remaineti closed a.s if it had never been
opened. Sleep rolled o\rr me iu a great wave a.s I
trroped uiy way back to Lieti.
n
At the Amour dc Dicu.
m
.'%,:_>^ ,,
[IIP'X I woke in the morning:, the sun
was shininji broadly into the room,
^lintin;j; in the little pools of water on
the tloor. I stared at them, sleepy-
eyed, till recollection came to me of the
thunder-storm and the open shutter and the three
men. I jumped up and ran to the window. The
shutleis opposite were closed; the house just as I
had seen it first, save for the lonj? streaks of wet
down '.he wall. The street below was one vast pud-
dle. At all events, the storm was no dream, as I
half believed the vision to be.
I dressed speedily and went down-stairs. The
inn-room was deserted save for Maitre Jacques, who,
with heat, demanded of me whether I took myself
lor a prince, that I lay in bed till all decent folk
had been hours about their business, and then ex-
pected breakfast. However, he bioutrht me a meal,
and I made no complaint that it was a poor one.
"You have stranjre neitrhbours in the house oppo-
site," said I.
lie started, and the thin v.-ine he was setting be-
fore me splashed over on the table.
10
THE HELMKT OF XAVAKKE
"What nci'.'lihoiifs?"
"Wliy, tlity uh,, ,.|„s,> fhoir shutli-rs whon othor
lolks would k,...,, til..,., ope,., a„(l „,h'„ fl„.,„ wIum,
"fl"'<-.sl<....p tl.,„, sl,ut,"l,sai.lai,'ily. -'Last ni.-ht
I saw lh,v(. nic, in the window opposite iiiine." "
He laiiirlied.
"Alia. i,iy lad. your Lead is not used to our Paris
wines. That is how you caii.e to see vi.sioiis "
"X..t..se„se.- I eried. nettled. - Your wine is too
well wateied for that, let nie tell you, Maitre
'Jac(|ues. "
"Then yc.u .Ireanied it," he said hui?ilv "The
proof ,s that no one has lived in that house these
twenty years."
Now, I had j,lenty to tn.ul)le about without trou-
blmtr n.y head over ni-ht-hawlcs. hut I was vexed
\nth h,n. tor puttin- n.e otr. So, with a tine conceit
(»t my own shi'ewd.iess, I said:
"If it wius only u dream, how came you to spill
the wiiie?" '
He -ave me a keen -lance, and then, with a look
rouml to see that no one wjis I,y, leaned across the
table, up to me.
"You are shai}. as a --imlet." .said he "I see I
".a.v as well ell you first as la.st. Marry, an you
will have It. the i)laee is haunted."
I' Holy Vir--iM!'- I eried, erossint: myself.
"Aye. Twenty years atro, in the -reat massacre
-.vou ktiow nau,;:ht of that : you were not born, [
take It. and. besides, are a eountrv bov. But I was
»'"•••.'. and I know. A man ,lared not stir out of
'^<H>r.s that dark .la^. Tiie -jutters ran blood."
AT THE AMOUK DK DIEU
11
"And that house — what happt-nca in that house?"
"Why, it \\a.s the house of a l{uj,'ueiiot gentle-
man, M. (le Ht''thune, " he answered, brinfrint,' out
the ruiine hesitatinj.'ly in a h)\v voice "They were
all put t(» the sword — the whole household. It was
<iuise*s work. The Due de (Juise sat on his white-
horse, in this very street here, while it was going on.
Tarbleu! that wjus a day."
"Alon dieu! yes."
"Well, that is an old story now," he resumed in
Ji different tone. "One-and-twenty yeai-s ago, that
wiis. Sueh things don't happen now. But the peo-
ple, they have not forgotten: they will not go near
that house. No one will live there."
"And have others .seen as vvell as I?"
"So they say. But I '11 not let it be talked of on
my premises. Folk might get to think them too
near the haunti'd house. 'T is another matter with
you, though, since you have had the vision."
"There were three men," I said, "young men, in
sombre dress — ''
"M. de Bethune and his cousins. What further?
Did you hear shrieks?''
"There was naught further," I said, .shuddering.
"I saw them for the .space of a lightning-flash, plain
;is I see you. The next minute the shutters were
elosed again."
" 'T is a marvel," he answered gravely. "3ut I
know what has disturbed th.-m in their graves, the
heretics! It is that they have lost th.'ir leader."
I stared at him blankly, and he added:
"Their Henry of Navarre."
I J
THK IIKLMKT OF NAVAI.I.K
"\i\U he is nut lost. 'I'licrc lias Ix't'ii no l);itth'.''
"Ii...,t to tlii'iii." said Maitiv .la<Miiics. "wln'ti he
turns ( 'atliolic."
"Oh!" I cri.d.
"Oh!" hi' niocki'd. "Von coni*' ffom thr> country :
you (h>n"t know tlicsr thintrs."
"Hnt th*' Kinj: of Navariv is too stilV-nrckni a
lirrctic!"
"Hah! Tim.' ImtkIs the stifT.'St nrck. Ti'll nit-
(his: lor wliat lio the hai'in'd doctors sit in coinicil
,it Mantes.'"
"Oh," said I. iM'wildcifd, "you tell int- news,.
•Maitrc Jnoiucs. "
"If Ilcnry of Xavarrc In- not a ("atliolic before
the month is out. spit nie on my own jack," he an-
s\vei-cd, eyin<r me rather keenly as he added:
"It should lie welcome news to you."
Welcome was it : it made plain the reason of
Monsieur's chan^'e of base. Vet it was my duty to
lie discreet.
"I am <.'lad to hear of any heretic cominp to the
failh," I said.
"P.sliaw!" he cried. "To the devil with pre-
tences! "T is an open secret that your patron ha.s
<:one over to Navarre."
" I know nau)_dit of it."
"Well. pardieu!niy Lord Mayenne does. then.
If when he came to Paris .M. de St. (^'iientin counted
that the Leaijiue would not know his parloyin<is, he
wa.s a fool."
"His jiarleyiiifrs?" I echoed feebly.
"Aye, the boy in the street knows he has been
AT THK AMOII: DK DIKU
13
with NHvariv. For. n.iirk y..ii. „I1 Vnuu-v has hoon
\V..ll.l.Til.- thfS.. IMi,„y IIK.Ilths wh.MV St. gUCIltin
was ruMlillL' n„|. His l.inVr,M.'fll.s ,|.. n..t t.'.. inin..f..(l
Ill<'' il ynkrlS. l{„t. i' l-iitl,. l,,. is lint .lull; 1„. „„.
<I.Tstan.ls that u.^ll .•luui-h. Nay. "t is ,i,v hcli.-f
I"' i-.nw into til., city in ,„„■.■ .•lVr..rit.rv f,. show
tl"<-ni how imi.-h h.' <la.v,l. H,. is ,, hold hla.h-. your
•iiikf. An. I. nioii (li.-ii: it liad its clVrct. Fnv the
I-.'aLiii.'rs liaw hem so aLMj).' with astonishment .-vit
Mil.'.' that th.y haw not rais..,| ;, fi„ger airain.st
liiiii."
■■V<'t you (h) not think him sal'.'?"
"Saf.-. say you.' Safe! Pardicu! if you walk.',!
'"''» " ••;i--'«' of li.,ns, and tliry .lid n,,t i„ the first
instant cat you. would you th.'ivfoiv f.-.-l saf."? H,.
was stark mad to cnm,. to lV,ris. Thnv is no man
the L.-a^'u.' hates more, now ihey ow thcv have
l<'st him. and no man they ean afi. .so ill to s,)are
to KiuLT Henry. A L'lvat Cafholie nol.l... he would
•••' tneat and drink to th.' Bearnais. II,. was mad to
I'oine hei-c."
"And yet nothinpr has hajjpenod to him."
"Verily, fortune favours the brave. No, notliin<'
has happene<l-yrt. Hut I tell you tru,-. Felix. T
had rather he the poor innkeeper of the Amour do
Dieii than stand in M. de St. Quentin's shoes."
'I was talkinc with the men h.re last nisrht." I
s;iid. "There Mas not one hut l:ad a i^ood word for
Monsieur."
"Aye. so they have. They like his pl„ek. And
if the T.eajruo kills him it is quite on the eards th-At
the people will rise up and make the town lively.
14
TMK HKLMKT . .F NAVAUKK
|{iif tliMt Will nut i»i(»lit M. (Ir St. (^u.'iitm if lie is
<l.a.l/'
I uiiuM not lie ilaiiiiKiird, thou^'h, hy an olil
trnakcr.
•"Nay. iiiaitir. if tli.' ixoplf ar- with him, thr
i.rairiir w il! not dan- '"
'■'I'lifir Villi foul \.iiirsr|l', my ^I)I•in^:al<l. If then'
is (>IIC thni-,' Wlllfll tllr IK.hlrs nf the Lra-llr Iliitll.'I-
kiKiw nor cart' about it is what tin- iMopIr think.
They sit wraii^'lintr ov.-r tlicir Fn-nch Lratriif and
llifir Spanish i..a!,Mif. thrii' UiiiL's and their priri-
<'f.s.si's, and what this lord .ju.'s and that lord threat-
ens, atul tliry ._'i\c no Un-d at all to us — us. fhr
jifoplr. Hut thry .ull tin.l out their mistake. Some
ilay Ihry will l,r laii<.dit that th.- noltles are not all
ol France. Tliei-i' will com*' a reekoniii;; wlien more
lilood will How in Paris than ever tlowed on St. Bar-
tholomew's day. They think we a:.- ehaim-d down,
do tliey? I*a?tlieu: flh'tv will eoiiu- a day!"
1 seairely kiiew the man; his face was flushed,
his eyes spar'diiiii a.s if they saw iiioi'e than the eoiii-
iiinn room .■iiid mean street, lint as I stared the
^'low fade.!, and he said in a lower tone:
"At h>ast. it will liappen unless Heii'-y of Xavarre
••omes to save us from it. He is a -.'ood fellow, this
Navarre."
"They say he ean never enter F'aris."
"They say lies. Let him hut leave his heresi(>s
behind him and lie can enter I'aris to-morrow."
"Mayonne does not think so."
"No; hut Mayenno knows little of what gops on.
He does not kee|) ;in inn in the IJiio Coupojarrcts. "
AT THE AMOLlt DK DIEU
15
i
III' stiitfd fh." fjK-t ,s(. j,Mavcly lliat I ha<l to Um\:h.
•'I.HU-rh if you like; hiu I till you. F.'lix Bronx,
my lords fomifii-i-lianihrr is not tlit- (.nly |,|j,tv
uh.iv th.y nwikr kind's. We ,io it, !<«,, we of thi-
U'lii' ( '<iiij)i'jiii'nt,s. "
'"W'll," s;ii(l I. "I Icav.- you, tlim. to make
l^in^'s. I mu.sl bt- oil' t„ my duki-. What 's th.- scot,
maitri' .'"
Hi- dropped iho politician, ami was all innkoeptT
111 a second.
■•A crown:" I cried in indi^'iiatioii. "Do you
iliiiik I am made <d' crowns.' i{eniember. I am not
yet .Minister of Finance."
"No. I.iit MM.n will I,,-," he ^rrinncd. "Hesidcs,
what I ask is little cnon-.'h. (iod knows. i> . y,,,,'
iliink food is cheap in a siej^e'.'"
"'I hen I pray Navarre may come a Am and end it."
"Amen to that." .said old .Iac(|Ue.s. (juite -.'lavely.
"If he comes a Catholic it cannot be too soon."
I counted out my j.ennies with a hust ^'rumble.
"They ouL'ht to call this the Hue Coupeboursi's."
He laiiirh.'d; he could afford to, with mv silver
Jindin^' in his pouch. He .■nihrace.l nie tend.-rly at
piirtinir, and hoped to .see me atrain at his inn'. I
smiled t(. myself; I had not come to Paris-I-to
Ntay in the Hue Coupejarrets!
i
Ill
.1/. h Due is Ki II iiuardrd.
STKl'I'HI) out briskly from tho inn.
piiusin^ now mfkI jijriiiii to i'Huiiii my
way to tlif Hotel St. (^ui'iitiii. which
stood, I knew, in ihc (^Uiiitiri' Maniis.
where all the L'l'aiid folk lived. Once
I had found the broad, straight Kue St. 1)( nis. all I
need do was to follow it ovei- the hill down to the
I'iver-bank; my eyes were free, theii I'di'e. to stare at
all ihe stran<rc si<rhts of the <rrea1 city— 'rai-kets and
shops and churches and prisons. But most of all
did I (.'ajx' at the crowds in the streets. I had scarce
realized there were so many people in the woi-ld as
passed me that summer morniiiLr in 'he Town of
Paris. Hewilderiiv_dy busy and |.My the i)lace ap-
pe;ire(l to my countiy eyes. thouL'li in truth at th;it
time Pai'is wa.s at its very worsl. the spirit lie'iur
well-niirh crushed oiit of it by the sieires and the
iron rule of lite SixtcMi.
T knew litlie enoiuih of politics, and yet T was
not so dull as not to see that threat events Tinist
happiMi soon. A crisis had come. T looked at the
people I passed who wero froinjr about their business
so tranquilly. Every otk^ of tliem mu.st be either
M LE Drc IS WKLL 'JrAHDKD
Miiyeiinr-.s ni;.ri. <,r Xavanv's. HvWnv a uc-k wius
nut tlics.' p.-accahk' t-iti/ciis ini^'ht h,- usiiiu' pikes
tor tools and .■xc-luui^rin- bullets for -oo.l i,iornin<rs.
What.-v.-r liapiu-iictl. li.-ir was I ii, Paris ii. ih.. thick
"f It: My f.-rt fairly ,lan(v,l urul.-r mv. I n.nl.l
not reach th.- liotrl so.,i, nunvjU. Halt' was I da<i
of Moiisi.Mir's (lati-er. for it ^ryvc nie ehaue,- to
sl:.iw what stuir I was made of. Live for him, .lie
lor him- whatrv.r fate eouM ..(V.-r I wius rea.lv for.
II"' iK.t.-l. wh.'ii at I..r>-th I arrivr.l hcforo it, was
no .lisappointme.it. llwr oik- did ii.,t wai" Jill mi.l-
'liiy to .s.-,. the si:,i: th.' str.M-1 was of .Icoiit width.
Jiiid th.- hous.-s h.'l.l {h.'ms.-lves l.aek with r.'serve,
hkv th.- prou.l -.-ntl.-men wh.) itdiahit.-.l them. X„i'
'Ixl on.' her., r.-i-r.-t his poss.-ssion of a nose, as he
was f.u'.-.'.l to ,lo i„ th.' Ru.. ('oup.'jarrets.
<>1" ;dl the mansi.)ns in th.- plac. the II.*)tel St.
<.'n.'ntin w
IS. Ill my oi),ni.)ii. th.
niost imposin'T;
«-arv.-d an.l ornament.-.l and stately, with trar.l.'ns at
'tie si.l.'. But tliei
e was al)out it imn.- .)f that stii
th
neat. X
an.l livelm.'ss on.- .-xpeets to s.n- almut th.- h.uis.'s of
o visitoi-s passed in or ,,iit. and tlu-
lone w.-i-e looke.l for.
'liT iron -rat.-s were shut, a.s if i
Ol
a truth, th.' p.'rs.)ns wh
o visiTc.
.1 .M
onsii'ur these
i.vs pirf.-riv.l to slip in hy the postern aft.-r niirl
tali.
as it th.-r.' had
it-
wer.' pr.iud to he s.'en in his h;
n.'v.-r l).-.'n a tim.' wh.-n thev
t^eyotid tlie trrilles a s.-nt
't of .Monsieur
ry. in the ^'reen and sear
s ni.'n-at-arms. stoo.l on miard. and
r eall.-d out to liim l)old]
He turn.vl at ...i.-.-: then l.)oked a.s if the sij^ht of
ine scarce ropai.l him.
18 TllK HELMET UF NAVAKliE
"I wish to eiitfr. il" you jjlcast-. ' 1 said. "I am
fomc to sue M. k' Due. "
'"You.'"' he ejaculated, his eye waiKieriii;,' over
my attir'e, \vh. h, none of the newest, sliowed signs
ol' my journey.
"Yes, 1," I answered in some resent nunt. "I am
line of his men."
He htoked me up and down willi a ^'rin.
"Oh, (me of his men I Well, my man. you nuist
iuiow .M. ie Due is not reeeiviim td-day."
"I am Felix Bronx, " I told him.
"You may he Frlix anyl)ody for ail it avails: you
cannot see Monsieur."
"Then I will see Vif^o. " Vijzo was Monsit ir"s
.Master of Horse the stauiichest man in F..jice.
This sentry was nohody. just a common fellow
l)ieke(l up since Monsieur h'ft St. (^uentin, hut Vigo
had been at his siile the.se twenty years.
"Vigo, .say you! Vigo does not see stivet boys."
"I am no street boy," I cried angrily. "I know
ViiSt) well. You shall smart for flouting me. when
1 have Monsieur's ear."
"Aye, when you have! lie oil" with you, ra.scal.
1 liave no time to bother with you."
"Imbecile!" I sputtered. But he had turned his
liaek on me and I'esumed his jyacing up and down
llu' court.
"(_)h. very well for you. monsieur." I cried out
loudly, hoping he could hear me. "But you will
laugh t' other side of your mouth by and by. I '11
pay you otf. "
it was maddening to l)e halted like this at the
dooi of m.\ izoai : ii made a i'ool of me. Hut while
M. LE DUf 18 WELL (iLAKDED
ly
i
I debated whether to set up an uutcry that would
liiiiit: forward some otitieer witii iiion- st^Mise tliari tl,.
surly sentry, or whether to seek snuic othi-r eiiTi-ancf,
1 beeaiiie awarr of a sudden bustle in the courtyard,
a luirrow slice of wiiieh ] cnuld sec throu;.'h tli.'
i^ateway. A pa^^e tlashtd aeross; then a pair of
liunkeys passed. 'I'lifi't- was soini' iioisr of voiets
anil, linally. (.f hoofs and wheels. Half a do/en
uieii-at-aniis raji to the ^ates and swunji;- tlu'i-i open
takin'T their stand on raeh side. Clt-arly. M. If Duo
was about to drive out.
A little knot of people had quiekly eollccted -
sprung' from between ih.- sloiu-s of the pavment, it
would seem -to see Monsieur emerf.'e.
■"He is a iioid man."" I heard one say, and ,i
woman answer. "Aye. and a handsome," ere the
heavy eoaeh rolled out of IIk- areh.
1 pushed myself in eh)se to the ^'uardsnien, my
heart thumpinj; in my throat now that the moment
had come when I shouki see my Mon.sieur. At the
siirht of his face I spian.-r boilily u]) on the eoaeh-
step, crying', all my stnd in my voiee, "Oh, Mon-
sieur! M. le Due!"
Monsieur looked at me eoldly, blankly, without a
hint of reeojjnition. The ne.\t instant tlie youn-;
tientleman b.-side him spranj; up ami struek me a
blow that hurled me olf the step. I fell where the
ponderous wheels would have ended i,,e lia.i not a
guardsman, (piiek and kind, pulled me out of the
way. Some one sh..uted. "AssassiTi:"
"I am no assassin."" I cried; "1 only sou^dit to
speak with Monsieur."
lie ilest
le ileserve.s a iiulmLT. the vouii"- ei
M-owJ
^t^i&^i^kmm.^
20
Tin: IIKLMKT <»F XAVAHKH
my foe. thr sriilry. "llf "s Inrri p.-stfriiii; inc this
}mir-li<iur to let him in. llf was one of Moiisiriir's
iiifii. hi' said. Motisiciir would scf liiiii. W.ll. w<'
liavc sffti liou Monsiciii- treats him I
"Faith, no." said another. '"Wi- liave only st-.-ii
how our youii'r ut'iitlciiiaii ti't-ats liim. <»!' coui-sf li"
is too proud aiid dainty to let u eonnnoii man .so
uuu'li as look at liini."
They all lau^du-il: the youn-r uvntlcman si-em.-d
no favourite.
"Tarbleu! that was why I dr.'W him fiom the
wheels. l)ecause Ik knocked him tlieic."' said my pie-
server. "I don't Ixlieve there 's harm in tlie hoy.
What meant you. lad .'"
"I meant no harm."' I saitl. and turned suUeidy
(,tT up the street. This. then, v 'hat I liad eon:.'
to Taris for— to he denied vi\ . .. -r to tlie house.
thrown under the eoaeh-wheels. and tlii'eateiied with
a druhhiui: from the lackeys I
For three years my only thoutrht Imd heen to
serve [Monsieur. From \vakin«r in tlie momin^' tt)
sh'ep at nii-dit. my whole life wa.s Monsieur's. Never
was duty more elun-rfully paid. Ni'ver did acolyte
more throw his soul into his servioe than I inl(« mine.
Ntver did lover luite to be parte;l from :iis mistress
more than I from Monsieur. The journey to Paris
hati been a journey to Paradise. And now. this!
[Monsieur had hoiked me in the face and not
smiled: ha<l heard me beseech him and not answered
— not lifted a liu'jfer to save me fnnn bein<jr maniiled
under liis v(>ry eyes. St. Quentin and Paris were
|,,.,> verv ditTerent plaees, it :ippeareil. At St. Quen-
^
M LK DL'C IS WELL OUAKDKD
•Jl
tin .Monsieur li;i<l hccii |)lc;ise(l to lake nic into tlu'
cliiitciiu iinil tifat iiK' to iiioi'i' intinijicy tiuui he ac-
coi-dt'd to tile !iiL'll-l)oi-il lads, lii.s otlici- jjaLTcs. So
iiiiK-li lilt' tasicr. then, to i-ast nn' ol"!' whcti In- liad
tii-fd of MM'. -My lu'ait sct'tlii'd witli ra.L'i' and bit-
td'in'.ss against .Monsji'iu', aiiainst lln' smtry, and.
nioii' liian all, airainst the yonii^r Conitc dc .Mar. who
had ihuiL' mi' uiidci' tlic wlircls.
I had iirvci' l)rt'oi'(' sci'ii tliL' C'onito dc .Mar. that
spoih'd oidy son ol" .M. If Duf's, wlio wa.s loo fiiif
lor the counlry. too uay to shai'c iiis t'atiu'r's I'.xili'.
.Maylii' [ was Jealous of thr love Ids fathri' horc him,
which lie so little I'cpaid. I had never thought to
like him. S.. 'jjueiitiii thou^di he were: and now that
1 saw him I hated him. His handsomi' face looked
uudy eiioui-di to me as In- struck inc that hlow.
I went alon^ the I'ai'is streets hlindly. the din of
my own thoughts louder Mian all the noises of tlie
city. But I couhl not i-einain in this trance for-
ever, and at leni_dh I woke to two (ini)leasant facts;
tirst. I had no idea wliei'c I was, and, second, I
should l)c no hettei' otV if I knew.
Never, while there I'emained in me the spirit of
a man. would I '^'o hack to Monsieur: never would I
sei'Ve the Coiiite de Mar. And it was eciually ol)-
vioiis that never, so loni.' as my fathei- retained tlie
spirit that was his. couhl T return to S*. (^luMitin
with the account of my morniiiLr's acliievements
It was just here that, lookiui: at the I)usiness with
my father's eyes. I hcLian to liave a suspicion that
I liad behaved like an insolent yoiin<r fool. But I
was still too an^M'v to acknowledire it.
•S^:^-iE35^.
22
TIIK ffl'l.MET OF NAVAKUK
Kt'iiiained, tlu-p, l)ul une course to stay in Paris,
aiul keep from .starv;itioii as ht-st 1 niiirlit.
My tlirit'ty father luul not seen tit to furnish mc
any money to lliiow away in tlie I'oilies of the town.
Hi' luid calc'uhittMl closely what I shouUl need to
take me t<t Monsieur, witii a little mai'Lnn for aoci-
ilcnts; so that, afle!' paying: Maitre Jaciiues. 1 had
hardly two pieces to ,jin;.de toirethei'.
For th lee years I had browsed my till in the duke's
library: [ could write a decenl letter both in my own
ion^'uc and in Italian. thaid<s to Fathei- Francesco.
Monsieui's Florentine confessor, and handle a sword
none so badly, thanks to Monsieur; ami I felt that it
should not lie liai'd to pick up a livelihood. But liow
to start about it I had no ludion. i.inl tiiially I made
up my mind to ^_^o <ind consult him whom I now
called my one friend in I'ai'is, Jacques the iini-
kee|)er.
'T wa.s ea.sier said than done. I had sti-ayed out
of the fi'ieiidly Hue St. Denis into a netwoi'k of ilark
and narrow ways that mieht have iieeii laid out by
a wily old slau' with the ilops hot on him. so liid
they twist ami turn and doul>le on th.emselves. I
could make my way only at a snail's pace. ; skint'
new ^niidance at every corner. Noon was loni; past
when at len<:th I came on la^irard feet arouiul the
coi'uer by the Amour de Dieu.
Vet was it not fati<:ue that wei'^dited my feet, but
pride. Thoujih 1 had I'esolvid to si'ek out Maitre
Jaccpies, still 't was a hateful tliini; to enter as suj)-
pliant whei-e I had been the patri^n. I hat! paid
for tiiv breakfast like a lord. i)Ul I should have to
M. LE Dl'C IH WELL (iLAKDKD
•J3
lifg for uiy dinucr. I had Itia^'pd nl Moiisi.Mir's
tondness, and I should have l.> trll how 1 had Imm-ii
lluii^' undif tht' coai'h-wlit'.'ls. My |>acf shul I'lU'd
to u stop. I ooidd not briny mysflf to nitii' thf
door. I trit'd to ihiiik liow to bt-ttt r my story, so
to till it that it should redound to my i-ifdit. But
my invention stui-k in my pa'e.
As I stood strivinL' to sunuiion uj) a jaunty <!<•-
meanour, I found myself <ra/.ini: stiaij-dit at the
shuttered house, and of a sudden my thoU','hts
shifted baek to my vision.
Those nuirdei'ed Ilu-.Mieiiots. dead and irone ere
I was boi'ii. had appeared to nif as plain as the men
I pa-s-sed in the street. Thouirh I had beheld them
but till' spaee of a liizhlninir-tla.sh, I eo\dd eall up
their faees like those of my eomrades. One, the
nearest me, was small, pale, with pinelu'd. shai-i)
face, somewhat rat-like. The seeoml man was eon-
spieuously biir and burly, blaek-haii'ed and -beardtd.
The ihird and younyest-all three were younj.' —
stood with his hand on lilaekbeai'd's shoulder. He,
t(K., wius tall, but slenderly built, wi'h eh-ar-eut
visa<:e a!id fair hair yleaniinir in the ^dair. One
moment I saw them, every feature plain; the next
they hail vanislied like a ilieam.
It was an ludioly thin^', no doubt, yet it held m<'
with a shutldery faseination. \Va.s it indeed a por-
tent, this rising of hereties from tlieii- unltlessed
graves? And why had it been shown to me. true
son of the Chuich .' Had any one else ever seeti
what I had seen.' Maitre Jaeipies had hinted at
j'ljv!}'.!'!' ti'!'!!!!'s. :'.v.'.] said !!'.! 'J!ii' ilure'l enter the
^ttMiit:
Vr
r?:''*fg
rr^r
' ''^^
.-{5.-.;v_"-v
24
THK IIKI.MKT OF N.WAKia:
place. Well, miiiil iiif Imt \\\v ojipoi limity, aiul I
would (lai'c.
Thus was liafclxil in my brain tlio notion of foi'c-
iuj.' an fiiti-anct' into tliaf liannnl liousf. I was an
idle hoy, foot-Ioosf ami i'vn- to do whalfvi-i- mad
mischief presented itself. Hfl-e was the house just
across the .st reet.
Xc>.'lec|ed as it was, it remained the most preten-
lious edifice in the I'ow. i)eini_' lari^e and ihumtiii'.'
a half-tlefaci'd coat of arms ovei- the dooi- Sucli a
house mi'.dit well hoast two entrances. I liojx'd it
did. for thei-e was no use in tryintr to liatter down
this door with the e\-e of the IJue ( 'oupejarrets upon
me. I turned alon<_' the side stivet, and aftir explor-
ing' several inu( k-heaped alleys found one that led
me into a small squai'c court hounded on three sides
hy a tall house with shuttered windows.
Foi'tune was favouriii': me. But how to irain en-
trance.' The two doors were both lirmly fastened.
The windows on the jrround lloor were small, hi^li,
and ii'on-shuttered. Above, one oi- two shutters
swuiif.' lialf open, but I could not climb ,lie smooth
wall. Vet I did not despair: I was not without ex-
perience of shutters. I selected one closed not (piite
ti;_dit. leaving' a crack for my knife-blade. I I'ound
the liook inside, <.'ot my da^'iicr under it, and at
length drove it up. The shutter creaked shrilly
oi)en.
A few irood blow.s knocked in the casement. I
followed.
T found myself in a small room hare of everything
's niOHi. I fan-
.1....*
Froiii tl'iis. oiii-:- a juii
1
M. LE DUC IS WKLL OrARDED
25
i'if'<l. I passi'd out into h hallway diiuly lij;ht«^<l from
til*' u|itri uiiidow Ix'hind inc. The hall was larjrc.
pavc<l with black and white marbles; at thr ciul a
stately .staii-way mounted info mysterious jrloom.
My lieait jumped into my mouth and I criiiL'ed
back in terror, a choked cry raspin<: my throat. F<»r,
as I ii-osNcd the hall, |»eerin^ into the dituriess. I
descrii'd. stationed on the lowest stair with upraised
blu<l'_MMin. a man.
For a second I stood in helpless startlement. voice-
less, motioidess. waitini: for him to brain me. Then
my hall-uttered sci-eam chanjred to a (juaverint;
laimli. ;!s my eyes, becoming: used to the ^'loom, dis-
covered my l)o<:y to be but a tt*rure carved in wood.
lioldinLT aloft a lonj: since (juenched flambeau.
I blushed with shame, yet I cannot say that now
I felt no I'ear. I thou;::ht of the {)anic-stricken women.
tile doomed men. who had tied at the sword's point
up these very stairs. The silence .seemed to shriek
at Mie. and I half thoufrht I saw fear-maddened eyes
peering out from the shadowed corners. Yet for all
that— nay. because of that — I would not pivo up the
adventure. I went back into the little room and
cai'efully closed the shutter, lest some other meddler
should si)y my misdeed. Then I set my feet on the
stair.
If the half-li<:Jit before had been full of eery ter-
ror, it was natitrht to the blackness now. My hand
on the i-ail was damp. Yet I mounted steadily.
I'p one rtipht I climbed. <rroped in the hot dark
for the foot of the iie.xt f1i<_'ht, and went on. Sud-
lieniy. above. I heard a noise. I came to an instant
2U
THK IIKLMKT OF NAVARRE
hall. All was a.s still as tin- foiiili. I list<'n«Ml ; not
a liiTalli liiokr llic silciirc. If iifM'i' (icciii'ifd to im-
to iiiiauiiiir a rat in this h<iiis*' ot' tin- (had, and the
iKtiM' shook nil'. With a sick iVclint: ahout' my hcai't
I ui'iit on a;:ain.
( )n the iifxt floor if wa.s lii:ht''r. Faint ontlincs
of doors and jiassa^rcs ui-i'c visihlc I coidd not
stand flu- t:looni a nionicnt lon;.'fr; I strixlc itifo fhr
iifarrst ilooiway and across the room to wlicic a
^dcain of hri'.'hfncss outlined the window. My shak-
inj.' tin^rcis I'oiind the hook of 'he shutter and i\\in\s
it wide, lettiii'^' in a burst of honest siinshiiR'. I
leane(l out into the fi'ee air. and saw helow me the
Kue ('on|iejari-ets atid tin- si^Mi of the Amour de
Dicu.
The next instant a cloth fell over my face and
wa.s twisted fiL^hf : stroiiL,' arms pulled me hack, ami a
<lee[> voice comtiiande<i :
"( 'lose the shutter."
Some one i)ushed past me and shut it with a
clanj,'.
"Devil take you I You '11 I'ouse the quartor,"
cried my caplor, lierccly. yet liol loud, "(in joiti
monsieur." With that he picked me up iu his arms
and walked acioss the room.
The captui'e had been so (piick I had no time for
outcry. I i'ouviiit my l.est with him, half strangled
as I was hy the cloth. I niiL'ht as well have struir-
eled airaiust the irrip of the Maiden. The man car-
ried me the length of the house, it seonied ; Hun^' me
down ui)on the floor, and hani^ed a door ou me.
1
IV
Tin tlnii UK I' in llu iiin(h)W
Ti^HK tlif cloth t'loiii my lioad and
spfaii^: iij). I was in pitcli-darkiR'ss.
1 da.slifd against the door to no avail.
Fi'clini: the walls. I disL-ovcrcd myself
to 1)1' in a small, t-mply closi't. With
;di uiy I'orcr I lluii^' mysi-lt" ont't' nio'.'c upon the door.
It stood tirni.
"Daiin'I hut 1 have u'ot into a pickle," I thoui^'ht.
They well' no f^hosts, at all eveiit.s. Scared a.s I
wa.s, I lejoieed at tliat. 1 could cope with men, hut
who can cope with the devil .' These nii^ht be vil-
lains— douhtless were, skulking in this deserted
house, — yet with readiness and pluck I could escape
them.
It was as hot as a furnace in my prison, and as
still as the t^rave. The meti, who seeiiiod by their
footsteps to be several, had ^'one cautiously down
the stairs after cairiiiii me. Eviilently I had tiiven
them a line friirht. elatteriji;.; through the hou.se as
I had, and even now they were looking for my ac-
coni{)lices.
It seemed hours before the faintest sound broke
the stillness, it evir you want to sfjueeze away a
27
li^
28
THK IIELMKT OF NAVAIJKK
iimn's clictil'iiliifss liki- wjilcr' tfniii h i'hs.'. slml liim
\i\) ;ili>iic 111 tin- (lark flinl silciici'. lie will thiirik
yoii to taki' liiiii oiit iiitu tin- (layli<_'lit ami I'miil: liiiii.
Ill tnkfii wlitTfot', my licai't u( Icoiiifd likr WrKtliccs
llu' iiH'ii n'liiiiiiii^'.
They CHiii*' into tin- idoiii, aii<l I tlmui-'lit tiny ut-ii'
tliriM' ill Miiiiilx'i'. I liianl ihc (inoi' shut, ami iIdm
steps approarlicd my closet.
"Ilavf a can- miw. moiisicui' : lie may lie aiiiitMl."
spoke tile roiiu'li voice oj" a man uitlioiit hreedim:.
"Douhticss lie carries a culverin up liis sleeve."
sneered the deep tones of my captor.
Some one elsi' laiiv-died. ami rejoined, in a clear,
(piick voice :
"Xatlieless. he may liave a kiiilV. I will open tlie
floor, and do you look out for him. (lervais."
I liad a knife and iiad it in my liand, ready to
charj_'e tor freedom, lint the door ()|)ened shtwly.
and (iervais looked out for me- to the etVect tliat
my knife 'veiit one way and I aiiotliei' before I could
wink. I reeled against tiie wall and stayed thei'e.
cursing: iny.self f'>" ;; ' >] ihiit ! haij no? trusted to
fair words instead of to my damrer.
"Well done, my brave (Iervais!" cried lie of the
vivid voice a tall fairdiaired youth, whom I had
seen litd'ore. So had I seen tlu' stalwart blaekbeard.
(iervais. Tlie tliird man was older, a common-look-
ing fellow wlio.se face wa.s new to liie. All thice
were in their sliirts on account of the heat; all were
plain, even shabliy, in tlieir dress. But the two
younjjr men wore swords at their sith^s.
'i"he haif-o|tened sliutters. ovcrliantrin",' the court.
1
Tin: TiMiKi; mkn in thi; wintx.w ■_•!»
Iff pliiily (if liL'lil iiiln llir iiKiiii It IukI twostniw
Irds iiti I III' ll'iuf ;unl it I'tw old rh;iii-s iind stools,
aiiij ii t.ilili' cMXinil witli ilisli.'s jirnl lunkni food and
w iiir-l)!)' • It s. MoiT liiittli's, fidiiiL^-lioots. \\liii>s and
•-(lUi^. tw" III' lliH'' hats and saddl''lia'_'s. ami vafions
mlds and riiils ol' dirvs littered the tlncir atid the
I'liairs. I!vei-ytliin'_' \vas of iiiiMn ipiality except the
i'taiiiiLr oT tile two ynuiiL' luen. A '^••ntleinaii is a
jt'iitlenian even in tin- Kiie ronpejari'ets all the
iiioi'e. nia\lie, in tiie K'ne < 'ou]ie jariel.s. These two
W el'e L'ent Iv llofll.
The low man. with seai'eil I'ai-i'. ht-ld niV t'l'ciin ine.
lie whose name was <iervais eunt'ronted me witli
an atiLiiy seonl. Venx-'jris ahme for so F dnhhed
the thii-d, !rom his LT'ay ey.'s. well open uridei- dark
hrows Veiix-triMs looked no whit alai'ined oi- jui-
u'ei'ed ; the only emotion to he read in his face wa.s
a u'ay interest as the M.ieka vised (;er\ais put mi'
euestioiis.
"How came yon here? What ai-t> yoii ahout?"
■"No harm, messieiii's. " I made haste to pi-otost,
ruiiiL' mv stupidity with that da'j'.'er. "I cliniljed
in at ;; v.incN w te. ^[,(>r\. I thoii'_dit the house was
deserteil.
He e!iit;-hi(l my shoulder till I couhi liave screamed
for pain.
"The ti'iith. now. W you value your life you will
tell th,. truth."
".Monsieur, it is the truth. I cni'ie in idle mis-
chief: thai was the whole of it. I had no notion of
hreakimr in upon you o- any one. They saiil the
house was haunted."
30
THE HELMET OK NAVARHE
"Who said that'/"'
".Mjutrc -liKMiiits. at the Amour di' Dicu."
He stared at 'ne in siii'iM'isi'.
" Wliat had yoii Iwvn askiiif^ about this house?"
Vcux-iri'is. IdUtiL'iu^' a^rainst tlic tahh'. strucl< in:
"I '■an tell you that uiysclf. lie tuld .Jari|iic; ho
saw \is in the window last niizlit. Did you not T'
"Ayf. uionsirur. The thuiidci' woke me, and
when 1 h:oked out I saw you phiin as (hiy. Hut
Maiirc flaeques said it was a vision."'
"I Ihittoi'fd myself I saw you lirst aiul <rot that
shutter (•h)sed vei'y neatly, " said '^'eux-L'ris. "Dame!
1 am not so clever as 1 thouirn*. So ohl daciiues
caMed us -ghosts, did he .'""
" Ves, monsieur, lie told me this house l)elon<_'(>d
to M. de Hethurie. who was a ilui^uenot and killed
in the massaei'e. ""
Vi'U.x-^'ris hurst into joyous lauiihter.
"He said my house lielon^cd to the l^eihunesl
Well [ilayecl. .lac'iuesl Vou owe that L'ailant lie to
me. (iervais, and the pains I took to make him think
us Navai-re"s men. He is hciirt and s(ud for Henri
(({ualre. Did he say. pei'chane.'. that in this very
eourtyaid ("olitrny fell ""
"No." said 1. seeiii'.r ihat I had l)een fooled and
had had all my terroi's foi- nautdit. and feelini: mueh
eluiLM'ined thereat. "How wa.-- I to know it was a
lie.' I know nauudit about I'aris. I came up hut
yesterday from St. (^uentin."
"St. (^uenlin!'' ci.me a cry from the henchman.
With a lierce "Be (juiet. fool!" Oervais turned to
nie and dtMuanded mv name.
TIIK TIIKKK MKN IN TUK WINDOW 31
Frlix Hnmx."
Who srllt VdU lifii
M
(iiisiciir. 11(1 one.
nil 111'
AL'iiiii !i'' urippi'd iiir i^y tlif sliouMi'r, ^rippi'<l til!
1 he tiill"S stcKxi 111 IIIV rVrS.
N
(> (iiif, iiioiisicur : I swiai" it.
■•Vuu will not speak! I '11 iiiakt' you, by
1 icavfii."
lie sci/rd my lliuiiil) ami wrist to Itcml one b;i(.'k
oil the otliiM-. tortiirt' wiili strciiirth sucli as his.
Vi n\-'_'ris spraiiir otV tlu- talik'
'■i>(t aloiif. (Icrvais! Thf l)o\ "s honest "'
if is a s[
)V
"lie is a i'ool of a country l»oy. A spy in lioli-
iiaili'd slii'cs. forsootli! No spy ever ln'havetl as ho
has. I said wln-n yoi! tii'st sci/.ed him hf was iiu
s|iy. I say it a'-rain. now I iiavc heard his story,
lie saw us hy elianee. and Maitie Jae(jues's bo^'y
story spuired him oii instead ol' keepiiiL' liim oil'.
Von are a I'ool, my cousin."
"Parilieu! it is von who are the fool," ''rowled
< lei'vais.
^'
11 will hritiLr us to tlie rope witli youi
th
cursed easy ways. It' he is a spy it means the whole
crew are dow ii upon us."
"What of that?"
'■ I'ardieu I is it nothinir ?"
Yeux-^'ris i-etui'iied with a touch of hauixhtiness :
■"it is nothiiiL'. A •retitleman mav live in liis own
hou
se.
(Jervais lookid as if he leiiiembei'cd somethiiu:.
lie said much h'ss boisterously:
32
THE IIEI.MKT OF NAVAKKE
"Aim do vdii \v;iril Monsieur liiTf.'"'
V(ii\-'_''i'is tluslu'd I'cd.
"No."" lif cri'd. "'I^ut you niiiy 1m' easy. \lo
will iiol tidul.lf l.iiiisfii' 1o coiiM ."■
(.(■ivais iT'^ai-drd liiiii silciilly ati iuslaiit. as if he
t!iou-lit of several thiii'^s l;e diil not say. What Ih
did say w.Ms: " Vou afe a |>a!!' of fooU. v.iu and tlie
buy. Whatever he eaiiie toi\ he has s|)ied oii us
now. !!■■ .-hall not iivi' to rai'fv the tah- of us."
"Then you have lue to kill as w-ll !
(iei-vais tunied on hiui snarliiiu. Vi'UX-^M'is laid
a hand on his sudi-<hhilt.
"I wdl not ha\'' ;in innocent lad huft. I was not
1„.,.,1 ;, , iiflian."' he ei'ied hotly. They uhu'ed at each
,,ther. 'i'lien Veu.\ 'jris. with a suildeu exelaina-
lioii. "Ah. hall, iiei'vais:"" l.i-okc into lauiihter.
Now. tliis nierriineiit was a heai't-wai-iuin-' lliiiiL'
1,, iicaf. l-'of (iei-vais was takinu liie situation with
a sei'iousp.ess tliat was as 1e:-fifyin'_' as it was stupid.
Whr'U I looked into his .loL:-e<l eyes I could not l)Ut
th .ik the ru>\ of nie llli-tlt l)e Iieaf. l^U' VeU>:-
irris's laueh said the very notion was ridiculous: 1
was innoc. nt of all hanid'ul inteiit. and ihey were
mMilleinen. not cutt lii'oats.
"Messieurs." I said. "I swear hy ihe l)lesscd
saints I am what I told you. I am no spy. and no
one scut me here. Who you are. or what you do.
1 InUow no moic tliaii a halie nuhoi'ii. I heloiu.' to no
party and am no man's man. As for why you
,-hoose to live in this emp'.y house, it is not my con-
,crn and I <'are no whit a!"mt it. Let m." '.'o. mes-
sieurs, and I will swear to keep sihiu'c about what
[ have seen."
Tin: THIU'.K MKN IN 'I'lIK WINlKiW
:i:i
am Inr
Irll
illLT llllll 'J.ik" saiil ^ rllX'LM'is
tli'!-\ai.s ln(,kril (li)\ilit fill, til'' iimsi ciicniiratrinL'
ItituWc Inwai'd iiii' 111 liad vd asNUiiifil. li>' ati-
-Wi'lTd
III- liail
licit said till tuiiiii' —
■StiitV!" iiitcrfiiiilt'd \'rii.\-Lrris. "It is n co
IIICI-
li'lirr. Ill) lliulf
I 111' V\i-|f \v
liat
Villi tliiiil;. li IS
ilir vi-ry last iiaiiii' Im' wnuid liavi" said.
'I'liis w.i.s <iri'rk to iiir ; I liad inriit iniicd no nanu-;
!int Maitic .lac'iiH's's and my ou ti. And In- was tluir
Iririid.
■■ Ml ssii'iii's."' I sail!, "if it is my iiaiiic ihat dni's
lint plraM' yiiii. why. i can say I'nr it tlial it' it is
lint vrry liiLrli-souiidiiii:. al li-ast it is an liomst diu'
and has rwv hriii hi Id sn down whrti' wr livi'."
■■And that is at St. (^Jm-iitin." said \i'iix-i!ris.
'■Vis, iiioiisiriir. My t'atlii'i'. Anion linuix. is
.Master of tlii' Foiist to the Duke of <^ut'iit in."
lie startrd. and (iervais ciicd iMit :
■■Voiia! will) is thr fool now.'"
.My iicrviN. wliirii liad Lrrown li'amiuil sinri' Yriix-
uris callir to my icscllr. ([llivrlfi
I ai
lew.
Til
(• COIII-
iiioii man staiti'd at thi- very wo-'d St, (^Mn'iit in. and
till' masters siarted when I named the duke. Was
it he whom they iiad spoken of as Monsieur.' Who
and what wii'e they.' There was more in this than
I iiad thought at first. Tt was mi lon^'er a mere
i|iiestioii of my liherly. I uas all eyes and ears for
whatever information I could irather,
Veiix-irris spoke to me. for the lirst time L'ravely;
"This is not a time when folks take pleasiiie-t rips
to l*aris. What lironizht you.'"
'■| used In he .Monsieui''s pat:e down at St. (^UeU-
34
TIIK HKLMKT OF NAVAKHi:
tin," 1 ;iiis\\ciT(|. (Icciiiiiiu the st liii-.'lit ti'iilli bes*
"Wlifii ur Ifiii'iiccl tlial lie V :>- ill I'iiiis. iiiy fiitlnr
snit MM' u\t to liiiii. I iTii' tlif city last niv'lit,
,111(1 lav at till' Aiiioiu' (Ir N'li 'i'liis iiHirniiii: I
went to the duke's liotcl. hut tiir uiianl would not
let iiic in. 'riit-n, ulifti .Monsieur drove out I tried
to eft speech witli him. hul he would have none
of me. "'
The hitteriiess I I'elt over my rehutV mu>t liave
heeii in Miy xoice ai'd lace. I'or <ler\ais s|)oke ah-
lupily :
"And do you hate liiin tor that .'""
".\ay." said I. churlishly enoiiLdi. ""It is liis to
do as he chooses. But I iiate the Comte de .Mar I'or
stiikine- me a foul hlow."
"The Comic de .Mar!" e.\claiined Yeux-irris.
"His son."
" I !>■ has no son."
"Hilt he has, monsieur. Tlie Comte ije— "
"111' is dead," said Veiix-irris.
"Wliy, we knew naiie:lit- "' I was licLnnninLr,
when ( iervais broke in :
" Voii say the fellow "s lionest. when he tells such
tales as this I 1 le saw the Comte de Mar - !"
"1 tliou^dil it must be he." 1 protested. " .V
youii^' man who sat by .Monsieur's side, eleeant and
prouddookinir. with ;ui aquiline face — "
"That is Lucas. tha< is iiis secretary," decbuvd
Veux-LM'is, as who should say. "That is his scullion."
Ciervais looked at liim o<ldly a moment, then
slirutrm'd his siioiUders and denuunleil of me:
"What next'/"
TUi: TUKEi: MEN IN THE WINDOW
.io
" I fuiiif' away augry."
■'And walked all the way here to risk yuiir life in
,1 haunted house.' I'arrlieu! tuo plain a lie."
"Oh. I would have done the like; we none ol' us
tear L'hosts in the daytiini'."" said Veux-'_M'is.
"Vou nuiy believe him ; 1 am no sueh tool, lie
has heen eau^dit in two lies; tirst the Hethuiies. then
(he (dinte de Mai". lie is a elumsy spy: they mijrht
have found a better one. Not l)Ut what that touch
about ill-treatment at Monsieur's hand was Wfll
thouj.'ht of. That was Monsi'ur 's suszL'esliori. I vvar-
lant. for the boy ha.s talked like a dolt else."
"I am no liar.'' I cried hotly. "Ask Jaecjues
whether he did not tell me about the Hethunes. It
is his lie. not mine. I did not know the ("omte de
.Mar was dead, and this Lucas of yours is handsome
enou^'h for a count. I came here, as I tnlil you, in
curiosity concernini,' Maitre .jaccpies's story. I had
no idea of seein<: you or any living man. It is the
truth, monsieur."
"I believe you." Yeux-gris answered. "You have
an honest face. Vou came into my house uninvite<l.
Well. I for^Mve it, and invite you to stay. You siudl
be n)y valet."
"lie shall be nobody's valet." (iervais cried.
The ^vuy eyes tlashed, but theii' owner rejoined
litxhtly:
"You have a nii.ii; surely T shouhl have one, too.
And I understand the services of M. Felix arc not
engafTed."
"Mille tonnerres ! you would take this spy — this
sneak— "
;{G
Tin; lli:i.MI.T Ol N.WAIv'li'K
"As I WiiiiM t;iK. M. (!.■ I'aiis. i i' I clitivr," If.
s[)(iii(lf(i ^'tiix-uns. Willi ;i ciild li.iuicMi' that Miiai'kfd
iiKii'i' ol' a com I I hall ol' this shal'li) loom. I !< a<li|*'<l
li^lilly aLiain :
"Von tliiiik him a sjiv: I do not. I?iit in any
<-asc. hi- must imi Mall o{' ns. 'rhi'ivfofc \n- .-,tays
iiic and lirnshcs m\ I'iclhis. Maiiy. thi'> infd it."
I'ia,>ily. with uiacr. Iir had i|i>|Hi>,d of the maltcr.
Hut I said :
" .Moiisicni'. I shall d iiotiiiii'j of the kind."
"What!"" he criid, as if ihc r|o| h.s-hnisli itsi-lf
liad risi M in i-chcilion. "wliat! you \\;|j not."
" No." sai<i I.
"And why not.'" !ic dcm.intitil. [ijainly lliinkinu'
me dciiicntrd.
"l!ri-ausi' I laiow you atf aiiainst tln' Duke ol' St.
(^unilin."
W'hati'Vfi' thi'.v had liiouulit inc. nritlu-r cxiiccU'd
tliat spci'ch.
"I am no spy oi' siii',,!." said 1. "It is tiiic I
caiiK' ht'if hy ('liancf; it is tiiii' .Monsimr tunifd. nn'
ofV this iiiorninLT. Hiil I was Imhi! on iiis hind and
1 ;iiii no traitor. I will not lie valet or liciichinaii
Tor ''i- her ol' you. il' I die [\)r it. "
I "as like to dii- I'or il. For (Icrvais wiii|ij..d out
Ids sword and sp!an<: t'oi- inc. [ tliouLrht I saw
^ ciix Liris's on*, too. when (iervais struck nie over
the liead with his sworddiilt. Tlie rest was ilarkiiess.
Ii'iipH rs mill II vow.
CAM!-' 1" my senses slowly, to hear
Iniid. iiiiLM-y voiees. As i opened my
eyes ;illd slil'I'ed. the idolii iceled from
iiie Mild all was lilaiiU a-j:ain. Awhile
al'lei-, I LTi'ew awaie of a elashiiiii ot
steel. 1 lay wmideriiiir thickly what it was and why
it had to he iroinj: on while my head aehed so, till
at li'iiizth it ilawne(l on my <lull hfain that swords
were (M'ossin;^. [ o{ie!ie(l my eyes ausiin, then.
They were liirhliii'-' each other. Veux-L'ris and (icr-
vais. The latter was almost tramplini: on me. Yeux-
'_'ris had i)ressed iiim so close to ihe wall. Then he
lorced his way out. and they diove each other round
in a circle till the room seemed to s[)in on. e more.
I crawled out of the way and watcheil them, be-
wildered, ahsorhed. I had more reason to thrill
over the contest than tlu' mere i'-;e, 11. net' of it.—
which was ureat.- -' .ce I was the cause of the duel,
and my very life, liclikc. hum.' on its isstio.
They were both admirable swordsmen, yot it was
clear frem the iirst wlu're the palm lay. Anythin'-'
nimblei-. liuditer. easier than the sword-play of Yeu\-
u'ris 1 never hope to see in this imperfect world.
37
;{s
TIIK IIKI.MKT OF NAVAKKl.
■| lie liciivitT adversary was Imt. aiiL'ry. l)i'cafliiiij<
hard. A siiuir li(i\crc(| over \'fii\ i;ris "s lii>>-; al-
ready a rrd disk (Hi <icr\ais"s sliirt slmwid wliri't-
liis cdiisiirs sword liad l>ri'ti and wmild soon >^'i)
airaiii, and di'c|Ki'. I had t'urj^.iltiii my Kniisr ii my
inirifst and drliirlit, when, oi' a siiildtii. imc uhum
ui' all lia<l i'^Miorcd tdoU a hand in the L'amc. (ici'-
\ais's lackey started t'mward and ktmcked up ^'en\-
uris's arm. His sunrd llew wide, and (Icrvais
slashed his ai'iti I'luni wrist to elbow.
With a smothered ciy. ^'eiix uiis cauLrht at his
wound. <iervais. ahla/e with ••a'.^e. spi'ani: past him
on his creature. The man eap''d with amazement:
then, I'or thei-e was no time for parh^y. leaped I'or
the door. U was lockeii. lie turned, and with a
look of deathly ter'nu" i'ell on his kni'es. crouched up
aLMinst the door-post, (iei'vais lunued. His lilade
passed clean thi'ou'jh, the man's shoulders and
pinned him to the door. His head I'ell hea\ily
I'orwanl.
"Have y()\i killed him?" cried Veux-'-'ris,
" liy my faitiil I meant to." came the answer.
< M-rvais was heiidiiiiT over till' man. With an ahfupt
lau^li he called out: '"Killed him, pardieu I He has
come otV cheap. "
He raised tiie fellow's limp head, and we saw that
the sword had passed just ovei' his shouhiei'. pierciui.'
the linen, not the llesh. He had swooned from sheet-
tciToi'. heinL' in truth not so much as scratched.
(lei'vais turned to his cousin.
"I ncvei- meant that foul trie!;. It was no
IIkhI'^IiI of inine. I wonjii iiaxe tU.r''e(| the i)i;ide if
KAI'IKUS AM) A VuW
39
I conhl. I will l<il! rmilou now. if vou say tin-
word. "
••N;iy."' atisuriv,! ]\u- (.thcr. faintly; ••|i«l|. uw."
'I'lir liltMid was iiniirin'j; finni liis arni; Iw was halt
swcM.nin!.'. (icrvais and • ran to liiin and. l»ft\\<Tii
us, batli.'d thf cut. l)andaL'td it with sti'i!)s torn ffoui
a shirt. an<l niaih' a siinir <<\' a scarf. The wound
was ion-:, hut not d.'cp. and when wc lia.l pouivd
soMic wine down his throat he was himself au'ain.
••V..U will not hear nie iiiaiice for that pollidon's
work, Ktieiine .'" <;ei-vais asked, nioie hunildy than
I ever thoiiL'ht to hear iiini speak. ••That was a foul
cut. hut it was no fault of mine. 1 am no hlack-
LMiard; I li'-'ht fail'. 1 will kill the knave, if you
like."
"You ai-e unu'iateful. (ieivais; lie saveii you when
you needed saviin^."" Veu\--jris lau'_di.'d. ••Faitli!
let him liv.'. I fori:ive him. Vku will pay me for
my liui't hy yielding' nie Felix.'
(lervais looked at me. While we liad woi'ked side
l)y side over Veu\->_nis lie seemed to have foriTutten
that he was iiiv eiH-iiiy. Hut now all the old siispi-
Cl(
m and dislike came into
face aua
in. However
he answci'ed :
"Aye. you would have been the victor had it not
I :i for I'ontou. Vou shall «lo what you like with
your boy. 1 promise you that."
"Now that is well said, (iervais," returned Yeux-
«rris. rising', aiu
1 picking' iq) his sword, which he
sheathed. "That is very well .said. F.»r if you
not feel like promising; i
.lid
t. whv. I should have to
betjin over agai
u with luv left hautl.
11
40
Tin; iii;i.mi:t oi- navak-kk
"<)li. I •_'!%(■ _\()ii I III' liny," t i<i\ ;iis I r|ii;itri| |-;itli> r
ullriily. tuniin'-' -aw.w to puiir liiiii--''ir Minir uiiif.
t liis '_Mi<-ty
|ipu|.ri| i_'l;i\i'
1 cdulil not Itiil uoiuli r ;it \'<iix-'jriN. a
iiid his sti'iid la>t in's^. 1
il
li;:(l hai'llv
ii-oliuli tli>- w lioir alliiii- ; lie li;iil 1'
i 1 1 '^ 1 1 1 Willi
,iii!lc on Ins lijis ;,n<l l;aii tal<rii a ciiicl wouml
h a laii'ih. Willi. il. h.' had 1" '-w th'' <-onsIaiil
wii
amnion oj in\' mn^n-.Mfi'. i'\^ n :o i
■<\\(ii'(i on Ins foii^in lor mi'
ai'Mi IM Its sliirj. tir \sas as (li
I,.!,
I'aUMi'-' Ins
Now , w ith !!i> liloddy
mail' and cai't less as
I'Vcr. 1 had brcn slni'id ( noiiiih to una'.
< ici'\ais the Icadrr oi' tlir two. an
iiiistakfii. 1 di'opjicd on my InIui'
vi(iui'"s hand in idl iiiat it iid< .
nif
\Ur h
! I toiind mysi'l!
ami kissrd iiiv sa-
Al
la. sail
1 ^'
ii\-'.;iis, ■ ■ w iial I hink ymi no
w ol'
•iii'j w'.v vali't
W-riiy. I was hard iMishrd.
"Monsiriir."" I said. "1 ov.oyoii much mofr than
1 can i-vir |)ii>'. Il yoii wiir any man s nicmy hut
mv ilu
lu'"s. i wiuild siMAc vol! on m>' kniis.
Uut
tl
was JKUMi on 1 lie (liiKi- ^ lanil am
loval. Voii nia\' kill inc yonrsclt'
I 1 cannot lie dis-
ll \oU IlKi-
No." li
1- answci'cu
ri avch
that is not my
mclicf.
( Icrv lis lauiihcd.
".Make me that olVcr. and I accipl."
^■|■u\-i:l•is liifiird to him with that litilc hautiuf
he assumed occasionally.
"You ai'c lii'lpli'ss. iiiv cousin. You have pas-^cd
your woi'(
".\vc.
leave him to von.
I 1 .> .M U 11 O
I 1 ' t « » II
K.M'IFHS .\NT> A V(»W
41
• it riM's,s fnr inr that |.r.>m|it.M| his snrnMidrr. N<>r
hail 1. Ii-iith til I. II. any L'rrat faith in thr sanTilm'SN
ot" his Wnl-il. ^■|■t I I'.li.Viil hi' Unlllii \< 1 IIH' !»'■■
i''ni' it was liiiiiir in U|iiiii mh' that, ili>|iMr his pas-
siiiii ami triii|ir!'. hr hail lU' '.'. ish tn i|u.inil with
Vrll\ LM'is. Whilhrl- at Ih.IIuiii Ih' InMil llilll nT ill
M.iiir \.av ili'caihil him. I cniiM imt tr!l ; luit nf this
ar->«hai'|>iiii-ii wits w iM' sii;r
IllV It
to pi'i'SN an iiju'ii
III Ins iiitii'liiiian s
liaii mi iji'sicr
l)ivarh. I !'■ was hiiiir^tly asliaiiirii
inw (liTil ; \ I't rvm hi't'iu'i' that
his .iml'-'imnt lunl ili^liki'il tin- i|iiani I. I'.lst' why
hiiil hr stnii-i< 11'. with thr hilt of tiif swni'd?
•'1 l,.a\i' llilll III Villi. ■■ l:c ivprati'il. "Do as you
i-hudsr. ir yiiu ilii'iii his lit'i- a iirrciinis thiii'.'. cher-
vil it. Whrii iliil \iiii Irani a tastr I'm- iiisnlrnri'.
Mill wrii' tmirliv on that
.t ii'iiin
mil' was wlirii
•,('olT
imr IlrMT was W III'
■()li, it is coiiiiu
n I liiil not lovr coiiraL'i'.
With a sm ri' In' turncil
awav
ii'i'vais. sail
I V.ux-LM'is, "havi' thf kimliii'ss to
iinliM'l; t l;i' ilimr. "
Cii'vais whnliil aiound. his lai-r an aiiL'ry tiiu's-
tion.
Vcnx-i_'i is answi ii'd it with cold jioliti'iH'ss :
•'That l-'t'iix Hroiix iiia>- jiassout."
*• Hv llravi'ii. Ill' shall iioi !""
" 1 oil iravi' your won
Jill'. I'id you lie .'"
' I do leave him to vm
i voii would leave him to
( lervais thundered. " I
Will
lid slit his iminident ihioat : hut since you lovi
,!•.♦.
liilli. ' OU llKl » 11.1 '
42
Tin; IIKLMKT OK NAVAKKK
>|i( p 111 yniir liu>..iii. I will put up witli it. Hut
,_.,, Milt of llnil 'li'..r till tlic tliiiii: is (liiuf. sjiii--' <inu '.
!ir nIiiiII lint '■■
" It' li'' '-'n.'s sti-;ii-_'lif to ill'' <luk.\ wluit iIm'Ii .' II''
will Miy li'' I'liiii'l n> liviii- in iii> li'ius'. What
li.ifin .' W'' :ii.' II" I'I'iiis. I.I 1 liiiii ^.lv II. "
••And put i-ii'Ms "11 lii-^ '.^uar'l .'" r'luiu'il 'ifi-
Viiis. !!'• \\.i> aii'_M'y, \<-\ \\.' -poKr wiiji .■•.i'l<-iil at-
|r|llj)t at |vn1i-;i|IiI. • I'llt 1,11. -as "II til'' tl'jlll .' Ill'
IS wary as a cat. I.ci iiMii 'J't 'mh'I "1' us In ri'. ami
Ih- will iii'Vfi- Ift us catcli liiiii.""
"Well." sai'l V.'U.\ '^I'is. r''lu''tantly. "it is trii.'.
Aii'l tli.iiiiili I \\ill ii"l«lia\'- 'li'' l'".\' liariiif'l. l"'
shall stay lur.'. 1 will ii"t put a sp"k'> iii th'- wlhrl.
\Vr will take ii'> n-ks till l,U'-as is sknit. 'I'll'' l'"y
shall he la'hl p!i-'"ii''r. And aftrrwar'!
••\ will cunii' piyscir iiii'l i''t liiin "lit."" saiti (it-r-
vais, and lau'_'h.'d.
I i:la!i'-''d at my prutcct"!'. ii"t likin--' to think "f
that iiaiiiifiit, wli'iifVi' it iiiiudit he ••at'tiTward.
I If wilt up t" < ici'vais.
".\lv cousin, arc wc fficiuls or t'i''>.' Fur. taithi
you treat iiic st i'an'.i'l\' liki' a t"c."'
'■ Wc ail' Iriciids."'
••f am yiur rri'^ml. siiic' it is in your cause that
I ;,ni here. 1 have stood at your shouldi'i' like a
lirothcr- you cannot deny it."
"No." (lervais answcieil; "you stood my friiMid.
— my oiii' Tricnd in that house. - as I was yours. 1
stood at your shoulder in the .Moiitluc alVair you
,-:U!.!ot deny that. I have h.'cn your ally, your ser-
vant, vour uiesMii'jer to mad'^uioisclle. your envoy
HAl'lKUS AM> A VuW
4:{
t'l Mjiytntif. I li;i\r (lunr ill iii my power to win
yiiu \uur laily. '
A ^hiidnu iVll iivi r- Vfiix-L'riN's upcn I'iicc
"'I'lial task iiffds a grratcr pouci- than ymiiN. my
< irl\ ill-
li
r n Liaii
led (it'i-vais with a nii'!'ul >milc. Iii-
tlidUL'lits of a >iii|ili'ii a-
lai' a\vii\' tiiiiii iiif as il'
liatl never set Iniit ill tile IJlH' ( i Hi pija ll'et s, jji'
shook Ins lieail. siL'hiiiL'. ami sanl. \\itli a liami on
(I'ervais's shciulilel-: "It 's hevmil \nU. enusiti."
(iei'vais l)roii'_'ht him hark to the pmnt.
W
\v (liiiii- wlia
t I •'Hill. I I
or voii.
Hilt
you (loiTt iielp III! when you let loose a spy to warn
iiicas.
"lie shall not en. Viiu know well, eousin. you
will lie no ulaililer than 1 when that knave is dead.
But I will not have Kelix Hroii.\ sutVer lieeause he
dared speak I'oi' the Diik.' oi' St. (,)iientii). "
"As you elioose. then. I will not toucii a hair of
his head it' you kei'p him from iiiicas."
Once moi-e he tui'tied away aeross the room. My
hi'wildermeiit was so L'leat tiiat the woi-ds came out
of thi'iiiselves :
"Messieurs, is it i>ueas you mean to kill?"
Yeu.\-LM-is hooked at me. not instantly replying. I
crioil airain to him :
"Monsieur, is it Lucas or tlu' duke?"
Then VeuxL'fis. des[)ite a L'esture from (iervais,
1'' have lold me nothing 1 might ask, cx-
Wno Wo!l
laini('(l
\V
ly. Lueas
^aiti ii in :
lioncsi siiriu'
!.■«' <OU
I Wiiii
n
sy^.'-n^:!
44
THK HELMET OK NAVAKKE
ii sti'ady pliiiUM' that th<> heavy W-.w lliat had hunc
on 1,!^' (lf()i»|H'(l ri'om iiic like a dfad-wci^rht, aim
snddi'iily I tui'iied (luitr dizzy and fell into the near-
est chair.
A dasli nt' \vat<'r in tin- face made me lodk up, to
.s(e Yenx-ui'is statidirm wet-haiided hy nie.
".M(»ii dieill" he cried. "yoU were as white as the
wall. Do you love so much this Lii -as who struck
you'"
"No.'" I saitl, risiiiii; '"l thouj.'ht yo>i meant to
kill the duke."
"Did yon take us for LeaL'uers .'"
I nodded.
He spoko as if actually he felt it important to set
himself I'i^dit in my eyes.
"Well, we are none. We are no politicians, hut
private ^'ent lemon witli a irrudue to iiay. I eare
not what the parties <h». Whether we have the
Princess Isah"lle or Henry the iIu<:uenot, "t is all
one to me; I am not i)uttin;_' eillier on the throne.
So if yon have irot it into .vour head that we aiv
plottiiii: for the Leau'ue. why. iret it out airain."
"Hut you are enemies to the Duke of St. Quen-
tin.'"
He answered me slowly :
"W.' do not love him. Hut we do not plot his
death. He '_'oes his way unharmed hy us. We are
u'entlemen. not hi-avos."
" .\nd Lucas?"
"I>ucas is my ctiusiu's enemy, atid. Iieinir a irreat
man's man, skulks hehind the bai-s id' the Hotel S*.
Quentin and will not face my cousin's sword. So
RAPIEKS AND A VOW
to reach him takos a little plotting. Do you be-
lieve nie ?"
I looked into his ^'ray eyes, that had flashed so
holly in my defenee. and I could not but believe him.
"Yes. monsieur." I said.
He regarded me curiously.
"The duke"s life seems much to you."
"Why. monsieur, I am a Bronx."
"Aiul could not be disloyal to sav your life?"
"My lite! .Monsieur, the Bronx would not seek
to save tlieir souls if M. le Due preferred them
danuied."
I expect eil he would rebuke me for the outburst,
but he did not; he luei'cly said:
"And Lucas?"
"Oh. Lucas!" T said. "I know nothing of him.
lie is new with the duke since my time. I do not
owe hiin anything:, save a trrudpe for that blow this
morning'. Mon dieu. monsieur, T am thankful to
you for befriending me. Dyin? for Monsieur is all
in a day's work: we expect to do that. But, my
faith, if I had died .just now, it would have been
for Lucas."
At this moment a lonp proan came from the end
of the room. We turned: the lackey was waking
from his swoon, under the ministi'ation of (lervais.
Ife opened his eyes: their frlance was dull till they
fell upon his master. And then at once they looked
venomous.
Cervais kicked him into fuller consciousness.
"rjet ,ip. houufl. Tt is time to meet >LTrtin."
The wretch .scrambleil shakily to his feet, and
46
THE HKI.MKT OK NAVaKRE
sIimmI clulcliiii": tile (loor-jiiiiib iind i^vinpr fJervais,
icinir uiit larL'i' nii his chalky cnunlniaiicc. \ {■[
■ iirrc was iiKWr ihaii terror in his \'m-r: tlierc was
:(•.■ iodi; you st r in llu' ryes of a Irapprd animal
•I, at walclK-s its ehai.i'*,' to l)ilf. Vftix-^'ris <.'rio(l
■■■.1 :
"You dare not send that man, (It-rvais.''
•■Why not .'■■
'Hiransi' tiic moment he is clear of the house he
will hcti'ay you. Look at his face."
"lie shall swear on the cross!''
"Aye. Hut you cannot trust the oath of such
as he."
"What would you? We must send."
"As y(MJ will. Hut you are mad if you send
him."
(icr\ais pondered a moment, liis slower wits takinir
in the situation. Then iie seized the man by the
collar, faii-ly flun^' liim across the room into the
closet, and l)v)lted the door upon h..n.
"I will settle with him later. Hut you arc right.
We cannot send him."
Yeux-uris hurst into lauirhtcr.
"My faith: we could not have more trnul)lc if we
we>-e heads of ihe l,ea-_M'c than this little tluej of
yours is ui\in.;- r.s. Why. what if we are seen? I
Will iro. "
(lervais starteil.
'■ No : that will not do."
"Kh, liii'U. then, what will you propose?"
I^nt it was some one <'lse who proposed. I said
lo Veu:\-irris:
RAPIERS AND A VOW
47
"Monsieur, if all your purpose is iitraiust Lueas
tind no other, I :nii your man. I will ^o."
"What, my stiibboni-iicek, you.'"'
"Why, monsieur, 1 our you a -ireat debt. \Vhilf
I thoui:ht you meant ill to M. le Due, I eould not
serve you. Hut this Lueas is another pair ol" sleeves.
I owe him no alleLrianee. .Moreover, he nearly kiileu
me this morning. Therefore I am (luite at your
disposal.''
"Now, I wonder if you are lying." said (iervais.
"I do not think he is lying," Yeux-gris said. "I
trow, (iervais, we have got our mes.senger."
"You tell me to beware of Tontou beeause he
hates me. and then would have me trust this fol-
low.'" (iervais demanded with some aeumen.
I said : "Monsieur, you do not seeni to understand
how J eome to make this otVer. "
"To get out of the house with a whole skin."
I had a joy in (hiring him, lu'ing sure of Yeux-
gi s.
"Monsieur," I saitl. ''I should be glad to leave
this house with my skin whole or broken, so long
as I left on my own feet But you have mentioned
thi' very reason why 1 sliall not betray you. I do
not love you and I ilo not love l.ueas. Therefore, if
you and M. Lueas are to light. I ask nothing better
than to help the (puirrel on."
lie stare<l at me with an air more of bew ildei-meiit
than a-":ht else, but Yeux-gris's ivady laughter
ranir out .
"Bravo. Felix: I am proud of you. That is an
idea worthv of Casar! You would set your enemies
48
TIIK HELMKT OF NAVARRE
to ("xtoniiiiialo lach otlicr. And I nskc<i you to be
my valet !"
•'Which do you wish to scf slain?" denuindcd tho
1/lai'k (icrvais.
I auswrrcd ([uitc truthfully:
''Monsieur, I shall be pleased either way."
I know not how he relished the answer, for Yeux-
jiris ei'ied out at onee :
"Bravo, Felix, you are a parajzon ! I have not
wit en()u;_di to know wliether you are as simple a.s
sunshine or as deep as a well, hut I love you."
"Monsieur," I answered, as I think, very neatly,
"if I am a well, tr\ith lies at the l)ottoni."
"Well, <lervais.'" demanded Veux-f^ris.
(lervais bent his lowering brows on his eousin.
"Do you say. trust liini?"
"Aye, r would trust him. For never yet did
villain turn honest, noi- honest man false, in one
short lioui-. When he wa.s asked to serve atrainst the
duke lie showed his stutV. He was no traitor: ho
was no eoward: he was no liar. I think he is not
tliose now."
(iervais was still doubtful.
" It is a risk. I f lie betrays— "
"What is life without risks?" eried YiMix-irris.
"F thiiu'j:ht you too <.'ood a t'ambler. Oervais, to fal-
ter ])(^for(> a risk."
"Well, " (lervais consented, "I U'ave it to you.
l>o as VMU like."
Veux-<_'ris said at onee to iiie :
"This l.ueas. as I told vimi. is too eowardly to meet
mv cousin ill oui'ii titrlit. Since he irot the chal-
RAPIEHS AND A VoW
40
li'iipo he has m^wv stuck his nosf out of doors witli-
nut two or three of the tluke's '^Miartl alxtut him.
Thert'fori- wx- liave the i-itrht to <.'et at him as we
eau. We have paid a man in tlie liousi' to till of liis
movements. He is to fai-e out sceiTtly at ni'^dit
on a mission for M. le Due witli one i-oniradr
oidy. M. <lervais and I will interrupt that little
journey."
"Very '^'ood, monsieur. And I?"
"You will meet our spy and learn the hour of the
expedition. Last ni^'ht. when he told us of the plan,
it had not heen decided."
"Then he will he the other man I saw in the win-
dow? I shall know liim."
"You have sharp eyes and a sharp hrain, younjj-
ster. But he will not know you. Tlierefoie you
can say you come from the shuttered house in the
Rue Coupejarrets. You will meet him in the little
alley to the north of the Hotel St. Quentin. Do
you know your way to the hotel? Well. then, you
are to go down the pa.ssageway hetween the house
and M. de Portrense's garden -you cannot mistake
it, for on two sides of the house is the street, on the
third the garden, and on the fourth the alleyway.
Half-way down the alley is an arch with a sm;dl
door. In that arch our man. Louis Martin, will
meet you. Do you understand?"
I repeated the directions.
"You have learned your lesson. You will ask
him the hour— only tliat."
"And you will take oath not to betray us," com-
ixjanded Gorvais.
M
{*
1:|
THE IIKI.MKT OF NAVAK1{K
I look out llic «'i-oss llial liiiii^' oii my rosary. 1
was ready to swcai'. < k'i'vais proiuptcti ;
"1 swear to ^'o and t'oiiu' slrai^lit, and spi-uk no
woid to any but .Martin."
With all solemnity I swon' it on my cross.
"That oath will he kept." said Veu\-L;ris. He
held out a sntlden haii<l for the eross, whieh 1 yave
hiui, wonderiii!.'.
"I sweai- that we mean no hai-m whatsoever to
the Duke of St. (^ueiitin." He kissed the eross and
Hun;.; the ehain haek over my neck.
At hist I saw the door unlocked Yeux-gris even
returned to me my knife.
"An revoir. messieurs."
(lervais, sullen to the last, vouchsafed no answer,
but Yeux-gris called uut cheerily, "Au rcvoir."
VI
^1 mnitir of life and dcitli.
10THIN<; ill liiV ciHi 1m' so swoet as
rrc'doiii iii'tiT ciipliN.ty, saftty at't.'i-
daiiL^'T. Wht'ii 1 >_';iiiif(i the opfu
sln'i'1 oncf more aiitl brcallit'd IIk' t«|Hii
air. no om- uioli'stiii^ m- troiihliiif.' uu\
r could have suni: witli joy. I faiily hu '_'-_'<■• I myselt'
for luy flovonu'ss in -rottiii!.' out of my i)lii:lit. As
for the coinl)at I was furtlu'rin^'. my only doubt
about that was lest the skulkiirj; I.iicis should not
prove jrood sword enough to irive troub!.' to M. <ier-
vais. It was very far from my wish tiiat he sliouiil
come out of the attempt unseath. d.
But as I weut alon^' and had more tiiin' to ponder
tlie matter, other doubts forced thems.dv.s into my
reluctant mind. Put it as I pK'.i-^-d. tlu' atiair
smackeil too nnu-h of secrecy to be (|uite savoury.
It was curious, to say the least, that an honest en-
ccmnter should re(piire so much i>lotlin<r. Al-o,
Lucas, coward and rascal thouirh he miLrht be. \vas
Monsieur's man. doin^' Monsieur's errand, and for
me to mix myself up in a plot against him was
scarcely in keepini: with my vainited loyalty to the
house of St. Quentin. My trieud Gervais's quarrel
51
I
ill
!
n
^^jg^tg^
s-;r
i^v
62
THE HELMET OF NAV ARKE
might \h' just ; his iiiiiiiiuT ol" jti'oci'dui"'. cvt'ii, iiiitrht
be just, and yet I have no ri^lit tu take pai't in it.
And yt't Mdiisifur had sij^rnitird plainly fiiouirh
that hi' was n»> h)n^('r my pali'on. For my hirths
sake I mi^'ht nevci- work a-rainst him. Itiit I was lice
to do whatever I'isc 1 chose. Monsieur himseH' had
made it nece.ssary for me to take anothci- mastei-.
and as.suredly I owe<l souiethiiiir to Veii.\-'_'iis. I
had reason to i'eel oonddenee in his honour: surely
I niijiht reckon that he would not he in the atlair
unless it were honest. liUcas was like eiiou^di a
oundrel ol' whom Monsieur would l»e well rid.
And histly and finally and above all. I was sworn,
so there was no use wonyinir about it. I had taken
oath, and could not draw back.
I hurried alon^r to the rendezvous, only pausing
one moment at the street -corner to buy sausai:es hot
from the brazier, which I crammed into my mouth
as I ran. But after all was there no neeil of lia.ste:
the little arch, when I i)ante(l u[» to it, wa.s all
deserted.
No better place for a tryst could have been found
in the heart of busy I'aris. (.)nly the one door
opened into the alley: M. de Portreuse's hi^di trarden
wall, forming the other side of the passaire. was un-
broken by a gate, and no curious eyes from the house
could look into the deep arch and see the narrow
nail-studded door at the back where I awaited the
rat-faced Martin.
I stood there long, first on one foot and tlien on
the other, feai'ful every moment lest some one of
Monsieur's true nKU sliould eujiie along to uumaud
A MATTKK OF LIFE AND DKATH
r>:{
my hiisiiit'ss. NK one jippcarfd, ritlici' i'lx' or t'lii'inl,
for so loii^' thiit I lH'<:im to tliirik Yt'iix-u'i-is had
lii('k»'(| nic iiiid sent iiit" Iumc on a fool's ci'iaiid,
wlu'ii. all at oiiL't', a low voicf said dosi' to my
lar:
" What seek you lu'ic ?"
I jumpi'd on liiidin!^ at my side a little, pale,
shai'p-ract'd man— the man of the vision. He had
slii)[)i'd throni-'h lln' doof so suddtidy and (piittly
that I was orict' moic tfinptcil to take him for a
!.diost. lie I'Vfd nif for a hare second: then his eyes
drojjped before mine.
"I am come to Itarn the hour," said I.
"Did you not hear the ehinifs i-in-: live?''
"Oh, no need for disu'uise. I am eome from the
two in the Kue ("oupejarrets. They bade me a.sk
the hour."
lie favoured me with another of his shifty ^'lances.
"^Vhat hour meant they?"
I said bluntly, in a louder tone:
"The hour when .M. Lueas sets out on his .secret
mission."
"Hush!" he cried. "Hush! Don't .say names
aloud— liis or the other's."
"Well,'" I said crossly, "you have kept me wait-
injr already more time than I care to lose. How
nuich lon«_'er before you will trll me what I came to
know?"
He looked at me shar[)ly for another brief iustant
before his eyes slunk away from mine.
"You should have a i)assword."
*'They gave me none. Tiny Una me to say I eume
il
iij
'I
i;
»'
■•^/i
m^^v^^l^ W^^^fM^W^'^jyy^ -^ ■ ^^':- "-^ ■^^:^^»^
r.i
TMK IlKLMKT OF NAVAKKK
flnltl tllC sllUttcnd liolisc ill til'' IJll'- ('nui»f.i;iiTrts,
i(II(i liiilt Woulll Ix- -llnliull.""
"I low ('.'iiiir you into this business?"
" [\y a hack w iuilnw."
Ih' L'avc iiic i'.iH'lhci- suspicioiiN uhiiu'c. hut iiiakiii<,'
liothiuLT hy it. he itjniiird :
"Kh hii'ti, I trust you. I will Ifli you."
lie clulchct my ai-iii and <\v>-w nir to tlir h.-i.-k of
the arch, wlicrc tlif artmiooii ^lla(lous wnv alivady
•^'athcl'rd.
"What have you for :iif.'" he .Ifiiiandi'd.
••Notlii :. What siiiiuld 1 have.'"
"No L'old.'"
".No."
"Ik- promised me ten pistoles to-day. Ho did
not !_'ive tiieiii to you .'"
" I ti'll you, no."
" Vou are a thief 1 Vou have them:"
He stepped forward iiiena<'in<;ly : so did I. lie
then fell hack as ahi'uptly.
"Nay. it was a .jest : I know ynii are honest. iUU
he promised me ti n pistoles."
"He did not i:ive them to me." [ said. " I'er-
liaps he was not so conviiieed of my linnesty. lie
will douhtless pay you aftt-rward."
"Afterward!" he retorted in a hi^rli key. "By
our I.ady. he shall pay me afterward! Tiie <.'utters
will run irold then, will they.' I'aidieii! I will see
that a i-'ood stream ilows my way. Hut one can-
not play to-day with to-moi row's coin. He said I
should have ten iiistoles when 1 let him kiiow the
hour."
A MATTEK oF LIFE AND DEATH
"1 oaiiuof iiiirid that. It Ins lirtuc.ii you and
him. I have ii(i< seen t f heard ut any nioiu-y.'
Martin rd'.'L'd up ch)sf to tin- «h)oi- ot ix-lrt-at and
wa.Xfil dctiant.
"Tik'n all I havr to say is, hf may ;:i) whisth' lor
his I I'ws."
Now, had r hut thoui.'ht ol' it, h.Tc was an easy
road out of a Itad hnsinrss. if Martin would not
ti-ll the hour of ri'iidtv.vous, Lucas wa.s saved. Mon-
sieur's intcrrsts not endanj-'frfd, yet at tin- same
lime I was not forsworn. Hut toufh pitch and he
dflilcd. You cannot l'o hand and ^dovc with vil-
lains and remain an hones) man. I returned di-
rectly:
"As you clioose. But M. liervais cai'ries a lon^'
sword."
He started at that and made no instant leply,
seemijitr to he lialaneini: considerations. Then he
gave his decision.
"I will tell you. But your M. dervais is wrong
if he thinks I can be slighted and robbed of my dues.
I know enough to make trouble for him, and I know
where to take my knowledge. He will not tind it
easy to shut my mouth afterward, except with good
broad gold i)ieces. "
"Enlin, aiv you telling me the hour.'" I said im-
patiently. I was ill at ease; my only wish was to
get the erranil done and be 'rone.
He laitl a iiatid on my shoulder and made me
bend to him. and even then spoke .so low I (-uuld
scarce catch the wortls.
"They have fixed positively on to-uight. They
llj
66
THi: HELMET OF NAVAUKE
will Ifiivf liy tins iluor atui l;iUc the inuti' I il»'-
scriht'd la-sf iiiu'lit to M. (iiTvais. Tlify will stiirl
as soon as tlic siri'cis ai'c (|iii»'t, soiiiftimt' hctwffii
tfii and clfViii. Tiny imisl allow an Ihmii' tti icacli
the s.'ati', and llir man ^rocs otV at tuilvc In all
liki'liliood tlifv will not sit out hrfoi'i' a (|uart('r
ol" clfvcn ; M. Ii' Di'c docs not cart' to In- it'co^ni/t'd.""
So llicy |ilaiinid to kill Lncas at Monsicui's sidf .'
N i'U.\-!_MMs liad not dart'd to tell nic that. Hnt In-
had looki'd nic strai;.'ht in the laii' and sworn on
thf iToss no harm was meant to M. Ic Due Nathc-
Icss. tlu' tiling' looked u^rly. My heart leapeil up at
the next w.ids:
"Also Vi^'o will }»o."
"Vip.!"
"Not so loud! You will have the ^uard on us!
Yes. he is to jro. At lirst Monsieur did not tell
even him, he desired to keep this visit to the kiii'^
so seeret. Hut this morning' he took Vi^'o into his
eonlitlenee, and iiothiii'r would serve the nuin but
to j:o. He watehes over Monsieur like a hen over a
ehifk."
"Then it will he throo to three," T said. I thoudit
of Cervais, Yeux-^'ris, and Ponton, for of course I
would take no part in it.
"Three to two: Lucas will not fiprht."
Lucas must he a j)oltfoon. indeed!
"But ViiTo and Monsieur—'' I l)e;.'an.
"Aye. they are quick enoutrh with their swords.
Your side must be quicker, that 's all. Tf you are
sudden enouL'h you can easily kill the duke before
he can draw."
A MATTER (»F lAFK AND DKATR
57
Talk of wm-fls liko tliurulcrholts! All tht* thun-
der of licivi'ii could not have whtliiu'd mo like thosr
words. Vru\ t.'ris and his oaths! If tens the duke,
att<'r all:
I could not speak. I Innkcd I know not hou.
Uut it was dusky in the ;irch.
"It .sounds simple." he went on. "Rut. three of
you a.s you are. you will have trouhle with Vitro.
("hat is all. I have told you all. I must ".'et hack
hefore I am mi.ssed. (iood luck to the enterprise."
Still I stood like ii block of wood.
"Tell M. (lervai.-; to rememher nie, " ho said, and
o|ieniii'_' the door, passed in. I heard him lock and
holt it after him. and his footsteps hurrying down
the passageway.
Then I came to myself and spranp to the door
and heat u|)on it furiously. But if he heard he was
afraid to respond. After a futile moment that
seemed an hour 1 rushed out of the arch and around
to the crreat '_'ate.
The <rrilles were closed as before, hut the sentry's
faee. luekily. was stranjze to me.
"Open! open!" T shouted, hreathle.ss. "I nuist
see M. le Due!"
""Who are you?" he demanded, starinir.
"My name is Rroux. I have news for .M. le Due.
TiOt me in. Tt is a matter of life and death."
"Why. T suppose, then. T must let you in " that
•rood fellow answered, drawintr hack the i)olts.
"But you must wait here till — "
The pate was open. T took base advantajre of him
by slidinsr under his arm and shooting across the
O"^
THE HELMET UF NAVARRE
coiii-t Up tlio steps to the house. The door stood
(•pen, and a couple ui' hiel<eys h)un^^ed on a hem h in
the hall.
'■M. le Duel"" I eried. "I must see him."
'I'liev jumped up. the picture of l)e\vilde;iiien1.
'•Who are you? Ilow eanie you here.'"" eried the
(|uieUer-toni_'ued of the two.
•"I'lie sentry opened lor lue. Where am I to find
M. I- Due.' 1 must see him: I Iiave news!"
"M. le J)ue sees no (pue to-day/' the .seeoud lackey
announced pompously.
"Hut I nnist see liiiii. I tell you." I repeated.
I had com|)letely lost what little head I ever had:
it seemed to me that ii" I could not set- M. lo Due
(111 the instant I should find him welteriii'.' in his
u'ore. "I iiuist see him." I cj-ied. parrot-like. "It
is a nuittei' of life and di ath."
"Vrom whom do you come.'"
"That "s my alVair. Knou^h that I come with
news ol" the lii'.zhest moment. You will he sorry if
you do not >jet me (juickly to M. le Due."
They looked at each oihov, somewhat impressed.
"I will i;o for M. Const ant."* said the one who
had spoken lirst.
Constant was Master of the Household: .M. le Due
had iidu'rited him with the estate am! kept him in
Ills place for old lime's sake, lie was old. fussy,
and self-impoi-tant. and withal no fi'iend to inc.
"[ had rather yo\i fetched Viiro." I sai<l.
"Oh. Vi;:.) will not come, lie is with Mousietir.
ir 1 i)rin!^ .M. Ctuistant. it is the best 1 can do for
vou.
A MATTER OK LIFE AND DEATU
r.i>
I had ivc-Dvert'd inyscli' sufliciontly by this tiiiu'
to R'liu'iiihcr thf iiatuiv oi' liK-kcys. iiiul i^'avi' lli''
iiicssciiL'ci- llic last silver i)i( it I had in the world.
He n-jrardt'd it contciiiittuoiisly, l)iit pockcttMl it and
dt'l)ai'tt'd in Icisiii-cly fashion up the stairs.
The other was not loo -.Mand to cioss-exaiiiino ine.
"What soi't of news have ymi .' Do you eoiiie
from the kinir.'" he asked in a lowered voice.
"No."
"From M. de Val-re.'"
"N(v"
"Then who the devil uro you?"
"F«'li.\ Broii.x of Si. (^uentin."
"Ah. St. (^)ui'niiM." lie said, as if he found that
rathei- tame. "Vou hrinir news fioin theic.'"
"No. I do not. Think you I shall tell you? This
news is i'tir .Monsieui'.
"It won't reaeli Monsieur unless you learn polite-
I s toward the ^'eiitlemen of his household," he
I'ctorted.
\Ve Wire ueltinu' intc. a lively (jiiarrel whetj Con-
stant apiH'ai-ed on tlie stairway — Constant and tl-.e
lackey wiio had I'etched him. and lw(» more lackeys,
and a pai:e, all oi wiiom had somehow scented that
soiiiethini: wa,s in the wind. They came flocking
about us as I said :
"Ah, M. Constiint I "S'ou know me, Feli.\ Bi-oux
of St, 'Jueiilin. ! must see M. le Due."
('onslant's face of suri)i'isv at me eli;(ni:ed to one
of malice. l)own at St. (j>uentin lie had sutVei-ed
much from us pvL'es. as a slow, pi e ■■ !i old dotard
must. I had playe<l mar.y a piai: on hiui, hut I
f
60
THE HELMET OF NAVARRE
liad not thought lie would revenue himself at such a
tinu' as this, lie looked at me with a spiteful grin,
and said to the men :
"He lies. I do not know him. I never saw him."
"Never .saw me, Felix Bronx!" I cried, completely
taken abaek.
"No." maintained Constant. "You are an im-
postor."
"Impostor! Nonsense!" I cried out. "Constant,
you know me as well as yon know youi-self. 1 say I
nuist see the duke; his life is in danger!"
Constant was paying oW old scores with interest.
"An impostor." he yelled shrilly, "or else a mad-
man—or an assa.ssin. '
"That is the truth," said some one. laying a heavy
hand on my shoulder.
I turned; two men of the guard had com(> up. my
friend of just now and my foe of the morning. It
was the latter who held me and said:
"This is the very rascal who sprang on Mon-
sieur's coach-step in the morning. M. Lucas threw
him otV, else he might have stabbed Monsieur. We
were fools enough to let him go free. But this time
he shall not get oft' so easy."
"I am innocent of all thought of harm." I cried.
"I am M. le Due's loyal servant. I meant no harm
this mornitig. and T mean none now. I am here to
save Monsieur's life."
"lie is here to kill Monsieur; he is an assassin!"
screamed Constan^ "Flog him, men; he will own
the truth then!"
"I am no assassin !" I shouted, struggling in their
A MATTKK OF LIFE AND DEATH
(51
•/rasp. "Lot iiii- ^o, villi-.ins. let iin' pi I I toll you,
Monsieur's life is ill stakf- Monsieur's very life, I
tell youl"
Tiiey jKiid iiie no heed. Not Olio of tlioin— savo
that lyinjr knave Constant- knew nie as othor than
tlio shahhy fellow wlio had acted suspioioiisly in the
iiiornin'^. They were draeuint: nio to tlie door in
spite of my shouts and struL'Ldos. when suddenly a
rin^insr voice spoke from above:
"What is this rumpus? Who talks of Monsieur's
life?"
The iruards halted dead, and I cried out joyfully:
\ liSO I
"Yes. I am Vi'_'o," tlie hii: man answered, stridinj^
down the stairs. "Who are you?"
I wanted to shout. "Feli.v Bronx, Monsieur's
papre." but a sort of nightmare dread came over me
lest ViiTO, too. sliouKI diselaiiu me, and my voice
stuck in my throat.
"AMioever you are. you will bo tautrht not to
make a racket in M. le Due's hall. By the .saints!
it 's the boy Felix."
At the friendliness in his voice the -guards dropped
their hands from mi'.
"M. Vipo."' I said. "I have news for Monsieur
of the jxravost moment. I am eonie on a matter of
life and ch^ath. And I am stopped in the hall by
lackeys. ' '
He looked at mo sternly.
"This is not one of your fooleries, Felix?"
"No. M. Vi?o."
"Come with me."
r^^m^mMm
VII
A dividtil duly.
|IIAT was Vi<ro's way. Tlie toutrlio'
snarl uutaiiiilcd at liis tmicli. He liad
iiiort' sfiist' and I't'wcr airs than any
other, he saw at uncf tluit I was in
(.■arncst; and Constant's voluhk' i)ro-
fi'sts were a.s so inueh wind. The title does not make
the man. Thon^di Constant was Master ol' the
Hous iold and Viu'o only Kiiiiery, yet VIlto ruled
every eoriui- of the I'stahlishinent and every man in
it, savi' oidy Monsieur, who I'uU'd him.
He said no word to me as we elimhi'd the broad
stair: neither repi-oved me for the fraeas nor (jues-
tioned mi' ahont my eoiniiiLr. He would not pry into
Monsieur's business : and. save as I eoneerned Mon-
sieur, he hail no interest in me wliatsocver. He led
the way stsaiirht into an antechamber, where a pajro
spraiii.' up to bar (Mir passaire.
"Xo one may enter, .M. Vi<;ro, not even you. M.
le Due has ordered it. Why. Felix! You in Paris!"
"I enter." said Vi<j:o: and. sweeping ^Iar<'el aside,
ho knoeked loudly.
"I came last ni-rht," I found time -o sav under
A DIVIDED DUTY
68
my breath to my old comrade before the door was
opened.
The handsome secretary whom I had taken for the
count stood in the doorway lookiiij,' iuskance at us.
He knew me at once and wondcn.'.
"You cannot enter, Vi^ro. M. le Due is occupk-d."
He made to shut the door, but Viu'o's fool was
over the sill.
"Natheless, I must enter." be answered un-
abashed and pushed his way into tlie room.
"Then you must answer for it.'" returned the
secretary, \vith a scowl that sat ill on his delicate
face.
"Tou shall answer for it if it turns out a mare's
nest," said Vijro, in a low, meaning.' voice to me.
But I hardly heard him. 1 passed him and Luca.s,
and flew down the lou'^' room to Monsieur.
M. le Due was seated bt'fore a table heaped with
papers. He had been watehin'^' the scene at the
door in surprise and anj:er. He looked at me with
a sharp frown, while the deer-hound at his feet rose
on its haunches prowling:.
"Roland !" I said. The dop sprantr up and came
to me.
"Feli.\ Bronx!" Monsieur e.xelaim. I, with his
quick, warm smile- a smile no man in r rawe could
match for radiance.
I had no thoutzht of kneelin<r. ot makin'^ obeisance,
of waitinir permission to speak.
"Monsieur." I cried, half choked, "there is a
pl(,t_a vile plot to murder you!"
"Where? At ^t. One.. tin?"
64
TIIK IIKLMKT OF NAVAKKE
"No. Moiisirur. Unv in Paris. In the struts
to-iiiirlit. when ynn j.'() to llu' kiiiL'."
iMoiisienr spran<: 1o his \'rr\. his hainl on his
sword. Lncas 1n'-nc(i white. ViL'o sw<ire. Mon-
.sienr cried :
"How, in (lod's name, know yon that .'"
"Von have heen heti-iyed. Monsienr. Your phni
is known. Von leave the lionse to-ni>:ht. near a
(jnartei- of eleven, to l:o in secret to tiie kin<:. Von
leave hy the little ih>or in the alley—"
"Diahlel" hreathed Vij:o.
"They set on you on your way — three of tliem—
to run you throuirh befoi'e yon can draw.
"But. ventre bleu! Monsienr is not alone."
"No; he walks l)etween you and M. Lucjus."
Not one of them spoke. They stared at nie as if
I weie somethinir uncainiy. I. a raw country boy,
disclosing.' a perfect knowled^'e of tlieir most inti-
mate plans I
"How know you this?" Monsieur demanded of
me. Hut he was not lookint: at me. His keen glance
went first to Lucas, then to Vii.'o, the two men who
had shared his coniidence. The secretary cried out:
"You cannot think. Monsieur, that I betrayed
you?"
Vi^'o said nothin'/. His steady eyes never left
Monsieni''s face.
"No." answered >b)iisieur to TiUcas, "I cannot
think it." And to Viiro ht> said: "I shall accuse
you wlien I accuse myself. Hut- none knew this
thintr save our three selves." And his gaze went
l)aek to Lucas.
A UIVIDKI) DUTY
or.
-It is not lik.'ly u> hv hr," I said. inipelUa to W
just t.. liiiii tlM.u^h I (lid not liki' hii.i. '-for th.-y
infant to kill liiin as wi'll."
Lucas starti-d. tlu'ii instantly ir.-ovrnMl hinist-lt.
'•A eonipn-lu^nsive plot. Monsirur,-' h.' saul. with
a siiiiU'. ^ ,
"Then who was it ?" crird M..iisi.-nr to inc. 'ion
ktiow. Speak." ,,
'•'riieiv is a spy in the houso-an eavesdropper,
I said, and then paused.
"AyeT' said Mtmsieur. "\Vli<».'"
xi,w the answer to this was easy, yet 1 tlinelied
before it; for 1 knew well enuUL'h what .Monsieur
would do. He feared no man. and waited on no
man's advice. And if he was a L'.)od lover, he was
a .'ood hater. He would not inf..rm the L'..vernor.
and await the tardy course of justice, that would
,„„l,al)lv accomplish -nothin..'. Nor would he con-
sider the troubled times and the danger of his p(.si.
tion. and i^'uore the atVair. as many wouUl have
deemed best, lie would not stop lo think what the
Sixteen mi-ht have to say to it. No: he would call
nut his -uards and slay the plotters in the Hue
Cmpejarrets like the wives they were. It was
ri-ht he should. but-I owed my life to \ cux-
*" "Ilis name, man, his name!" Monsieur was
crvintx.
"Monsieur," I returned, tiushin^' hot, "Mon-
sieur—
"Do you know his name?"
"Yes ATnnsieur. I know his name, but —
> >
«^u
66
THE HELMET OF NAVAUKK
Moiisit'ur I»((»I«m1 at iiir in surprise and t'rowninj;
iiii|»a1ifnc'(.'. (Quickly I iUcas struck in:
"Monsieur, I have ;_'iave doubts of tlie hoy's hon-
esty."
"Doubts!" cried Monsieur, with a sudden lau<.'h.
"It is not a case for doubts. 'I'he boy states facts."
He seated himself in his chair, his face ^rowinj;
stern a^'ain. The littb' acti(»n seemed to make him
no loiiirei' merely my (|uestioner, but my jud^'e.
"Now, Feli.x Bronx, let us ^'et to the bottom of
this."
"^bmsieur. " T lu-pran, stru^trlinir to put the ease
clearly, "I learned of tlie plot by accident. I did
not ^Miess tor a lotiir time it was yt)u who were 'he
victim. When I found out that, I came straight
here to you. Monsieur, there are four men in tlu'
plot, and one of them has stood my fi'iend."
"And my assa.ssin!"
"lie is a black-hearted villaiji!" I ackiiowled^'ed.
"For he swore no harm was meant to you. lie
swore it was oidy a pi'ivate <rrudi,'c a}.'ainst M. Lucas.
Hut when one of them let out tlie truth I came
straijrht to you."
"That is likely true," sai<l Vitro, "for he was
ready to kill the men who barred his way."
"You were in a plot to kill my secretary!"
"Ah, Monsieur!" I crieil.
"You-Feli.K Broux!"
I curled with shame.
"M. Lucas had truck me." I mutti?red ; "I
thoutrht the ti'^ht was fair enough. Aud they
thiealeiieil m\ life."
A dividi:l> duty
07
Monsieur's oontrinptunus t-vt-s shri wiled me as
tlaiiif shrivfls a leal".
"You — a Hroux of St. (^ueiitin'."
Lucas, who lia<l watclud me elose all the while,
as they all three did. >aid now:
"I l.elirve he is a chrat. Motisieiir. There is no
plot. He lias l.'iiiiird of y..ur plan throuizh the
eavesdropl)- !■ li'' -^r'aks .>1 liiid thinks to make eredit
out of a ttum!"'<l up tale of murdt-r."
"No." answ.iiMl Monsieur. "You may think
that, liiieas. for he is a stiamier to you. Hut I
know him. II.' \>as a fool som.limes. l)\it he was
iirver dishonest. Y(.u us.'d to lie I'oml of me. Felix.
What has luqipenetl to make you consort with my
enemies .'"'
"Ah. Monsieur. T h.ve yon. T have always love<l
von.'" I cried. "I am not lyin-: now. nor chi-atinir
you. There is a plol. 1 leariu'd it and came straight
to you. thouLdi I was under oath not to hetray them."
"Then, in Heaven's name. PVlix." hurst out Vip),
'•which side aie you on'.'"
Monsieur beiran to lauudi.
"That is what I should like to know. For, by St.
(.Mientin. T can make nothinu of it."
"Monsirur." insisted Lucas, "whatever he was
once. I lielieve him a t-ickst-T now."
Monsieur bent his i<"i'n eyes on me.
"No: he is i)laiidy in .'arnest. Therefore with
patience 1 look to ;„'ct sotrie s.-nse out of this snarl ot
a stoi'y. Somethini: is thciv we have not yet fath-
omed."
\\ Hi jiiiiisiour Kt mc r^pi'iii^.
08
Tin: MKI.MKT OF NAVAIiUH
"i li;i\c fliii.c tiiiii'jiil hilt iil'.'f v((u to do so for
sniiii' tiiiK' |i;i.sl,"' 111' iiiiswcrcd dryly.
" .Morisii'iir. yon know my t'jitlifr would not h't iiic
Ic.-ivc St. <^nriitin with yon. tlii-cc niontlis hack. Hut
at lrii«_'tli lie said I slinuld coinc. and [ r'acln-d I'ai'is
last ni^dit and. sincf it was late, Iodi:c<l at an inn.
'i'liis nioiiiiiiir 1 i-aiiif to yiiui- uatf, hut the '_'uai'd
would not let nil" mtrr. I was so mad to sec you,
.Monsicui', that wlifii ycu di'o\<' ont I s|iranir up on
your coacli-sti'p — "
"All." said .Moiisiciii'. a ifw li'.dit hrtakinir in
upon him. "that -s you. F«lix.' I did not know
you; I was thinkiiiL' of other matters. And Lucas
took you I'or a miscreant. .\ow I iim sorry."
If I had hei'ii a iiolije h" could not have spoken
franker apoloLry. But at once lie was stern airain.
"AikI Ix'caiiM' my secietary took you in all ^ood
faith for a possible assassin and struck you to save
me. you turn traitor and take part in a plot to set
on him and kill him I I had hi'lieved that of .some
hiied lackey, not of a Bronx."
".Monsieur. I was wronu a thousand times wron^.
I knew that as soon as I had sworn. And when I
fcuind it was you they meant. I came to you, oath
or no oath."
"There s])oke the Bronx!" cried Monsieur with
his brilliant smile. "Now you are Felix. Wlio aie
my would-hi' murderers.'"
^Ve hail collie round in a circle to the place where
we had stuck l)efore. and hei'e we stuck ajrain.
"Monsieur. T would ti-Il you all before you could
count ten — teli you their names, their whereabouts,
A l)l\ ll'KI' I'lTY
69
t'Voi-yiliiii'^'-W' '• it ii(»f I'tM- oil'' niaii who std-iil my
fiii'iKl."
Tlir (InUt's t-ycs tiaslictl.
"You fall hull that iiiy jussassin!"
••Hi- is ail assassin." I wa:. foiciMl to answer;
••(•Vfii Monsieur's assassin- an*' a iM-ijuivr. liut —
hut, MonsifUi- hr sav.ii my lifr from tlu' otlu'r. at
till' risk of his own. llou can I i)ay him l>a<-k l>y
tictrnyini.' '''n
" Ae('(n'(i. '_' toyour own account. he hcttayod you.
"Aye. he lic'l to inc." 1 said l(|-ol;cnly. "Vet
Miuisicur. if it wei.' your own case ami one had
sa.-d y<»ur lift-, wen- h-- the scum of the {juttcr,
w »u' I you send him to h!.-> dr. ith .'"
"To whom do \ou ow • your tirst duty?"
"Monsii'ur. to you."
"Tli< II spcaU."
But I could not do it. ThouL'li 1 knew Yeux-jiris
for a villain, yet he had savetl my life.
"Monsit'ur. 1 cannot."
The duke cried out :
"This to nie!"
There was a silence. 1 stood w th an^nnt: head.
the picture of a shame-faced knave. Miam" so lillcd
me that I coultl not look up to meet Mons ur's sen-
tence. But when I hatl rcniemheied tlie «:o«)d hater
in Monsieur, T should have reiipnihered. too, the
<rood lover. Monsieur had hecn fond of me at St.
Quentin. As I waited for the li<rhtnin<r to .strike,
he said with utmost gentleness:
"Felix, let me understand you. In what manner
did this mall >avc- your iwe;
70 Tilt; UKLMET OV NAVAJUik:
Now tlmt was lik»' my lord. 'riiiiii;:li u hut man,
he litvcd luiriioss ami tvcr stmvc to «i<) lln' just
tliiiiir, and his pHtii-nrc wa.s the timi' that it was tjot
his nature. Ills hnifiu-y tiird me with a sud(h-n
h«>|»f.
"Monsieur, thtn- are I'our of them in the plot.
iiut one cannot he as vile as the others, since he
saved my life. Monsieur, il" I tell you. will you let
I hat one txo?"
" I shall do as I see tit." he answerid, all tlif duke.
'■ Felix, will yon sjx ak .'"
"II" Monsieur will pidinise to Irt him l'o --'*
"Insolence, sirrah I 1 do not liarL'iiin with my
servants."
llis words were like whips. I lliriched l)eloic his
proud an^'er, and lor the second time stood with
hanj,'in»; head awaiting' his sentt-nce. And atrain he
did what I could not lmicss. He cried out :
"Feli.x, yo\i are hlind, hesotted. mad. Vou know
not what you do. I am in constant danjicr. The
city is tilled with my enemies. The I.eairues hate me
antl are ever plottini: mischier airainst me. Every
day their mistrust and hati'»'d trrow. I did a hold
thinjj; in coming' to Paris, hut I had a ;rreat end to
serve - to i)ave a way into the capital lor the Catho-
lic kinj; and hi'inj; the land to peace. For that, I
live in hourly jeopardy, and risk my life to-nij;ht
on Toot in tlie streets. If I am killed, more than
my life is lost. The Church may lo.se the kini:. and
this dear France of ours he harried to a desert in the
civil wars !"
I had braced myself to bear Monsieur's anjrer, hut
this unh)oked-for appeal pierced me through and
(i =;r-'
A IMVIDKlt MTY
71
tliiou^'li. All tin- low iiii.i Inviilty in ni.' aii.l 1 had
niuch. WuniiiU it may not luiv.- s.fiiu.l so- n.si" in
aiiswrr 1o .Mi.iisi.iir's .all. 1 l''ll uii my km<'s lu'-
fitif liini. ohokrd with sohs.
Moiisi.'urN hand lay on my h.ail a.s Iw said iiuiftly :
"Now. Ft'lix. speak."
I aiiswcnd huskily :
••Would .Moiisitiii' have me tuiti .Iiidas?"'
".Jiidas bctiayod his innstd:"
it was my last stand. My last rcdoiilit had fallen.
I raised my head to tell him all.
Mayhi' it was the tears in my eyes, hiit as I lifted
them to M. le Due. 1 sjiu not him. hut Yeux-'„'ris -
Yeux-^'ris lookin-: at me with warm trood will, as lie
had lookiMl when he was savin-r me from (iervais. I
saw him, 1 say. plain h.tnre my eyes. The ne.\t in-
stant there was nolhiniZ hut Monsieur's face ot ris-
inir impatience.
I rose to my feet, and said :
"Kill me. Moiisieui': I cannot tell."
"Norn de dieu!" he shouted. sprinj:in<; up.
I shut my eyes and waited. Had he slain me then
ami there it were no lunro than my deserts.
"Monsieur," said Vi-^'o, immovahly, "shall I go
for the hoot ?"
I opened my eyes then. Monsieur stood (piito
still, his brow knotted, his hands clenched as if to
keej) them off me.
••Monsieur," I said, ".send for the boot, the
thumbscrew, whatever you please. I deserve it. and
I will bear it. Monsieur, it is not that 1 will not
T T . J "
tell, it is somelliui^ slroii^i-r man l. i cunnui.
He burst into an an'_'ry lauj^h.
73
THE HKLMKT OF NAVAKKK
"Say yuii atf possessed of a devil, and I will bi'-
licvf it. .My faith I tliouj-di you aic a low-born lad
and 1 DuUe of St. (^ut'iitiii. I set in to Uv 'jetting the
worst of it."
"TLtTc is tlu> boot. Monsieur.''
.M(»iisi('ur lau^lu'd a^'aiii, no less ai.jrrily.
"That dcH's not lu'lp lui', my ^Dod Viiro. I can-
not tortutv a lirou.x."
"Tlu'rc .MonsifUi' is wron^r. Tlu' lad has been dis-
loyal and insolent, if he is a liroux."
"(iranted. Vi^'o." said M. le Due. But he did
not add, " Fetch the boot."
Vi>.'() v.;'nt on with steady persistence. "He has
not been loyal to ,\b)nsieui" and his interests in re-
fusing: to tell what he knows. And if he ^'oes coun-
tei- to Monsii'Mi-'s inteiests he is a traitor. Bronx or
no Bronx. He has no claim to be treated as other
than an enemy. These are serious times. Monsieur
il(»es n >t well to play with his danjjers. The boy
iinist tell what he knows. Am I to ^'o for the boot,
.Monsieur .'"
M. le Due was silent for a moment, while the hot
tlusli that had sprun:_' to Ids face died away. Then
he answered Vi^'o :
"X(n-ertheless, it is owinir to Felix that I shall not
walk out to meet my death to-niirlit.*'
The seci'ctary had stood silent for a lonjr time,
titiirei'inu' nervously the i)apers on the table. I had
f(M-|j:otton liis presence, when now ho stepped for-
ward and said :
"If I miixht be permitted a sufipestion, Mon-
sieur— "
A DIVIDKI) Dl'TY
78
Monsieur silt-nci'd him with a ;;harp fri'sturo.
' F«''iix Hnmx," lu" said to inc. "you haw boon
-.owiu^' a had phm. No 'iiau can run with the
a <• and hunt with the hounds. You arc cither my
l..> al servant or my enemy, one thin^' or tlic other.
xinv I am loath to hurt you. You have seen how
I am h)ath to hurt you. I triw yon one more chance
to he honest, (io and think it over. ll" in half an
hour vou have decided that you are my true man,
well and u'ood. If n(.t. hy St. (jucntin, we will see
what a llot-'jrin^' can ilo!"
VIII
Cli'irb s-A ii(h(-f'Ai( urn -Murir,
Xl'LlOASI-'J), l)ut uiiprotcstiiiir. Vij.'() k'd
iiic out itilo llic jititcrooin. Those iiU'ii
wlio .JiiiIi:im1 liy the out.sid" of thinjrs
iiiid. kiHiuiiiL' Vi^'o's iron ways, said
llial hi' i-nlfd Monsieur, were wroni,'.
The l)iir I'qiU'ry ^'ave me over to the elia''j.'e of
Marcrl and retiii"ne(5 to thi' inner room. Hardly
had the door eh)sed liehind him when tlic pa^e hui'st
out :
"What is il ? What is tlie coil? What have you
done, Feli.x .'"'
Now you can <ruess I was too siek-liearted for
chatter. I had delied and disobeyed my lieire lord;
I could nevei' hope t'oi- pardon or any man's respect.
They threatened me with llo^i:in<:; well, let them
tlo^. They could not make my hack ..ny sorer than
my conscience was Foi- I had not the satisfaction
in my trouble of thiid<in'_' that T had done ri<.'ht.
.Monsieu!-"s danger should have been my tirst con-
siderati(»n. What wa * Yenx-vrris, perjiu'cd scoun-
drel, in comparison with .M. !e Due.' .\nd \<-\ I
knew that at the iiid of the half hour I should not
tell; at tlu' end of the {!oi:!,nn^' I should not tell. I
74
k
CHARLES-ANDUE-ETIENNE-MARIE
76
had warned Monsiour : that I would have done had
it b.M-u thf bivakinti of a thousaud oaths. But ^'iv.'
up Yfux-irris .' Not if they tore me limb from limb!
•What is it all about.'" eried Mareel, atrain.
"You look as srlum as a J.-suit in Lent. What is Wu-
matter with you. F<'lix?"
"I have eookrd my ^'oose." I said ploomily.
"What have you (hme?"
"Nothing: that I ean speak about. Hut I am out
of Monsieur's liooks. "
"What w;is old Vipo after when he took you in
to Monsieur .' I nevt-r saw anythinix so bold. When
Monsieur says he is not to br disturbed he means it."
I had nothing' to lell him, and was sil.'ut.
"What is it? Can't you till an old chum?"
"No; it is Monsieur's private business."
"Well, you ire LMMunpy!" h<' <'ried out pi'ttishly.
"You nnist be out .)f ^raee." He seemed to deeide
that nothinir was to be ma<!e out of m*' .just now on
this taek. and With unabated persistence tried an
otlier.
"Is it true. Felix, what one of the men said just
now. that you tried to speak with .Monsieur this
morning' when he drove out?"
"Yes. Hut Monsieur did not reeoixnize me."
"Like eiionirh." Marcel answered. "He hits a
way of late of falling' into these absent tits. Mon-
sieur is not the man he was."
••He does look older," I .said, "and worn. I trr)W
the risk he is ninnin<:— "
"I'shaw!" eried Mareel. with scorn. "Is Mon-
sieur a man to mind risks? No; it is M. le Comte."
76
THK
HKLMKT OF NAVAKK.G
I s
tartr
(1 like
il \l\X\\\
y tiling:, rciiit
•inlxM-iiij,'
what
Vciix
-L'l'IS
}i:i(i t(
1(1 lilt'
111(1 I. Ulilppt
(1 in iiiv
{Htty
Iroiih
Ics. 1
;i(l for
•rotten.
.Moiisicuf iiii
il lost his only 1
SDll.
A IK
1 hiul
clioscii
this tiiiH" to (1
'fy liiiii I
1
How loiM^' ;ii:o wiis it.'" I aslsc(i in a Imslicd
voice.
••Since .\I. le Cointe left US.' It will he three
weeks ne.xt Friday."
'• How (lid lie die .'"
"Die?" eelioed Marcel. "Yon crazy fellow, he is
not dead I"
It was my turn to stare.
"Then where is he?"
"Tt would he money in my i)niich if I knew.
What made you think him dead, Fi'lix?"
" A man told me so."
" Partlieu !" he cried in some excitement. "When ?
Wlio was it?"
"To-(hiy. I do not know the man's iiiuiie. "
"It seems you know very little. Pai-dieu! I do
not helieve M. ie Conite is dead. What else did your
man say ?"
"Xothiii'r. lie only said the ("omte de Mar was
dead."
"I'shawl I don't heli"ve it. You Ixiieve ev(i-y-
thinj; you hear l)ecause you are .just from the coun-
try. No: if M. le Comte were dead we should hear
of it. Oh. certainly, we should heai\"
"Hut where is he. theji? You say he is lost."
"Aye. He has not heen seen or heard of since
the day they liad the (|uarrel."
"Who .luarrelled?"
."m^
("IIAULEK-ANDUK-KTIENNK-MAKIE
77
"Why, Ir' and Monsieur.'" imswcrtd Man'<>l, in a
lower voii'f. point intr to tlic door of tlie iiiiKM- room.
".M. li' Coiiilc lias Ih'cm his own master too h)n;_' to
take kinaiy to a hand over liini: that is the whoh-
of it. He lias a .|uick temper. So has Monsieur."
Hut I thouf.'ht ol' Monsieur's wouderriil patience,
and I cried :
'Shame I"
'Wh.'t now
ik li
that of .Ml
"•ur.
I'o si»eak like tliat ot .Moiimo
"Knfin, it is true, ll*' is none the worst- for thr.t.
But I supi>ose if Monsieur had a cloven lioof one
must not mention it."
"One woul. ^ret his head broken."
•Oh. you Bronx!" he cried out. "I have not
seen you for half a year. 1 had forgotten that with
you the St. f^lueiilins rank with the saints."
"You — you are a hired .servant. You conic to
Monsieur as you miulit come to anybody. With the
Brou.x it is ditreivnt." I retorted aiiL'rily. Yet 1
eould not hut know in my heart that any hired ser-
vant mii-'ht have served Monsieur better than I. My
boasted loyalty-what was it but lip-service .' I said
more huinbly: "Pshaw: it is no ■zreat matter. Tell
me about the (juarrel."
" Ar, ! so I will, if you 're civil. In the first place,
there was the (piestion of M. b' Comic's marriaj;c."
"What : is he learricd .'"
"(^h. by no means. Monsnur would n't have it.
You see, Felix." Marcel said in a t ne de»-p with im-
portance, "we 're Navarre's men now."
"(,)f course," said I.
MHi.
78
THE IIKLMKT oK NAVAHRE
"I suppose ynu would say 'of coiirsf' just like
Ihiit to Miiyriiuc liiiiisrlf. Vo\i irrccriliorn : It is us
much iis our lives arc woitli to side (tpciily witli
Navarre. 'I'lic l.taurue may attack us any day."
"I know,"' I said uneasily, livery chance word
Marcel spoki' s.ciiied to dye my L'uilt tlie deeper,
"i'.ut what has this to do witli M. lo Conite's niar-
ria'^'e ?" I a.sked liini.
"Wiiy. he was more than half a Loatrucr. Per-
haps he is one now. Some say he and Monsieur
wei'c at da^'irers drawn about politics: hut 1 war-
rant it was al)out .Mile. <le .\h)ntluc. They call her
llie liose of Lorraine. She 's the Duke of Mayeiinc's
own cousin and housemate. And we "re kin^r's men,
so of course it was no match for Monsieur's son.
Tlu-y say Mayeiine himself favoured the mai'ria^'c,
imt our duke wouhl nt hear of it. However, the
hackhone of the trouble was M. de ( iramiiioiit."
" And who may he lie .'"'
"He "s a cousin of the house, lie and M. Ic
Comte are as thick as thieves. Hefoi'c we came to
I'ai'is they lod<_'<'d l<i«rether. So when M. le Comte
eame here he broimiit M. ile < ii-amiiioiit. Dare I
^peak ill ol Monsieur's cousin. Felix.' For I wi.uld
say. at the risk of a broken lu-ad. that he is a .sojir-
faced churl. You cannot deny it. You never saw
him."
"No, nor -M. le Comte. either."
"Why. you have » I'u .M. le Comte!"
"Never. The only time he cam'' 1i> St. (^(ueiilin
I was laid ui* in bed with a straimd Icix. I missed
the chase. Don't you rememb'-r '.'"
" Whv. vou are riizlit ; that was the time you fell
CnARLES-ANltKK-KTIKNNE MAUIE
7»
out of the butt<'ry witidow vvht'ii you w.rf stealing'
tarts, and Mar^'ot '^'(.t after you with thf l.r.>.»iii-
stick. I r<'iiu'inl)cr very wi'll."
lit' was for callin;: up all our old pranks at the
fhAtcau. l)ut it was little joy to ine to think on those
fortunate days when I was Monsieur's favourite.
I said :
"Nay. Marcel, you were tellinpr mo of M. le Conite
and the iiuariel."
"Oh. as for that, it is e;isy told. You see M. le
Conite and this (Iranunont took no interest in .Mon-
sieur's atVairs. and they had very little to say to
him, an»l he to th.'ui. They had pU-iity ot friends
in Paris, Lea^uors or not. and they used to i:o about
ainusinir theiiiselv.'s. But at last M. de (Iraniniont
had sueh a run of had luek at the tables that he not
only enii>tied his own poekets but M. le Conite's as
well. I will say for M. le Conite that he would
share his last sou with any one who asked."
".\iid so would any St. Queiitin."'
"Oh, you are always pii)in^' up for the St.
(^ueiitins."
"He should have no need in this house."
We junipod up to find Vi<_'o stan<lintr behind us.
"What have you been sayintr of Monsieur.'"
"Xothin«r. M. Vi^ro." staninieied the pa'^'e. "I
only said M. h' Conite—"
"You are not to discuss M. li' Conite. Do you
hear?"
"Yos. M. Viiro."
"Then obey. .\nd you. Felix. I shall have a little
iiiteivii'W with you shortly."
"As vou will. M. Vi^'o."' I sai.l hopdes-sly.
80
THE HK1<MKT <»i' NAVAUHE
lie went utV (liiuri the corriilor. and Miirci-l Hirnod
aiij-'iily on inc.
"Mon (liru, Ft'lix. you liiivc >_'ot inc into a niro
scrape with yoiif eternal cliaiitint; of tlu- praises of
Monsieui'. liiUe as not I shall ^'et a heating' for it.
Viu'o never forL'els."
"I am sorry," I said. " We should not have been
talUin-: of if."
••No. we should not. Conic over here whore we
can watch lioth doors, and I "11 tell you the rest
hefoi-c the old lynx ;:ets back."
We sat down clo.se to^'ether, and he |)rocee(k'd in
a low tone to disobey Vi^o.
"i'niin, as I said, the two yoiin<: <rcntlciiicn wore
<|uite sans le sou, for thiii'js had come to a point
where .M. le Due looked pretty bhu'k at any appli-
cation for funds- he has othci- uses for his ^'old,
you see. One day .Monsieur was c.\|)eotin<r some one
to whom he was to pay a thousand pistoles, and to
have the Mioiiey handy he put it in a secret drawer
in his cal)inet in the ro<»m yonder. The man arrives
and is taken to Monsieur's private room. Monsieur
<_'ives him his ordei's and iroes to tlu- cabinet for his
pistoles. No pistoles thci'C !"
.Maii-el paused dramatically. "And what then?"
I asked.
•• Wfll. it .Mppears he had once shown M. le C'omto
the ti-ici; of the di-awei'. so he sent for him — not to
accuse hiii',. niiii<l you. For M. le ("omte is wihl
enouu'h. yet Monsie\ir tlid not think he would steal
pistoles, nor wotild lie. I will stake my oath. Xo.
Monsieur merely askeil him if he had ever shown
/ --L'> •■■n^.^-tr;,'
chaui<ks.am)KK-ktiknnk-m.\hip:
Ml
iiiiy oin' tin- (liawti-, and M. !<• Cniiitc aiiswi'ird,
'Only (iraimiKiiit.'
"And litiu luivf you Itaiin-d all this?"
"Oh, one ht-afs."
"Onr ddfs. with (>n<''s tars ti» the Ui'vholi'."
"It l)fh>».vi-s yt«w. Ktlix. to Im' civil to your
li.-ttcr!"
I niadi' prt'tt'iu'c of looking' about mo.
"Wh.-n- is In?"
"He sits hen'. 1 am paL'i' to tin- Dukf of St.
<^\U'iilin. And you?"
"Touch*'!" I admitted hittorly cnoUL'h. Littlo
Marcfl, my junioi-. my un(|U»'stioninn follower in the
old days, was now indfttl my lifittT. <|>iit'' '» '' P*'^''
tion to patroni/i'.
"Continue, if you ph-a.si'. Marcfl. Yot. in pass-
ins.', I should likt" to iisk you how nuidi you heard
of our talk in then- just now."
"Nothintr." he answered candidly. "When they
are so far down the room one cannot hear a word,
in the affair of the j)istoli's they stood near the
cabinet at this end. One could not help but hear.
.\s for listening' at keyholes. I scorn it."
"Yes. it is well to scorn it. People have an un-
l>leasant trick of openiii<: doors so smldeidy."
He lau^'hed cheerfully.
"Old Vijro cau'.'ht us. certes. I.et "s see. where
was I? (^h, yes. then Monsieur put (Ui his proud
look and said, if it was a case <if no one but his
son and his cousin, he i^referred to droj) the matter.
Hut M. le C'omte jrot out of him what the trouble
was and went ofT for rirammont. red as fire. The
83
TiiK iii:i,.Mt:r <>f navakuk
l\M» t.ttrt'ili. i- ciiiif liiick to .Mutisiciir ami ilriiifil iij)
,Mi(l iIduii Ihat titlirr ul' lln'in Uiicw iiil'_'lil <>l' Ins
|tisln|(S. lie |i;i(l told id' I lie sfcl'i-t tii illlV uiic. 'I'llry
say it was easy to sec that Monsieur <li<l not l»flit'Vf
( ;i-ainiiioiii, but Im' (IiiI not ^'ivr liiin tin- lit-, and the
i,;ittcr canic ncai' tlio|i|>in<_' tliric for M. Ic Due
uoulil not afcnsi- ;i kinsman. Hut tin ii Luea.s t;avi'
a iifw tni'n to the atl'air. "
"How loti'.' lias l>n<;i.s !)• rn licrc. Marcel.' Who
is he?--
"Oh. he 's a rasi-al of a liuirueiiot. .Monsieur
picked him up at Mantes, just helori' we cairie to
the eiiy. .\nd if he spies on .Monsieui\ enemies as
well as he iloes on this household, he uuist he a use-
ful man. lie has that lomr nose of his in every-
thini.'. let nie tell you. Of course In- Wius present
when Monsieiii- misseil the pistoles. So then, (jiiite
on his own account, without any orders, he took two
of till' men and searched .M. de <Irammont-s I'oom.
.\n(l in a locked chi'st of his whicii they forced open
they ound ti\e hundred of tln' pistoles in the very
l)o\ .Monsieur ha<l kept tluin in.-'
"And iiien .'"
.Mai-cel made a tine ^'esture.
".\nd then, pardieul the storm broke. M. lU'
(Irammont I'aved like a madman. lie said Lucas
was the thief and had put half the sum in his chest
to divi'rt suspicion, lie said it was a jtlot to ruin
him contrived hetweeii .Monsieur and his henchman.
liUcas. It is tru.' > nou^'h. certes, that .Monsieur
never liki'd him. He thi'eatencd Monsieur's life and
liUcaij's. He challcii;^ed ^hmsieur, aud Monsieur
CHAKLES ANDUK KTIKNNK MAKIK
83
l,.„.,,,a |,„..as. :..M l.u.Ms 1""1< ""• '■'"• '■'•""" ^''•""
si.-ur. I ui.s n..t th-.v n„ .ith.-r si.l.- of llu- .1...M-.
What I t.'ll vuu lu.s Ir.-.lr.l .Hit hit l.v Lit Iro.u l.u.-as,
Inr Monsirur k.-i-s ln> .....nil. slu.t. 11..' upshot
of th.- niatt.T was thai (iraiiimorit l'o.s at l.ii<-as with
a knilV. aii.l Moiisi.-iir has th.- -uanls pit.-h n.y v-'.-ii-
,,„,„.^„ i„,othrs1n-.-t. Thru M. W ("....It,, swon- a
hi.r oath that li.- woul.l •-'.. with « iraM.im.iit. Moii-
sinir tohl liiiii if li.- unit in swh comi.aiiy it w.uihl
l„. foivv.T M. If < •••int.- suniv h.' wumM iu-v.t r.Mll.'
back un.kT his fath.T-s roof if M. U' Due cniwh-d to
him on his 1 iins to \h>x him."
" \h!" I crird: "ami then?"
"Mairv. that 's all. M. h' <''»int'' ^^.-nt straiu'ht
out ..f tliis -at.-, witlinut ho.s.' or s.niiiv. Ami wt-
havf not h.-aid a uonl of .-ith.-r of th.-m sin.-.'."
11,. paus.-.l. and wh.-ii I mml.- no ...iim»-nt, sanl, a
ti-itl.- a^L:ri.-v.-(l :
"Kh l.i.-n. vou tak.- it .-almly, Uut you w.mM not
:,acl vou l..-.-n* h.-r.-. It was an alto>_'.-th.-r lively af-
fair." It woul.l n't siirpris.- m.- a whit if s.)mt' day
M.uisi.Mir shonl.l 1..- attac-k.-.l as h.- driv.-s .ml. lU' s
not om- to for-.'t an injury, tins M. (i.-rvais do
Orammcmt."
At th.- nam.-. int.'Uii-'.Mic.' llasht'.l over me. smM.-n
ami c-l.-ar as last niL-hfs li-htninir-l.-am. Yet this
thinvr I s.'.-m.-.l t.. s..- was s.. hideous, s.> h.>rnble.
that my mind n-eoiled from it. ^^
'•Man-.l." I stanuii.-r.-.l. shmlderintr. "Marc-el-
"Mordieu! what ails you'/ Is some one walking
on your «^rave?"
^Jj^yy;-
'::*m^!iwmr^ss?SLW^-*^-
",r-.'- J
MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART
ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No 2
1.0
I.I
iL III! 2.8
13.2
136
t ii^
11=
2.2
2.0
1.8
1.25
1.4
1.6
A APPLIED IKA/^GE
T^ "Dbi Last Moir stree'
~-S Roc^este'. Ne* i-ori. '4609
'-^ (^'e) *S2 - 030C - Phone
— l^ifi) 288 - ^989 - fax
b4
THE IlKLMKT OF NAVAUUE
'•AliiiTcl. how is M. If (■(.iiitf iiaiacdr'
"Tlic ('(mitc (Ic .Mar.' Oli. dti yon iiuaii his names
ill hai)lism.' Charlcs-AiKln'-Ktieaiir-Mari' They
call him fiticniu-. Why do you ask .' What is it .'"'
It was a c-crtaitity, th.'ii. Vi't I could not hv\w^
myscir to iMJirVf this horiihic tltiii'/.
"1 have never seen him. How docs he look/'"
"Oh, not at all like .Monsieur, lie has fair hair
and jrray eycs — iiue dialiic!"
For I had tlun^' open Monsieur's door and
dashed in.
mm^r^r^
IX
The honour of St. Quentin.
lONSIHUK was seatt'd at his table, talk-
ing,' in a low toiR' and hurriedly to
Lucas. They started and stared as I
broke in upon them, and then Mon-
sieur eried out to me:
' ' Ah, Felix ! You have come to your senses.
"I will tell Monsieur all, the whole story."
He testeil my lu)nesty with a i-'lanee, then looked
beyond me at Marcel, standing: a^nipe in the doorway.
'"Leave us. Marcel. Co down-stairs. Leave that
door open, and shut the door into the corridor."
Marcel obeyed. Monsieur turned to me with a
smile.
•'Now, Felix."
T had hardly been able to hold my words back
while Marcel was disposed of.
"Monsieur. I knew not, myself, the names of those
men Now 1 have fo\ind out. They—"
My eyes met the secretary's fixed excitedly upon
me and* the words died on my ttm^n.e. Even in my
ra-e T ha<l the prace to know that this was no story
to'teil Mo'.-sieur before another.
"I will tell Monsieur alone."
85
fe : - ' ■^■M^- ^^^mWmfW^^'^.rf'Wi^F&:-:^
86
THE HELMET OF N.WAKKE
•'You may sprak hi'toiv M. Lucas/' he rejoined
impatiently.
"No," I peisistfd. '• I must t.'ll Monsieur alone."
He saw in my laec that 1 IkhI stioni: reasons for
asking' it, an«l said to thi- secrt-tary:
" You may \:o. l.,ueas. "
Lucas protested.
".\L le Due will he wiser not to see him ah)ne.
He is not to he trusted. I'erehanee. Monsieur, this
demand covers an attack on your life."
The warnin<r nettled my loril. He answered
curtly:
"You may po."
"Monsieur— "
"(io!"
Lucas i)assed out. j.'ivin<r me. as he went, a h)ok
of hatred that startled me. But I did not pay it
much hee 1.
"\Vell!" exchiimed Monsieur.
But hy this time I had bethou^dit myself what a
story it was I had to tell a fatlier t»f his son. I
could not blurt it out in two words. I stood silent,
not knowing how to start.
"Feli.\! Beware how much lon<:ei you abuse my
patience!"
"Monsieur." I bei:an, "the spy in the house is
luuned Martin."
"Ah!" cried Monsieur. "So it is Louis Martin.
How he knew— But «ro on. The others—"
"I lay the nipht in the Kue Coupejarrets. not far
from the St. Denis pate." I said, still beatiui: alxat
the bush, "at the sign of the Amour de Dieu. Oppo-
^"-M
f
o^.-_
TIIH 1
loNorU <)K ST. li\i:NTIN
80
site is a c-lcsrd Imusf, s
liuit.MT.l vvllh ir.'ii from '_'ar-
n-t 1(> celhir. Vou ca
It is h.Tf tliat tli«'y 1
n cntfi- Iroiii a con
rt lH'hiii<l-
Monsieur's brows t
il..t.
iriw to'-'t'thcr. as
if he wei-e tl'V
1. luilf tof-
■iiibei'et
i„u to roeall something,' half n-ineiMbe
''otteii. ,.
.>Hut the n..'n.--hreiie.l. "then...!..
..They are three. One a low lellow .nunea
I'ontOll." , . ^ riM
'4>ontou.' The nan,e is noth.n,' to "ie^ Ih.
others'" lie was leaninu'fonvanl eagerly, i knesN
..f ,,uat he was thinkui,'-the Muu!<c-st way to .vaeh
tlie Rue ("onpejanvts. ,. , • i .l.^wlv
.'There an- two oth.ers, Monsienr, I saui sloul>.
"Yoniii.' men — nohle. ' .... i,.„i
I looked at hinu I^ut no h.ht whatever ha.l
broken in npon him.
''Their nanifs. hul I"
Then, seeing' hin. unsuspeetin.. the lury >n ">>•
!,,,,, sur,ea up and covered ev-ry other teehn-..
1 burst out: ,, .,
"Clervais d. (Jvammont and the C omte de Ma.
He looked me in the face, and he knew I was t.l-
i„. the truth, rnexpeeted as it was. udeous as it
Wi^s vet he knew I was tellinu' the truth.
Vhad seen eowards turn pal., but never the colour
,vashe.l fron. a brave man's i-aee. Th- s,. t ,nade
,„v linue.s ileh to strangle that ..ray-e>vd cheat.
\vith u cry ^k.nsieur sprang' towaril me.
"You lie. .vou cur!"
"Xo Monsieur." I •-'Msp.d-'.t ,s thr tru h.
He let me t'o then, and biid his hand on the collar
lit it-i III ^ . ,j__^ \lon-
of the do?, who had si-run? to h.s .:;•.!. n--. •• -
■
m
^^^^
J ■":^
'<^l-2rt?r=-'^»
.*fs
,'*--?
^KM
•
00
TIIK IlKLMKT OF NAVARRE
sicui- luid '-'ot ii Imil from uliicli the duiiil) Itfast 's
loviilly cmlil iiiit (Irt'nitl him. Ilr sttiu.l with howr-l
hfiid, ii iiijiti stricken tii tlif ht-iii't's cort'. Full ot
uijith as I was. thf tcai's (•aiiif t<t my ryes for Mon-
sifiir.
1 ic ivcovcrcd himself.
"It is some (lamiial)le iiiistakel Yoii have been
trieked!"
My i-aL'e hla/ed up a<_'aiii.
"No! 'I'hey ti'ieked me once. Not ii<:aiii ! Not this
time. 1 knew not wlio they wei'e till now. when 1
talked with Marcel. The two thiii'-'s fitted."
"Then it is your (.mess I You dare to say—"
"No. 1 know!" I interrupted rudely, too excited
to rememl)er n'spect. "Shall I tell wliat these men
were like.' I had never seeti M. le Comte nor M.
de (iraiinnont liefore. One was broad-shouldered
and heavy, with a black bt-ard and a black scowl,
whom the other called (lervais. The younircr was
called Ktienne, tall and slender, willi izray eyes and
fair hair. Antl like .Monsieur!" 1 ci-ied. suddeidy
aware of it. "Mordieu. how he is like, thouL'h he is
li'^'ht ! In f;u'e. in voice, in manner! lie speaks like
^b)nsieur. lie has Monsieur's laui.di. I was blind
not to see it. I believe that was why I loved him so
inuoh."
"It was he whom you would not betray?"
".\ye. That was btd'ore I knew."
Thinkinsz of the trust I had <_'ive!i him, my wrath
boiled u|> aiiain M(Misieur took me by the shoulder
and lool<ed at me as if he would look tliroujjjh mo
'o tni' iiJiked sOui.
THK UUNOLlt OF HT CiLKNTIN
01
"How do 1 know that you arc not lyinj:?"
"M(,nsieur (lo«'s know it."
'•Yes." li<- answoivd after a moiiimt. '■ Ala.sl yes.
I know it." , • . r T
H.. sIo.kI lookiuL' at nu-. with the .ireanest taee I
„vor saw- the faee of a man whos- s..n has sou-hl
to nnn-aer him. Lookin- haek .m it n..w. I w.m.ler
that I ev(r went to M.^isimr witli that story. 1
wonder whv I di.l n..t hury tlie shame and dis-raee
„,• it in mv .nvn lieart. at what.^v.-r cost k.-.-p ii tn.m
Monsieur." Hut the thou-ht never entered my liea.l
tlK-n I was so full of I'laek ra-e a-ainst ^ eux-^'ns
-him most of all. heeause he ha.l w.m me so -that
I eould feel nothin- rise. I knew that I p.tie.l Mon-
sieur, vet I hardly f<'lt it.
••Tell me i-verythinj-'-how you ni.'t tlu'm-ail.
l-:ise I shall not helieve a wortl of your devilish rig-
marole," Monsieur eried out.
I told him the wholr shameful story, -very word,
from mv liL'htnim: vision to my '-'ossip with Marcl
in the anteehaml.er. he listeninir in h.>peless sileuee
\t length I finished. It sremed hours sinee he had
spoken? At last he said. "Then it is true." 'Hv
jrnivness of his face drew the ery iroin nir:
" ••The villain! tl:.- hlaekdieartrd villain'."
"Take eare. Felix, he is my son!"
I ^rot hold of my cross and tore it otV, breakim:
the chain. , • ■ i
"See. Monsieur. That is the cross ..n which he
swore the phU was not a-ainst you. He swore it.
.„„1 (irrvais de (iramii.ont laudid ! I^ swor.'. to...
never to h.-tray tli.-m! Two perjuries!"
«:^.,j-i» '-;-j
t> -
rili; IlKLMKT OF NAVAKHK
I tlim'_' till- fi-oss on ilif ilodi- .-iikI st;iiii|>»(l (ui it,
splititci'iii'j it.
" riofiiiirr !" n-ifd Moiisifur.
'•It is no SilclilfL'r:'" 1 IVtnl't.Ml. "Tlijit is no
Imlv tliiiii: sitHT \\>- has toiiclicil it. I If liiis iriaii-'
it \iii' sfmiiidiil, assassin, iiarricidf !
Monsieur struck the words i'roin my lii's.
" it is tnif." I ninttiTcd.
"Were it ten times true, you have no rijrht to
it."
No. I liavi' none." I answered, shamed. I mi'_'ht
not sii<al< ill of a Si. (Mi.'ntiii. tliou-h he were tlie
devil "s own. i^it my la-.' came n|'|" rniosi atrain
"1 can l)riiiL^ .Motisieui- 1o liie iiouse in twenty min-
utes. Vit:o and a handful of men can taUc them
ju-isoners I)efoie lliey suspect auL'lit amiss. They
are oidy tlifce he and (Iraminont and the lackey.
Hul .Monsieur slionk his head.
'■ I cannol do that.""
*• Why nol. Moiisieuf .'""
"Can I take u'.y own son |)i'isonei- .' "'
••Monsieiii' need not uo."" said 1. wondering:. In
his place 1 wiuild have izune and kille.l Veux-L'i-is
with my own hands. "ViL'oand I and two more can
lo it. Viuo and I alone, if Mousieui- would not
shame him before the men."" I <_niessed at what he
was ttiinkinvr.
"Not even \<>u and ViL^)."" lie answered. "Tliink
you I would arrest my son lilo' a conuiion felon -
shame him like that '.'""
"lie has shamed himself!" I cried. I cared not
whether I iiad a niiilt to say il. "iie "ii.is fe)r;.^i.iien
his hoiioii!'.
im
THE IloNitrU OF ST. (^IKNTIN
»:»
"Avo. Hilt I liiiv'- r.in.'inltfrt"! miiK-.
"Moiisirur! Motisi.-ur v.uuml iu.mm t.. I<'t him po
scnt-rrfc ?"
H„1 hisrvrs inl,l in.' that li.' <li.l niran it.
• •'n,..,,/-' 1 si.i.l HI i.H.n' aii.l nioiv iunaz.-ment.
"Mutisifui- roi-'_'ivfs liiiii .'"
His t'aci' s.'t sirnily.
••N„.--lu"ansuvml. '• Nu. l-Lx. ll. has plaml
hiins.'ir l>.-voii(l my fnrL'iv.-ticss.
.•Tli.Mi we will -o thnv al-.n... w two. aiul kill
hinil Kill thr iIuit'.'"
11,. lauu'li.''!. liut iH.t a man in FraiU'c toll Irss
inirthiiil.
••Y.ni would have in.' kill my s„n <
'•lit' wonlil liavr kill«'<l you."
"That niakfs ti.> (lilVnvtu't,'.'"
1 look.'.l a1 l.ii... --Mopni- alt..,- tli.' thou-hts that
swavcl hi.M. an.i .-atchin- at tlu-in .l.mly- I 1<'H'^v
,,u'n, for th. ,ui>"''iH"- "f =M>n.n.l ami honour-ruU-d
,„an. but thrn- was n.) room for th-m m my ai.pry
^"'••Monsi.ur.- I ori..l. "'will you U-t thr.v vilhiins
.„, „,„,„„is!.ra forth, sak. of ono?- It was what
I had mrant to do. awhik. hack, hut thr case was
chati'-'cd now. .
..,)f two: «icrvais dr Crammont is also of my
hhiod." ,, . . ,, ^
-Monsieur wouhl s,.a.v him as wdl-him, the
ringleader 1"
" Hf is my cousin."
"He forirets it."
"Hut T <lo not."
"M.^nsieur. will you hav.- no venixennee?
04
THK HKI.MKT OF NAVAHHE
Monsit'iir lookeil at iiu'.
"Wh.ii ynii jiiv it mail, Ft'Iix liroiix, you will
know that tln-ii' arc otlirr fliiiiu's in this worltl l)f-
sidfs Vfiii/caiici'. Yoii will Uiiow that some injuries
catinot Itf avt'iiL'iMJ. V<i\i will know that a ^'futlf-
iiiaii caiiiiot use the saiiif w.aixiiis that l>lack^,'uards
UM- to hmi."
"All, Moti.sicurl" I L-riid. "Monsieur is indwd
a noltlciiian I" Mut I was furious with him for it.
I If luiiicd ahruiitly and paced down the ro(»m.
The do^r, which had been standin;: at his side, stayed
still, lookiiii: fiom him to me with pu/./.led, troubled
I'ycs. lie knew (luiti- well sonieiliin^' was wronir.
and vented his feeliniis in a loni:, dismal whine.
.Monsieur spoke to him: Roland bounded \i|> to him
and licked his hand. They walked up and down to-
;_'etlu'r. comlortinf,' each other.
"At least." I cried in desperation, "Monsieur has
the spy."
lie laui_'hed. Only a man in utter despair could
have lauijhed then as he did.
" liven the spy to wreak ven*;eaneo on consoles you
somewhat. Felix .' But does it seem to you fair that
a tool should be punished when the leaders <:o froeT'
"No." said T; "but it is the common way."
"That, is a true word," he said, turning away
a.iraiii.
I waited till he faced nie oikh' more.
"Monsieur will not sutfer the spy to jro free?"
"No. Felix. He shall be punished lest he betray
a<_'ain."
lie passed Mil- ill ills tlroary waiK. Han a ttu/.cu
THK IIONOIK uF ST. (^IHNTIN
i»r.
tinios hi' passt'd by mr. a
hrokfn-h.'art»<l man. striv-
iiir; to oullcrt liis c'oiira^'t' to tiikr ii|>
hi
ino
If. But I thoiitrht lit" woiilil
lU'VtT il
hl.nv. A hushaii.l may foirct his wife s tirachi
s hit' one*'
•t over the
herv,
ami a m<>
tht'f will fortxivt'
ht'i- cliiltl's. I'lit a fath.T
can lu'i
tluT tnri:i't iKir forcivi' tlu- ci
:iliii- ()
f tl
If son
who l)t'ars his iiam-
Ah. Monsieur, you arc n
)hU'. ami I love yon
cruH
1 from the .h'pths of my heart, and kmlt to kiss
liis hand.
laid thiU kind hand on my shoulder.
Monsieur
"You shall serve n
here.
do now and send Vi^o
i must be lookinj? to the country's business."
^W/\r%h' "^^^^x^
Lucas and '" Ia Gaucher.''^
CURSKD myself for a fool that I had
carried the tale to Monsieur. It should
have been iny business to keep a still
t(tn^ue and <:o kill Yeux-<rris myself.
For this last it was not yet too late.
Marcel wa-s han^ii)<r about in * > corridor, and to
him I trave the word for Vi^o. I tore away from
his oa<rer ([uestioninps and hurried to the liate.
In the morning I had not "oeen able to pet in, and
now I could no more <.'et out. 1\> Vijjo's orders, no
man mitrbt leave the house.
Viszo was after the py. of course. Monsieur knew
the traitor now; be would inform Vipo. and the
pates would be open for honest men. But that mipht
t<iko time and I could not wait five minutes. I had
the audacity to cry to the guards:
"M. le Due will let me pass out. I refer you to
M. le Due."
The men were impressed. They had a respect
for me. since I had been closeted with Monsieur.
Yet they dsred not disobey Vigo for their lives.
In this dilemma the poor sentiw, fearful of crettinp
into trouble whatever he did, sent up an envoy to
96
m^^ji^M^.
LUCAH AND "LE GAUCHER"
97
as
k Monsieur. I was fri-htencl then. I had ut-
ihi'iT hravatlo, and was very
tt'red my sp(>eeh in s
doiihtfid as to how he w..iihl answ.T tii.. mil>i
Hut he was utterly ear
uh-nei'.
less. I trow, what I di(i, for
[) resent ly the word eanic »
The sun was scttiiiL' as
hnvn that I nii-jlit pass out.
I hastened ahmj; the
I nuist rea.di the l^ie ("oupe.jarrels l^efore
A man in his
streets.
(lark, else th<'re was no hope for iiu
uld have known there was no hoi)e anyway
senses wo
Who hut a madman
would thiid< of ventunii!
hack.
iorsworn.
to th(
tl
)ne? It woiild he a mira
iree villains, for the killinu' of
•le if auu'ht resulted hut
failure' and death. Yet I felt no jot of fear as^ I
plunu'ed into the mes
CoujM'.iarrets (puirter
When, on
h of crooked streets in
tht
-oidy ard<»ur to reaeh my ^oal.
turniiiL' a eorner. T eame upon a txroup
dlers chokinj: the narrow ru
'He. I said to myself
that a do/en Parisia
lis in the wav could no more
stop me than they eon
Id stop a eharu'e of horse. All
heels and elhows. I \
ahasement. promi)tly wa>
I i)ushed into them. But. to my
porter and hidden, wi
Then T discovered the occasion o
I seized upcm hy a hurly
th a euff. to mind my manners.
f the crowd to he a
little procession of choristers out of a n-'i-hhouriuL'
,.]„„.oh-St. Jean of the Spire it was, thou-rh I knew
tlien no name
watchers quit
foi- it. The hoys were sintri
t. hareheaded. Tliey sarr.
in.'
as
th.
if then
were
nothing iu
the world hut piety an<
1 lov.
last level rays of tlie sun crowne.
1 them with radiant
les. [>ainted th.'ir white rohcs with L'lory. T
aureo
shut my eyt
s. da/./l«<l : it was as i
f I heheld a heav-
nlv host. AVhen T opeiu-d them aj^ain the folk at
r^Sks^ESit'
98
THE HELMET OF NAVAKRE
my si(k' wwe knoolinj: as the oro>s camo by. I
knolt. too, but tlu- holy si^'ii spoke to lue only of the
ei-ueitix I had trampled on, of Yeux-m-is and his lies.
r prayed to the jrood Ciod to let ine kill Yeux-gris,
prayed, kneelintr there on tiie cobbles, with a fer-
vour I had never r(\nclied before. When I rose I
ran on at re(h)ubled spe.'d. never doubt iiiir that a
just (iod wouhl strengthen my hand, would make
my cause his.
I entered the little court. The shutter was fas-
tened, as before, but I had my da-rf-n'r, and could
a^'ain free the Ixill. I could creep up-stairs and
mayhaj) stab Yeux-^M-is before they were aware of
my comiufr. But that was not my purpose. I was
no bravo to strike in the baek. but the instrument of
a ri^'lileous vengeance. He nuist know why he
died.
One to three, T had no cliance. Hut if T knocked
openly it was likely tiiat Yeux-gris. being my patron,
would be the one to come down to me. Then there
was the opportunity, man to man. If it were Gram-
niont or the lackey. I would boldly declare that I
would L'ive my news to none but Yeux-gris. In pur-
smmee of this plan I was poundint: vigorously on
the door when a voice behind me ci'ied (mt blithely:
"So you are liack at last Felix Broux!"
At the first word I wheeled around. lu the court
entrance stcod Yeux-gris. smilin«-' and debonair. He
had laid aside his sword, and held on his left arm a
basket (MHitainiiig a loaf of bread, a roast capon, and
some bottles, for all the world like an honest pren-
tice doinu 'ii> master's errand.
LUCAS AND "LE GAUCHEK"
9 It
I t'S,
I am back!" I shouti-d. "Back to kill you.
his bflt : th<' lijrht was I'Vcn.
parricide!"
He had a knife in
I was upon him, my dau'^'er raised to strike. He
made no motion to draw, and I rem.'inhered in a
Hash he eould not: his ritiht arm was powerless. He
spran-r haek. tlin^nn^' up his burdened left as a
shield, and my blade buried itself in the side of the
basket.
As I stabbed I heard feet thunderinir down the
stairs within. 1 .jerked my knif.- from tlu' wieker
and turned to face this new enemy. "(Irannnont,'
I thous-'ht. and that my end hail come.
The(lt)or tlew open and. shoulder to shoulder like
brothers, out rushed Crammont and — Lucas!
My fear was drowned in amaze. I for^iot to run
and 'stood starin.^' in slieer. blank bewilderment.
Crying' "Damned traitor!" Cervais. with drawn
sword, charged at me.
I had only the little da-rwr. I owe my liiV le
Yeux-t:ris"s quick wits and no less <iuick finjrers.
Dropping' the basket, he snatched a bottle from it
and hurled it at Cervais.
"Ware, Grammont!" shouted Lucas, sprinjxinti
forward. But the missile tlew too .|uiekly. It
struck (irannnont square on the forehead, and he
went down like a slau^ditered ox.
We looked, not at him. but at Lucas-Lucas, the
duke's deferential servant, the coward and skulker.
Grammonfs hatred, standing' here by (Irammonfs
side, j-darinjx at us over his naked sword.
I saw in one t?lauce that Yeux-gris was no less
100
TFIK HELMET OF NAVAKKE
astounded than I, and from that instant, thou^'h the
inwardness of the niatttT was still a riddle to me.
my heart actiuitted him of all dishonesty, of all com-
plieity. His was not the faet- of a i»arrieide.
"liUea-s!" he cried, iu a dearth of words.
'• Lucas r'
I was staring at Lucas in thick Itewilderment.
The man was transformed from the one 1 knew. At
M. Ic Due's he had l)een pale nervous, and shaken —
senselessly and contempt ihly scareil, as I tlioui-'ht,
since he was warned of the danger and need not
face it. Hut now he was another man. I can th.nk
only of those lanterns I have seen, set with cohmred
glass. They look <lull enough all <iay. but when the
taper within is liLrhted shine like jev.els. So I..ucas
now. llis face, so keen and handsonu' of feature,
was brilliant, his eyes sparkling, his ligure instinct
with defiance. A smile crossed his face.
"Aye," he answered eveidy. "it is Lucas."
yi. le Comte appeared to be in a state of stupor.
He could not for a space find his tongue to demand:
"How. in the name of Heaven, come you here?"
"To tigiit (irannnont." Lucas answered at once.
"A lie!" I shouted. "You 're (irammont's
friend. You came here to warn him otf. It 's your
plot!"
'Felix! The plot.'" Yeux-gris cried.
The plot 's to nuirder Monsieur. ]\Lirtin let it
out. I thought it was you and Grammont. But
it 's Lucas and Grammont!"
Lucas hesitated. Kven now he debated whether
he could not lie out of it. Then lie burst into
laugliter.
"Ft
<< 'PI
.':.\,v
I
LUCAS AND "LB GAUCHER"
101
"It seeim the oat 's out of the ban- Aye, M. le
Cointe de Mar, I came to \varu (Jrainiuont olY. The
duke will be here straightway. How will you like
to swin^ for parricide?"
Yeux-gris stared at him, neither in fear nor in
fury, but in utter stupefaction.
"Rut Cervais? He plotted with you? But he
hates you ' " • ti
We gaped at Lucas like yokels at a conjurer. He
made us no ausw.-r but looked fro-n one to the other
of us with the alertness of an angry viper. We
were two, but without swords. I knew he was think-
ing how easiest to end us both.
M. le Comte cried: "Youl You come from Na-
varre's camp, from M. de Kosny !*'
"Aye. I have outwitted more than one man."
"Mordieu! I was right to hate you!"
Lucas laughed. Yeux-gris blazed out :
"Traitor and thief ! You stole the money. I said
that from the first. You drove us from the house.
How vou and Grammont— "
' ' Came together ? Very simple. ' ' Lucas answered
with easy insolence. "Grammont did not love Mon-
sieur, your honoured father. It wa.s child's play to
make' an assignation with him and to lament the part
forced on me by Monsieur. Grammont nas read.v
enough to scent a scheme of M. le Due's to ruin him.
He had said as much to Monsieur, as you may deign
to remember."
"Aye," said M. le Comte. still like a puzzled chdd,
"he \vas anery with my father. But afterward he
changed his^mind. He knew it was you, and only
you."
^vJS 0-:
'.c^-j
imS^^^^]S^SFmi^B^S^^3S^^:^:i^m^^S^SU^!^'?M
102
THE HELMET OF NAVAURE
Lucas broke ajiain into ilfrisivi' laughter.
"M. (ie (iramniont is as dull a ilolt a.s ever I met,
yet elever eiKJii'^'li to <rull you. He thoujiht you must
suspect. I dreailed it- iifftUessly. You wise St.
(^ueutins! You cannot sei- what «:oes on under your
very nose."
M. le Comte sprang; forward, scarlet. Luca.s
flourished thi' sword.
"The hoy there caught at a glance what you had
not found out in a fortnight. He gets to the duke
and blocks my game — for to-day. Hut if they sent
him ahead to hold us till their men came up. they
were fools, too. I '11 have the duke yet, and I '11
have you now."
lie rushed at the unarmed Yeu.x-gris. The latter
darted at (Jrammout's fallen sword, seizeil it, was
on guard, all in the second before Lucas reached
him. He might have been in a Fortnight's trance,
but he was awake at la.st.
I trembled for him. then took heart again, as he
parried thrust after thrust and piessed Lucas hard.
I had uever seen a man fight with his left arm be-
fore; I had not realized it could be done, being my-
self helpless with that haiul. But ius I watched this
eombat I speedily perceived how dangerous is a
left-handed adversary. In later years I was to un-
derstand better, when M. le Comte had become
known the length of the land by the title "Le
tJaueher. " But at this time he wa.s in tlie habit,
like the rest of the world, of fencing with his right
hand: his dexterity with the other he rated only as
a pretty accomplishment to surprise the crowd. He
LUCAS AND "LE ilAUClIEK"
i(>:<
,soa hisU-tt hand scarcely as well as Luau, tlu
n,ht: vet, the thrust sinister he.nj: m .mU .
stL>.th, they were not '-Uv n.atche.L st.
.vatchin, with all n.v ..yes. when ot a suaaen M^^^
a ,M-asp on n.y ankle and the next n.stant was tliruwn
heavilv to the i-aveninit.
,,,;.,„„„„ haa come to lae ana taken prompt part
"'i roiu'l'ose to him. and instantly he let -o my le.:
and wonnd his arn.s arouml n,e. ^ ]l'^^ ''' l^;;' ^^^
could not. ami we rolled aln.ut to.." her .n the w^^^^^^
and Wood and broken .lass. A » '>- -"•'^' ! ^''
the sword-blades clashing'. N eux-L-r.s. (.od be
thanked! seemed to be holdin- his own.
Fl.ht.n, (iervais was Uke li.htin. two mem
Slowlv but steadily he presse.l n.e down and held
UK.. I stru.'.de,l for dear life-and could noi push
him back an inch. ,,;„„p,1
I still held n,y knii-e but my arms were p nod
,own. Gervais raised himself a little t...et a be er
,,utch. and his lingers close.l on n>y throat.
,np, and life seemed tlowin,' Iron, nu^ M> .m a
;.as free nosv if I could but lift .t. I* ^ -^ ; ^'^^
nevermore should I lift it on this .sunny eaith. 1
did lift it, and drove the da-er deep into hnn.
I could not take aim; I could not tel where the
Unife struck. A .'asp showed he was h.t ; then he
c.Hnche<l mv throat once more. Si.ht went trom nu-.
Ind hearing. '• It is no use," I thought, and then
thou.'ht went. too. , . w ^ Tl,..
But once a.'ain the saints were kmd to me Flu
blackness passed, and I wondered what had hap-
lot
TIIK IlKLMKT OF NAVAUKE
pfiietl lliat 1 was spaicil. 'I'licii I saw < ii'aininont
cliilcfiiii^' with liotli liaiuls at the (laL'i:<'i'-liilt. After
all. tli<' hidw lia<l iroiic home. I had sti'iick him in
the It It siflc iiikIci' the arm. ThriT ^'ihmI inches oi'
sti'cl wt'ff in liim.
He had turniMJ over on his side, hall' otV rue. I
sci'amhlfd out fi'om nnder him. To my surprise.
^'eIlx-;_M•is and IjUcis were still enLMLied. I had
thouLrht it houi-s since (iramniont i)ulled me down.
As I rose. Veu.\-t:iis turned his lu;ul toward nii'.
( )idy foi- a second, hut in that second liUcas pinked
his shoulder. I dashed hrtwecn them: they htwei'cd
their points.
"First blood I'oi- me!" cried Lucas. ''That serves
for to-day. .M. le Comte. I reirr. t that I caiuiot wait
to kill you. hut thai will come. It is necessary that
I ^'o hefoi-e .\I. le Due arrives. Clear the way."
•M. le ("omte stood his i:i-ouud, hari'in;^ the alley.
Tliey Ldaied at each oilier motioidess.
(Jrammont had raised himself to his knees and
was tryinir painfully to ^'et on his feet.
"A hand, Lucas," he !i:asped.
Lucas <.'ave him a startled trianec hut neither went
nor spoke to him.
"I am not niiu''.. hurt," said (iranunont. huskily,
lloldinir ly the wall, he clambered up on his IVet.
He swayed, reeled forwai'd, and clutched Lucas '.s
arm.
"Lucas, Luca.s, help me I Draw out the knife. I
cannot. I shall be myself when the knife is out.
Lucas, for (iod's sake!''
"You will die wlii'H tile knife is out." said I^iUcas
. .£-. - ---.-i-
wrt'
UTAH AN
'!u-hiii^' liim-^''ll' I'rc
("onitf. iiiit
I liis I'Vis
I) • 1,H (.AITIIKK
,. 11,. tuinr.l iitrain
'Ifiimxl as In- saw
I Of
in M. !<•
till- liliind
tricUliiii: (Inwii
his haiitl.
lll> slffVr aiH
I till' sword li'cmlil'- m
'( 'oiiic t'll,
thru." 1i«' t'l'i'-'
\h\\ I spfaii'J- t'ni'waii
M. If ('(.m1i''s liaiul.
I to Yi'iix-L'iis.
1 .,,,,1 s.'i/.'.l till' sworil fi-om
••()ii '-'uart
I couhl haiidlf a s\\
!:•• 1 shi.utrd. aiul wr \v,-nt lo wo
rk.
Old as %vi
■11 as till- iH'^t •""'
M. K- Diif liad lau'-'lit iia'
in Ins Hilt
II.
(lavs a
t St.
Oui'iitiii.
It
Srl'V('(
1 iilf Will IlKW,
and him. too.
The lii-'lit was
fadiiiL' ill thf narrow com
1. Our
bladfs shoi"' whitf ill
clashfd ill and ont
thr iwili-lil as tin- weapons
;iw. williout lookiiiL'. Crani-
i s
ni<
tnl loaiiinu' a-aiiis
t thf wall, liis iTory
t'ai'f ashfii.
and Yfux-irris
atchiii'-' nif wi
th all his soul, now
uid th.'U shout iiii: a woi
•d (if advict
I liad had '-""'d trainm--'
'. aiH
thfic was in nic
full strcn-^'tli. aiK
Yd I was a
1 L\icas \\as nio''<'
I I foiiirht for all
bov not conic to my
tliaii my ma
tch.
He drove iik
h(Uisc-wall.
hack f.irtlicr and farther toward tlx
Of a sudden I slipped in
smear oi
bl(. k1 [ 't is no lyiniT excus.
I did slip) and lost my
1. lie ran his blade into my shoulder, as
he
^uar(
had ilone w
ith Yeiix-L'ris.
He wtmUl
likelv have finished me had not ii cry
from (irammont shaken him.
"The duke!"
In truth, a de-penin-r noise
,f h(wfs and shouts
came
down the alley from the street
Lucas
looked at me. w
and stood, little hurt, between him am
ho had re-aiiied my truarci
1 M. le Comte
11)6
TIIK lli:i-MKT OF NAVAKKK
He cdulil not push p.ist iiif iiitu flir lioiist- iiml so
tlii(iii'_'li !'• Ill'" "tlni- sfit'ct. lit' iiijulf lor the iilli-y,
i-r\\ iii^r Kilt :
"All i-rvdir. iiifssii'iM's ! Wi- slutll iiii-ct a'_';iin."
(iraiiiiiioiit sL'i/ctI liiin.
"Ht'li* nil', liiicas, for- the Ictvc of Christ' Don't
li'UVt' lilt'. I/Ucas I"'
liiicas I, cat liiiii oil' with tlic .sword.
" Kvfiy man lor hiuistlf!" he cried, and spranjl
down tilt' allt'V.
"It is not thf dnl'.t'." I said to Ycu.x-tjris. "Tt is
most liki'ly the watch." I paled at the thondit, for
the watt'ii was tlic Kca^Mic's. and Lucas by all
sitrns tlif Lca^Mif's tool. It nii).'lit <.'o hard with us
it captiirt'il. "(io tlii'oUL'h the lionst', .M. Ic Comtc,''
I cried. "Quick, if you love your life I I '11 keep
them at the alley's mouth as lon^' as I can."
Not waitinj.' for his answer. I rushed down the
passa<re. At the end of it F ran aszainst Lucas, who,
in his turn, hatl howled intt) Vi^'o.
XI
Viijo.
KNEW of oia that it was easier to
Vateh a w.-as.-l a^l.rp than Vi-.. absent
wh.ivheuasn.r.le.l;>v1 I did not ex
p..,-t to nuTt hin. in tlie alh'V. Mon-
.«».».^- snur. thrn. had rhan-ed his nnnd.
••Well caught!" er.ed Vij:o, wind,n^ h>s arms
,.,,,„,, i^,„,,s. who was stru..'din.. lunonsly tor Id.-
V -He,-.. Mauruv. .hdes I have munber on.
A,: vou youn, si.uuT! wi< mr .-rew a,a.n
;,.,;..ht a: nuH-h. Ti.th..kn .hard. boys. Hette.
be <iuiet. vou snake: you eiin't -rt away.
lL,s s.e,n..d to n.ake np his mind to this, for h.
.niieted down dinotly. • i h-.d
-'So the ,'anu> is up." he sa.d ph'asantly^^ I Jiad
hoped to b,.,'on..b.ror.. vou arrived. d.ar\... -a
\V. had both been .leprived promptly ot our
.words and i.uens's wr.sts were roped together, but
„,v only bond was Vi-.'o's haml on my arm^
■'■Where ar- the others?" he den.anded. No
"' Hen'.'-'l said, an.l led the way down the passage.
. T I ...:*x. 4\...;.. r>ricnner. pressed alter
Mauriee ana .juus. v. nu i----- - i -
107
J«..j Mir.
iOH
Tin; HKLMKT OF NAVAUHK
IIS, ;iii(l lifiir a ilo/fii of tlir (hike's triianl after them.
'I lie n'->f staved witliitiit to iiii!i<l tin- horses and l<i I'p
(|V tlie ''atlitriiiL' eio\\(
Our (if llh' iiMMi had ;i tofdi whieh li^ihted the fed
l>a\tiiieiit. Vi'jo saw this first.
■■ .Mnrhit u ! is it a ^liaiiihh's .'"
"That is wine. " I said.
"'I'I.ey ^|liMed uiiie fni' . iVect. they spilh'd SO little
Mdcdl" 'riiiis i.iH-as. s|ii'akiii'_' with as enoi deviii'V
as if he slill eoniiiiaiidi il the siliialioli. \'i'_'o eoiihl
tint know what he meant hut he asked no ipiestions;
instead. Iiade Liii as hold his toiiL'ue.
"I am diimli." Lucas i' loined, with a iiioek meek-
ness nioi'e iiisoieiil tiian insolenn'. Hnl we [laid it
no heed foi- .\l. \{- Conit" eanie I'oiwanl out cd' the
shadows, lie held his head will up Imt his fai'O
was white aliove his ei-imsonetl douhlet.
"M. Ktieiire! Ale you hurt .'" shouted Vitro.
" .\o. hut he is," .\l. !e Comte stepfted aside to
show us (irammont leanin_' aLsanist the wall.
".\h!" died \'it:o. t fiumphautly. lie and twc
of the men I'Usheil at (lervais.
■'^'ou would not take me so easily luit for a cursed
knife in tiiy hack," <iiairiiin>nt muttered thickly.
■■F(U- the love id' Heaven. \'ii.'o. draw it out."
With ama/ement ViLTo {)crceived ihe knife.
"Who di<l it .■"
•I."
"Voii, Felix .' In tlio hack?" N'Il'o looked at me,
as if to demand airain which side I was on.
*'|I.. |;!\' j>ji i>!e llirott!'*!" !!!e " f C \ !>!;!! Ul'd. '^1
stahhed any Avay I could."'
m
YPfi.'- iv^fr '
VI(M3
109
I trow you art' ii 'lc<«l man.
Vi-_'o told (iram-
mnnt.
Natlit'lf.s. hi-fi' i-oiiu's til.' kn\U'
It caiiu'. with a L'rra
t crv from tin- victim. H*
fell I'ack atiaiiist Vino's m
Ills sidr
an, t'lappin^r liis haiul to
I am tl-'iir tor." hv '.'aspid faintly.
That is w.'ll." said Vi-o, .an-liilly wiping <•
tr
the knit't
Yon is til.' scoundrel/' (Irannn-.tit ^aspcl. point-
inn to Lucas.
"lie uiii <iic a worst- d.jitli than yoii." sai(
(irammont InoU.d frmu the one to liir other of us.
the sullen ra-e in his face fa.lin- 1o a pu//.h'd help-
1 Vi'/<
K'ssnt
He said fretfully:
"Which wliich is llliennc'
He couhl no h-ii-er see us plain. M. 'e Comte
forward silently. (Irammont struirded t..r
came
breath in a way
about
straie
M. le Coiiite's sh'evi
pitiahle to St,'. I put my
arm
him and helped the iruardsman to hold him
liter, lie reached oui his hand and cau'.dit at
fitienne-Klieniie- pardon. Tt was wroniT to-
1 you-hut I never had the pistoles. Tie called
liicf- the duke. I l„.seecli -vour-pardon."
M. Ic Comte was silent.
"It was all l.ueas 1-ueasdi.l it.'T.ratnmont mut-
war(
nu' t
tcrcil with stitVeninir lips.
I am sorry
for- it. T
Ivin'.'-T cannot die without a ( hance. Say you
am (
— for— trivi
Still M. le Comte h.id hack, silent. Treacher
loss treachery thoii-zh (Irammont was dyinL'
was no
Ail the mori
ii _j i\.
nfiiminu^ f
hod fellows, was
110
THE HELMET OP NAVARRE
the injury 'r-'roat to for^'ive. M. le Comte said
nothing.
How (irammont found tho strcnfrth only Hod
knows, who haply in his ).'00(hn'ss ^'ave him a last
chance of mercy. Smldeidy he straitrlitened his
siiikinj: body, started from our hold, and tottered
Inward his cousin, both hiuids oulstrdclied in appeal.
M. le C'omte's face was set like a tliut. The dying
man faltered forward. Then M. fitieniie. never
changing his countenance, slowly, lialf reluctantly,
like a man in a dream, held out his hand.
iiut the old comrades, estranired by traitory. were
never to clasp again. As he leadied M. le ('ouite,
(ii'anuiiont f( 11 at his feet.
"He was a strong man." said Vigo, lie turned
(iraiimiont's face up and added the word. "Uead.'"
Vigo achned tlie Duke of St. (^uentin. Otherwise
he had no emotions.
But I was not easediardeneii. And I I myself
— had shiin this man. who had died slowly and in
LM-eat pain. Vigo's voice sounded to me far otl" as
he said bluntly:
"M. le Comte. I make you my prisons."
"No. by Heaven:" cried M. fitienne. in a vibrat-
ing voice that binuight iii<^ back to reality: "no,
Vigo! T am r.o unirderer. Things may look l)laek
atiainst nie but T am itmocent. You have one vil-
lain at your feet and one a prisoner, but T am not
a third! 1 am a St. (^ueiitin : T do not plot against
my I'ather. T was to aid (irannnont to set on Tineas,
who wouhl not answer a challentre. I have been
tricked. Gervais asked my forgiveness— you heard
VIGO
111
him Their dupe. yos-accon.pliooT^vas not. Never
have I lifted my hand a-ainst n.y father, nor would
1 whatever eanie. That I swear. Never have I laid
eyes on Lucas since I left Monsieur's presence, till
now when he came out ..f that door side by side with
(irannnont. Whatever the pL.t. I knew naught ut
it I am a St. (^lentin-no parricide!
'The rin-in- voice ceased and M. le Comte stood
«il,nt, with hat'szard eyes on Vi-.'o. Had he been
prisoner <a the bar of judtrnient he could not have
waited in ^-reater anxiety. Fo. Vi^'o. the yeoman
and srrvant, never minced words to anv man nor
swerved from the stark truth.
I burned to seize Vigo's arm, to spur him on to
speech Of course he believed M. £tienne; how
.lared he make his master wait for the assurance?
On his knees he should be. imploring M. le Comte s
pardon. , , ,
But no thought of humbling himself troubled
Vi^ro. Nor did he pnmounce ju<lgment, but merely
said : rr
"M. le Comte will go home with me now. lo-
morrow he can tell his story to my master."
"I will tell it before this hour is out!"
"No. M. Ic Due has h ft I'aris. Hut it matters
not, M. Ktienn.'. .Monsieur suspeets nothing against
von Felix kept vour name from him. And by the
'time T had screwed it .mt of Martin, Monsieur was
gone." , ,
"(Jone out of Paris?" M. fitienne echoed blankly.
To his eagerness it was as if M. le Due were out of
France.
112
THE HELMET OF NAVARKE
"Ayo. He meant to go to-night— Monsieur,
Lucas, and I. But when Monsieur learned of this
plot, he swore he M -so in open day. 'If tlie League
must kill nie," says he, 'they eaii do it in daylight,
with all Paris watchiiitr.' That "s Monsieur !"
At this I understood how Vi^o eanie to he in the
Rue Coiipejari.'ts. Monsieur, in his distress and
anxiety to lit- ^'one from that unhapi)y house, had
forgotten the spy. Left to his own deviees. the
('(juery, struek with suspieion at Lueas's ahseiu-e,
laid instant hands on Martin the elerk. with whom
Lucas, disliked in the household, liad liad soiiu- in-
timacy. It had not oecurred to Vigo that M. le
( ',mte. if guilty, should he spared. At once he ha<t
sounded hoots and saddles.
" I will return with you. Vigo." M. le Comte said.
"Does tlie meanest lackey in my father's house call
me parricide, I nuist meet the cliarge. My father
and I have ditlVred hut if w.- are no longer friends
we are still nohlemen. I could n^'ver plot his mur-
der, nor coidd he for one moment helieve it of me."
I. guilty wretcli. (luailed. To take a tlogging were
easier than to confess to him the truth. But I con-
ceived I must.
"Monsieur." I said, "I told .M. le Due you werr
guilty. I went Inck a seeoiul time and told him."
"And he.'" cried M. P.tienne.
"Yes, monsieur, he did helieve it."
"Morhleu! that caiuiot he true," Vigo cried, "for
when I saw him lie gave no sign."
"It is true. Hut he wouhl not have M. le Comte
touched, lie said he could not move in the matter;
1.. 1,1 .,
rU 1,
-ltl-»l 1.- 1 1
'!^m^im^\m^
VIGO
113
M. lo Conitc's fat'o l)la/.o(l as li.> criod out:
"•Vastly iiiiiuiiariiiiKnis! I thank liiiii not. I 'II
iKiiic of his iiiciTV. I expected his faith."
•"Voii had iiii chiiiii to it. M. le ("oiiite."
" Viu'o!" eticd the youn<^' noble, "you are insolent.
sirrali I"
"I cry nionsiiMir's parih...."
lie was ipiiir I'spcctful and quite unahashecl. He
had meant no insolmce. Hut M. fitienne luid dared
(•11
tieise the duke and thai Viiro ilid not allow,
M. Ktieiiiir 'blared al hiiu in spi cchless wrath. It
udulil have !ii<ed him well to hrinu' this «'ontumelious
varlet to his knees. Hut how.' It was a l)yword
that X'iiro iiiindi<l no man's iie but the duke's. The
Kinu' of France could not d.ash him.
Vi:_'o went on :
"It seems I havo exceeded my duty, monsieur, in
comiii'^' lure. Yet it tni-ns out for t!ie best, since
:ht and M. de (Irammont dead and you
iiUca
s IS can
cleared ot suspicion.
"Whatl" Venx-i:iis cried. ''What! you call me
cleared '."
Vi<_'o looked at him in surprise.
"You said you were innocent. M. h' ('omte."
M. Ic Comte stared, without a word to answer.
The cijiieiy. all unaware of having' said anythini:
unexpi'ctcd, iiiiaicd to the uniardsman Maurice:
Well, is Lucas trussed.' Have you searched
um
Maui'ic.' displayed a ponianl and a hiindful of
Ic boot V. bill Jules madt' haste to
small coins lor so
announce : "He has somethiiiL;- ( Ise. thouLdi - a papei-
sewe(
1 i)[nn his diiublet. Shall I rip it out. -M. Viiro
114
THK IJELMET OF NAVAURE
With 1.UI-, >'s own knil".' tli.' •rrinnini: Jul.'s slashod
Ills .I()iil)l.'t from throiit to tliidi. t.) .•xtriict a fnUU'd
papcM- tlu' size of y(Mir i)aliii. Viiro i)oiitl<'iv(l the
supiTscriptioii slowly, ii-.t iiiufli at lioiiu' with the
work of a <iuill. savt- tliosc that wiiiL'cd arrows. M.
r:tii-niH'. .•oiiiinu' foi'ward, with a sharp .•xclaiimtioii
siiatclu'd tlic pat'kcl.
■•How .-aim- you by my h-ttcr.'" he (l.-inaiidod of
huras.
".M. h' ("omti' was pleased to eoiisi<ni it for deliv-
ery to Martin."
"What purpose had you with it?"'
"Kesl assur.'d. dear monsieur. I had a purpnst'."
Tiie ([uestious were storuiily v.'hement. the an-
swers s(, i-'entle as to 1..' fairly caressing'. It was
waste of time and di'-Miity to parley wi ' o seoun-
drol till one could ha.k one's (pieries \ . the hoot.
Hut .M. Ktienne's passion knew no waitini.'. Thrusi-
in^' the letter into his hreast ere I. who liad ed-red
up to him. eould cateh a -riimpse of its address, he
cried uiion Lneas:
"Speak! Vou were rea<iy enou^di to .jeer at me
fo,. J, ,lu|)e. Tell me what you would do with your
dupe. You dared not open the plot to me-y(m did
„„. Ill,, ho. lour to know 1 would not kil'. my father.
Then why use me blindfold? An av,kward iranie.
Lucas."
Lucas disagreed as polit.'ly as if oxohanpins: pleas-
anti'ies in a salon.
".\ dextermis uame. M. h' Comto. Your !)est
friends deemed you ^'uilty. What would your ene-
mies have said?"
VIGO
115
"Ah-h," br.athetl M. fitieiine.
"It dawns on you. nionsu-iir / You are marvel-
lous thk-k-wittmi. yet surely you must pereeive. We
had a dozen fellows ready to swiar tliat y(mr hand
killed Monsieur."
"You would kill me for my father's munU-r?"
"Ma foi, no!'" eried Lueas. airily. ".Never m tin-
world! We should have let you live, in tlu- km.w-
led-re that whenever you displeased us we could send
vou to the ^'allows."
M. h- Comte. silent, stared !>.t him with wild eyes,
like one who looks into the open roof of hell. I.ucas
fell to lan>:hinL'.
•■Wliat : \n\u\: you and h-t our eousin Valere suc-
ceed? Mon (lieu, no! M. de VahMv is a man!"
With a hlow the 'guardsman struck the words and
the lau-zhter from his lii)s. But I. who no more
than Lueas knew how to hold my tou'^'ue. thou^'hl I
saw a better way to punish tliis brazen knave. I
cried out:
"Y(.u are the dupe. T.ucas ! Aye, and coward to
boot, lleein^' here from — nothintr. I knew nau-rht
airainst you— you saw that. To slip out and warn
.Martin before \'i<_'o '^'ot a chance at him— that was
all you had to do. Yet you nev.'r thou^'ht of that
but'rusl d awiy hen-, h-avintr Martin to betray you.
Had you stiu'lv to your post you had been now on
the r()ad to St. Denis, instead of the road to the
Greve! Fool! fool! fool!"
He winced. Tie had not been ashamed to betray
his benefactor, to bite tlu' liand that fed him. to
desert a wounded conu-ade : but he was ashamed to
116
Till-] HELMET UF NAVAKKE
i-uiifroiit his own bluiKk-r. I had tiie sat isf action of
|)rif!:iuf;, nut his conscience, lor he liad none, but
his [)ride.
•I iiad to warn Cranimont oir," he retorted.
"Could I believe St. (^lentin such a lack-wit as to
lor^iive these two because they w<'re his kin ^ You
(lid better than you kiK-w when you shut the door
on me. You tracked nie, you marplot, you sneak!
How fame you into the coil .'"'
"By (iod's ^raie," M. le Tomte answered. lie
laid a hand on my shoulder and leaned there heavdy.
Lucas grinned.
"Ah, waxin^r pious, is he? The prodigal prepares
to return."
M. fitienne's hand clinched on my shoulder. Vitro
cimnnanded a jza-: for Lucas, sayin-r. with the oidy
touch of anger I ever knew him to show:
"lie shall hang when tin- king comes in. And
now to horse, huls, and out of the ([uarter; we have
wasted too nuich time palavering. King Henry is
not in Paris yet. We shall do well not to rouse
ii.'lin. though we can niake him trouble if he troubles
us. Come, monsieur. :Men. guard your prisoner.
I misjudge if he is not cropful of the devil still."
He did not look it. His ligure was drooping: his
face purple and contorted, for one of the troopers
had cranniied his scarf into the man's mouth, half
strangling him. As he was led past us. with a sud-
den frantic et^'ort. fit to dislocate his jaw, he dis-
gorged the gag to cry out wildly:
"Oh, M. I'ficuyer, have mercy! Have pity upon
me ! For Cliribt 's sake, pity ! ' '
A i ;..\- II tir.
. . I ■riirt w I . u k •> ;■ VI
\ IN.. I on S Tilt AI.l.KV.
m-ms:imm
\UJU
1 19
His bravado had broken anuu at U.l. /i^-^'''^^
,, tUn. bMns.,.lf at Vino's f.... The guards relaxed
tlu-ir l-.old to M- l.iin LM-..v,l.
-n,a, ,,vas what h- h.d hopr.l lor. In a Hash h.
,,as out ..tth-.r^ras,..tly.n^dou nth., alley.
••To Viuol Vi^o IS atta.k.d. wr hea.d hnu
''uuassoMui.U.-s, 1 dun>found>.d. And th.n
.0 dashed after. ,.11 n.ell. tun.hlin.' over one un^
,,,,,,„ .,..,. stan.ped,.. In the alley we ran a.an St
threeur lour ..f the. uardanswenn.LueasseO^
We lost preeious s.ronds disentan.duiL' ourseh.. and
slu>utin.thatit^vasarus,.andonr,.^soneres.^^^^^
When thev .onn.r-hend.d. we all rushed tou. Uu
out of the passage, en.er.m, anu.n, tr.,htened
horses and a ureal p.•e^s oi exe.led n.^n.
XII
Tin Conitt (I, Mtir.
illlClI way w.'iit hr?"
•"Tlu- man wlm jusl (.-unu' out?"
"This way !"
"Xo. yuiider I"
'■ Nay. I saw liini not."
"A man with bouud hands, you say?"
"IkTc!"
"Down that way!"
"A Piiin in bhick. was he? Tlorr he is!"
"Fool, no; ht' went that way!"
M. P.titMUK'. Vi<:o. I. and tin- <.Miardsm('n rushed
hither and thither into the ever-lliieUeiiin'^' crowd,
shoutinj: after liUeas anil exelian^'in;: rapid (juestions
with every one we passed. But from the very tii'st
the search was hopeless. It was daik l)y this time
and a mass of people blocked the street, surtrini: this
way and that. s(tme eaLrerly joininu; in the ••Iiase.
others, from ready sympathy with any i'0'_Mie. doin<:
their best to hinder and eonfu.se us. There was no
way to tell how he had ^one. A needle in a hay-
stack is easy found compared with him who loses
himself in a Paris crowd V\v night.
M. Rtieiine nliin'-'cd i!ito tlie tirst openiner he saw,
liiO
■SiSSei^s^fmm.
>^^<;^J^r(l^^
THK ( UMTK DK MAK
ll'l
flbowinj; his wiiy iii.iii fully. 1 C«»ll"\\'"l '" ''''* wakr.
liis tall liii-riit h<M<l iiiakiiiL' as 'jood an i>rillaniiiif
as till' kiii^''s pliiiiif at Ivi-y. Imt wlu'ii at Icimtli we
(Miiif out tar (liiwii tlif sircft we lia<l sfcn ii'» trai'f
1)1' Lui-a.s.
■■He is L'l'tlf." saiti M. |i' ('olllti'.
••Vcs, iiKiiisitiir. If it ucri' day tliry iiii^'lit liti-1
liiiii. hut not now."
■'.N(i. l'l\tti ViL'd will lint tiiid liim. H«' i"^
wofstcd fn?- once. [[•■ has l-'t slij> tin- shrt'wdt'st
Uiiavc in Fiaiicf. Will, lif is L'oiir," lir rcpcatt'd
after a iiiiiiutc "It (.'amidt lif iinndcd l»y ii:o. Ilf
is (itV. and Ml am I."
'• Whitlii'i'. iiiDiisiciir?"
"That is uiy I'tmcriii."
"Hut iiKnisii'Uf will s.f M. Ic Duo?"
Ik' shook his head.
" Hul, iiioiisi( ui'
Ih' hi-okt" in on iin' licrccly.
"Think you that I - I. siniix'lu'd and sullied, rock-
ini: with plots of nuii'dci' — am likely to betake myself
to the noblest ireiitlenian in France?"'
"He will weleome M. Ie Comte.'"
"Xay: he believed me <ruilty."
" But. monsieur— ''
"You may not say 'but' to me "
"Pardon, monsieur. Am I to tell Virfo monsieur
is L'one ? * '
"Yes. tell him." His lip (piivcr. d : he struir-rh'd
hard for steadiness. "You will <_'o to .M. Ie Due.
Felix, and rise in his favour, for it was you saved
his life. Then tell him this from me — that some
Til. 11 I fiillowcd
pjy THF, IIKI.MKT <»F NAVAKUK
,,,v wh.M. I l.av ..K..i.- Ml- wortl.y to .nt.-r his ,.res-
..■■;. ,11.... will I In.ii a.i.l 1.. . Ins l... .. v..n..s.
„„ ,„v U...'.-s. A.ul nuu l;.n.\v.ll.
n.- slii.p-.l :.UMV iiiln ill-' .iii'-kii..ss.
I st.M;.l li.'sitati.i- tni- :i .11.-1. i.'tH
'"■ll!''sla. K.n...l his ,...•.■ as !..■ l.-anl fn.,fst..,.s ..v..'.
tab-hi.„. M.i.luh.-va h..nn...fr.--'htsh...i.;.mt Ir
,„ .In,..- h.- uh.vh.l ahnul. ihn.kiM^: lu. a
i.iotpa.l.
"Ynu. F.'lix?"
"Y.-s. ....msi.-m-: I '-'o with M. !.■ ("...f.
"I havf ni.t pt-n litt.il yo.i. '
...,■,,,„, „ust I-... in .k-spi... M..nsi.-urisu.m.uU-.l:
I ,,nH...t h'MV.- hi.u 1.. •-'.. .iMs.iui.v.l.'
...l.,,,,,.„,,lark.'yst.. hiiv. I ha.h' y..u sock M. h
"•Is not monsieur a ihouu'ht nnivasonahh"? I can-
„ot h.- in two pla.M.s al onn-. M.msi.Mn- .-an s,,..! a
,,.,,,,, 'Ph.. .Ink., has Vi.^'o an.l a h..us.-hol(l. 1 '.'o
with M. U' Conit.'."' ,, w.
"()h •'h...-.M.'.l.-'V"Ha.Ta iaithtuis.-.vanl. ^\ •
an. ri.hl.n t.) .U-ath hy our faithful s..-vauts. ^v.' St.
(.Mu.utins. Myself. I pn'for iU>as!-JIo added.
..MM.wi...-' au.-M'ior. ••Will you leave me?
"\o .....iisieur." said 1.
11, .d..w..,.'.l at !...' and I think he had some notion
.,r .ha'^int: ,...■ away with his swo.-d. But since his
di-'nitv eould not so stoop, he ..'n.wled:
••('.nne. the... if you eho.^s.. to e.....e unasked ami
niost \inweleoiu.' '.'
With this he walked on a yaid ahead ol me. never
THK <'<»MTF. KK MAU
1 ■-•:«
tnrnin- liin lifii'l n-.r siiym- ii word. T folloumu'
nu'rkly" wotul.riii- whith.r. mimI i|.v..utly hni.iii-i it
iiii^rht Im- to siiiM"!-. I'lVMiilly I ..l.s.ivr.l that we
w.T." .', :i iM'ttiT iiniirt.T of \\\<' t<i\vii. iiml Ix't'orc lim^'
W.' l-illllf to a l)>-n;i.l. urllli-liti<l nin wIk'Iw.' |>r..
(..•.'(Ir.l a i.icrry cliatt.r :iii(l raltlr of .Imt. M.
I^:tu'im.' witli accusloiiu'.l f.-.'t tirii.'.l into llw court
at tlif sid.'. and sfi/in-.' ii|>nii a drawer win. was
crossiriir from door to door dospatdiiMl him for tliP
laiulloi-d. MiiK' host caiii.'. fal and siiriliiiL'. unwor-
vm\ l.y tin- hard tiiias. ..Mvtrd Youx-<:ris with ac-
claim "as "this drar M. h' <'oint.'.'" wmidrrcd at his
loi\l.' al.sciic and hloody slim, and u'rant-.l with all
alacrity his three dnnands of a supper, a snri.'t>oti,
and a lied. T stood hack, ill at eav-. aching' at the
mention (.f sui>per. and wi.ndenni: whether I were to
he driven otV like an ohtrusive pupiiy. Hut when M.
le Comte. without '.danciii'-' at nie. --aid to the drawer.
"Take care of niy scrvin^'-man,'" I knew my stomach
was safe.
T'lat was the most I thou'_'ht of then. I do con-
fess, for. e.xci'pt for my sausaire. I had not tasted food
si. niornin-/. '''he harher came and hamlaired M.
le Comtc and pnt him straiirht to bed. and I was left
free to fall on the amj.le victuals set hef(.re me. and
was so comfortable and hapj.y that the Ifue Coiipe-
jarrets seemed like an evil dream. Since that day I
have been an easy mirk for be-_"_'ars if they could
but manatre to look starved.
Presently came a servant to say that my bed was
spread i>i M. le Comte's room, and np-stairs ran I
v,'itb i'.n ntterly happy heart, for T saw by this token
!«^<
1 'J 4
THE FIELMET < »F NAVARKE
lliut I wiis forL'ivni. Iii(l<'<',l. im sooiuv liad I irnl
fairly iiisid.' tli.' tloor than my inast,M- rais.'.l hiiasclt
on his sound v\\)ow and calhd tuit :
"All, Frlix. do y<Mi l)»'i'i- nil' maliff for an un-
•jralofnl churl .""
"1 hear nialiiv?" I cried, tlushin-. --Monsicuris
niockini.' inc. I know nioiisicui- cannot love inc. since
I attciiiptrd his life. Vet my wish is t.. he allowed
to serve liini so faithfully that he can tor-et it."
"Nay." he said: "I have foi<:otlen it. And it
was frci'ly foruiveii from the moment I saw Luca-s at
my cousin 's side.
"For the second time." I said, "monsieur saved
my life." And I droi.pcd on my kmcs beside the
l,ed to kiss his hand. Hm he snatched it away from
nil' and tluii-' his arm around my neck i\ud kissed
my '.'heck.
"Felix," he cried, '"luit for you my hands would
he red with my father's Mood. You rescued him
from death and me from worse. If I have any
shnds of honour left 'l is you have saved them
to me,"
"Monsieur." I stami'icred. "I .li.l nauirht. I am
your servant till I die."
"Vou deserve a better master. What am i?
Lucas's puppet! Lucas's fool '."
■•.Monsieur, it was not Lucas alone. It was a plot.
You know what he said — "
"Aye." he cried with bitter vehemence. "I shall
leiiiemiier i'or some time what lie said. They would
not kill me to make my cousin Valere duke! He
was a man. But I-nom de dieu, I was not worth
tlic Uiiliii''.''
THE comtp: de mar
125
"It is till' Loa'^'uc's srhomiim. monsieur."'
•'Oh. that (inos not need the sayinir. Sccrotarirs
don't plot ii«:ainst dr.krdonis on thrir own aceount.
Soiii." hi'ih man is l.chind I,ucas-I daiv swrar his
C.VAvv of Mayi-niir Ininsrir. It is no smrt now
ulu'i-.' Monsi.'iir stands. Yi't tlu- kin-:V, party ^'rows
so stroiiL' and tlir moh so chtM-s Monsi.'iir. th." Lca^'iu"
(hiiv not strike opon'y. So they put a spy in the
house to ehoosr lime and way. And tlie spy
would not stab, l"or he saw lie eoul<l make me do his
work for him. He saw I nerded imt a push to eome
t(, oj.cn breach with my father. He izave the push.
(Vn. hi' .M.uld make me pull his chestnuts from the
t:iv well enou<:h. biirninL' my hands .so that I conhl
never strike a five blow airam. I was to be their
slave, their thrall forever!"
"Never that, monsieur: never that 1"
"I am m>t so sure." he cried. "Had it not been
for the advent of a stray boy from Picardie. I trow
lai-as would have put his purpose throu-rh. I was
blindfolded : I saw nothiu'r. I knew my cousin Cier-
vais to bo morose and c-iiel ; yet I had done him no
h;n-ni ; I bad always .sto.xl his friend. I thou'^dit him
sliamefully used; I let myself be turned out of my
father's liouse to eiiampion him. 1 had no more
iioti(tii he was plottiiiu' my ruin than a child playing'
with his d.olls. I was their doll, mordieu! their toy,
their crazy fool on a chain. But lii'e is not over yet.
To-morrow I ^'o to pledge my sword to Henry of
Navarre."
"Monsieur, if he conies to the faith—"
"Mordieu! faith is not all. Were he a paean of
th.o wilderness he were better than these Leaguers.
126
TIIK IIELMKT OF NAVAHKE
lie Htxlits lionistly niul linufly iind ironcrously. TIo
cuiild have had the I'ity Ix'I'or.' now. save t'lat ho will
not starve us. Il«' h)i>ks >h<' .ithi i' way. and ttic pro-
vision-lraiiis (m.iiic in. Bui tlir l.ra-urrs. with all
thfii- iT^'iinriits. davr not oprniy sti'ikc <h)wn oiil'
man.- one man who has cniur all alonr into thrir
country. - th^'y p\it a spy into his house to eat liis
bread and lietray hini: tliey stir up liis own km to
shiy him. tliat it may n( ( I'e eall-d the LeauMie's
woi-k. And tiiey are most Catliolie and riohle L'eii-
tlemen! Nay. I am done with tliese pious (.lotters
\v!io wonlil redden my hands with my fathei'^s !)h)od
and make me ouleast and despised of ail men. 1
have spent my playtime witli the Leagiie; I will 1:0
woi-k with Henry of Navarre!"
I eauudit his tire.
"J^\- Si. (Juentin," I ei'ied, ''we will heal these
Leairuers yet I"
lie lauirhed. yet his eyes l)urned with determi-
nation.
"By "^t. (.Mientin. shall we! You and T. Feli.x.
you ami I alone will overtufn the vhoie LeaL'ue '.
We will sh.iw them what v.e are made of. They
think liuditly of me. Why not .' I never took par*
with my father-. I la/eii ahout in these iray I'aris
lioiises, hent on my pleasnic. too shallow a fop even
in take sides in the (iirl'.t for a kiiiirdom. Whai
^hoidd they see in nn- hnl an enii)1ydioaded rois-
»<'rei'. fritti'rinir away his life in follies.' But they
\ill jind f am something' mon-. Well, entei-
there'"'
lie (liopj.ed haek ;Mnon'_' the pillows, striving' to
THE COMTE DE MAR
121
look careless, as Mnitiv Mcimnl. th.^ liindlonl. npoii.'d
\hc (looi jind st(K)(l shuniiiit: on tli<' tlir.'sliold.
'•Docs M. If ("oiiitc slo.'l).'" lir :iskt'(l liir (l.'f«T-
..nliiilly. t'i(.u'_'h I think lu- rniild ;iot i>nt liaw heard
M. f:th'iiiir's tiradiii'-' hidf-\v;iy down tlic passaiTf.
"Not yrl." I answfi'i'd. ••\Vhal is il.''"
•■Why. il iiiiin ciiiiii^ wilh :i hillct for M. h' (''nitc
am! insislt'd il hr sent in. I told !uni .Monsieur was
not to 'h' distiirlnd: W had Immii wounded and was
sleepinir: I saiil it was not >ense to wake liiin for a
letter tliat woidd keep till niornin-.'. Hut lie would
have it "t was oT in.>tant iiiipoil. and so — "
'•Oil. he is not asje.-i)."' I declared, caucrly iishcr-
iiiLt the iiiaitre in, my min<l lc:ii«in'^' to the ooiiclu-
sioii. for no reason save my anUnt wish, tlia. Viu'o
had discovered our wlie/i'al'iMit--.
••J dared not denv him fuiMlier." added M:iitre
Menard, "lie wore the liveries '" M. de .Mayenne."
••i)f Mayenne." 1 echoe<i. th .int: of what .M.
J^ltieniic had said, '•rardiei;. it may i)e Lucas him-
self!"' And snatchiiii: ;.p my mastir's sv.oi-d I
dashed out of the door and was i the cabaret in
threi' steps.
The room coi.lained soiin^ score of men, but T.
peering about by th.e uiicrtain can<lle-lit:ht. could
liml no one v>lio in any wise rescuitiled Lucas. A
vouii"-' e-amester >-eated near the door, whom my sud-
den entranc had Jostle, 1, ro<e. di'mamtinu' in the
name of his outra-ed diu'iiity to cross swords with
me. On any othei- day 1 had deemed it im|)ossibIe
to say him nay. but now with a real ventreanee, a
(lunrrel a outrance on my hands, he seemed (d" no
128
TMK HELMI.T OI" NAVAKUE
(■(iiis('i|ii.iu'(' ;it all. I hnislicd liiiii aside us I dc-
iiiaiiili'd M. i\r Maycmic's in;' 'i'luy said lie was
"jjotic. i fi'ii out into tlic da- iiit and the dai'kcr
stri'ct.
A tapster. lnim<jiiiu' in Uif cniirtyafd. had seen
iiiy man [lass out. and lie <'jiin(d with luucli i\'ason
iiiaf ! should not (•at<'h liiiii. \ i-\ i I'an .1 hundi'cil
yafds up stiect and a hundfcd yai'ds down street,
shouting on the name of iiUeas, calliiiu' him coward
jMid sktdl;. r. hiddinu liim come forth and li^'lit me.
Till' whole nciL:!il)ourh(K)d became aware than I
wanted one I.ucas to iiLrht : lii:hts twinkh-d in win-
dows: men, women, and eliildreii jtoured out of
dooi's. But l.iicas. if it were he liad for the second
time vanished soft-footed into tlie iiiurht.
I returiifd with droopinu tail to M. r'.tienne. lie
was alone, sitting' up in bed awaitinii me. his cheeks
scarlet, his eyes l)la/.inL'.
"He is ^'one," I [)anted. "I looked everywhere,
hut lie was irone. Oh. if 1 eau'-dit Lucas
"You little fooll" he exclaimed, "This wa.s not
Lucas. Hail you waited lonu (■ii..ULdi to hear your
name called, I had told you. This is no eirand of
Lucas hut a veiy ditVereni matter."
He sat a iiioni''iit, tiiinkinu'. still with that ^'litter
of I'xeitemei'.t in his eyes. Thr next instant he
threw off tlie hedelothes an<! started to rise.
"(iet my clothes. Felix. I iiuist <^n to the Hotel
(le I-orraine."
Hut I tiling myself upon him. pushiii'j' him l»aek
into bed and di-agginj; the cover over liim by main
force.
THF, OMTK DK MAK
1 •_•".>
"You cnu <_'«• iKiuhnr. M. Kticniu' : it is iiiadntss.
T!h' sur"_'roii said \ou nmsl lir liri'.- I'nr tliiff days.
You will <j.i'\ a I'cvtT ill your wounds; yi>u shall
not iro. "'
"(let otT iiif. "od fot \ou: you 'w sniotlu'viiu:
mv," ho irasprd. CautiMusiy I rclaxfd my '-'I'ip. still
holdin-: liiiu down. !!<■ api-oaloil : '-F^'lix. I nnist
L'u. So louL^ as t'liiTf iv a spark d liiV I'dt in nii-. I
luivo no olioici' Imt to ^o. "
".Monsieur, you saiil yu were done wiih tlic
lii'au'Ufrs — with M. dc .Maycniif."
"Aye, so 1 did," he cnvd. ••Hut tliis-l)Ut this
is LoraiKT."
Thfii, at my look of mystilication, ho sudilfuly
opened his hand and tossed nie the letter he had lield
elose in his palm.
I read :
M. lie Mar a}'}iear< to ronsifh'r himsi'!/ of nri/ litth coii.<r-
tjH^tiie, or of rerij onut, simr hr /> ii},-iiit n nhoU' wonth from
thf Hotel lie Lorruhir. Does he think hr is not wissnl : Or is he
so sure of hi.s stfuuliuij that he fears ho siij,iila)itin;i .' />' rither
case lie is uroti;i. Hr is missiJ Imf he irill not /»-• missid Jor-
erer. H< imo/, if hi irili tie firijiren : or he mail, if In- mil. lie
torqoiten. If he innilil rseapc olilirioti. bt him lomr to-imiht, iit
the deraith hoxr, to lai/ hi^ njioloijiis nf tin feet oj
LoKAN\ K DH MtiNTLlC.
" And she - "
"Is cousin and ward to the Duke of Mayenne.
Yes, and my heart's desire."
"Monsieur-
"Ave, you be'-oii ti> m'i- it now." ll'- erietl Velie-
mentlv. "You see why I hav'' >nick to I'ai'is these
ll
pi?^*w:,^w^
i:{()
Tin: Fii:i-.MKT of navakrk
tlifcf yciii's. why I coiiM iml folidu my r;i!liff iriln
• •.Nile. I' \\;is iiHur ilinii ;i hanilful of i)i>tnl,s i-jhsm il
lllc ln'cilcll Willi .Mol!>icm' ; lilorr tllJIII II i|U,-nii'l i>M'l'
(icI'V.-lis ill' <;i';illlllinll1. 'I li:,1 W.I- llii- >ii.ii-k 'KMldlr'l
lllc |M)\\<li I', luit tlir ,1 rain was laid."
■■'I'licii you. ini'ii>i'''ir. v.rvi- a Lia'Jiiir.'
"Nay. I was [ml '." lif riid. '■'1'" iii\ ri-.-f|it. nr
iiiv shaiiic. as yoii cIiuks", I was nn:. I was inilhiT
n[;c nor tiir oi lici'. iH'ii I r li^li iiipr lli -Ii, My latin r
fiioilLrlit iiic a la-ai:iif!-, luit I was 11^;. I was not di--
joyal. in died at li-asl. In the Ihhisi' that Imrf iiif.
Mciisiciir rrsilcd nir I'm' a '•ktilli -. a faiuraiit ; tmiii
dr dialilc. !if iiii'jlit liavi' ifiiM'iiiiiri-<-(l lii^ own tliifc
years of idinirss I
■■ Motisiriir licld (Hit for !iis rcliuioii -""
'• .Madciiioiscilc is iii\- irliuioii." Iir crii'd. and tlini
lau^liiil. not iiicirily.
"I'ardifii! i'or all my i>aiiis I liavr not won Iut.
I have skiilknl and ovadrd and t.'mi>ori/ci| t'o.''
riotliiii'j. 1 would not Join lli^ Lca-ii" and hrrak my
fatlicf's I'.fai't : would not stand out auain^t il and
lose Loi'ancr. t liavi' lu'cii ti->iii'j tlu'^c tlirr years
to i>k asv liolh the 'joat and llh' caliliaec - w it'i the
■i!s\ial rridimj:. I haM' idra-rd nolxHly. I am out ,^\'
Mayiniif's 'moks: he made me ovei'tures and I re-
fused him. \ am out of niy father's l',.'ol;s: he
thinks me a traitoi- and pav-'icide. And 1 am out of
iiiadeiiioisi-l|e\ : she despises me for a hi'-'Liai'd. iiad
I eone 111 with Mayenne I had won her. il.;d I
L'one witii Monsieur I was sui'i' of a command in
Kinu Ilcni'v's army. I^ul 1. wantinu' holh. <.ret i;ei-
tliei-. lietweeii 1w(t sioois. 1 f;dl misei'ahiy ^o the
TIIK COMTK DK MAR
i:n
frrotind. I ;mi I)ii1 a dautlltT, a <in ndthin?. tli.- Imft
and laii<-'liiiiLr-st(icls of all ln'avr iiicii.
"But I am (liuic with sliilly-shally I"' lir aii<l«'ii.
c.itcliinir liis liicalli. "Foi- nnce I shall do soiin'-
thiii;.'. Mill'. (I<' Mdiilliic has <:iv(ii iiif a last
fhaiicc. Shi' has sent for iiif. and I t:o. If I lall
dead i>u her tliri'shohj, I at least dif lonkiii'-' at
her."
'•Monsieur, nionsii-ui-." I ciifd in dcspaii', '"you
will not die lookiiiL' at Iut. foi' you will die out hci-e
in the strct't. and that will pi'otit neither you nor
her, hut (udy Lucas and his crew."
•■That is as may Ix'. At least I make the attempt.
A month hack I sent her a letter. I found it to-
niu'ht in Luca.s's (lo\il)let. She thinks me eart'less of
lllM". I must L'O."
"Monsieur, you are mad." T cried. "You have said
\ourself Mayenne is likely to he hi'hind Lucas. If
you L'O you do hut walk into the enemies' very
jaws. It is a trap, a lure."
•"Felix, heware what you say!" lie interruiited
with (|uick-I)la/.int: ire. •'! do not pei'mit such
words to he s|)okeii in connection with Mile, de
Moiitluc."
" Hut. monsieur— "
"SileiKi '" he commanded in a voice as sharp as
crack of |)istolet. The St. (^tuentins had ever the
most abundant faith in those they loved. I remcm-
hered how Monsieur in .just such a I»la/e id' le.sent-
ment had forliiddeu me to speak ill of his <nu. And
1 i-emeinhei'i'd. too, that Monsieur's faith had heen
• _ * : i-* 1 1 4l...* ..... .........'..i I. .ft... \ij.»».. Ii*.w \J:it}i*i-
jUNiliiili ;:::•.! ;::.:: :::.•. :f, ' i.-n :•■•:: - -•■ "^
i;iL'
THE HEL.MKT oF NAVAUIU:
less. J lik<Ml not 11h' l(M.k of lliis atVair. and I at-
tcmplfil lurthn- warninj-'s.
"Moiisifur. in my (ii)inion- "
••You aiv not lu'iv to hold opinions. Krlix. but
your toniruf."
I (lid. at that, and stood haci< from thr l)cd to let
IniM (h) as it lil<.'<l him. \U' rosr and wiiit ov.t to
111,- chair wh.Mv his .lotlirs lay. only to dro|) into it
half swooniii--'. 1 ran to tlu' .■wcr ami dashed half
the water in it into his faee.
'•Peste. you iK'cd not drown me!"' he fried testily.
"I am well: it was hiit a moment's di//,iness." He
^ot up aLrain at on<'e. l>ut was forced to sei/.e my
shoulder to keep from fallinu'.
"It was that damnable potion he made mi-
drink." he muttered. "1 am all well else: I am
ot weak. Curse the room: it reels about like a shii)
no
at sea."
I put my arm about him and h'd him back to bed:
nor did he aru'ue about it but lay baek with his eyes
shut, so white atrainst the white bed-linen I thou<.d\t
him fainted for sure. But before I could drench
him a-_'ain he raised his lids.
"Felix, will you -o i:et a shutter.' F(.r I see
clearly that I shidl reach Mile, de Montluc this ni^'ht
in no other way.
•-.Monsieur." I said. "I can 1:0. I can tell your
ipistress you cainiot walk across this room to-niirht.
I c;in do my bi'st for you, M. P.tienne."
•■My laiih' i think I must ••'••n let you try.
Hp.t what to hid y.m s:iy to her - Danlieu ! I :scarce
know what 1 could say to her myself."
THK ('OMTK DK MAK
laa
"I ,.;iii t.'ll li.r linu soivly y(>\i ;nv hurt- how ym
would collli', lint cilllliot."
••And tiiiiki' h.T h.li.'V il," In- ci'i'd rau'iTly. '•Do
not let h.T think it ;i tliin\v .•xcus.-. And y.-l I do
think shr will l.fii.-v.' yon." lif adih'd. with hall' a
hmi-'h. '•TlhTr is soniftiunL' v.iy trnst-cotnprllinir
al.ont you, F.'lix. And assnir hn of my lif.'lonix,
ncvcr-railin'_' stTvicc.
••But I thon<_'lit monsiciii- w;us <_'oini: to take ser-
vice with ileiii'y of Navan-e."'
•'1 wasl" lie cried. '•! ami (»li. Felix, was ever
a poor wi'_'lit so liarrii'd and torn h.twixt two as 1 .'
Whom Jupiter would destroy he first makes mad.
I shall he LMhherin-.' in a cane before I hav.- done
with it."
'•.Monsieur will he trihhei-iii'.' in liis hed (inh-ss lie
sleeps ^oon. I L'o now. nionsieui'.
"And uood luek to you'. Felix. I otVer you no
reward for this iiiidniL'ht journey into the house oi
our enemies. For I'ecollipelise you will see her.
X 11 r
Milili nnns) ll< .
WllNT to litid Miiilii' Mciiai'tl. ti» uri,'i'
U|)iin llllll lllilt snilir one sllouM stilV
witli .M. Kli'iiiii' uliil • 1 Wiis vmic. It-si
lie swooned ol- lii'Clllir I i'_dlt -llfHi !('( I
lint tilt' sui'Livoii liiliisi'lf \v;is pi'csfiil.
li;ivm<_' rrtunu'i! Iidiii l>;iinl;ii:iii'_' ii|> soim- coiimitui
skull to sec how liis iiolilr pjitiiMit itsIciI. Ill' proin-
ist'd that hr wouhl stay the !ii'_di1 with M. \r Coiiitf;
so, cased of that care. I set oul tor the Hotel de
LorraiiH'. oiif of the inii-seivaiits with a tlaiiilieau
coming aloiiL' to '^iiidf and LMiai'd ine. M. fiticnne
was a favouiili' in ihis inn of Maitie Meiiai'd's:
they did not stoj) to ask whethei- he had uioncy in
his pui'se l>efoi'e faliin'^ ovei- one anothei- in tlu'ii'
eativiMiess to sei-ve him. It is my opinion that one
uets more out of th.f world hy dint of fair words
than hy a lonir puiM" or a lonu' swdi'd.
We had not <:onf a hloek from tin iini hi-fore I
tuitu'd to the rit:ht-ahout. to tlic impatienct.' of my
eseoii.
"Nay. Jean. T nnist l'o l)acl<."" T said. "I will
oidy delay a moment, hut see Maitro Menard I
innsl.""
134
MAl'i;M<>l>l-l'''l'
1.;:
II,. wn- si ill in tl mImivI um.mv tlir <tow,1 was
tiiiiiiiiii'-'.
•■.\(U\ wIkiI li"ill!_'S \M1| IliK U .'
••'11, IS. uKiin-.." ..ai.l I. -Irauiii- him inln a .•oni-r.
•M I,. C.niN- i.as h.MMi in a I la.-as lo-ni-lil. as yoii
i„.,vlian.-,. iiiay ha^.^ .livUhM. 1 lis an-h-iP'in -av
us 111.' ^lij.. AimI I am iini rasy \nr inmisinii- win!.-
II, ■ has tlir 'Irvil's <i\\!i .•un-
it tia.'l-; him ti>i'<' '"' ''"'
;liis Liica-- is a, 1.1. '-'
iiiii.' ami mali.-.^ ; li'' nil iiii
Th,v.. I.anl.ii-^. Tli.rrf..n. maiti.'. \ 1--' .v"! to
;„|,i:,1 n.. (.n.' i.. M. i- «"i-it.- im nm- nn any husi-
11,.,^ v.ha!-.. v.r. N.-l il' li'' '■"""-' '"'■"•" '''^' ''"^'' "'
.Ma.M'iiiif liinisi'l ['."
.". I ^\,,,,|-t a.liiiit !h.' Sixl.'.n thrms.lv'
iiiai! ir (h'chirr-l.
ay ailniit." i .•onrrdcd.
Villi will know
th.
••Tli.'iv !^ "II.' m:i'i >"ii nii
" \'i'ji'. Xi .!'■ ^^t. (^uniiin's .•.iiiny.
liitii t.>r tlir hi'^^v-; ::.A\\ in Fi-aii.-.'. " "
••(i,,.,.!. An. I ihi- .ilh.T: what is h.' l^k.^?"
'•11,. i, y.r,:M-," 1 sai.l. '•n"! ;i''"V' four nr fivo
;„„1 lu.'iMv. Tall an.l slim. nh. wiil...u1 <I..ul.t. a
hair anil thin, aqui-
,■," Mailri'
..'fUllrmaii. !!•■ has li.jht-i.i-.iw i
lint- ra.^c. Hi- tuii..:m- is iinl>'.iin.l. t.....
••His 10I1..M1.' shall imt ■_'.■! ar..iin.l ni
Mi.nanl pnm.is..l. ••■rhrhi.si ,,r tli.^ Thn .• I.ant.rns
was not h.'iai ycstri'-iay ht ni.' i'H ."'^u."
Willi this ,-niiiroi-lin<r assmaiir.' I s.l out om-.'
nmn- on my .•sp.-.lition witli. to t.'ll truth, no mtv
k..,.n iMilhusiasu! To- th.' hu^in.ss. ft was all vmy
wi-11 \'ov M. Kti.'inu' t.. .l.clar.' L'ramlly tliat as r.^c-
oniiH'Usr for my trouhl.. T sh.nhU.T Mlh'. 'h' Mont-
Inc. But I was not htT loviT and I thouuht I could
t:t.;
illi; IIIJ.Ml.l' i>l N.W.MMiK
"I't ;i|iilli..' \rl_\ ciiiii |(ill;ili|_\- \\|l!iii|lt siiiriL' Ili'I'. I
l<l|c\\ licit \tn\\ In lii:ir lii.VM'ir 111 lull' ;i s|i|cl|i i |i i
_\|>II'I'_' Ilnlilrw iilil.in. \\ llrti I li;iil il.lslliil iliTnss
I'illls 111 sl;iy llii tlliitul- III liii' Kill' ( 'iilljM'j.irii'ts I
liml imt liiili ;it'l';iii|; I'llt imw. L'nilli: uilll :i liiM-
iinss;r^i' III .•! 'Jill. I \\,i> sr.u'id.
Ami llnir W.is IIIMl.' lIlMIl tile I'lMT nf llcl" lll'i'_'ht
I'Vis III '^i\i' II. !• piinsi'. I \\,i> ;il'l;iii| (if Mllr. (If
Mdiitliic. Imt iiiiiii' ;iri;i:(| dl' M. dc .\l;i\ ciinc "s cdu-
^\u. W'li.it iiiui'kiii'j ili\il Ii.'kI i|ii\iii i:tiiiiiic (Ic
.\l;ir. mit nl' ;i wiidlr I''imiicc tiill nf ld\i|y wininii. tn
!i\ liis iinliirn.iMi' (i.>iic mi lliis Li'jiii-ii^c nT May-
( line's (iWIl IuihhI .' ll;ii| Ills t;i t ilil- "s trirlliis lid
iliiiiulilci s. t'lal he must v.,|< ;i iiii>ti'i>.s t'i'diii the
lliill'k (l||l<c"s lldllsriinM .' W'l-Ir lili-p' lid families 111'
clean liaiKJs aiiii inuiest spireh. tliat hi- must ally
liiiiisi-lf with tiie t leaeliernus lilniul i.f Ldn'aiiie.'
I liail sii-n a saiii|ile nf llie i.iajue's unrk Id-day.
.iml I lil\e(| it Mdt. If Mayeline \\e"e. as ^'l■ll.\-l,'l■is
suriiiised. Lucas's li;iekii', I !iiar\( lied tliat my imus-
lef 1 ;nc(l Id eiiti r his hnu^e; I iiiai'\el|({| that he
call (I td send his seivaiit tlnre. \ i-\ I went iidiie
tlu' less readily fur that ; I was luf.' td dn his liid-
diiiL'. N'lif w.is 1 Liieatly .•ihiniied fm i ly nwii skin:
I thdU'-iht myself tmi small Id he uiirth my Lord
Mayeiiiie's ]id\,dei'. And I had. I do cdiifess, a
lively curidsity In lieiidid the interim' of the Lrrealesf
hmi.se in I'aiis. tin veiy cure and ceiiti'e (if the
liCaLMie. iielikc if it had iidt hecn fm- teiTm" of this
ymiiii: demniselle I had stepped almiLT elH't.'rfully
endUL:!i.
1 ^.- - ! < ^ _. - 1 »:n 1 •
.L i.d,,» .*. »;.s itiiC, ili44ii\ p\.";pie siiil iUi-
^h'-'T-
MAUKMoISKLI.K
i:t7
1rl,,l in III.' stlrrls. ill.' .'(.'.IT MIIHHI.T Hl'-'llt. ilM.I illl
,,|- III,., 11 U.I'.' tiilkii pnlitu'.. A> .l.'.in an.l I |.ass.'.|
at a rai)i.l v-u-r \\u- ._m'.mii.s iiii.I.t \\u- u iii.--sli..i.
laiit.'rns. \\<- caiiu'lit always tli.' iiatii.'s ..I' May. ■nil-
and Navari'.'. Kv. rywli.i'. tli.'y ask. '.I ih.' sain.- two
.iu.-sti..iis: Was It ti'ii.' thai ll.'iiry was .•..miiiL' int..
III.' ( liiii't'li .' Aim! it' s... what would May.'im.' d.»
next.' I iHT.'i'iv.'.l that ..hi Maitr.' .Ia.'.|n.s ..f th.'
AiiK.iir .!.■ Di.u k'l.'w \\liat li.' was talking' al...iii :
th.. |..'..j.l.' n\- Pans w.'i'.' si.'k t.i .l.'ath <>\' th.' L.'aL'U.'S
and th.'ii' int ri'-ni.'i'y. L'aih'.l t.. .hspi'iati-.n iiiid.'r th.-
y.tkc .>!' till' Sixtc.'ii.
May,'nii.''s liii-' n-w li..t.'l in ih.' Kn.' St. Ant. .in.-
was li.^ht.'d as \<,v a tVt,.. Fi'..iii its ..p.'ii win.l..ws
ni.' s.. Mil. Is ..t -ay hiiiL'h'.'i' ami rattliii- .li.'.'. V.mi
.•a
i.ii'_'lit hav.' thoiiLdit th.-iii k.'.'i.uiL' .-aMiival m th.'
midst (.r a hiiiM'.v :'i'd l-.yal .'liy. It' th.' l/i.iit.'uant-
t;,.n.Tal foiin.l aiiytliin'-' t.. v.'\ hiin in th.- pr.s.'nt
sitiialion. h.' .li.l not 1.1 th.' .'..imiioiialty kii.'W it.
'I'll.' Diikf of .May. nil. '"s h.ius.'. lik.- niy .liik.-'s.
was ._'iiiii'd.'d hy iii.'n-at-arnis: hut his ..M'ill.'s w.-n-
thrown hai'k wliih' his sohli.is louiP-'.'.l on tli.' st.m.-
hni.'lu-s in Ih.' archway. S..iii.' of th.'Ui w.'n- talkiiiL'
to a little knot ..f stn.'t i.lU'rs who had L'athcn'd
ahoiit thi' I'Utranc'. while others, with th.- aid of a
torch an.l a -_'reasy i-aek of eanls. wen- i-layin;.'
laiis.iueiiet.
I knew no way to do hut t.) ask optiily for Mile, de
Moiitlue. declaring' that I eanie on hehalf of the
C'oiute tie Mar.
"That is rit:ht: you are to enter." the eaptain of
f},.> .T,i.!!.(l. i-enlied at oiiee. "But you are not the
l:;.s
TMK IIKI.MKTOK NAVAi;l;K
Coiiitr (If .M;:r yoiirsiH'.' N;iy. no iic<<l li> iisk." h>-
ii(itk'(l with a liiU'^h. "A pivlty c'liiiil vi.ii wmild
iiiakf.""
"I am liis sri-vaiit." I said. ""I am «!:arLrc(l witli
a mcssa'-'t' lnf mailfmniscllc.
"Well, my oi-dcrs ui-rc tn ailmit llic cuiiiil. hu'
I supixisr you may iro in. II' ma<lfmoisi'llt' canriol
laiul licr- lovfi' it wimc cnicl 1> drtiy \\<v tln' conso-
lation ol' a mt's^^aui'."
A Ian-ill went up and one if tlir irainldci's lookt'd
iouikI to say :
"It lias udiii' hard with madi'moiscllc lalrly. saim-
dii'ii ! Here 's tl'..' Comti' df Mar has nol ^ci foot
in llif house foi' a month or iiiorr. ami M. I'aul for
a (juartri' of a year is vanished clV tlie face id the
eai-tli. It seemeil as if she must take th-' little cheese
or nothiiii:. 15iit now thiii;is aie lookini.' u|) with
licf. M. I'aul has walked calmly in. and here is a
iiu'sseii<_'ei' at least from theothei'."
"I^ut M. I'atd has walked calmly out au'aiii." a
third soldier took up tlie tale. "He did not stay
very l(ui<:. lor all mademoiselle's <_'races."
"Then I warrant 't was mailemoiselle sent liim otV
with a flea in his ear." auothei' cried. "Slie looks
hi^'her than a bastard, even Le Halafre"s own."
"She had better take cai'e how she tloiits Paul dc
Lori'aiiie.'" came tlie rctoi't. but the caiitaiii 'nade me
march aloui:. I followed him into the house, leav-
iu<_' Jean to be editied, no doubt, by a whole history,
false and true, conceiiiiii!.'' -Mile, de .Montlue. We
bow down before the lofty of tlie earth, we under-
liuL's. but behinil their backs there is none with
MADHMOISKIJ.K
1 :«•>
whose lliiincs we liiakr so
I'n
And tlifi'e Wf liavi'
llu' iiilvaii1ii'_'«' of oui- III
iislci-s; for llii'V know
littlt
know everything' of
of our i>i-iv!ite matters while we know e
theirs.
In tlie hall the (•a|)taiii turned me over to a laekey
who eoiKhieted me throuirh a eouj.le of aiite.-tiamliers
to a curtained doorway whence IssuimI a merry eon-
fusion of voiees and lauuditer. He passed in while I
remained to under<:o th.- s'-rutiny »>f the pair ol
tlunkies whose repose we liad invaded. Hut in a
moment my i:ui<le appeared au'ain. liftiuir the eur-
lain for me to enter.
The hii.' room was ahla/.e with eamlles si't in mir-
rored seoiiees iilon^' the walls, set also in silver oan-
,l,.lal)ra on the tahles. There was a erowd of people
in the plaee. a hundred it seemed to my <la//led «'y.'s:
!_rrouped. most of them, ahout the tahles set \ip and
down, either takinij: hands themselves at eards or
diee or hettini: on those who did. i^lutV soldiers in
hrea.stplate and jaek-hoots were not wantin-r in the
throuL'. hut the larevr numher of the .j:allants were
hrave in silken doublets and spotless rutVs, as 1k'-
came a noble's drawintr-room. And the hulies! mor-
dieu. wh't am I to say of them.' Tri.-ked out in
every i:ay colour under the sun. aiileam with jewels
-eli bien. the ladies of Si. (^uentin. that I had
thouu'ht so line, were but servinir-maids t(. these.
I stiM.d blinkiti'-'. dazed by the liirhts aiul the
crowd and the ehatter. unable in the tirst moment to
note clearly any face in the eon^'ro'rution of strantre
countenances. Nor would it have hel|)ed ;iie if I
could, for here close about weie a dozen fair wonieu,
)•»(>
THE HELMET OF XAVAHHE
;iiiy niic of wlioiii iiiijilil 1k' .Mllf. dc .Montliu-. My
lii'iirt liaiiiiii(M',(| ill my thi'oal. 1 knew not wIkmii to
addr't'ss. iiiii a younj.' iiohk- near l»y. (laz/,liii>r in a
suit of pink, look the burden on liinist-lf.
"I iicard Mai'"s name: yet yon are not M. de .Mar,
I think."
He spoke with a laniruid hut nom- the less teasini:
• lerision. In truth. I nni.st iiave reseuihl.-d a little
hntwii hare .siid(U'nly turned out of a ha^' in the
midst (;f that ,i:or;_'eous eomjiaiiy.
"No." I stammered; "1 am liis servant. I seek
.Mile, de .\h»ntlue. "
"I have wondered what has become of fitieiine
de Mar this last month," spoke a sreond youni:
L'-entl.'man. advaueini: from iiis plaee behind a fair
one's chaii-. He was neither so pretty iioi- so line
;i.s the other, but in his shoi't. stoeky fi>:ui-e and
s(|uare faee there was a foree whieh his comrade
lacked, lie reuarded jiie with a far keener jrlanee
as he asked :
"I'este! he must be i?i low water if this is the
best he can do for a lackey."
"Perhaps the fellow's errand is to bei: an advance
I'l-om Mile, de .Moiitlue." su'_'n:ested the pink youth.
"Who speaks iny name.'" a ch'ai voice called;
and a la<iy, layin^^ down her hand at cards, rose and
came toward me.
She wa.s clad in amber satin. She was tall, and
she carried herself with .stately ^n-ace. Her black
hair shadowed a cheek as purely white and pink as
that of any yellow-locked Frisian L'irl. while her eyes,
nnd. !■ theii- sooty lashes, shone blue as corn-tiowers.
MADKMOISKLLK
141
I bojian to uiKk-rstand M. filiiiinc.
•Who is It wants iiu-?" she ivpc-ated. ami catch-
in*,' sight of nic stood iv-xanlini; mc in sonic surpnsc,
nol unfriendly, waitiim for nic to cxi.lain myself.
But before I could lind my tonu'ue the man iu pink
answered her with his soft drawl:
"Mademoiselle, this is a nunister plenipotentiary
and envoy extraordinary-most extraordinary -
from the court id" his Highness the C'omte d.' Mar."
'•Oh. thai is it!" she cri.'d with a little laii-Ji.
hut not, I think, at my uncmthness, though she
looked me over euriously.
"He has not come himself. M. de Mar?"
"It appears not, mademoiselle."
She did not stem vastly disconcerted for all she
eried in doleful tones:
"Alack! alack! I have lost. And Paul is not
present to enjoy his triumph- He wairered me a
pair of pearl-hroidere.l --doves that 1 could not j)ro-
duce M. de Mar."
"iUit it is not his fault," I answ.-red her, eagerly.
"It is not M. de Mar's fault, mademoiselle. He
ha.s been hurt to-day. and he could not come. Hr is
in bed of his wouiuis; he could not walk across his
room. He trie.l. Uo bade me lay at mademoiselle's
feet his lifelong services."
"Ah. Lorance!" cried a young demoiselle m a
skv-coloured gown, "methinks you have in.lee.l l.)st
A. de Mar if he sends you no better messenger ot
his regrets than this horsed)i>y."
"I have lost the gloves, thai is eertain and s.-d."
Mile, de Montluc re|)lied. as if the loss of the wager
:^/mm^'3^m^
1 J'J
THE IlKl.MKT OF NAVAKIJK
wi'i-c iill lur rjti'c. "I ;iiii pmiislird t'oi- my vanity,
iiicsdaiiit's rt iiicssiciu's. 1 uri<ii'r-tiii>k to pfoiliicc my
iiMTcant sijuirc and I liavr failed. AiasI" And
s!if put lip lici" wliili- hands ln'fdfi' lici' t'aci' witli a
pretty imitatinii ol' despair, save that hef eyes spai'-
i<h'd I'l'om helween hef tiiiLiei-s.
Hy this time ihe ^mm;! -.teis almiit ns !iad stopped
theii' play, in a eenefai inteiest in the alVaif. An
ohier hidy cdminLr forward with an air ot authority
demanded :
"What is tliis distui'banee, l.orance?"
"A wii'^xer iietweeii iiii' and lay cousin Paul, ma
dame." she an.;wered witli instant irravity and
respect.
" I'aul <h' Lorraine 1 Is he liere ?" the other a.skc(i.
unph'ased. I thou'^lit.
"Ves, madanie. He droj^ped from the skies on
us tins afternoon, lie is out of the house airain
now.
"lint while he was in the housi'." ((uoth she in
sky-colour. "t!iou;::h he did not lind time to pay his
respects to Mine. la Ducliesse. he iiad the leisui'e for
considerable conversation with .Mile, de Montluc."
The other laily. whom I now LMiessed to he the
Duchesse de Mayeiiiie herself, turned somewhat
sharply on her cousin id' Montluc.
"I do not yet hear your excuses. mad(^nioiselle.
fo,' the introduction id' a stable hoy into my salon."
"[ beir you to believe, madaiiie. I am not respon-
sible for it, ' she nrotested. "Pan!, when he was
here, saw tit to rally me concei-uinu' M. de .Mar.
Mile, de Ta'.aii!!!' iiifoi'iiied liiiu of the count's did'ec-
g^^-l^^.-m-^^wl
MADKMOISFLLE
143
,i,H, an.l thoy w,.v pl..s.d t.> lHMH..rry with >n.- ovn-
it. I v..Nvc.i 1 cM.uUl •-'.-1 him back il' I wisli.d. I ht
•IK
1 (.1 \\\v iiiiiltrr was
that I wToto a h-ttn- which my
iiusiii priiiiiisi
old lodi-'iniis.
(1 to have i-otivcyc(
'I'liis is lh.' i
iiiswcr
(•11C(
1, wilh a wavf <
.1' her hand toward inc
1 to M. !<• Coiiitc s
luatlciiioiscll'-
•Hut 1
Hhinic
li,l ,„,! rx|Mct il ill this u'uisr. luadaiM.'.
your lackfvs who know no
"T hhiuif vou. inadnnois*
,t thfir dutirs. iii>t nic
iiswcrcd li' I"- tJ'i'^
for iritrii-'r,«'s
witl
M-." Mine, dr Mayciino
Iv. "I consider my sahm no plac
-l)ovs. If you nuist hohl
1 liorsi
coHoMuy wit
l,,nj,s — to tht' slahlt
A hiu'-'h wrnl ui
T a duchess siiys
h this fellow, take him whither he h
1 ui) amons: tlu.se who hiu<:li at what-
ev«
•Come, mes(
lames, we will resume our play," she
dded lo t
ceiie. and tuniei
lu' la.lii's who had followed her on
the
I hvv hack in lofty disdain on Mih
de Montluc and her concn
lis.
Hut thouuh some o
f
he c(mipniy obeyed her, a curious ci"c
h' still sur-
I'OUIK
led li>
'Dame I
if vou must
we a I
hint.
\vi
I'o. mat
1„. banished to the stables.
U'luoiseile."" declared the pink ^'ul-
11
• \Vc all want news o
f the vanisheil Mar
"Indeed we (
And I «kire sw'
prove diverting-.'
lo. \\\' have 11
lisNcd liim sorely,
aceo
ar this iiiessen^'cr s
lispe<l the sky-coloured deinoi.sell.
lunt will
■11.
I was not i-n.ioyin;-' myst
If. I had triven all my
f <rlorv to be out in
hopes o
wished N
— aiiywhert' out o
had no such intent.
th
street a'_'aiii.
I
ill".. ,h- MonthK' w.ndd take me to the s1a»>les
f this lauL'hinu' company. Hut .she
%^i^S^.
Ill
THE IIKLMKT OF NAVAUUE
"I lliiiik iiiadinm' docs not iiu'iin Ikm- sontciuH',"
she rcjoiiu-tl. "I uoukl not for the world fnis-
tiiitc your curiosity, Blanclii'; nor yours, M. de
CliainptliMiry. Tfll us what lias iH-lalK-n your uia.s-
ti'r, Sir Courier."
"He has Ix'tii in a dufl. niadenioisi-lle. "
"Whom was lie li^litin-r .'"
"And i'oi- what hidy's favour?"
"Is it a pri'tty lIu«.MH'not this tinio.'"
"Docs shi' inai<c him read his liil)lc.'"'
"Or ilid her bi^: brother set on him for a wicked
papist ?"
The (|uestions chornssed upon me; I saw they
uei-c fi'amed to tease mademoiselle. 1 aiiswefcd as
best I mi<:ht :
"lie thinks of no lady but Mile, de Montliie. Tlie
li'iht was over other matters. I am oidy told to say
M. le Comte reLMet.s most heartily that his wound
prevents his coming', and to assure mademoiselle that
he is too weak and faint to walk across the tloor."
"Then exceed your instructions a little. Tell us
what monsieur has been about tliese four weeks that
he C(nd(l not take time to visit us."
I was in a dilenmia. I knew she was M. fitienno's
chosen lady and therefore dcscrvini.' of all fealty
from me; yet at the same lime 1 could not answer
her (juestion. It wius sheer embarrassment and no
intent of I'udcuess that caused my .short answer:
"AI)out his own concerns, mademoiselle."
"The youn^' i>iip])y beirins to ^'rowll" exclaimed
the thick-set soldierly fellow who had bespoken me
befoi-e. whose hostile L'aze had never left my face.
MADEMOISELLE
145
"I "11 have him tlo^rirt'd. iiiailomoisolK-. for this in-
soK'iico.''
"iM. tU' iirit"-" she hctraii at the same moment
th^t I cried out to her:
■•I 111. ant no ii'solenee: I ci'ave ma(lt'moist'll.''s
pardon." I added, in my haste tl.mnderin? deeper
into the i.iire: '•.Mademoiselle s.^es for herseir that I
eaniiot tell ahout .M. le Comte's atVairs in this
house."
Brie had me hy the collar.
"So that is what has l.ecome of Mar!" lie cried
triumphantly. "I thou^'ht as much. If Mar's af-
fairs are to he a secret from this house, then, iiom
de dieu. they are no secret."
He sho<.l<" me hack and forth as if to shake the
truth out of me. till my t.vth rattled towtlier; I
could not have spoken if I would. But he cried on.
his voice risiii;_' with excitement :
"It has heen no secret where St. (iuentin stands
and what he has heen ahout. He came into I'aris,
smooth and smilinu. his own man. forsooth-neither
ours nor tlu' heretic's! Mordieu ! he was Henry's,
fast and sure, save that he was n..t man enou<ih to
say so. I told Mayi-nne last month we ouj-'ht to
settle with M. ile St. Quentin: I asked nothin-,' hetter
than to attend to him. But th.^ general would not.
hut let him alone, free and unmolested iu^ his work
of stirriu!-' up sedition. And Mar. too —
He stopped in the middle of a word. All the com-
pany wh(^ had heen pressin-j; around us halted still.
T knew that heliind me some on.- had entered the
room.
1^^.
11(5
THi: FIELMET OF NAVARRE
M. (If lirif <1 1'i I >_"_'» m1 me bjuk fmiii wlici't' wf wci't'
lilockiii',' llif i)assaK<'. ' turiifd in liis -inisp to fat-i'
tilt' llfWCOllKI-.
lit' was a tall, stout man. (Ii'f|i-clifstf(|. tliick-
ii.rk('<l. In;i\y jowltMl. His \\a\.v hair. liiMishfil u])
from a liiu'li t'ofrli. ad. was iii:li!isi l.fi.wii. wliili' his
hi'ows. iimstai'hios. ami Ixai'd wiir dark. His eyes
were dai'k also, his full lii)s red and .siuiliut:. He
liad the ht-auty and prcs.'iicc of all the (luisfs: it
n. ■(•(!. 'd not the star on his breast to Icll nic that this
was .Mayt'iiiii' hinisi'if.
He advanced into ihi' loiun rctnrnini-' tlif salutes
of the coinpany. luit his <:lanee travelliiiir sti'ai^dil
to nie iiiid my eaptor.
"What have we liei'e. Fi"in.;ois .'"
"This is a fellow of Tltietine de .Mar's. M. le Hm'."
I?rie answei-ed. "He came here with messa^res for
Mile, de Montlue. I am Liettiim out of him what
.Mar has hicn up to since he disappeared a mouth
back."
"You arc at uuneeessary pains, my deai' P'ri'ii-
eois: T already know Mar's wliei'eabouls and doiuizs
rather better than he knows them liiinself."
Bi'ie dropi>ed his hand from my collar, lookini;- by
no means at ease. I i>ci'ceivcd that this was t!ie way
with Mayeniic: you knew what he said but you did
not know what he thouudit. His somewhat heavy
face varied little: what went on in his miiul behind
the smilinsr mask was matter for ajixiety. If h"
asked i)leasantly after your health, you fancied h.'
mi'.'ht lie thinkin-,' how well you would grace the
• ■•nllows
"^^^v . -^i/-' v^ 4::^--'^:'^*:pt\M: r^.'^^^
MADKMOISKLLE
147
M. <lo Brie said iiotliin^' iiiitl tlic duko cDntinucd :
•' Yi's, 1 havt' kept watch over him thtso live wooks.
You arc hitc, Francois. You little hoys arc I'ools;
you think hrcausc you do not know a thini: I (hi not
know it. \Va.s I cruel to keep my information from
you, ma helle Lornnce .'"
The attack was al)solutely siulden ; he had not
seemed to ohserve her. Mademoiselle coloured an<l
made no instant rejily. His voici' was neither loud
nor roui^h; he was smiling: ui»on her.
"Or did you need no information, mademoiselle?"
She met his look untlindiint:.
"I have not heen si^'hinu' for tidin«,'s of the Comte
de Mar. monsieur."
"Because you have Iiad tidintrs, mademoiselle?"
"No, monsieur, I have had no communication with
M. de Mar since May — until to-ni^'ht."
"And what has happened to-nij:ht?"
' ' To-ni'^dit — Baul appeared. ' '
"Paul!" ejaculated the duke, startled momentar-
ily out of his phlctrm. "Paul here.'"
"He was, monsieur, an hour a^'o. He lias since
iron(> forth ai:ain, I know not whither or for what."
Mayenne rumiiuited over tliis, pulling oft" his
gloves slowly.
"^Vell? \Vhat has this to do with Mar?"
She had no choice, thouu'h in evident fear of his
displeasure. l)ut to go through again the lale of the
wager and h tter. She was moisfenini: her dry lips
as she finishtd. her eyes on his face wide with apjtre-
hension. But he answred a!niahly. half ahsi-ntly,
as if the whole alTair were a triviality:
t':BCji:
^^^
liH
THE HELMET t>F NAVAKKE
'•Nfv.T iniii.h I will tlivc you a pair of ^rlov^'s
Lorancc."
II,. stood siuiliii'^' upon us as if amused for an ulW
uumvuV ovrr our childish .^'aines. The colour came
l.aek to Ihm- cheeks; she made him a curtsey, lauuh-
iiiL' lii-ditly.
■•Then my -^M'ief is indeed eund, monsieur. A
...■w hit of lin.Ty is the hest of halms for wounded
.s..if-esteem, is it not. Hlauche? I confess I am
,,i,,ue(l ; I had dared to ima^'ine that my s(iuire mi^'ht
n incmher me still after a month of ahsence. I
sh. lid have known it too mudi to ask of mortal man.
Not till the rivers run updiill will you keej) our
memories trreen for more than a we<'k. messieurs."
"She turns it oil" well," cried the litth' demoiselle
ill hlue. Mllo. Blanche de Tavanne: "you would not
jxuess that, she will he awake the ni^'ht lonjr. weeping'
over M. de Mar's ilefi'clion."
"I'" exclaimed Mile, de Montluc; "I weep over
his recreancy ? It is a far-fetched jest, my Blanche ;
can you invent no hetter? The Comte de Mar-be-
hold him!"
She snatched a card from a tosscd-down hand,
holdinj: it up aloft for us all to see. It wius by
♦•liance the knave of diamonds; the pictured face
with its yellow liair bore, in my fancy at least, a
sutXi-'estion of M. fttienne.
'•B.hold M. de Mar-behold his fate!" With a
twinktinfi' of her white iiniiers she had torn thc^ luck-
less knave into a dozen pieces and sent them whirl-
in- over her head to fall far and wide amou': the
company.
^Whm
^^¥&,.S=-i;^-
^ riQb'viA^^&^i
■:M;«=".
.'iff!;/ If'
ffr
I IM, N.iT t"K'.l\t HI- l'h-i\T' MINI. MK HI- H"l;
^'^f^:
MADKMOISKLLE
ir.i
"Sumiuarv n.oasu.vs. ,.i;,.UMnnisrll. !" m>""»» »
t,ri/./.lr.l waninr. uitl, a lauv'h. ••-Monli.u! hav vu"
vour ko.kI iHTU.issmn t.. .U-al likovis.- uith tlu- tl.-sl.-
;,„a-l.lo,Hl Mar, Nvlu-i. wr -o to anyst lin.i tor vnu-
s;[,iiiti^' airainst the Holy Lc-auiU' '"
But Mill'. «U' Tavaiim-'s (luick toiii-'Uf r()l.l).'<t hmi
of his aiiswor.
"Marrv. vou arc st'V.-n- on him. Loraiuv. lo in-
sure he (I.as not come himself, hut he sends so L'al-
hmt u messenp-r!"
MacU'UU.iselle ^Manfod at me with hard hlue i'ves^
"That is the -.'reatest insult of all." sh.' said.
CM.uld foru'ive^an.l for-et-his ahseiie.-: hut I do
not for-ive his despatehini: uw. his liorse-hoy.
Thus far I had ehoked down my swell. ntr ra^e at
her faithlessness, her vanity, her despiteful etitreat-
,„,.nt <.f mv n.aster-s pli-.-ht. I knew it was sheer
nmdn..ss for me to attempt his defe.ue hetore this
hostile e..n.pany; t.ay. ih.Mv was n.. ..hjeet m de-
fending him; there was not one here who earec to
hear -..od ».f him. Hut at her last insult to um
n,y hlo.)d hoiled so hot that I lost all eonunand ot
nivself. and 1 hurst out :
*"If I were a horse-boy. -which I ain not.- 1 were
twenty times too -ood to he earryin- messa-es
hither You ne.-d not rail at his poverty, madem...-
selle- it was vou hrou-ht him to it. It was for you
he was turned out of his father's house. Hut for
you he would not now he lyin- in a garret, penni-
les.s and .lishonoured. \Vhatcvcr ills he sutTers. ,t is
you and your false house have hrou-ht them.
10
'
ir.
TIIF. lilll.MKT or NAVAIiliK
Hiir liinl iiir li.v llir tliio.it. M;iyciiiu' iiitt-rlVri'd
witlioiit rxcilcniciit.
"Don't slraii!-'l(' liiiii. Fr;iii(;(tis : I may iit't'd liiiii
latt'f. Kff liiiii 1)1' tlo^^H'd and lt)cked in tJu' ora-
tory."'
He turned away as one l)orc(l owv a ti-iMin<,' mat-
ti-r. And as the hifkcys di'aj."_Mtl nu' back to tlif
door. I heard .Mile, de .Monthie saying':
"Oh. .M. de i.atoiii-, what have I done in destroy-
ing.' youi- knave of diamonds! -Ma I'oi, you had a
(|iiator/i; !"
f^r^i^fcf^pMi^^^^f^^P^w^^P
XIV
In till oratory.
IF.HE, IMt'iTi'l" M. <U' Brie called to the
lu-ad larkt'v. •'lu'iv "s a i-andidati- for a
iiidiii^'. This is a eiib of that fellow
Mar's. He n-ckoiied \\\on\: when he
hioUL'ht his iiisoli'iiee into this house.
Lay on wi'li. boys; make him howl."
Brie would havi' liketl well enou-rh, I fancy, tc
come ah.ni,' and sec the fun. but he conceive! that
his duty lay in the salon. Pierre, the same who had
conducted me to Mile, de Mnntl- c. ik.w led the way
int . a \owA oak panelled parlour. Opposite the en-
trance was a huun' chinmey carvd with the arms of
Lorraine; at one end a door led into a little oratory
where tapers burned before the ima'^'e of the Vir^iin;
at the other, before the two narrow windows, stood
a Ion-.' table with writin^'-materials. Chests and
cupboards nearly filled the walls. I took this to be a
sort of council-room of my Lord Mayenne.
Pierre sent one of his men for a cane and t<i the
other su^'<rested that he should (piench the Vir-iin's
caudles.
"For I don't see why 1 .. rascal should have the
comfort of a light iu the ."he said. "As for Ma-
153
1.-.4
THE llELMKT OF NAVAUUE
(luuiia Mary, she will not luiiul ; sIil- has a milliuu
uthcrs to SCI' l>y.'
1 was Ifli alone with liiui an<l I promised inysell"
the joy of one j-'ood blow at his faee, no matter how
dee]) th.'V Hayed me for it. lint as 1 ^'atheml my-
self for the rnsh he spoke to me low and cantionsly :
"Now howl yonr londest, lad; and I '11 not lay
on too hard."
My clinehed list dropped to my side.
•'Yon never di<l me any harm," he nnittered.
"Howl till they thiiU< yon lialf UilUMh and I '11
manaire."
I <:ai)ed at him, not knowing' what to make of it.
Bnl this is the way of the woild; if there is nnieh
cruelly in it, theic is mneh kindness, too.
"Here "s the cane, nom d'nn chienl" I'ierre e.\-
claimed boisterously, "(live it here. Jean; there '11
not he nnich of it left when I iZct thron<:h."
"You 'II strij) his coat olV.'" said the second
lackey, from the oi'atory.
"My faith: no: I should kill him if I did, and the
duke wants him." Tiern- retorted. So without more
ado the two nun tied my wrists in front of me, and
dean held me by the knot while Pierre laid on. And
he, ;_'ood fellow, ^'raspinu' my collar, contrived to pull
my loose jerkin away from my back, so that he
(lusted it down without '.'ivatly incoumiodinj.' me.
Some hard wha<-ks I did 'A'\. but they were nothiu'^'
to what a stronu' man could have <:iven in grim
earnest.
I trust I coidd have taken a real tlogging with as
CitiM- ii;>S iis ;iii;.!nni\. mti n inj i^...-.
w
IN TIIH OlJATOKY
anted howls, lioivls lu' should liav
155
I v(llt'<l aiiil
t'oweivd and dodp'd about, to the roariiiL' ilfli^'M of
Jean and his niatf. Iiidee*l. I lia.l drawn a m.wd of
"^'rinnini.' varlets to the door l)efon' my inTfoniianct.'
was over. But at len^nh. when I ihouirht I had
done enim^'h for their pleasure and that of the nohlrs
in the salon, I dropped down on the tloor and lay
(juiet, with shut eyes.
"lie hits had his lill, I trow: we must not si)oil
him for the master," I'ierre said.
'Oh, he '11 come to in a minute
another an-
sw
re red.
'Why, you have not even drawn blood,
Pierre!" H' laid his hand on my back, whereat 1
^Toaned my hollowcst.
"It will be many a day before he eares to have
his baek touched," lau<.died I'ierre. "ileri', men,
lend a hand. Pardieu ! I wonder what Our Lady
thinks of some of the devotees we brin;
her
As they lifted me he took my hand with an in(iuir-
ing S(iueezt ; and I scpieezed l)ack. ^'rateful, if ever
a boy was. They tlun-r mc down on the oratory tloor
and left me there a prisoner.
I spent the ne.xt hour or so tryinir to un(h) the
knot of my handcutl^^ with my t.rth: an<l failing
that, to chew the stout rope in two.
I w
IS nun(
led
as I worked of Lucas and his bonds, and wondered
whether he had manaized to rid himself of their in-
convenience. He went sti-ai^ditway. doubtless, to
some confederate wb- cut them for him. and even
now wa.s plannini: fresh evil airainst the St. (>uen-
tins. I remembered his face as he cried to M. le
Comte that tluy should n)eet a>:ain; and I thought
^S-'M-fi
.,m
150
TMK HKIiMHT ol" NAVAUHE
thill M. ritifUiH' was lit
() liavr
\vi
1h
>iicas.
without this ui
Mile, (if MtiiitliU',
111 il
ca
Ih-d down a iinirraui on his
liis hands full
,l)icky lati-.'K'iiRMit with
1 solitudf I
1 ho
ic (larlOHNS
aiK
W
1\' lOUM
not U-avo the j-'iri alolir
liiTf wcri' I
ilhcr liluf oyos
HI t
h." world. AiKlit woiihl l)r hard .Ml Iniiianiiy il
tht'i-c W(
re noiK' kiiitUicr.
11, had hoi'ii at il thrrf years, loo.
or
tlin
lon<: vt'ars t
his liirl's fair fa.v ha.i stood Ix-tWf.-n
hnii aiK
I his hoiiu'. hclwccii hiiii an
I action. 1 wci'H
him and happint'
in my opinion, lu'i
It
was a
air
f
U'l'
tn:
v.t.
th
such i)ains.
wor
thcr it nor any maid's was woi
If slu' had iov.-d him it had not hcon
1 and lloutt'd him.
th it. hut this -rirl spurn"<
Whv. in tlu' name of ll.av-n. ••onhl lu- not ]m\ the
jad.*' out of his miu'l ami turn m.-rrily to St. IViiis
■„„, ,,„. ,,„ul to ^lory" ^Vh.■n I 'M hack to him
and lold him how sh.- had mockiMl huii. han- mo
hut lie slinuid. tliou-rh!
Ah. hut when was 1 t.) -et h-.u'k to him. Thai
rostod not with mo hut with my daiiLM-rons host,
tho Loasruo's l.ioutonanl-Conoral. dark-mindod May-
cnno. Whr. ho wantod with mo ho had not n-
vralod- nor was it a ploasant suhjoot for spooulation.
n, „H-ant mo. of o.mrso. to toll him all I know of
Iho St (,)uonlins: woll. that was so.m done: holike
1„. nndorstoo.l nioro than I of tho day's work. But
aftor ho had quostioiiod mo. what?
Would ho oonshlrr. with his sorvant Pierre, that
1 ha.l n.'vor .lono him any harm" Or would ho-T
woiuh'iv.l. if Ihoy flinr.' me out stark into some d-
lev's u'uttor. whether 'SI. le Coiiite uould starch for
IN TllK OlCATOUV
me iuni claim my c-ai'cass
Or would lu', tot), lia.c
fallen by the blades of the hea-m
I w
as shiuld«i'Ui'_' a.-^
I waited ihire in the dark-
ness. Never, not rven this monnn^'
the Hue ("oiilie.jan
(Iread. 1
fitieiine; but i was
inir in tlie eloset ot
liere.
Pierr
ts, hi' 1 1 ix'en in sueh mortal
had walked out of that eh.set to tiiid M.
uot likely to liai)i>en on siiceour
for all his kind heart, eould lu.t save
it its nadir, I remem-
nie from the Duke of Mayeiine
Then, when my ho{)e wa.s
bered who was with me in the little n.om. I uroi'ed
my way to Our La<ly's fe.i an-l prayed her to save
me, anil if she mi<rht not. then i.. siand l)y me dui
in" the hard moment of dyinir .'\n\ reeeiv
f mv set
k-
in^ soul. Comforted now ai
if it came to that, with a s
1(1 (i.-iii
iiiir I eould pass.
tca-lv fai'e. I laid me
down, my head on the pii.'-dieu e\ishion, and pres-
ently went to sleep.
ked by a li'-'ht in my faee. and. all
loom. Hut it was
fi
I was wa
(piiver, spranj: up to meet my «
not the duke or a
uv (d' his hirelin-rs who bent ove
me, candle in
hand: it was Mile, de Montlne
"Oh, my boy, my poor boy!" .she eried pitifully,
"I could not save you the tlo^'-n-r; on my honour,
I could not. It woidd hav.' ava led you nothing luul
I pleaded for you on my bendv-d knees
With bewildermen
It I ol
)serve(
I that the tears wei-e
brimmin'' over
her lashes and splashing' down into
the candle-tlame. I stared, too confused for sp.ech,
while she, puttin-: down the shakin>; candlestick on
the altar, as she croswd herself, covered her face
with her hands, sobbing.
^■^''^S^^'--:^k:V^
i:.s
Tilt: IIKLMET OF NAVAKKE
•M
iUUMllUlSl'llt'
I staiiiim'r><
nuuk'iiioist
He's ti'iirs! The man, I'uMi
1. •■it is not wcirtli
he told Hie
ill, so they \\
to serea
me. Hut ill trut
<li(l not hurt so mueh.
uia thinli he waa hall" llayin;
ii he did not strike very hard. He
She stru'.
ded to eheek the i
isnu
ti-mpest of her
tears, and preseti
tly dropped ht-r hamls and looked
aV" me earnestly from ..ut h.'r shiiuntr wet eyes.
"Is that true? Are you not Hayed? ' And to
make sure, she laid her hand delieately on my back.
"Thev have xvhaeked your e.nit to ribbons, but. •
thank St. (ieneviev.', they have not brou-ht the
blood. I saw a man llo-u.-d onee-" she shut her
eyes, shuddering', and her mouth (luivered anew.
'-liut I am not mueh hurt, mademoiselle, I an-
swered her. .
She took out her tilm of a handkerchief to wipe her
wet cheeks, her hand still tremblin-:. I eould think
of notliinti but to repeat: ^^
"I am not in the least hurt, mademoiselle.
"Ah. but if they have spared you the llo^'-rmg to
take vour life!" slu' breathed.
It was not a hearteninir su«_'L'estion. To my as-
tonishment, su.ldenly I found myself, friditened vic-
tim, St ri villi: to comfort this noblewoman tor my
' '"Nay. I am not afraid. Since mademoiselle weeps
over m.'. I can die happily."
She sprantr towanl me as if to protect me with
her body from some menacin<: thrust.
..'5^|.^>'. ..],.,11 nnt kill von!" she cried, her eyes
Hiishin/blue tire. "They shall not ! Mou dieu ! is
IN THE OKATORY
l.-O
Lorancc do Montluc so feeble a thing that she cannot
save a servinir-boy ?"
She fell hiU'k a paee, pressing her hands to her
temples as if to stitle their throbbing.
"It was my fault." she eried-"it was all my
fault. It was my vanity and silliness brought you
to this. I should never have writti-n that letti'r — a
three years" eliild would havr known better, lint
1 had not si-en M. de Mar for five weeks- T did
not know, what I readily guess now. that \u- had
taken sides against us. M. de Lorraine played on
my pi(iue."
"Mademoiselle." I said, "the worst has not fol-
lowed, since M. fttienne did not eome himself."
"You are glad for that?"
"Why, of course, mademoiselle. Was it not a
trap for him?"
She caught her breath as if in pain.
"I knew that as soon as I saw that my cousin
Mayenne was not angry. When I told what I had
done and he smiled at me and said I should have
my gloves, why. then I thonirht my heart would
stop beating. I saw what I had accomplished— mon
(lieu. I was sick with repentance of it !"
I had to tell her I had not thought it.
"No," she answered; "I had got you into this by
my foolishness: I must needs try to get you out l)y
my wits. Brie, the one who took you by the throat
— there has been bad blood between him and your
lord this twelvemonth; only Inst May M. le Comte
ran him through the wrist. Had I interfered for
vou." she said, colouring a little. "M. de Brie w(mld
l»>(t
THK HELMET OF NAVAUKE
have iiifrnod iiit.Mvst in the mast.T from that in
111.- iiiiiii, and h.- ha<l se.-ii to y(.iir heating' himself."
It suddenly dawned on me that this M. de Hrie
was the "lilile eheese" of vrnard-room t-'ossip. And
I thniiL'ht that the ..'mth'miin would hardly display
sr. Muich v.-nom a-ainsl M. Ktienn.' iiidess he were a
serious <i!islael.- to iiis hopes. Nor would mademoi-
selle he here at midni'_'ht. we.-piiei owr a servinu'-lad.
ir she eared nothitiL' for the mast.T. If she had not
worn h.'r h-art im her sleev.- hrfon" the lauu'hinK'
salon, mayhap slu- would show it to me.
••MademoisrUe." I .rir.l. "when the hill.'t was
l)iou-_'ht him M. Ktieniie I'ose from his hed at onee
to eome. Hut he was faint from fatigue an«l loss
o\' hlood: he eoid.l not walk aeross the room. But
he hade m<' try to make mademoiselle b.li.'Ve his ab-
sence was no "fault of his. lie wrote her a mouth
au'o: lio found to-day th.' letter wits never delivered."
'• Is lit' hint flaiiL'erously .'"
••No," I admitted reluetantly : "no, T think not.
He was wounded in the ridit forearm, aiid aizain
l>inke,l in the slioulder : but he will n-eover."
••Vou sahl." she went «m, the tears standing in
her eyes, "that he was ,)eniiil.'ss. I have not mueli.
but what I havi- is fitvly his."
She advan.'ed upon m. holdintr out her silken
purse whi.-h she had tak.'U from hor bosom; but I
I't'treateil.
••No. no, T.ndemois.-lle." I cried, a.shamed of my
hot words: "wr are not p.'Uniless-or if we are, we
.r,.t on verv wrll sans le sou. They do everything
Tor monsi.'ur at the Trois Lanterm-s, and he h:us only
L\ THE OKATOKY
101
to ivturn to the Hotel St. (^iK'iitin to tiet all the
•rohl pi.xTs he can spend. Oh, no; we are in no
want, niadeniuiselle. I whs antrry when I said
it; I did not mean it. I cry niadeinoisello's
I)anlon.
She looked at me a little hesitatin-.dy,
" You are telliii": me true .'"
\V
11 V. ves.
niadenioist'lle; if my monsieur nee(
led
motley, indied. indeed. I would not ret'use it.'
"Then if you eannot take it for him. you ean take
it for yourself. It will he stran^'e if in all Paris
you cannot find Sdiiiethint: you like a.s a tokt'ii from
me." ^Vith her own white lin^'ers she slipped some
tinkliii'T eoins into my poueh. and cut short my
thanks with the little wailinjr ery
"Oh. your poor, hound hands! I have my poni
in my dress,
if they knew
will let you }.'o."
"If mademoiselle is runninj: into danjrer staying
here. I pray her to 1:0 baek to bed. M. fttienne did
not send me hither to hrini: her <:rief and trouble."
"Who are you?" she asked me abruptly. " Vou
have never been here before on monsieur's er-
rands'.'"
ard
I eould free them in a seeond. But
I had been here with you they never
N
o, nuuleliioiselle
I eaiiie up only yesti'rday
fi'om Tieardie. I belitii'r on the St. C^uentin estate.
My name is Felix Hioux."
"Alack, vou have chosen a bad time to visit
l'ari>
I came uj) to see life," I said, "and mort
lieu !
'eintr it.'
1
^s^^m^
1G2
THE HELMET OF NAVAKHE
"I pniy (J()(l you may not see death, too," she
iinswt'nd soberly.
She stood lookin<r at me hel])lessly.
"I am in my lord's Idaek l)ooks." she said sh)\vly.
as if to hei'srli'; "l)ut I iiii'-'lit weep Franeoi:i de
Hrie's rou^rh heart to softness. Then it is a ques-
tion whether he eould turn Mayenne. I wish I knew
whether tlie iUikr liimseif or only I'aul de Lorraine
has i)ianned this ii'ove to-nit:lit. That is. " slie added,
hlusliinu'. hut speaking: out eandidly, "wlietlier they
attack M. de Mar a.s the League's enemy or as my
h)ver."
"Tliis y\. Paul de Lorraine." said L speakinj; a.s
respect fully a.s I knew how, hut eatrer to find out
all I couUl for M. fitienne— "this ^L de I.iorraine is
mademoiselle's lover, too?"
She shrugLred her .shoulders, neither a-ssenting nor
(lenying. "We are all pawns in the game for ^L de
•Mayenne to pu.sh about as he chooses. For a time
M. de Mar was high in his favour. Then my cousin
Paul came back after a two years' disapp«'arance.
and straightway he wa.s up and yi. de Mar was
down. And then Paul vanished again as suddenly
as he had come, and it became the turn of >L de
livw. .\'ow to-night Paul walked in as suddenly as
he hiid left and at once played on me to write that
urdueky letter. And what it bodes for him I know
not."
She spoke with amazing frankness; yet, much as
she had told me. the fact of hei- telling it told me
even more. T saw that slie was as lonely in this
;;ri;ti linUsr ;ls I liiiii i'lteu at St. v^UCntiU. She
bg= A "•
IN TFIK oKATOHY
IfiH
\v<vil(i nave talk.'d drlit'litrdly to M. le Comto's
• lot.'.
■■ Mii'li'iiioist'llr." [ said, "I woiilci ld<o well to
tell yoii uliat has Ix .ti liii|)|iciiuiir to my M. P.t it'i\iit'
this hist month, it' vnii aic imt Jifraiil to stay lorip
(iiotijrh to hear it."
"Oh. cvt ly one is aslrcp h)iiLr aL'o; it is past two
(I'cIocU. V's. yoii may t( 11 iiu it' you \^ish."
S' • sat (i')Uii 0:1 a piayiu^t'iishioii, luotionint: im>
to II: otliff, aiK. I li'txaii my talc. At (iist she lis-
tt'iifd with a littl'' air of latiiruor, as if the whoh-
well- (if sliiilil (•(insr,|iiciicc and she n-ally did not
carv at ah what M, Ir Comtr had hcf?i ahoiit these
tivc weeks, lint as I L'ot into the atVair of the Rue
Coiipejaiitts she fofjot her inditVei'eiice aii<l leaned
t'orwafil with huiiiiiii: eht el<s. hanL'iiiL' on my words
with taL'ei' (|uestions. And when T tohl her how
liUca.s had evade(l us in the dinkness. she cried:
"Bless<d \'ii-'j'nl M. de .Miir li.is etioMi:!! to con-
tend with in this Luias. without I'ul de I^orraine.
and Brie, and the Duke of Mmvcuih' himself."
I was silent, heinu' of her o[iiiioii. I're.sently she
a.sked reiuctanlly :
"Does your master thiid< this Li as a tool of M.
(h- Mayenne's .'"
"Yes, mademoiselle. He says secretaries do not
plot a'-'ainst dukedfims for their own pleasure."
"Assassination was mtt wnjit to he my eousln .May-
enne's way," s'm' said witli an accent of confidence
tliat ranjr a.s false as a c'liinterfeit coin. T saw well
eiioufrli that nuuh'inoiselle did fear, at least, May-
enne's L'liilt. I thouirht I iiiii.'ht t. d iier a little more.
™?^f!^^!r«sp-^
■3^--
!•;(
Tin; IIKLMKT OF N'AVAUUK
■'.\I. \o i'niiitf fold iiif tliaf since his father's oom-
\\\<s to I'aris M. (!'■ .Mayennt' iiiadf liiiii olVt rs to join
thf l-tatrue. and In- refused them. So thi-n .M. de
Miiyeiine, siriip/ himself h)siii{,' tlie whole house of
St. (^hiriitiii, invented this."
••Hu! it r.iiled. Thank (lod, it failed! And now
lie Will lejivi' I'aiis. lie will - he must!''
"lie did mean to seek Navarre's eanip lo-uior-
row." I ansueted; "but—"
"Mul what .'"
■'Hnt then the htter came."
"Hut that makes no ditVei-etice! He nnist co for
all that. Tile lime is over for ti'immm^r. lie must
stand on one >!(!e or the other. I am a lii^'ueuse
horn and Iced, and I tell him to ^'o to Kin^.' Heiu'v.
It is his fathei-\ side; it is his side. lie cannot stay
in Paris another day."
"I do not think he will u'o. mademoiselle."
"Hut he must!" she cried with vehemence.
"Paris is not safe foi- him. If he cannot stand for
his wound, lie must iro. I will send him a lettor
myself to tell him he must."
"Then he will never jro."
"Felix!"
"He will not. Tie was troint.' hecausp ho thoujrht
his lady flouted him; when he finds she does not —
veil, if ho hndvros a step out of Paris, I do not know
him. When he thouirht himself despised— "
".\nd why did T turn his suit into lauphter in
the salon if I did not mean that F despised him' I
rlid It for you to tell him how T m.ido a mock of
him, that he mi^rht hate me and keep away from me."
i
IN T»K OHATORY
165
"Oh." I sMi«l. "rnii<ltiiiiiiscllt' is boyond mo: I ••iin
Iinf kr«'p lip u ith litT."
"Ami yoii liilicvcfl it! Hut you nnist iiri'ds spoil
ull l)y t!;iriii'^ out with iinpudfiit spftch."
"I tTiivc iii}i(h'riioist'Mt''s panh)u. I wns wroiiji
■nul iiis(»h'iit. liut slu' pliiyrd loo well."
"And if it wii.s not phiy.'" she rrii-d. lisiiitr. "IT
I do— well. I will not siiy (ics|»is(' him- hut care
nothinu' Tor him.' Will hf tluii tio to St. Denis;
Then tell him from me that he luus my pity jw one
cruelly oo/ened, and my esteem as a one-time servant
of mine, hut never my love. Tell him I woidd will-
injzly save him alive, for the sake of the love lie once
hore me. Hut as for any answering' love in my
hosom. I have not otie spark. Tell him to p) Hnd
a new mistress at St. Detiis. He mi'^ht as well
cry for the moon as seek to win Loraiiee i\o
Moiitluc."
"That may Ite true." I said; "hut all the .same he
will try. Can mademoiselle suppose he will l'o (»ut
of Paris now, and leave lier to marry Hrie and
Lorraine?''
"Only one." .she prote,ste(l with tlie shadow of a
smile; and then a sudden rush of tears hlinded iier.
"I am a very miserable prirl." slie said woefully,
"for I brin^' nothing: but dan^rer to those that love
me.
I dropped on my knees before her and kissed the
hem of her dress.
"Ah. Felix," she said, "if you really pitied me.
you would pet him out of Paris!" And she fell to
weeping as if her heart would break.
11
166
THE HELMET OF NAVAKRE
1 1i;h1 no skill to cnrnt'ort hiT. I b.-n1 my lit-ad
l„.f,tr'' ]uT. silriit. At Icti'^Mh sill' siihbi'd mit :
"It lioots lilllc for lis to (luarrrl «iv.t what you
shiill say to M. dt- Mar. when we know not that you
will rvii- speak to him asiaiii. And it was all my
fault."
".Mad'.'moisollr. it wa.s the fault of my ha.st\
toii'juo. "'
H\it she sliddk lit'i- head.
"I niaintaiord that to you. Itut it was not true.
Maymnc had s(>nictliin<_' in his min<l Itcfor.-. A ticii-
,.,•;,; holds his .s.h.iiics so d.'ar uml lives so cheap.
Hut I will do niy utmost. Felix, lad. It is not lonir
to (layli'jht now. 1 will iro to Fnineois de Hrie and
wr "11 believe I shall prevail."
She took np Imt eandle and said ^'ood niiiht to
me very <:ently and (piietly. and <:ave me her hand
1o kiss. She ()|.eiird the door.-wilh my fettered
wrists I could not do the ofiiee for her.- an<l on the
ihreshold turned to smih' on me. wistfully, hope-
f,i||y. ill th.e ne.xt second, with a t;asp that was half
;, ,1V. slif i>lew out the li^'ht and pushed the door
shut a'^ai::.
XV
My Lord Mayrnnc.
KNEW she was slmttiiitr tlio door by
the click nf thf latch: in llic JU'Xt sfc-
oiul I made tlit' tlisoovciy that i;he wa-s
still on my side of it. '-What—" I
wius be<rinniii<.'. ulu'ii she laid her hand
over my mouth. A line ol' li'^ht showed throuudi the
orack. She had not (juite closed the loor on account
of tlie noise of the latcli. She tried auain; ajrain it
rattled and she desisted. I lieard lier fluttered
hreatliin^ and I heard S(»methiiiir else— a rapid,
heavy tread in the corrichtr without, into the coini-
cil-room came a man carrying' ;: li^hieil tapei-. It
was Mayenne.
Mademoiselle, with a whispeivd '"Cijd save us!"
sank in a heap at my feet.
I bent over her to tind if she liad swo<»ned, when
she seized my hand in a sharp j:rip that told me
plain as words to be (piiet.
Mayenne was yawnin'.'; he had a rum[)led and
dishevelled hiok like one just roused from slee|). lie
crossed over to the tabh', lighted the three branche(l
canillestick staiulim: there, and seated himself with
his back to us. puUin^r about some papers. I hardly
U 167
\r,^
TUF. HELMET OF NAVAHRE
(liirt'il <:l;ir ;it liiiii foe liar iiiv ryes shoiilil tlraw
his; tli»' i'i;i('k of oiir door scfiiiiMl 1o fall aloud to
hiin to iiiuik it : Imt the candlelight scarcely pierced
the shadows of the lonji room.
MoiT quick footsteps ill the oon'i(lf»r. Maycnno
hitched his chair about, sidewiye to the table and to
us. faciiu: the oulei- door. A t<dl man in black
eiitei'ed, salutili;^ the <:ciieral from the tlweshold.
"S(i you have come liiick.'" spoke the duke in his
even tones. It was imi)ossible to tell whether the
words were a welcome <w a sentence.
"Yes," answered the other, in a voice as non-
committal as .May(nm''s (iwii. ile siiul the door
after him and walked over to the table.
" And how 'iocs it ?"'
"Hadly."
The neweomei- threw his hat aside and sat down
without v.aitint: for an invitation.
'•What! Badly, sirrah !"' Mayenne exclaimed
sharply. "You come to me witli that repoi't ?"
"I do. monsieur." answcied the otlier with eool
insolence, leanini.' back in his chaii'. 'I'lie litrht fell
diiectly oil his face and proved to mi what I ead
LTuessed at his first wcu-d. The didsc's Mi'_dif visitoi'
was Lucas. "Yes." he repealed indilVt letit ly. "it
has •:one badly. In fact, your L'anie is up."
Mayenne jumped to his feet, bringing' his list
down on the table.
"You t.'l! \\u this?"
Lucas rei:ai'<]ed him with an easy .smile.
" Lnfortunately. monsieur. I do."
Mavenne turned on him. cursin.'. Luc.s with tlie
Bi
Ml.l.t M M..M1,1 ■ VSh hKl,l\ ll.'i'S !•- 111! ••KVl'.K^
MY LOKl) MAYENNK
171
.|uickn<'s.s of a cat si)raii«r a yaid a-sHlc. (la-."_'.T uii-
slu-atlicd.
"I'ut III) '''='^ kiiilV!" slioutod Maytiino.
"Willi you put up yours, iiioiisiuur."
"I !iav(.' drawn none!"
"In your slt-evf, monsieur."
"Liar!'' cried Mayenne.
I Uiiow not uli(» was lyinj:. for I could not tell
whether the Made that Hashed now in the .luke's
hainl e.'ine tioni his sleeve or from his hell. Uni
if he had not drawn before he had drawn now and
rushed at Lueas. He dodixed and tiiey eirrh'd round
each olher. wary as two matched eoeks. Lueas was
strictly on 1 e defensive: Mayenne. the less a^'ile
l.y reason of ins wei^dit. coidd make no chance to
strike. He drew otV |)resently.
"I "11 have your neck wrun'r for this." he panted.
"For what, monsieur.'"' asked Lucas, imperturb-
id)ly. "For defiii<iin-_' myself?"
Mayenne let the char-re -_'<) hy default.
"F,.r coniinj.' to me with the tale nf your failures.
Nom de dicu. do I em[)loy you to tail ."
'•We are nnne of us -iods, monsieur. You your-
self lost Ivry."
Mayenne hacked over to his chair and s.ati'd him-
self, i yini: his knife on the table in front of him.
His face smoothed out to i:oo<l humour- no mea:,
11-ibute to his y)ow."r of self-eontrd. For the wril-
ten words can convey im notion of the maddeiiinL'
insolence of Lucas's bearin-^'-an i soletiee so .studied
that it almost seemed uneonseious and was thereby
well-uigli impossii)le to silence.
172
TMi; iihi.mi:t of navahwk
"Sit <li)\vii," l»;i<lc Ihc ciiikc. "and lill iii.-."
liUCiis. stiiiidiu}.' Jit till' t'oi't <>r till' tiil)lf. ohsfivcd :
"'I'licy ttuiicd you out td' youi- lu'd. inousifur. to
st'f uif. It was uniU'Cfssai'V sfVfiily. My lair wid
lu't'p till niorniu)/. "'
" liy lli-avcu, it sliall not!"" Mayimi' slioult'd.
"Hi'uai'f how luucli TurtlK r yon dair an-rci- mr-. ytm
Satan's (Mil) !"
Ill' was lin^'cfitiLT the da<:Lrt'r aLNiiu as it' lie lon-^cd
to pluuL't- it into Lucas's )_Mdl('i. and I ralln'i- iiiar-
vi'lk'd tliat he did not. or suinuion his ^'uai'tl to do
it. FiH" i could well understand how iid'ufiatin^'
was Liu-as. lie i-airifd liimscir with ati air (d" lasy
eciuality insutl'i'iahli' to tlif tirst iioMf in ili.' land.
.Mayt'iihr's cliusfn n.li' was the iiiiniovtd. tin' iii-
scrutaldc. hut Lucas heal him at his own 'jaint' and
drove him (Uit into the o|ieii of passion and violence.
It was a mii-acle to me that the man lived - uide.ss.
indeed, he were a jirinee in disLMiise.
"Satan's cult!" Lucas ie|ieated. lauirhinc. "Our
late Uinir luul called me ihat. [tardieii ! Hut I Unew
not you aci<nowle(i'.^fd Satan in the I'amily."
"I oi'ilered .\ntoine to wake me if you returned in
the ni<j-ht.'' .Mayeiuie went on ::iuriiy. "When I
heai'd you had heen here I !;new s iniethintr was
wroiiL'- uidess tile tliini:' were done.
"It is not done. The wliol.- ;i|u; is ruined."
"Nom de dieu ! II' it i> hy your IniULdinL' - "
"It was not liy my luiiiLditi'..:. " l.ui';is answered
with the lirst touch of h.-at he had shown. "It was
fate - and thai fool (Jra.mmont. '
"I'.Nplain then and ijuickly. or it will lie the worse
for vou. "
MY LOUn MAVKNNK
it:!
Lucas sat tlovvii, llii' tiil)l»' lift with tlu'iii.
"Look li.tv," In- said aliruptly. I.siiiiiig forward
ovfi- till- hoard. " Have you Mar's boy?"
••What boy?"
"A Vimuu: I'itard rrom the St. guentin estate,
wlioiii tlie devil piuiiipttd to eoiiie up to town to-
day. Mar sent him here lo-iUL'lit witli a h)Ve-iiies-
satre to l^oianee.
••Oh." said Mayeiiue, slowly, "if it is a (|Uestioti
of niadeiiioiselle's iove-atVaiis. it may I'f put otV till
to-moiTow. It is plain to the very laeUeys that you
are jealous of Mar. Hut at pn>eiit we are diseu.ss-
iu-r TatVaire St. t^uentin."
••It is all one." Lucas answered (piickly. "You
know what is to he the reward of my success."
•'I thou'^dit you told me you had failed."
Lucas's hand moved instiin-tively to his brlt : then
he tliout:iit hettei' <d' it and laid both hands, empty,
on tlie table.
•'Our plot has fail.d. but that does nut mean that
St. (^Mientin is immortal."
"Yon nuiy be very sure of one thintr, my friend."
the dula' observed. "I shall nev.r ^'ive Lorance dc
Montlui- to a whitedivered llincher. "
"The Duke of St. (^Micntin is not immortal."
TiUcas i-epeated. "I have mis.-<ed him once, but I
shall i-'et him in spite of all."
•'I am not sure about Loiance even then," said
Mayenne. retlei-tivrly. ••Fi'an(;ois de Hrie is ajritat-
intr hinis.-lf about that yountr mistress. And he has
not made any failures -as yet."
Lucas sprantr to his feet.
"You swore to me I sImmM have her."
174
TJIK HKL.MKl Ol NAVAKKK
"I'frmit lilt' ti> ii'iiiiikI vuu au'ain thai you liavi'
not l»r<iu'_'lit MIC tlir |irict'.
" I will bnil).' \ nil tlir pi-icf."
"|-;'rii tlicti.'' s|)okr Mayciiiic. with tlic siiiiK- of
the ciit >taiiiliiiL' over the iiioiisc "i'"i'ii iht-ii I iiii|_'ht
fhaii;-'<- my iiiiiitl."
"'rhcii," said liiicjus. rouiidly, "thrrr will 1»" more
lliaii niic (Itail (lilkc ill Fiaiicf. '
.Mayriiiif looked up at liiiii as iiiitiiovcd as il" it
writ- not ill lilt' [ttiwci" td' iiHiital man tti makf liiin
liisf his tfm|it'i'. Ill stiri'iiiL' him t'l iIimw ilaL"_'i'r.
Lucas hail acliicNfd an est raoidiiiaiy t riiimiih. Vet
i st>iiiehi>\v thini'jlit that the man who had sIkiwii
lii>t aiiL'er was the real man: the man who sat there
i|uicl was the party leailcr.
1 Ic saiti iitiw , evenly :
"That is a silly way to talk to me. Paul."
"It is the truth lor oiiee." Lucas made .sullen
answer.
St) Itnii: as he ctuilil prick ami iirihite Mayetiiie lie
preserved an air tit' uiishakahk eitmjMiMiie ; hut w I cii
.Mayeiiiie recovered patieiKt- aiitl liiiiiMH' Iiclmii tn
prick, Lucas's >.'uaiil hmke tluwii. His vnice res' a
Ivcy. as it hail tlniie when I called him tool; ami he
luirNt tiut vinlently :
■".Mort lie tlieul monsieur, what am T doint: your
tlirty wtiik I'tir.' For lnve ot" my alVectionaie
uncle .'"
"It m'L'ht well lie lor thai. 1 have been youi'
.•ilVecl iiiliale uncle, as you s.iy."
"My atVei't ionale uncle, ymi say.' My Hire!', my
->ulioiiier ! 1 was a I'l'olestaiit : I was hred up hy
MV Lo|;D MAYKNNK
17.'.
llif llu^rut'iiut huciis.-s ul..ii iii\ t'iiiluT f.ist olV my
iiiolli.T ami iiif to stiirvc. I liii'l ii<» Ins.- fur tin-
L*-a^MU' ttr thf Lciriniii-.'s. 1 wii.s lii:!itiiitr in Na-
yarn's laiiks when I was iiiadi' |iiistimr at Ivry.
•'Ynii wcic si»yiii^' lor Navani'. it \\a> iK-t'orc
till' tiu'lit Uf caiiL'lit yon. Voii liid 1 ii liaM-zt'd ami
iHiait.ifd in tliat uiay dawii liad I not n-co-rni/t'ti
yon, al'trr tucivf ycai-s. a.s my l)nitluT's son. I i-nt
the ropf I'roni yon and tiiilitafid you for your ta-
ttler's sake. Vou rodr fortii a cornel in my aiiny,
iiislead of dyin<.' like a f.jou ou tlie •^'allows.'"
"Vou liad >oui' iiidN to serve." I.ucas miiltered.
'•I took you into my liouseliold," Mayeiine went
on. ••! let _\(iu wrar llie naiin' of l,ori-aine. I did
not deny you the liaiid of my eousiii and ward. liO-
ranee de .Niontlue."
"Deny me! .N(», you ilid not. Neitlier di(i you
urant it me, luit put me oiV with lyinu [uomises.
Vou tiioU'/ilt then you eniihl will l>aek tile falteriu!.'
hotis.' of St. '^ileiitiii l>y a iiiarria'_'e hetweeli yoili'
eousiii ami the Coiiite de .\iar. Afterward, when
my liri>ther Charles dashed into I'aris. and tlie peo-
ple elanioiiivd for his marnas-'e witli the infanta,
you eoiieeived the selieiiie of forciiitr i.oianee on liiiii.
Hut it would not do. and a^'ain you promised lier
to me if I could '.^et yoii cei-tain infoi'iiiation from
the royalist army. I ivturiied in tlie iruise cd" an
escapeti prisoner to iiiTiry's camp to steal you se-
crets; and tlie moment my liack wa.s turned you lis-
tened to proposals from Mar aL'ain."
"Mur is not in the race now. ^'ou need not speak
of him, nor of your i>rolher Charles, eitlier. "
17tf
TlIK HKI.MKT OK NAVAKRE
''N'" I 'iiii w'll uiidt islaiiil that my brother's is
mil a |)!.ii>arit tiiiiiH' iii your cais." I.iicas av'n»'<l.
'•Y(»ii arUiiouli'dp'l om- Kiii^.' Charh-s X: you
would likr well to mi- another Charli's X, l)Ut it is
no! ( liarlfs of (luisr you uit'an."
"I have no dt'sir.' to In- Killer of Fraiicf." May-
tiuif ln-;.'aM an!_'rily.
"llavi- you not .' 'I'hat is wrii, foi- you will m-vrr
fii'l the Clown o!i your Wrous. L'ood uncle I You
aic L;i(>uiid lirtwcMi the S|iaiiish hanuiier au<l the
Heaniais aii\il; tliere will soon he nothing' loft of
you hut I'owdei-."'
"Nom lie di( \i. I'aul— " Miiyeiiuc cried, half ris-
iiu:: hut l.ueas. leaning: forwai'd on the tal)le. rivet-
ing; hini with his Ici en eyes, went on:
"l)o not niistaUe me. monsieur uncle. I think
you in had c;,>e. hut ! am icady to sink or swim with
yuii. Su |(.n<_' as the hand of Loiance is in your he-
stowii.L' 1 am your faithful servant. I have not
liesitated to risk the iiallows to serve you. Liust
.M rch 1 made my way here. disLMiised. to tell you of
the kiiiii's .•omint: chan^'e id' faith and of St. (^uen-
tin's certain defection. I demanded then my pi-icc.
my marriaLTe with mademoiselle. Hut you put me
otV ai-'ain. You sent nie hack to Mantes to kill you
St. (j»uentin."
".\ye. And you have heen ahout it these four
months, and you have tiot killed him.''
Taicas reddened with ire.
"I am no J'i.M\ies Clement to stah ami he rtias-
sacred, Ynii cat. not buv such a service id" me. .M. de
.Maveiine. if I i\ ' iiiavo's work for yoii I choose niy
MV I/tUI) MAYKNNK
17'
own titiif and vvmv. I hrnu<'lit thr <liikf to I'ans,
(!»'livfiv(l hiiii u|> t.i >oii to (Ifiil with iis it 1iI<«m1
you. liut you with your iiriny at your back wt-rr
iifraid to kill him. You llin<-h.Ml and wait.d. You
dared not should, r tlu' onus of his d.ath. Thru I.
to help you out of yo\ir strait. |)latuifd to nuikc his
own son's th." hand that should do the d.rd : to kill
tho dukt" an<l ruin his h.-ir; to put not only St.
(^UfUtiM hut Mar out of your way—"
"L<'t us he accurate, i'aul." .Mayciuh said. "Mar
was not in my way. hr was of no <.-ns.-(|uciic.' to mc
You mean, put him out of your way.'"
"I If wa.s in your way. too. Sinci' he would not
join the < ausc he was a hindiancf to it. You had
as much to train as I hy his ruin."
"Somdhini.'- not a.s mucli. 1 did not want him
killed I picfcvrcd him to Valere."
••.\(r did r want him killed; so our views jibed
we I
"Why not. then.' !>id you prefer him as your
wife's lover to some other wlio mi-^dit appear?"
"I do not intend that my wife shall have lovers,"
Lueas answere<i.
Mayenne broke into lau'-'hter.
"Nom <ru!i ehieii, where will you keep her?
Tn the Bastille.' [.orance and no lovers! llo,
ho!"
"I mean none whom she favours."
"Then why do you leave Mar alive? She adores
the fellow." Mayenne said. I 1 ail no idea whether
he really thought it or only said it to ntinoy f.ucas.
At anv rate it had its efl'ect. liUeas's brows were
MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART
ANSI and ISO TeST CHART No 2
1.0
I.I
1.25
i^ III 2.8
2.5
2.2
t m
2.0
1.8
1.4
1.6
^ APPLIED IN/MGE Inc
■■-':i Last Ma.fi jitee!
^ ■-'letter. New York '*6C9
~'6j 482 - 0300 - Pnon*
"■^j ;88 - ^989 > fa.
y^.*->x*- .■ - -■:■ . - •.,--. -•••j . , :/.- y^.r)' 'J>- -''..• i
ITS
THK HKI.MET OF XAVAk'KR
I^HMit,,!; h,. s|M,k,. witii iiii (rCnrt. like ;i mail under
sti'css i>r |.li_vsic;il pain.
"I know slif |(,v(s In'iii juiw, id slic would liive
liiiii (lead: ImiI slif uKuid noi Invc him a i-ai'iifidc. "
"Is that your cncd .' I'anli.-u! you (hiii't know
womtMi. Thr iihickci' th'- villain thr moi-c they adore
him. "
"f '<n"w it is ti'uc. monsieur." Lucas said
smoollily. -'tliat you have liad succc»cs. " "
May.nnc started forward witli hall' an oath,
chanuiiii: to a lauLdi.
"So it is not cnoULih for you to possess the fair
body of l.orance: you nnisl also liave h-c love.'"
"She will love Die," laiea.s answered uneasily.
"She must."
"It is not worth your fret."' .Mayentie d.'clared.
"If she did, how !omr would ii last.' Sokiu ,il
fiiiniK ('(/nV— that is the only li.xed faet about her.
If Loranee loves Mar to-<lay. she will love .some oui'
else to-morrow, and some nne else still the day after
to-morrow. It is not wortii while di.sturbin^' your-
seli" about it."
"She will not love any one else." Lueas said
hoarsely.
-Mayenne laiiudi(>(l.
" Vou are very youiiL'. Paul."
"She shall iioi love any one else! By the throne
of heaven, she sjiall not .'"'
Mayenne went on lauirhiui.'. If Luea.s had for the
iiii'iiient teased him out of liis e.|uanimity, the dnki-
biid paid baek th. score a hundredfold. Lucas's
lace was siared with his iiassions as wiili the tor-
i-.»^9B*W^
MY LORD MAYKNNE
170
fniv-irnii: li.' clmclicd Ins liaiuls to<.'t'1hpr, hiTatliitii:
hard. On my side (if llic door I licard a sharj) liltlf
sound in thr dai'kncss; niadfiiioi.sclle had ^rrittfd Ikm-
Iccth.
"If is a little cai'ly to swoat ovit the matter."
.Mayennc said, ■■sinec madcnioi.si lie is not your wiiV.
nor rvcr liki-ly to lircomi' so. "
"You ii'lusf her to inc.'" liucas ericd. livid. I
thonirht he would hap over the tahle at one hound
on Mayenne. It occurred to the duke to take up
his daiTirer.
•"I promise hei- to you when you kill me St. <^»uen-
tin. .\nd you !ia\e not killed me St. (^ueiitin hut
instead come aii-ily to tell nie the seliemi — my scliemo
— is wrecked. Pai'ditiil it was never my scheme.
I never advoeatrd stolen pistoles and suhornod wit-
nesses and an'j(i-i(l nephews and deceived sons and
the ri'st of yoiii- euiiilirous machinei-y. I would have
had you stah him as he heiit over his papers, and
walk out of the house l.id'ore they discoveird him.
Hut you had noi the pluck lor that: you nnist needs
plot and replot to make some one else do your work.
Now. after months of inti'i'.'uiri'.' and waitiiiL'. you
come to me fo tell me you have failed. Morhleu !
is there any ivason why I sisould not have you
kicked into thr u'utier. as no true son of the valourous
1 e Halafiv.'"
Lucas's hand went to his helt airaiii : he made one
stcf) as if to come aiound the tahle. .Mayenrie's
anuM'v f\e was on him hut he dul not move: and
l.iieas made mo more steps. ( 'onli-ollin-: himself
with an efToit. \\r said :
iM
['0^^ ~~:^!^^-^'^-^
iMIMi
ISO
Tin: HELMET OF NAVAh'FJE
"It was not my laiilt, iiiniisiciii-. Xo man oouhi
liavi' lalxuiri'd harder or i)l;!niii'(| htltrr tliaii I. I
'liivc 1 II (lili-.^'ii;, I have lieeri elevei-. I have ma<h'
my worst enemy my wiiliim tool I have much'
.Monsieur's own son my eat "s-paw. ] have Irl't no
• •nd loose. IK) coiitiiiireney improvich'd for- and I am
luini'd liy a freak ol' Tale.""
"I never knew a failure yet hut what the fault
wa.s fate's." .Mayeime returned.
"Call if accident, then, call it the <levil. call it
what you like.'" I.ucis ci-ied. -l still maintain it
was not my fault. Listen, monsieur."
lie .sat down aj^aiii an<l ln'i^aii his story, strivinir
as he talked to recon(|uor something' of his old
coolness.
"The thin-r wa.s ruimd by the advent of this hoy,
Mar's lackey I spoke (d'. Vou said he had not heen
here.'"
"Vou may uo to Lorance with that ipiestion."
-Mayennc answered; "I have somethinir elsi' to at-
tend to than the intriLiues of my wife's maids."
"He started hither; I tlionirht some one would
luive the sense to kei^p him. Mordieu! I will find
from Loj'ance whi'fher s' saw hini."
lie fell silent. LMiawiiiir liis lip; I could see that his
fhonirht had travelled away fi-om the plot fo the sore
Md>.ject of mademoiselle's atVectioris.
"Well." said Mayeiine. sharply, "n-liat about
your bi\v ?"
It was a moment Iteforo Lucas answered, When
he did lie spoke low and luirriedly. s. that I could
sc;ir(t' catch the words T know it wa.s no fear of
•i.-^:
..>'--;■>:
MY LORD MAYKNNE
181
listoncrs Ih;il kvpl his voiet- (Idwii -tliov luid shouti'd
iit tiii'li otli'T as if tlicrc was lui orir williiti a mile.
I trui'ssi'd that Lucas, l\>v all liis hi-avado. took little
pri<k' in his talc, nor t'rll happy about its reception.
I could catch names now and then. Monsieur's. M.
f:iicnnr"s. (iramiiiont '.s, hut the hero of tiie tale was
myself.
"Vou h't him to the duke?" Mayenne cried pres-
ently.
.\t thi' hai'sh censure of hi.s voice, Luca.s's rang
out with the old deliance :
"With VIl'o at his hack I did. Sanfrdieii ! you
have yet to make the ae(|uaintanee of St. (^fuentin's
e(|uefy. .\ re^'iment of your lans<pienets coidd n't
keep him out."
"Does he nev..,- fake wine.'" .Mayenne asked, lift-
ing' his hand with shut finirers over the tahle and
then opening.' them.
"That is easy to say. monsieur, sittinsi here in
your own hotel stull'ed with yotir soldiers. Hut it
wa.s net so easy to <lo. alone in my enemy's house,
wh.Mi at the lea.st suspicion of me they had broken
ine on the wheel."
"That is the rub:" Mayenne cried violently.
*'That is the ti'ouble with all of you. Vou think
more of the safety of yom- own skins than of ac-
eomplivhiuir your work. .Mordi.Mi ! where shouhl I
he to day-wheiv would Uie Cause be -if my first
care was my own peril?"
"Then that is whej-e we ditVer. uncle." T.ucn.s an-
swei-ed with a cold sneer. "You are, it is well
known, a patriot, toilin..' for the Church and the
iSL'
THK HHLMKT OF NAVAIiKE
King of Spain, uitli ncv^^r a thoiiL'ht for the welfare
of ("liailcs (if IjorruiiK', Lord of .Mayt-uiu'. Hut I.
I'aul of liorraiiu', your Imiiildf iicplicvs . lurd of my
brain and hands, frr. ly admit tlial I am toilin-: f(»r
no one hut tin- aforesaid Paul of Lorraiiii'. I should
lind it most inconvenient to ;.'et on without a liead
on my shoulders, and I shall do my hi-st to kee[) it
there. ■■
"You iK'eil not tell me that; I know it well
enoujih/' .Mayenne answered. "'You are each for
himself, none foi' me. .\t the same time. I'aul. you
will do well to lememher that your interest is to
forward niy interest."
"To the lull, monsieur. And I shall hill you St.
(>>tienlin yet. You need not call me coward: 1 am
workiii;: for a dearer stake than any man in your
ranks. ""
"Well,"' Mayenne re.joined, "jrct on with vour
tale."
Lucas went on, Mayenne listeninir (juietly, with no
further word of blame, lie moved not so much as
an eyelid till Lucas told of .M. le Duc"s departure,
when he liun<,' himself forward in his chair with a
s}iar{) oath.
"What: by dayli^'ht?"
"Aye. He was afraid, after this discovei-y. of
beint: set on at nii:ht."
"He wtMit out in l)road day ?"
"So Viiro said. 1 s;i\v him not,"" Lucas aiiswei-ed
with somethinir of his old nonchalance.
"M'lle tonnerres du diablt>:'" .\layen:ie shouted.
"If this is true, if he got out in broad dav. I "11
MY LORD MAYENNE
1H3
liav»> the hf'Mil of tln' tniitor that h't him. I "11 nail
if ovoi' his own L'atc "
"It is not worih your t'n't. iiioiisicur, " Lucas said
lijrhtly. "If you did. how loritr would it avail.'
Siiiif' lit liniinic I niliu ; that is thi' only ti\r! fact
ahout him. If tliry pass St. (|>u«iitin 1o-da\. tlirv
will pass some our else to-nioiTow, and some one else
stdl the day after."
Mayrinc looked at him. half an-rry. half star-
tled into some deei)er emotion at this deft twist-
ing of his own words.
" Soiin nt hfuni'ic trahir,
Mill habile ijiii -I'y Jif,"
he repeated nnisin>:ly. He might liavo been sayinir
ovei' !he mollo of the house of LoiTuine. For the
(iuises believed in no man's good faith, as no man
believed in theirs.
"Soiiniit liiDinni irnhii ." Mayenne said again,
a.s if in the woi-ds he reeogni/ed a bitter verity.
"And that is as ti'ue as King Francis's version. I
sU[)pose you will be the next, i'aul."'
"When I give ui> hope of Lorance," Lucas said
bluntly.
I caught myself suthlenly pitying the two of them :
Mayenne. because, for all his power ami s|ilendour
and rank next to a kinir's and ability second to none,
he daiiMJ trust no man — not the son of his body,
not his brothel', lie had made his own hell and
dwelt in it. and there was no need to wish him any
ill. \n^\ Lucas, perjured traitor, was farther from
.:*.•*
184
THK HELMKT «)F NAVAUKE
tln' L'oiil of Ills desire than if we had slain liiiii in
tile Kiic ( 'oiipojaiTets.
"What next.' It ai)pears you escaped tho ro-
douhfed Vij/o." .Mayentu- went on in his every-<hiy
tone; antl the vision faded, and I saw liini once nioie
i)s the ^.'leatest nohle and ixrealest scoundfel in
!•' ranee, and tVared and liated liini. ami iiUca.s too,
as tlie heti'ayef of niy di-ar lord ntieniie.
"Trust me for that."
"Then came you here?"
"Not at once. I tracked Mar and tliis Bronx to
Mar's old lod<;in<:s at tlu' 'I'liree Lanterns. When
I had (h)m.'ed them to the door I came here and
woi-ked upon Loi'ance to write Mar a letter eom-
maiidinj; his presence. Foi- I thoutrht that the ni|_'ht
was yet youufr and to-mori-ow lie miLrlit lie out of
my reach. AVeil. it appears lie had not the eouraj.'c
to come hut he sent the hoy. I was not sorry. I
thou^dit I eould settle him more (luietly at the inn.
The hoy went hack once and almost ran into me in
the court, hut he did not see me. I entered and
asked for lod^dims; hut the fat old fool of a host
put me throuL'h the catechism like an in(!uisitor. and
finally declared the inn was full. I said I would
take a ^rarret ; hut it was no use. Out I must trudge.
I did. and paid two men to <ret into a hi-awl in fi-ont
of the house, that the inn people jriit'ht run out to
look. Hut instead they looked the j,'ate and put up
the shutters in the cabaret."
Mayenne hurst out lauu'hinir.
"It was not your niL'ht. Paul."
".No." said liucas. shortly.
-3f^'^
A'-.'-^*=
^■m^3^^w^
MY L(»KI» .MAYKNNK
185
"And wliut tluii.' It (Inl iiol fiil«' you till tlirrc
o'clock to lu- i)ut out of till' itiii."
"No." Lufji.s iiuswt'i'cfl ; "I spoke to you of tin*
viii'lt't I'outnu with whom < Iriuiuiiout had iiuai'i-clli'd.
Ill- liiid shut him n[) in a closi't ol' tin- house in the
lull' Coui'tjiiritts. Artel- the fiLrht in the coutt we
all went our ways. i'or:_'etiin;: hiui. So I paid the
iiouse a visit: I was afraid some one el.se mi^'ht find
him ami h.- miirht tell tales."
"And will he tell tales.'"
"No." said l.ueas, "he will tell no tales."
"How about your spy in the Hotel St. <^Mu'ntin?"
".MaT'tin. the clerk.' Oh. I warned him otV before
I left," Lucas said easily. "He will lie perdu till
we want him a^aiii. And (li'ammont. you see. is
dead too. Thei-e is no dii-ect witness to tho thiti'^'
but the b(iy Bronx."
"That 's as '/ood as to say there is none,'' May-
cune answered: "for I have tJie boy."
1-2
XVI
Mdift nni 's Hutnl.
rCAS si)rnn<,' up.
" Ydii liMVc liiiii ?
W
licro
,T»
"Vt's. I liavi' liiiii,"" Mayi'iiiio an-
sucifd with his tatitali/in^^ .sli)\vuess.
"Alive.'"
"1 .su|)|M)si' .so. Ill- had his flo-riririi: hut I tohl
tliciii I \va.s not <h)iif witli him. I tlioiiLrlit we iiii^'lit
have a use for him. I h- is in the oiatmy their."
"Diahh-: Listeniri':.'" erietl I.ticas. as if a (juick
doiiht of Mayemie's ^'oud faith to him struck his
mind.
"Certainly not," Mayenne answered. "The door
is holtcd; he mi«.dit he in the street for all he can
Ileal-. The wall was huilt for that."
" Wliat will you do with him. monsieur?"
"We '11 have him out." said Mayeiuie. I.ucas.
needinj; no second liitldin-,', ha.stened down the I'oom.
All this while mademoiselle, on the Hoor at my
feet, h:id n(>ithei' stirred noi- whispered, as ri^'id as
the statued Virjrin her.self. But now she rose and
for one moment laid hei- hand on my shoulder with
au encouraging' pat; the next she Hung the door
wide just as Lucas reachetl the threshold.
186
^fT^Ta
^'^^^I^^^S^^SJ^::^
MAYENNL'a WAKD
1»7
Ht- recoiled as fruiii a irhust.
• l.uiiiiK'f!"' lie ^aspfd. " liuraiicc!"
"Noiii >lf tlii'ul" caiiu' Mavi-niif's sliout from the
back <if tlif rodiii. "Wliat! Lorancc!"
lie caught up the caii<lclal)ium and strode t>ver
to us.
Mademoiselle stei)i»ed out into the council-rooiii. 1
han^'in^' hack on the other side of the sill. She was
as white as linen, hut she lifteil her head proudly.
She had not the couni^re that knows no fear, hut
she had the eouiatre that rises to th « need. Crouch-
ing' on the oratory tloor she had heen in a panic lest
they lind her. But in the moment of discovery she
faced them ui;t1inching.
"Vou si)yiii'_' here, Lorance!" Mayenne stormed
at her.
"I did not come here to spy, monsieur." she
an. vered. "I was here first, as you see. Your
pieseiiee was as unlooked for by me as mine by
you."
His next accusation brout,'ht the blood in scarlet
flag's to her pale cheeks; she made him no answer
but burned him with her indiirnant eyes.
"Mordieu, monsieur!" Lucas cried. "This is
.Mile, de Mcmtluc."
"Then why did you come?" demanded .Mayenne.
"Because I had done harm to the lad and was
.sorry," she said. "You defend me now, Paul, but
you did not hesitate to make a tool of me in your
cowardly schemes."
"It was kiniUy meant, nuu'.emoiselle," Lucas re-
torted. "Since I shall kill M. le Comte de Mar in
:^r^^
ls8
Till; IIKI.MKT u|. .N.\\.\IM<K
iiliy ia.st'. I tli(.|l-lll il u..lll(l pIciiMiiv you to li;iv,.
a word with limi lirsf."
I think it (Inl not nml ihr Inuk sli.' u';iv.' Iiini t(i
iiiJikf liiiii ivLT.t tin- sp II. Tins LurM.s u;is :iii
fxtfiiurdiiiiiry <'(>iii[miiiii(| of sliivucliuvs ;iii<l ivck-
IfssiKss. t>ur sc|.ai;iliii-_' I'lntn Ih,. ..tlirr likf ml jiti.l
\iii<>'!ii- ill il si. .veil's s;ila(l. 11' ,-(,iil.i plan and tnil
iiiid wait, to an .nd, uilli skill and fortifiidr an. I
[flticn.'f; lillt lie could not L'oV.iii his own ^MIsIv
tt'Illpt'lS.
"■^du liavo lircii cryiiii:, i.dta'ici'," .Mayfiiiic said
ill a softer tone.
"For my sins. iiinii>icur. " sli.' aiiswcicd (niickly.
"I am grieved nnist bitterly t,. lia\e lieeti the means
of l)rinj:in-.' tins lad into daiiL'er. Sine,. I'aid v<>/.-
cnt'd me iiiio d,,i[|.^r wiijit I ,|h| ,,,,1 understand, ami
siiK-e this is not tlic man you wanted luit only liis
servant, will you not let him ^'o iVee.'"
"Wiiy. my ftntfy i-oram-e. I did not mean to
harm him." Mayeniie |)ioteste(l. smiiinv'. "I had
liim llo^'^'cd for his insolence lo you; I thouirht you
would tiiank m<' foi- it."
"I am nevei- ^lad over' a Ho^'-.'in'.'. monsieur."
"Then why not speak.' A word i'rom you and it
liad stopped."
She Hushed red for very shame.
"1 was afraid — r knew you ve.xed with me." she
faltered. "Oh. T have done ill!" She turned to
nie. silently implorini: foririvcne.ss. There was no
need to ask.
"Then you will let him -o. monsieur' Alack
that I did not speak before ! Thank yon, my
cousin!"
.*OU*«f'JJ •
^itm
MAVKNNK'8 VV'AKl
1H1»
"Of wluit (lid yon SUspirt lllf? 'I'lir l)oV U;is
whippet! lor a lot n)' mip.i-tiiii'iicr to voii ; I liiid no
cause airainst Inni. "
My lieati L'aped np: at file same 'ine I scoi-iied
myself for a elavell tll.lt I had heell oveleol'ie l>\
Ul'oiuidless telfof.
"'riieii I liaxc lieeii a uoose so to ilistni'l) niysijf."
mademoiselle laiiL'lied onf in relief. "Yoii do well
to nliiike me. eoiisiii. I shall never meddle in your
atVairs avraiii."
■'That will he wise of yon," Mayeniie n-liiriu'd.
"For I did mean 1o let tiie hoy 1:0. \Ui\ sinee
.\on ha\e opened liis d((oi- and let him liear what he
should not. 1 have no choice hnt to silence him."
" .Monsieur !" she irasped. cowerin-.' as from a hlow.
'■.\ye."' he said (piietly. "I would have let him
uo. Hnt you have made it impossil)le."
Xcvei" have I seen so piteous a si'_'ht as her face
of misery. Had my hands heeii free, .Mayetine had
heen startled to find a knife in his heart.
"Never mind, mademoiselle." I ciied to her.
"Yon came and wept over me, and that i.s worth
dyin<; for."
"Monsieur," she cried, reeovcriui; herself after
the first instant of consternation, "you are de^'rad-
inj; the irreatest iK^hh' in the land! You, the liea<l
of the house of liOi-raiiie, the chief of the Leaune.
the connuander ol' the allied armies, debase yourself
in stooping to take vengeance on a stahle-hoy. "
"It is no (jiiestion of venj-'eance: it is a ipiestion
of safety." he answered impatiently. Yet I mar-
velled tliat he answered at all, sinee absolute power
is not (»hlij:ed to ^'ive an acionnt of it.self.
19(»
THH HLLMLT OF iVAVAKHE
" r.s your estate then so tottering' that a sfablo-
buy can uvertui'n it.' In that e.ise l)e advised, (iu
nan^' yourself, monsieur, wliik- there is yet lime."
He Hushed with aiiL^er, and this tim-' he olVeird
no justilieation. lie advanced on tlie L'irl with out-
stretched hand.
'•.Madetiioisellc, it is not my haliit to take advice
I'l-om the damsels of my houschohl. Xor do ] admit
them to my eouiieil-rnom. I'crmit mc then 1c con-
duel y(ju to the staircase.'"
She rctivated toward the lljreshohi whei'e I stood,
still covei'!n<; me as with a shield.
"Monsieur, yoii are veiy cruel to me.''
"Vour hand, mademoisell''.'"
She did not yield it to him hut held out both
haiuls, clasped in ai»|»e;!'
"Monsieur, you have always beer' my Iovin<: kins-
num. I have always tried Ut do your jileasure. I
lhou<zht you meant harm to the boy bicause lie was
a servant to M. de Mai and I knew that M. de St.
(^uentin. at least, had irone over to the otln-r side.
I did not know what you wotdd do with him. and
I eoidd not rest in my i>ed Iiecause it was tlirou'^h
me he came hei-e. Monsicui-. if I was foolish and
fri^ditened and indiscreet, do not punish the lad for
my wron<_'-doini,'. "
Mayeiine was still holdinir out his hand for her.
"I wish you sweet driams. my lousin Loi'ance."
"Monsieur." she cried, shrinkinyr back till she
stood a^'ainst the door-jamb, "will you not l.-t the
boy >ro?"
"How will you l(»ok to-morrow," he said with his
MAYENNK'S WAHD
191
unehaiit-'etl smile, "if you lost- all vouf slfop to iii_'lit,
my pretty Loraiiee/''
"A reproach to you." she auswerfil (piiekly.
"You will mark my while eheeks ami my red eyes.
and you will say. 'Now, there is my littli' cousin
Loraiiee. my -^ood ally .Moutlue's dau^'hter, and I
have made her ci-y her eyes blind over my crmlty.
Her lather, dyimr. yave her to me to <:uard and
cherish, anil 1 have made I'.er miserable. I am sorry.
I wish I hiul not done it."
"Mademoiselle." the duke repeated, "will you !.'et
to your beil .'"
She ditl not stir. btit. ti.xini.' him with he;- brilliant
eyes, went on as if tiiinkinir aloud.
"I remember when 1 was a tiny maid of five or
six. and you and your brother (iuisi- whom (iod
rest!) would co.in' to our house. You would a.sk
my father to send for me as you sat over your wine,
and I would run in to kiss you and be fed comlits
innu your pockets. I thou;_'ht you the handsome.st
and irali.inlest <:entleman in France, as indeed yuu
were."
'•You were the prettiest little civature ever was,"
Mayenne said abru[)tly.
"And my little heart was bursting; with love and
admiration of you." she returned. "When 1 first
eouKl lisp. I learned to pi-ay for my cousin Henri
and my lousin Charles. I have never forjjotten
them one iiiLrht in all these years. Miod reei-ive and
bless the soul of Henri de (iuise: <iod •^nnn\ and
prosper Charles de .Mayenne.' Hut you make ii
haid for me to ask it for my cousin Charles."
1 !)2
TIIK HELMET OF NAVARRE
■'This is a grrut ('(lil ovi'f a lioisc Ixiy," MaviTino
said curtly.
"Life is as dciir to a horse-boy as to .M. 1.' Due de
Mayeime. ''
"I ttli you I did liof nifiui to kill tlir hoy/" May-
• line said. " Willi ihe door shut lie roidd lir;ir uoth-
iHL'. 1 iiK'iint to qurstion him iind let him <:(). But
you hav.' s.rti fit to mcddlr in what is ik. maid's
I usiness. mademoiselle. ^'ou Imve luiloeked the
<loor and let him listen to my eoucerns. Dead men,
mademoiselle, tell no tales."
"M. de Miiyeuiie." she sjiid. 'l eaunof see tliat
you need tfouhle for the tales of hoys — you. the
lord of half France. But if you must n is fear
his toneue, why. even then you sliould set him free,
lie is hut a serving-hoy sent he:e with a messairi'.
It is wanton nuu'der to take his life; it is like kill-
ing a child."
"He is not so harmless as you would lead one to
sui)!>ose. mademoiselle," the duke retorted. "Since
you have heen eavesdropping, yon have heard how
hi' upset your cousin Paul's arranirements."
"Foi' that you should he tliankful to him, mon-
sieur. He has .saved you the stain of a cowardly
crime.'"
"Mordieu!" Mayenno exclaimed, "v.ho foully
nmrdi'red my hi-other ■'"
"The Valois."
"And his henchman. St. Quentin."
"Not so." she cri.Ml. "TTe was here in Paris when
it happened. Tie w.is revolted at the deed."
"Did they teach you that at the convent?"
5i^
. --Ill ■
:^^'s^m mim
MAYENNE'S WAKI>
1.93
"No, hut it is tnu-. M. d.- St. (Juentin warned
my (MHisiii Henri ni>t to izo to Blois."
"Paniii'U. you think them Jinwls. these St. Quen-
lins. ■■
"I tliink llieni bi-;ive and honest j.'entlenien. as I
think you, ("ousin Cliai'h's. "
"That souikIs ill on the lips that have but now
called me villain and nnirdeni'." Mayenne returned.
"I have not ealled you that, monsieur; ! said you
had been saved from the iruilt of murder, and I
knew one <lay you would be ^lad."'
lie kept silence, eyini: her in a pu//.led way.
After ii moment sh.e went on:
"Cousin Charles, it is our lot to live in sueh days
of blood and turmoil that we know not any other
way to do but injure and kill. I think you are
more har;i.ssed and troubled than any man in France.
You have Ifenry of Xavai're and the FIuiZiH'nots and
half the provinces to fi^rht in the fiel'V aiid your own
liCa^'ue to conibat at home. You nuisl make favour
with each of a (hr/ru (|uari'elliiu.' factions, must strive
and strive to placate and loyali/e them all. The
leadei-s work each for his own end, eacli asrainst the
others ami a'_'ainst you; and the truth is not in one
of them, and their i)le<l«_'es are rop-s of straw. They
intriirue and rebel and betray till you know not
which way to turn, and you curse the tlay that maile
you head of the Leatrue. "
"I do cur.se the day Henri was killed," Mayenne
.said soberly. "And that is true, I.orance. But T
am liead of tlie T.cajrue, and I nuist do my all to lead
it to succe.s.s."
^iaW^
i;»}
TIIK UHLMKT OF NAVARRE
'•Hut iml \>y th,. path of sIkiiiic!" she frio<l
•lUiclsly. '•Sii,.,-fSS llrV.M' Vrt l;|_v fh.lf WllV. Ilciiri
lie \'iil(iis siru our Henri, ;iii<l sec hi)\v Cod (It-all
with liiiii 1"
"'■ liH'l^'H at li.i' lixi'dly; f thinls hr heeded her
aoids l.'^s th.iii li( !• shiiiiiii:. ciii'iicst eyes. And he
said at last :
"Well, you shall liavc youi- hoy, Loi'iincc, "
"Ah, iiHiiisieur I"
With tears diiiiininjjr tiie l»iii.:hf iie.s.s of those swee,
<,\es she dnippcd on liev knees liel'oiT liim, kis,sinir
liis hand.
I>neas, since his one urducky oiithnrst, had said
liever a \v(trd but stood lookin^^ on with u I'uciidnc^^
of vis.i-v that it wanned the coekles of v.'.y heari
io see.
Certes. he was in no very f)!easnnt eoivier. tliis
dear .M. Paul. His niistivss had heard his own lips
describe his plot a<:ai!i>t the Si. (,)ucntins; tliei-e was
no po.ssibility o, lyinj,' himself clear of it. Out of
liis own mouth he was convicted of spyeraft, treach-
ery, atid cowardly murder. And in ijic Hotel de
liorraine, as in tin- Hotel de St. (^hientin. Ins be-
trayal had come about thi'oULdi me. I wa.s unwittinu'
a-eiit in both cases: but that did not make him leve
IMC the more, ("ould ey.-s slay. I had fallen of the
l^lance he shot me over luademois, IK^'s bowed head;
but when slie rose lie said to her:
".MadeiiMiiselle, the boy is as imich my prisoner
as M. ie Hue . .>iiiee 1 ;_roi him here. But I. too,
i ie( ly L;ive him lip to you."
She swept Ini,! a curtsey, silently, without look-
"ifi ai ium. He made an eat:er [lace nearer her.
mmmmw^'Tmm§-m-
,^^•V.^-
T Wf^-Pf^:':^*
MAYENN'F/S NVAIID
195
"Lnrancc." lie criiMi in a low, nipid voice. "I s.-r
I am nut <if your ^'races. Now, l)y Our I.aily.
wliat "s life worth 1o nu' it' you will not iakr iin- l)i:fk
aLMin? I adniil I liavf ti'it'd to ruin tlu' t'omic d>
.Mar. Is that any niarv.-l. sine.' hf is uiy rival with
you.' Last .March, when I was iiidiii'-' Ih'ic and
"watched tiom my window tlic -ay M. d" Mar conic
airily in. <lay altci' day. to mv antl niakt- love to
you. was it any marvel that I swore to brini,' his
[)roud liead to the <lns1 .'
Now she turned to him and nu't his <:a/,e s'luarely.
'•The means you eniployid was the marvel." she
said, "if you did not approve of his visits, you
had only to tell him so. lie had In en ready to de-
fend to you his riLrht to make them. But you never
showed him your face; of course, had you. you could
not have 1 eeome h.i^ father's housemate and -ludas.
Oh. I l)lnsli to know that the same ])loo(l runs in
your vi'ins and mine I'
'•Vd-.i speak hard woi'ds. mademoiselle." TiUeas re-
turned, keepin-; his temper with a stern ctVort.
••Von foi'iet that we live in France in war-time,
and not in tlie kiuL'dom of lieaven. I was toilinj:
for more than my own revetnits. I was workin'JT at
y.iur cousin Mayenin'"s commands, to aid our holy
cjiuse. for the pit-ei-valion ot the ("alliolic Church
and the Tatholie kingdom of France."
"Youi- conversion is siuliK'ii. tlieii; only an hour
a<_'o you wei'e workinsr for notliin-i' and no one but
i'aul de Lorraine."
'•("ome. come. l.(n'ance." Maveniie interposed, his
caution settin- him ever on the side of comi)romise.
"rani is no worse tlian the iTst of us. llo hates his
i;)G
THE HKLMKT OF NAVARKF.
I iiciiiifs. jiikI so (Id \vf iill ; he wofks ii;,'iiinst tli'Mii to
l!io hrst of his powci-, iiiid so do we ;ill. 'I'licy aro
Kiii^rsiiicii. we iii'c lifa<:)H'is: llicy tiL'lit for tlicii-
side, iiiid we lii:lit for ours. If \vr plot iiLMiiist
tliciii, tlicy pint aiTJiiiist us: \\v uiurdi'r lest v.r \nt
iriiu'dci'i'd. We cannot scrupir ovi r our means.
.\oni iU' dicu. inadfinoisrilc, what do you ixjx'ct .'
Civil war is not a dauciii^'-schooi."
"Madciiioisclli' is ri'_dit."" Lucas said hunilily, rc-
fiisiu": any defence. •' We have Imtu usin-j (owardiy
means, weapons unwoi'tliy of Cliiistian •rentleinen.
And I, at least, cannot plead M. le Due's excuse
that I was blinded in my zeal foi- the ("ause. For I
know and yitu know theiv is hut one cause with me.
I went to kill St. (^)uentin liecause I was pi-omised
you for it. as I wouhl have i:one to kill the Pope
himself. This is m\ excuse: I did it to win you.
There is no ci-ime in Cod's calendar I would not
connnit for that."
He had possessed himself of her hand and was
hendin<.' over her. hurnin-: lier with his hot eyes.
Ma.ss of lies as the man was. in this last sentence I
knew he spoke the ti'uth.
She strove to fi-ee herself fi-oni him with none of
the tlattei-ed pride in his declaration which he had
perhaps looked for. Instead, she eyed him with
l)ositive feai-. as if sh(> saw no way of escape from
his rampant desire.
"I wish I'ather you would j)rac1ise a little virtue
to win me." she said.
"So I will if you ;isk it." he returned. unal)ashr(l.
"TiOrance. T l'>\i> xou so thei'o is; !!i^. !!:>•■.*!• t- ■.■.•Vii-.v»
m
MAVKN.NK'S WAKD
107
I fould not stdiip to i^'iiin you; tlu'ic is no lii'i'_'lit to
which 1 Ciinnnt I'isr. Tiu'rc is no sli;uin' so hitter,
no (h.iiL'i'i" so awl'ul, tliat I woulil not fmc it lor you.
Nor is thiiT iiny saci-iticc I will not niaki' to '_'ain
your LTood will. I liatr .M. «!«• Mar almv.' any livinir
man herausr you have sniihil on him: hut I will let
him iTo to)- your sake. I swear to yon hct'ori' thf
liu'uri' of Our Hlcssnl Lady there that I will drop
all enmity to r'.tienn.- de Mar. i''rom this time for-
wai'd I will neithei- move a;.'ainst him nor eause
othe!-s to move aL'ainst him in any sha[H' or manner,
so help me < lod I"
He iiro])]n'd her hand to kiss the ei'oss oj' his
sword. She reli'eated from him. iier fae-' very pale,
her hrci'st heavin<.'.
"Yon mak ■ it liai'd for me to know when you are
si)eakiiiL' the truth." she said.
"May the lii:litnin<r strike wv if T am lyintr!"
Lucas cried. "May my ton^'ue rot at the root if
ovei- T lie to you, Lorance!''
"Thon I am very irrateful and triad," she said
<^ravely and a'/ain curtsied to him.
"Yes. I trive you my word for that. too. Lorance,"
Mayenne a<ldcd. "I have no (piarrel with youn<^
.Mar. His father has stirred up more ti-ouhle for
mo than any dozen of ITutrneiiots : l Jiave luy score
In settle with St. (^)nentin. Bui I hiwv no iiuarni
with the sou. I will not molest him."
"(Irand'merci. monsieur." sin- said, sweepint: him
ani^her of her Ln-aceful oheisanees.
"rnderstand iiie. mademoi-i>Ile." Mayenne went
_,, HT — . ,..1 ... 1,:... l..,i ....< »l..i4 I... 1.1. •»' liii .in\'
Oil. 1 i;;;lw;i:i ;::::. ■■■■.-.i :■■■■: ■■■■■■■■■■ ■■■■ ■■'^■. .- -
1»=»;^.f.:v
*%
198
THK HKLMKT OF XAVAHHE
tliiiiL' t(t you. Tliiit tiiiif is past. Tln' St. Qiioutins
Jii'f -XaviUTc's iiiri) now. and our cucmifs. For your
sakf I will let .Mai- alone; hut if Iw conic ncai-
\ou at:aiii. I will ci'Usli Inni as 1 wouiil a l»u/,zin^'
"That I uii'lri-staiid. monsieur." she answered in
a low tone. "While F liv.- utider your roof, 1 shall
not he trea-'herous to you. 1 am a Ml'Ucusc and
111' is a Kinirsman, and there can he nothing' hetwecn
us. There shall he nothiuL'. monsieur. I do not
swear it. a.s Paul nec(ls. hccause I luive never lied
to you."
She did not once look at Luoas. yet I think she
saw him wince undei- ln'i- stah. '{'he Duke of Ma.\-
enne was ri'jiit ; not even .Mile, de Montlue loved her
enemies.
" Vou ai'c a '_'oo(l ^'irl. I.orance." Mayeiinc said.
"Will you let the hoy ^o now. Cousin Charles."'
she iusked.
"Yes. I will let your hoy l'o. " he made answer.
"But if I do this for you. I shall expect you hence-
forth to do my hiddins.'."
"You have callcil me a trood irirl. cousin."
"Aye. so you ai-e. And there is small need to
look so Fi-iday-faced ahout it. If I have denied you
one lovei-, I will ^^ive you another .just as i^'ood."
"Am r Friday-faced.'" she said, sunnnonin>j: nj)
;i smile. "Then my looks helie me. For since vou
free this poor hoy whom I was like lo have rniiit>d
I take a irrateful and happy heart to hed."
"Aye. and you nnist stay happy. Pardieu, what
does it maiii'r wiieiiier your hustnuid have vellow
-^^^^^^m^mi ^tijs^^m^mm^m^m&i
MAYKNNES WARD
19»
hiiir or brown ^ .My hi-Dtlicr Mciiri was for <.'rtfiriu'
hinist'ir into ;i nionnsttfy Ipccjiusf lit- couM not li;ivi'
his Mar^rot. ^'I't m less tlum ii y.'ar lie is i:s merry
as a tiddler with tlie Duehesse Katharine.'"
"Vim hase niadi' nif liafipy. to-niudit at least,
monsieur." she answend tretitly. if not inei-i-dy.
"It is the most foolish act of niy life," .Mayi'niie
answered. '•Hut it is fur you, lioraii.-e. If ill
conies to inc iiy it, yours is the credit."
"You <'an swear him to silence, monsieur," she
cried (juiekly.
"What Use.' lie wo\dd not keep silence. "
"He will if I ask it," she letiu'ued, tlinu'iri'^' me
a look of i)i-i'_'ht contidence that made the hlood
dance in my veins. Hut Mayenne lau'_'he<l.
"When you have lived ,n the woi'ld as lon<; as 1
have, you will not so Hatter yourself, Lorancc. "
Thus it liapp<'ned that 1 wa.s not bound to silence
concernin'.' what I had seen and heard in the house
of Ijorraiiie.
Mayenne took out his da<.'jrer.
"What I do I do thorouirhly. I said I 'd set you
free. Free you shall l)e."
Mademoiselle sprauL' forward with pleading: hand.
"Let me cut the cords. Cousin ("liarles. "
He ncoiled a bare second, the habil iif a lifetime
promptiriL' him aL'ainsi the piittinir of a weapon in
any one's luiml. Then, ashamed of the suspicion,
which indeed was not of her, lie yielded tile knife
and slie cut my bonds. She looki'd straiu'ht into mv
eyes, with a irlance earnest. lieseee!i:M<r, lovin-r: f
could not bc'.Mii to icad all slie meant by it. The
.'OO
Tin: lll'.LMKT <tl' NAVAKK'K
iM'.sl iiiiiinriit sill' was iii;ikin'_' Inr tlrcp ciii'lscy hc-
liifc tllc (lukf.
".Miilisifur, I shall never cease tn loVe Vdil I'or
tins. Ami now I thank yon fur your Innir patience,
ami l>i(i you irnod iii'jht.
With a liaie inclination of the iiead to Lucas, she
tui'ried to '_'o. Hut Mayeniie h.lde liei- pause.
•"Do I '_'«'t hut a cui-tsey i'or my courtesy.' No
warmer thanks, iiorance .'"
lie held nut. liis anus to her, and she let him kiss
iioth her cheeks.
"I will conduct you to the staircase, infldetuoi-
>:elle."' he said, and taking' hei- hand with stately
|»oliteness h'd her I'roni tlie rcM.ni. 'i'ln' liirht seemed
lo ^ro from it with tlie uleam of her yellow ^'own.
"Lorance!" Lucas ci'icd to her. hut slii' never
turned her head. lie stooil L'lowerin^'. ^'i-indin)j his
teetli to<-'ether. his irlili tontrue lindintr for once no
way to better his sorry case, lie was the [»ict\iro
of ti'ickery rewarded; I couhl not repress a tri'in at
liim. Markinir which, he Imi'st out at me. vehc-
irieiitly. yet in a low tone, for >I-iyeiuie had not
closed the door :
" Vou think I am ])csted. do you. you devil's hrat ?
Let him lauLih that wins; T shall havi' lier yet."
"I will tell .M. le Comte so." I jiuswei'ed with all
the impmh Tiee I coni' muster.
" Hy Heaven, you will tell him notiiinir." ho crie(L
"You will never see dayliirht aLMin."
"I have Mayenne's word." I lic'.'au. but his retort
was to draw dauL'ei-. T deemed it time to stop pai"-
levin^'. and I did what the best of soldiers must do
MAVKNNKS WAUl)
201
somt'tinu's: 1 lari. I hoiiiKlfd into tin- oratory,
fliiiiriiiu' the (Inor to at'lfr inc. lie was upon it \h--
lorc I could >^'rt it sliiit, ami tlif lnavy oak was
swuii",' tliis WAV and that hit ween us. till it >iTiiicd
as if \\f iiiu>l tiar it oil' llic liiiiL-ts. I cont rived
not to let liiiii push it optii wide cnouLrh to chIit;
iiicaiititiic, as 1 wax unariiifd, I thouirlit it iio sliaiiic
to slirirk for succour. I heard an ansucrint.' cry
and luiriyiiiL' footsteps. Then l.ucas took his \\ei<:lit
tVoni the door so suddenly that mine hamred it shut.
The ne.\i mirnite it Hew open attain, mademoi.sellc,
fri'_ditened and panlini:. on the thrcsludd.
A tall soldier with a musket stood at her l)ack ;
at one side Lucas louuL'ed hy trie cahiiiet where the
duke had set down the li<^'ht. i[is riixht hand he
held liehind his hack, while with his left he poked
his (laL'Licr into the candle-llanie.
Mayenne. red • d i)ut1int.'. Iiiwried into the room.
"What is t;. other?'" he demanded. "What
devilment now, 1 , ul ?"
".Mademoiselle's prote^re is nervous." fiUcas an-
swered with a fine sneer. "When I drew out my
knife to v'l't the thief from th< andle he screamed
to wake the dead and took sanctuary in the ora-
tory."
I had ".'iven him the lie then and there, hut as I
emeriied iroiii the darkness .Mayenne commatuled:
"Take him out to the street. d'Auvray."
The tall musketeer, salutinir. motioned mc to pre-
cede him. For a nKtmcnt I hesitated. hur!iin<: to
defend my valour hefore mademoiselle. Then, re-
flectinir how mucli harm my ha.sfy ton<rue had pre-
13
J(*2
TIIK ilKI-MlT OK NAVAUUK
vinusly (Iniic III"', Mini tliat tin- palli to frcciloni was
now (t|>»'ii licrorc inc. I said iiotliiii'.' Nor had F
iifcd. Fuv its I turiird she Hashed over to liU( lu-^
and said straiulit in liis I'acf ;
"Wlirii yoii inaiiy nif, I'aul i\r Ldrraim', you will
niaiTV a dead uilV."
x \- 1 1
'■/ 7/ inii mil I'kIij!"'
irCASS pidpln'cy I'lmit' to u'rit'f within
tivi' iiiimitfs of till- iiiakiiiL'. For wlu-n
till' iiniski'Icci- iinltjirrfd the liotisc door
tor iiif. tlif lirst tiling: I saw was tho
iiiot'iiin^' sun.
My spirits ilaticod at siirht of him. as h>- hiiiistif
iniirht (iaiicf on KasttM- (hiy. Witliin the dose, can-
dlt-lit room I had liad no thouizhl hut that it was
still hlack midni;,'h' ; and r.ow at one stt-p 1 pa-ssi-d
from tin- •.looiiiy house into tlu- hfaitcninu sunshino
of a ni'w clean day. I ran mIoiil' as joyously a.s if
I had left the last of my trouMes hehiiid me. for-
j^otten in some dark corner of the Hotel de liorraine.
Always my heai't lifts when, after liours within
walls. I tind myself in the open avain. I am afraid
in houses, hut out of doors I have no fear of harm
from any man or any tliini;.
ThouL'h Sir Sun was risen this lialf-houi'. and at
home wc shoui<l all have heen aho\it our husitMv^s.
these lazy Pai'is folk were still snorinir. They liked
well to turn niLdit into day and lie lon^' ahed of a
morninir. Althou<.'h here a shopkeeper took down
203
■J04
Tin: IIKI.MKT OF NAVAKli!-;
iI(Mir-sf('j). yet r wiilkt'd f lii-oii'/h ;i sleeping pity,
(juicf ;is oui- St. (^)ufiitiii wdods. save that Iutc my
riKttsfcps (H'liocd ill tlic ftiiitliiicss. At I.'iitrtli. with
the lai;H'i< I iiavc, wiialcvcr my stupidities, nl' liud-
iiiLT my way in a sti'anizc place. I arrived liefui'e the
courtyard <d' the Ti-ois Lantenies. 'I'he hitr wnodeii
(huus were indeed sliut, hut when I had pDumh'ii
lustily awhile a youni: tapster, halt' clad and ci'oss
as a heal-, upened to me. I vouchsafed him scant
apology, liut. ili-oppini: on a lieap of Iriy under a
shed in the court, passed straiirhtway into dr'eamless
sluiuher.
When I awoke my trood friend the sun was lookin*;
down al me I'rom near his /enitli. and my tii'st happy
.houirht was that I uas just in time foi- dinner.
Then I discovered that F ha<l hei n prodded out of
my !-est hy the |)itciifork of a tiosller.
"Sorry to distui'h monsieur, l)Ui the horses must
he fed.-"
"Oh. I am o1)litred to you." T said. ruh])in^' my
eyes. "I must ,l'o up to .M. le Coiiite. "
"He has heeii himsei*' to look a't y(»u. and trave
orders you wei'c not to he disturhed. But that was
last week. Dame! you slept like a sahot."
It did not take me lonuf to hiMish the sti'aw ot!" uie,
wash my I'aee el the ti'oiiLdi. and present myself he-
fore monsieur. He was dressed and sitting' at tahle
in his hetlehamhiM', while a <lra\\er served him with
diniu'r.
"^'ou are out of bed. moi;sieur." I cried.
"l>ut yes." he answered, sprinuinir up. "I am a.s
well as evei- I wa.s. Felix, what ha.s hap{)ened to
yoii .'
7 ■ ■
.•tk
-► "♦
'y^<,^4
■ l.'l:\ Tm |i|~ti I.K M'.N^lKI I! Ill 1 J>n l|iih~f^ MI -r \.t. H.lr
^
•',* ■■'\.^ '^i>i -' '^'
'•1 'Ll. WIN MY LAKY! "
V< • .
T j.'laiK'id at the siTvin^'-iiuui ; M. Ktioimo onlcivd
him at once troiii thi- room.
"Now W\\ iiK' iiuickly." he cried, as I I'altfreil.
IdiiLMU'-tied Irom \ery rii-hiiess of mattei". "Made-
!nni.;clli' .'"
"All. iiiademoiseile!"' I exclaimed. "Mach-moi-
<,,|1^. is—" 1 pause. , in a deai'tli of words worthy
of her.
"She is. she is !■' he aL'i'eed. lauixhinir. "Oh, <.'o on,
you little slou-poke! Vou saw her .' .\nd she said— "
He was near to layini: hands on me. to hurry
my tale.
"I saw hei- and .Mayi nne and Lucas and ever so
many things." I tokl liim. •' \w\ ihey liad me
floj/^red. and mademoiselle loves you."
"She does!" he cried, tlushini,'. "Felix, does she?
You cannot know."
"Hut I do kimw it." I answered, not very lucidly.
"You see. she would n"t have wept so much, just,
over me."
"Did she weep.' Lorance?" he exclaimed.
"They i!oiri;ed me," I said. "They did n't hurt
me much. But she came down in the night with a
candle and cried ovei- me.""
"And what said she.' Now I am sorry they heat
you. Who did that.' Mayenne .' What said she.
Felix','"'
"And then."" I went on, not heetlin^' his (piestions
in sudden remeii:'.)rance of my ci'ownin',' news.
"Mayenne an<l Lucas came in. And here is sonie-
thini: you tlo not know, monsieur. Lucas is I'aul
de Lorraine, Henri de (iuist "s son."
20K
IllK HKLMKT OK NAVAKKK
"Mille tonm'rri's du cicl ! But hv is a ITu<rut'-
iiot, a Itoclu'hiis I"
"Yt's. but he is u sou of Ilt'uci U- Halatrt'. His
iiiotlicr was liorlu'laisc. I tliiuk. He was a spy for
Xavan'f and ciiiitun-d at Ivry. Th.-y ut-rc irniu^' to
liau^' liini wiii'U Mayeuue, worse luek. reeoLruized liini
i'or a lU'phew. Since then he has been spyiii'^ for
them. Hceause Mayt'iine promised him Mile, de
.Montlue in marri;ii;e."
lie stared at me with dropped jaw, absolutely too
startled to swear.
"llr has not i:ot her yt'tl" I ei'ied. ".Mayenne
told him he should havt- her when lie liad killed St.
i^uentin. And St. (^ueutin is alive."
"(ireat doil!'" saiil M. fttienne, only half aloud,
ilroppiu^ down on the arm o'" ' '< ehair, overcome to
realize the issue that had hu. i a palti'y hiiiidful
of jiistoles. Then, iveoveriny himself a little, he
cried :
" Hut she — mademoiselle ?"
" Y(!U need ^ive yourself no uneasiness there," I
said. "Mademoiselle hates him."
" Does shi' know — "
"I think she understands (piite well what Lucas
is," r miule answer. '" Monsii-ur, I i.uist tell you
everything that happened from the bt.u'inuin^', or I
shall never make it eleai" to you."
"Yes, yes, ^'o on," lie cried.
lie s;'.t down at table a^aiu. with the intention of
eatiiiiz his dinner as 1 talked, but precious few
mouthfuls he took. At every word I s])oke he trot
deeper into tiie interest of my tale. I never talked
1 'lA. WIN MV LADV!"
!,'(•!•
SO imioli in my life. iiii'. as I did tlmst' t'cw days. I
was always relaliiiL' a history, to .Monsieur, to iiiadf-
nioisfllc. to M. Ktifiiuc, to- wril. you shall know.
1 had liiiishfd at Iniirth. and lie hurst out at nu-:
■* Vou little sciinip. \ou have all the luck . 1 never
saw such a \>*>y\ Well do tiny call you Felix!
Mordieu. here I lie lai>|>ed in I'ed like ;i hahy. while
you -.'o forth knii:ht-errantinLr. I must lie h.'re with
old (lalen liir all company, while you handy W(U'ds
with the (ietieralissimo himself! And iinike faces at
l.ueas. and kiss the liaiuls of mademoiselle! But
I '11 stand it no hmirer. I 'm done with lyiinr ahed
and lettiniryou have all the fun. No: to-ilay I sliall
take jiart myself."'
"But UKUisieur's arm— "
"Tsliaw. it IS well!" he cried. "It is a scratch-
it is nothiuL'. I'ardieu. it fakes more than that to
put a St. 'jueiitin out of the reckonini,'. To-day is
no time for sloth; I must act."
"Monsieur—" I i)e<:an, lnit he h'-oke in on me:
"N(.m de (lieu. Felix, are v.c to sit iille while
mademoiselle is carried otV l)y that heast Ijica.s?"
"Of course not," I said. "F was (.nly tryini: to
ask what monsieur meant to do."
"To take the moon in my teeth." he cried.
"Yes. monsieur, hut how/"
"Ah. if I knew!"
He stared at me as if he would read the answer in
my face, hut he fouiul it as l)!ank as the wall. He
fhinir away and made a turn down the nxtm. and
came hack to seize me hy the aim.
"How are we to do it. Feli.x'.'" he demanded.
•2H)
TlIK HKLMKT OF NAVAKKK
Hilt I colli,! niily slirui,' my sIioiiMcrs ami answer:
"Sais pas."
He paced llic lloor once more, and i)rc.sciitly faced
mc a'_'ain with the dechiration :
"Lucas shall have her only over my dead hody."
'"lie will only have her owji dead hody."' I said.
lie turned a'vay al)riii)tly and stood at the win-
dow, looking' out with unseein-: eyes. •"Lorance—
!.i>rarice."" lie miii'niure(| to himself. I think he did
not know he spoke aloud.
"If I could ^'ct word to her—" he went on pres-
ently. "Hut 1 can't .send you aLSiin. Should I
write a letter— Hut lettei-s are mischievous. They
fall into the wron^' hands, and then where are we?"
••.Monsieur," I su^'j^ested, "if I could -.'et a letter
into the hands of Pierre, that lackey who hefrietided
me—" Hut he shook his lu-ad.
"They know you ahout the place. It were safer
to despatch one of these inn-men — if any had the
sense to jzo rein in hand. Ilan^ me if I don't think
I 'II ^o my.self!"
"Monsieiir," I said. "Luca.s swore by all thiuirs
saered that he would never molest you more. There-
fore you will do well to keep out of his \.ay."
"My faith. Felix." he lauszhed. "you take a black
view of mankind."
"Xot of mankind, M. fitienne. Oidy of Luca.s.
Xot of Monsieur, or vou, or Viiro. "
" .\nd of Mayeiine ?''
"I don't make out Mayenno, " I answered. "1
thoui-'ht he was the worst of the crew. Hut he let
me iro. He sa.id h.o would, .".nd !>.e did "
"I 'LL WIN MY LADY!"
2J1
"Think yoii lif iiuant to let you <;o from the
first?"
"Wlio knows.'" I said. shruL'trin^. "Lucas is al-
ways lyin;,'. Hut Mayfunt- -soiiutinit's hf lies and
soiru'tiint's not. lit' 's ha.sc. and tluii a<:ain hi' 's
kind. You can't make out .Mayrnnc."
"lie docs nol mean you shall." M. ftticnnc re-
turned. "Yet the ki'y is not buried. lie is made
up, like all the rest (d' us, (d" -rood iuul had."
"Monsieur," I said, "if there is any had in the
St. (^uentins I. for one. do not know it."
".\h, Feli.x." lie erii'd. "you may helieve that till
doomsday — you will— of MonsiiMir. "
His f.ic" clouded a little, and he fell silent. I
knew that, besides his tliouirhls of his lady, came
othi'r thouLdits of his father, lie sat jxravely silent.
But of last ni^'kt's bitter distress he showed no
trace. Last niLdit he had not boeii able to take his
I yes from the miserable past : but to-day he .saw the
futui'e. A future not altojrethcr tlowery. perhaps,
hut one which, however it turned out. should not
ri'peat the old mistakes and shames.
"Feii.x,'" he said at lenj.'th. "I see nothiu'r for it
but to eat my pride."
I kept still in the happy hope that I should hear
just what I lon<:ed to; he weiu on:
"I swore then that I would never darken his
doors avain ; I was mad with anirer: so was he. lie
said if I went with tiervais I went forever."
"Monsieur, if you repent your hot words, .so
does he."
"I must e'en irive hini the ehiinee
If I... .!,> «.>
ix ii\- t-iv iv-
*J12
THK IIKI.MKT OF NAVAIilO;
[X'lit tlu'iii. It wtic ( iiiiilish to (Itiiy liiiii tlic op])or-
Iimity to till iiir sd. ir 111' still in;iiiitiiiii tlinn, it
ui'iT couai'dly to slii'iiik Iroiii hfiir'iiii,' it. No, wliat-
cvn- .Mdiisiciii' I'cpliis, I must v.n tdl him 1 repent.'"
I eaiiie I'ui'wjird to kiss liis hiimi. I was so pleased.
"(»li, vdu look vefv smiliiiL,' over it." lie civ'd.
"'I'liiiik you I like siieakiiiu' iiaek lioiiie avraiii like a
u hipped hound to his kennel .' ' '
"Hut." I juMtested. indiL'nant, "■ inonsieiii' is not
a whipped hound.''
"Well, a pid(lieal son. as liUca.s named me yes-
ffi'day. It is the same tliinj.'."
"I have lieai'd M. I'Alihe read tlie story of tin'
pro(lif.'al son," I .said. 'And he was a vauri«'n, il
you like— no more monsieur's sort than I.,ucas him-
seii". IU\\ it says that when his father saw him
coming a lonir way otV, lie i-aii out to meet him and
fell on his neck."
M. Rtieiine looked not altoirether convinoed.
"Well, however it turns out. it must he ^one
flu'ouirh with. It is only decent to ^m) to .Monsieur.
But even at that. F think I should not ^o if it were
not for madt'iiioisclle."
"You will l)cir his aid, monsieur?"'
"I will he;.' his advice at least. Foi' how you ami
T are to carry oil" mademoiselle under .Mayeiine's
hand well, 1 confess for the nonce that heats me."
"We must do it, monsieur." I cried.
"Aye, and we will I Come, l-^eli\. you may put
your knife in my dish. We must e,it and he otV.
The meats have irot cold and the wine wai'iii. hut
/level- miiKJ."
9f-- V:j
. _-;i^^;-^^^--'-; :?-.'■ \tn^p
<'I 'LI. WIN MY LADY!"
!i:i
I (lid not iiiiiid. l)Ut was imlfil thankful to <_'t't
any dinner at all. One.' i-i'soivcd on tlir move, lie
was in a t'cvci- to lif otV : it was not loni.' l>rt'ori' we
were in lln- strtfts. hound lor llif llott-l St. (^ut-ntin.
lit' said no morr oi Monsieur as we walUed, hut i>lied
nie willi (piestions atiout .Mlh'. de .Monthic not only
as to evi'i'y word siie said, hut as to evei'v turn ot
liei- head and tliekei- of her eyelids; and he ealled
nic a dull oaf when I could not answer. Hut a.s we
entered tlie (^uai'tiei- .Marais he f<ll silent, more
Frichiy-faeed than evei' liis lady looUed. He had his
fair allowance of pride, this .M. f:ticiine; he found
his own words no palatahle meal.
However, when we came v.ithin a do/en paces nf
the j:ate he droppe<l. as one drops a cloak, all si'^'ns
of i^loom oi- discom]>os\ire, and approached the eii-
ti'ance with the easy swa;.'trer of the tray yotin<_' L'al-
lant who iiad lived there. As if returning' from a
morninj; stroll he called to the sentry:
"llola, s(iuintiti|.' ("harlot! Open now!"
"Morhleu. M. le Comte!" the fellow exclaimed.
runniiiL' to draw tlu' holts. "Well, this is a siirht
for sore eyes, anyway."
M. fitieiHie lauL'hed out in jjleasure. It put heart
into him. I could see. that his first !_'reetinLr should
be thus friendly.
"Viiro did n't know what had b(»come of you.
monsieur." ("harlot volunteered. "The nid man
was n't in the })est of tempers last nitrht. after Lucas
\ici away and you L'ave tis the slip. too. He callerl
us all blockheads and cursed idiots. 'rhin!.'s were
livelv lor a time, nom d"un ehieiii"
L'l I
Tin; IIKI.MKT OF NAVAKkK
" I'lli l)ii'ii, I am foiiiiil."" M. ('Airuw rctiirm-d.
"In tiiiir uc 'II '^v\ liUOiis, loo. Is Moiisii'ui- bacUr'
"No, M. ritictuif, not Vf'f."
I tliink lie was liall" sdcry, halt' t.'la(l.
"Wlicic "s \'i<_'().''" Ill' (ifmiiiiilcd.
"Siiiiirulirr.' aiimit. 1 "11 tiiid liiiii lor mon-
siciir. "
"No. stay at your post. F 'II find liiin."
He ufiit strai)/lit across llic court and in at the
door he had swoiii ncvtr aizain to dai-kcn. Hiiinil-
ity an<l n'lx titaiicc iiii|_'lit have hi-ou^ht him there,
hut it was the hand of ma<lrnioiselle drew him over
the threshold without a l'alt<'r.
Alone ill the hall was my little tViend .Mai'cel.
throwiiiir dice aL'ainst liimsdi' to while the time
away, lie spranu' up at sijzht oi' us, at:leam with
e.xeitement.
"Well. Marcel." my master .said, "and where is
M. rr:enyer?"
"I thiid< in the stahU's, monsieur."
"Bid him eomc to me in the small cabinet."
lie turned with accustomed feet into the room at
the end of the liall where Vit'o kept the rolls of the
iruai'd. I. knowing' it to he my duty to keep close at
hand lest I he wanted, followed. Soon .Mai-ct'l came
flyiuLT hack to say Viirn was on liis way. M. fttienne
thanked him. and he hunjx about. lon;_nn<r to pump
me. and. in my lo''d's presi^nce. not (juite darinir,
till I took him by the shouhh'i-s and turned jiim out.
T hate cui'iosity.
M. fttienne stood behind the table, lookintr his
hau^iiliehi. He was unsure of a welcome from tiic
'•1 'LI. WIN MY LADY!"
*J16
contumacious Vitro; ] i.-ad in his t_vvs a stern ditcr-
iiiinatmii to s.'t this iiisoh-iit servant in his piacc.
The l)iu man cnt.ic.i, Nalntcd. ,,iiiir straight nvt-r
to his yoiin;,' hud's siilr, no whit hisitatint:. ami
said, as hrartdy as if thcic had m-Vf;- \,vr\\ a iiani
word hctwi'cii tlicm :
"M. f^ltit'iiiif. I had lit-l'cr s.t ymi stand hen' than
the kini,' himsi'lt'. ''
.M. Ktifunc disphiyt'd the tiiniii.'st face of hafllr-
niont. Hi- had hem prrpaiv d to lasli rudeness or
snlU'iHiess, to aeeepl. i\c haut en has. siiariied eimtri-
tion. But this ea.sy t-onliality took the wind out of
his sails. He stared, and then tlnshed. ami then
hiut-'hed. And then lie held out hi.-, hand, sayin'4
simply :
'■Thaid< you. N'iiro. "
\ iu'o bent (ivrr to ki.ss it in eheei-fid iLrnoranee of
how that hand had itched to ho.x his ears.
"What hecame of you hist iiiirht, .M. fitieiuie?"
lie in(|uired.
"I was huiitin<,' Lueas. When does .Monsieur re-
turn. Vitro?''
"lie thouirlit he niitrlit he hack to-day. Hut he
could not tell."
"Have you sent to t.'ll him al)oHt me.'" lie asked,
coknirin'r.
"No. I could n't do that." Vi'.'o said. " Vou s.e,
it is <|uite on the caids t! at the Spanish iranu' may
come hither to clean us out. I want every man 1
have if they do."
''I Ulldei'st:!!!!! tb.'it " \t '•'! !;!!!if. ;.■■!•.•! ''J.. ; ''
"So lontr as you are innocent a dav or two mat-
•J HI
TI!K IIKLMKT <>F NAVAKKK
tcrs lint," Viu'o pioiiouiiciMl. "Ill' will pn's«Mitly
luni 11|) llt'lf DP st'llii Wnl'd lllllt lie will lint fcllini
till the kill).' cniiio 111. Hul siiKc vnii art' iiiipat ifiit,
M. If rmiitc. ynii can u'n to liiiii at St. Dmis. It' hr
can p't tlirniii:h tin- '^'att-s ifmi can."
"Ayr, liut 1 have l»nsiii(ss in Paris. I iii«an to
jniii KitiL' ll<'tiry, Viv'n. 'I'liirr 's vrlory L'niiu: lif^'-
•:iii^' nrit tlicrc ;it St. Denis. It would like iii>' well
to liiar away my sliart-. Hiit-
llc broke olV. to iM-riii a-^ain abruptly:
"All. Vij:n, that still tmiLMie nf ymirsl You kin'w.
then, that there was iimre cause nf trouble betweon
my ather and me ihan the jiistoles?"
"1 knew lit' susitected you of a kindness Tor the
LeaLMie, monsieur. Hul you are eiiii'il ol" that."
"Thi're you are wron-:. For I never had it. and
1 am not cured of it. If I liiinu' around the Hotel
de Lorraine, it ".'as not lor politics; it was for pet-
ticoats."
Vi>.'o made no answer, but the corners of his j;riin
mouth twit-li' '
"That 's no news, either? Well. then, since you
know so much, you may as well know more. Step
up. Felix, and tell your tale."
I did as I was bid, M. fitienne now and then tak-
iii'^ the words out of my mouth in his eairerness, Vifio
listenin>r to us both witli irrave attention. I had for
the second time in my career the pleasure of star-
tling' him out of his iron coinposure when I told him
the true name and condition of Lucas, iiut al the
"A fool for luck."
I 'LL WIN MY LADY!"
"\VoII,"sHi(l M. r-ltifiitif. iiiipati.'rifiy. "is that all
you have to say. Wluil an- \\v In du aliout it'.'"
"Do? Why, iiothidtr."'
"Nothing'.'" hf cfifd. wifli his liaiid on his swonl.
"Nothing'.' And Ift that scoiuidicl hiivc hfi-.'"
"That is M. t\r .Mayi'nii.''s atVaii," Vii:o said.
" Wf can't lirl[i it."
"I will hi Ij) it!" .M. fitifiitic (hthir.d. ■".Mnr-
difiil Am I to iti ilijit traitnr. that spy, diat son'
<d' dirt, in.irry .Mlh'. (h- Montiuf.'"
"What Mayiiinr wishes he 11 hi. v.," \'i'_'o said.
"Sona- day you will suicly ^'<t a cliaiio '<> ti'_'ht
l-ncas, monsieur."
"And meantime he is to enjoy her?"
"It is a pity." Ni-^'o admitted. "Hut there i>
.Mayeiitie. Can we stoiiii the Hotel de l.orraiiie.'
No one can diink up tlie sea."
"(Mie could if he wanted to us much jus I want
maih-moisclle, " my lord declared.
Hut \'i<:o shook his head.
"Monsieur," he said j^ravely, "monsieiii-. you liavc
a '-Mvat chance. Vou have a sword and a jrood cause
to did\v it in. What moie should ii man ask in the
world than tl'.nt .' Your father has heeii without it
these three years, and i'or want of it he has eaten
his heai't out. Vou liave l)eeii without it. and .\ou
have jrot yourself into all sorts of mischief. Hut
now all that is coming' stiaieht. KiiiL' Henry is
turninj: Catholic, so that a man may follow him
without otVence to Cod. lie is a "_''iod fellow and a
tii-st-rate general. He "s just mit there, at St. Denis.
There 's your place. M. f;tieiim-."
'^<
Tin: liKLMET OF NAVAKKE
■■ Nni tc.-(l;iy. Viiro. "
•■ Vr>^^. M. Ktii'Di:^'. 1n-(l;iy. f^c ihlviscd. inonsicnr,"
Vi'_'ii saiil wiili Ills str;i(|y pi r'-istrihc. •"'I'liciv is
tiotliiii!,' Ill '2:\\n l)y stiiyiiiu' liiT^ In drink U|> tlic m'M.
M.-iyfiiiic will Ml) iiKiri' iiivc ynnv lady to you now
ihaii lie would -i\.' hci- to l-\'lix. And \<>ii ran no
iiioiv fai-ry Ikt oil' than could Kidix. Mayriuie will
have you killed ;uid IIuiil' into the Seine, as easy ;ls
(ill lireakfast."
••And you hid 111'' m'\id'^v my life.' Sti-ange coun-
sel tVoni you. Vit,'o."
"No. nionsieui', hut I hid you not tlirow it away.
We all hope lo die aliejd. hul we ha\e a prelel-eliee
!iow ami whiTe. II' you fell li'j:litin'_' for NavaiTe.
I should he soii\- : Monsieui' would LTi'ieVe deep. Hut
\u' should say it was well: we '^iiid'^ed not your lii'e
to the .'onntry and the kin-. While, it' you I'all in
this fool afl'aii- -
"I fall foi- niv lady." M fltienne tinished. "The
hi-avist ca|)tain of then! all doe.> no hetter than
that."
".M. Ktienne. she is no wife foi- you. You c;ni-
iiot <jcl h.ei'. .\nd if you could "l were pity. She
is a i.iiiui'use. and you from now on aie a staunch
Kiti'jsman. ' ive hei- up. mo'isieu!'. You have had
this mauuot in y.'Ur hiain tlii> four years. One' for
,dl. LTet it out. (io to St. Denis; lake your troop
aiiioM'_' Hiron's luu'se. That is the place for you.
Vou will mai'ry a maid of iioiiour and di<> a marshal
of France."
.M. r:tieni;e laid his arm around \'i','o's shoulder
with a smile.
LI. WIN MV I.AhV "
oi ^
"(inod ()!(| \'|-ii! \'M_'n. t.H Mil' this; it' Vdll s; .•
;i iiiiirslial 's iuituii waiiiM;: xnii in tln' litM, mni at
hniiic yii'iir di'aiist I'l'iciid wi'ic almir ami in |ir!'il,
uoiild you III) i)\\ alttT uloiy.'""
■"Aye. il' "t was a h(>()clf>s luLsiiicss t(i stay. coiMcs
I would 'jn. "
"()li. till that in P..dlaiii:" M. Kti.nuf ni,,!.
"You would do iiothin'.; ot' tlic sort. Was it to win
L'lory you .slayrd tlifi'c y,-ars in that hoic, St. (^)ucii-
tin .'■■
'"1 liail no clioicc, nionsii'ur. M\' mastn- was
thfiv."
■"And my misiicss is Ihtc ! You may sa\i' yoiif
hrcatii, \'ii:(t; I know wh.it I shall do. T.ho clo-
(lucncf i>[' monk (lifislin would n"l cliaiiL:!' m<-."'
"What is youi' iiui'jiosc, .M. |-;tiinnr .' " ViL:i>
askt'd.
Indfcd. tlhTi' wa.s a vai:ufnr>.s ahout his sdicnn' a.-J
irvcalcd to us.
" It is i|Uiti' simph'. I pui'jiosc to L'i't spci'cli with
madfinoiscllc if I can conti-lvc it. and I think I can.
I purposi' to smuLiLilc iar out of tho Iloti'l i\r Lor-
laiiic — sui'li irats have liccn acconiplislird hcl'oi'c and
may Ix' aLrain. Then I shall hriuLr Iff licrc and hold
Ikt aiiainst all cona't's. "
"No." N'iLTo said. "no. inonsicuf. You may not
do that."'
''Ventre hieu. Vi'_'oI" his yoiui': hu'd cried.
'"Xo." said Viiro. "I <.-An'\ \v,i\'- her h.ic. and
•Mayeiuie's ai'uiy al'ler hei-. "
"I'oward I"' shouted M. Klieone.
I thouirlit Vi<jo would take us hotli hv the scrulT
I"
11
L"-.'()
Tin: IIKI.MKT <»!-' NAVAKliK
uT (iiir necks aiiii ihiow us out <>!' llic plncf. Hut
hf aiisucicd umlis! ui'lu'il :
••Nil. ihal is iii)t ilii' I'tasiiu. iiKHisiciir. It M.
l)u'' t(i!il iiir lo li"l<l ttii-^ hnus.' a-aiiist ihr ai'iiins
<,]■ Fianci' anil Sjiam, I M Imld it till lli«' last man
nf us was .lead. l'>ut I ain lief- in his altsiiicr to
-uaid Ins lii'.tii. his im'tifys. and his jiapiMs. I don t
call il iruardinc to throw a tiichi'and anion-.' tlu'in.
Iirin;_dnu .Mavcinic's nicer here would he worse liian
that.'"
••Monsieur would never hesitate! Monsieur is no
chicken heart ." M. Ktieime cried. " If he were hen".
he "(1 say, 'We '11 defend the lady if every stone in
this house is pulled from its fellov/l'
A twinkle came into Vi>ro"s eyes.
"I think that is likely ti^m-."" he said. "Monsieur
opposed i::e mari'iaue as loiiu' as Mayeiine tlesired it :
hut now that .Mayeiuie foi-hids it. stealing' the demoi-
selle is another pair of sleeves."'
"Well, then." cried M. P.tienne. all trood humour
in a iiKuneiit. '•what more do you want .' We II ili-
vei't oursehes pouriiiL' pitch out of the windows on
^layeIlne's ruilians."
"No. .M. Kti^'iiiit', it can't he done. If M. Ic Duo
were here and "rave the cinumand to receive her. that
would he one thinir. No one would ohey with
a readier heart than I. Mordieu. monsieur, I have
no (ihjection to suecourini: a damsel in distress: I
have hi'en in the i)usiiiess hefore now."
"Then why n(«t now.' Death of my life, Viiro!
When F kmnv, and you know, ^klousieur woulil ap-
prove. ''
<'l 'J>L WIN MY LADY!"
"I don't know it. iiioiisinir. " ViL'n >ai(l. "I i»nly
think it. Aiui I cannot move hy my own uMirss\voi-k.
I ;ini in charLZv of the Iiou.n.' till Monsieur i.'tui-ns.
I i>uri)()si' to do nolliiiiir lo jfopiinl it. \Ui\ I \u\'V-
foro in no way with youi- lilierty to procerd a.s you
pleaso."
"I should think not. l\)r.s()oth :" M. Rticnnr hhi/rd
out t'nriouNly.
"I c'ouhl." rcjoint'd Viiro. with his inadionint,'
tramiuillity. "I could order the <riiard - aiul ttiey
woukl obey — to lock you u[> m your clianiber. I
believe Monsieur would thank nie for it. Hut I
don't do it. I leave you free to act as it likes you."
My loi'd was wliite with ire.
"Who is master here, you or I'.
"Neitliei- of \is. M. le Coiiite. Hut Monsieur, leav-
ing', put the keys in my liand. and I am head ot
the house till he rei ns. You ai-e very an<:ry. .M.
fttienne. hut my slioi. ts are hi-oad enou<jrh to bear
it. Your madiie-s will jiet no countenance from
nie.
"llaniT vou for ar )hstiiia!e pi'_'l" M. fttienne
cried
Vigo said no more. He had made plain his posi-
tion; he had naufxht to add or retra<t. Yeux-j,'ris's
face cleared. After all. there was no use bein-:
anfrry with Viiro; one nii^ht as well make fi>.ts at
the flow (d' the Seine.
"Very well." M. fitienne swallowed his wrath.
"It is understood that I L'et no aid from yoii. Then
I have nobody in the world with me save Felix here.
But for all that I "11 win my lady !"
XVI ir
To llu J}.is!,ll,
f^'j^^f^T X'iLTo provrd Ixtti r thnii his word.
II I"' would .jivr lis 11(1 i-diiiitfiiaiict'.
lie 'lax'c Irt-ily L'ond lu'oad izold j)i('c('s.
Ill- liiinsril' sU'JLIfStfd M. KtiflHlr's
lu'i'd ut' the siniws ol' uai'. imt in the
Irast (•iii!ia:'ra>sfd of otlciMlcd incaiisf lie knew M.
Ii' ("iiuiif to lie aiiji-y with him. lie was no reathcr
'•urt!i'(l. si-ri'iic III I lie i'oiiscioiisiM'ss lliat !:<■ was ahso-
lutt'ly in the liLrlit. His i)osition was iinpi'cL'nahli' :
laMlhcr pci'svasion. ridicule, nor ahiisi' moved him
one whit, ile had liul a siipjle purpose in life: lie
wa.s liorn to forward l! e interests of the Dnke of St.
• ^iiMitin. lie woiill forward ihem. if need wei'e.
OVel" 0!11' iileedlUi;- (■ol'p,es.
< Ml top of all his di^i'hedienee and disresjtect lie
was iK'ist aiiiiahle to M. Ktienne. Ii'eatin;/ him with
a calm assuiuptiitn of friendliness that would have
maddened a saint. "N'et it was not hypooi'isy; ht
liked liis ycHiiiu' lord, as we all did. He would tiol
let him imperil Mi>!isiei;r. hut aside from tliat he
wished liim "Vitv •.■•ood fortune in llie world.
M. ICticniie aiLiued no more. He was wroth and
sore over Viyo's attitude, but he said little. He ac-
222
To TlIK IJASTILl.i;
•_'•-';(
LVpll'il the ;i(lv;illC(' dl' limufy '( M' fc>Uf>c Mndsirur
would say, Wiiat coin is his is vout-s." \'i'_'o cx-
I>iiiiiH'<i -and di-,N|(a1clit'd nn- to s.ttlf liis sioi-c at
;lu- 'I'lirfc Laiitci'ns.
f srt out on my ci'iand I'ath'U' down in the inoutli.
We lia<l acediiiiiiishcd nothing' hy our it! urn lo l!i''
liotfl. Nay. ratlicr had we Insi. lor wc \\i-r>' t)oth oi
u-:. I thoU'_'ht. divhcai'triii'd hy tiir col.l wati-r tlun':
on oui" anii'ilioiis. [ took tiif lihcity ol' douiitini:
v,h"thi'r |)i'i'tV,'t loyalty to MonsiiMW iiifludcd tliwait-
inu' and disohcyinir his ]\r\\\ It was all vi'i'y well
lor Monsii'ur to sjioii \'i^o and ht him spcaU his
mind as hi-canif not his station. I'of Vi'_'<> invfi- dis-
ohcvcd /'////. hut stood hy him in all tliintrs. Hut I
iiiiauiiii'd that, wcrr .M. Ktii'nin' master. Viiro. t'oi* all
his years ot' service, would he packed "IV tiic pi'emises
in shorM order.
I wall'MJ ;don<i in a I)rowii study. wonderiiiL' liow
.M. I'.tieline did pui'pose to TCSCUe mademoiselle. His
sclieiiie, so tai' as vouchsafed to me. was somi'wliat
in the air. I could only hope lie had moi'c in his
m'ud than hr liad let me know. It seemed to me a
pity not to he doiuL^ sometiiinu' in the matter, and
lhou'_di I had no paitieular likiiiL' for Hotel de
l.oi-i-aine l'<,spitality. I had very willin'_dy heen
hound tliilhei- at this moment to try to L'ct a letter
to inadcmoi.selle. But lie would !iot send mc.
"Xo." he liad said, "it wont do. •.Think of some-
thiiiL' ix'tter. Felix."
But I couul not. and so was takiu'j my dull way
to the inn of the Trois Lantcrnes.
The city wore a sleepy afti riioon look. It wa.s
l:_'J
TMK HKL.MKT OF NAVAKRK
M'l'V !l(it. ami lr\v ciil-ttl In lie ^tUTillL'. I SJI \V Ilotll-
iii'j- Wdi'th iii\- iiDticr until, only a stont-'s thfow from
!lif 'lliirr Laiiliins. 1 cainc upon a biir lilack (.-oai'li
slaiiilinu' at tlir door of a rival aulioi'LTf, l/Oji d'Oi-.
It arousi-d my mi.Tcst at oner, for a t ravr||iii>,'n'oai-li
was a rarr sii:lit in the liflcaL'Ufi'cd city. As my
master had said, this was not a timr id" plt'asnrc-
trips to Paris. I readily imagined that the owiifr ol'
this chariot caiiii' on w.'i.:hfy i.nsincss indeed. If-
iiiiLrht I' an anilta.ssador from Spain, a leL'ate from
Ivome.
I paused hy the uroup of street urchins who wcro
sti-ol-;inL' the hoi-ses and clamliecin'j- on the hack of
Ihe coach, to wonder whether it would he worth
while to wait and see tiie dignitary come out. I wa,s
.iust iroini: to ask the coachman a ipiestion or two
concei-niiiir his jouiiiey, when he heiran to snaj) his
whip about the hare |e>rs ol' the little wllelps. The
sti'eet was so narrow that he could hardly chastise
them without dan>;er to me. so it seemed best to
sauntei' off. The screamiiiL'' nrchins stopped just out
oi' tlie I'eaeh <d' liis lash and set to pellin>: mud at
him with a riiiht ismul wdi. hut I was too old for
that j^ame. I I'etlected that I was chai'j.'e(l with
business for my masli-r. and th.it it was notliin*: to
me wliat envoys miszht eome to .Mayeiine. I wetit on
into the 'i'lnve Lanterns.
The cabaret was alisolutely deserted; one mitrht
have walked all about and eariied off wliat he
pleased, as fi-om the sleepin'^ pahiee in the tale.
"This is a pivtty way to keep an inn." I thouirht.
"AVhere have all the lazy ra.seals got to?" Tiien I
'lo THK IIASTII.I.K
hciiiil ii ciiiirKNcil iimiiiiur <il vuicrs ami shutlli' m
feet rrtiiH tlir lack, ami I wriit tliniULrli iiiln tlir
jiassau'f \vli( re llir staiiiMst- was.
Ilcfr Wi-vr 'jatlitTi'd. in a liiiilillf, like scarfl >lii'ii'.
soiiii- (Id/.rii 111' till' siTviiiir folk, iiitii ami iiiaidN. tin'
lasses most i>r lliciii in trars. tlif Tmii limkini: M'arc'
less tcrrilicd. 'riici'- ^ra/r was lixtd n'l tlif (■ln«.cd
door of .Maitf" Mdiard's littlr count iiiv' room.
wliciicf i>siifd till' slirill cvy :
"Sparc inc. noi)|c L'cnt li-nicn ! Spafc a pooi- inn-
kctpcrl I swear I know nothinL' ot' his where-
abouts. "
As my t'ootstc[)s sounded on tho threshold, one and
all spun round to look at iiic in fi'c-ti dread.
"Mou dicu. it is his lackey !" a cliamhcrmaid cried.
In the next si'coimI a little wiry daiia'. her eye- lila/-
iuL' with I'ury. daiied out of ihc L'foup aiid .M'i.'cd
me l»y the arm with a irrip of hci- nails that madi'
nie think a panther had uot me.
"So liere you are."' she sc'- lined. I declare \
thouirht she was piiuLT to hiti' inc. (>hdi-!i. you
and youi' line master, tliat come lierc and devour our
substance and never i)ay one sou. but biini.' ruin to
the house! Now. l'o you strai-^lit in thei'c ami le!
them S(|uee7.e your throat awhile, and s<'c how you
ike it yourself !"'
She swept !ne across the passat'e like a wliirlwind.
o])ened the door, shoved nie i?i. and ban<_'e(l it after
me before T could collect my senses.
The room was small : it was very well filled up by
a bureau, a stroni: bo.K. a tabl,-. two chairs, three
soldiers. Oiir inrii;erper. and liiVHeii.
•..■•j<;
rni; iiklmkt <>i' .\.\\.\i;iM:
'I'lic liuiTiiu st I \<y ii,c wiiidnw. with M.iitri'
Mciiiif(l"s iic<'()iiiit-l)()oks «i:i it. ( >ii|H,,,iir was ihc
tjililc. with ;i capfjiiri of driiL'dniis ini it. Of liis two
iiHii. (iiic \,u,k ihr iniddlf ot' tin- imoiu, atiiu.sitiL' hiin-
sfll' with the windpipe .,t' .Maiti' .Mmai'd : tlir oiiir:-
wa.s posted at the d •. 1 wa^ shot out of .Mii:c.
M.'iiai'd's m'asp into his. and I found his tlir L'fnth'i-
of thi' two.
"I say I know nol whiM-c In- went." .Mail it .Menard
wa.s ;.'aspini:. black in Ihr lace I'roni th.' diM<j:oon"s
attentions. "He did not tell- I have no notion.
Ah—" Tile hr'eath faihd liini utterly, nut his eyes.
hloodsliot and hulL'inL'. rolh'd toward nie.
"What now,'" ihe eaptaiii cried. sprinLrin</ to liis
tVet. "Who are yon?"
He wore under liis breastplate what T took to bo
the uniform (d" the city -.niards. [ liad seen tlic like
on tho otlicer of the L'lite the iiiL'ht I entered Paris.
He was a yonuL' man of a decidedly l)ourL'cois a[)-
poai'ance. as if he were not iinicli. outside of his
uniform.
"My name is Felix Broux." I said. "I came to
l)ay a bill— "
"His servant." Maitre Menard contrived to nuir-
mur. the drairoon allowinir him a bi-eath.
"Oh. you are the Conitc de Mar's .servant, are
you ? Where havo you left your master.'"
"What do you want of him.'" I asked in turn.
"Never you mind. I want him."
"But Arayoiuie siiid \w sliould not be touched." I
cried. "Tho Duko of Mayonne said himself he
To Tin; HASTILLK
"I l<n()\v rintliii!",' iihout tliaf.'" hr n'tiirricd, a tritif
luniT civilly tiiaii lie liad ^pokfii. "I have iiaiiL'lit
til (l(» witli tlif Duke (it Mavi'titir. If lie is fririids
with your tiia.sttr. M. dc Mar may imt stay licliitid
bars viTV loii^r. Hut 1 liaw' ilu" yovoriior's u arrant
lor his arrest."
"On wliat cliarL'r?"
"A tritlf. Mrnly imirilfr. "
'•Miinh >■/"
"Vt's, the iiiiirdci' ol" a lacUcy. one I'ontoti."
"Hut that is ridicidous I" 1 cried. "M. k' Corntc
did not— "
I came to a halt, Jiot kiiouiiii: what to say. " I>u-
cas— Paul de l.orraiiie killed him." was on the tip
of my toii^'iie, hut I choked it down. To iliii>_' wild
accusations airainst a irreat man's man were no wis-
dom. Hy accident I had lmvcii the otlicei- the im-
pression that We were friends of .Maycniie. I shouhl
do ill to imi)cril the delusion. ".M. le ("omtc— " I
bcj^aii af-'ain. and airain stopi)ed. I meant to say
that inonsi<Mir had never left the inn la.si niu'ht : he
could liave had no hand in the crime. Then I he-
thouudit nie that I had better not know the Ihuii- (d'
the murder. "M. le ("omtc is a very irrand •.'eutle-
man : he would not murder a lackey." I trot out
at la.st.
"You can tell that to the jud^'es, " th<> captain
rejoined.
At this I felt ice slidinjr down my spine. To he
ai'restcd as a witness was the hist thin<_' I ilesired.
"I know notlii.n<_' whatevei- about it." I cried.
"lie seemed to mc a verv !ine irentli'man. iJut vou
L' •_' S
Tin: UKl.MKT OF NAVAKKH
• Mll't ;tI\Viiys t.ll ;il.(Mll tllrsr Iinii|,..s. Thr Cnllltf (|r
.\I;if. I '\i' n;ily kiKiuti liiiii twenty t'nur liDiirs. I'ntil
li'' ' •l-.IL'rd Mir ;1S l.'Ick.V. Vtst r|-, |;iy ,1 ft .TIloi .tl. [ ||:i(l
ni\,|' |,ii,| ,y,.s ,,,; liuil. I kiK.W Ilut wllilt lie |l;is
'"•'■•1 ill... lit. lie rli-M-.'.l liir y.>Ic|-(l;iy t.. c; .-rV ;i
"''■--■''-'■ '"'■ li^'i: '" 'li'- Il.'itcl St. (.Mi.'iitii'. I c-iiiic
into I'iins hut iii-ht h.'l
III-,' hist, and put ii|i at tli(
Aiiiciird,' Dim m tlif ]i\,,- (■..ii|..'jai-irts. V.-,t,.nlay
'"■ '■iii|.lny,d ir.' to run Ins .•nands. and last riiudit
'"■""-''' II"' li'i'' Willi liini. Hut I had never stvn
hini till tins iiiii,. ycst.'i'day. I know nothiti-.' ahout
111. II ^av.• that he seeiiie,! a Very Ireedianded. easy
liiastei'. "
'''<• 'I 'li'-'' 'iir I iiii-hl have se( aied a litth' too
voluhie. hut the vai.tain only laip^hed at iiiv patent
friehl.
'"Oh, .\ou n.ed not h.(.k so whey t'aeed: [ have no
warrant for \i<nv anvst. 1 dat( say you are as
'-:!eal a r.i._'ue as he. hut the order says notliiiii.' ahout
you. Don"! suddii a\\ay;yi.ii are in mo peril."
I was stuiiu' h. he thoiii.diI such a craven, hul I
l»ockete.| the insult, and merely answered:
"I assure you. nioiisicui-. I know naiiLrlif of the
matter." Yesterday 1 would Ikuv hliirted out to
him the whole ti'uth: decidedly my experiences wwa
leachiuu' me soiiietliiriir.
"Come MOW. ( can't f ol ahout li(>r(> all ,iay."' he
said impatiently. ••T.-ll me where that pivcio--
master of yours is now. And he quicker ahout i.
than tills old mule."
Maitre .Menard, then. ha(l told them nothin': —
^taufi'-!: ;)!>! !,na!;sS. lie kiieu periVcliy that M. io
H
TO TIIK HASTIIJ.K
2_".>
Cointt' hjid triitif hdiiic jiml llii'y had tlirottloii liiin,
.'iiiii yd lie Ii.'kI tii)t tnid, Will. Iif slioidd iml lose
l>y it.
■■ Mnnsiciir is ahnllt ihc stl-fcts snuicwluTc. Oti
my lit*!', I kiKtu imt wln-ii'. Hut know lir will he
hjick luMf to supju'r."
'"Oh. yo(i doirt know, don't you.' Tin ii |icrliii|is
(Jaspard can <|ui('kcn youi' inmiory."
At the woi'd tilt' soldit'i- who liad attftidcd to
MaitH' Menard caint" over to iiir ami tauu'lit iin- how
it t\'i'ls to lie liaiiL'iMl. I .saiil to niysdt' that if I
had talked like a dastard I was not onr, and t-vcry
time he let me speak I L'aspi-d. ""I don't know."
The room was hiaek to me. and the sea I'oared in my
ears, and I wondered whether I had done wfll to
tell the lie. For had I said that my master was in
the Hot.'l St. Qiientin. still those fellows would liave
found it no easy .job to take him. \"\<:o miirlit not
lie ready to defend .Mile, de Montlue. hut lie would
defend Monsieur's heir to the 1,'sl Liasp. ^ et I
would not yield lud'ore the eliokiiiL' Malt re .Menard
had withstood, and I stuck to my lie.
Then T bethouj^ht tiie. while the room reeled about
mo and my head seemed liKc to burst, that per-
chance if they should keep mr here a captive for
•M. le Comte's arrival he mi;.dit really follow to see
what had become of me. I turn.'d sick with the feai'
of it. and resolved on the triitl;. l^ut (Jaspard's
last irullet-irripe iiad robbed me of tlif power to
speak. I could only pant ami choke. .\s I stni'jr-
L'le<l painfully for wind, the door was fiuiiL' <»pcn
before a tall youn^ man in black. Throu;:h the haze
'j;;o
Tin; IIKI,MKT ••F NAVAICI.'K
tliiit liiiii!.' Ixt'orr my \ isKiri I .^jiu flic M.l.liiT sri/c
llMII ;i.s 111- crnssnl the ihlTshnld. Tllfi.ML'll l!l«' linisc
of w.it.'i-s I li.'.iid thr c.-iiitMirrs ivy ..f t i-iiiiiipli.
"<l|l, M. I'ilicllllr!"' I ._Ms|.r(|. Ml ML'oll.V llljll IllV
piiiii Ii.kI li.Tii f(,i- iK.tlim./. Now iill \\;is lust. 'I'ht'ii
till- Itliir- lifted, ;iiiil my ;iiii;i/ci| i-y IkIkIiI imt iiiv
iiiiistfi-. hut l.ucii.s I
■"ilnw riMW, Mn-iili.'" he crird to tin- dnm'onn.
"Ilatids (.iV me, knaves!" F(.r tlie second soldier
had sci/cd Ins otiicr ai'iu.
"I rcLMet to inconvenience monsieur." the cap-
tain answered, "hut he is wanted .it the I^-istillc."
"Wanted? I?" I.uca.s died, fear llasliiiii: info
his eyes.
lie felt an instant's tci-nir. F deem, lest Mayenne
had betrayed him. (^tuick as he was. lie did not
see that he had heeii taken roranoiher man.
"^'(>u. moiisieiii'. ^dii are wanted I'or the nuir-
der of yoiif man. I'oiiton."
He L'rew white, looking' instinctively at nic, re-
memiicfini: where I had heen at thrc<' o'clock this
inofiiinLr.
"If IS a lie! lie |( t'l my .service a month back
and I ha\e never seen liim sinoe."
"Tell tliat to the .judLrcs." the captain said, as he
had said to me. "l am not tryini: you. 'J'he haiid-
c'litVs. men. ■'
One (d' them produced a pair. Liu-as strtitrtrlcd
frantically in his captors' irrasp. lie drairL'fd them
from one end of the room t(i the other, calling' down
all the curses of lle;;veu upon thi'm: l)Ut they
.snapped the haiidcull's on for all that.
TO THK HASTILLE
:<1
"I'' this is MHyciitif's work " ho panted.
Tin- oflici'c ('iitiL'ht iiothiiiir hut the iianu' Mnyonnt'.
"'I'hf hoy said you were a friend to his (irapf.
nioiisirur. hut ordt'rs arc ni(h>rs. I have thr war-
rant for your arrest from M. (h- Mdiii."
"At whose instigation?"
"Mow shouhl I know? I am a sohlior of tho
^'uard. I have naui,'ht to do with it but to arrest
you."
"liCl iiie see the warrant."
"I iini not ohiiired to. Hut I will, thnuph. It
may ijuiet your hluster. "
He took out the warrant and hehl it at a safe
distance hefore Lucjis's eyes. A ^Jri'ut lijrht broke
in on that personafie.
"MiHe tnnnerresl I am not the Comte do Mar!"
"Oil. you say that now, do you? Pity you had
not thoupht of it sooner."
"But I am not the Coiiite de Mar! I am Paul do
[..orraine, nephew to my Lord Mayenne. "
"Why don't you say straifrlit out that you 're
the Due de fluise?"
"I am not the Duo do Tiuiso," Tiuoas returned
with di'^'nity. He must have been oursin<; himself
that he had not driven his name sooner. "But I
am his brother."
"You take ine for a fool."
"Aye, who shall han-r for his folly!"
"You must think me a fool," the captain repeated.
"The Duke (d' (iuise's eldest brother is but seven-
teen—"
"I did not say I was legitimate."
I
'232
Tin: HELMET OF N^WAKRE
"f)h, you (lifl not say that? You did not know,
then, that I could reel ofY the afros of every Lorraine
of them all. No, M. de Mar, 1 am not so simple as
you think. You will come along with me to the
Bastille."
"Bhjekhead I T '11 have you hroken on the wheel
tor this.'" Lucas stormed. "1 am no more Count
of Mar than I am King of Spain. Speak up. you
nld turnspit," he shouted to Maitre Menard. "Am
I he?"
Poor Maitre Menard had dropped down on his
iron box. too limp and sick to know what was going
on. He only stared helplessly.
"Speak, rascal," Lucas cried. "Am I Comte de
Mar?"
"No," the maitre answered in low, faltering tones.
He was at the last point of pain and fear. "No,
monsieur oflicer, it is as he says. He is not the
Comte de Mar."
"Who is he. then?"
"I know not," the maitre stammered. "He came
here last night. Hut it is a.s he says— he is not the
Comte de Mar."
"Take care, mine host," the officer returned;
"you 're. lying. "
I could not wonder at him : if I had not been in
a position to know otherwise, I had thought myself
the maitre was lying.
"H you had spoken at first I might have believed
you," the captain .said, bestowing a kick on him.
"Oct out of here, old a.ss, before I cram your lie
down your throat. And clear your people away
TO THE BASTILLE
233
from this door. I '11 not walk throiifrh a mob. Soml
every iiuin Jack about his business, or it will be the
worse t'oi- him. .Vml every woman Jill, too."
"M. le Capitaiiie, " Maitri' Menard (|uavei'ed, ris-
in-: unsteadily to his feet, "you make a mistake.
( >n my saered word, you mi.stake; this is not — "
"(iet out!" cried the captain, lu^lpinj; him alon<:
with Ills boot. Maitre Menard fell rather than
walked out of the door.
A jrray hue came over Lucas's face. His first
fri<:ht had ^'iveii way to fury at perceiving himself
the victim of a mistake, but now alarm wa.s l)orn in
his eyt's a>:ain. Was it, after all. a mistake? This
obstinate disbelief in his assertion, this ordering
away of all who could swear to his identity-- was it
not lather a plot for his ruin.' lie swallowed hard
once or twice, fear ^'ripjiiii^ his throat harder than
ever the di-airoon's lin^'eis had j:ri|)ped mine. Cer-
taiidy he was not the Comte de Mar; but then he
was the man who had killed I'ontou.
"If this is a plot atraiiist me. say sol" he cried.
"If you have orders to arrest me. do so. Hut arrest
me by the name of Paul de Lorraine, not of fttienno
de Mar."
"The name of T-:tienne di> Mar will do." the caj)-
tain returned; "we have no fancy for alia.ses at the
Bastille. "
"It is a plot I" Lucas cried.
"It is a warrant ; that is all T know about it."
'"But I am not <'omte <li' Mai." Lucas repeated.
His uneasy conscience had numbed his wits. In
his di-ead of a plot he had done little to di.ssipate
234
THE 'Ti:T.MKT OF NAVAimE
an i'vvov. But now he pnllod hiinst'lf tojjrothcr;
t'lTor or iTitciitioii, ho woukl act as if ho knew it
must ])(• error.
"My oaptain, you have made a mistake likely to
cost you your shouldor-Ktraps. I toll you I am not
Mar: tin- landlord, who knows him well, tells you I
am not Mar. Ask those who know M. do Mar; ask
those inn poo[)lo. They will one and all toll you I
am not he. Ask that lioy there: oven he dares not
say to my face that I am."
Ili.s eyes met mine, and I could see that, even in
the moment of challoiitrin^' mo. he ropoiiteil. He ho-
lieved that I would trive the lie. But the draixoon
wlio was hondin-^' ovor him. relieving' him of his
sword-liolt. spared mo the nooossity.
"Captain, you need ^'ivo you-solf no luieasiness:
this is the Comic ri'_dit enou<.'h. I live in the (^uar-
tier Marais. and I have seen this <:ontloman a score
of times riding' with M. iU' St. Quenlin."
Lucas, at this unoxi)ectod testimony, looked so
taken aback that the captain burst out lau^'hing.
"Yes. my dear monsieur, it is a little liard for
M. do Mayenne's nephow--you are a nephew, are
you not .' — 1(, explain how lu' conns to ride with the
Due tie St. <t>i\'nt!ii."
It was awkward to explain. TiUcas. knowin>i well
that llioro was no fiilui'o for him who betrayed the
(it'iioralissimo's secrets, crioil out angrily:
"ITo lies! I never rodo out with M. de St.
Quontin."
"Oh. onmo now. Ideally you wast(> a ixront deal
(if bi-e-'.t!'.." th.e ca.ptain said, "I roirret the cruel
•ir
TO THE BASTILLE
.';{G
necessity of arrest iiij; yon, M. ile Mar; but there is
iiothiuj; gained by l)lusterin^' about it. i usually
iviiow what I am al)out."
"You do not know! Noiu de dieu. you do not
know. Felix Uroux. sj)eak up iIhic If you have
told him behind my back that I am fttietine de .Mar.
I defy you to say it to my f.iee. "
"I know nothing' about it, messieurs." I icpeated
my little refrain. "Monsieur captain, remeiiiiter. if
you please, I never saw him till yesterday; he may
i)e Paul de Lorraine for all I know. Hut he did not
call himself that yesterday."
"You hell-hound!" Lucas cried.
"(lo tell Louis to drive up to the cabaret door,
(Jaspard," bade the captain.
Lucas grazed at him as if to tear out of him the
truth of the matter. I think he was still a prey to
suspicion of a plot in this, and it paralyzed his
tontrue. lie so reeked with intri<rne that he smelled
one wherever he went. lie was much too clever to
believe that this arrestin<r ot!icer was simply tlnck-
witteil.
"I say no more," he cried. "You may s[)are
your.self your lies, the whole ci-ew of you. I ^ro as
your prisoner, but I <,'o a.s I'aul of Lorraine, son of
Henry, Duke of (Juise. "
He said it with a certain superbne.ss; but the
youn^r captain, bour^'eois of the bourt'eois, did not
mean to let himself be put do\xn by any sprif.' of the
noblesse.
"Certainly, if it is any comfort to you," he re-
torted. "But you are very dull, mo.usieur, not to
IS
r<^^
.'30
THi: HKLMET OF NAVAKUE
l)(' aware that your identity is known perfectly to
others besides your lackey here and niy man. J did
not come to arrest you without a minute description
of you from M. dc Bclin himself."
"Ventre bleu!" Lucas shouted. '"I wrote llie de-
scrijition. I myself lodt'ed information a<:ainst Mai'.
1 came here to make sure you took him. Carry me
l)efoi-e Helin : he will know me."
1 tremhieil lest the ofticer could not but see that
the man spoke truth. But I had no need to fear;
there is a coml)ination of stupidity and vanity which
nothinir can move.
"I have no orders to take you to M. dc Belin."
he returned calmly. "So you wrote tlie desi'iiption.
did you? Perhaps you will deny that it tils you.'"'
He read from the paper:
" 'C'harles-Andre-f:tienii"-Maric de St. Quentin,
Oomte de Mar. A^'e. three-and-twenty ; fi'.Mire. tall
and slender; was dressed yesterday in black with
a plain fallin<jr-band ; carries his ri:_'lit arm in a
slin^'— "
"Is my arm in a slin^'?" Lucas demanded.
"No. in a handcutV. " the captain laiiLrlied. at the
same moment that his dra^roon exclaimed, "His ri^rht
wrist is bandaired, though."
"That is nothint:! It is a mere scratch. I did it
myself last nijzlit by accident." Lucas sliouted, striv-
in<j with his hampered left hand to pull the folds
apart to show it. But In- could not, and fell silent,
wide-eyed, like one who sees the net of fate drawintr
in about him. Tlie captain went on reading from
his little paper:
TO THE RASTILLK
ia9
" 'Pair hair, ^ray eyes, aciuiline nose' — I suppose
you will still tell us, jiiousieur, that you are not the
"man?"
"I am not he. The Comte de Mar and I are
nothing' alike. We are both youn-:. tall, yes; but
that is all. lie is slashed all up the forearm: my
wrist is but scratched with a knife-edne. He has
yellow hair; mine is brown. His eyes—"
"It is plain to me. monsieur," the oflieer inter-
rupted, "that the description fits you in every par-
ticular." And so it did.
I, who had heard M. fttienne described twenty
times, had yesterday mistaken Lucas for him; the
same items serv»'d for both. It was the more re-
ii.arkable because th.-y actually looked no more alike
than chalk arid cheese. Lucas had set down his cata-
lo^'ue without a thou^dit that he wius drawing' his
own picture. If ever hunter was caught in his own
gin, Lucas was!
"You lie!" he cried furiously. "You know I am
not Mar. You li' . the whole pack of you!"
"OaiT him. Kavelle." the captain commanded with
an angry flush.
"I demand to be taken before M. de Belin!"
Lucas shouted.
The next moment the soldier had twisted a hantl-
kerehief about his mouth.
"Ready?" the captain asked of flaspard. who
had come back just in time to aid in the throttling.
"Move on. then."
He led the way out. the two drii.">ons following
with their prisoner. And this time Lucas's fertile
•J 40
THK HELMET OF NAVAKKK
wits faik'd liidi. II,. ,|i,| „(.t slip tn.iii his ciiptors'
finders h.-twron the rocm iind tli.' strvt. lie was
(U'positcd in Ihc bi^' bla(i< coach that had aroused my
wonder. L(»uis crack.-d his whip and niV ||i,.'v
runibh'd.
I lauyhcd all the way bad: to the llOtel St.
(^Uientin.
XIX
To tin Ilutd (li Lurraini.
ForXl) M. ftticriiu' s'ttiii^' on the steps
lii-foiv tlk' howsf. lie liad dotlVd hus
rusty l)liifk for a suit of a/ure and sil-
ver; his sword and [>oniard wen- heavy
with silver ehasin^'s. His blue hat, its
white plunu' pinned in a silver huekle. lay on the
stone beside liini. He had disearded his slinj: and
was en^aL'ed in tuning' a lute.
Hvidently he was stru''k hy some chan^'e in njy
api)earanee ; for he asked at onee:
■•What has ha{)penrd, Felix?"
"Sueh a lark !" I cried.
"What! iliil old Menard share the crown.s with
you for youi' trouble?"
"Xo: he poeketed them all. That was not it."
I was so ehoked with laujihter as to make it hard
work to explain what was it, while ! is first bewil-
derment ehan^'ed to an ania/ed interest, which in its
turn ^'ave way. not to deli^dit. but to distn-ss.
"Mordieu !" he eiied, starting; up, his face ablaze.
"if I res.Mnble that <lirt— "
"As chalk and cheese." I said. "Xo one seeing'
you both cuuld possilsly mistake you for two of the
241
•-'4:
TUt HKI.MKT OF N.WAUKK
sjiiiH' r;i('('. lint tlurt' was iinthiiii: in his cataloiruo
tlljlf *li(l iMit lit llilii. It lllflltioiird. tif sliri'. the
ri'/lil iifiii ill :i sliiiL'; liis wiis nut. Imt In' liad his
wrist liaiidaL'rd. I think lie cut hiinsi-lt' hist iii^dit
whrti lie was al'ti'i- nic and I tlimi: the (hini- in his
larr. I'm- aflrrward hi' hchi his liand lnhind his Itack.
At any ratf, Ihfi'c was thr haiKhiirr: that was t'n:>nu'h
In satisfy thf caiitain."
"And thry took him oil".'"
"'I'niiy. 'I'hcy uMiiL^-d him hrcaiis.' lie protested
so much, and lu'_"_'cd liirii otV."
"To the Hastilh-.'" he dcmiiinicd. as if he couhl
scarcely reali/e thi' eviiit.
"To the Hastille. In a hi^' t ravel lin-_'-eoach. l>e-
Iwceii the ollicer and his men. lie may he there l»y
this time."
He looked at me as if lie wei-e still Hot (|uite ahle
to helieve the thinir.
"It is true, monsieur. Tf I were inveiitiiiL' it I
could not invent ;mythin<_' hetter: hut it is ti'Ue."
"Certes. you c<tul(l not invent anytliini: hetter!
\or anythiuLT half so pnxl. If ever there was a
case of the hiter hit — " he hi-oke otV. lauuhiiitr.
"Monsieur, you ktM>w not h;ilf Imw funny it was.
Had you seen tlieir faces — the moi-e Lucas swore he
was not Coiiite de Mar. the nmre the otiicer was sure
he was."
"Felix, you have all the luck. I said this morn-
iiiLT you shouM iro alioiit no moi-e without me. Tlieii
T send you otV on a stupid ei'raiid. and see what you
j:et into I"
■■Moii>ieiii-, I i»ui ii lo voii: Had you been there.
TO THE HOTKI. DK LoUKAINK
•_'»;t
li<»\v could Lucas liav.- hnri ainst.d li.r ('(.iiili' .U
M
ir
II
N..." I
f won't stay arrt'sti'tl loii<,' inoic "s the |.ilv.
said n'^'iftl'ully ; •'hut tlifv may k.vi)
III
is-
iiim ovtruiL'tit.
" Avf. he iiijiy |)c nut of Miiscliii't" ovi'ciiiirlit . I a
happy to say that my t'acr is not known al th.- H,
tilU'."
"Nor his. I fakr it. I tfiouL'ht from what I heard
last ni<_'ht that lie had lu-vt-r h.-cn in Paris save for
a whih' in the sprin-^', when he lay p.-r-lu. At the
liastillc tht-y may know nothini: of the t'\istcn<v of
a Paul (If Lorraine. Hirt. monsieur, if Mayerrne
h;us hr-oken his word already, if they ai-e arr-estin-,'
you on this tr'umped-iip ehar-^e. you iinist ^'et out
of the L'ates to-rris^dit. "
" Impossible, ■■ \u' answered, smilinj:; "I have an
en«.'a<_'e merit in Paris.''
"Hut monsieur may not keep it. He must {,'0 to
St. Denis."
"I must 1:0 nowhere hut to the IIAtel Lorraine."
"Monsieur I"
"Why. look you. F«'lix: it is the safest spot for
me in all I'aiis; it is the last [.laee where they will
look for me. Besides, now that they think me he-
liin.l hiti-s. they will not he lookin-: for me at all.
I shall he as safe as the hottest Leairuer in the
camp."
"But in the hot. I-"
"He eomfor-ted: I sliall not enter the hAtel. There
is a limit to my madness. No; T shall tro softlv
around to a window in the side street under which
24 t
TIIK IIKI.MKT OF NAVAKUE
I liavf ol'ti'ii sldod in the old days. Slir iisfd to
cDiitrivi' tit lie ill licf fliaiiihcr al'tt r siii>|iri'. ' "
"Hut, iiionsieur, how lun^; is it siiin' you wciv
then' last '.'"
"I think it must hi- two niotiths. I had litth>
hrart lor it at'tcr my father So. you sic, no one
will he on the hiokout tor me to-tiiu'ht."
"N'tithir will madcmoisfllc." I nia<h' my point.
"I hope shf may." ho aiisucrcd. "Shr will know
I iiuist sec hii- to-tii^'ht. And I think sIk- will In- at
the window."
Thf rca.sonin^' seemed satisfactory to liim. And
I thoujiht one wet hianket in the h(»use was enoui:h.
" \'eiy well, monsieur. 1 am ready for anything;
you |»roj)(»se. "
"'riieii I I rojxtse sui)per."
Afterward we |)layed shovel-hoard, I risking' the
pistoles mademoiselle had ^mmmi me. I woji live
more, for he [laid little heed to what he was ahout,
hut was ever lidi,'etin^' ovei- to the window to see if
it was dark enoujjh to start. At lenirth, when it was
still I)e1\\i(ii do;r and wolf, he aiuiouiieed that he
would delay no lontrer.
"Very well, monsieur," I said with all alacrity.
" But you are i:o1 to eoiiie I"
"Moii-icur !"
"Certainly not. I must l'o alone to-ni;_'ht."
"liut. monsieur, you will need me. Vou will need
some one to wateh the sti'eet while you speak with
mademoiselle."
"I can have no listener to-niirht," he replied
immovabiy.
TO TMK noTKL DK LOKKAINK
" i^it I will lint listrii, iiiorisit'iir ! I shall stand
out of tar-shut. Hut you must have soiiu- om- to
iii\v you waruiuir should the (.'nard set on yoii."
"I ran inatiairc my own alVairs, " hv iftoiti-d
hau^ihtily; "I desire lU'itluT your advice nor your
company."
"Monsieur!" I cried, ahnost in t«'ars.
"KnouLdil" lie bade sharply. "(Jo send me
Vij,'o."
I went like one in whose face the doors of heaven
had shut.
Vitro eaiiii^ at once from the <»unrd-room at my
siimiiKUis. It was on my tonjrue > tell him of M.
le (dmte's mad resolve to fare forth alone; to hi'H
him to slop it. l{ut I lememhered how blamewor-
thy I myseir had held the e<|nery for interferinj:^
with M. r'.tieiine, and I made up !iiy mind that no
word of cavil at my lord should ever pass my lips.
I la^'^'i'd across the court at \'it:o"s heels, silent.
M. fitietine was standing,' in the doorway.
"Vivro. " he said, without a chancre of cottntenancc,
"<:et Feli.x ii I'apier. which he can use prettily
enoiiLdi. I caiiiiot take him out to-ni«rht unarmed."
\'iL'o litsilaifd ii moment, saluted, and went.
".Monsieur." I eiiid out, "you meant all the time
to take me I"
lie ;_'a/ed down on my heated visajre and lauj:lied
and laiiLzhed.
"Feli.x," he Lrasped. "you had your sport over
there at the inn. Htit I have .seen nothing this
sutnnier :is rimiiv as iimir faec."
\'i<:o came back with a sword and baldric for me.
■J Ml
THE HKLMET OF XAVAHKE
;mil ;i iMtrsr-pistMl hrsidcs. 1)11) M. Rticnii.' would not
li't iiic linvc it.
"Cii-ciiiiisfimccs iitv such. Vi^'o, tluif I want no
noisy weapons.
Tlic r(|urtv t.M_r;,p,|,.,| hini with a trouhied coun-
t<'na[M'('.
'"I \\i^il I i<ni'w. nion.sicui-. whrllicr I do ri<:ht to
Irt you 'J^o. "'
"We will not discuss that, an it |)lcasc you."
"f do not. monsii'ur. I havt- no i-i-_dit to curtail
•M. Ic Cointc's lihirtirs. Hut I let you 1:0 with a
heavy licai't."
ill' looked ai'tcr us with foi-chodinL' eyes as we
went out of the i^nat u'atc alone, with not so much
as a linUlM.y. Rut il' his heart was heavy, our heart.s
wci-e liL;ht. We paced alonir as iiiei-rily as thou>:h to a
least. .M. l-:tienne hutiLr his lute over his neck and
striiinnnd it: and whenever we passed under a win-
tlow whence leaned a pretty heail. hi' sanjr snatches
of love-son<:s. We were alone in the dark streets of
a liostile city, hound for the hou^e of a niitdity foe ;
and one of us was wounded and one a tyi'o. Vet we
lauLrhed as we went: for ther.- was l.ucas lauL'uish-
ini; in prison, and heve were we. fi-ee as air. steerin<:
our course for niadeiiioiselle's window. One of us
was in love, and the oMiei wore a sword for the tirst
tune, and all the power of May.-nn." dauriled n^ not.
We e;.;;i, ,|j jenirth W i t ll i U. llOW-sllot of tllC Ifotcl
lie I>(.rraine. where M. fitiennw wa.s willini: to ahate
somewhat his swa-irer. We left the Kne St. .\n-
toine. ei'eepinu' around heliind the house throuuh a
narrow and twistiriLr alley -it was piteh-hlack. hut
TO THE HOTKL DK LOHRAINE
24 7
he know tin- \v;iv well- iii1(
littl.
sfroot dim-
uimn it. It
li^'htfd from tin- windows of thf houses
was only a few nuis lon._', runnirii: frotii the open
s(iuan' in front of ilu' hotel to Ih.- network of un-
paved alleys behind. On the fartl
row of lii-rh-traliNMl houses, tlu'ir <1
ler side stood a
r>ors oj)('iiin'_' '!i
reetly on the pa\ fiiicut ; on this side was hut one hvj.
pile, the llnt.'l d(> Lorraine. Thr wall was broken
by fi'vv windows, most of them dark; this was not
the iSiiv side of the house. The oviT}ian<.'ini: turret
on the low seeond story, under whieh M. fttienne
halted, was as dark as Ihc rest. nor. thouL'h the ea.se-
ment was open wide, eoidd we tell whi'ther any one
was in the i-oom. We eould hear nothing' but the
bree/e eraeklini: in the silken curtains.
"Take your station at the corner tln-re." he bade
and slioul if thev seem to I
)e conunir for us.
Hut
I think we shall not be molested. My Hmrers are so
stitT they will hardly reeo^'uize my hand on the
stririiTs. "'
I went fo my post, and he bi^jxan sinjzin^', scarce
loud enoni,'h for any but his lady above to mark him:
Fairist hlussniH tvir iimr
Oiiii .she liKis, n<<l fii'iii hrr hrtnst,
'Hiis I stn/, hrr ii/ts an hi in.
Froiii hrr hriiisl Ihi ro.ir shr ilrrir,
lliih fur iiir, hrr srrnijit hh^t.
I'd in s7 /i/
<>s\iini rrrr i/rrir.
The nuisic jiaiised. and I tui-ix'd fi-om my watch
of the shadow\ , inures crossinir the s.|uare. in in-
stant alarm l.'^ -omethinLr was wron<r. Hut what-
•J18
THE IIELMET OF NAVAIiUE
ever startled him ct'jisccl. for in a inonit'nt ho went on
aj^ain, and as he san^' liis voice ranj; fuller:
of m>i lore till' gjii r<l<i)i triif,
'T is tinj hosoHi'y mill/ i/nisf.
This I sdi/. III >• rijts iiri him .
Slill to vit 'I is hrii/lii iifh'ir
.ts irhrii first nil/ l.issrs jirrst
Fitirrst hliissniii cirr 'jrcir.
Sirrctrr tliitii irlnii i/atlicrid m ir
'T ICIls till sii/n In r Inn rniil'ist.
Tilts I sill/, III r I i/rs iiri liliK .
ITo stopped a^'ain and stood jrazin^' up into the
window, hut wlietlu'r he saw souietliinu' or heard
s(»iiie1hin^' I eoukl not tell. Afiparently he was not
sure hinisi'lf, for pi'esenfly, a little trenudous, he
added the four verses:
Askvsr thou of tiir II chir
To that hull/ I Ion histf
Fairest hlossoni cnr t/rcir !
This I sill/, hir cyis arc hlitc.
He (lofTed his hat. pushing: haek fhe hair from his
hrow. and waited. ea<rfr. hopeful. There was a
little stir in the room that oiu- thoutrht was not the
wiiul.
I had eome une<inseiously half-way up the street
to liiiii in the ardour of my inti'rest ; hut now 1 was
.startled haek to my duly hy the sound of men run-
ning: I'ound the eorner hehind me. One trianee wa.«
enou'_di: two ahi'east. swcu'ds in hand, thev were
TO THE HOTEL DE LOKKALNE
249
char}j;in<r us. I nin before tli( in, drawint; blade as
I wi'iit and shouting to M. fitii-nne. Hut even as I
called an answering; shout canit' from the alley; two
im-n of the Spanish guards shot out of the darkness
and at us.
M. fitienne, with his extraordinary (|uickuess, had
iio\ the lute otf his neck, and now, for want of a
better use of it, Hung it at the head of his nean-st
assailant, who received it full in the face, stopped,
hesitated a moment, and ran back the way he ha<l
come. Hut three foes i-eniained, with the whole
Hotel de Lorraine behind them.
We put our backs to the w;dl and set to. The
remaiiiini,' Spaniard engaged me; M. fitienne, pro-
tected somewhat in the embrasure of a doorway,
held at bay with his good left arm a pair of at-
tackers. These were in the dress of gentlemen, and
wore masks as if their cheeks blushed (well they
might) for the deeds of their hands.
A broad window in the Hotel de Lorraine was
Hung open ; a man leaned far out with a torch. The
bright glare in our faces bewildered our gloom-ac-
customed eyes; I coidd not see what I was about,
and rammed my point against my Spaniard's hilt,
snapping my blade.
The sudden impact .sent him stumbling back a
pace, and M. fttienne, who. with the (piick eye of the
born fencer, saw everything, cried to me. "Here!"
I darted back into the doorway beside him. Hi.s
two assailants finding that they trained nothing by
their joint attack, but rather hampered each other,
one dropped back to watch his comrade, the cleverer
LTiO
THE HELMET OF NAVAKIiE
swordsman. This was docidodly a man of talont,
liiit lie wiis shnrler in the arm than my master and
had the disadvantajro of slandiii'^' on tlic ^'round,
whrrcas M. f:tifnnt' was up one step. He could not
I'orcc home any of his shrewd-plnnncd thrusts ; nor
tiiuld ho drive M. fitienne out of his coJL'n to where
ill the open the two eouhl make short work of him.
'Ilie ia{)iei's ehtslied and i)arted and twisted ahout
eaeh otiiei- and flew apart a>-'ain : and then hefore I
could see who was touehed the attacker fell to his
knees, with M. fttienne's sword his hreast.
M. P:tienne wrenched the hla.ie out; the wounded
man sank hackward. liis nia.sk-strin<x hreakiri!.'. He
was the one whom I had thouj.'ht him — Francois
de Brie.
M. r;tienn(> wrenched the hlade out; the wounded
hut neither h.e nor the soldier attacked. The torch-
bearer in the window, with a sliout. wave<l his arm
toward the sipiare. A mob of arme<i men hurled
itself around the corner, a pikeman with lowered
jMiint in the van.
This was not combat ; it was butchery. M.
f;tieiuie. with a little moan, lifted his eyes for the
tirst tinu' from his a.ssailant to tlie turret winchtw.
In the same instant I felt the door behind us jrive.
Tlirowin^ my whole wei^lit upon it, I seized M.
T^ltienne and pulled him over th(^ threshold. Some
one inside slanmied the door to, just as the Spaniard
hurled himself against it.
XX
^Oii (jiKird, muitsicur.'"
>\i\ l.i'V in hiack vdvcf. leaning hack
in chiirLliiiL' tfiiiiii|Mi iiL'aiiist tlic slinf holts.
Shi' was very small and very old. Hci- fiu'uir was
ht'iil and slirunkon. ;i ititifiil litllc l»air of hones in
a rich di'fss; hci- liaif was as white as her rutT; her
skill as yellow and dry as parchnient. fiin-owed with
a thousand wrinkles: hut her l)lack eyes sparkleil
like a <:irl 's.
"I did not mean to let my niulitinirale's throat he
slit," she cried in a shrill voice (|uaverin<; like a
younir child's. "I have listened to your sin<rini:
many a niirht. mon> .ur: I was <:la(i to-ni>:ht to (hid
the ni^ditiuL'ale ha( k airaiti. Wli-ri I saw that crew
rush at you. I said I would save you if only you
would put your hack to iriy door. .Monsieur, you
are a yountr man of intelligence."
"I am a youriL" m.'in of ama/in'_' L'ood fortune,
madame. " V.. fttieiuie replied, with his handsom<'st
how, sheathiji^' his wei hladc. "I owe you a deht
'J.')!
TtIK IIKI.MKT (>V NAVAKKK
(if ^M-;ititiiil(' wliicli is ill rcpiiid in the Imsc coin of
l»ii!ij,'int.' troulili' to this lioiisc."
"Xot at all — not at all I" slic pi-otcstcd witli ani-
mation. '"No our is liUfly to niolcsi tliis liousf. It
is the (l\Vflliii;r of M. Ffi'ou. "
"Of til.' Sixtc.-ii?"
"Of the Sixttcn," shr noddtMl. licr sliirwd facu
airlcani with niiscliicf. "In ti'Utli, if my son were
williin, you uci'f little likdy to find hai'houra^'r
iirfc. Hilt, as it is. lie and Ills uife an' supping'
with his (iracc of Lyons. And the servants are one
and all <rone to mass, leaving madame <:ra!i(rniere
to sliift for herself. No, no, my ^ood friends; you
may knock till you dro[), hut you won't iret in."
The attackinu' pai'ty was indeed hai!imei-in<_' ener-
i:elically on the door, shoutiiiLr to us to o|)en. to (h'uy
lliem at our peril. The eyes (d' the old lady j,dit-
tei'ed with new deliL'lit at every rap.
"1 fancy they will think twice hefore they batter
down M. Ferou's door! Ma foil I fancy they are
a little mystilied at lindinj.' you sanctuaried in this
liouse. Wa.s it not my Lord Mayi'iiiu-'s jackal, Fran-
cois {{{' Brie .'"'
"Yes; and .Marc Latour."
"I thoii^ht 1 knew thcni," she cried in evi(h^nt
pi'ide at her sharpnci^s. "It was dark, and they
were masked, and my ryes are old, hut I knew them!
.\nd which of the ladies is it .'"
He could do no less than answer his saviour.
"Ah, well." she said, with a little sij.'h, "I too
once — hut that is a loim time atro. " Then her eyes
twinkled a!.'ain; I trow she wa.s not nnich iriven to
'•ON (JIAIU), MoNSIKrU"
siuliiiitr. "'I'lijit is a lun^ tiiix- a-io, " slir ri'ixatcil
I)11S
kb
'and now they thiiil: I am too old lo do
au^ht but tfll my Ix-ads and wait loi' dratli. l^iil I
like to liavc a liaiid in tlic <:am('.'"
"I will come to taki' a hand with von anv titin'.
ma<lamc,
yon play,
M. Kticniic jussuii'd lui'.
1 likr tilt' wav
She In-okf into siirill. di'liirlitt'd lauirlitcr.
I
ai'rant vou do! And I ion't mean to d(
till' tliini: l»y halves. No; I shall savi yoii. hide and
hair. Me so kind, my lad. as to lift tin- lantiiri from
thf hook."
I did as she l)ad(' nic, and we lollowt'd her down
the passat.'"' like sfiatiifls. Slu' was so i-ntiri'ly i'(iual
to till' situation that we made iii piotcsLs and asked
no (|Ui'stions. At the end ol" the hall she jiaused,
oiieninir neither the «hK)r on the ri^dit nor the door
on the left. hut. passing' Jier liand up one of the
|)anels of the wainscot, suihleidy she liung it
wi<le.
You are not so small as I," she ehuekled.
vt
t I
think you can make shift to j:et throu-xh. You.
monsieur lanternd)earer, <ro tirst."
I <loul)led myself up and seramhled thrnuirh The
old lady, tiatheriiiir her petticoats daintily, fol-
lowed me without dit!iculty, !)Ut .M. fttienne was put
to some trouhle to how his tall heail low eiiou'^li.
We stood at th»' top of a flight of stone steps de-
scendin<: into blackness. The old lady unliesitat-
in^ly tripped (h)wn before us.
At the foot of the stairs was a vaulted stone pas-
satjeway, slippery with litiu-n. tlu- dampness hang-
16
•j:, I
THE HKLMKT OF NAVAKUf:
iii'_' in litiwls (III tlif wall, 'riiniiiiu two coriu'is. wf
l)n)u;,'lit up at a iiannw, iiail-sf iiildcd dnor.
"lIiTc I bid voii farcwfll."' <|iintli tin- little old
lady. "You have only to walk on till you m-l to tlif
end. At tilt' steps, pull the ro|)f oiicc and wait.
When he opens to you. say, 'For tlie Causf, ' and
thaw ii crown with your lin^'er in tlie air."
"Madame/' M. fitienne crieil. "I hope the day
may come when I shall makt- you suitable acknow-
h'dj:enieuts. My name—"
"I prefer not to know it." she interrupted, ^danc-
in^r up at him. "I will call you .M. Vrux-trris; that
is eno\i^di. As for aekiiowledijiiieiits — pooh I I am
overpaiil in the sport it has been."
"Hut, madame, wlien monsieur your son dis-
covers—"
"Mon dieu ! I am not afraid of my son or t)f any
other woman's son!" she cried, with cacklin>r lau<.'h-
ter. And I warrant she was not.
"Madame," M. fitieiine said, "I trust we shall
meet ajiain when I shall have time to tell you what
I think of you." He dropjied on his knees before
her, kissin*: both lier hands.
"Yes, yes, of C(»urse you are <rrateful" she said,
somewhat bored apparently by his demonstration.
"Naturally one does not like to die at your aire. I
wish you a pleasant journey. M. Yeux-<rris. and you
too, you fresh-faced boy. (live me l)ack my lantern
and fare you well."
'' I'ou will h't us see you safe back in your hail."
"I will do nothing of the sort! I am not so de-
crepit, thank you, that. T cannot get up my own
'UN ULAKD, MUNSIELK"
Btuirs. No, no; no nioiv gullantrii's. but ^ft on your
way! Ht't-'ont' with you I I must Ik- hack in my
chambiT workinj: my altar-cloth wlien my dauj^'htor-
in-la\v c'oiiR's homt*. "
Crowing hor t-llin lauirh. slic i)ullod tlie door open
and fairly hustU'd us throu^'h.
"(Jood-hy — y(»u are fine l»oys"; and she slannntnl
the door upon us. We were in absolute darkness.
As we took oui' first breath of the dank, foul air,
wf heard bolts snap into place.
"Well, since we cainiot ^o back, let us po for-
ward." said M. fitienne, cheerfully. "I am plad
she has bolted the cUH)r; it is to throw tliem otl tlie
scent should they track us."
I knew veiy well that he was not at all tllad : that
the same thou^'ht which chilled my blood had come
to him. This little beldam, with her beady eyes and
her lau^'hter. was the wicked witch of our childhood
days; she had shut us up in a ehariiel-lKtuse to ilie.
I heard him tapping the pavement before him
with his scabbard, usinj; it as a blind man's statT.
And so we advanced through the fetid ^'loom, the
passa^re beiiv_' <^'dy wide enouuh to let us walk shoul-
der to shoulder. There was a whirring of winj^s
about us. and a s(|ueakint;; once something swooped
sijuare into my face, knocking a cry of ten-or from
me. and a laugh from him.
"What was it? a bat? Cheer up. F.'lix ; they
don't bite." But I would not i.'o on till I had made
sure, as well as T could without scfini.'. that the
cursed thing was not clinging on me somewhere.
We walked on then iu silence, the sioue walls
.'5«J
THK MKh.MKT OF NAVAUKH
vibrant with our tread. \Vr went on till it K.'.'UiiMi
\vf ha<l trawrscd the witlth of Paris; ami 1 uoii
(li'icd who wi'fc sh't-pini,' and least ihl' and silntn-
ini; and hninj.' over our heads. .M. f:tieiiue .said at
h'nt,'th :
"Mordieu! I liope tins snakedioh- (hx's not empty
us out into the Seine."" Muf I thoujrht that as h)riL'
as it emptied us out somewliere, I should not ^'reatiy
mind the Seiiu*.
At this vei-y moment M. f:tienne elutclied my arm.
jerkin}; me to a halt. I bounded baekward, tryini;
ri the blaekness to diseern a preeipiee yawniiiij at
my feet. "Look!" he eried in ii low. tense voiee.
I perceived, far before us in the -rloom. a point of
light, whieh, as we watehed it, ^'rew bi<r-:er and bi>,'-
ger, till it beeafiie an approaehin^' lantern.
"This is like to be awkward," nuirnuired M.
fitienne.
The man carrying the light came on with tirm.
heavy tread; naturally he did not see us as soon as
we saw him. I thought him alone, but it was hard
to tell in this dark, eehoy j)laee.
He might easily have approached within touch
of my sad clothing without becoming aware of me.
but M. fitienne's azure and white caught the lan-
tern rays a rod away. The newcomer stop{)eil short,
holding up the light between us ami his face. We
could make nothing of him, save that he was a large
man, soberly clad.
"Who is it?" he demantlcd. his voice ringing out
loud and steady. "Is it you. Ferou?"
AI. Etienne hooked his scal)bard in i)lace, and went
forward into the clear circle of light.
"ON (HAHll, MONSIKIK"
"No. M. (If Miiyctirif ; it is f;tiriiiif df Miir."
"\'t'iifiH lilciil"' Miiyinrif cjiiciilatt'd. iliatiL'iiiir
liis liiiiliTii with coiiiiciil alaci-ily to his h It liajiil.
antl \\liii>|iiiiL' out liis swor.l. My inastrr's caii.f
I>aic. loo. at that. They rotiri-oiilfd each othi-r iii
silfticr, till Mayt'iiiic's cvfr-iiicirasiii^ astoiiisliiiiciit
toiTi (I the iiy t'roiii him :
"How the (k'vii coiiif you luTf?"
"I'lvidt'jitly hy way (d' M. Ft-rou's hoiist'. " .M.
{'A.ri\nr aiiswfit'd. .Mayt-ntii' still slan-d in thicU
Miiia/i'iin'iit : al'tiT a iiiomcid my mastt-r adiled: "I
mii>t ill justice say that M. Ftmu is not awai-f .'hat
1 am iisin^' this i>a.ssa;.'r : he is. with madamc his
wil'f. suppinir with tin- Archliishop of Lyons."
M. riticnnc Icant'tl his sliouhh-r at,'aiiist the wall,
sniilinj; pleasantly, and wailin^r for the duke to
make the next move. Mayeiini' kept a n()Mi)lu.sse(l
sileiRV. The situation was indeed somewhat awk-
ward. He could not eome i'.xward without eiieoun-
teriiifr an a^'ile oppon iit. whose e\eeedin<r skill with
the swttrd was probably known lo him. lie could
not turn lail, had his di^'nity .illowed the course,
without exposiiiL' , ilii'^elt' to be spitted. He was in
tho predicament of tli iroat on the brid<re. Vet was
he <:apin^' at us le.ss in fear, I think, than in bewil-
derment. This ^^'rou, as I learned later, was one of
his ri^'ht-hanil men. years-lon<r sui»porter. Mayeiiiie
had as soon expected to meet a lion in the tunnel
as to meet a foe. lie cried out ajrain upon us. with
an instinctive certainty that a great prince's (jucb-
tion must be answered :
"How came yovi iiere.'"
"I don't iusk. " said M. f:iienne, "how it happens
yriM
Tin; IIKLMKT OF N.WAICUK
lliiit M. Ic Dill- is wiilkiii-^' tliiniiL;li iliis nit-lii»l»'.
Nor (Id I Icfl (lispdscd to make any (Aplaiialioti to
liiiii."
"Vi-ry well, thru." saiti Mavfriiif; 'diir swoids.
il yon ai-i' ifady. will makr a<lriiiiatf fxplaiiat ion. "
"Now. that is L'alhirit ol' yoii." ifturiicd M.
r:iitiiiif. "as it is i-vi(h'iit that thr closcrit'ss <»f thrse
walls will iiifoiivfiiit'iit'f your <Jnict' iiiotT than it
will lilt'."
The walls of the |)assa'-'r Wfcc rmi^'hly laid.
.Muyt'iiiu' [.crclifd iiis laiitcin on a |iid.j.itiiii: stoiu-.
"On triiard. sir." In- answered.
The sil.iicc was profound. Mayrmif had no com-
i)aiiion following' him. He was aloiir with his
sword. Hf was not now lit ad i>[' \\u- stat.-. Init tmlv
a man with a swt)rd. stainliii'_' oppositf aiiolhtT man
with 11 sword. Xor was in' in thf |)iiik ttf ft»rm.
Thou-.'!! In- <;av(' flu- ftVfft. fn.m his t-har colour ami
proud hfariiiir. pt-rhaps alst> frtxii his mastfrful
entT^ry. of tivmcmltius fort-f and strt'n-:tli. his htnly
was in truth hut a pottr mathinf. his ^'rt-at cor-
imlfiu't' making' him i-lumsy ami scant of hri'ath.
lit' mu.st have known, as lit' tyctl his supph" aii-
ta<.'onist, what thf t'lid wt)uld be. Vi-t he nu'ivly
said :
"<~>n truard. monsit'ur."
M. f:tit'mu' tlitl mtt raise his weapon. I retreatetl
a pace, that I mitdit not he in the way of his jump,
.should Mayenne spring' on him. M. fitienne said
slowly:
"M. tie Mayenne, tliis encounter was none of my
contriving'. Xor have I any wish to cros.s swords
"ON OrAKI*. MuNSlElK"
nifh you. Fiiiiiily i|Unrifls ai<' f'> l>i' ilt'prrcjiiiil
Since I still intriid to lifcoiiif your I'oiisiii. I must
H'sjH'ctl'ully bt'ir to Ih' n-lcasfd lioiu tin- olilipition
of li}.'litiiii.' you."
A nuiii knowini.' hiiiisflf ovcrniatchcd cannot rc-
I'usc coiuhat. lie may. cvtii a.s Mayfinic had dtwic,
lliiiik hinist'ir conipcllcd to olVcr it. Hut if he in-
sists on forcintr l)attle with a reluctant adversary, he
must he a hothead iinleed. And .Mayeiine was no
hothead, lie stood hesitant, feeling; that he was
made ridiculous in accei)tin<r the clemency and
should he still more ridiculous to refuse it. He half
lifted his sword, only to lowi-r it a>.'ain, till at last
his f^ood sense came to his relief in a lau<.'h.
"M. de Mar. it appears that, after all. some ox-
plaiuitions are iK'Ccs.sary. You think that in dec'-n-
inu' to H^ht you put me in your deht. I'ossihly ycu
are rijrht. Hut if you e.xpect that in pratitudc I
shall hand over Loranee de Montluc. you were never
more mistak«'ii. Never, while I live, shall she marry
intt) the kin^r's camp. Now. monsieur, that we un-
derstand each other. T ahide hy your deci.sion
whether we lii;ht or not."
For answer. M. fitienne put uj) his hlade. The
Duke of Mayenne. salutintr with his. did the like.
"Mar." he said, "you stood olT from us. like a
C()iiuettin<; j^irl, for tht-ee yeai*s. At lentrth, last
May, you refused point-blank to join us. I do not
often ask a man twice, hut I ask you. Will you
join the Leajru<^ to-nii;ht. and marry I.iorance to-
morrow ? ' '
No man could have spoken with a franker grace.
260
THE HKI.MET OF NAVARRE
I Ix'licvc llicri. I Ix-iicvc now, he iiK'ant it. M.
I-Jtifiiiit' ln'lit'Vi'd lit' iiK'iint it.
"iMonsifur," fu- aiiswon-d, "I have shilly-shallit'il
lonj,': l»ut I am plaiiti-d sijuan-ly at last with my
lather on tlu' kinjr'.s side. Vou put your iiitcrcst-
iii},' nephew into m; father's house to kill him; I
shall not si^Mi myself with the Lea^'ue."
"In that ease." returned Mayenne, "perhaps we
iiii<:ht eaeh eontinue on his way."
"With all my heart, monsieur."
Each di-ew back a;:ainst the wall to let the other
pass, with a wary eye for da<ri:ers. Then M. P:tienne.
laujihin': a little, hut watehim: .Mayenne like a lynx,
started to ^'o Ity. The duke, s.eintr the h.ok. sud-
denly raised his hands ovei- his head, holding; them
tlnre while hoth of us s(|uee/ed past him.
"Cousin Charles." said M. ftlieiine," I .see that
when I have married Loranee you and I shall ^'et on
eapitally. Till then. Cod have you ever in ^'uard."
"I thank you, monsieur. You make me im-
mortal."
"I have no need to make you witty. M. de May-
eiuie. when you have submitted to the kiiif.'. as you
will one of these days, I shall have as deli^ditful a
l;insnian as heart of man could wish. Vou and I
will yet drink a lovinir-eup toiretlier. Till tl.iit
happy hour, I am your yood enemy. Fare you well,
monsieur."
He bowed; the duke, half laughintr despite a con-
sidiM-able ire, returned the obeisance with all pomp.
-M. P;tienne took me by the arm and departed. May-
eiaie stood still for a si)ace; then we heard his re-
!
> M
r^^'-*'
«i
I. ^
ii-vivj3
te
-^
ipw^i
Ws ' ^sih
I
^ ^p&F-^ism?
r ^'S^.:isii ■
it
i'
1
f
[• mm .
^
>
^^ 1^
if.
*
■^
.■^^-.-i.,.-
>
U h . I.I MUM' ■'! I INI" A -II.K Mh i:i n: ^ ^ll..|-.
'ON GUAHD. MONSIEUR"
j»;r?
trcatinfj footsteps, and tlic irliinnicr of his liirlit
slowly fiidrd away.
"It was n't iHM't'ssary to tell him the door is
holttd." .M. fiticnne imitterod.
We hurrit'd aloiii: now without [»roraution. knnv.-
in<r that th«' lloor wliieh had supported Mayi'iiiic
would sui)port ns. The con.st'nufiic'c.' wa.s that wt-
stunihlt'd abruptly .iL'airist a stt'i). and fell with a
forct* like to l)n'ak omi' kru'ccaps. I picked myself
up at om-e. and I'an liea(llon<.' up the stairs, to hit my
crown on the eeilin<; and reel haek on M. fitieruie.
sweepin.L' him otT his feet, so that we rolle*! in a
StruiTirlin^' heap on the stones of the passa^re. And
for the minute the place was no ]on<,'er dark; I saw
more li^'htnin<,' than even tiashed in the Rue I 'oupe-
jarrets.
"Alt' you hurt. Felix/"' cried M. Rtienno, the
iirst 111 <lis(ntant:le himself.
"No." I ^aill. trroanin^'; "hut T hantred my head.
She did not say it was a trap-door."
We ascended tlie stair.'i a secon<l time- this time
most cautiously on our hands and knees. Above us.
at the end. we couhl feel, with upleapiii;.' if spirit,
a wooden ceilinjr.
"Ah. I have the cord I" he exclaimed.
The next instant we heard a faint but most com-
lortinir tinkle somewhere above us. Before we hati
time fo wonder wliethiM' any marked it but us. we
hi'ard steps oveiliead. and a noise ;is of a dust beiuL'
jiulled about, atid then the ti'ap lifted. We climbed
out into a silk-mei-cer's sho|>.
"Faith, my man," said .M. fitienne to the little
L'»; 1
Till': III'.I.MKT OF NAVARRE
^
liiiiiiu'oois wild liiiil ()|)cii<m1 to us, "I iiiu i.'hid In soo
Villi ;i|>|triir so |>rniil|)tly. '■
III' liiiikcd ;it ii><. soiricw li;it ti'onl)|c(| or aliirincd.
" ^'ou iiiiist Iiiivr iiii'f— ■■ lie sii^r^Tsti'd wifii ht'si-
tjuicy.
"Vcs."' siiid M. Ktirntii'; "hut he did imt object.
We iirr. Ill' citiirsc. of the iiiitiiiti'd, "
"or coiii-st'. ot' course." the littlr frilow asst'iitcd.
with a I'liniiy assumption of know ii|i.' all about it.
".\ot rvcvy niir |ias tile secret of tile passa-Te. Well.
I I'au call myself a liu-ky man. "T is mii^lity few
imreers have a duke in ihrir >li()p as often as I.'"
We liMiked eiiriously alioiit us. The slio]) was low
and dim. with piles of stutV in rolls on the shelves,
and other stiitl's lyiiiL' Imisi' on ihr eouiiti'r Ind'ore
us. as if the man had just hem measuring: them —
u'or^-^eons bi'oeadrs and saliiis. Above us. a bell on
the I'after still i|iiivere(l.
"Yes. that is till' bell of the trap."' the proprietor
said, followiii!,' our Lrlaiiee. "Customers do not
know wher-e it i-in'_'s fiom. And if T am not at lib-
ei-ty to opi'ii. I drop my bi'ass yardstick on the
tloor— Hut they tohl yoi; that, doubtless, mon-
sieur?" he added. ;-ei:ar(linj: M. Ivtieniie again a
little nneasilv.
"Tiny lold me somethiiitr else I ha<l near forjrot-
tiii."' .M. ritieiiiie answered, and. drawinir a erowii in
the air. '_'ave the passwoi'd. "For the Cause."
"For the KiuL'." the shopkeeper made instant re-
joinder. ili'awini„' in the aii- in his turn a letter C
and till' numeral X.
.M. i:tiinne laiti a L'old pitce on the counter, anci
"ON (HAKl), MoNSIKUK
265
if thf sh(.i>k.«>p.T had f.-lt any doubts of this wt'll-
dresscd ^'aUant who woro no hat, thfv vanishi'd in
its radiaiH'f.
"And now. my t'ri.'iid, ht ns out into the stn'rt
and foi-'^'t't our fan's." "
Tlu' man took up liis caiidlf to liu'ht us to tlic
doof.
"I'rrhaps it wouhl iioi troul)l<' nioiisit'ur to say
a word for mr ovrr thfiv.'"" \\r su <_"_'• 'stcd. pointiuu'
in tlic direction of thr tuiinrl. -'M. If Due hits every
((.ntidenee ill me. Still, it woiihl do no harm if
nioiisieiir siioiiid mention how ((ui'-Uly I let him out.
••When 1 see him. 1 will suivly mention it." M.
fltienne piomised him. ••('oiilinue to he vi<:ilant
to-iii;.dit. my friend. Tliriv is another man to
come.
Followed liy the little l>oui->ois "s thanks and
adieus, we walked out into thr sweet open air. As
soon as liis door wa.s shut ;i'_'aiii. wc took to our
heels, nor stopped iuniiiii<_' till W' lia<i put half a
dozen streets hetweeii us and the mouth of the tun-
nel. 'I'heii we walked alouir in lireathless sih'iice.
Presently .M. fltienne ci'ied out :
"Death of my lilel Had I fnu-ht there in the
Inirmw. I .should liave cliau'-'ed the liistory of
France ;"'
XXI
A (Ikuki I )i( oiaitrr.
Ill", slifct Ixfoii' us wiis as ordt'ily iis
the aisk' of Notn- Daiiii'. Fi'W way-
liii'ffs j)asst'tl us; tliosc tlitTi' were
talked to^'t'tluT as placidly as if lovc-
tiysts and iiirN'is cxistt'd udt. aud tun-
iirls and couutci-siirus wen' hut the siuokr (if a dream.
It was a sti'eet of slio|)s. all shuttered, while, ahove,
the l)U!'}rhers' families went respectably to bed.
"This is tlu' Ivue de la Fei'rotnierie. "' my master
said. pausiiiL' a moment to take his beariu^rs. "See,
under the lantern, tlu- sijrn of the Pierced Heart.
The little shop is in tlie ivue di' la Soieric. We are
close by the llalles — we iiuist havi' come half a mile
under^rroinid. Well, we '11 swin<r about in a circle
to L^'t home. For this ni^dit I 've had enou!j;h of
the Hotel de Lorraine."
And I. But I held my tonfrue about it, as be-
came me.
"They were wider awake tlian T thought — those
Lorrainers. I'ai'dicu I Felix, you and I came clo.ser
quarters with death than is entirely anuisint:. "
"If that door had not opi'!ied — " I shu<ldered.
"A new saint in the c.ilendai-- la Sainte Ferou!
2GG
A CHANC K KN<(>UNTKIt
H',7
Hut what a iiiji«lciip of a saint, tlnii! My t'aitli. sin-
iimst have lf»l thcin a daiK't" wIiimi Fimikms I was
kin^'I
"Natlicltss it iralls iiif," Iw wtnt nii. half to liiiii-
sfir. "t(» know that I was lust liy my own lolly,
saved by pure chaiu'f. 1 undrnatcd tlir cnt'iny —
worst niistakt' in the hook of stiatcL'y. I lanir nt-ar
llin<rinj; away two lives and making' a most unsij.'htly
mess under a lady's window."
"Monsieur made somewhat of a mess as it was."
"Aye. I would I knew whetln'r I killed lirie.
We '11 !_'() round in the mofiiin^' and tind out."
"1 am thankful that monsieur does not mean to <:()
t(»-ni;.'ht."
"Not to-nii_'ht. Felix: I "ve had enou'_'h. No:
we "11 '/et home without pa.ssin'_' near the Hotel de
Lorraine, if we u'o outside the walls to do it. To-
nijrht I draw my sword no more."
To this ilay I have no ijuile eleai- idea of Imw we
went. A stranire eity at nivdit — Paris of all cities
— is a labyrinth. I know that after a time we came
out in some meadows aloni: the river-hank, traversed
them, and pluns-'ed onee more into narrow,
liiirh-
walled striets. It was very late. an<l liirhts were
few. We had started in char stai'li^'ht. hut now a
raek of clouds liid even their pale sliine.
■Th
e sua
kediole over ai:ain." said M. Tltiei
Mie
"But we are almost at (»ur ow?i <:ates. "
Hut. as in the snake-hole, came li'_'ht. Turnini: a
sharp corner, we ran strai'.'ht into a >_'enlleman and
his jiorte-Hamheau. swinirin<_' alon>.' at as smart a
pace as we.
'Ji>yi
THE HKLMKT oF NAVAKRK
"A thniis.-iiKi pjinions," M. riiiftm,. ,.,-iril to liis
<ii<''Hiiit. ■f.-r. III.' pussrssor (.f Vfiiis iiiid ^'nivity l.uf
'>r iiu L'n-jil si/r. uIk.mi \u- Ii;i(| iiliiiosf kiio.-k.'.l douii.
"I lirjinl you. 1)11) kiirw not voii urn v, ,.|us.-. We
UciT >|)i tilillLr til L'l't llnliic."'
TIk' [MM-SOIlilL'.' Wils Jllsn of ;, | ...ft I i M.ss, ;ill<| t llC
'•"llision li!i»l kiiuck..,! tiM- wind out of liim. H,.
I«'illicd piltltillL' ;i'j;iinst tllr U;dl. As lir scjuill.'d M.
I^iliriiiir's opi'M (•.»iiritcii;iii<-.' iiiiil princely dn-ss his
idarin Viinislicd,
"Jt is nns.rnily to ..'o jiltout on ;i niirlit like this
witlioiit ii hint.Tn." h.' s.iid wiih jisp.rity. "The
nnini»'i|.;ility shonhl forbid it. I shall ccrtainlv
l>rin'_' the matter up at 'lie next sittin-_'."
"Monsieni- is ;i nienilier of the Parliament .'"' .M.
r^lieniii' asked with iiMmen.se I'espect.
"I have that lioiionr. monsieur." the little man
replied. (h'li-_'hte<| to im{)ress ns. ;is h.' hitnself was
impressed, liy the sens" of his importance.
"<>h."sai<l .M. fMienne. with increasing' solemnity,
"perhaps inonsi.nr had a hand in a certain decree
• )f the L'.sth dune.'"
The little man heuMn to look uneasy.
"There was. as monsieur says, ;i measure pa.ssi'd
that day." he stammi'i-id.
"A rehellioHs and contumaeions deoroo. " M.
T^:tierine i-ejoined. "most otTensive to the <:eneral-
duke." Whereupon he lintrered his sword.
"Monsieui'." the little (h'puty cried, "we menrit
no otTence to his (,'race. or to ;iny true Frenchman.
We hut desire pence jifter ;dl these years of hlood.
We were informed that his d'raee was anu'rv; vet wo
A riiAM i; i;n<uinti;i;
'j<\»
l'rl|r\r,| tll.ll i\c II lli will riMi;r tii ni c ■ ;||i' lll,|t!i'|- Ml
:\ (iilVciTiil li-ht ■■
■'^'<>ii liiivi' iifli'd in ;i niiiniir!' iiMi!tiii'_' tn liis
< il'JICC (if .M;i,V rllll'. ' M. Kl it'll ll' I c|ii ;iti(| llli\M' ,il>ly,
iiMil Ik' u'liinrcil up till' >triit iiihI ilnuii thr ->t;ii't to
lli;ii-.r Miri' tir ci.jist WilS clciir. 'I'lli' W I'l'ti'lud llttli'
ilc|)ii1 y s ti rt li clijittt riij.
'I'Ik' liiikiiuiii Imd iclriiitiij li> tin- citlnr si.lc of
lilC \\;iy. wllcrr l;r mcIIKmI "ll tlu' |ici|lll nt t!'«I!l_'.
Irjivill'-' llis Illiistrr 1u Ins t.ltf. I tllnlp_'llt It WcPllld
III' :i sli.'iiiic it' llic hail'^ci'cd dcjiiity liiiij lo stuiiilpli'
iinllir in tilt' d;ilk. -^<l I L'i'iiwlid cillt l«' till' i'ljjiiW :
" St ir mil' strp ;il yniii' ["ill ! ' '
I u;is iil'i'.-iid lie would drop the flaiiilicini iiiid run.
Iiilt 111' did not : lir only s.mk Imck ;i'j;iin>l tin' Widl.
lyriiiL' my swoid willi rx diriL' di'l'inncr. lli-
kriru Hot tluit tlici-f Wiis Imt :i loot of likidc in llic
s(';il»ii;ii'd.
'I'lu- luirudicr jookrd u|i tlif stri'it nnd down tli(>
stri'ft. ;it'lt'r M. Kt i''iin<''s cxiiinpii'. Inn tint, wiis
no help to lie M'cn or hi'ard. lie tiirni'd to lii>. tor-
iiiriitor witli tlir valour oi' a iiiou.-,r at lia\'.
'■.Monsirur. lirwarc uliat you do. I am I'irrrc
.Marci'au I"
"(>li. you art' i'iiiri' .Marccaii.' .\iid can M.
rit'rrc .Marcraii explain how he liap|Miii'd to he far-
ing' Torth from his dut'lliu'-' at this unholy hour.'"'
"I am not fai'ini.' fortli: F am fariu'.^ Iionic, I —
we liad a litth' con that is. H") to say a confri-cnci'.
I'lit MK'rrly a liltlr disriissioii on mattfrs of no im-
|iortanc»' - "
■'I havr tin- pleasure." inlei-riiptid .M. ftticune,
■J7<>
THK IIKI-MKT <>F NA\ AKKK
sternly, "<>r kimwitij; whin' M. .Marfc;iu livrs. M.
Marcfiiu's rrrainl in this (linctinii is not ii('«-iMintt'«l
for."'
' \Uii I WHS p»inf,' hoiix' — on my siicrt-d hononr I
Wii-^! Ask .Fii(i|UfS, else, lint as Wf went ilown tllf
\{\\r (Ic rfivi"-«|U(' we siiw two nn-n in fii>nt of ns.
As thfv n-iichf(l thi- wall l>y M. (!<• Mirahcan's «.'ar-
(irn a >/an'^' of footpads fell on tlirin. 'i'lic two drew
hla(h's and drfmdcd thcnisflvrs. hut the rntVians
wen- a do/t-n — a score. We ran for our lives."
M. r:tienne wheel. d round to nie.
"P'elix. here is work for us. .\s I wns sayin-.'.
.M. Mareeau. youi' decree is most olVensive to the
^'cneral-duke. ami therefori'. since he is my particu-
lar enemy, most pleasin^r to me. .\ Ixautiful niL'lit,
is it not. sir? I wish you a delightful walk home."
He seized me by the hand, and we dashed up the
street.
At the corner the noise of a fray came faintly but
plainly to our ears. M. le Comte without hesitation
plun^red down a lane in the direction of the .sound.
"I. .said I wanted no m<u-e fi«rhtinj: to-ni^rht, but
two ajrainst a mob! We know how it feels."
The clash of steel on steel yrew ever louder, and
as we wheeleil anuind a .juttini: j^arden wall we came
Itdl upon the combatants.
"A rescue, a rescue!" cried M. fitienne. "Shout,
F\'-lix! Mont.joit' St. Denis! A rescue, a rescue!"
We charL'ed down the street, drawing' our swords
and slnMitinj,' at the top of our luiii-'s.
It was too dark to see nnich save a mass of struj:-
L;lin>.' iiixures, with every now and then, as the steel
A CIIANCK KNOUNTKIt
^71
hit, H point of lijrlit llasliiiij; out, to fii<l«' aii.l ap-
pcar ii\:n
III lii\c a brilliant ulow-w onii.
W
con
1. 1
scani- t»'li \vhi<'li wt-ri- the attacki is, which the two
roniratlt's Wf had ooini' to save.
Itut if Wf conld not niako tlu-iii out, ni-ithcr could
tlu-y ns. Wf slioutt'd as lioldly as if w.- had lu-fii a
I in tht" ciattir of thfir lufls on thf
tnipa
nv. aiu
sloncs thi'V could not count our fitl. They knew
not how many followers the darkness held. The
;:i(>up parted. Two men remained in hot combat
(lose under the left wjt!l. Across the way one sturdy
lighter held otV two, while a sixth man, cryin>^' on
iiis mati's to follow, Hed down the lane.
M. fitiennc knew tunv what he was about, and at
once took sitlcs with the solitary fencer. The com-
bat beinjr made etpnd. I stai'ted in pursuit o\' the
!lyin<: lifzure. I had run but a few yards, however,
when I tripped ami fell prostrate over tin- body of a
man. I was up in a mom
•nt. feeliiiL' him to lind
out if he were dead ; my hands over his heart dipped
into a pool of something.' wet ant
I warm like ne
milk. 1 wiped them on his sleeve as best I could,
and hastily |.'roped about for his sword. He did not
need it now. ami I did.
When I rose with it my (piarry was swallowed up
in the shadows. M. fitieiine. wlutse liirht clolhiinr
made a distinguishable sjiot in the jrloom, had driven
his opi)onent, or his op[)onent had driven him, some
rods up the lane the way we had eonie. I stood per-
plexed, not knowini; where to bu.sy myself. M.
fttienne's side I could not reach past the two iluels;
and id" the four men near me, I could by no means
17
MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART
ANbl and ISO TEST CHART No 2
1.0
I.I
1.25
<-■ ii
28
m
36
HO
1.4
I 2.5
II 2.2
2.0
1.8
1.6
^ APPLIED IIVUGE Inc
•- ' New rofk '46: -
--, - 0300 - Phone
^88 - 5989 Fox
M7'2
IIIK IIKL.MKT (>!■ N.WAUI.'K
ti II. lis ihfy cin-lc.l alioiif ainl ;il»niil. wliich \\rvo niy
i-hd.^fii .-lilies. Tlii'V wriT ;||| M .in! n'l'l.v cljul, tlicir
I'iK''^ liiuncd in the (Jii, ,i'ss. Wlini oiic iii;i(it' a
cli'MM' pass. 1 i new iKii wlicthrr III rc.joici' or despair.
Hitl at lell-lh I picked oili (itle \\ll(. r.'llceil. IIioU'tIi
valiaiiily eiioii-h. y{ uitd -leatei- eri'ort than llie
rest; and ] deemed tliat this had been ihe hardest
pi'esse(l (if all and must eertaiidy lie one of tlif
attac'ke(| and the niie most deseiviiii: of succour, lie
was plainly losin- 'jiouiid. 1 darted to his si.le just
as his joe ran him throuL;h the arm.
The assailant pulled his iilade free and darted
hack a-aiiisl 111.' wall to face th,. two of us. But tln'
sword of the wounded niaii tell fi'oiii his loose liii<,M'rs.
"I III mil of ;!.■■ he died to me ; "I LTii fill' aid."
And as his laie comhalaiit spi'an_'- forwaid to en!_ra'_''i'
iiK'. I lieaid l;-!ii runniii'jdrf. sluiiililiiiLi wliei-e I had.
There had he.ii little lie|it toward the last in the
cmilt i>\' the house ill the K'ue ( 'oil peja net s. aiid less
under the windows of the liiiiel de Liu'raine; hut
here was nune at all. I had to use my sword soh-ly
h.\' the fei'l oi' his auainsi it, ami 1 underwent chill-
iii'j- (pialms lest presently, without in the least kiiow-
iiii;- how it uot there, I should lind his [.oiiit sticking'
out td' ii:y hack. I could liardly helieve he was not
hittiiiL: me; I l)eL:an to prickle in half a do/eii places,
and knew not whethei' the s!in.:s Wi-n' real oi- iinat:i-
trdiy. Hut one w;is nol ima'jiiiary; my siioiilder
which i.ucas h;id |>inked and the doctor haiidaircd
w;is thr<ilil)inLr painfu!I.\-. I tam-ie,! that in my i^ar-
lier comiiat the woiin.l had opened aL'ain and that I
was llh'edinu to de;ltll; aiid ihe l'e;ir shook me. 1
A CHANCE LNCUUNTEK
'J 7 A
lunt.'1'd wiUlly, and I had bet'U sent to my account in
short oilier had not at this moment one of the other
pair near us, as it al'teiwai'd appeared, driven his
ut'a{)on s(iuare thi'ou^di his vis-a-vis's hieast.
"l am done I'nr. linn ulio can I" hi' cried as he
fell. The swoi'd snapped in two airainst tlie pavinir-
stoiit's; he rolled ovei' and lay still, his face in the
dirt.
My eiieounterer. with a shout to his sinizle I'emain-
ini: comrade, made ntV down the lane. On my part.
I was very williiiLT to let him depart in peace.
The clash of swords up the lane had cea>ed at the
stricken man's cry, and out (d" the !_doom came the
sound of footfalls fainter and fainter. I deemed
that the battle was ov«-r.
Till' champion came toward me, three white j)atches
visible for his face and hands: the rest of him but
darkness movinjr in darkness, lie held a sword
ritied from the enemy, and advanced on me hesi-
tatingly, not sure whether friend or foe remained to
him. I felt that an explanation wa.s due from me.
but in my i^Miorance as to v.ho he was and who his
foes were, ami why they had been tij-ditin^' him and
why we had been liLrhtin^' them, I stood for a mo-
ment confused. It is haiii to open conversation
with a shadow.
lie sp.oke tii'st, in a voice husky from his exertion :
" Who are you .'"
"A friend," I said. "My master and I saw two
men ti^rhtin^ four— we came to help the weaker side.
Your friend was hurt, but he got away safe to
letch aid."
.'71
THE IlELMKT OF NAVAHUE
The unknown niado a rapid step toward me, cry-
in-r, "What-"
Hut at the word M. fitienne enierjied from the
shatU)ws.
"Who lives?" he called out. "You, Felix?"
"Not hurt, monsieur. And you?"
"Not a serateh. Nor did I sorateh my man. Per-
mit me to congratulate you, monsieur I'inconnu, on
our coming' up when we did."
The unknown said one word :
"fitienne!"
I .spranir i'or^' -irtl with the impulse to throw my
arms about him, in the pure rapture of recojinizinfjr
his voice. This struj.'^der, whom we had rushed in,
l)lindfokl, to save, wa.s Monsieur! If we had been
ccmtent to mind our own business, had sheered away
like the dei)uty — it turned me faint to think how-
Ion^' we had di'layi^l witli old Marceau, we were so
nearly too late. I wanted to seize Monsieur, to
convince myself that he was all safe, to feel him
<iuick and warm.
I made one pace and stopped ; for I remembered
what i-'hastly shape siood between me and Monsieur
— that horrible lyin^ story.
"Dieu!" ^'asped M. fitienne, "Monsieur!"
For a moment we all kept silence, motionless;
then Monsieur flunj.' his sword over the wall.
"Do your will, fttienni'."
I lis son darted forward with a cry.
"Monsieur, Monsieur, I am not your assassin! I
came to your aid not dreaminfr who you were; but,
had I known, I would have fouL'ht a hundred times
A CHANCK EM'oUNTKk
the hardor. 1 mvir plottt-il airaiiist you. On the
houour of a St. (^lU'iilin I swoar it."
Monsieur saiil uau^'lit, and we eould not see his
face; could not know whetlier he believed or lejoeted.
softened or condeninod.
M. fitienne, catching at his breath, went on:
"Monsieur, I know it is hard to cri'dit. I have
been a bad son to you, unloving, rebellious, insolent.
We (luarrelled: I spoke bitter words. Hut I am no
ruffian. I am a St. Quentin. Had you had me
whipped from the house, still would I nevev have
raised hand against you. I knew nothinir of the
plot. Ft'-lix told y(»u I was in it — small blame to
him. But he was wrong. I knew luuight of it."
Had he been content to rest his case here, I think
Monsieur could not but have believed his innocence
on his bare word. The stones in the pavement nuist
have known that he was uttering truth. Hut he in
his eagerness paused for no answer, but went on to
stun Monsieur with statements new and amazing to
his ear.
"My cousin Gramrnont — who is dead -was in the
plot, and his lackey I'ontou, and Martin the clerk;
but the contriver was Lucas."
"Lucas?"
"Lucas," continued M. fitienne. "Or, to give
him his true title, Paul de Lorraine, son of Henri
de Guise."
"But that is impossible!" Monsieur cried, stu-
pefied.
"It is impossible, but it is true. TTe is a Lor-
raine— ALiyenne's nephew, and for years Mayenne's
r«i
THK HELMET OF NAVAHHE
spy. Hi" ciiiiu' in you ti) kill you — for that objoet
l)Ui'f arid siiuolt'. Last spring', before he came to
you, be was here in Paris with Mayeiiue, iiiakiiifi
leriiis lor your inuider. lie is no Huguenot, no
Kiiif^snian. He is Mayenne's benchiiian. son to
(iuise liimself."'
"And liow louix have you known this?" asked
Monsieur.
"Since this niornini.'." Then, as the ini|)ort of
the (|uestion struek him. he fell back witli a ^'roan.
"Ah, Monsii'ur, if you can ask that. I have no
more to say. It is useless." He turned away into
the darkness.
'I'hiit they should part thus was too miserable to
be endured. I was sure Monsieur's ((uestioii was no
accusation, but the jrropinjr of bewilderment.
"M. fitienne. stop!" I coMniianded. "Monsieur,
it is tlu' truth. Indeed it is the tiuth. He is inno-
cent, and Lucas is a (Juise. Monsieur, you must
listen to me. AL fitienne. you must wait. I stirred
up the whole trouble with my story to you. Monsieiir,
and I take it back. I believed I was telling; the
truth. I was wronji. When I left you. I went
straight back to the Kuc Coupejarrets to kill your
son — your murderer. I thou'^ht. And there I fount!
(Jrannnont and liiicas sidt> by side. We thought
them sworn foes: they were hand in ^love. They
came at me to end me because I had told, and M.
fitienne saved me. L\ica.s mocked him to his face
because ho had been tricked : Tiucas brajrjred that it
was his own scheme— that M. fitienne was his dupe.
Viso will tell vou. Vigo heard hiin. His scheme
.\ < il/\Nc;l. i;N« til .N'l'l.i.
was to satldlf M. Kliriinc with ymw iininlcr. Hi-
was tricked. Hf hclii'ViMl what he tol.j mc that lh<'
tiiin<j was a tliirl ht'twi-fii Lucas ami (ifaiiiiiioiit
Vou iimsl liilit-vi' it. Mtiiisicui" !"
M. Kticuin'. whii had acti'Mlly ohcyt'd iti''. nw. his
laciu'V,-- turned to his fatini- once airaiii.
"Morisii'ur, if ynn caiuiot hciicvr mi'. hcHrvr F<lix.
Vou Ix'licvfd liiiii wiicii he took away my ','ood uanic.
Hi'lii'vc him innv when hr restores it."
*'Xay." .Monsieur cried ; " I believe thee. f:tieune."
And he took his son in his arms.
XXII
Tht siy)i(t of till king.
LKHADY a wan liL'ht was rovcalint:
till' rouiid tops of the pluiii-t rccs in
M. (ie Mirabeau's ^'arcU-ii, the lii<.'li
;_'i'ay wall, ami tlu- iiariow alleyway
i)i-iicath it. And the two va'^'iu- shapes
l»y nil' wero no lonuor vat:ne sliapcs, hut Wfiv turn-
ing; moment by moment, as if eomin^' out of an en-
chantment, into their true forms. It really was
-Monsieur in the flesh, with a wet <,'lint in his eyes
as he kissi'd his hoy.
Neither thou^'ht of me. and it was none of my
eoneern what they said to eaeh other. I went a rod
or two down the lane, round a curve in the wall, and
watehed the hands of li«rht streakin<,' the ejustcrn sky.
in utter content. Never before had the world
seemed to me so urood a place. Since this misery had
come rijrht, I knew all the rest would; I should yet
dance at M. fitienne's weddin^r.
I leaned my head back a^'ainst the wall, and had
shut my eyes to consider the matter more ijuietly,
when I heai'd my name.
"Felix! Felix! Where is the boy jrot to?"
The sun was clean up over the horizon, and as I
27S
THK HKJNKT OK TH.-: KING
V7!>
))linko<l and unndtTcd how he hsxl contrivod tli.' foat
St) (juickly, my two in<'s.sicurs cjiinc hand in liand
round till- cornt^r to iii<'. tho h-Vfl rays u'liltcrin-.' <>n
MonsiiMir's l)Mrni.shod broastidato. on M. f:tii'nnt'"s
bright hoad. and on hoth th.-ir sliininir taccs. Now
that for the first tinio I saw thcni tofXftht'r. 1 found
tht'in. dt'spitt' the ihirk hair and the yt'llow. th.'
l)rown oy»'s and tho |.'ray. womU'rfully alike. Thm'
was the same carria^'e. the same eoek of tht- head.
the same smiU'. If I ha(J not known before. I knew
now. the instant T looked at them, that the «i\iarrel
was over. Save as it t'avo them a deeper love of
each <»ther. it mii^'ht never havt- been.
I sprang' up. and .Monsieur, my duke, embraced me.
"Lucky we came up the lane when we did. eh.
Felix?" M. fttienne said. "Hut. Monsieur. I have
not asked you yet what madness sent you traversing'
this back i)assa^'e at two in the morning'."
"I miirht ask you that, fitienne."
The youn? man hesitated a bare moment before
he answered :
"I am .just come from serenadiii),' MIK'. de
Montluc."
A shade fell over Monsieur's radiance. At his
look. M. fitienne cried out :
"I 've told you I 'm no Lcatruor! Mayenne of-
fered me mademoiselle if I wtmld come over. I
refused. Last niizht he sent mi- word that he would
kill me as a conmion nuisance if I soutrht to see her.
That was wiiy I trie<l."
"Monsie\ir." I cried, curiosity masterinvr me,
"was she in the uiudow?"
2«0
Till-; IIKI.MCT 111' N WAlil.K
III' vImh.U Ills lii;ii|. his eyes nii his t";ithi'i''s t'iicr.
■ ■ I'.t ii nil'. " .\hiii>i('iii' siinl slowiv, ■'(■an'i ymi srr
thilt \\\\f (|r Mulltlllc is lint lor Villi .'""
"I sh.-lll lirMT scr it. Mi Ulsii II r. 'I'hr lii'st ;irliclr
ill my ciTi'il siiys shr is I'nr iiir. Ami I 11 l:;i\r he;-
yit. fnr iill .M;iytiim'."
"Thi'Il, liinliiiiii. \\.' 'II sti'iil IliT tii'J'thrr I "
" ^■(>U I ^1)11 "11 llrlp nil' .'■'
"Why. <lc;ir sun." Mnrisiiur r\pliiim't|, "it ItfoUc
my hrjirt to think ol' you in thr Li'.'iLriir. I coulil
not hear that my son slioiiM hrlp a Spaniard to tin-
thi-nnc of Francr. or a liorraiiicr ritlu-r. Hiif if it
is a <|m'stion of sttalini: tlic lady Wfll. I never
prosed ahout priideiiee yet. thank find I"
M. ritieiine. Wet-eyed, la ii'_dii n<_'. hn'_'ue(l .Monsieur.
"By St. (Juentin, we "II '."t you your lady I I
hated thf niiirriaL^' whilr I llioniilit it would make
you a Lea>_ruei'. I eonid not see you saeritiee your
honour to a uiil's hrii^lit eyes. But your life — tliat
is difVereiit."'
".My life is a little iliitiir."
"No," .Monsieui" said: "it is a irood deal— one's
life. But one is not to -juard one's life at the cost
of all that makes life swe^t."
".\h. you know how I love her!"
"They eall mi' a fool," .Monsieur wont on miis-
iiiLdy, "lieeaiise I risk my life in wild errands. But.
mordieu I I am the wise man. For thi'y who tliink
ever of safety, and ei'oiieh and seheme and sliuHle to
lU'ocure it. why. look you, they destroy their own
ends. For. when ail is done, they have never reallv
liv''(i. And Ihal is wiiy (hey iiate deatli so, these
TUF, SHiNF/r OF Tin; KINti
2»1
wnrthiis. Whilf I. ulio liavf iwvv rrinu"'"! I" •"''!"'.
I live like a kill'-'. I i:<> my ways willimil any man's
leave; and if death cnines tn a liltle suunec l"«ii-
that. I am a pocr ereatufe il' I do iint ri t him smil
iiitr. It' I may live as I please. I am ennleiit tn ilie
ulieii I must."
"Aye," said .M. P.tii'nne. •'and il' we live as we
do not |)lease. still we trUlst die |>resently. Thefe-
i'ore ilo I |)ni'i)o>e never to irive over sti-ivinir at'tei-
my lady."
"Oh. we "11 win her by noon. I^it first w»- 'II
sleep. There 's Feli.x yawnin;: liis liead otV. Conn'.
(•onu>."
We set ofT aloni; the alley. IIm' St. (^ueiitins arm
in arm. I at theii- heels. .Moi>sienr looked over his
slionldt'r with a sudden anxiety.
"^'elix. you said lluL'uet had run for ai<i?"
"Yes, Monsieur, Vi<_'o shoidd have been liere he-
fore now," I answ'Mi'd. remrmheriii).' Vi^'o's prompt-
itude yesterday.
" Hvery one W!i,s asleep; he has been hariniierini;
tliis lialf-lionr to net in." .M. ritienne said easily.
But Monsieur asked of me:
"Was he niueh hurt. Felix?"
"No; I am sure not. Monsieur. IT<^ was run
throu^'li the ai'ni; I am sure he was not hurt other-
wise."
We eanie to where the two slain men lay acros.s
the way. M. fttienne exclaimed:
"If you do not hold your life d(\-ir. you sell it
dear, Monsieur! ilow many of the raseals wt're
Ih-ref"
OWO
^ '^ Ari
TMi; iii:i,.mi:t tn' navauuk
"It was liai<l to tell ill tlif <liirk. Five, I think."
"Now, Monsieur. Iiow caiiii' you to !)»• iii this phici'
ill thf thitk .'"
"Why. what to (h>. {'A'u-wiu-! I cami' in at thr
'.;ati' .just at'tiT iiiidni^'hl. I could not N'avf St.
Diiiis carliir, ami iiiixht is my tiiiif to mtri- Paris.
The inns ut-rf shut
"Hut some I'lifml ntar the irate? Taiiiiny udiihl
have sheltered you."
"Aye. ami irot into trouhle for it. liad it leake(l
out to the Si.xteeii."
"Tarij^ny is no craven."
"Hut neither am I." sai<l Monsieur, sinilin!.:.
"Oh. I srive you up! tio your ways. But I will
not come to save you next time."
".No. lad: you will be at my side h'Teafter."
.M. Rtienne laughed and .said no more.
"Hut in truth." Monsieur added. "I did not ox-
I>ecl waylaying:. If these fellows watched liy the
;:ate. they hid cleverly. I never saw a fin<:er-tip of
them till they s|)raii:_' upon us by the corner Iiere,
when we were almost home."
M. fttienne bent oviM- and turned face up the man
whom Monsieur had run throu^rh the heart. He
was an U!.'ly eiiouirli fellow, one eye entirely closed
by a iireat sear that ran from his foi'ehead nearly to
his <.'ri//.led mustache.
"This is Heriiet le Boi'>:ne." he said. "Have you
eiic()iititere<l liim liefoi-e. Monsieur? He wa.s a sol-
dier under (luise once, they say, but he has done
nau^'ht but hanir about Paris tavi'rns this many a
year. We used to wonder how he !i"ei{ ; we knew
TIIK SK.NKT OF TliK KIN<
any
lit' (lid sniiifboily s dirty \\(irk. Clissnii ciiiplnvrd
liiin Kiiri', SM I kiiuu M'tnitliiiit; of him. Witli his
(nif ryr he cniild t'cncf hi'ttiT th;in most luiks with
two. My iiin'-'nituhit ions to ydu. Aiiiisit-ur."
lint Morisifiir. not h<'i'diiii.'. was licridint: over the
otlicf jnan.
"Your !it'i|uaintari('t' is wider than mine. Do you
know this one .'"
M. [•Itii'iinc sliook his hi'ad ovr this other man,
who hiy lace ii|). stariM'^ uitli WKh- (hirk eyes iritn
thi' sky. His hair ('iirl''d in litth' riiitrs ahoiit his
iort'licad. and his chi rks were smooth ; hi- looked no
ohicr than I.
"He (hished at me the first of all." Monsieur said
in a low voice. "I i.in him throu).'h he fore the < it hers
came up. Mordieu I I am L'lad it wa.s dark. A
hoy like that !"
"He ha<I <.'ood mettle to run up first." M. fitienue
said. "And it is no dis<:racc to fall to your sworii.
Monsietii'. Come, let us '.'o."
Hut Monsieur looked hack apain at the dead lad,
and then at his son and at me, and came with us
lieavy of countenance.
On the stones hefore us lay a trail of l)lood-drops.
"Now. that is whei-e Hutruet ran with his wounded
arm." I said to .M. fitienne.
"Aye. and if we did not know the way home we
coidd find it by this red track."
Rut the trail did tmt reach thi' door; for when
we turned into the little street where the arch is.
where I had waiteil for Martin, as we turned the
lamiiiar corner under ihe wails of the iiou.se it.seif.
;s4
THE IlELMKT <JK NAVAKRE
we caiiif suddenly on llu' l)n(ly of a man. Monsieur
laii forward with a cry. for it wi.s \hv s(|uin'
1 liii:iirt.
lie wort" a Icatiifi- .j<'i-l<iii lined wilii steel rinsis,
mail as stout as any ior'_'ed. Some one had stal)lH'(l
once and ajiaiii at tlie coat witliout avail, and had
then torn it o|)en and stahhecl his defenceless breast,
'riiou'^di we had killed two of their m<'n. they had
rained Mows euous^h on this man of oui's to kill
twenty.
Monsieur knelt on the '_M'«mnd beside him. but ho
was ifuite cold.
'"riic man who I'.ed when we char-cd iheiii must
have lnrl;ed about." 1 said. " I luLimt "s sword-arm
was useless; he cou' not defend himself.'
"Or else he lainti'il fi-oui his wound. ln' bleil so,"
M. fltieiine ariswei-"d. ".Xnd one of those who lied
last came upon liim helpless ami did this.
"Why ilid n't i follow him instead of sittiuL'
down, a .iohii o" dreams.'" I cried. "But [ was
thinkio;. of you and M<iusieui-: I fo!-<:oi llu'jruet."
"f forirot him. too." Ab>nsieur sorrowed. "Shame
to mi': he would not have t'oi'iiotten me.
"Monsieui-." his son said, "it was no neLditzenoc
of youi's. You coidd have saved him otdy by follow-
inir wneii he ran. .\nd that was iiiipossible."
"In si;iht lif 1 he dooi. " Mousieui' said sadly. "In
sitrht of his own dooi'."
Wo held silent. .Monsier.r ^rot soberly lo his
feet.
" I nevei- lost a better man."
".Monsieur." \ ci'ied. "he asl<s no better epitaph.
THE tiKiNET UF THE KIN(J
2 So
ir yo\i will say that nf iiic when I die, I shall not
have lived in vain."
He siiiilfd at the imtlmrst. hut I did not i-are;
if lit' would only smile, 1 was eontent it shoulii be
at me.
"Nay, Felix," he said. "I hope it will not be I
who eompose your epitaph. Come, we must tret to
the house and send at'tec poor llutruet."
"Feli.x and I will cai'iy him." .\1. Ktieiine said,
and we lil'ted him between us no easy task, for he
was a heavy I'ellow. But if was little enough to do
lor him.
We b(U'e him alon;_' slowly, .Monsieur striding;
ahead. Hut of a sudden he turned back to us, lay-
ing ijuiek iinu'ers on the poor toi'u bi'east.
"What is it. Monsieur.'" ei'ied his son.
".My papers."
We set him down, and the three of us examined
him from top to toe, strii)pin!_' ofT his steel c()at,
pulliiiL' apart his blood-elofted linen, piwinir into his
\ery boot.s. Hut no pap'^rs revealed tliemselves.
"What were they. Monsieur?"
A di'awii look had e(une ever .Monsieur's face.
"Papers which the kin^;' irave me, and which I,
fool and traitor, have lost."
I I'an back to the spot where we had found TIu-
iruet : there was his hat on the ;.M-ound. but no |>apers.
I followed u]) the red ti'ail to its beuinniiiL: lookini:
behind eveiy stone, eveiw buiieli of irrass: but no
i)apers. In my desperation I even pulled about the
dead man, lest the packet had liecn covet-id. fallinir
frotM llu'iiiel in the fray. The two irenlliinen joineil
2^0
THK IIKI.MKT OF NAVaKKE
IMC in the st'.iiTli. and \vi' wi'tit ovci- cvci-y iiicli nf
llic irroiiiid. but to ii^i purpose.
"I tliou>-'iit tlieiu siil'er willi IluirU"! tlmii witli
lue." Monsieur i:i'oaneil. "I knew we I'an the risk
of aiIll)Usll. .Myself would lie tile (ih.ject of att'U'k;
I hade lluLMiet. wei'e we waylaid, to run witli tlie
l)apers. "
".\nd of eourse he would not."
■"He slioid<l ; it was my eoMniiand. lie stayed
and saved my life perliajis, and lost nie what is
dearer than life- my honour."
'"He could nol leave you to he killed. Monsi(>ur;
that were askiu'j: llie inipossjhle. "
"Avt'. hut I am saved at the iMiiti oi' a hundred
othei'sl" .Monsieur ei'ied. "'{"he papei's contained
certain lists of names of .\hiyenne"s otticeis pledired
to support the kiuLT if he turn Catholic. I had tliem
for Lemaitre. Hut at thisilate, in .Mayenne's hands,
tliey s]>ell the men's destruction. IIuLMiet should
have known tliat if I told him to desert me, I
meant it."
M. fitieiine ventured no word, understandinir well
enough thai in such hitter moiiu'iits no consolation
consoles. M. le Due adiled altera moment:
".Moi'dieu! I am ashamed of myself. I miirlit he
better occupied than in blaminir the i\t-,\i\ - the i)rave
and faithful dead. Belike he could not run, they
set on us so suddenly. When he could, he did iro.
and lu^ went to his deatli. They were my char>,;o.
the i>apers. I had no ii>jht to pul the resi)on,-.i'»ility
on any other. I should have ke;it tli"m myself. I
should have L'one to 'I'ariiitiv. f should never have
^i^pgj^
THi: SKiNHT (»F TIIK K[N'(}
VriitliriMi iiivmIi thruii-h ||;c<,. hiiii-k lailfs. Knol !
ti'iiitdrotis fodl I"
■■.\;i\-. .Mciiisii'iii'. I lie iiiisi'hiuicf iiii>rlit luivc W-
I'illli'll illiy dlir."
"It would not have hi'Tallcn Vill.'i'oi ! li would
Hut have Itcl'allcu Kosnyl"" .Monsicui- fxciaiincd hit-
I'M'ly. "It !)rfalls Iifcausr I am a lack-wit who
tushes into at't'aiis foi' which he is not lit. I can
handle a sword. Imt I have no husiness to meddle in
statecfaft."
"Then have those w iseheads out at St. Denis no
business to emi)loy you." .M. ritienne said. "He is
not unknown to i'anie. this Duke of St. (^ueiitin ;
evei-yhorly knows how lie l'ocs atiout thing's. Mon-
sieur, they -^ave you the pajiei's liecause tio one else
would c:irry tlieiu into Paris. They knew you had
no Tear in you: and it is itecause of that that the
papers atv lackin'.--. i?ut take h .irt, .Monsieur.
We '11 tret th.'ni iiack."
"When.' How.'"
"Soon," .M. Ktienne answered, "and easily, if
you will tell nie what they aiv like. Are they open .'"
"I fear liy now they may lie. Th«-re ai'e three
sheets of names, and a fourth slieet, a letter-all
in ciplic!'."
" .\h. hut in that case— "
Monsit'ur cut shoi't his son "s juhilaf ion.
" But— i.iii-as."
"Of course— T forirot In'm. TTo knows your ci-
phers, tlien .'"
"Dolt that I was. he knows everytliin<_'. "
"Tl,.... ..,,...» .... I.... I...,, 1 . . ..1. . »
■ '• :: ::i;:-- v.- ;,;;. ::.:?;;!:^ oil ; i;;- papiTS r)eIOre
18
2HH
TiiH iip:i-mi;t ok navakuk
tlicy iciicli MilSrlllir. illld iill is sjivnl." M . ftticiMlc
(Ifclilivd flK'frfully. '"I'llrsc fellows riin'l IVilll il
('iplicr. If till' packi't hr not open. .Moiisifur .'"
"It was a span loii-j;. and half as witlc; for all
address, the h'ttei's St. I}, in the ('(.rner. It wius
tied with red conl and bore the seal of a tlyin>: fal-
con, and the motto. .Ji r< i-ii ii'lnii."
"What! the kinu's seal? Tliat 's serious. Ex-
poet, then. Monsieur, to see the papers in ar ■>ur's
tinio. "
"Ktienne. Ktienne," Monsiei.i- eried, "are you
mad .'"
"No mad«lei' than is ])roper foi- a St. (Juentin.
It 's simpli' enouuli. I told you I i-eeoL'nized that
worthy liack there for one Hernel. wlio lods/ed at
an inn I wot of over beyond the markets. Do we
betake ourselves thither, we may easily fall in with
some comradis of his bosom who have not the mis-
foi'tune to be lyiiiL' dead in a back lane, who will
know somethiiiu' of your loss. Ilernet's soi-t ai'e uo
bi^^)ts: wliile they work foi- the LeauMie. they will
lend a kindly ear to the chink of Kinirsmen's
tloi'ins. "
"Ah." cried Monsieur, "then let us <,'<)." But
M. fttienne laid a i-esti^ainini;- hand on liis shouhler.
"Not you. t. They uill kill you in the Hallos
just as cheerfully as in the (^)uaitier Marais. This
is my atVair. "
TTc looked at Monsieur witli kindlinir eyos. soeiufr
liis chance to pi'ove his devotion. The duko yioKlod
to his ea-rernoss.
"But." M. f-]tieiuie added ycnerousiy. "\ou Uiay
have the lt(»nour (»f |)ayin<_' the piper."
THE HIUNET OF THE KING
2«9
"I ^ive you cartf l)liiiiciit'. my son. filioiiiu', if
you put that packet iuto my hand, it is iiioi-c tluiu
it' you brouirht tho sccptrr oi" Fiaiief."
"Tiu'n yo prat'tiso, Monsiour, at tVeliut,' moiv thau
kin^'."'
He ombiacc'd his father, aiul \ve turnoil ofT (h)\vii
the stivc't.
The sun was well up by this time, and tlie eity
rousing: to the labours of the day. Half \va.s I ^'hul
of the lateness of tlu hour, for we ran no risk now
of cutthroats; and half was I sorry, for it behooves
not a man supposed to be in tlie liastille to show
himself too libeially to the broad eye of the streets.
Hvery time-and it was often- that we approaehed
a person who to my nervous imaLjination looked otli-
eial, I shook in my shoes. 'Plu' way seemed fairly to
bristle witli s<ildiei-s, otVieers, judires: for auizbt I
knew, members of the Sixteen, (lovernor Helin him-
self. It was a irreat siii pi'isc to me when at lenirth
we arrived without let or hindrance belore the door
of a mean little ( Iri id. in^'- place, our coal.
We went in. and M. fitienue ordereil wine, much
to my satisfaetio!!. My stomach was beu:inniny: to
remind me that I had u'iven it nothiiii: for twelve
hours or so. while I had woi'ked m>- let-'s hard.
"Does M. Hernet lodire with you?" my master
asked of the landlord. AVe wciv his only patrons
at the moment.
"M. Heriut .' ilim with the cy out .'"
"The .same."
"Why. no. monsieur. 1 don't let lodjiinsrs. The
buildintr is not mine. 1 but rent the irround Hoor
for my purposes."
!»()
THE HELMET OF NAVAIUJE
"JJut M. IJi'i-nil lod^'cs in Ihc house, then?"
"No, hv (Iocs II "t. He lo(L'i-,s round tht- corner,
in the court otl" the Rue Cliehet."
"Hut he conies here often?"
"Oh, aye. Every niorninj; for his ^'lass. Anil
most eveninjrs, too."
M. fitienne hiid down the drink-nioney, and some-
thinj,' more.
"Sometimes lie has a friend with him, eh.'"
The man lau;_'hed.
"No, monsieui': he comes in here alone. Many 's
the time I '11 be standing; in my door when he '11
iio by with some ^'allant, and he never ehanees to
see me or my shop. While if he 's alone it 's "(Jood
morning', Jean. Anything; in th.- casks to-day ?' lie
can no more p't by my (h)or than he '11 ^'et by
Death's when tlie time comh's."
"No," agreed M. r;tienne ; "we all stop there,
soon or late. Those friends of M. Bernet. then-
there is none you could put a name to?"
"Why, no, monsieur, more 's the pity. He has
none lives in this (piarter. .M. Bernet 's in low
water, you understand, monsieur. If he lives here,
it is because he can't help it. But he jroes else-
whei'<' for his friends."
"Then you can tell us. my man, where he lodges?"
"Aye, that can I." niiiu' host answered, bustling
out from behind tl\e bar. eapjer in the interest of
the plea.sant-spoken. open-handed irallant. "Just
round tlie corner of the Rue Cliehet, in the court.
The tirst house on the left, that is his. I would ^'o
with monsieur, only I cannot leave the shon alone,
THK sKiXKT OF THK KlNlJ
291
and the wil't' imt li;i(.'l< I'l'i'in market. M;il iiioiisitMif
caimut miss it. 'I'lu' liist house in the cdurl. 'I'liaiik
you, monsieur. An revoir. monsieur."
In the doorway of the tirsi house on the left in
the litth' court .stood an old man with a wooden lejj,
sweopiii'^ lioaj)s of refuse out of the passaire.
"It appeal's tiiat every one on this stair lacks
somelhijiir. " M. Ktienne unii'iiiured 1i> me. "It is
the livery of the house, ("an you tell me. fi-icnd.
where I may find M. Heniet ?"
The C'oiK'ierj.'e rejzarded us without cordiality,
while by no means eeasimr his endeavours to cover
our shoes with his sweepings.
"Third story back." he said.
''Does M. Bernet lod.L'e alone?"
"One ol" l.im 's enou<:h." the t>ld fellow srrowled,
whaekin<r out liis dirty broom on the door-post, pow-
dering: us with dust. .M. fitienne, couj,'hin^', pur-
sued his inquiries:
"Ah. I understood he sliared his hMljiinrrs witli a
comrade. He has a frieiul. then, in the buildin-^?"
'Aye. I snpjiose so." the old cliap irrinned. "when
monsieur walks in."
"But he luis another friend besides me. has he
not?" M. l-^tienne persisted. "One who. if lie iloes
not live here, comes often to see M. Bernet ''"
"You seem to know all about it. Better see Ber-
net himself, instead of chatterinir liei-e all day."
"Oood a<lvice, and T '11 take it,'' said M. fttienne,
lightly settin>r foot on tlie stair, muttering to him-
self as he mounted, "and come back to break your
head, nion vieillard."
'J9'2
TIIK IIKLMK'l' ul NAVAUKK
We went up the tlircc Mi<,'lits iiiid ;ilnii^' 1ln' pas-
satrc In tlif (l(i(»r at the hack, wluicoii M. r-Ititiiiic
pouiuit'd loudly. I could not str his roasou. and
heartily I wished he would not. it seemed to me a
ci'cepy thiu'^' to he IsuocUiii'.' on a man's door
when wi- knew very well he would never open il
a^ain. We knocked as if we fully thoui_dit him
witliin. nhen all the while \u- kiu'v* he was lyin^
a stone on the stones under .M. de .Miraheau's irarden
wall. IV-rhaps hy this lime he had heeii found;
j)erhaps one (tf the nian|uis"s livei-ied lackeys, or a
pa.ssiiii,' idler, or a woman with a marki't-hasket had
come upon him; perhaps even now he was heirii:
home away on a plank to he identilied. And hero
were we. knockiiiL'. knockiri'j. ;!s if we innoecnilv ex-
pected liim to open to Us. I had a chill di-eail th;it
suddenly he would open to us. i'lie dooi- would swiiiLT
wide and show him pale and l)lood>-. with the hi'okt'ii
sword in his heart. At the ival creakiii;,' of a hinj:e
I could .scarce swallow a ciy.
It was not Bei'iiet "s dooi'. hut the dooi- at ino
froiil which opened, lettinu a stream of sitnliuhi into
the dark passaire. In tlie dooi'way stood a woman,
wit): two l»arc-le<r<:ed hahies eliniiin'j to Iier skii-t.s.
'.MadaiHi'." .M. fttienne addi'es.sed her, with ttic
courtesy due to a duchess. "I have heen knocking,' at
.M. Hernet's dooi- without result. Pei'luips you
couhl irive me some hint as to his wuei'cahouts'.'"
'*Ah, I am sorry. I know nothinir to tell niou-
sieur. " slio ci'ied iv-rret fully, impressed, as the con-
cicrei> had not heen, 1)y his look and manner. "But
this I can say: he went out la.st ni-lit, and I do
THK slii.NKT (»K THK KINO
•J'.Ki
riot iM'licvc lir lias Imiii ill siiici'. Il«' Wftit out
jiltout iiiii it iiiiiy liavc bttii latiT than that.
H.caiisc I <ii(l not put \\u- i-hiltlivu to lu'.l till at'tfi-
(laik; tiny iiijov niiiiiiiivr alioiit in tin- cool of tin-
cvi'iiiiij,' as iimrli as aMyl>o(ly .Isi-. tlif littlr di-ais.
Ami tlify wtff floss la.>t iiiu'lit. tlif tlay was so hot,
and I was a Ion- tiiiif Inisliiii'j tliciii to sleep. Yes.
it must have Ix-eii at't.r tni. iiccausf they were asleej),
and lilt' mail stuinlilin^r on tin- stairs woke Pii-nv.
And 111' cried for an hour. I)i<l n't you. my anticir"
She picked one of the hiat.s up in her arms to
(lisi)lay him to us. M. Htieiine asked:
"What man .'"
'•Why. tile one that came for him. The one he
went out with."
"And what sort of person was tiiis?"
"Nay. how was I to see? Would I he out walking'
the common passa-_'e with a child to hush' I was
rockinu' the cradle."
"Hut who does come here to visit M. Heriiet?"
"I 'vc never s"eii any one, monsieur. I 've never
laid eyes on .M. Hernet hut twice. I keep in my
apartment. .\nd hesides, we have only been here a
.
"1 thank you. madame," M. fttienne .said, turnijii,'
to the stairs.
She ran out to the rail, hahies and all.
'I'.ut I could take a message for him, monsieur.
I will make a point of se.intr him when he comes in."
"I will not hurden you, madame," M. fttienne an-
swered from the story helow. But j-'ie was loath to
stop talkmi:, and hun-: over tiie railmt,' to caii:
■J'M
iHK !ii;i..Mi;T OF NAVAkUK
"ISfUiiri' (iT _\niii I, ml ill-, niiiii.siriir. 'riinsr scc-
oml-lloor |)<(tp|c ;iiv II, ,( sd tidy ;i.s lliry llll'^lit Im- .
or.- stuiiililfs liver all sorts of ili.-ir lul.hisli out in
llif public way."
Tiir door ill Iroiit (.!' lis opmcd uitli a siai-lliti'_r
siiddfiuicss. and a lii-, lirau.iy unicli lioiiiicrd oul
to dfiiiaiid of lis :
"What is tliat sji.- says.' Wiial arc you sayiii'4
of us. you slut .'"
W'r had no iiiind to he mix.'d in tin- (|uariv|. W.'
lit'd for our lives down the stair.
The old earl. tlioiiL'li his sweepiii),' was done, l.-aned
on his i)rooiii on the outer step.
"So you did n't 11,1,1 M. H,.inet at lioiii,'!' I
eoiild have told y,Mi as iiiueli had yoii heeii civil
enoiijih to ask."
I would have kicked the old ciiriiiudireon. hut M.
fttienne drew two i:old pieces from his pouch.
"I'erchance if I ask you civilly, you will tell nie
with whom .M. Heniet went out last ni-rht?"
"Who says he went out with anybody .'"
"I do," and .M. Ktienne made a motion to return
the coins to their place.
"Since ymi know so miioh, il 's strange you don't
know a litth' more." the ol.l chap L'rowled. "Well.
Lord knows if it is really his. but he j,'oes by the
name of INyrot."
"And whei'e does he lod-:,>.'"
"IIow should I know.' I have trouble enou-rh
keepinj: track of my own lod<:ers. without Ixttherin-,'
my head about other people's."
"X.>w- rack your bruins, my friend, over this fel-
TlIK SKiNKT OF THK KIN«»
,".»5
low," M. fiticimi' said patiiritly, with a ixM-sunsivc
cliirik <>r his {loiicli. "" Kccollcct now; you havi' hcni
sent to this iiioiisicur with a iiicssairf."
"Writ, Kmi> (|(s 'roiirut'llt's. sij.Mi of the (Jildnl
Slicars." thi' nld cai'l spat out at last.
" Vou arr SUIT ?"
" I lailir !lli' rise. "
" ir ynii arc lyinu trt uif. I will cuirri' back and heat
you to a jrlly with your own hrfioui."
"It 's the tiiith, iiiousicur. " hf said, with soino
projMT show of nspict at last. "I't-yrot. at the
(iildi'd Shi-ars. I\uc dts 'rouiinllcs. You may heat
nil' to a .ji'Ily if I lit'."
"It would do you L'ood in any •■vent." M. r;ti<>nni'
told him. hut tliuLrint: him his pistoles, ncvfrthclcss.
Tilt' old fi'llow sWoo|)t (I upon th.'lll. LMtlU'ffd thrill
lip. and w;!s hihind the closed door all in one niove-
iiu'iit. Hut as V walked away, he opened a little
wicket in tli<' ., r |)anel, and stuck out his u<,'ly
head to yell afte. us :
"Ff M. Meriiet 's not at homo yet, neither will his
friend he. I 've told you what will profit you
none."
"Vou iiiistal<e. Sir Cari-'oyle." M. fttienne called
over his shoulder. "Your information is entirely to
mv needs."
xxiir
'/'/(( ('III mill r 11/ tin Tminii III s.
'I' \\;is ;i lim;: ujilU to tile l>iif (Ics Toui"-
iirllcs. wliicli l.iy ill niir own iniaittT,
not :t ilo/.cii strii'ts I'l'diii llii' Ilufrl St.
<t>ii('Mliii itscir. We i'diiiKl tin- (lildcd
Slit'iirs liuiiii |pi'i'(iri' ;i t.iilor's .sli(»j) in
tlu' cclliir (if ii t;ill, criiiniiril st rnctiiif. only one win-
dow wide. Its iiiiirtiu d(Hir u;is iiilios|)itiilt|y shut,
but at our siiiiiiiioiis tln' (•niicici-L'i' apiicari'd to in-
ronii IIS tliat .M. rcyrot did truly livf licri' and.
iiion'ovcr, was at lioiiic, liaviiiir arrived hut hall' an
h.oiii' earlier than we. lie would ^'o up and liiid out
whether monsieur could see us.
lint M. l';tienKe thou!_'ht that {'(Uiiialily unneces-
sary, and was able, at small expense, to convince 1)i(^
concicrp' of it. We ueiit aloii^' up tlie stairs ami
(M'cpf very (piietly alonir the passau^e toward the
door of M. Peyrot. Hut our shoes made some noise
on the tla^'s; liad lie been listeiiiii'_'. he miLrht have
lieard us as easily as we heard him. i'eyrot liad
not yet irone to bed after the nlLrht 's <'xertiou ; a cer-
tain clatter and i^urirle convinced us that lie was re-
freshiiiL' himself with siippei-, or bn-akfast, before
n'posin^.
296
^ii^i^^Mwm^m^mi.!^^
TlIK CUKVAMKR (>K THK Tol'UNKLLES VU7
y\. f*;tii'iun' stood still, his ImiikI oh tlif door-knob,
cii^riT, licsitatiii)^. Utrt' Wiis Ilit- iiiHri , wcrt' the
pjipfis liiit' 1' If tlicv wen-, should we scciirt' them?
A siii^rlf I'iilsc st(|i. ii siii;jlc uroii;r word, iiii;:iit
toil lis.
The sound of it chair puslicd Itiick caim' from
within, and a youii.: iiian's (|ui<'k, tinii step panst'd
across to the far side of the room. We heard a box
shut and locked. M. ritieniie iiip|)i'd my arm; we
thoii'-'ht we knew what went in. Then came steps
ai^ain and a loud yawn, and jireseiitly two whacks
on the tioor. We knew as well a.s if we eoiild see
that I'eyidt had thrown his boots across the room.
Ne.xt a clash and .jani:le of metal, that meant his
swoi-d-bi'lt with its accout I'l'iiients tliint: on the table.
.M. r;tienne. with the rajiid murmur. "If I look at
you. nab him." turned the doordiandle.
Hut M. I'eyrot had pie|>ared a<:ainst surprise by
the sim[)le expedient of htckiiii: his door. lie heard
lis. to(». for he stopped in the very middle of a [)ro-
lonL'ed yawn and held himself absolutely still. M.
Kl ietine called out softly :
"IVyrot :"
"Who is it?"
"I want to speak with you about .something im-
p(U'tant.''
" Who are you. then .'"
"I 'II tell ymi when you h^t me in."
"I 'II let you in when you tell me."
"My name 's .Martin. I 'm a friend of Hernet.
r want to speak to you (piietly about a matter of
importance. "
'J'.tH
THI-; HKL.MKT OF NAVAIiUI':
"A friend of Bcinct. Iliimi! Well, friond of
l>('r[i('t. it ii[)|M';irs 1(1 nil' yo'.i siicaU very well tlin)U!_'li
the (liior. "
'"1 wiiiit t(i speak with you .thout tlie allair of
lo-iiiirlit. "
•■Wliat atfair?"
"To-iiit.'lit *s affair."
"To-iiiirlit '.' I <_'o to a supper-party at St. (Ic!--
iiiaiu. Wliat liavt^ you to say altout tliat .'"
'"liast iiii-'ht. tlifii," .M. riliiiiiif aMicndrd. with
risiiiLT fciiiiM'i'. "ff you want ine to sliout it out ou
your stairs, the St. (^)uenliii afi'air."
"Now. wliat may you uieati liy that '" eail(nl the
voice l'i-(uii within. If I'eyrol was startled by the
name, he earrird it otf well.
"Vou know what I mean Shall I take tlie house
into our eonlidcnci' .'"
'"The house knows as iiiueh of your in(>aninfr as
I. Sci> lieif. fri'ud of Hei-net, if you are that j^'en-
tlfman"s mate, pei'haps you have a jiassword about
you."
"Aye."" said M. fllienne. ?'eadily, "This is it:
twenty pistoles."
No answer i-ame immeiliatelv; I ecMdd cuess Pey-
I'ot pu/./.Ied. Presently he called to us:
"\W the hones of St. Aiuie. I don"l Ixdievi' n
word you "ve been sayinu'. Put I "11 have you in
anil see whai you look like.
We heard iiim irettiiiL' into his hoots airain and
luukliiiu' on his laidrie. Then we listened to the
ln!'nin<j i>\' a key: a lid was raise(| and liau'jed
down auaiii. and the fiek iid'asteued. It was the
:^;vi'".s-
mK^^^^m^Si
THK rriFVAiJER OF TIIK TOUKNELLKS •_•<>!)
box (Mico more. .M. fificunc aiul I looked at each
(itla-i-.
At K'litrth I'cyi-ot opened tlie door and sur-
veyed us.
"What, two friiMid.s of Herui't, vtMitre bleu I"
Hut he allowed us to enter.
He drew liack liel'oiv us with a flourishintr bow,
his liaud restiiii: liizhtly on his bi-lt, in wliieli was
stuck a bfaer (,!' pistols. Any i(h>a of (h)in'_' vioh'iice
MM the i)erson of .>!. IVyrot we disnii.ssed for the
present.
<»ui- eyes travelled from his pistols over thi> rest
of him. llr was stiiall, lean, and wiry, with dark,
shai'j) face and deep-set twinklin^jr ey(>s. One mo-
ment's irlance i:ave us to know tliat Peyrot was no
fool.
My lord closed the door after him and went
straitrht to the [loint.
"M. I'ryrot. you W( le cnLML'cd last niirlif in an
attack on the Duke of St. <^uentin. Vou did not
siicc(ed in slayiiu: him, but you did kill his man.
and you took from him a [)acket. I come to
buy it. ""
\\>- looked at us a little da/ed. not undt^-standin^'.
r deem. Imu we kn.'w this. Cert.'s. it had breri too
dark in ihr lane for his fai'(> to be seen, and ln^ had
doubtless niad.' suiv that he was not followed houi.'.
He said direclly :
■' Vuu ai'r the (*omte d(^ Mar."
"E\rn so. M. P,-yrot. I did not enre to have tlie
whole stair know it, but to you F have no hrsi(;itioii
in confidiu',' that I am M. de Mar."
;!ii(i
THE HKLMKT OF NAVAKKE
M. P?yrni swppt a how till his head almost tnnohed
llip floor.
"My pnoc apnrtiiii'iit is honoured."
As lit IduttMl |(i\v. I iiindc a sprinpr forward; I
thoiiLdit v.: pill liiiii hct'oi-o he could rise. Hut ho
was uj) with the !i>:iitmss of a hird from the hou^'h
and stJm<lin^' lliivr yards away from me, wliere I
erouehcd on the sjirinir Wkv a foiled cat. lie grinned
at me in open enjoyment.
'■-Monsieur desired?" he asked sympathetically.
"Xo. it is I who desire." said M. fttienne. clear-
inir himself a placr io sit on thr corner of the tahle.
"I desire that jtaeket, monsieur. You know this
little expedition of ydui's to-nit:ht was s(>' .elhin^' of
a failure. When you report to tht> general-duke,
he will not he in tlie hest of humours. He does not
like failui'es. tin- 'jrciieral ; he will not incline to re-
ward you de.ii'. While I am in the very hest hu-
mour in the world."
He smiled to prove it. Nor do I thitik his com-
plaisanee altoircther feiizued. The temper of our
host amused him.
.\s for friend I'eyrot. he still looked dazed. I
t'iou-:ht it was heeause he had not yet made up his
nn'nd what line to take: hut had I viewed him with
neutral eyes I miirht (\isily have deemed his hewil-
I ennent ^einiine.
"Perhaps we should iret on hetter if I could un-
lierstand what monsieur is drivintr at?" he sug-
pestfd. "^[^nsieur's rejn.nrks ahout his noble father
flnd the u'eneral-dukr are interesting, but humble
flean Peyrot. who does not move in court circles, is
W\
mm'^^m^m.
THE CHEVALIER OF THE TOUKNELLES 'M\\
Jit t\ Idss lo tiHiislatc tlioin. In other words, I have
no notion wliat yon arc talkinj; about."
"Oh. conit','" .M. fitit'iinc cried, "no shuftlintr. Pcy-
rot. We know as wt-ll as yon wlifi-c ymi wrrc he-
tore dawn. "
"Hefor-e (hiu...' Marry, I was sh-epin^' the sh'ep
of tile \ iftnoiis."
.M. r:iieiii:e sliijjied aeross the room as (|uiekly as
INyrot's sell mi'.rht have done, lifted up a heavy
enitain hatiirinir before an alee.vc, and disclosed the
b''d folded smooth, the pillow undisturbed. Ilr
tiinicfl with a triumphant i^M-in on tlie owner, who
■-bowed all bis tfcth pb asantly in answer, no whit
abashed.
"Foi- all you ai-t- a count, monsieur, you liave the
wiust iiiannei-s ever came inside these walls."
M. le ('(.mtc. with no attempt at mending tlieiii,
went on a tour ai),)ut the room, examiniu}.; with
Miit^ini: interest all its furniture, even to the dishes
and tatd^ai'ds on the table. IVyrot, leaniu',' --i^'ainst
the wall by the window. re^Mi'ded him steadily, with
impassive face. At b'lejfth .M. fttieiuie walk.'d over
to the chest by tile cbimneypiece and delil)crately
put his hand on the key.
Instantly I'eyi'ot's voice i-an<: out, "Stop!" M.
i':iieiuie. tiirniiiL:'. looked into bis pistol barrel.
My bii'd s'odd exactly as he was. bent over the
chest, liis limrei on the key. lookiiit: over his slioul-
<ier at the braxo \iith r;use(|. protest inu' eyebrows
and lau^diinj.' mouth. But thoui,di he lau^died, he
stood still.
"'U yiMi nuike a movement I do not like M ,!..
;{(t2
THK IIEI.MKT OF NAVAKUE
Mar, i will shnol you jis I would Ji lat. Your side
is down iiud iiiiiic is up: I have no t'^ar In Isill you.
It will lie painful to u\v. hut if ncccssai'y I shall
do it."
M. fttit'iiiic sat down on the clu-st and suiilcd
iiioi'c aiiiialiiy than ever.
"Why have 1 iicvrr known you Ixfoi-i'. Poyrot?''
"One Mioiiicut, nioiisicui-. " Thf nosi' of tin- pis-
tol poiiitrd around to mr. "(io over thert' to the
dooi-. you."
I i('ti't'att'(l. oovt'i-t'd by tlu' shining niu/zh', to a
sj)ot that pleased him.
"Now are we more eond'ortahle. " l'eyr(>t observed,
pulling' a chair over a^rainst the wall and seatintr
him, the pistol on his '-»'<;.. "Monsieur was say-
lilt;.'
Monsieur ernssed his le^s, as if of all seats in the
world he liked his present one the best. He had
brought none of the airs of the noble into this busi-
ness, realizing' shrewilly that they would but ham-
per hiiii, as lace ruffles lianiper a duellist. I'oyrot,
treeless adventurer, living' by his sharp sword
and shai'p wits, ivvereneed a count no more than a
hod-carrier. His occasional moek'iitr deference wa.s
more insulting' than outrij-'ht rudeness: but M.
fitienne bore it unruffled. Possibly he schooled him-
self so to bear it, but I think rather that he felt so
easily secure on the height of his <:entlehood that
IVyrot's impudence merely tickled him.
''I was wonderinir," he answei'ed pleasantly,
"how loiiir vou have dwelt in this town and I not
I Mi liVr liiiiii I micllliv. ::ieiiuniv5.
THK CHKVALIEK UF THE TOUKNKLLKS :tny
"( ';in'ji.ssoiiiic way," the otlior sai<l iixlitTfrtMilly.
Tlu'ii iiieiiioiy Ijiiii-rinjr a (Uvp twinkle to his eye. hv
inUletl: "What tliiiik you. niousicur? I was U-ft a
wt'fk-iil.l hahc on the iiionastt'ry step; wms rcan-d up
ill hdliiii'ss within its sacivil walls; ehoristi-r at tt'ii.
iiuvicf at ciLrliiffii. I'lill-lli'iliri'd friar, fastiuL'. pray-
inir. and siiiL'inir iiiiscivres, cxhortiiiL' •lyiiiir saints
and li\ iiii: siniitTs. at twenty."
"A very i)retty hrotherhood. you for sample."
"Nay. I am none. Klse I iiiiL'hf have stayed.
Hut one niiriit I 'ook le^-hail. lived in the woods till
my hair ^'rew, and struck out for Paris. And m-ver
reL'retted it. neither."
lie leaned his head haek, liis eyes fixed contem-
platively on the ccilin-:. aiul burst into son-,', in
voice as melodious as if lark's:
I'll h/ ami CriiiT aiid (llooni,
Fur .siirh like </iit,it.i I hart tin room !
I'ltfy (Dili (iliMtin (uiil (IrdCf.
I hung my dnor shut in i/oiir J'ui-f !
(lliKim mill (Snux ami I'iclij,
I lilt my ilinj in xiicli «.v ye!
Finishiniz his stave, he continued to beat time
with his heel on the floor and to f,'aze upon the ceil-
iii!.'. But I think we could not have twitched a tin^'er
without his noting' it. M. fttienne rose ami leaned
across the table towar<^l him.
"M. Peyrot has made his fortune in Paris/ Mon-
sieur rolls in wealth, of course?"
Peyrot shru^-red his shoulders, his eyes leaving
the ceilintr and making a mockiu'r pili^rima^'e of the
room, resting finally on his own rusty clothintr.
19
.U)i
THK MKLMKT OK NAVAHKE
"Do I Inok if?" lie iiiisworiHl.
"Uh," said M. fitit'iiin', sl(»wly. as otic who diirt'sts
ail ciitii't'ly new idea. "I sui)iiosi'd inoiisieiir iiiiist
lit' as rich as a Lombard, he is so cold on the subject
tit' turiiin<r an httiiest penny."
l'eyi't)t's rovin<r eye ctindescendetl to meet his
visitor's.
"Say t)n." he permittetl la/ily.
"I otVer twenty pistoles fttr a packet, seal un-
broken, taken at ilawn i'nnn the pei'son of .M. do
St. l^uentin 's sipiire."
"Now yt)U are talking' sensibly," the scamp saiil.
as if M. fttienne had been the sluinier. "That is a
lair otVer antl tlemands a fair answer. .Mtireover,
such zeal as you display deserves success. I will
look about a bit this mt)rninv' amon^ my friends antl
see if I can ^'ct wind t)f your i)acket. I will moot
yt)u at dinner-time at the inn of the Ht)nno Pemmo."
"Dinner-time is far hence. You for<;et, M. Pey-
rot, that you are ri.son earlier than usual. I will
^'0 t)ut and sit on the stair ft)r five minutes while
you consult yt)ur friends."
Peyrot ^'rinnetl cheerfully.
"M. iU' Mar dties n't setMii able to pet it throui^h
his heatl that I know nt)thintr whatever of this
afTair. "
"Xt), I certainly don't j;et that throupjh my head."
Peyrot re<rardefl him with an air ill-used yet
ct)mpa,ssionafe, such as he mi^dit in his monkish days
have employeil tt)ward one who could not be con-
vinced, for instance, of the ofTieacy of prayer.
"iNI. 'J.e Ma!'. " '!Ut>th he. i.'lnintivelv. in pitv h.^.lf
THE CHEVAUEK OF THE TOUKNELLES 305
for biiuself so niisuiiderstuod. half for his inter-
locutor so wilfully blind, "I do solt-iiiuly assure you.
oncf and lor all. that I know nothiii!,' of this affair
of yours. Till you so asserted, I had no knowli'd^^e
that Monsieur, your honoured father, had been set
on, and dee{)ly am I paiiu'd to hear it. These be
evil days when sueh thin','s ean happen. As for
youi- packet, I learn of it oidy throus-'h your word,
haviuj; no more to do with this deplorable business
than a babe unborn."
I declare I was almost shaken, almost thoutxht we
had wronjred him. But M. fitienne gauj^red him
otherwise.
"Your words please me." he be^'an.
"The contemplation of virtue." the rascal drone<l
with down-drawn lips, in pulpit tone, "is always
uplifting to the spirit."
"You have boasted," M. fitienne went on. "that
your side was up and mine down. Did you not re-
tlect that soon my side may be up and yours down,
you would hardly be at such i)ains to deny that you
ever bared bhule against the Duke of St. (^ueiitin."
"I have made my declaration in the presence of
two witnesses, far too honourable to falsify, that I
know nothing of the attack on the duke," I'eyrot
repeated with apparent satisfaction. " But of course
it is possible that by scouring Paris I might get on
the scent of your packet. Twenty pistoles, though.
That is not much."
M. fitienne .stood silent, drumming tattoos on the
table, not pleased with the turn of the matter, not
il'di; V.'c bcrii sti!
c ul our
;t()t)
TilK HKLMET Ol' N.W AKKK
suspicions, vvi- would have clini'L'id liitii. pistol or
iio pistol, tnistin;,' tliat our quic-kmss would pitvfut
his sliootiiiir. or thai tin* [xtwdrr would miss fin', oi-
that the liall would tly wide, or that wr should hf
hit ill ii(» vital |)art ; trusting', in short, that <lod was
with us and would in soun- fashion save us. I>ul we
could not I).' sure that the packet was with I'cyrot.
What wc had heard him lock in the chest mi'_dil have
been these very |)istols that he had altei-Wiird taken
out a^ain. Three m.Mi had lied Iroui .M. .le .Miia-
lieau s alley; we had no means ol' knowin;.' whether
this I'eyi'ot were he who ran as we came up. he whom
1 had encountered, oi- he who had eni:at:ed .M.
f-;ti(ii!ie. And did Wf know, th.it would not tdl us
which of the three had stahix-d and plundered llu-
^'iiet. Peyrot miiiht have the packet, or he iiuLdit
kncv who luid it. or he mit:ht he in hnmst i<_'norancc
til" its e.xisti-nce. If he had it. it were a cryiii<,'
shame to pay out honest money i',,y what we miL'lit
lake by force: to buy your own iioods from a thicd"
were a sin. Hut supjiosinir he had it not.' if we
could .seize upon him. disarm him liind him. threalon
him, heat him. rack liini woidd he — >:ran'ed lie knew
— reveal its whereabouts.' AVrit laii;c in his face
was every manner of i-o-ruei-y. but not one iota of
cDwardice. lie nii^dit very well hold us baflled. hour
(»ii hour, while tlu' pai)ers went to .Mayeiine. Mveii
should he tell, we had the business to be^nii aL'ain
from the very be^inninef, with some othei- knave
mayhap woi-se than this.
Plainly the ^ame was in Peyrot "s hands: we could
I'-
io ii;.s icas;.
THK CIIKVALIKK ( »F THK TolKNKI.LKS ;i(»7
"ir yiiii will jiut tlif piirki'l into my IumhIs. simI
iiiihioktii, tills (lay at clfvcii. I t'liuai:*' !•> iiu't't you
with twenty pistoU-s. " M. (•'Awuiu' said.
"TwL'Uty pistoles wei-e a tail' price for the paeket.
Hut monsieur loiu'ets the wear aii>l tiar on my eoii-
seieiice iiieiirred I'or liiiii. i must he reimbursed
tor that."'
"( 'onseienee. (piotlui I"
'■Certainly. mcin>ieui'. I am in my way as lionest
a man as you in yours. I have iievei- heiii false to
tile hand that fiil mr. If. therefore, f divert to you
a eertain i)aeket which of riuiits ^'oes i-lsewhere, my
sin must he matte woi'th my while. My eoiiseieiice
will still",' me sorely, hut with the aid of a L'la.ss and
a lass I may contrive to t'or;_'et the pain.
Mirth, nil/ loi'c, (iitii I'oHij ihar,
Ii(li/;liliii::^ ynu Vc lit Icniiif hire!
I fl.< the injui'V to my eonsoienee at tliirty pistoles,
.M. le Comte. Fifty in all will hrin^ the packet to
your hand."
It had heen a jdoasure to M. le Comte to flinpr a
tankard in the fellow's face. But the steadfast de-
termination to win the papers for Monsieur, and.
possibly, respect for I'eyrot's weapon, withheld him.
"Very well. then. In the cabaret of the Bonne
Feiiiine. at eleven. You may do as you like about
ap{)eaiini,': I shall be there with my fifty pistoles.''
"What uMiaranty have T that yi>u will deal fairly
wii.i me?"
"The word of a St. <>ue!!tin."
308
Tin; HKLMKT (»F NAVAICUE
"SnIlicifUt, dl" (■(iiiisf.'"
The sciiiiip rose witli a how.
"Well. I liiivf nut the woi'd (if :i Lrcritlirnati to
otVfi- yon. but I irivc you tin- opinion of .Ifiiii iV-yrot.
sonii'tinit' Fatlit-r Anilii-osius. that \\v an<l the |»acki'f
will he tlii'if. This has Im-.h a (l.liL'litt'iil call, uioii-
sicnr, and I am loath to let you ^'o. Hut it is tinit- I
was lire to look for that [lat'ktt."
M. fiticnuf's eyes went ovci' to tlir chest.
"I wish you ill! success in your aiduous search."
"It is like to l)c. in trutii, a Ioul' :iihI weary
searcli." Pcyrot siirhed. "My i'_Minraiiee of the per-
petrators of the outraire makes my task diflicult in-
deed. But I'est assured, monsieui-. that I shall (pies-
tion every man in I'aris. if need he. I shall leave no
stotie unturned."
•M. fttieniie still pensively rcLMi'ded llie cliest.
"If you leave no key unturned, "t will bo more
to the pui'pose."
"You appear yet to nurse the belief that I have
the packet. Hut as a matter of fact, monsieur. I
have not."
I studied his ^'rave face, and could not for the
life of me make out whethei- he were lyin<:. .M.
r';tienne said merely :
"Come. PVlix."
"You 11 drink a L'lass beforo you jro.'" IVyrot
eried h()spital)ly. ruiininir to till a iroblet muTldy with
his last pourin<:. Hut M. Rtieiiue drew back.
"^Vell. T don't blame yon. I woidtl iTt tlrink it
myself if I were a count." Peyi-ot said, setting' the
drau^rht to liis own lips. "Aftei tiiis noon I shail
TIIK rilKVAMKU <>F THK Tul KNKI.I.KS :to!»
(iriiik it iKi itioir III! siiiiiiiitr. I shall live like a
kiii^'.
A'(>> nil, t'liUif ; lull/ nil. Mirth :
I. ill II itliiiiit i/iiii 's Hiitlmiij II III th !
Monsieur, ran I Iftnl you a liat?"
I hail alit'ady ii|m iicd the iloor niu\ was hiihiiii'^ it
for my iiiastci' tn pass, when I'cyiot picked uj) I'lom
till- floor and htid out to hiui a battered and dirty
toque, with its (IraL'^'Icd leather haiiiriuL' fi-rloridy
over the side. CMuiI'imI as he was, .M. fitieuiie could
not deny a iaUL'h to the rascal's inipudetice.
"I cannot rob monsieur," he said.
"M. If Comte need lia\e no scruple. I sliall buy
me better out ol" his fifty pistoles."
Hut M. I-Itienne was out in the passai:e. I follow-
in^', ban<.'inL' the door after me. We went down the
stair iu time to I'eyrot's lusty carolling:
Mirth f'll kd/i, thimiih rirhisjiif,
WhiU i'liUij '.< xurt ti> liiiiicr hi/ .'
"Think you we 'II e^et the packet?" I asked.
"Aye. 1 think he wants his fifty pistoles. Mor-
dieu ! it 's Lrallini: to let tliis dog set the tei'ins."
"Monsieur." I cried, "pei'liaps he 'II not stir oiit
at once. I 'II run home for Vigo and liis men, and
we 'II make the rascal disgorge."
"Now are you more zealous than honest, boy."
I was silent, abashed, and he added:
"I had not l)een afraid to try coru'lusions with
him, pi.stoi.s or not, were I sui'l- that he iuui the
:n<)
Tin; iii;i,mi:t ..r navaukk
|>iir!;cl. F IhlicVf lie |i;is. Vet llltlf is tln' cllHIlCf
tliiil. iifti T itil III tills oiii- pailiculiii- lir spciks trulli.
I rjiMiidt taUf any fliiiiiffs ; I mus; ^;(| tliDsc pii|MTs
lor MuiisiiMir. "
" ^ I s, \\c (■(iIlM Hot lia\r ilcillf lit llrfU isf, M.
r;ticiiiif. Mut. iiKiiisifiir. will yuii (laic lm to tliis
iiin',' M. If ('(iiiitf is a man in jii)|iai(ly ; lie may
not l<ir|> ii'iidivvoiis of flic crifmy's rlioosiiiL'."
"I mi'jllt lint keep out- of Lliras's cIloosillL'.
'riioii-_'li."" lie addid. with a smile. " iiat Im less. I think
I should. Hut it is imt likrly this IVIlnw knows cd'
thf warrant airainst mc Paris is a \)'\<j: placf; ntws
(hn's not travel all over town as (Hiii-kly as at St.
i^ut'iitin. 1 think frimd IN-yrot has iiiorr to L'ain
liy playiiiL: fair than playinir false, and aitpointiiii:
the caharet (d" the Hoiine Frmme has a very open,
plcasini: sound. Did he mean t(» brain me he would
si-arcf have set that place."
"It was not Peyrot aloiu' I meaiif. Hut monsieur
is .so well known. In the stiet'ts. or at the diiiiu'i--
hoiir. sonic one may see you who knows .Mayeiiiic is
after you."
"Oh. of that I must take my chanei." he made
answer, no whit troiililed hy the warning'. "I iro
home now for the i-ansom. and I \\\\\ e'en he at the
pains to dofV this <rear for somethin)^ darker."
".Monsieur." I pleaded, "why not stay at home
to •ret your dues td" sleep.' Vitro will hrinir the
^'old: he and I will put the matter tliroii>-di. "
"I ask not your adv^-.-e." he cried hauLrli»ily: then
with instant softeiiinir: "N'ay. this is my atVair.
i't'iix. i iiavc taken it upon myscll to recover Alon-
THK CHEVALIKIC nF TIIK T(»rUNF.I-I.K.S :il 1
si»'iir his paptTK. I tnusf carry it Ihnnmh inysclf to
tlic very »)iii«"_M."
I siiid lilt iiiori . pfirfly Itrcjinsc if would h.ivc doiit'
no l'immI. partly liccjnisc. in spitf (d' tin' straii'^'f word,
F iiridi'fvtfiiid lii'w lir felt.
"I'l'rliaps ymi slmuld j/o home and siccp." Iw siiu
;,'f.stt'd ti'iidcrly.
'"Nay," fiiid I. "I liad a cat-nap in the huic ;
I 'ni <:•,u)]^' to sif it throuLdi."
•"'I'iit'n." I niiiMiandcd. '•you may stay here-
abouts and watch that (h)or. For I have soiric ctiri-
osity to know whether he will need 'm fare forth
after the tiiasure. If he do as I he will
spend the next hours as you counsel nie. nia. up
ari'cars of ^lecp. and you '11 not see him till a
ier or so hcfore eleven. But whenever lie conies
out. follow him. K<'ep your safe distance and do^
him if yon can."
"And if F htse liini?"
"Come hacU honie. Station yours'df now where
he won't notice you. 'I'liat arch there sFionId serve."'
We had lieeii standinj.' at the street corner, shel-
. red liy a hahony over our lioads from the vie ,»• of
I'eyrot 's window.
"Monsieur." F said. "T do wish you would F)rin£r
Vi'_'o hack with you."
"P'elix." he lau'_died. "you are tlie worst courtier
F evei' saw."
I crossi^d the street as ho told me. iilanointr tip id
tlie tliird '<torv of tlie liouse of tlie Tiildcd SFiears.
Xo vatclier was visible. From tlie archway, which
was entrance to a court of tail houses, 1 could
Ml'J
TIIH HF.I.METOF NAVAIiKR
well fninuuind l't'yfot"s (hu)]-. niysrlf in (](..|) shadow
-M. f'Aiiut\t' ii()(l(|<'(l to nil- iui(i \v;i1k((| otV wliislliii"
stiiriiiLr full in the t'lict- every one he met.
F wiiiild fiiin li.ive occupied myself as we irucss.'d
the knave I'eyrot to he doinij-, and shut iiiine acliiiiLr
e_\es in sleeji. But I wMs sternly determined to he
Ijiithful to my trust, and tliou'.iii tnc my Lri'eater e-n-i-
fiirt cold ennujli eomfm-t it was I sat me down
on the |iavMm-st-.nes. yet I kept my eyelids |)ropped
open, my eyes on I'eyi'oi's doof. I was helped in
eai'i'yin'_' out my vii-tuous resolve by the fact that
the coui-t was jMipidous and my carcass in the eu-
tfance mneh in the way id" thi" Inisy pa.ssei'sdtv. so
that full half ..f tli'in sw«ue at me. and thi' half of
tliat half kicked me. The hard part was that I
could not (iudil them hecause of keepiiiLT my eyes ou
i'cyrot 's dooi'.
lie delayed so hitiL' and sd iotiir that T fcai'ed
with shamed mis<jiviiiL: 1 nnist have let him slip,
wlicn at leimth. on the \ei'y stroke (A' eleven, he
sauntered f(U'tli. lie wasyawnini: |)rodi!j:i<iusly. hut
set oil' i>a.st my lair at a smart pace. I followed at
}-'oodly distam'e. Init never once (Md he ^daiu-o
ai-ound. lie h'd the way strai-^ht to the si<,M) of the
Honiie Feiiuiie.
I entered two minutes after Iiini. passintr frojii
file caharel. where my men were not. to llie diiii?i>:-
hall. where, tn my i-elief, the_\ were. At two huire
fireplaces savoury soui)s huhhied. juicy rahhits siiu-
incred, fat caiious roasted: the smell hrou^dit tlie
teai's to my eyes. .\ concourse of peo|)le was ahout :
K't'iHlcs and hurirhers sealed at tahle. or passine in
THE fllKVALIKK OF THK TOIkNELLES :il,-.
and out; \\;iitri>> I'uimiiii; l)ack and rorth from tlio
lir-rs. (Ii'awtis troiii the cahatvt. I pausod to scan
tlif tlii-dUL'. just led hy one aiul anotlu'f. hi't'oi'c I dcs-
crifd my mastir and my knavr. M. f-:tit'nnf. tlic
promjitt r at tlir n'mii'/vous. had. like a philosoi)!!!'!-,
(>i(li'i'"d dinner, hut he had (U'srrtcd it now and stood
witli I'cyrot. tlicir l)a(*ks to tlic company, their dhows
on the drcp w indow-lfd^e. tlirii' licads close to^'ethci'.
I came up suiideiily to I'eyrot's side, makinu' lii;.'!
jump.
"Oh. it "s you. my iitth- ^enth'uuin!" hi' c.x-
chumed. smilinL' to sliow ail his linn teeth, as white
and even ;!s I coiii't heiiiity's. lie looked i,i the best
oi" humouis. as was not wonderi'id, -onsiderin^' that
he was eui:aLred in !'a>tenin^' up in the breast of his
doublet someiliiuL' hai'd and lumpy. .M. fttiennc
held u[) n paeket fo*- me to see. befoi'c Poyrot's
shieldint: Imdy; it was 1 with i-ed coi'd and sealed
with a sp'-ead lalcoM ove. the tiny letters. Je )•< vi< n-
<lr<ii. In the (drner was written very small. SI. (J.
SmiliiiLT. he jiut \\ into t' br.'ast of his (lout)let.
".Monsieur."" my scamp said to him with chtse
lips that the riiom miL;l!t not hear, "y(ui are a gen-
tleman. If till le ever comes a day when Vou-know-
who is down and you are up. I shall be pleased to
serve you as well ;is I have served him."
"I liani^ei- not for such service as you have i,'iven
him." .M. i:iienni' answi'red. I'eyi'ot's eyes twin-
kled bri'_'liter than ever.
" I ha\e said it. I will serve you as vi^'ourously as
I have sei'ved him. Hear me in mind, monsieur."
"Come, Ft'li.x,"" was all mv lord's answer.
Tin; JIKLMKT (iF XAVAKUK
I'rycdt sprang' f(tr\vni'(l lo dctjun us.
■■.Monsieur, u'" m not dim' with iiic? Fiolii -if
you. I l)c^'. ! j] luivr i-vfi-y wint' tho cellar
iilVords. '"
■■.No." said .M. ritieuue. caiejessly. not deiL'niiit:
to anirer: ■■hut there is my diiuier t'oi' you. an you
like. I have paid I'oi' it, hut I have other husiness
Ihan to eat it."
Hiddiim a waiter serve .M. Teyrot. he walked i'l-oiii
the i-ooMi witliout other •rhinee al him. A sliL'ht
sliadc fell over the I'eckless. scampisli face; he was
a moim-nt vexed tliat we scorned him. .Mei'cly
vexed. I think; shamed not at all; he knew not the
i'l'cl of it. Kven in the hi-ief space I watched him.
as I i)asse<l to the door, his visa^'e cleared, and he
sat him down contentedly to finish M. Klienne's
veal hroth.
.My 1(11(1 paced aloni: rapidly and irladly. on fire
to he hefore Monsieur with the p;icket. Hut one
little cloud, ti-ansient as I*eyrot's, passed aci-oss his
liirhtsome couTitenaiice.
"I would tliat knave were of my i-ank." he said.
'"! had not left liim witliout slappini: a irlovc in his
iacc. "'
That I'eyrot had come ofV scot-free put me out
t»f i)atieiice. too. hut I reurelted the eold we had
!-'iven him more than the wounds we had not. The
money, on the c<tntrary. trouhled .M. f^;tieiine ik,
whit : what he had never toiled for he parted with
li-zhtly.
We came to our urates and went strai<:litway \\p
the stairs to Monsieur's eahiiiet. He spraiiir t(^ meet
THE CIir.VALIEk «>F THE T(>ri{NEF-LES :U7
us at tlir tiniii-. siialcliiiiL' till' iiackt't t'i'oiii liis son's
rajici' liaiid.
'"Wt'll done. Klifiiuc, my (•haiiipinn I An you
liidUL'lit Hit' till' frown of Francf I were not so
pli'ascd I"
'I'lir flush ol" joy at L'fnrfous praise of t'ood work
kinillcd on M. Ktiennc's clicoU : it wfrc liaid to say
wliicli ol' till' two nii'ssieurs bcanii-d tlic inorr <lf-
livditfdly on the otlni-.
■'.My son. you liavt.' hroutrlit nu' Itack my honour."
spokr .Minsit'ui'. nioi'c fjuiftly. the cxuliri'ancc ot" liis
di liudit al)atin<.', but h'avin^ him none the less hajtpy.
■'It' you had sinned a;_'ainst me — wliich [ do not ad-
mit, dear lad it Wfi'i- more than madr up I'oi' now."
'"Ah. .Monsimi'. I liavc ot'tm asl-cd mys<'lf of hitc
wliat I was l)oi-n for. Now I know it was for this
morniii'.'. "
"l-'or this and many more morninu's, riticnnc."
Monsieur made ;_'ay answer, hiyin^r a liand on his
son's slioulder. "Courat'e, eomrade. We "11 have
OUT' lady yet."
Ill smiled at liim heartenin'j:ly and turned away
to his writinir-tahh'. For all his sympathy, he was,
as was natural, moi'e interested in his papers than
in -Mile, de .Montlui'.
"I 'II ue! this otV my luuids at once." he w(M:t on,
with tlie etVeet of talkin>r to himself rathei- than to
us. "[1 shall L'o s1i'ai'_'Iit <>tT to l.emaitre. Vou "d
better uo to bed. both of you. My faith, you "vo
made ii ninht of it I"
"Won't you take me foi- your messeiiL'er, .Mon-
..;, I \- 1 .. 4 *.. ..,. . ' '
ms
THK IIKLMKT ( »F NAVAKHK
"A kindly otTer, fitionnr. But you have earned
your rrst. And you, true as y<ni are, are yet not
th." only staunch servant I luivc <;od be thanked.
(iilUs will take this straijrht from my hand to Le-
maiti'f's."
He had inelosed the j>aeket in a clean wrapper.
h\it now, a thou^'ht strikin-; him. he took it out afiain.
"I M best break oil' the royal seal, b'st it be spied
amon^' th( president's papers. I "11 scratch out my
initial, too. The cii)her tells nothin;-'."
"He is not likely to leave it about, Monsieur."
"No. but this time we "11 provide for every chance.
We "11 take all the precautions injxenuity can devise
or patience fxecute."
He crushed the seal in his fin^'ers, and took the
knife-point to scrape the wax away. It slipped and
severed the cords. Of its own accord the stitf paper
of the flap unfolded.
"The cipher seems as determined to show itself
to me auain as if I were in danjzer of forf?etting it,"
Monsieur said idly. "The truth is—"
He stopped in the middle of a woi-d. snatchinfr
up the packet, slapping it wide open, tearing it
sheet from sheet. Each was absolutely blanK !
XXIV
Tlit Florentines.
HTIKNNH. forgetting his manners,
snalehetl the papers from his father's
hand, turning: them about and about,
not iil)h' to believe his senses. A man
hurled over a clitl", plun^'ing in one
moment from Howeiy lawns into a turbulent sea,
mi^ht feel as he did.
"lint the seal 1" he stammered.
"The seal was ^renuine." Monsieur answered, star-
tled as he. "IIow your fellow could have the kings
signei— "
"See," M. fitienne cried, sci.itchini: at the frag-
ments. "This is it. Dunce that I am not to have
u'uessed it ! Look, there is a layer of paper em-
beildcd in the wa.\. Look, he cut the seal out.
smeared hot wax on ihe false packet, pressed in the
yeal. and curled the new wax over the edge. !t was
.level ly done; the seal is but little thicker, little
larger than before. It did not look tampered with.
Would you have suspected it, Monsieur?" he de-
manded piteously.
"I had no thought of it. But this Peyrot — it
may not yet be too late—"
319
■A'jn
THK IIKLMKT OF NAVAUKK
"I will un liiiik," M. r-:tifiiiii' cfiocl. (lartin<i to
the (looc. Hill Moiisifiir liiid Ini'dlilr hands on him.
"Not you. f:ti<Mint'. Vou were hurt ycshTthiy ;
you liiiAc not clost'd ymir eyes for twenty- four lioui's.
I don't want a dead son. I lilanir vou n.st i'oi- tin'
raiiui'c; not aniithcr man oi us ail would lup'e come
so ni'ar sut.'c»'ss. '"
"Dolt! I should havf known lie could not deal
honestly." M. Rtieniu' cried. "I should liave known
he would trick inc. Hut I did not think to doubt
the crest. I should have ojieiied it there in the inn,
hut it was Lemaiti'e's seah'd packet. However. IVy-
vo\ sat down to my dinner: I can he hack before he
has linished his thi'ee Kinds of wine."
"Stop. Ktienne." Monsieur coiiunanded. "I for-
bid you. You are |jrray with fatij^'ue. Vi^'o shall
L'O. "
M. fttienno turned on him in fiery protest; then
the blaze in his eyes tliekered out, ami he made obe-
dient salute.
"So be it. I.et him iro. I am no use; I bundle
everythinjr I touch. Hut he may accomplish some-
thing."
lie thnifx himself down on the bench in the cor-
ner, burying his face in his hands, weary, chajrrincd.
disheartened. A statue-maker mij:lit have copied
him for a figure of Defeat.
"(io find Vi^'o," Monsieur bade me, "and then
','et you to bed."
I obeyed both orders with all alacrity.
I too smarted, but mine was the private's disap-
point iiiiiii. not t;;i' jiCiid'al's vvliu liud planned tliC
TiiK ri,t)Ui:.NTiNi:s
;cj|
••iiiiipjiiiiii. Tht' cicilil nt' llic rescue \\;is none it\'
mine; IK) more was the l)liime of Ijiihiie. I iieeil not
I'iick myself with (HU'stioiiiiiLr, Hinl I in this oi- that
(lone (litferently. should I not have t iiumi)he(l ? I
ha'l (lone only wliat I was told. Yet 1 was i)ait of
tlie ex[»e(lition; I coiikl not l»iit share the <_Mief. if
I did not wet my i)ilIow with my tears, it was he
cause I could not keep awake ion<: enouirh. What-
ever my sorrows, sjieedily they sli[)i>ed from me.
I Kol'SKD with a start ^rom deep, dreamless sleep,
and then wondered whether, after all. I had waked.
Here, to he sure, was Marcel's l»ed. on which 1 had
lain down; there was the hi^h ^al)le-wiiulow, throu^'h
which the westerin<r sun now poured. Thefe was
the wardrohe open, with Marcel's Suntlay suit hanir-
in<r on the pe^' ; here were the two stools, the little
imaire of the Virtrin on the wall. But here was also
somethintr else, so out of plaee in the chamher of a
I)atre that I [)inched myself to make sure it was real.
At my elhow on the pallet lay a ho.v of some tine foi'-
eifrn wood, heautifully irrained hy (Jod and polished
by ^'lateful man. It was about as lar^e as my loi'd's
despatch-box, bound at the edjzes with shining brass
and having lonir brass hin<res \vrou<:ht in a desi^'n of
leaves and tiowers. Beside the box weic set three
shallow trays, lined with blue velvet, and tilled full
of <.'oldsmith's work — trlitterin^' chains, linked or
twisted, bracelets in the form of yellow snakes with
frreen eyes, buekh^s with ivory teeth, jrlove-clasps
thick with pearls, ear-rings and finger-rinfrs with
prpoions fjtnnos,
20
TIIK IIKLMKT <»!' NAVAHKK
I staird ltf«|;i//liMi fi-(»iii fill' ili^|>l;i\ ti) liiiii ulio
stood iis sliowiiiiiii. 'I'liis Wiis ;i liJiiidsoiiic linl. scciii-
iiiL:ly no older than I, llioni:li taller, with a shock
of hiack hair, idiiL'h and eni'ly. and dai-k, snu)v»th
lace, veiy hoyish and pleasant, lie was dicssed
well, in hourv'eois fashion: yet then' was about him
and his apparel souietliin^'. I could not tell what,
unfamiliar. ditVereiit from us others.
He. meeting' my eye. smiled in the fi'iendliest way,
like a ehild, and said, in Italian:
"(lood tlay to you. my little irentleman."
I had still the rneertain feeling that I must he in
a dream, for why should an Italian jeweller he dis-
jilayin^' his trea.sures to me. a penniless pajre .' Hut
the dream was amusing': I was in no haste to wake.
I knew my Italian well enough, for Monsieur's
confessor, the Father Franeeseo. who had followed
him into e.\ile. was Florentine: and as he always
spoke his own toiiirne t(» Monsieur, and I was always
at the duke's heels. I picked up a deal of it. After
Monsieur's troiui.'. the father, ali'eady a victim, pooi-
man. to the fallinir-sickness. of which he dii'd. stayed
heliind with us. and I found a prickini.' pleasure in
talking' with him in the speech he loved, of Mon-
sieur's Koman jcmrney. of his exploits in the war of
the Three Henrys. Therefore the words came easily
to my lips to answer this lad from ove. the Alps:
"I <.nve you jzood day. friend.''
lie looked somewhat surprised and more ...i.
pleased, breakiu'^' at once into voluble speech:
"The best of ^'reetings to you. young sir. Now,
what can I sell yuu this firic day? I have not .>ecn
THE FhUULNTlNES
:jj;t
half
u wei-
111
tliis \<\^ city ut y;iuis, vet alii-aily I
lia\f l»ut uiu' Ijoxlul of trinkets I. ft. TIh-v aiv iwl'
(.[>t'ii-liiiM(l<(l ciistoiiioi-s. tlitsc miUants ot
an-<.
have !ii)t til show thciii iiiy wart-s twiff, i fan
tell
you. Thfy Uiiow what k«y will uiilofU tli.ir tair
iiiistit'sx's' hearts. Ami now. \ lat can 1 >'il you.
my little geiith-maii. to buy yoiii' sweetheart's
kisses.'"
"Nay, I have no sweetheart." I said. 'an<l if I
iiad. she would not wear these ^aiids. "
"She would if she eould j:et them, then," he re-
torted. "Now. let me '^'ive you a hit of advice, my
fri.'iid. for I see you aie hut yoiiii^': huy this '-'old
cliain of me. or this rin^r with tliis little dove on it.
— see. how eunnin^'ly wrouirht. — and you "11 not lack
lon>: for a sweetheart."
His words hutVed me a bit, for lie sjuike as if he
were vastly my senior.
"I want no sweetheart." I returned with dienity.
"to be bou^dit with ^rold."
"Nay." he cried (|uickly. "but when your own
valour ami prowess have intlamed her with passion,
you should l)e willing; to r»'ward her devotion and
set at rest her suspense by a suitable j.Mft."
I looked at him uneasily, for I had a suspicion
that he might be making fun oi' me. But his coun-
tenance wius as guileless as a kitten's.
"Well. I tell you again I have no sweetheart and
I want no sweetheart," I said; "I have no time to
bother with girls."
At once he abandoned the subject, seeing that he
was making naught by it.
np7=
■.i-j-i Tin; IIKI.MKT «ir NAVAIUCi;
"Tllr lllrSMl- is \i]\ lllllill ncc\i|iiril .' " llf ;i->l.iil
uitli i\rt<<liii'_' (li III I iMf. "'riif iiii's.srr li;is no Iti-
sUlf Inr llil!llr_' 111 iMiinlitilN ; llr is iiiTll|>lr(l Ultll
l^lfill lllilll'TS ; (III. tllJit IMII I W.jl l.rll.'Vi-. illl'l I
(•i_\' till' iiHssci's |iiii'iliiii. I''iir wiiiii llir iiiiinl is
lilUcIl up Willi iltlJlils 111' stillf. ll Is (listllsli llll 1«'
listrii even l'(ir a iiiniiniil In liiilil t.. •< III' maids and
jrWcls. "
Airaiti 1 'yiil liiiii cliiilli'iiLMiiL'ly ; lnit lif. uilli Imcc
iitltily niicniiscidiis, was sorliii'^ hmv Ins 1 1 rasiiii-..
I iiiadr up my mimi liis <|U<ri- talk was Imt llic mit-
latitlisli wa\ tW a roiciuini'. lie litokcd at iiir a'-'aiii,
st'fious and irspcct Inl.
"Tlic mcssci- nnist nrim he rii'ja'.'cd in u'l't-al
risks, in pciilnus fucnuntci-s. N it nut s<c.' 'I'licii
lie will do Will 111 cans ivir oVcr liis ln'art tlii'
saci'cd imai:t' id' luic liOtd.
Ill' lu'ld up In my iiispi'i-tjuii a silvi r idsai'y t'rniii
wliicli drpiiidcd a cnicilix of ivoiy. tlir sad ima'ji'
uT tin- dyiii'j (liiist caisid iip'.n it. V.\i-\\ in Mnn-
siciir's cliapi'l. ixm in tin- clMin-li at St. (L)ui'iitin,
was nittliiiiLr sn mastri lully winuulit as this liLiuriiu'
t(i lio held ill tlir palm of till' hand. Thr tears
started in my eyes in j,,,.! at it. and I crossed myseit'
111 reverence. I l)etli()U<.dit me how I had trampled
on my ciaicili.x: the slraiiuer all uiiwittiiiLdy had
struck a huirscye. I luid coiiiiiiitted ^'rave oireiicc
a'iainsi (lod. hut perhaps if. puttini;' irewiiaws aside,
I should yive my all Tor this cross, he would call the
account even. I knew iiothiiiir ot" the value oi' a
carviiiL' stich as this, hut I reiiiemhcred I was not
!!!n!!e\'!ess. and I sa.id.. albeit soniewhat shvlv;
Tin: FM»kKNTINKS
'"I cMiiiiitl tiik'- ill"' fosiiry. Hilt I ^lioiilil like U'll
llif (■!■ 'tix. Hut till II. I liiivr only ti'ii jiistiilis. ' "
■■'I'lll |)istii|rs I " lie Ii|>(illc(| f(illtclllj)t iimisly.
'■('(iljiu ill HjutuI Till' \\illkl|li|lislli|i ilhUK i^ wmtli
fwriity.'" 'I'li'ii, vicwiuL' my I'jillfii visjiL'' . If
;itl(|t(l: ■' I liiui\ cr. I li;i\<- it<(i\ ctl t'iiif tirjitm.iit in
this Imiisc. Iirsliiiw iiic liiit I li;i\(I I liaM' iii;iil''
L'ciixl sjili's to \iiiii' vniiii'j ciiuiit. What sort dl' iii;i>-
tfi- is 111', this M. Ir ('(Piiiic ilr Mar?"
"(»li. tln-ii- 's iiiiliiidy liki' liiiii," I aiisuiTi'il, "cx-
i'r|)t. (>r ('(HllSt'. M. If 1 )Ul'."
"Ah, tlnii ymi liavi- two iiiiistffs '.'" In- iiii|uiri'<i
(Miiiiiusly. vi't with a ciTtaiii i'ait'li's> air. It stnii*k
nil' siiddciily, u\ ri'w |ifliiiiiii:ly, that ln' was a spy,
cuiiH' lici'r iiMilcr till' LMiisf of all honest t radi'suiati.
Hill III' shniild LMin iinthinL' I rniii tn<'.
"This is the lii'iisc lit' the Diiki' of St. (^iii'ntiii,"
I said. "Suri'ly ynii {'niiid imi cniiic in at the lmIc
w itlmut dis<'iivri'iii'j: that .'"'
"lie is a vci'y Lnaiid sci'jni'ur, llit'ti, this ditki'?"
" Assui'i'dly," I rr|)lird cautiously.
".More oi' a man than ihr ('oiiiti' i\f Mar.'"
I would liavi' tohl him to mind his own liusincss,
liad it not lu-i'ii foi- my hopes of the crucilix. It' lie
planned to sell it to me cheap, therehy lio|)iii'_' to
>^;un ini'ormation. marry. I saw no reason why 1
should not huy it at his price — and withhold the iii-
roriiiation. So I made civil answer:
"They are hoth as '^'allant tr<''itlemen as any liv-
ing. About this cros.s, now—"
"Oh, ye.s, " he answered at once, accept intr with
willinirness— well IVitriied, I thouiiht— the chaime of
^>^mm
HL'G
THH HELMET OF NAVAKKE
topic. "You ('.111 ^'ivc lilt' ti'ii pistolts. say you?
"r is making' you a present ot llu- t ifasuic. Vet,
since I have reeeivcd \n)o(\ ticaliueiit at llie liands
of your master, I will e'en unve it lo you. You shall
have yt)ur cross."
With suspicions now at point of certainty. I drew
out my pouch i'l-oiii under i:iy pillow, and counted
into his hand the ten pieces which were my store.
My rosary 1 drew out likewise; I liad bi'oken it
when I shatteieJ the cross, hut one of the inn-
maids had lied it together foi- im- v.illi a tlwead, and
it served very well. The Italian urdiookeil the deli-
cate carvih',' from the silver chain and huii'^- it on
my wooden one. which I threw over my in-ck. vastly
pleased with my new possession. Marc<rs Vir;_nii
was a botch comi)ared with it. 1 remembeied that
mademoiselle, who had ^'iven mi' hall' my wealth,
the half that won me the rest, had hidden me buy
somethiii'^' in the marts of P'lris: and I toid myself
with jiride tliat she could not fail to hold me liif.h
did she know how, passint: by all vanities. I had
spent my whole store for a holy ima'je. Few boys
of my asze would be capable of the like. Ccrtes, I
had done piouslv. and slundd now take a further
pious joy, my i)urchase safe on my neck, in thwai't-
in^r the wiles of this serpent. I would [)lay with
him awhile, tease and batlle him, before handing him
over in triumph to Vigo.
Sure enou^rh. he began as I had expected :
"Tliis M. de Mar down-stairs, he is a very good
master. I suppose?"
"Yes," I said, without enthusiasm.
THE FLORENTINES
32
••lie has always tn'ato<l you wrll'.'"
I hfthouuhl myself of llu- triok I luul |>lay('(l suc-
cessfully with the ofliccr of llic bur^'css <,Mianl.
"Whv. yes. I su[)i»osc so. I have only known
him two days."
"Hut vou have known him well.' You have seen
much of him
eagerness.
1' (lemant
led with ill-concealed
But not so vorv mu(
h," I ma(h' tepid answer
'I have not been with him all the time of these two
days. I have seen re;dly vei
V little of him.
And vou know not whether or no he be a '^ood
master ?
"Oh, pretty •rood. So-so."
lie spran-r forwaril to deal me a stin-^'in^' box on
the ear.
I
)Ut of bed at one bound, scattering' tht
out 01 ned ax one
trinkets in a ^'oldeii rain and rushiiii,' for him. He
retreated befori" me. It was to save his jewels, but
I, fool that I was. thoui^ht it pure fear of me. I
dashed at him. all headlons.' conlidence; the next I
knew he had somehow twisted his foot between mine,
and tripped me before I could -:rapi)le. Never was
wi-rht more confounded to tind himst'lf on the floor.
I was startinir up a^'ain unliurt when I saw some-
thing' that made me to forjzet my purpose. I sat
still where I was, with dropped .jaw and buljrin-,'
eyes. For his liair. that iiad been black, was ^'olden.
"Ventre bleu!" 1 said.
"And so you know not, you little villain, whether
you have a jxood master or not '
"But how was I to dream it was monsieur?" I
■.i-JH
THK IIKJ.MKT OF NAVAKKE
ci'it'd, ('()iiff)iiii(lt'<l. "I knew tlicrc was soiiictliiii':
((iiffr about him — al)()ut you, I mean — about tho
jxTson I took you Tor, tliat is. I knrw tlu'iv was
soiiK'thiiiLr wi'on^' about you — that is to say, I mean,
I tliou'-'ht tlu'i'i' was; I iiii-an I knew he was u'f what
he seemed — you were not. And Peyiot t'ooK-d us,
anil I did n't want to be fooled apiin."'
"Then I am a i;ood master.'" he demanded trucu-
lently, advaneiu': upon me.
I put up my hands to my ears.
"The best, nH)nsieur. And monsieur wrestled
\\ell, loo."
"I ean't prove that by you. Felix," lie retorteil,
and laujihed in my nettled iaee. "Well, if you 've
not trampled on my jewels. I fortrive your con-
tumaey."
If 1 had, my bare toes had done them no harm.
I crawled about the tioor, gatheriiiii' them all up and
putting' them on the bed. where I presently sat
down myse! '■ to stare at him, trying to realize him
for M. le Comte. He had seated himself, too, and
was dustinj: his trami)led wi^' and clapping it on
again.
He had shaved o(T his mustaches and the tuft on
hi.s chin, and the whole look of him was changed.
A year hail gone for every stroke of the razor: he
seemed such a boy, so particularly guileless I Ho
had staineil his face .so well that it looked for all
the world as though the Southern sun had done it
Tor him; his eyebrows and lashes were dark by na-
ture. His wig came nuich lower over his forehead
than did his own liair, and altered the upper part
THE FLORENTINES
3 'JO
of his faeo as much as the shavinji of tho lower.
Only his eyes wore the same. He had hail his hack
1() tho window at first, and I had not notod them:
but now that ho had turnod, his eyes «ijloamod so
ii<.'ht as to 1)0 fairly startlinji in his <lark face — liko
stars in a stormy sky.
"Well, thou, how do you like mo?"
confounds mo. It 's witchery. I can-
'M(
lonsio
not m't usod to him."
"That 's as I would have it." ho returned. comin<;
over to tho hodsido to arrange his treasures. "For
if I look new to you. I think I may look so to tho
Hotel do Lorraine."
"Monsieur ^'oes to the Hotel do Lorraine as a
jeweller?" I cried, enlijrhtened.
"Aye. And if the ladies do not crowd about
me—" he broke otT with a gresture, and put his trays
back in his box.
"Well, I wondered, monsieur. I wondered if we
were <ioinjr to sell ornaments to Peyrot."
He locked tho box and proceeded solemnly and
thoroutrhly to damn Peyrot. He cursed him wak-
in<_'. cursed him sleopinir; cursed him eatintr, cursed
him diinkinjr; cursed him walkin,2. ridinp. sitting;
cursed him summer, cursed him winter: cursed him
younjr, cursed him old: livinjr, dyinp, and dead. I
inferred that tho packet had not boon recovered.
"\o. pardiou! Vigo went straight on horseback
to the Bonne Fommo. but Peyrot had vanished. So
he galloped round to the TJuo Tournelles, whither
he had .sent two of our mtMi b<'f(M-o him. but the bird
•was flown. He had been home half an hour before.
ill
Nl
f ^^a im^^^^^^'^.^m^i:^ ::M^.'wr
'MO THE nELMET OF NAVARRE
_lu' loft tlu- inn .just aftvr us.-had paid his arrears
of rent, surrendered his key, and tak.'n away his
clu'st with all his worldly '.'oods in it, on the shoul-
.Uts (.!• two porters, hound for parts unknown,
(iilles is scouring Paris for him. Mordieu, I wish
him luekl"
His faee hetokenrd littl.' hope of «lilh'S. ^^ e both
kept eha<:rined silence.
"Ami we thon-ht him sleepin<x!" presently
cried he.
"Well." he added, rising, "that milk s spilt; no
use ervmg over it. Plan a brtler venture; that 's
the oniv course. Monsieur is gone hack to St. Denis
to report to th(> king. Marry, he makes as little of
these gates as if h.' were a tennis-ball :i d they the
net. Time was when he thought he nuist plan and
prepare, and know the captain of the watch, and go
masked at midui'-dit. lb- has got bravely over that
now ; he bounces in and out as easily as kiss my
hand. I pray he may not try it once too often."
"Mavenne dare not touch him."
"Wliat Mayeiuie may dare is not good hotting.
Monsieur thinks he dar.'s n.>t. ^bmsieiir has come
throu'di so manv perils of lat.. he is happily con-
vinced he bears a charm.'d life. Felix, do you come
with me to the Hotel ile Lorraine?"
".\h. monsieur:" I eried. bethinking myself that
1 had forgotten to dress.
"Nay. von need not don these clothes." he inter-
posed, with a lo.>k of wickedness which I could not
interpret. " Wait : I 'm b;u'k anon."
!!(. i!=:t...l !>!!* ('f Ib.e inoni 1" return speedily with
an' armful of apparel, which he threw on the bed.
THE FLORENTINl^S
331
"Monsieur," I yaspod in horror, "it 's woman's
gear ! ' '
"Verily."
"Monsioir! you cannot mean me to wear this!"
"I mean it pi'eeisely."
"Monsieur!"
"Why, look you. Ft'lix." he lautrheil, "how else
am I to take you .' You were at pains to nuike your-
self conspicuous in M. de Mayenne's salon; they
will ieco<.'ni/e you as (piickly as me."
■'Oh. monsieur. |)ut me in a wi^'. in cap and bells,
Jin you like! I will he monsieur's down, anything?,
only not this!"
"I never heard of a jeweller accompanied by his
clown. Nor h.ave I any party-colour in my ar-
moires. But since I have exerted myself to borrow
this to<,'j:ery. — and a line, hij.' lass is the owner, so I
Ihink it will lit,— you must wear it."
I was like to burst with mortification: I stood
Ihei-e in dumb, atroni/.ed appeal.
"Oh. well, then you need not jro at all. If you
L'o. you '^'o as Pelicie. But you nuiy stay at home,
if it likes you belter."
That settled me. I would have -.'one in my grave-
clothes sooner than not go at all. an<l belike he
knew it. I began arraying myself sullenly and
clumsily in the nuirrain petticoats.
There was a full kirtle of giay wool, falling to
my ankles, and a white apron. Thei-e was a while
blouse with a wide, turned-back collar, and a scarlet
bodice, laced with black cords over a green tongue.
1 was soon in such a desperate tangle over these
divers uarments. so utterly muddled as to which to
.mm.
332
THE HELMKT OF NAVARRE
put on first, and which side forward, and whieh
end up, and where and how by the trrace of (Jod to
fasten them, that M. fitienne. with roars of hiu^'hter,
came unsteadily to my aid. He insisted on stuftin<,'
the whole of my .jerkin under my blouse to yive my
(i«,'ure the projx'r curves, and to make me a waist
he drew the lacinp-cords till I was like to suiYocate.
His mirth had by this time ^'ot me to laufihinj.' so
that every time he pulled me in, a tit of merriment
would jerk the laces from his tiu'^'ers before he eotdd
tie them. This happened once and a«,'ain, and the
more it happenetl the more we laujrhed and the les.s
he could dress me. I ached in every rib, and the
tears were runninu' down his cheeks, washinji little
clean channels in the stain.
"Felix, this will never do," he pasped when at
length he could speak. "Never after a cannise
have I been so maudlin. Compose yourself, for the
love of Heaven. Think of something' serious; think
of me! Think of Peyrot, tliink of Mayenne, think
of laicas. Think of what will happen to us now if
Mayenne know us for ourselves."
"Knouirh, monsieur," T said. "I am sobered."
But even now that I held still we could not
draw the last holes in the bodice-point nearly
to<;ether.
"Nay. monsieur. I can never wear it like this." I
panted, when he had tied it as tiL'ht as he coidd.
"I shall »lie. or T shall burst the seams." He had
perforce to ^'ive me more room; he pulled the apron
liigher to cover paps, and fastened a bunch of keys
anil a pocket at my waisl. He .sot a brown wip on
7H^.>.---^iJ>- ■:\^-
mtm
THE FLOKENTINES
333
ray head, nearly covered by a blaek mortier, with
its wide scarf hanjzinp down my back.
"Ilanji me, but you make a tine, strapping j:ri-
sette," he cried, proud of me as if I were a picture,
he the painter. "Feli.x. you 've no notion how
handsome you h)ok. Dame! you (U'frauded the
work! when you contrived to be born a boy."
"I thank my stars I was born a boy." I (h-eiared.
"I wouUl n't «ret into this top^'ory for any one else
on earth. I tell monsieur that, flat."
"You nuist chanjie your shoes." he cried eajicrly.
"Your hobnails spoil all."
I [)ut one of his "gossip's shoes on the Hoor beside
my foot.
"Now, monsieur, I ask you, how am I to get into
that?"
"Shall I fetch you Vipo's?" he 'grinned.
"No. Constant's." I said instantly, thinking how-
it would make him writhe to lend them.
"Constant's best," he promised, disappearing.
It was as gddd as a i)lay to see my lord running
errands for me. Perhaps he forgot, after a month
in the Rue Coupe.jarrets. that such thintrs as pages
exi.sted ; or. more likely, he did not care to take the
household into his conti<lence. Tie was back .soon,
with a pair of scarlet hose, and shoes of red mo-
rocco, the gayest af^'airs you ever saw. Also he
brought a hand-mirror, for me to look on my beauty.
"Nay, monsieur," T said with a sulk that started
anew his laughter. "T '11 not fake it; T want not
to see myself. But monsieur will do well to examine
his own counti^natioe."
■■?.;^ij
, !
334
THE HELMET OF NAVARRE
"Pardieul I should say so." h«» cried. "T ir.ust
rVn }^o repair myself; and you, Felix, — Felicio,—
must be fed."
I was in truth as hollow as a drum, yet I cried
out that I had rather starve than venture into the
kitchen.
"You flatter yourself," ho retorted. "You 'd
not he known. Old Juniel will f^ive you the pick of
the larder for a ki.ss, " he roared in my sullen face,
and added, relentinp: "Well, then, I will send one
of the lackeys up with a salver. The lazy bcfrj^ars
have naupht else to do."
I bolted the door aftei- him, and when the man
brought my tray, bade him set it down out.side. He
informed me through the panels that he would po
drown himself before he would be content to lie
slupabed the livelong day while his betters waited
on him. I trembled for fear in his virtuous scorn
he should take his fardel away again. But he had
had his orders. ^VheIl, after listening to his foot-
steps descending the stairs, I reached out a cautious
arm, the tray was on the floor. The generous meat
and wine put new heart into me: by the time my
lord returned I was eager for the enterprise.
"Have you finished?" he demanded. "Faith, I
see you have. Then let us st<Trt ; it grows lat?. The
shadows, like good Mu.ssulmans. are stretching to the
cast. I must catch the ladies in their chambers be-
fore supper. Come, we '11 take the box between us."
"Why, monsieur, I carry that on my shoulders."'
"What, my lass, on your dainty shoulders? Nay,
'l \N»)uld make the townsfolk stare."
THK I'hOKKNTINES
3:;r>
I pnawed my lip in silcuct'; he exolaimed:
"Now, nevor have I seen a maid fresh from the
eonvent hhish so prettily. I 'd jzive my ri^'ht hand
to walk you out past the truard-room."
I shrank as a snail when you touch its horns. He
cried :
"Marry, but I will, though!"
Now I, unlike Sir Snail, had no snup little for-
tress to take refujre in; I miirht writhe, but I could
not defend myself.
"As you will, monsieur," I said, setting? my teeth
hard.
"Nay, I dare not. Those fellows would follow us
laufihint; to the doors of Lorraine lIou.se itself.
I 've told none of this prank; I have even contrived
to send all the lackeys out of doors on fools' er-
rands. We 'II sneak out like thieves by the postern.
Come, tread your wariest."
On tiptoe, with the caution of malefactors, we
crept from stair to stair, j;i«:<.'linj,' under our breath
like the callow lad and saucy lass we looked to be.
We won in safety to the postern, and came out to
face the terrible eve of the world.
HSjSi
XXV
.1 doubli mit»qurrailr.
\VAA\, \vt' art' spoakiiif; in our own
tdUfrue. It is such lapses as these
hriii;^ iiieii to the i^aMows. Italiafi
from this word, my ^'irl."
"Monsieur, I have no notion how to
bear myself, what to say," I answered uneasily.
"Say as little as you can. For, I confess, your
voice and your hands <;ive me pause; otherwise I
woultl take you anywheiv for a lass. Vour part
must he the shy maiden. My faith, you look the
rule; your cheeks are poppies! You will follow
docile at my heels while I tell lies for two. I have
the hope that tlie ladies will heetl me and my jewels
more than you."
"Monsieur, could we not go safelier at night?"
"I have thought of that. But at night the house-
hold gathers in the salon; we should run the gantlet
of a hundred looks and tongues. While now, if we
have luck, we may win to mademoiselle's own cham-
l)er— " lie broke oil' abruptly, and walked along
in a day-dream.
"Well." he resumed presently, coming back to the
needs of the moment, "let us know our namex <<ud
336
A IXUIBLK MAS<^rKUAl)K
3:«7
sliitiou. I am •liovaiiiii Kossini. son of the raiimiis
.^'(•Idsmith of Flori'iice; you. (liulictta. my sist»'r. We
fame to I'aris in tin- Ic^'atr's train, trade Ix'iiiL' dull
at liomi'. tlif ^rciJlry having' tied to the hills tor tli»'
hot month. Of coursi' you '\v ncvt-r set foot out of
Franct', Fe — (Jiulictta?"
'•Nt'VtT out of St. (^ut'nlin till I oamt' hither.
But Father Franee.seo ha.s talked to me nuieh of his
eity of Florence."
"Good : you ean then make shift to answer a ques-
tion or two if put to it. Your Italian, I swear, is
of excellent (juality. You speak French like the
rieard you are. hut Italian like a gentleman — that
is to say, like a lady."
"Monsieur," I hemoaned miserably, "I shall
never come through it alive, never in the worhl.
They will know me in the Hick of an eye for a boy;
I know they will. Why. the folk we are passing:
can see something; wronfr; they all are staring at
me."
"Of course they stare." he answerec' tranquilly.
"I should think some wronj.' if they di.l not. Can
your modesty never understand, my (Jmlietta, what
a pretty lass you are?"
lie fell to lauirhin<r at my discomfort, and thus,
he full of pay confidence. I full of misjrivinjr. we
came before the doors of the Hotel de Lorraine.
"Courace." he whispered to me. "Courage will
conquer the de\nl himself. Put a good face on it
and take the plunge." The next moment he was in
the archway, deluging the sentry with his rapid
Italian.
•21
:i:!S
TIIH MKIAIKT or NAVAKKK
'Nom <riiii ihiiii! \Vli;il "s iill lliis? What art.'
Villi anil-.'" till man sli«iiif(<l al lis. to make us uii-
(li-rstaiiil the iH'ltcr. "I lave n't you a word of lion-
cst Knticli in your lirad '.'"
M. Ktitiiiif. tii|)piii!.' his liox, very hrokt'iily, very
lal»oiMoiisly slaiiiiiuivil forth sonicthiut,' about jewels
I'or tile hulics.
"del in with you, then."
We welf not slow to ohcv.
The eoiirtyard was deserted, nor did we see any
one in the windows of the house, atrainst wliieh the
afteiiioon sun sti'uek hotl,v. 'I'o keep out liis unwel-
eoiiie rays, the lioiise ih)or was puslied jdiiiost shut.
We paused a moment oti the step, to listen to the
voiees of <rossipiTiir hiekeys within, and tlien M.
fiti«'nnr l)oMly knocked.
There was a scurryint: in the hall, as if half a
dozen idlers were j)lun!_'ini,' into their doublets and
runniui: to their places. Then my jrood frieml
Pierre opened the dooi'. In the row of uiulerlin<:s
at his hack I recoirni/.ed the two who had taken part
in my tloLTirin};. The cold sweat broke out upon me
lest they in their turn shoultl know me.
M. fitieiine lookec' from one to another with the
childlike smile of his bare lips, demanding if a»y
hetv spoke Italian.
"I." answered Pierre liimsclf. "Now. wluit may
your errand be?"
"Oh. it 's soon told," M. fitienne cried volubly,
as one delighted to find himself understood. "I am
a jeweller from Florence; I am selling my wares in
vour great lioiises. I havi- but jusi sold a necklace
Al,^a.:
"i^ I
A DOlJBLK MA^giKUADE
ay I)
t.) th.- UiK'hfsst' ill' .Juvfiisf; I eruvf permission to
show my triiikrts to tin- fair ladies here. But take
lue up "to them, and they '11 m)t make you re-
I»eiit if."
•Co tell madame," I'ierre bad.- om" of his men.
a:i<l tuniiti-.' a-^'ain to us ■_'av.' us kindly permission
!(> set down our hui'deii and wait.
For ineredilti.- «.'oo<l luek. the heavy hau^riufis were
drawn over the sunny windows, making a soft twi-
lijrht in the room. 1 sidled over to a heneh in the
far corner and was feelinj; almost safe, when Pierre
l.esln-fw him! callfd attention to me.
"N(»w. that is a heavy bo.x for a maid to help lu'„'.
Do you make the lass.-s do porters' work, yuu
Florentines?"
••Hut I am a stranirer here," M. Rtienne ex-
plained. "Diil F liire a porter, how am I to tell an
honest one? lielike he mi^ht run otV with all my
treasures, and where is jxxir (iiovanni then? Bo-
sides, it were eruel to leave my little sister in our
lodfrin*;, not a soul to speak to. tlie lonj,' day through.
There is none where we lodu'e knt>ws Italian, as you
do so like an an-iel. Sir Master of the Household."
Now. Pierri' was no more maitre d'liotel than I
was. hut that did not dampen his pleastire to be
called so. He sat down on the bench by M. fttienne.
"How eame you two to be in Paris?" he asked.
My loril i)roeeeded to tell liim I know not what
«^'lib and eonvineini^' farrairo. with every excellenee,
I made no doubt, of accent and tiesture. But I
could not listen: I had affairs of my own by this
I
.'UO
THK HELMET OF NAVARRE
more iiifcrcstcvl in uw thiiii in my brollicr. and the
same Joan who had luld nie fur my beating', who
had wanted my coat sli-ippcd otV me that I mii;ht
hv whaeki'd to hh'i'd, now said:
"I '11 warrant you 're hot and tired and thirsty,
niadenioisello, for all you look as fresh as cress.
Will you drink a cup of wine if I fetch it ?"
I had kept my eyes on the <:round from the first
moment of encounter, in mortal dread to look these
men in the face; hut now. <,'aininf.' coura^^'. I raised
my j^lanee and smiled at him bashfully, and faltered
that I did not understand.
He understood the sense, if not the words, of my
answer, and repeated his ot^'er, slowly, loudly. I
strove to look as i)lank as the wall, and shook my
head gently and helplessly, and turned an iiKjuirintr
gaze to the others, as if beseechintr them to inter-
pret. One of the fellows clapped Jean on the shoul-
der with a roar of laughter.
"A fall, a fall!" he shouted. "Here 's the all-
conquering Jean Marchand tripped up for once.
He thinks nothing that wears petticoats can with-
stand him. hut here's a maid that has n't a word to
throw at him."
"Pshaw! she does n't understand me," Jean re-
turned, undaunted, and i)romptly pointed a linger
at my mouth and then raised his tist to his own,
with sucks and gulps. I allowed myself to compre-
hend then. I smiled in as cotpiettisli a fashion as I
could contrive, and glanced on the ground, and
slowly looked up again and nodded.
The men burst into loud applause.
.j2W5S5^'jeft^r'
A DOUBLE MASC^UKRADE
341
"(Jood old .lean! .Iran wins. Well played. .Ii'aii!
Vive Jean !"
Jean, flushed with triuinph. ran nlV dii his errand,
while I thouirht of Mar^'ot. the steward's dau«:htei'.
at home, and tried to reeolleet every air and L'race
I had ever seen her tlaunt Itefore us lads. It wa.s
not bad fun, this. I hid my hatids under my ai)ron
and spoke not at all. but siirhed and smiled and
blashed under th-ir stares like any fine lady. Oncf
in one's life, for one hour, it is rather amusinj: to
be a ^'irl. But that is ijuite Ion;; enouL'h. say I.
Joan came a^'ain directly with a '^'reat silver
tankard.
"Hurjrundy. pardieu!" cried one of his mates,
sticking: his nose into the pot a.s it passed him. "and
full I ("iel, you must think your lass has a head."
"Oh. I shall drink with her." Jean answered.
I put out my liand for the tankard, runnin*^ the
risk of my bi<; paw's betrayin;; me. resolved that he
should not drink with me of that draufrht. when of
a sudden he leaned over to snatch a kiss. I dt>dired
him. more fri^rhtened than the shyest maid. Thouirh
in this half-lifrht I mipht perfectly look a <rirl. I
could not believe I should kiss like one. In a panic,
I fled from Jean to my master's side.
M. fttienne, \vheelin<r about, came near to lauph-
infr otit in my face, when he remembered his part
and played it with a zeal that was like to undo us.
lie spranp to his feet, drawiim Isi.. d<itr<rer.
"Who insults my sister?" he shouted. ""Who is
the doj; do*^ chis!"
Thev wi • on him. wrenchinir the knife from his
' i
mm
I J
THK HKl.MET (»F XAVAKKi:
liaiid. wiTiit'hiii'^' his laiiii' arm at thf same time so
paini'uliy that he frasped. I was seared chill; I
iaiew if they iiiishaiulled him they would hrush the
wi^ o\]'.
"Mind ycur manners, sirrah!" Jean cried.
Monsieur's ardour vanished; a «ientle. appealing;
smile spread over his face.
"I cry your i)ai'dou. sii-.'" he said to Jean; then
tnrnin<: to i'ierrc. "This nicssc,- does not under-
stand me. But tell him. [ beir you, I crave his i,'ood
pardon, i was hiit aniivrcd for a moment that any
should think to touch my little sister. I meant no
harm."
"Nor he," IMerre relortcd. "A kiss, forsooth!
What do you expect with a handsome lass like that?
if you will take her nlxmt - "
"Madame says the jewtllcr fellow is to come up,"
our messenger announced, returnintr.
My lord l)esou^'ht Pierre:
"My knife? I may have my knife? By the
heai'd of St. Peter. 1 swear to you. I meant no harm
with it. T drew it in .jest."
Now, this, which was the .sole true statement he
had made since our arrival, was the only one Pierre
did not (juite believe. Fie took the knife from Jean,
liut he hesitated to hand it over to it.s owner.
"No," he said : "you were auirry enou«-'h. I know
your Italian temper. I 'm thiukin-r T '11 keep this
little toy of yours till you come down."
"Very well. Sir Ma.jordomo," M. Ivtienne re-
joined inditl'erently. "so be it yon ?ive it to me
..v]...!) T .'o " lie erasped the handle of the box,
A UOUHLK MASl^l'KKADK
343
5
and we followiMi our ^ui<l»' iij) tlif stair, my master
otl'eriii^' me the eomfortiiif; assurHiice:
"It really matters not in the kast, for if we he
eaujrlit thi* »lau;i.'er 's not yet forj^ed can save us."
We were ushereil into a lar«.'e, fair ehaniher hiwif;
witli arras, the carpet under our feet d^'^']^ and soft
as moss. At one side stood the hed, raised on its
dais: opposite were the windows, the di-essin«,'-tahk'
hetween them, covered with scent-hottk's and hoxes,
hrushes and combs, very jilitteriny and ^rand. P^lut-
terin^ about \hv room were .some half-(k>zen Hue
(billies and (k'liioiselles, brave in silks and jewels.
.\mon!_' them I was (piick to reeofrni/e Mme. de May-
t'line, and I thonirht I knew Vi;;;uely one or two
other faces as those I had seen before about her. I
started i)rest'iitly to discover the little .Mile, de Ta-
vanne: tliat nij^ht she had worn sky-colour and now
she wore rose, but there was no mistaking her saucy
face.
We set our box on a table, as th.c duchess bade
us, and I helped .M. f^tieiuie to lay out its contents,
which done, I retired to the backirround, well con-
tent to leave the briuit of the business to him. It
was a« he pi'oi)hesied : they paid me no heed what-
ever, lie was smoothly launched on the third re-
latinjr of his tale; I trow by this time he almost be-
lieved it himself. Certes. he never falttied, but
rattled on as if he had tv.d toii<_'ues, tellinj^ in con-
fidentiid tone of our father and mother, our little
brothers and sisters at home in Florence: our jour-
ney with the lej;ate, his kindness and care of us (I
hoped that tli^niitary would not walk in just now to
;i44
THE HEI.MHT OF NAVARRE
|);iy liis rcspci'ts to uiadaiiic la ^'('in'ralc) ; of our ar-
lival ill Paris, and our wonder and doli^dit at the
«Mty's trriindt'ur. the like ol' wliieh was not to he
iound in Italy; and, last, hut not leiist, he had nuich
lo say, with an innoeent, wide-eyd <irHvity, in praise
of the ladies of I'aris. so ht'autiful. so witty, so <ren-
erous! They were all crowdinjr around him. callinu;
him pretty hoy, iau^'hinj.' at his eonipliments, han-
dlinj; and exclaiinin<r over his trinkets, trying; the
efVect of a huekle or a hraeelet. '^reeninj; and cooins:
like hrifiht-hreasted pigeons a^ it tlie corn-thrower.
It was as pretty a sipht as ever I heheld, hut it was
not to smile at sueh that we had risked our heads.
Of Mile. <!»' Montluc there was no sijin.
Xo one was markin<; me, and I wondered if I nii<zht
not slip out unseen and make my way to mademoi-
selle's chamber. I knew she lod^red o i this story,
near the hack of the house, in a room overlooking
the little street and having' a turret-window. But I
was somewhat douhtfid of my skill to find it throutrh
the windin*.' corridors of a jj;reat palace. I was more
than likely to meet some one wlio would question
my purpose, and what answer could I make ! I
scarce dared say I was seeking mad»'moiselle. I am
not ready at explanations, like M. le Comte.
Yet here were the «?olden moments tiying and oiir
cause no further advanced. Should I leave it all
to M. fttieinio, trusting; that when he hatl made his
sales here lu' would he permitted to seek out the other
ladies of the house? Or should I strive to aid him?
Could I win in safety to mademoiselle's chamber,
v.liat a feat I
A DOUBLE MASQUEKADE
345
It SO irked me to be doins nothing that I was on
the very point of gingeily disappearing when one of
tlu" hidies, she with the yellow curls, the prettiest
of them all, turned suddenly from the group, calling
clearly :
"Lorance!"
Our hearts stood still— mine did, and I can vouch
for his— as the heavy window-curtain swayed aside
and she came forth.
She came listlessly. Her hair sweeping against
her cheek was ebony on snow, so white she was;
while under her blue eyes were dark rings, like the
smears of an inky tinger. M. fitienne let fall the
braceb t he wa.s Imiding, staring at her oblivious of
aught else, his brows knotted in distress, his face
afire with love and sympathy. He made a step for-
ward ; I thought him about to catch her in his arms,
when he recollected himself and dropped on his
knees to grope for the fallen trinket.
"You wanted me, madame?" she asked Mme. de
Mayenne.
"No," said the duchess, with a tartness of voice
she seemed to reserve for Mile, de Montluc; " 't was
Mme. de Montpen er."
"It was I," tie fair-haired beauty answered in
the same breath. "I want you to stop moping over
there in the corner. Come look at these baubles and
see if they cannot bring a sparkle to your eye. Fie.
liorance! The liavipg too many lovers is nothing to
cry about. It is an a*flietion many and many a lady
would give her ears to undergo."
"Take heart o' grace, Lorance!" cried Mile, de
346
THK IIKl.MKT OF NAVAKRK
Tavannc. "11" you ^o on lookiiit: as you look to-day,
you 'II not lon<r ho troubled by lovers."
She made no answer to either, but, stood there
passively till it mifiht be their pleasure to have done
with her, with a patient weariness that it wrun^ the
heart to see.
"Here "s a chain would become you vastly, Lo-
rance, " Mnie. de Montpensier went on, friendlily
enouph, in her brisk and careless voice. "Let me
try it on your neck. You can easily coax Paul or
some one to buy it for you."
She fumbled over the clasp. M. fitienne, with a
"Permit me. niadame," took it boldly from her hand
and hookeil it himself about mademoiselle's neck.
He delayed lonirer than he need over the fastening
of it, lookinj^ with burning: iiitentness straight into
her face. She lifted her eyes to his with a quick
frown of displejusure. drawin<; herself back: then
all at once the colour waved across her face like the
dawn flush over a pray sky. She blushed to her
very hair, to her very ruff. Then the red vanished
a,s (juickly as it had come; she clutched at her bosom,
on the verfie of a swoon.
He threw out his arms to catch lier. Instantly
she stepped aside, and. turninpr with a little un-
steady laugh to the lady at whose elbow she found
herself, asked:
"Does it become me. madame?"
The little scene had passed so quickly that it
seemed none had marked it. Mademoiselle had
stood a little out of the jrroup. monsieur with his
back to it. and the ladies were busy over the jewels.
A DorBLE MASgUKKADE
:v»7
She whom inadt'nioisflU' had addn-ssi'd. a hiir-noscd,
h)iKi-v()ii'e(l hidy. oUhv than any of the others, au-
swcivd her hhintly :
"You h)ok a sha(U' too trrcen- faced to-ihiy, made-
moiseUe, for anything to l)eeoiiie you."
"What can you expect. Mnie. de Brie?" Mile.
Blanche promptly demanded. "Mile, de Montluc
is weary and worn from her vitriis at your son's
hedside. "
MuH'. de Montpensier had the temerity to lau^'h ;
but for the rest, a sort of little jrroan ran throui.di
the company. Mme. de Mayenne haile sharply,
"Peace, Blanche!" Mine, de Brie, red with aufjer,
tlauK'd out on her and Mile, de Montluc equally:
"You impudent min.xes! 'T is enou^'h that one
of y(m should hrinir my son to his death, without the
other makinj: a mock of it."
"He 's not dyin<r." hepan the irrepressible
Blanche de Tavanne, lu-r eyes twinklin«r with mis-
chief: hut whatever nau<:hty answer wius on her
tongue, our mademoiselle s deepei- voice overl)ore
her :
"I am <;uiltless of the char<re, madame. It wius
through no wish of mine that your son. w li half
the j-'uard at his back, set on one wotuuled man."
"I Ml warrant it was not," nuittered Mile.
Blanche.
"Mar has turned traitor, and deserves nothinjr so
well a.s to be spitted in the dark," Mme. de Brie
cried out.
Mademoiselle waited an instant, with tlasliiu}?
eyes meeting uiadauie's. 6hc had .spoken hotly be-
;ms
THE IIKLMET OF NAVAKKE
fnic. hut HOW, in the lace of tho other's passion, she
hchi hci-self steady.
"Your charj.'e is as false, niadaine, a.s your wish
is erufl. Do you ^'o to vespers and come home to
say such things'/ M. de Mar is no traitor; he was
never pledjied to us, and may t?'> o^'*^'!* ^" Navarre
when he will."
It was (|uietiy spoken, hut the hlue lii;htnin^ of
ln'r eyes was too nnich for Mme. de Brie. She
opened her mouth to retort, faltered, dropped h»'r
eyes, and finally turned away, yet seethinjr, to feign
interest in the trinket.s. It was ;i rout.
'•Then you are the traitor. Lorance." chimed the
silvery tones of Mme. »le Montpensier. "It is not
denied that .M. de Mar ha.s gone over to the enemy;
then- fore are you the traitor to have intercourse
with him."
Slu' spoke without heat, without any appearance
of ill feeling. Ilers was merely the desire, for the
fun of it. to keep the Hurry going. But mademoi-
selle answered seriously, with the fleetingest glance
at M. le Comte, where he, forgetting he knew no
French, fenstfd his eyes recklessly on her. pitying,
applauding, adoring her. T went softly around the
group to pull his sleeve; svi- were lost if .my turned
to see him.
"Madame," mademoiselle addressed her cousin
of Montpensier, spt'aking particularly clearly and
<listiiictly, "I mean ever to he loyal to my house.
I eaiiie here a penniless orphan to the care of my
kinsman Mayenne: and he ha.s always heen to me
••enerous and loving—"
A DOUBLE MAS(^rKKAl>K
340
"If not madame," murnnirtxl JVIll*'. Blanche to
herself.
"—as I in my turn have been lovinpr and obedient.
It was only two nifihts a^o he told me M. de Mar
iinist be as dead to me. Since then I have held no
interconrse with him. Last nitrht he came under
my window; I was not in my chamber, as you know.
I knew imu^ht of the atlair till M. de Brie was
broufrht in bleedin-;. It was not by my will M. de
Mar came here— it was a misery to me. I sent him
word by his boy that other nijrht to leave Paris; I
implored him to leave Paris. If, instead, he comes
here, he racks my heart. It is no joy to me, no
triumph to me, but a bitter distres.s, that any hont»st
pentleman should risk his life in a vain and empty
(|uest. M. de Mar must <.'o his ways, as I must po
mine. Should he ever make attempt to reach me
apain, and could I speak to him. I should tell him
just what I have said now to you."
I pressed monsieur's hand in the endeavour to
brin^ him back to sense ; he seemed about to cry out
on her. But mademoiselle's earnestness had drawn
all eyes.
"Pshaw, Lorance! banish these tra<.'edy airs!"
Mme. de Montpensier rejoined, lier litrhtness little
touched. A wounded bird falls by the ripplinp
water, but the ripples tinkle on. "M. de Mar is
not likely ever to venture here apain; he had too
warm a welcome last ni«;ht. My faith, he may be
dead by this time— d"ad to all as well as to you.
.\fter he vanishrd into Ft rou's house, no one seems
to knov." what l:i"i|.-pcned. Has ('liarles U>id yvu, my
sister?"
if
350
THE HELMET OF NAVAKRE
"Forou pave him up. of enursc," Miiit\ d-' May-
«'iint' answered. "M<insitMir lias (loin- wluit .,ceiiu'd
to him proper."
"You are darkly mysterious, sister."
Mme. de Maypnne raised her ' yehrows and smiled.
as one soh'iiiidy pledired to say no mor(>. She could
not. indeed, say more, knowing' nitthinj.' whatever
ahout it. Our madenioiseile spoke in a low voice,
h)okin(; straight before her:
"If Heaven willed that he escaped hist nitrht. I
pray he may leave the city. I pray he may never
try to .see me more. I pray he may depart instantly
—at once."
"I pray your prayers may he answered, so he it
we hear no more of him," Mine, de Moiitpensier re-
torted, tired of the subject she herself had started.
"He was never tedious himself. M. de Mar. but ; II
this solemn pratinir about him is duller than a ser-
mon." She raised a dainty hand behind which to
yawn audibly. "Come, mesdames. let us fjet back
to our purchases. Ma foi ! it "s lucky these jeweller
folk know no PVench."
M. fttienne wns himself airain. all smiles and (juick
pleasantries. I slipped off to my post in the back-
pround. tryinp to pet out of the eye of Mile, de
Tavanne. who had been starinp at me the last five
minutes in a way that made my poose flesh rise, so
suspicious, so prohinp, was it. On my retreat she
did indeed move her paze from me, but only to
watch M. le Comte as a hound watches a thicket.
It wa.s a miracle that none had pounced on him
bef(»re. so reckless liad he been. I perceived with
^^'A
1
A IM)11{|.K MASi^l'KKADK
:i.-. 1
siokeninp certainty thjif Mil.-. <U> Tavannt' )ia<l
jrufsscd soiiicthiiit; uimss. Slit- fairly bristU-d with
suspii'ioii, with kiioulfd^'c. I uiiit.'d intiii hrcath-
h'ss iiioiiit'iit to tiioiiieiit for aiiii.iimccinciit. Thrrc
was iiothiii^r to hf doii.- ; she h.'hl us in th.- hollow
of her hand. We could ikiI ll.'c. wf could not ti-:ht.
Wc could d- nothin-: hut wait (piictly till she spoke,
and then submit quietly to arrest; later, most like,
to death.
Mirnite tollowed minute, and still she did not
speak. Hope iloweil back to me ajrain ; perhaps,
after all, w*- mi-rht escape. I wondered how hi<,'h
were the windows from the «.'r()untl.
As I stole acro.ss the room to see. Mile, df Tavp.nne
detached herself from the irroui) and -rlided i.nno-
ticed out of the door.
It was thirty feet to the stones below— sure (h-ath
that way. Hut she had <riven us a respite; some-
thiufr mij:ht yet b<' do?ie. [ seized M. f;tieiine's arm
in a j:iip that should tell him Imw st-rions was f»ur
pass. Kemembciin^'. for a marvel, my forcij^n
ton^Mie. I besp..ke him:
"Brother, it j:i -ws late. We must jro. It will
soon be dark. We mi st po now— now!"
He turned on me with an imiMitient frown, but
before he could answer, Mme. de AIonti)ensier cried,
with a lau<:h:
"And do you fear the dark, wench? Marry, you
look as if you could take care of yourself."
"Nay. niadame." I protested, "but the l)o.\.
Come. <.'iovanni. If we jiuirer. we may be ro!)!==.d jm
the dark sti ts. "
:i:,:
T!1K HKI.MKT OF NAVARKK
"Why, my sister, where are your manners?" hf
retorted, 8trivin^' to shak.- me otV. "The ladies have
not yet dismissed me."
"We shall be rohhed of the box," I persisted ; "and
the ni<:ht air is bad for your health, my Nino. It
you stay loiurer yon will have trouble in the throat."
lie looked at nn' hard. I tried to make my i-yes
tell him that my fear was no va'^'ue one of the
streets, that his throat was in peril here and now.
He un(h»rstood; he cried with merry laughter to
Mme. de Montpensier:
"Pray excuse her lack of manners, duehessa. I
know what moves the nuiid. I nuist tell you that in
the house where we lodtre dwells also a beautiful
young captain — beautiful as the day. It 's little
l)f his time he spends at home, but we have observed
that he comes every evening to array himself
grandly for supper at some one's palace. We count
our day lost an we cannot meet him. by accident, on
the stairs."
They all laughed. I, with my cheeks burning like
any silly maid's, set to work to put up our scattered
wares. I^ut despair weighed me down: if we had
to remember ceremony we were lost. The ladies
were protesting, declaring they had not made their
bargains, and monsieur was smirking and bowing,
as if he had the whole night before him. Our one
chance was to bolt; to charge past the sentry and
flee as from the devil. I pulled monsieur's arm
again, and nuittered in his ear:
"She knows us; she 's gone to tell. We nuist run
for it."
mm
MiPmii
IE
:??
.i^
A IKU'BLK MASCilKKADK
:tr.;t
At this iiiiiiiM-iit llicfi' nnisf rnmi down the «mii-
ritlor i)ii'iTiiit: slirifk on shrii-k, tin- liowls of i\ yi)iiiij^
child tiaiitic with iH|.'t' and tt-rrnr. At tht- saiiu'
tiiiit' souiidt'd other ditrorent crit's. wild, outlandish
chatU'riii^r.
'•Thi- hal.y! It 's Toto! Oh. ci.'l!" Mm.', d.-
AFayciiiic vras|H'd. "lli'ip. iiu'sdaiin'S !" She r-uslu'd
rroiii the room. Mnu*. dc Montpt'iisiiT at ht-r ht'cis.
all the ri'st followiiiir after.
All, that is. hut <>iu'. Mile, de Moutlue started
as the rest, but at the thresh<»ld paused to let them
pa.ss. She tluu^; the door to behind them, and ran
baek to monsieur, her face tlrawii with terror, her
hand out.st retched.
"Monsieur, monsieur!" she panted, "(io! you
nmst j;oI"
lie seized her hand in both of his.
' ' O Lorance ! Lorance ! ' '
She laid her left hand on his for emphasis.
"(lo! '_'<»! An you love me, go!"
For answer he fell on his knees before her, cov-
ering; those sweet hands with kisses.
The tloor was Hung open ; Mile, de Tavanne stood
on the threshold. They starteil apart, monsieur
leaping to his feet, mademoiselle springing baek with
choking cry. But it was too late; she had seen us.
She was rosy with running, her little face brim-
ming over with mischief. She Hitted into the room,
crying:
"I knew it! I knew it was M. de Mar! The
gray eye.s! M. le Due has iione v.ith him as he
thought proper, forsooth! Well, I have done as I
23
nr.4
THK MKLMKT OK XAVAHHK
tliou$.'ht priipcr. 1 iiiicliaiiK'd Mine, dc M<)iit[>('ii-
sicr's nioiikcy iiii(l llii'cw liiiii into tlic nursfiy, wluTi'
lie 's scart'd Iht' baby m-ai'ly into spasms. Tctlo car-
ried tlic cldth-oi'-^'old c'ovt'i'lct up (»ii top of the
tester, wliere he 's p' 'l<iii<; it to pieces, the darlin<i!
They won't he back - you 're safe for ;t whih', my
ehihlren. I "II keep watch for you. Make jjrood use
of your time. Kiss her well, monsieur."
"Mademoiselle, you ai'e an aiiL;el."
"Xo, she is the an^'el." Mile, lilanche laughed
back at him. "I 'm but .vour wardei'. Have no
lear; I '11 keep jjood watch. Here, you in tlie petti-
coats, that wei'e a boy the other nii;ht, <ro to the far-
ther door. Mme. de .\eniours takes her nap in the
second room Ix-yond. You watch that door; I '11
watch the coi-ridoi-. Farewell, my children! I'este!
think you IJIanche de Tavainie is so bailly otl' for
lovers that she need <irudu:e you yours, Lorance?"
Shi' danced out of the door, while I ran across to
my station. Mile, di' Montlue staiidinir bewildei-ed,
ardent, ^'rateful, half lau^diin<r. half in tears.
"Lorance, [jorancel" .M. Ktienne murmui'ed tivin-
ulously. "She said I should kiss you—''
I put my lin^'ers in my ears and then took them
out airain. for if my ears weiv sealcil, how was I to
hear .Mme. de Nemoui's approachin>r? Hut I ailmit
I should luive kept my eyes ^dued to the ciack of
the door; that I ever turned them is my shame. I
have no business to know that mademoiselle boweil
her face upon her lover's slioulder, her hand clasj)-
intr his neck, silent. motionles.s. lie j)rcs.scd his
cheek a^'ain.st her hair, lioldini,' her close; neither
A DOUBLE MA8QUEKADE
365
hatl any will ti» move or spi-ak. It sceniod they were
wi'll eoiitfut tu stand so tlu- rest of their lives.
Mademoiselle was the first to stir; she raised her
head and strove to break away from his locked arms.
"Monsieur! monsieur! This is madness! You
must go!"
"Are you sorry I came?" he demanded vibrantly.
"Are you .sorry, Loranee?"
His eyes held hers; she threw pretence to the
winds.
"Xo, monsieur; I am fflad. For if we never meet
atraiu. we have had this."
"Aye. If I die to-nifrht, I have had to-day."
Their voices were like the rune of the heart of
the forest, like the nui ic of deep streams. I turned
away my head ashamed, and strove to think of noth-
injr but the wakinj^ of Mme. de Nemours.
"I thoufiht you dead," she moanetl, her voice
muffled at^ainst his check. "No one would tell me
what hai)pened last ni-rht. I could not devise any
way of escape for you—"
"There is a tiuinel from Ferou's house to the Rue
de la Soierie. His mother— merciful anjrel — let me
throuj,'h. "
"And you were not hurt?"
"Not a scratch, ma mie."
"But the wound before? Felix said—"
"T was [)ut out of combat the night I got it," he
explained earnestly, troubled even now because he
luul not obeyed her sunnnons. "I was dizzy ; I could
not walk."
"But now, monsieur? Does it heal?"
356
THK HKLMK'I OF NAVAKKE
"It is wi'I I — almost. 'T \va.s l)ut a slash on the
arm. ' '
"Oh, then have I no anxiety," she niiirmureil,
with a smiU' that twinkled across licr lips and was
gone. "I eannot perceive you to he disabled, mon-
sieur."
"My sweetin^r!" he laufrhed out. "If I eannot
hold a sword yet, I can hold my love."
"But you nuist not, monsieur," she cried, fear,
that had slept 'i moment, sprin<;in^ on her a^ain.
"You must ^'o. and this instant, while the others are
yet away. I knew you, Blanche knew you ; some
other will. Oh, <j:o. <ro. I implore you!"
"If you will come with me."
She made no answer, save to look at him as at a
madman.
"Nay, I mean not now, past the sentry. I am not
so crazy as that. But you will slip out, you will
find a way, and come to me."
Silently, sadly, she shook her head. His arms
loosened, and she freed herself fi'om liiiii. But in-
stantly he was close on her atrain.
"But you nmst ! you will, you must I Ah, Lo-
rance, my father is won ovci*. lie luds me win you.
He has sworn to welccune you: \^lu'Il he sees you he
will be your slave."
"But my cousin Mayenne is not won over."
"Devil tly away with your cousin Mayeiuu-!" M.
fttienne retorted with a vehemence that nuule me
shuiUler, lest the walls have eai's.
"Ah. you are fi-ee to say that, monsieur, but I
am not. I am of his blimd, and dwell in his house,
and I'at at his boaril."
A DOUBLE MASgUEHADE
357
He was lookin^r at hfi- with a passionate ardour,
j^nuspiiij; her actual words hss than their import of
refusal.
"Are you afraid?" he eried. "Are you fri^'ht-
ened, heart-root of mine? You need not l)e. miir-
nonne. You can contrive to slip from the house -
Mile, de "' vanne will help you. Once in the sti-eel.
T will meet you; 1 will carry yon home to hold
you atraiust all the world."
"It is not that." she answered.
"Am I your fear?" he cried ipiiekly. "Ah. L(»-
ranee. my Loranee. you need not. I In, t^ you as I
love the Queen of Heaven."
"Ah. hush!"
"As I love the (^uei'u of Heaven. I will as soon
do s;H'rile'_'e toward her as ill to you."
He di'opped on his knees hefoi-e her. kissing' the
hem of her trowii. She stcxul looking down on his
liowed head with a tenderness that seemed to infold
him as with a tnaiitle.
H<- raised his eyes lo hers, still kneejiiii: at her
fwt.
"Loranee. will you come with me?"
She was silent a moment, with heaving hreast and
face a-cpiiver.
"Monsieui-. I am sworn. That ni^'Iil when F'lix
came, whe.i I was in deailly terror for him and I'oi-
you, fitienne. I promised my lord, an he wouM lift
his hand from you, to ohey him in all thin<rs. He
bade me never ajrain to hold intercourse with
you--alack. I am already forsworn! Hut I can-
not-"
He leaped to his feet, eryiii'.' out :
:i.-R
TIIK IIELMKT ol' NAVAU'UK
" lii)i-;iii('('. lie \s!is tilt' liisl Inrswdrri I For lie ilid
move iiLMinst iin- - "
"lit' told yi>ii tlif wariiiiii^' wi'iil thtiniLrli Filix
- Iliat it' vtiii Irifd ;<> iciicli rin' lit- wtiultl cnisli yoii
MS a l»u/.ziiiL' tiy. (Mi. iimiisii'iif. I iiiiplort'd you to
li'MVf I'aris! Voii arc iiol Uiiitl tti iiif. you nw fcut'l,
u lifii you Vfutui't' lien-. "
" Vou ai'c ci'Ufl lt> iiif. Lorauff.'*
Sijrliiii;^, sill' tuiin'tl from him, hidiiii,' \u'v face in
her hands.
"Maycruic has not Iccpl taitli with you I" uion-
sii'ur went on vi'licuifUtly. "lli- has l)i't)krii liisoath.
I iiit'an not last nii:lit. I had my waniiiiLT; the
attack was i)i'o\dkt'il. Rut ycstfrilay in thf al'tcr-
noon, lici'oi'i' 1 iiiadt' tln' attempt to si'c you. Ii' sent
tt) aiTt'sl uif for llif muttit'i' of tlif lackey I'oiittui."
" i'aul 's dct'ti I" she ciicd in white surpi'isc. "Itc
spoke of it- we heard. Ft'iix aiitl I. What, mon-
sieur! sent tt) ai'rest you'.' Hut yt>u a''e heie."
"They missed me. They ItMtk l>y mistake Caul de
liorraiiie."
"lie was not here last luirht !" she ciied. "May-
einie was tlemanditi<r him tif me."
"Then he slept pleasantly mi the Bastille. May
he nevr look on the outside of its walls a^ain!'
"Hut he will, he dttes. lie must he i'n'c hy this
lime: they cannot kee|) Mayeiine's nephew in the
liastille. And oh. if he hated ytui heftti'e. ht)w he
will hate you nttw ! Oh. Ktienue. if ytm love me.
■j'o ! (Jo tt) yt)ur t)wn camj). your t)wn side, at St.
Denis. There are you safe, lleie in Paris you
may not draw a trampiil breath. '*
A DOlBLK MASi^l'KUADK
:<:.<.>
"And sliall I III f my liaii^ffs? Shall I run. in
llu' Tat'i' of my pciil .'"
"Ah. iiuiiisiciir, |.<'iiiaiis your life is nothinj^ to
you. Hut it is mort- to me than tongue can tell."
".My love, my love!" Hi* siuitfhid Ium- into his
anus; slic ht'hl away from him to look him ht'Sfcch-
intily in tlit' lace, her litth- (•lutchin»r hands on his
sliouhlt'i"s.
"Oh, you will t,'o I you will i^ol"
"Only if you come with me. Lorancc, it is such
a little way! Only to uhtI me in the next s«iuaiv.
Wf will slip out of the ^'ates tojrctlicr- leave Paris
and all its plots and murders. an<l at St. Denis keej)
our honeymoon."
"Monsieur." she said slowly. "I am told that my
eousin Mayenne olVered a nionlii atro to irive me to
you Tor your name on the roster of the iieaj,'ue. Is
that true?"
"It is true. Hut you cannot think. Lorance. it
was for any lack ol love for you. \ swear toyou -"
"Nay. you need not. I have it by heart that you
love me."
" liorance !"
"Hut when you could not take me with honoui'
you would not take me. Your liousf stands a^rainst
us; you would not de.seit your' house. Am I then
to he false to mine?"'
"A woman lielon^'s to her husband's house."
"Aye. hut she ik)es not wed the enemy of her own.
Monsieur, you aic full of loyalty; shall I hav.' none'/
1 was horn, my father before me. in llie shadow of
the hou.se of Lorraine; the Ijorraine princes our
:mo
THE HELMET UF NAVAKKE
kiiisiin'ii. (i\ir inaslft-s. our Irifinls. Wln-ii T was
oiphaiu'd y<»iiii!>',aii(l pt'Uiiilcss Itccausc Kiiij: llfiiiy s
iiuLMK'iKits had wivnehi'd our lauds away, I I'aim-
hfiv to uiy cousin Mayt-uuf. to dwell hciv in kind-
ticss aiul love as a dauKliter of tlie house. Am I t«»
tui'ii traitor now?"
"Loranir." he was fiercely bef,'inning, when MUe.
de Tavanue hounded in.
"On ^'uard ! ' " she hissed at us. ' ' They come ! ' '
She looked behind her into the corritior. Made-
moiselle tjave her lips to monsieur in one last kiss,
and slipped like water From his aruLs. I was at his
sid«'. and we busied ourselves over the trinket.s. he
with shaking' fingers, cheeks burning' through the
stain.
Tlu' ladies streamed into the room, the lovely
Mine, de Montpensier alone conspicuous by her ab-
sence. Mnu'. de Mayeiuie's face wa.s hot and angry,
and bore marks of tears. Not in this room only had
a combat raged.
"Never shall he come into this house again."
madanie was crying vigorously. "I had had him
strangled, the vile little beast, an she had not seized
him. T will now. if she ever dares bring him hither
again."
"You eerlaiuly should, madame," replied the
jieanst of the ladies. "You have been, in the good-
ness of youi- heart, far too forbearing, too patient
under many presumptions. One would suppose the
mistress here to be Mnie. de Montpensier."
"I will show who is mistress here." the Uuchesse
de Mavenne retorted. Then her eye fell on Mile, de
A DOUBLK MASt^UKKADE
net
Montluc, niakinjr hfr way softly to thr door, and thf
vials of her wrath overtlowed upon hi-r:
"What, lioranc'i', you could not he at the pains to
follow ino to the rosouf of my child I Your little
cousin, poor iiuioccnt, may Im' eaten hy the beasts
for aufiht you care, while you prink over trinkets."
Mademoiselle faced her hiankly. scarce under-
standintr, midst the whirl of her own thou<;hts. of
what she was accused. The little Tavanne came
fzallantly to the rescue:
"I did not follow you either, madame. We
thoutrht it scarcely safe: Lorance could not bear to
leave this fellow alone."
Mnie. de Mayenne jrlanced instinctively at her
dressin<:-table's rich accoutrements, touched in spite
of herself by such care of her belonpintis.
"I had not suspected you maids of such fore-
thoufiht," she said with relentinp. "I vow for once
I am beholden to you. You did (juite right, Lo-
rance."
>vl^&:4^L
XXVI
M'illii)i tin spiili r's inh.
ADKMOTSKLIJO slipped softly out of
tlif rodiii, taking' our htai'ls willi iicr.
Our otic ilfsirc now wa.s to In- ^oiic ;
hut it was tasii-r wished than accoiii-
plisiit'd, for tlii'i-i- rciiiaiucd tlic dreary
process of i)ai';rai(iin^. Mine, de .Mayenrie had set
her heart on a pearl hraci'lct. Mine, de Hi'ic wanted a
vinait:rettc. a third lady a pair of shoc-huckles. M.
Rtieiine developed a recklessness ahout i)rices that
would have whitened the hair of a iroldsmith fatlier;
F thou;:lit the ladies could not fail to he suspicious
of such prodi^'ality, to iin;iuiue we cari'ied stoh'ii
<ioods. But no; the tpiick settlements defeated their
own ends: they tired our custoinei's with lon<jin!; to
purchase further. I was despairing', when at h-nirth
Mnie. lie Mayeniie helhou<:ht herself that supper-
time was at hand, and that no one was yet dressed.
To my eyes the cnmpany ali'cady looked fine enouizh
for a coidiialinu: hut I i-ejoiced to hear them thaid<-
iujr madanie for her leminder. with the jrratitude of
victims snatclied from an awful fate. We were
conuuauded to hundle out. which with all alacrity
we did.
3fi2
WITHIN THF, SI'IDKUS WKB
i«.:<
Ft»'p(i()in was in si«.'lit. I whs not so norvons on
this journey as I had hcen »'oinin«: in. As we jjasscd,
lackfv-lcd, flii'ou^'li tlif lonir coiriilors. I liaii t-asc
cnouu'li of mind to t'liahii' nir to tal<i- my Ix-arintrs.
and to wliisptT to my niastti-, "'riial ilnm- yonder is
the door of the foiincil-room. wliere I was." lOvrii
as I spoke the door opened, two vrentleiiien appear-
itif,' at the tlmshold. One was a stranv;er; the other
was Mayeiine.
Our ^ruide hehl haek in deference. The duke and
liis I'lieiid stood a moment or two in h)W-voieed eoii-
ver.se; then the visitor made liis farewells, and went
olV down the st ail-ease.
.Mayeniie had not appeared aware of our exist-
ence, thirty feet up the passa^'e. !>ut now he in(|uired.
as if we had been piects of nierehamlise :
"What have you there. Louis?"
"An Italian ^^oldsniitli. so pleji.se your (Jrace.
Madame has just disnii.s.sed him."
He led us forward. Mayeniie surveyed us deiii)-
erately. and at leii;:th said to .M. ie Comte:
"I will look at your wares."
M. fttienne smiled his ea^er. deprecating' smile, iii-
formin<r his Hi^diiie.ss that we. poor creatures, spoke
no French.
"IIow came you in raris. then?"
.M. fttieiine for the fourth time went (hrouirh with
iiis tale. I think this time he must have tremliled
over it. .My Lord .Mayeiiiie had not the reputation
of lieiiiir easily jtuIIcmI. For au^'ht we knew, he
mi^dit he informed o'' the name and condition of
every person who had entered I'aris this vear. He
:wit
TIIK HKLMKTdF NAVAUUK
iiii^'ht. J1.S h.- listt'nr.l stolid-fju'cd, hi' chookinp off tt»
limisflf Ihf iiiimiImt of monsieur's lifs. Mut if M.
Kliriiiic tn-iiihlcd ill his soiil. liis wonis never fai-
triv.l; he knew his history woll, hy this. At its tin-
isli Mayeiine said :
'■('oiiR' in hero."
The lackey was nnh-red to wail outside, whih' we
fdlluwed his (!race of Mayeiine aeross the eoiineil-
i-onni to llial talth- hy tlie window wliei' lie had sat
with I.iieas nijilit hefore hist. I elinehed my teeth
In keep them fnim chattering' to^rether. Not (Jram-
iiiuiit's hrutality. not Lueas's venom, not MUe. <le
Tavanne's rampant suspicion, had ever frightened
me so horrihly as (hd .Mayenne's aiiiiahh" composure,
lie luade me feel as I had felt when I entered the
tuniH'l. heli)less in the dark, unahle to cope with dan-
-jers I could not see. .Mayeime was a well, the litrht
sliinint: down its sides a way. and far helow the
still surface of the water. You han^r over the edjre
iind peer till your eyes drop out: you can a.s ea.sily
look throutrh iron as discern how deep the water is.
I seemed to see clearly that Mayennc suspected us
not in the least, lie was as placid as a summer day.
Iurnin«r over the conteiit.s of the ho.\, showing little
interest in us, much in our wares, every now and
then s[»eakin^' a ;_'enerous w(U-d of praise or a.skin-: a
liieiidly (piestion. lie was the very model of the
t:racious prince; the hunihle tradesmer whom we
I'eiLMied to he must needs have worshipfully loved
liim. Yet withal 1 helieved that all the linu'
l,e knew us: that he was amusini; himself with
us. rrrseiitlv. when he tire<l, he would walk ca.su-
WITHIN TIIK SI'IDKKS WKB
a6B
ally out of tho room and sond in his rrriiurps to
stall lis
Had r known this for a truth, that hr ha<l disonv-
• 'H'd us. I shouhl have hraccd iriysclf. \ trow, to meet
if. The oprtainty would have hiH-n boarabh'; I had
courajjf to face ruin. Ft was th.- uncertainty that
was so heart-shaking- like erossin^r a morass in the
dark. We miyht be on the safe path: we mij,'ht
with every step be wandering' away farther and far-
ther into llie freaeh«'rous bo},' : there was no way to
tell. Mayiiine w;is (|uite the man to be kindly
fiatron of the erafts, to |)iek out a rich present for
a friend. lie was al.so the man to sit in the pres-
ence of iiis enemy, unbetrayinir, traiKjuil. as.surpd,
waiting. It seemed to me that isi a few minutes
more of this I should po mad: I should scream out:
"Ve.s. I am F«'li.\ Hrou.x. and he is M. le Comte
de Mar!"
But before T had verily come to this, something
ha|)pened to chanire the situation. Kntered like a
yount: tempest, slamming the door after him, Luea.s.
M. fitieniu' clutched me by the arm, drawinp nic
back into the embrasure of the window, where we
stood in plain siirht but with our faces blotted out
ajrainst tho li^rht. Mayenne looked \^^ from two
rinirs he was comparing.', one in each hand. Lucas,
hat on head, came rapidly across the rooin.
"So you have appeareij atrain." Mayenne said.
"I could almost believe myself back in nijrht before
la.st."
".\ye; at la.st T have." Lucas was all hot and
ruffled, panting half from hurry, half from wrath.
.,_.J^
MICROCOPY RESOIUTION TEST CHART
ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No 2
1.0
I.I
I 2.8 lllll 2.5
u
113 6
1 4.0
iii™ mil 2.2
2.0
1.8
1.25
1.4
1.6
5^_ 'btl test Wa<r, Dtreet
r^ ffocHester, New "^ork -4609 USA
^= ' • 6) *82 - OiOO - PMone
= ■••^. 288 - 5989 - PQK
366
THE IIELMKT OF NAVARRE
"Vou saw fit to be absent last night," Mayenne
went on indifferently, his eyes on the rinc "I trust,
for yonr sake, you have used your time profitably."
"I have been about my own coneerns," Lucas an-
swered litrhtly, armin<r him.self with his insolence
a<zainst the other's disdain. In a moment he had
mastered the excitement that brought him so storm-
ily into the room. He was once more the Lucas who
had entered that other ni^dit, nonchalant, mocking.
"Pretty trinkets." he observed, sitting down and
lifting a brjicdet from the tray.
The close kinship of these men betrayed itself in
nothing so sharply as in their unerring in.stinct for
annoying each other. Had Lucas volunteered ex-
planation for his absence, Mayenne would not have
listened to it: but as he withheld it, the duke de-
manded l)ius(|uely :
"Well, do you give an account of yourself? You
had better."
Lucas repeated the tactics jvhieh he had found
such good entertainment before. He looked with
raised (\vebrows toward us.
"You would not have me speak before these ver-
min, uncle?"
"These vermin understand no French," Mayenne
made answer. "But do as it likes you. It is noth-
ing to me."
My master pinched my band. Mayenne did uo\
know us! After :ill, he was what M. fttienne had
called him — a man. neither irod nor devil. He could
make mistakes like the rest of us. For once he had
been caught napping.
WITHIN THE SPIDER'S WEB
3(57
Lucas loaned back in his chair with a meditative
air, as if idly wondering whether to speak or not.
In his place I should not have wondered one mo-
ment. Had Mayenne assured me in that (juiet tone
that he cared nothinj^ whether I spoke, I should
scarce have been able to utter my words fast enough.
Hut there was so strange a twist in Lucas's nature
that he must sometimes thwart his own interests,
value his caprice above his prosperity. Also, in
this ease his story was no triumphant one. But at
length he did begin it :
"I went to Belin to inform him that day before
yesterday f^tienne de Alar nuirdered his lackey, I'on-
tou, in Mar's house in the Kue Coupejarrets. "
"Was that your errand?" Mayenne said, looking
up in slow surprise. "My faith! your oaths to
Lorance trouble you little."
Lucas started forward sharply. "Do you tell me
you did not know my purpose?"
"I knew, of course, that you were up to some
warlockry," Mayenne answered; "I did not concern
myself to discover what.''
"There speaks the general! There speaks the
gentleman!" Lucas cried out. "A general hangs a
spy? y^'t he profits by spying. The spy runs the
risks, incurs the shames; the general sits in his tent,
his honour untarnished, pocketing all the glory.
Faugh, you gentlemen ! You will not do dirty work,
but you will have it done for you. You sit at home
with eb*a'i liaiids and fvcs that see not. while wr
go forth to serve you. You aic the Duke of May-
enne. I am your bastard nephew, living on your
i
368
THE HELl.ET UF NAVARRE
iiivnur. But you go too far when you sneer at my
smirches."
He was on his feet, standing over Mayenne, his
face blazing. M. Tltienne made an instinctive stcj)
iorward, thinking him about to knife the duke. But
Mayenne, as we well knew, was no craven.
"He a little quieter, Paul," he said, unmoved.
"You will have the guard in, in a moment."
Lucas held absolutely still for a second. So did
Mayrnne. He knew that Luca-s, standing, could
stab (juicker than he defend. He sat there with both
hands on the table, looking composedly up at his
nephew. Lucas ilung away across the room.
"I shall have dismissed these people directly,"
Mayenne continued. "Then you can tell me your
tale."
"I can tell it now in two words," Lucas answered,
coming abruptly back. "Belin signed the warrant,
and sent a young ass of the burgher guard after
Mar. I attended to some affairs of my own. Then
after a time I went round to the Trois Lantenu^s
to see if they had got him. He was not there
—only that cub of a boy of h's. When I came
in, he swore, the innkeeper swoie, the whole crew
swore, I was Mar. The fool of an officer arrested
me.
I expected Mayenne to burst out laughing in
TiUcas's chagriiii'd face. But instead he seemed less
struck with his nephew's misfortunes than with
some other aspect of the affair. lie said slovv'y:
"You told Belin this arrest was my desire?"
"I ?!!av b.'ivi' i'Tinlii'd somethinii of the sort.
WITHIN THE SPIDKK'S WEB
:{»■»!•
"You ivpeati'd it to the airt'fstiti<: ot!iefr bt-roff
IMar's boy?"
"I had no time to say aiiythiiij.' bei'oiv tlioy lius-
tled me oflf'," Lucas exclaimed. "Mille loniierres !
Never had any man such luck as I. It 's enou^'h to
juake me si^ti papers with the di'vil."
"Mar would believe I had broken faith with
him?"
"I dare say. One is n't responsible for what Mar
believes," Lucas answered carelessly.
Mayenne was silent, with knit brows, drumming;
his hand on the table. Lucas went on with the tale
of his woes :
"At the Bastille. I ordered the commis.sary to
send to you. lie did not; he sent to Belin. Belin
was busy, did n't understand the niessajre, would n't
be bothered. I lay in my cell like a mouse in a trap
till an hour a<rone, when at last he saw fit to appear
— damn him !"
Mayenne fell to laughing'. Lucas cried out :
"When they arrested me my first thought was
that this was your work."
' ' In that case, how sliould you be free now ? ' '
"You found you needed me."
"You are twice wrong, Paul. For I knew noth-
ing of your arrest. Nor do I think I need you.
Pardieu! you succeed too badly to give me confi-
dence."
Lucas stood glowering, gnawing his lip. picturing
the chagrin, the angry reproaches, the justifications
he did not utter. I am certain he pitied himself a.s
fl^p crjnrt. of fflte and nf lvrant°. the most shamefnllv
*i *' ' *"• .... • .^. ....... ... ... . ...........^
23
y70
THK HELMET OF NAVAKKE
used of mortal im'ii. And so \ou\i as he aspired to
the hand of Mayemie's ward, so loni: wiis he hi-lpless
under iMayenne's will.
" 'T was pity," Mayenne said reflectively, "that
you thouf?ht best to be absent la.st ni^'ht. Had you
been here, you had had sport. Your youn^' friend
Mar eanie to sing under his lady's window."
"Saw she him?" Lucas cried sharply.
"How should I know? She does not contide in
me."
"You took cart- to find out!" Lucas cried, know-
in<i he was beinj; badjjered, yet powerless to keep
himself from writhing.
"I may have."
"Did she see him?" Lucas demanded again,
the heavy lines of hatred and jealousy searing his
face.
"No credit to you if .she did not. You accom-
plish singularly little to harsuss M. de Mar in his
love-making. You deserve that she should have seen
him. But, as a matter of fact, she did not. She
wa.s in the chapel with madame."
' ' What happened ? ' '
"Francois de Brie— now there is a youngster,
Paul," Maj'enne interrupted him.self to point out,
"who has not a tithe of your cleverness; but he has
the advantage of being on the spot when needed.
Desiring a word with mademoiselle, he betook him-
self to her chamber. She was not there, but Mar
was warbling under the window."
"BrieV"
"Brie bestirred himself. He sent two of the
WITHIN THE SPIDEK'S WEB
:!7l
guard round bt-hiud the house to cut ot!" the retieat,
while he and Latour attacked from the front."
"Mar 's killed?" Lueas eried. "He 's killed!"
"By no means," answered Mayenne. "He got
away. ' '
Before he could explain further, — if he iiieant to,
— the door opened, and Mile, de Montlue eaine in.
Her eyes travelled first to us, in anxiety, then
with relief to Mayenne, sitting over the jewels; last,
to Lueas, with startlement. She advanced without
hesitation to the duke.
"I am come, monsieur, to fetch you to supper."
"Pardieu, Lorance!" Mayenne exclaimed, "yo\i
show me a different face from that of dinner-time."
Indeed, so she did, for her eyes were shining with
excitement, while the colour that M. fitienne had
kissed into them still flashed her cheeks.
"If I do," she made quick answer, "it is because,
the more I think on it, the surer I grow that my lov-
ing cousin will not break my heart."
"I want a word with you, Lorance," Mayenne
said quietly.
"As many as you like, monsieur," she replied
promptly. "But will you not send these creatures
from the room first ? ' '
"Do you include your cousin Paul in that term?"
"I meant these jewellers. But since you suggest
it, perhaps it would be as well for Paul to go."
"You hear your orders, Paul."
"Aye, I hear and I disobey," Lucas retorted.
"Mademoiselle, I take too much joy in your presence
to be willing to leave it."
y72
THE HELMET UF NAVAKRE
! '
"Mousieuf, " she said to the duke, i^'noriu^; her
cousin I'aul with a coolness that must have mad-
dened him, "will you not dismiss your tradespeople'/
Then can we talk conifortahly. "
"Aye," answered Mayenne, "I will. I am more
fiallant than Paul. If you conuuand it, out they no,
thou^'h I have not half had time to look their wares
over. Here, master jeweller," he addressed M.
f]tienne, slipping,' easily into Italian, "pack up your
wares and depart."
M. fttienne, burstin<< into rapid thanks to his
Ili^'hness for his condescension in noticing; the dirt
of the way, set about his packing. Mayenne turned
to his lovely cousin.
"Now for my word to you, mademoiselle. You
wept .so last night, it was imi)ossible to discuss the
subject properly. But now I rejoice to see you
more tran(|uil. Here is the beginning and the mid-
dle and the end of the matter: your marriage is my
affair, and I shall do as I like about it."
She searched his face; before his steady look her
colour slowly died. M. fitienne, whether by acci-
dent or design, knocked his tray of jewels oil' the
table. Murmuring profuse apologies, he dropi)ed
on his knees to grope for them. Neither of the men
heeded him, l)ut kept their eyes steadily on the lady.
"Mademoiselle," Mayenne deliberately went on,
"I have been over- fond with you. Had I followed
my own interests instead of bowing to your whims,
you had been a wife these two years. I have in-
dulged yon, mademoiselle, because you were my ally
Montlue's daughlLr, bceaiise you came fu me a lonely
WITIilN THK SPIDER'S WEB
■M.i
orphan, liecaiisc you wcrr my little cousin whose
l)aby mouth I kissed. I have h-t you eavil at this
suitor and tliat, pout that one was too tall and one
too short, and a third too bold and a fourth not bold
eiiouy;li. I have been pleased to let you cajole me.
But now, nmdenioiselle, I am at the end of my pa
tience. "
"Monsieur," sh'^ cried, "I never meant to abuse
your kindness. You let me cajole you, as you say,
else I could not have ilone it. You treated my whims
!us a jest. You let me air them. But when you
frowned, I have put them by. I have always (hme
your will."
"Then do it now, mademoiselle. Be faithful to
me and to your birth. Cease sighing? for the enemy
of our house."
"Monsieur," she said, "when you first brou^'ht
him to me, he was not the enemy of our house.
When he came here, day after (hiy, season after
season, he was not our enemy. When I wr(>te that
letter, at Paul's dictation, I did not know he wa.s
our enemy. You told me that night that I was not
for him. I promised you obedience. Did he come
here to me and implore me to wed with him, I wouhl
send him away."
Mayenne little imagined how truly she spoke:
but he could not look in her eyes and doubt her
honesty.
"You are a pood child, Loranee," he said. "I
could wish your lover as docile."
"He will not come here again," she cried. "He
knows I am not for him. He gives it up, monsieur—
:i74
TIIK IIKl.MKT OF NAVAUKK
he takes liiinst'lf out «>f F'aris, I prctiiiisc yciii it is
over, lie ^rivt's iric nj)."
"I have not his ftroniisc for that," Miiytiiiif saiil
dryly; "hut the next time he I'oines after Vim. he
may setth' with your husltand."
She uttered a litth' L'asp. liiit searee of surprise -
almost of relief that the hlow, so loui: expeeted. had
at last heen dealt.
"You will marry mo, monsieur?" she nuirmured.
"To M. de Brie?"'
"You are shrewd, mademoiselle. You know that it
will he a «_'<><)d three months hefoit- Fran(;ois de Hrie
can stand uj) to he wed. You say to youiself that
iiuieh may happen in three jnoiiths. So il may.
Therefore will your hrideLrrooiii he at hand to-moi--
row mornin<r. "
She made no rejoinder, hut her eyes, wide like a
hunted animal's, jnoved fearsomely. loathin<,dy. to
Lucas. Mayenne uttered an ahrupt lau>,di.
"No: Paul is not the happy man. Hi'sides hun-
«:lin<: the St. Quentin alVaii-, he has seen fit to make
free with my name in an enteri>rise of his own.
Therefore, Paul, you will danee at Loranee's wed-
dinj: a bachelor. Mademoiselle, you marry in the
morninir Senor el Conde del Koudelar y Saiat'ossa
of Ids Majesty Kinir Philii)'s court. After dinner
you will depart wiih your husband for Spain."
Lucas spran? forward, hand on sword, face ablaze
with furious protest. IVIayenne. heedin<x him no
more than if he had not beeii there, rose and went
to Mile de Montluc.
"Have I your obedience, cousin?"
WITHIN TIIK HIMDKUH WEU
;»7r>
"You know it. iiKUisifur. "
She wius I'urtsoyiii^r to him \vli"ii ho t'oklt^d Iwv iu
hJH arms, kissiii^r Imtti In-r cht'fks.
"You are as ^ood as you are lovely, ami that says
much, ma mie. We will talk a littlf moic about this
after supper. IVrmit me, matleiiioiselle."
He took her haud and led lit-r iu leisurely fashion
out of the room.
It wondered me that Lucas had not killed him.
He looked uuirder. Haply had the duke dis -losed
by so nuich as a (juiveriti^ eyelid a conseiousness of
Lucas's raf^e. of danger to himself, Lucas had struck
him down. Hut he walked straiizht past, clad in his
composure as in armour, and L\u'as made no move.
I think to stab was the impulse of a moment, <:one
in a moment. Instantly he was j:lad he had not
killed the Dukc of Mayenne, to be cut himself into
dice by the <.'uard. After the duke was gone. Lucas
stood still a lonj^ time, no less furious, but cogitating'
deeply.
We had gathered up our jewels and locked our
box, and stooil holding it between us. waiting our
chance to depart. We might have gone a dozen
times during the talking, for none marked us; but
M. fttienne, despite my tuggings, refused to budge
so long as mademoiselle was in the room. Now was
he ready enough to go. but hesitated to see if Lucas
would not leave first. That worthy, however, showed
no intention of stirring, but remained in his pose,
buried in thought, iinaware of our presence. To
get out, we had to walk round one end or the other
of the table, passing either l)efore or behind him.
;»70
THK HELMKT t)F NAVAHHK
M. If Coiiitt' was for iiiarcliiii'4 cart'lcssly bd'oiT his
invv. I)ut I pullcil so violently in tlu- other (lircftion
that hf y;avi' way t<» in*'. I think n>>v> that had we
passt'il in front of him, Lucius would h'.ivc Irt us [.'o
by without a look. As it was, hearing' steps at his
hack, he whee'i'd al)out to eonfroiit us. If the eye
of love is <|uiek, so is the eye of liate. lie cried out
instantly :
"Mar!"
We dropped the box. and sjjrant; at hiiu. But he
was t«o (luick for us. He leaped back, whippinj^ out
his sword.
"I have vou now, Mar!" he cried.
M. fitienne ^:rabl)ed up the heavy bo.x in both
hands to brain him. Lucas retreated. He niitrht
nni through M. fttienne, but only at the risk of hav-
inj; his head split. After all, it suited his book as
well to take us alive. Shouting for the guards, he
retreated toward the door.
But I was there before him. As he ran at M.
Ctienne. I had da.shed by, slammed the door shut,
and b<»lted it. If we were caught, we would nuike a
tight for it. I snatched up a stool for weapon.
He halted. Then he darted over to the chimney,
and pulled violently the bell-rope hanging near. We
heard through the closed door two loud peals some-
where in the corridor.
We both ran for him. Even as he pulled the rope,
M. fitienne struck the bo.x over his sword, snapping
it. I dropped my stool, as he his box, and we pinned
Lucas in our arms.
"The oratory!" 1 gasped. With a strength born
WITHIN THK SPri)KKS WEH
of our (Icsporation, wo drajrircd him kickinp and
eursint: across the room. Iicavil liim with all our
force into the oratory, and lioltod the door on him.
"Your \vi'^!" cried M. fttierine, runriiun to re-
cover his l)ox. Wliilc I picked it up and en(h'av-
oured with clumsy tinkers to put it on properly, he
set on its lc<.'s the stool I had flunu' down, tlirew the
pieces of fjucas's sword into the fireplace, seized his
l>o.\, dashed to nu' and .set my wi<r straight, (hashed to
the outer door, and opened it just as Pierre came
up the corridor.
"Well, what do you want ?" the lackey demanded.
"You rinj; as if it was a (luestion of life and death."
"I want to he shown out, if the mes.ser will be so
kind. His Ilitrliness the duke, when he went to sup-
per, loft me here to pjit up niy wares, but I know
not my way to the door."
It was after sunset, and the room, back from the
windows, was dusky. The lackey .seemed not to
mark our flushed and rumpled looks, and to be quite
satisfied with M. fttienne's explanation, when of a
sudden Lucas, who had been stunned for the moment
l)y the violent meeting of his head and the tiles,
bosian to pound and kick on the oratory door.
He was shouting? as well. But the door closed
with absohite tightness: it had not even a keyhole.
His cries came to ns muffled and inarticulate.
"Corpo di Racco!" M. fttienne exclaimed, with a
face of childlike surprise. "Some one is in a fine
hurry to enter! Do you not let him in. Sir Master
of the Household?"
"I wonder wlio he 's got there now," Pierre mut-
;{7s
THK HELMET OF NAVARRE
tort'd to liinisclf in Frcneh, stariiijr in puzzlod wise
at the door. Then he answered M. fitienne with a
lauj.'li :
"Xo, my innocent : I do not let him in. It mi<,'ht
eost me my neck to open that door. Come alonjr
now. I nnist set' you out ami ^'et hack to my
trenelieis. ''
We met not a soul on the stairs, every one, served
or servants, heinjr in the suppri--i-oom. We passed
the sentry without (juestion. and round tlie corner
witliout hindi'ance. M. Ktienne slopjted to lieave a
si^h of thanks^'ivin*;.
"I Ihou^'lit we w(M-e done for that time I" he
panted. "Mordieu! another scored otT Lucas!
Come, let us make <roo(l time hon' ' 'T were wise
to he inside our pites when he <rets out of that
eloset."
W(> made i,'ood time, ever listenin'^ for the haro
after us. Hut we heard it not. \Ve eanie unmo-
lested up llie street at the hack of the Hotel St.
Quejitin, on our way to the postern. Monsieur took
the key out of his douhlet, sayinj: as we walked
around the corner tower:
"Well, it appears we are safe at home."
" Ves. .M. ftlieinie. "
Even as I uttered the words, three men from the
sliadow of tlie wall si)ran'_' out and seized us.
"This is he!" one cried. "M. le Comte de Mar,
I have the pleasui-e of takini,' you to the Bastille."
XXVII
The count(rsi<j)i.
kXSTANTLY two iiiori' men eame nin-
iiinj: i'roni tho postern arch. The five
wei'e upon us lil<e an avalanche. One
i^L*J^V pinned my arms wiiile another frajijied
^^^S^S^ ,,„>, Two liekl M. fttieiine, a third
stoppin-^' Ills mouth.
"Prettily done." ip'oth the leacU'r. "Xot a
scpieal! Morhleu ! I was n't anxious to have okl
Vi<:o out disputing' my riirhts."
M. fitienne's wrists were neatly trus.sed by this
time. At a word from the h^ailei-. our captors turned
us about aixl marched us up the lane by Mirabeau's
<:ai'den. where Hernet "s blood lay rusty on the stones.
We otVered no resistance whali'ver; we should only
have been prodded with a sword-point for our pains.
I made out. despite the thickening' twilight, the fa-
miliar uniform of the burgher jruard : M. de Belin,
havin;,' ba<r^ed the wron<,' bird once, had now cauf;ht
the ri^ht one.
The captain bade one of the fellows jro call the
others olV ; I could izuess that the jol) had been done
thorou;-'hly. every approach to the house jzuarded.
I rrna.shed my t(H'th over the trajr. that I had not sus-
379
!H0
THE HELMET OF NAVAKKE
ppctod tliP flanpor. Tho truth wns. both ol" us ha<l
our heails so full of jnadcnioiselie, of Mayonne. and
of Lucas, that we had forgotten the «rovernor and
liis jtreposterous warrant.
They led us into the Kue de rfive([ue, where was
waitinji the same black coach that had stood before
the Oie d"()r, the same Louis on the box. Its lamps
were liprhted ; by their glimmer our captors for the
first time saw us fairly.
"Why, captain," cried the man at M. fitienne's
elbow, "this is no Comte de Mar! The C'omte de
Mar is fair-haired: I 've seen him scores of times."
"The Comte de Mar answers to the name of
fttienne, and so does this fellow," the captain an-
swered, lie took the candle from one of the lamps
and held it in ^L fitienne's face. Then he put out a
sudden hand, and pulled the wig otT.
"(Jood for you. captain!" cried the men. We
were indeed unfortunate to encounter an officer with
brains.
"We '11 take your gag oft' too, M. le Comte, in the
coach," the captain told him.
"Will you bring the lass along, captain ?"
"Not exactly," the leader laughed. "A fine
pri.;ou it would be, could a felon have his bonnibel
at his side. No, I '11 leave the maid ; but she need n't
give the alarm yet. Do you stay awhile with
her, L'Kstrauge: you '11 not mind (he job. Keep
her a quarter of an hour, and then let her go her
ways.
They bundled my lord into the coach, box and all,
the captain and two men with him. The fourth
:/\:iS^:-
THE COUNTERSIGN
3S1
elarnhered up bosido I.ouis as he cracked his whip
and ratth'd smartly down the street.
My jruardian stole a loving arm around my waist
and marched me down tlie cjuiet hine between the
irarden walls. He was chiteliin-.' my i-i<.rht wrist, but
my h't't hand was fri'e. and I fumbhd at mv «'arr
In the michlle of the deserted bine he baited.
"Now. my beauty, if you '11 be good I '11 take that
stoppei- off". But if you make a scream, by Heaven,
it '11 bi' your last I"
I shook my head and s(|ui'ezed his hand implor-
ingly, while he, holding me tight in one sinewy arm.
plucked left-handedly at the knot. I waited, meek
as (iriselda. till the gag was off', and then I b-t him
have it. Volleying curses, 1 hannnen-d him s(iuare
in tile eye.
It was a mad course, for he was armed. I not.
But instead of stabbing, he droj)ped me 'Ikc a hot
coal, gasping in the Idankest consternation:
"Thousand devils! It 's a boy I"
A st^cond later, when he recollected himself, I was
tearing down the lane.
I am a good runner, and then, any one can run
well when he runs for his life. Despite the wretchrd
kirtle tying up my legs. I gained on him. and when
I had reached the corner of our house, he di-opped
the pursuit and made otV in the <!arkness. I ran
full tilt round to the great gate, bellowing for the
sentry to open. He came at once, with a dripping
torch, to burst into roars of laughter at the sight
of me. My wig was somewhere in the lane behind
me: lie knew me perfectly in my silly togtrery. f[e
^^g&g^
382
THE HELMET OF NAVARRE
loaned against the wall, holpless with lauphinp.
shoiitinp feebly to his comrades to come share the
jest. I, you may well imagine, saw nothing funny
aWout it, but kicked and shook the grilles in my rage
and impatience. lie did open to me at length, and
in I dashed, clamouring for Vigo. He had appeared
in the court by this, as also half a dozen of the
guard, who surrounded me with shouts of tustonished
inocktM'y : but I, little heeding, cried to the eipiery:
"Vigo. M. le Comte is arrested! He 's ii) tlie
BiLstille!"
Vigo grasped my arm. and lifted rather than led
me in at the guard-room door, slamming it in the
soldiers' faces.
"Now. Feli.x."
"M. fitiennel" T ga.sped— "M. fitienne is ar-
rested ! They were lying in wait for him at ihe
back of the house, by tlie tower. They 've taken
him otf in a coach to thi- Hastille."
"Who have?"
"The governor's guard. You '11 saddle and pur-
sue? You '11 rescue him?"
"ITow long ago?"
"About ten minutes. The coach was standing in
the I\ue de I'fiveciue. They left a man guarding
ine, but T broke away."
"It can't be done." Vigo said. "They '11 be out
(if the (|uarter by now. If I could catch them at
;dl. it would be close by the Rastillf. Xo good in
that: no use fighting four regiment.s. What the
devil /ire they arresting him for. Felix? I under-
stnnd ^InvouTT^ wants h.is blood, but ^^■hat has the
citv guard to do with it?"
mi
THE COrNTERSIGN
383
"It 's Luoas's riamo," I said. Thon I nniioin-
Iicrcd that we had not eontidod to him the talc of iht"
fiist aiifst. I went on to tell of the adventure of
the Ti'ois Lanternes. and. rel!ec'tin<r that he iiii'^dit
lietter know just how the hind hiy with us. I made a
clean breast of everything,'— the iiirht before Ferou's
housi'. the I'eseue, the rencounter in the tunnel, to-
< lay's excursion, and all that befell in the council-
looni. I wountl up with a second full account of
our capture under the V"ry walls of the house, our
iiurrotin^ before we coidd cry (fn the jruards to save
MS. Vipo said nothinj; for some time; at length he
delivered himself:
"Monsieur would n't have a patrol about tlie
house. He would n't publish to the mol) that he
teared any dantrei- whatever. Of course no one fore-
saw this. However, the arrest is the best thinj,' could
have happened."
"Vitro!" I gasped ii- horror. Was Vipo turned
traitor? The solid earth reeled beneath my feet.
"He "d never rest till he got himself killed."
Vigo went on. "'Monsieur "s hot enough, but M.
P.tienne 's mad to bind. If they had n't caught him
(o-night he 'd have been in some woi-se pickle to-
morrow: while, as it is, he 's safe from swords at
least."
"Hut they can nuirder as well in the Ba.stille as
elsewhere !" I cried.
Vigo sliook his liead.
"No; had they jueatit murder, they 'd have set-
lied him liti'c in the alley. Since they lugged liim
'•■iY \u)h\ivi. Ihey ihm'i miK\u it. I know not whut
the devil they are up to, but it is n't that."
384
THE HELMET OF NAVAKUE
"It was Lucas's jramr in the first place," I re-
peated. "He 's loo prudent to eome out in the
open and fi^'ht M. Rtienn.-. He never strikes with
liis own hand; his way is to make some one else
strike for him. So lu- ^ets M. f:tienne into the Bas-
tille. That 's the first step. I suppose he thinks
Mayenne will attend to the second."
"Mayenne dares not take the boy's life." Vij?o
answered. "He could have killed him. an he chose,
in the streets, and nobody the wiser. But now that
monsieur 's taken pi!l)liely to the Bastille, Mayenne
dares not kill him there, by foul play or by law— the
Duke of St. Quentin's son. No ; all Mayenne can do
is to confine him at his sood pleasure. Whence pres-
ently we will pluck him out at King Henry's good
pleasure."
"And meantime is he to rot behind bars?"
"Unless Monsieur can 'let him out. But then,"
Vigo went on, "a month or two in a cell won't be a
bad thing for him, neither. His head will have a
chance to cool. After a dose of Mayenne 's purge
he may recover of his fever for Mayenne 's ward."
"Monsieur! You will send to Monsieur?"
"Of course. You will go. And (jilles with you
to keej) you out of mischief."
"When? Now?"
"No." said Vigo. "You will go clothe yourself
in breeches first, else are you not likely to arrive
anywhere but at the mad-house. And then eat your
supper. It 's a long road to St. Denis."
T ran at oii.'c, through a fusillade of jeers from
soldiers, grooms, and house-men, across the court,
ii
THK COUNTKRHKiN
3h:
throu<;h tlic hall, and up the stairs to Marcel's
('liaiulu'i'. Never was I jrladder of atiythinj; in my
life than to dotf those s\vaddlin<; petticoats. Two
minutes, and I was a man atrain. I found it in my
heart to pity the poor thinjrs who must wear the
trappings their lives lon«r.
But for all my ,ioy in my freedom, I choked ovei-
my supper and pushed it away half tasted, in misery
ever M. fttienne. Vi^o mifiht say comfortably that
Mayenne dareil not kill him, but I thoutrht there
were few thinjis that ^'entleman dared not do. Th«'n
there was Luctis to be reckoned with. He had
cauijht his fiy in the web; he wius not likely to let
him go long iindevoured. At best, if M. fitienne's
life were safe, yet was he helpless, while to-morrow
our mademoiselle was to marry. Vi<ro seemed to
think that a blessing, but I was nigh to weeping into
my soup. The one ray of light was that she was
not to marry Lucas. That was something. Still,
when M. fitienne came out of prison, if ever he did,
— I could scarce bring myself to believe it. — he
would find his dear vanished over the rocky Pyrenees.
Vigo would not even let me start when I was
ready. Since we were too late to find the gates
open, we must wait till ten of the clock, at which
hour the St. Denis gate would be in the hands of a
certain Bris.sac, who would pass us with a wink af
the word St. Quentin.
I was so wroth with Vigo that I would not stay
with him, but went up-stairs into M. fttienne's silent
chamber, and flung myself down on the window-
bench his head might never touch again, and won-
34
::s(!
Tin: HKLMET OF NAVAUKE
(Icn-W liow he wiw faring' in prison. I wished I were
tlitre witli him. I caivd not much what tin- i)hi»'<'
wius, so h)ii«; as we wen' to^'i'thi-r. I liad j,'t)nt' (h>\vn
the mouth of lu-ii siiiiliuj:, so he it I went at his heels.
.Mayliaj) if I had stru^'^ded haider uitli my captors,
shown my sex earlier, they had taken me too. Heart-
ily I wished they had: I trow I am the only wi^rht
ever did wish him.sel.' heliiiid hars. And piomptly
1 repented me, foi' if Vijio liad proveil hut a l)r()ken
reed, there was Monsieur. Monsieur was not likely
to sit smui,' and declare prison the hest place for
his son.
The slow twili^dit faiUnl alto^'ether. and the dark
came. The city was very s«ill. Once in a while a
sliout or a sound of hell was ])orne over tlie roofs,
or infre(|iient voices and footsteps sounch'd in the
streei heyond our irate. The men in the court under
my window were (piiet too. talkin<: amon<: themselves
without much I'aillery or lauiihter; I knew they dis-
cussed tlie uidiappy l)lii:ht of the heir of St. (^i'^'"-
tin. The chimes had runir some time auo tlie half-
ho\ir after nine, and I was tiduvtinj.' to he olV, but
liutVed as I was with him. I could not lowei' myself
to ^'o ask Vi^'o's leave to start. Hi- mi^'ht come after
me wlen he wanted me.
"Peli.x! Felix!" Marcel shouted down the corri-
dor. I sprauiT up: then, i-ememherinir my diirnity,
moved no further, hut hade him come in to me.
"Where ai'e you moonin<r in the dark?" he de-
manded, stunihlinir over the threshold. "Oh, there
you are. Dame I you M come dowu-stairs mighty
....Irtl- \V f/m l.-ji.m- xvlmt »v>< ttii'Vi' fnr von "^ '
ljttll_ri II J '".I !^!i*.- ••• ---- J 1.
THK C'OLNTEKSltiN
387
"What?" I c'ied, divicUd between the wild hope
that it was >h)iisieiir aiul thi' wihiei- one that it was
M. f^tieime.
"Don't you wish I \\ tell you? W.ll. you 'ic a
jiood boy. and I will. It 's tlu- iirettitsl lass I 'v.-
st'cn in a month ol' Sundays— you in your petticoats
don't come near her."
"For me?" I stuttered.
"Aye; she jusked for M. le Due. and when he
was n't here, for you. I suppo.se it 's sonit> friend
of M. fitienne's."
I supposed so. indeed : T supposed it was the owner
of my borrowed plumage come to claim her own,
an^ry perhaps because I had not returned it to her.
I wondered whether she would scratch my eyes out
because I had lost the ca[)— whetlur I could find it
if I went to look with a li^'ht. None t(»o ea^'erly I
descended to her.
She was standinj; ajrainst the wall in the arch-
way. Two or three of the <ruardsmen were about
her, one with a flambeau, by which they were all
^urveyin<; her. She wore the coif and blouse, the
black bodice and short striped skirt, of the country
peasant pirl, and. like a country '^'irl. shr showed a
face flushed and downcast under the soldiers' bold
scrutiny. She looked up at me as at a rescuiti'z
angel. It was Mile, de MontlucI
I dashed T>ast the torch-bearer, nearly upsettinj,'
him in my haste, and snatched her hand.
"Mademoiselle! Come into the house!"
She clutched me with fingers as cold an m irble,
which trembled on mine.
i^'^'^m^-mi^M^ii
Htm
TMK HELMET Ul .NAVAUUK
"Whtiv is M. (!.■ St. (iutiitin?"
"At St. Dfiiis."
"Vou imist take iiu- tluTc to-iiit:lit."
"I was t;uiii^', " I staiimitMvil. iH-wiUieicd ; "but
you, iiKulfUioisi'lli'— "
"You kiK'u of M. lie Mar's arnst?"
"Ayi."
"What <'uil is this, P\''lix?" di'iuanih-d Vitro, coni-
iuj,' up. Ill' took thf torch from his iiiau, and ht'hi
it in iua(h'iiioisi'llL'"s face, wht'rt'upou an ama/ititr
chan'Ti' raiiit' over his ouii. lit- lowered the liirht.
sliiehliuv: it with his hand, as if it were an imperti-
nent eye.
"You are Vitro. ' she said at onci-.
"Yes: and I know not what noble lady matb-nioi-
selle can be, save will it please her to come into
the house /''
lie led the way with his toreh. Jiot sutVerin": him-
self to look at her again, lie had his foot on the
staircase, when she called t(( him. as if she had been
accustomed to addressing him all hei- life:
"Vijri), this will do. I will speak to you here."
"As mademoiselle wishes. I thought the salon
litter. My cabinet hen- will be (piieter than the hall,
ujademoisclle."
He openeil the door, and slic entered. He ])uslied
me in iie.xt. giving me the to:<'h and saying:
"Ask mademoiselle. Feli.x. whether she wants me."
He amazed me — he who always ordered.
"I want you. Vigo." mademoiselle answered him
herself. "I want you to send two men with me to
St. Denis."
TFIK Col'N'l KKSIUN
U8U
I o-iiiorrow"
"Nn; to-nii-'lit."
" liut iiiatlt'riioisflle cannot ^'d tu St. Dt-nis."
"I can, and 1 innst."
"Tlicy will not let a liorsc-|)arty through the ^'atc
at ni'/lit," Vip) hi'^zan.
" \Vc will ^'o on foot."
"MadcMioiscllf," Vi^'o answered, as if she had pio-
posed flyini,' t(» the moon, "you cannot walk to St.
Denis."
" I nmst !" she cried.
I had put the llanibeau in a socket on the wall.
Now that the li^'ht shone on her steadily. I saw for
the first time, thoufjh I mi^'ht have known it from
lier presence here, how rent with emotion she was.
white to the lij)s. with jrleamin^' eyes and stormy
hrea.st. She had spoken low and (piietly, but it was
a main-force composure, liable to snap like jrlass.
I thought her on the > vcr-re of passionate tears.
Vi«.'o looked at her. pu/>. d, troubled. i»ityin^', as on
some beautiful, mad creature. She cried out on him
suddenly, her rich voice '^'oin^' up a key:
"You need not .say 'cannot' to me Vijro! You
know not how I cair.e here. I was locked in ii.y
chamber. I chanj:ed clothes with my Norman maid.
There was a sentry at each end of the street. I slid
down a rope of my bedclothes: it was dark- they did
not see me. T knocked at Ferou's door— thank the
saints, it opened to me (piickly! I told M. Ferou —
God foririve me! — 1 had business for the duke at the
other end of the tunnel. lie took me through, and
I came here."
^i7^^jmii:mkLmM^iff.i
MUt
THK MKLMKT or NAVAIiUK
"lint, Miiuit'iiioisfllt', tin- lialsl" I ciird.
" VfN, till' lulls." slic rflmrnil, with a littli- siiiilc.
"And my liaiids nri tlic i'(i|)isl" Sin- IiiiihiI tliiin
IIVCI-; tlif skill was torn cnirlly I'roiii Iht ddicatf
palms and tin- in^-idf nl' her liiiui is. lattlr thread :
ul" hliMKJ markt'd the scm-s. '"Thiii I ijumc lifif."
she rcjx'atfd. "In all my lilc I lia\c t.f\ri' limi in
tlif sli'ci'ts aloiH' lint cM'ii i'lii' mil' >li'|) at iioonilay.
.Now will you ti'li me, .M. \'i<.'(i. that I raniiot ',-'0 ti>
St. Denis.'"
"Madt'iiioisclli'. if is voui's to sav what voti can
<lo."
As I'or lilt', I droppid on my kruM-s and laid my
lips to luT linut IS. soiily. for IVar cmh their pres-
sure niiyht hurt her ti nderness.
"Ma<lemoiselle I" I cried in pui'e deli<_'lil. ''.Made-
iiioiselle. that you are here!"
She lliisiied under my words.
"Ah. it is no little thiiiir hrou^dit me. You knew
M. de .Mar was arrested .'"
We as,sented : slii' went on. more to tiie than to
Vi^o, as if in tellinir nie she \va« telling M. Ktienne.
She spoke low, as if in pain.
"After supper M. de Mayenne went hack to his
cabinet and let out Paul de F.orraine. "
"I wish we had killed him." I unittered. "We
had no time or weapons."
"M. de Mayenne sent for nie then." she went on.
wettinu' her li{)s. "T have nevei- seen him so atiirry.
He was furious because .M. de Mar had been before
his face and lie liad not known it. He felt he liad
boon niafio a jnoek of. He raireil ajrainst me — I
THK COlNTKltSKiN
rJ'.M
m'v<T kiH'W h •iil<l Im' mi iiiK.'iy. II'' said tin-
Spaiiisli tiivitv was Iim> irdod for im- , I sliouM mai'iy
I'aul tie lituiaiiM- to iiioi row. "
"Mi)nlit'ii. iMatlfiiioisfllc I"
"Tliat was iK.I it. I liad Im.mh' that!" slif crii-tl.
".Mayha[» 1 tU'snvi'd it. lint uliilf my lord timn-
dfifd at iiM', woiil caiiK' tluit .M. dr .Mai- wa-
taken. My lord swon- lif sliouM dif. Ii<' swoi.-
no nian rvcr s.-t him at nan-rht and lived to hoast
td' it."
-Will-"
She s\vi'j)t on unht'cdinir :
"H." saitl h'' shoidd In- tried t'oi- the nnirder of
I*(»idon-he shonid he toitnred to make him con-
fess it."
She dropped d(»\vn on her knees. liidinL' her faee
in her arms on the table, shaking from head to foot
as in an ajzne. Viu'o swort to himself, londly. vio-
lently: "If Mayenne do that, hy the throne of Hea-
ven. I '11 kill him!"
She sprang' to her feet, dry-eyed, lieree as a yonnji
lioness.
"Ik that all you ean say? Mayenne may torture
him and be killed for it .'"
"I shall send to the duke- " Vi^'o bejran.
"Aye! I shall go to the duke! I ean say \vh<»
kille.l I'ontou. I know much besides to tell the
kin*:. I was Mayenne 's cousin, but if he wonld save
his secrets he must -rive uj. M. de Mar. Mother of
God! I have been his obedient child: I have let
him do so with me a-s he would. I sent my lover
away. I von'^''!!ted to th.e Spanish, luarria^re. But
l,^^T1i^>■^^V;?,. :
;;'.t2
THK HKl.MET OF NAVAHKE
to this I will not submit. Ik- shall not torture luul
kill Rlit'nnt' de Mar!"
\' i^o took lit'i- luuul and kissed it.
"Shall we start, Vigo.' i)nee at St. Denis. T am
hostage for his safety. The king can tell Mayenne
that if Mar is tortured he will torture nie ! May-
enne may not tendt'r me greatly, hut he will not
iclish his eousin's breaking on the wheel."
"Mayenne won't torture M. f:tienne," Vigo said,
I-atting h.'r hand in both of his, forgetting she w...-;
a great lady, he an ecjuery. "Fear not I you will
save him, mademoiselle."
"i,et us go!" she eried feverishly. "Let ns l'o!"
Cilles was in the eourt waiting. strii)ped of his
livery, dressed jjeaeeably as a porter, but with a
mallet in his hand that I should not like to receive
on my erown. I thought we were ready, but Vigo
hade us wait. I stood on the house-steps with made-
moiselle, while he took aside Scpiinting Chariot for a
low-vt>iced, emphatic intei'vii'W.
"Must we wait?" madem(»iselle urired me. (juiver-
ing like the ari-ow on the bow-string. "They may
discover 1 am gone. Need we wait?"
"Aye." I answered; "if Vigo bi('s us. He
knows."
We waited then. Vigo disappeared pi'esently.
.Mademoiselle and I stood [tatient, with, oh! what
impatience in our hearts, wondering how he could
so hinder us. Not till he came Itack did it dawn on
me for what ue had stayed. He was dresseil as an
under-groom. not a tag of St. (^ueiitin colours on
him.
TTIE COUNTEKSIGN
:{!>:?
"I bpfr a thousand pardons, niadomoisolle. T had
to izivt' niv lieutenant his orders. Now. if you will
^ive the word, we <io.
"Do you t'o. M. Vii:<)?" She hn'i.thed de.p. It
was easy to see slie looked upon him as a re<,'inieiit.
■'Of course." Vitro answere<l. as if there eould 1m'
no othei- way.
I said in inue di-vilry. to try to rutTle him:
"Vij:o. you said you were here to <.ruard >hui-
siour's interests— his house, his goods, his moneys.
Do you desert your trust?"
Mademoiselle turned (piiekly to him:
"Vi^^o. you nnist notdet me take you from your
rightful i)ost. Felix antl your num hei'e will care
for me— "
"The hoy talks silliness, mademoiselle." Vigo re-
turned tran(iuilly. "Mademoiselle is worth a dozen
hotels. I go with Ium-."
lie walked beside her across the court, T follow-
ing with (Jillfs, laughing to myself, (^nly yester-
day had Vigo (Iceland that nev<'r would he give aid
and comfort to Mile, dc .Montluc. It was no marvel
she had concjuered M. t^itienne. for he must needs
have been in love with some one, but in bringing
Vigo to he!- feet she had won a triinni)h inc
leed.
We had to go out by the gi-eat gate. beea\ise thi'
key of the postern was in the Hastille. But as if by
niagie every guardsman and hanger-about had dis-
nppeariMl — there was not one to stan^ at the lady;
though when we had passed some one locked the
gates Ix'hind us. Vigo called me up to mademoi-
selle's left, (idles was to loiter behind, far enough
W. ;a_
394
TIIK HELMET OF NAVAKRE
1o srciii nnl to l)<'l(in'_' Id us. near cuouvrh to cnitio \ip
at iHM'd. Thus, at t -iood |)ac«-. iiiad.'Uioist'Uc step-
ping- out as brave as any of us. we set out aeross lh<'
i-ity for the I'orte St. Denis.
Oiu- (luartei- was very iiuiel -. we scarce met a soul.
Hut aflei'ward. .is we readied the iiei-hl.o\irhood of
tlie markets, the streets <:rew liveliei'. Now were we
-laddei' tlian ever of Viiro's escort : for wlieiiever we
approached a Laud of roisterers or of -rentlemen with
li'-hts. mademoiselh' sheltered herself behind the
,.,picry"s broad l)ack. hidden as behind a tower.
Once the -allant M. (ie Chaniptleury, he who in pink
s ;.; liad adorn. •(! .Mme. de Mayeune's salon, passe-*
(dose euouLdi to touch li.r. She lieaved a si^rh o.
reli.d" when he was by. F.u' her own sake she had
no fear: tlie midniulit stre.'ts. the open road to St.
l')enis. had no i^ower to daunt her: but the dread of
beiiiL' reco-_nii/.ed and turned back rode her like a
i)i|_'htm;:re.
(1(ise by the uate. Vi^'o bade us pause in the door
of a shop while lie went forward to reconnoiter.
Before loipj; he re1urue<l.
"Bad luck, mademoiselle. Brissa*- 's not on. T
don't know the ofticer, but he knows me. that "s the
worst of it. II.' told me this was not St. (^uontin
niuht. W.dl. we nuist try the I'orte Xeuvo."
But n'.aiiemoiselle denuirred :
"That will ill' ou\ of our way. will it not. Vi«ro?
7t is a lonirer roa<l from the I'orte Xeuve to St.
Denis.'"
"Yes: but what to do? Wo must <:et throu'ih the
,11 .
THE COUNTEkSKjN
:;!).■
"Suppose \\v fnvv no bettor jit the I'orte Xeuve .'
If your Brissac is susj)t'cli'cK ho "11 not bo on at
nijrht. Vi<ro. 1 propose tliat wo part company hero.
Tlioy will not know (iillos and Folix at the gate, will
thoy.'-'
"Xo." N'iiro said doubtfi..ly : "but— "
"Then can we «^et tlii-ouudi! " she cried. "Thoy
will not stop us. such humble I'olU I We are going
to the bedside ol' our dying mother at St. Denis.
Your luime, ( iillos .'"
"Forostioi-, madomoisollo," ho stammered, star-
tled.
"Then ai'o wo all P^trestiors — (lilies, Felix, and
Joanne. We can pass out, Vigo: I am sure wo can
pass out. I am loath to i)ai't '.\"ith you. but I i'oar
to go through the city to the Porto Xouvo. My ab-
sence may bo discovered — I must place myself with-
out the walls speedily.
"Well, mademoiselle may t'y it," Vigo gave re-
luctant consent. "If you are refused, wo can fall
back on the i'orto Xouvo. If you succeed— Listi'u
to mo, you fellows. You will deliver mademoiselle
into Monsieur's liands, or answer to mo for it. If
anv oru' touches l;er littl" linger — well, trust i
iw
That
's understood," wo ai'swi red, saluting to-
geth
or,
■Mademoiselle need have no ddubts of th
I. "Felix is M. I, ('
eni.
omto s own henchman.
\ igo sai(
And (Iillos is the best man in the housolicild, next
to me. (Jod speed ydu, my lady. I aiii here, if thoy
turn \'ou back."
We wi^it bnldly I'ound the corner and up the street
;<;to
TJIK HELMET OF NAVAKIJH
to tht- jrate. The sentry walking his boat ordennl us
away without so much as lookinj,' at us. Then ( lilies,
appoiiiteil ouc spokesman. (lenian(k'd to see the cap-
tain of the watch. His t-rrancl was urgent.
But the st'iitry showed no disposition 'lO bud^e.
Had we a passport? No, we had no passport. Then
we eouhl ^o about oui' business. Tht-re was no
h'aving Paris to-ni^lit i'or us. Call the captain?
Xo; he would do nothing oi" the kind. Be otl",
then!
But at this moment, hearing the altercation, the
officer himself came out ol" th<' guard-room in the
tower, and to him (iilles at once began his story.
Our mother at St. Denis had sent I'oi' us to come to
her dying l)etl. He was a sti'ee' ■'•tcr ; the mes-
senger had had trouble to find His young
brother and sister were in service, kept to their
duties till late. Our mother might even now be
yielding up the ghost ! It was a pitiful case, '^\. le
Capitaine; might we not be i)ermitted to pass?
The young otiHcer appeared less interested in this
moving tale than in the face of mademoiselle, lighted
up by the tiambeau on the tower wall.
"I should be glad to oblige your charming.; sister,"
he n turned, smiling, "but none goes out of the city
without a passport. Perhaps you have one, though,
from my Lord Mayenne?"
"Would our kind be carrying a passport from the
Duke of Mayenne?" ((uoth (lilies.
"It s<'ems improbable," the officer smiled, pleased
with his wit. "Sorry to discommode you, my dear.
Jiut perhaps, lacking a passport, yon can yet > \i!y.
IT I.KmiI.aTKS MK To HK.\K OK HKK KXTKKMITV.'
M
THK (UUNTKKSKiN
3ti{>
iiic with the cnmitrrsivrn, wliii'h docs as well. .lust
one little word. now. <uid I '11 let you throu'-'h."
"If iiionsiour will toll nie the little word?" she
iisUi'd iniioci'Utly.
He hui-st into luuj:hter.
"Xo, no; I am not to he caught so easy as that,
my <;i>'l."
*"()li. eoiiic. nionsieiir captain," (Jilles urued.
"many and many a fellow ^^>es in and out of I'aris
witlidut ;i passport. The I'ules are a net to stop hi<?
tish and let the small fry <:(). What harm will it
do to my Lord Mayenne. or you. or anybody, if you
have tile gentleness to let three poor servants throu!.';li
to their dyin^ mother?"
"It desolates me to hear of her extremity," the
captain answereil, with a fine ii'ony, "but I am here
to do my duty. I am thinking, my dear, that you
are some <rreat lady's maid?"
He was eyinir her sharply, suspiciously; she made
haste to pi'otest :
"Oh. no. monsieur: I am servant to Mme. Mes-
nier, the jrroeer's wife."
"And perhaps you serve in the shop?"
"Xo. monsieur," .she said, not seeinfX his drift,
but on ^Miard airainst a trap. "Xo, monsieur: I
am never in the shop. I am far too busy with my
work. Monsieur does not seem to unilerstand what
a servant -la.ss has to do."
For answer, he took hei- hand and lifted it to the
liirht. revealitiL' all its smooth whiteness, its dainty,
polished nails.
"I thiid< mademoiselle does not understand it,
either."
400
THE HRLMET OF NAVARRE
With a little cry. she snatohod hor hand from him,
hidinp it in the Folds of hfr kirtlf, roRardinK hira
with oj)on terror. He softened somewhat at sitrht of
her distress.
"Well, it 's none of my business if a lady chooses
to he ma.squeradinp round the streets Ht tii'_'ht with
a porter and a laekey. I don't know what your
purpose is— I don't ask to know. But I 'in here to
keep my pate, and I '11 keep it. (to tiy to wheedle
the ofTieei- at the Porte Xtuve."
In helpless obedieuee. ^.dad of even so luucli le-
niency, we turned away — to face a tall, srriz/led vet-
eran in a colonel's shoulder-straps. With a dravrooii
at his hack, he ha«i conie so softly out of a side alley
that not even the captain had marked him.
"What 's this, (Juilhert?" he demanded.
"Some folks seekin;: to get throuj^h the gales, sir.
I 've just turned them away.''
"What were you saying about the Porte Xeuve?"
"I said thi'y could go see how tliat gate is kept.
I showed them how this is."
"Why must you pass through at this time of
night?" said the commanding officer, civilly, (lilies
once iigain bemoaned the dying mother. The young
captain, eager to prove his fidelity, interrupted him :
"I believe that 's a fairy-tale, sir. There 's some-
thing queer about these people. The girl says she
is a grocer's servant. and has hands like a duchess's."
The colon(d looked at us sharply, neither friendly
nor unfriendly. He said in a perfectly neutral
manner :
"It is of no conse(juence whether she l»e a servant
THE COUNTKKSKJN
401
or a (liu'lu'ss — has a iiiotluT or not. Tho point is
wht'thtT thcsf people have the fountiTsi^rn. If they
have it. they can pass, whoever they are."
"They have not." the captain answerecl at once.
"I think you wouhl do well, sir, to deniaiul the lady's
name."
Mademoiselle started forward for a hold stroke
just a.s the superior ol^ieer demanded of hi-r, "The
countorsicn ?" As he said the word, she pronounced
distinctly her name:
"Lorance— "
"Knoufih!" till' colonel saiti instantly. "Pass
them through, (Juilhert."
The young captain stood in a mull, hut no more
bewildered than we.
"Mighty ({ueer!" he muttered. "Why did n't
she give it to me ? "
"Stir yourself, sir!" his superior gave sharp c(»m-
mand. "They have the countersign; pass them
through."
XXVIII
St. Doiis—nnd Xavarn !
S thi- vratfs clanj-'i'd into placo bt'hind
us, (iillt's stopprd short in liis tracks
to say. as if adtln'ssiii^r thf darkiifss
hcfoiv hini:
•'Am I, <lillfs, awake or aslfcp .'
Are we in Paris, or are we on the St. Denis road :"
"Oh. cM.nie, come!" Mademoiselle hastened lis
on, nnirnuirin^' half to herself as we went: "O you
kind saints! I saw he eould not make us out for
friends; or foes: I thou-zht my name mij.'ht turn the
seale. Mayenne always ^'ives a naiiu' for |i eounter-
siijn: t(»-ni<.'ht, by a marvel, it was mine!"
"l like not to think oft.'U of that Hve-mile tranip
to St. Denis. The road was dark, rutty, and in
plaees still mirv from Monday niirhfs rain. Stranire
shadows do--ed us all the way. Sometimes tlu-y
were onlv hush.'s or wayside shrines, hut sometuues
they moved. This was not now a wolf eountry. hut
two-footed wolvs w.-re plenty, and as dantrerous.
The hangers-on (.f the army-h'-ir'-'ars. feaiities. and
.•.,.-,4...j^iy hovered, like the eowardly beasts of prey
tliey wore, about the out.skirts of the city. Did a
402
ST. I>KMS-,\NI» NAVAKKK:
40:\
lr;if nisllf. \\f slaidd ; (lid :i sliiiiiililiiiu' sIijiim- in
the ul<»«iiii whiiif r»»i' iiliiis. wf iiiailc n-aily Tor onset.
< lilies pi'iMJueed tri»m siiriii- jilaee of euiieealiiieiif
his jerkin, or his le'_'i-'in'_'s, or soiiiewheie- a brace
of jtisiols. and we walked with tin-^er on tri«.'Uer.
takiiiL' <'are, whenever it rustle in the u'lass, a shadow
in the JMishes, seemed to follow \is. to talk loud and
ehi'erfnlly of eoniinon thitiL's. the little interests of a
hnnihle station. Thaidvs to this dii)loniaey, or the
l»istol-liarrels shinintr in the faint starliirht, none
molested us. thoui-di we encountered more than one
iiiysteiious company. We never passed into the
uloom under an ai'ch of trees without the resolution
to ti'-dit for our lives. We never came out airain
into the faint li<_'ht of the open road without woii-
dcrinir thaTd<s to tlie saints -silent tlianks. for we
never spoke a word of any fear, (lilies and I. T
trow Jiuulenioisi'lle knew well eiiouirli, but she spoke
MO word either. She never faltei-ed. never showed
liy so nuich as the turn of her head that she sus-
pected any danger, hut. eyes on the distant li<_dits
of St. Denis, walked strai^rht aUmfr, half a step
ahead of us all the way. Stride as we mi'^'ht. we two
strong' fellows could never (piite keep up with licr.
The journey could not at such pace stretch out
forever. Presently the distant li<rlits were no h)n'_'er
distant, but near, nearer, close at hand— the li^'lits
of the outposts of the camp. A -.entinel started out
from the (pioin of a wall to stop us. but when we
had told our errand he l)ccame as friendly a.s a
brother. He went across the road into a nei<.'hbour-
in<r lonrnebiiiie to report to the oilioei' of the •luard,
as
^
lot
TIIK liKLMK'l' Ol NAVAKKK
ami ••iuiic l»;i('l< ptfsciitly with a Idich and tin- onlcr
Id lakf us Id llic Diikf df Si. (^iicnlin's Idd'/ini;.
It was near an hoiif alltT iiiidiiiulit, and St. Dt-tiis
was in ImmI. Save I'di- a dfowsv jjatidl lu'ii- and
thfi'c, Wf met no olii'. Fewtr than the patrols wt'H'
llic lanterns liun<.' dii i'd|)t's across tlir slrcots; ihcst*
wt'if the oidy li'^hls, for Ihf houses were ynw and all
as dark as lonilts. .Not till we had reaehed the initldle
ol' the Idwn did we see. in the secdud story ot" a house
in the s(|uai'e. a heain of lieht shining lhron>{h the
shntter-ehink.
"SoMie one in niiseliief." (lilies pointed.
"A\e," lau_'hed the seiiti'y. "ynur duke. This is
whei-e he lod!.;es. over the saddler's."
lie knoi'ke<l with the hutt of his musket on the
door. The shuttei' ahove ci'eaked open, and u voiee
— Moiisieui-'s voice— asked, "Who "s there?"
Mademoiselle was concealed in the emhrasure of
the doorway; (lilies and I stepju'd back into tlie
street where Monsicui' could see us.
"(iilles Foresticr i'lid Felix Bronx, Monsieur, just
from Paris, with news.'
"Wait."
"Is it all right, M. \c Due?" the sentry asked,
salutinj.'.
"Yes," Monsieur answered, elosinj.' the shutter.
The soldier, with another salute to the blank win-
dow, and a nod of "(!ood-by, then," to us. went
back to liis post. Left in darkness, we presently
heard Monsieur's <iuick step on the flags of the hall,
and the chitter of the bolts. He opened to us, stand-
ing liieie fnilv ^]le^M•d. with u irutterlnji candle.
HT. I)KNIS"AND NAVAKKE I
406
"My siiii;'" li*' said instantly.
Madt'iiiuist'lK'. crouchin<_' in the shadow of the
door-pust, piishi'il me forward. I saw I was to tell
him.
"Monsieur, he was arrested and driveti to the Ba.s-
tille to-ni;:iit between seven and ei^;ht. Liicu.s—
Tawl de Lorraine — went to the j;overnor and swore
that M. fitienne killid the hiekey Poutou in the
liouse in the line Coupejarrets. It was FiUcas killed
him-liUc-as tohl .Mayenne so. .Mile, de Montluc
heard him. too. And here is mademoiselle."
At the word she e.ime out of the shadow fi '
slowly over the threshold.
Her alarm and passion had swept her to the door
of the Hotel St. (^uei\tin as a whirlwind sweej)s a
leaf. She had come witht)ut thou»,'ht of herself,
without pause, without fear. But now the first heat
of her impulse was j;one. Her lon^: \ra!np had left
her faint and weary, and here she had to faee not
an eipiery ami a pa<,'e, hers to command, but a threat
duke, the enemy of her house. She eame hlushfully
in her peasant dress, shoes dirty from the common
i-oad. hair ruffled by the ni<:ht winds, to show herself
for the first time to her lover's father, opposer of
her hoi)es. thwarter of her marria^'e. I'roud and
shy, she drifteil over the door-sill and stood a mo-
ment, neither liftinir her eyes nor speakinj:, like
a bii-d whom ihe least movement would startle into
lli^'ht.
But -Monsieur made none. He kept as still, as
tongue-tied, as she, looking' at her as if he could
hardly believe her piesehOe real. Then as the
■km;
Tin; JIKL.MKT OK NAVAKMH-:
silence |iln|iiiiue(l iKell'. il seeimd lo t'l'i'^'.lleri lier
more tliiiii llie liarsli speecli slie may have t'eared;
witll a ilesperale enUliliZe slle I-ilised lie|- eVes tli )\\s
lacf.
Till' si»e!l was l>i(ikeii. Monsieur steppetl foi'wanl
at oJK'e to lu'l'.
"Mademoiselle, you have come a journey. Vou
arc tired. Le' nie ^'ive you some ret'ceshiiieiit : then
will you tell me the story.""
It was an niducky sjieech, for she had been on the
very point of unburdeniiiLr heiscll': l;ut now, with-
out a woi'd, she accepted his cscoi't down the pas-
sap'. Hut as she went, she tluiii: ni<' an nnplo!-in<j;
i^lance: T was to come too. (iilles holti'd the dotir
iiirain. and sat down to wait on the staircase: hut I.
though my loi'd had not hidden me. followed him
and mademoiselle. It troubled me that she should
so dread him— him, the warmest-hearte(l of all men.
Hn\ if she needed me to irive her oonlideiice. heic
I was.
Mo!isieur led her into a little s(puire parlour at
tlu' end of the passap'. It was just liehind the shop.
I knew, it smelt so of leather. It was doubtless the
sittin>r- and catinii-ntcm of the saddler's family.
Monsieur set his candle down on the bi'_' table in the
middle: then, on sccoml thoutrht. took it up a^aiu
and lijihted two iron sconces on tho wall.
"Pray sit. irademoiselle, and rest." he liado. f(»r
she was startinir np in nervousness fi-om th<' cliair
whci-e he had put lier. "I will ivturn in a momont."
When he had j-'one from tlu' room, I said to her,
half hi'sitatinir. vet cairerlv:
ST. liKNIS -AN!) N.WAHICK!
H>7
"M;i(h'iii(pisill('. you wiTc iicvfr iilr.iitl on tin' wiiy.
ulicic tln'ii- was iiimmI causf t'oi- Iraf. Mat now
tluTf is iiolliiii<i to clnad.""
She i-osc and tlutlcri'd rouml tlu' walls ol' the
rooiii. lookini: for soiiK'thiiiL'. 1 tliouuht it was for
a way of fscapf. luit it was not. for she passed tlir
tlii'fc doors and canit' liack to her j.lacc with an air
(A' disappointincnt, sniootliinir tlic loosr strands ol
licr liair.
"I lu'wv l)i'for(' wt'nl anywlirif iinniask.'d," she
inurnmn'd.
Monsifui' cnttM'fd with a salvor otHitainintr :> silvci-
(Mip of winr and some l>h»'inis biscuit. Hf otV'"t'd
it to lu'V formally: slic ac'ct'{)tfd with scarcely au<li-
h\e thanks, and sat. barely touchinir the wine to hei-
lips, ei'unil)linu the l)iscuit into bits with restless
fin«:i>rs. inakinir tlie ])reten('e of a meal serve as ex-
cuse for her silence. >binsieur u'laneed at her, puz-
zied-wise. waitinir for her to speak. Had the Fn-
t'anta Tsabel'a come to visit him. be could not have
l)een more surprise(l. Tt seemed to him discour-
teous to pi-ess her: he waited for her to explain her
presence.
T wanted to shake ma<lemoiselle. Witli a dozen
swift words, with a L'lance of hei- blut> eyes, she
conhl sweep Monsieur otl* his feet as slie had swept
Vitro. And instead, she sat there, not daiin<_' to
look at him. like a child cautrht stealitn/ sweets. She
liad fount! words to defend herself from ihe teasins.'
ton'.'ues at the Hotel de T.orraine. to plead for me.
to lasli Lucas, to move ^Mayeinie himself; but she
could not tind one svllable for the Duke of St. (^uen-
408
TIIH IIEI.MKT OF NAVAUKE
till. Slu' had bft'ii In iHlmiial inn the lauirhiiiti- eo-
• lui'tlf, t!i.' stnut cliaiapioii. Hi'' haiiirhly Lircat la<ly,
111.' fraiiU lovrr: ImiI imw sli.' was tlu- shy oliikl,
liliishiiiLT. stainiiwiiiiL:. cdiisI i-iiiifd.
Had Monsi.Mii- alta.-k.'d hn- wilh hliiiit (lucslions,
liad hi' driiiaiKK'<l i>f her nv ami down what had
lirou'ilit li'T tliis sti'aiiuf roa.l a1 such aiiia/in;_' liouf
and in such iinlitlin-_ company, she must needs liave
aiiswereil. and, once stalled, she would .I'li"''^'.'^' l"'^'''
kindletl her tire auMin. Had he. on otluT part, with
iv smile, an encoui'auine wor'd. "iven her evei' so litth'
a pusli, she had -one on easily enou-h. But he did
neither. He was coui'teous ami cohl. Tartly was
his coldness n'al : he could not look on hor as other
than the dauizhter ol" his enemy's li(»use. ward of tho
man wlio had s.heiaeil to kill him. will-o'-the-wisi.
wtio had lurcil his son to disasiei'. I'ai'tly was it
mere absence; M. Ktieiine's plidit was more to him
than mademoiselle's. When she spoke not, he
1r lied imi)a1iently to me.
"Tell me. Felix, all about it."'
Before 1 could answer liim the door behind US
op.'iied to admit two evnllemeii. shoulder to shoul-
der. They Wi'i-e dressed mucli alike, plaitdy, m
black, (^iu' was about thirty years of aw. tall, thin-
faced, and dark, and of a -ravily and di^mity be-
yond his years. Livinu- was si^rious business to
iiim: his eyes were thuiLdit fill, steady, and a little
cold. His companitui was some ten years older; his
lieard and curling' hair, worn away from his fore-
head by the helmet's elialine. were already sprinkled
witli «^rav. He had a great beak of a nose and dark-
ST. DKXIS — AND NAVAKHK!
U>i»
^'ray rvcs, jus keen as a hawk's, aiul a look of aiiia/-
iiifr lilV and vim. Tlit' air about him st'emed to tin-
^'k' witli it. We hatl all cIdiic sdint'tliinir. we otiifi-s;
\vi' wt'i'L' no shirks or slu^'u'artls : but llu' fort-i' in him
put us out, pi'nuy candlrs bcl'ort' the situ. I dirin
not Jeanne the .Maid did any marvel when she ree-
osj^nized Kin^ Charles at Chinon. Here was I. a
eonunon lout, nevei- heard a heavenly voier in all my
davs, vet I knew in the tliek of an eve that this was
Henri Quatre.
I was liot and cold and t i'emblin«/. my heart
poundint: till i1 w;ts like to elioke me. \ had never
dreamed of findinji' myself in the i)resenee. I luul
never thouizht to faee any man trreater thaji my
duke. For the moment I was utterly diseoiufited.
Then I bethou'^dit me that not for (iod alone were
knees ^iven to man. and I s ' down (juietly to the
1lo(u-, hopin>: I did ri'^dit, but tieetintr for my e(»m-
fort that in any ease I was too small to ^'ive great
oiVence.
Mademoiselle started out of r ehair and swept a
curtsey almost to the ;:round. hoidinjx uie lowly
pose like a lady of marble. Only Monsieur re-
mainetl standing' as lie was. as if a kinsz was an
evi';'y-<lay atfair with him. I always thought Mon-
sieur a great man, but now I knew it.
The king, leaving his eompanion to elose the door,
was aeross the i-ooin in three stri<li's.
"I am eonie to look aftt>r you. St. Queiitin," he
cried, laughing. "I cannot have my council broken
up by pretty grisettes. The precedent is danger-
ous.""
no
THE IIKLMET OF NAVAliKK
With llu' liveliest (Miii ' v and aiiiusi'iiicnl lu'
siii'M'yctl I he tup ol" iiia< sflk-'s hciit lu-ad. ami
Moii^it'Ui'"s |»u/./ii'(l, ti'oiii .'(1 * ountt'iianc'i'.
"This is no •rrisi'ltc. Siiv.'" Monsieur aiisucrt'il.
'•hut a very his-'h-hotn (h'liidisclk' indeed eousiu to
my Loi'd Mayeiine."
Astonishment Hashed (tver the kiii;^'"s m(i])ilo facL' ;
liis maiiiiei' clianet'd in an instant to one oi' utmost
defer .lee.
"liise. macU'iiioiselk'." hi' be!i«red, as if her ap-
l)earanee wcri' the most natiwal and di'sirabU' thin^
in the world. "I I'ould wish it were n\y i-'oo<l ad-
versary Mayt'ime himself who was come to treat
with us: hut he assured his cousin shall lack no
courtesy."
She swayed li^'htly to her feet, raisint: her face
to the kind's. Into his countenance, which mir-
rored his emotions like a j-'lass. came a ((uick delijrht
at the siiiht of her. The colour waxed and waned
in her cheeks: her breath tluttend uncertainly: her
eyes, anxious, eairer, searched his face.
"I cry your Majesty's ^'ood pardim," she fal-
tered. "I had urjient busim'ss with M. de St. Queii-
tin — I did not iruess he was with your Majesty—"
"The kiuir's business is dad to step aside for
yours, mademt>iselle.
She curtseyed, blusliintr, hidintr her eyes under
their sooty lashes: thinkintr as T did, I made no
<loubt, here was a kin-: indeed. His Majesty went
on :
"1 can well believe, mademoiselle, 't is no trifling'
matter briniis vou at niidnijrht <<i '^'H'" I'oujrh camp.
if?l
m
i-:
m
ST. DKMS — AM) NAVAWUK!
•n:!
We will not (!cl;iy you fiirtlicr. Inif he at paitis to
rciiKMiihcr that if in anythiiiir liciiry of France can
aid you lie stands at your command."
He made her a noble how and took her hand to
kiss, when she. lik.' a child that sees itself losing'
a jtroteetor, clutched liis hand in her little treiiihlint,^
fiiiLrers, lier wet eyes fixed implorinj.dy on his face.
He beamed upon her; he felt no desii'e whatevei- to
be ^one.
"Am T to stay.'' he asked I'adiantiy: then with
firave liciith-ness he added: "Mademoiselle is in
trouble. Will she brinjr her troublt> to the kin<_'?
That is what a kiuir is for— to ease liis subjects'
burdens."
Slie c(/uld not speak: slie made him her obeisance
with a look out of the depths of her soul.
"Then are you my subject, mademoiselle?" he
demanded slyly.
She shook the tears from hei- lashes, and found
lier voice and her smile to answer his:
"Sire. T was a true Tiiirueuse tliis mornintr. liut
T came liei'e half Xavarraise, and now I swear T am
wholly one."
"Xow. that is <xood hearitiL'!" the kitiir crie(l.
"Such a recruit from Maycnne ! Also is it hearten-
inf: to disco,, r that my conversion is not the oidy
sudden one in the world. It has taken me five
months to turn my coat, but lu'ro is mademoiselle
turns hers in a day."
He ha<l udanced over his shoulder to j)oint this
out to his '_'ejitleman. but now he faced about in tinio
to catch his recruit looking triste again.
n t
TIIK MKl.MKT OF NAVAlvKK
"M;i(ii'Mi<iisfllf,"' lir s;ii(l. "yon arc ln-auti fill.
LM-Jivc; Itiit. as vol! Iiad tile izrai-idiisiicss tn show iiu'
.just iiitw. slill more l)cauliriil, siiiiliiii.'. Ni>\v we jii't'
L'oiiitr to ai-faiiL't' matters so lliat you vll smile al-
ways. Will yctil tell ii:e what is tlii' nouliie. my
child?"
"(ihidly. Siri'.'* she Miiswei'ed. and dropped down
a momiMit "M liei- knees het'on- him. to kiss his hand.
I marvelled that .Mayeinie and all his armies hail
heen ahle to keep this man otT his tlii-one and in his
saddle four Ioul: yeai's. It was plain why his |)owei-
•jrew stroie^er evei-y day. why every houi' bi'ou^'ht
him new allies fiom the i-aid<s of the LeaLnie. You
liad only to see him to ndore him. Once iret him
into Paris. tl;e sti'iiirule wouhl he ovi-r. Tlu'V would
put M\) with no otlier foi' kini.'.
"Sire." mademoisi'lle said with hesitancy, "T
shall tire you with my story."
"I am <ireally in di'i-ad of it." the kin'_' answered,
cerenionionsly i)laein^' her in a chair before seatinyr
himself to listeti. 'I'lien, to irive lu'r a moment. I
thiids. to collect hei-self, he tui'ne<l to his companion:
"Here. Kosny. if you ache to he Lrruhhin;: over
your paj)ers. do not let us delay you."
"I am in no haste. Sire," his <:eritleman answered,
nninovin;_'.
"Which is to say. you daro not h'ave mo alone."
the kin-r lau^died out. "T tell you. St. Quontin. if
I am not draizooned iiito a staid, discreet, steady-
paced monarch, "t will he no lapse of Wliij)-Kin<,'
Fiosny's. I am listeniii':. mademoiselle."
ci],,> Iv'trjHi :'.t once. e.HL'er :i»id unfalterinET. All
ST. DKNIS-AND NAVAHKE!
415
hor cnnt'usion was :_'i>iit'. It li.id hfcti wi-ll-nitrli iiii-
]>()ssil)li' 111 tt'll till' story tu M. (If St. (^Mn'iitiii. iiii|ii(.s-
sihlc ti> tril it to this iiiipassivc M. t\v IJosiiy. Hut
1(» tile KiiiLT III' Fiaiicr ami Navaric it was as easy
to tall< as to (iiic"> playfillow.
"Sire, I am Loi-aiicf ijc Moiitluc. My {.'ratid
father was the Maishal .Moiitluc."
"Wen- to-(lay iirxt Momlay. I could pray, 'tJod
rest his soul." ' the l<itm lejoiucd. "But even a
hei-etic may say that In- was a LMllaiit !_'enei-al, an
honour to Fi-atice. lie married a sister of Francois
le Halat'rr? .\nd mademoiselle is orphaned now, and
my friend Mayenne's ward.'"
"Yes. Sire. I came here, Siiv, to tell M. de St.
Quentin eoiieerninLT his son. And thouirh I am talk-
in<; of myself, it is all the same stoiy. 'I'hree yeai's
afro, after the kinir died, M. de Mayeiine was eii-
deavouriiiiT with all his mivrht to hrintr the Duke of
St. Quentin into the Lea<rue. He ofTered me to him
for his son, M. de Mar."
"And you aiv still Mile, de Montlue?"
She turned to Monsieiii- with the jirettiest smile
in the woi'ld.
"M. de St. (Quentin. tliou'_'h he has not fouirht for
yon. Sire, has ever been whole-heartedly loyal."
" Vontre-saiut-irris !" the kiiiLT exclaimed. "He is
either an ineredihie loyalist or an inci'cdihle ass I"
Even the irrave Hosny smiled, and the victim
laujrhed as ho defended himself.
"That my loyalty may be credible. Sire, T make
haste to say that I hati nevei- seen mad<*moiseIle till
this hour."
,,,; Tin; iir.i.MHT <>f navakuk
,,....„ n. your plan., ImsIuvw ,.,.■ l.ut I sluml.l lu.v.
,,M l|l!l(l«'lll(»isfll»'.
.-M ,1.. St (^irnlii. xvith.livNV t.. Vu':m\u: Mi<.
,,.,'m. .i,. Marst;,y,..l in Paris. An.l u.y .•ous.n
Mav..Mn. n.v..- ...v.. up ....i.vly th.' ..ot.on ot .lu
„„i.,i,^., 11.. isvrry ,..Ma-inns of lus plans^
••Av..," saul tlir kin-, will) a -.'nniai.... \N''ll i
..,!,, |,i,,w hot an.i .-oM with M. .I- M'"- J^''
.-.voumltlu. n.arri....onSuna;.ya.uiM.out..liton
\V,.,lnrs.lnv M.Hl .lis..uss...l it ;.^a.n on 1' ruhiy.
-And what urn. M. .ir Mar's opinions .
Sin- n.rt his ,>rohin- -a/r blushin- hnt ^'="1.11.1
•'M. ,1.. Mar. Sin.. rav..un..l it .'V.-ry .h.y ui the
''''■l'-lls\v..ar h.. .li.r." Ill-' kin- cri...!.
-\Vh..nM.l.'l)ur.-an...haM<tol'avis.' nuuh.n.oi-
S.1U. w.nt on. -an,! it was known h. had .spousM
,,,„r nius... Sin.. Maynn. was so loath to los. th.
;,,,,., i.ous. of St. (.)u<M.tin to you that he nth-r .1
„. „,,,,,. nu> out of hand to M. d. Mar. An<l I-
'■'''""^''''- ' .r ■ 1 "\Vp will
^.Ventn-saint-ixris:-* Henry cried. ^^ i ^^'l
„„,,y you to a kinu'-s son. On my honour, made-
inoisi'lh'^ ... "
•■Sin. " sh.. plra.h.d. '-you pnm.is..d to hrar n.( .
.-Thai 1 will. thru. Hut I warn you I am out ot
,„U,.n.. with th.Hv St. (^uentius,"
ST. DKNIS- ANI» NAVAUKi:
ir
" I hen vmi iiic nut <>t' pjitiriicc with ilcvotimi to
Vdiii- cnist'. Sire. "
"Wll.-ltl you ?|i(;il< I'm' tile fiMTi'iillts""
"I iissuic yon. Sire, you li;ivi' no umif loyal ser-
vant than M. dc Mar."
■"Stran^'c I caiinot rccolh'ct thr t'acf dl' niy .so
loyal sci'vant." tlir kiiiL' saiil ilryly.
Hut she. with a tinr scoi-n of ai'i:unicnt, ina<lt'
tlif auilacious answer :
"When you sec it. you will like it. Sire."
"Not half so Weil as I like yours, mademoiselle.
I promise you I \h\t he comes to me well com-
memled. since you vou<'h for liim. Or i-ather. he
does not eome. What is this anient follower doinu
so loni: away from me? Whci-e the devil does this
eau'ei- partizaii keep himself.' St. (^(uentin. where is
your son ?"
"He had l<een with you loiitr atro. Sire, hut for
the hriirht eyes of a lady of tlie Leaunie. And now
she comes to tell me — my paire tells me — he is in the
Bastille."
"Ventre-saint-j:iis! And how has that calamity
befall.'n?"
She hesitated a moment, embarrassed liy her very
wealth of matter, confused between her Ion<:in<: to
set the whole case b(>fore the kinir. and her fear of
wearyiriL' his i)atienee. Ruf lti< udanee told her she
need have no mis<riviri<:. Had she come to present
liini Paris, he could not liave been more interested.
In the little sil(>nee Monsieur found his moment
and liis words.
"Sire, may I interrupt mademoiselle? Tiast
JIM
TMK MKLMKT OF NAVAKHK
nitrht. t'i>r flit- first fiiiu' in ;i niotith. F >;iu tiiy son.
lit- wii.s just n'turm-d I'l-oni iin jnlvrntnif nrnlfi- lur
uitnl<t\v. Miiymtii-'s trujiid li.ui set on liiin. iiml In-
ujis fscapt'd l)y the skin of liis tictli. Ili' liciliii'cd
to nif tliiit nt'Vff till lie wiis shiiti slionM lif (••';isi'
I'ndt'uvonr to win Mile, (if Miintlnc. And i Miiiiy.
I ate my words in luirnhlfst !':isliioii. At'ti^r tliffc
yt'jirs I made my surn'tidfr. Sincf you iirt- iiis one
dfsirt', mademoiselle, then are you my one desire.
I Itade him (lod-speed. '*
She L'iive her haml to Monsieur, sudden tears widl-
inir ovei- her lashes.
"Monsieur. F tliouirht to-ni<_'lit I had no friends.
And I have so many !"
"Mndemoiselle. " the kini: cried in tlie same
breath, "fear not. I will u'et you your lover if I
sell France for him."
She Itruslicd the tears away and smiled on liim.
"I have no fear. Sire. Witli you and M. <le St.
Qupntin to save liim. I can liave no fear. Hut lie
is in desperate case. Has M. de St. (^juentin told
yon of liis secretary TiUcas, my cousin T'aul de Lor-
raine?"
"Aye." said the kintr. "it is a dolonrnns topic —
very painful! Kh, Rnsny?"
"I do not shrink from my pains. Sire." M. de
Rosny answered ([uietly. "I liold myself nnich to
blame in this matter. T tlioneht I knew the Lucases
root and ])ranch — T did not discover that a dnuLrhter
of the house had ever been a friend to Tlenri de
Guise."
"And how should von discover it?" the kinc de-
KT. hKNIS — ANIt NAVAKUK!
119
lliail(|i'<|. He .<| iiiiidi' tile ;iltil(k ; riiiw. since Kosliy
Unllld ii(»t fcsi-lll it. he rilsllfil lliliis.lt to till' (It'lVtlcc.
II
iiw wcfc Vdii to (In-jiiii it
il
fllCI I
!.• (
illlSC s
side was flic last place tu look \'i>v a vriil of the Ke-
liv'iori. Hut I l'or<:ivc liim. If he stole a Woche-
laisc. \vc have aveii'.'cd ii d'^'p: we have stolen the
flower of Lon-aiiie."
"I'aul I-mas I'aid de Lorraine. " she went on
ea^rcrly. "was put into M. le |)iii'"s house t(» kill
him. lie went all the more willinL'ly that he Ite-
lievcd .M. de Mar to lie my favoured suitor, lie
tried to draw M. de .M;ir into the scheme, to ruin
him. He failed. And the whole plot came to
nanj-'ht."
'"I have learned that." the kiriL' said. "I have
liecn told how a coiintrv Imy str-ipped Ins mask otV. "
He ^rlanced around suddenly at me where I stood
r(>i| and ahashed. He was so ipiick that he ;:rasped
evei-ythin^: at half a word. Instantly he had turned
to the lady airain. "Pray continue, dear mademoi-
s.-lle."
"Afterward — that is. yesterday- Paul went to .\I.
de Bclin and swni-e atrainst .M. de Mar that lie had
murdoi'ed a lackey in ^lis house in the l\ue Coupe-
.jarrets. The lackey was murdered there, hut Paul
de Loii-airie did it. The man knew the plot: Paul
killed him to stop his ton<.'iie. I heard him confess
it to M. de .Ma.Ncnne. I and this Felix Pi'ou.x were
in the oratorv and heai'd it."
"Then .M. de Mar was ari-ested '"
".Not then. The otHicers missed him. To-day he
canie to our house, tlressi'd uk jin Itu!i;!t! ieweli!'!'.
420
THK IIKLMKT OF XAVAKliK
with ;i casi' of trinkets to sell. .Miuliitiic adiiiitlcd
liiiii : lilt mil' kiifw liiiii l)ut iiu' iti.ii iiiy cluniiix'i'-
iiiiitc. Oil the way out. Mayi'iiiif iiifl him and kept
him while he ehose a jewel, i'aul de LoiTaiiie was
thei'e too. 1 was like to die of fear. I weiit in to
M. de -Mayi-nne; I he<ru'e(l liini to coiiie out with me
to supper, to dismiss the t"adesiieople that I mi^ht
talk with him there- anytliinjr. Hut it availed not.
.M. de .Mayenni' spoke freely hei'ore them, as one (hu's
hefoi'c eominon folk. Presently he led me to sujiper.
I'aul was left alone with .M. de .Mar and the boy.
He reeoirnized them, lie was armed, and they wei-e
not, hut they overbore him and locked him up in
the closet."
"Mordiiu. niadonioiselle I I was to rescue M. de
Mar for your sake, but now I will do it for his own.
I find liim much to my likiiiir. II*' came away clear,
mademoiselli' .'"
"Aye. t(» be seized in the street by th<^ governor's
men. When M. de Mayenne found how he liad been
tricked. Sire, he blazed with rairc "'
"I '11 warrant he did!'' the kinjr answered, sup-
})jvssi!iir. however, in deference to her distress, his
desire to lau^h. " V('nt!'e-saint-<.'ris. mademoiselle!
for'rive me if tliis amuses me here at St. Denis. I
trow it was not annisin<r in the Hotel de Lorraine."
"He sent for me. Sire," slie went on. blanehinir
a* tlie memory; "he accused me of shieldinir M. de
Mar. It was true. He called nic liar, traitor, wan-
ton. He said I was false to my house, to my bread,
to my honour, lie said 1 had smilin-j' lips and a
'ludas-heart — that I had kissed him and betraxt'd
ST. MKNIS — AND N'AVAKUK!
421
liiiii. I liiiil uivcii liiiii my [noiiiisc never to liohl
inlercoui'se witii M. de Mjn- a^'aii;. I h;i(i j-Mveti my
word to I)e true to my liouse. .M. de .Mar came hy
MO will of mine. I liad no iiikiini; oi' such i)urpose
till I Iti'held him liel'oi-e madaiiie and her ladies,
lie came to entreat me to Hy — to wfd him. I denied
liim. Sire. I sent him away. Hut was I to say to
tlie ^'uard, '"'his way •xentlcmen. This is my
lovei-' .'"
'•Mademoiselle." the kinfr exclaimed. ">.'ood hap
that you have turned your hack on the house of Lor'-
raine. Here, if we are but rt»u;,'h soldici-s, we know
liow to tender .you."
"It was not for myself I cam.'," slie said more
• luietly. "My lord had the riy:ht to cha.sten me.
I am liis ward, and I did deceive him. But while
he foamed at me came word of M. de Mar's capture.
Then Mayenne swore ho should pay for this dear,
lie said he sliould he found truilty of tlie murder.
He said plenty of witnesses would swear to it. He
sai<l M. de Mar sliould he tortured to make him
confess."
W; h an oatli Monsieur spranj; forward.
"Aye," she cried, startint: up. "he swore M. de
Mar should sutler the |n-ej)aratory and the previous,
the estrapade and the hrodekins!"
"He dare not," th(> kin<r shout.'d. "Mordieu. lie
dare not !"
"Sire." she cried, "you can protnise hitn that foi"
every Mow he strikes fttieiiiie de M.w you will strike
me two. Mar is in his hands, hut T a!ii in yours.
For M. de .Mar. unhurt, you will deliver him me.
422
TilV, IIKl.MKT ^>V NAVAUHK
iiiiliui-t. \\ lir Idiliiif Miir. you will torluri'
IIK'."'
"Mach'inoiselK'." llic kiim ciicd. "rallu'i- shall he
titi'lurt' fvciy clu'valitT in Fiaiu-i' than I touch a
hair ot" your lu-ad !"
"Sire—" thf word died away in a si<:h ; like a
suapt rose she tVll at his fctt.
The kinj; was (;uic'k. ])ut Monsieur quickor. (^n
liis kuLM's lit'sidr her, raising' Ikt head on his arm, h"
c'omiuandcd nif :
"Up-stairs. F*'lix! The door at the hack — bid
Daiiic Vi'rnt'v conic instantly."
1 flew, and was back to find him risen. holdin«.'
madcu'.oisclli' in his anus, llci- haii- lay loose over
liis slu)ul(Ur like a rippliii<r t1a'_': her lashes chuii.'
U) hei- cheeks as they would never lift mon'.
"St. (^uentin." his Majesty was saying', "I would
have nuirried her to a prince. Hut since she wants
your son she shall ' Mve him, ventre-saint-^'ris. if I
storm Paris to-mori-ou!" And as Monsieur was
carrying her from the room, the kinjr bent over and
kissed her.
"Madenioisell(> has dropped a packet from hir
dress." M. dc Kosny said. "Will you take it, St.
Queutin?"
The kine. who was nearest, turned to pass it to
him; at the si«iht of it he uttered his dear "ventre-
saint-irris!" ft was a flat. oblou<_' packet, tied id)out
with conmion twine, the seal cut out. The kin<:
twitched the striuir of]', and with one rapid trlanee
at the jiapers i^ut them into Monsieur's hand.
"Take them. St. Quentin : they are yours."
XXIX
The tu'u dukes.
ADEMOISELLE being given into
Dame Verney's motherly hands, (lilies
and I were ordered to repose ourselves
on the skins in the saddler's shop.
Lying there in the malodourous gloom,
1 could see the crack of light under the door at the
back and hear, between (Jilles's snores, the nuirmur
of voices. The king and his gentlemen were plan-
ning to save my master; I went to sleep in perfect
peace.
At daybreak, even before the saddler opened the
shop, Monsieur routed us out.
"I 'm otT for Paris, lads. Felix comes with me.
(lilies stays to guard mademoiselle."
I felt not a little injured, deeming that I, whom
mademoiselle knew best, should not be the one chosen
to stay by her. But the sting passed quickly. After
all, Paris was likely to be more exeicing than St.
Denis.
The day being Friday, we delayed not to eat, but
straightway mounted the two nags that a sunburnt
Beam pikeman had brought to the door. As we
423
i-Jt
THK IIKLMKT OF NAVAKKK
wallii'il tliciii ^I'litly iicross the siniarc. wliicli at this
rafli hiiur uc alone slian-d with the Iwittciiii^ liirds,
we saw coming' down one of tht- I'liipty siivets the
Inirryin^ lit-'uir of M. <|i' Wosiiy. My Un\l di-cw rein
at oiK't'.
"You ai'c no shi^'ahcd, St. (^)ii('!itin.'" tlir youiii;
('ouiicilh)r calK'd. "I (U'scrved to miss you. Fcai-
not I I coiin' not to hin(h'r you, hut to wish you
Ood-spced."
"Xow, this is kind. Kosny, " Monsieur answi Vi'i\,
jxraspin^ his hand. "The more tliat you don't ap-
prove me."
Kosny smih'd, like a sudden hurst of sunshine in
a Deeemlx'i- day. Another man's enil»i;u'e would
have meant less.
"I a|)pi'ove you so mueh. St. Quentin. that I can-
not composedly see you puttin;,' your head into the
lion's jaws."
"My head is used to the pillow. Do the teeth
elose. I am no worse otV than my son."
"Your death makes your son's no easifi-. "
"Why. what else to do. Kosny.'" .Monsieur ex-
claimed. "Mishandle the laily .' Storm Paris?
Sell the Cause.'"
"I would we could storm Paris." Kosny sitrhed.
"It would suit me better to seizt' the pi'isoner than
to sue for him. Hut Paris is not i-ipe for us yi-t.
You know my plan — to smd to Villeroi. I believe
lie could manatre this thinir. "
"I am second to none." Monsieur said politely,
"in my admii-ation of .M. tie Villeroi 's abilities.
But to reach him is uncertain: what he can or will
THE TWO DIKKS
42r>
do, uiiicrlain. ftlitiiiic dc Mar is not Villfi'oi's son;
Ik' is mini'."
"Aye. it is your hnsiiicss," Wosiiy assented. "It
is yours to take your way."
"A mad way. hut mine. But eoiue, now. Kosny,
you must admit that onee or twice, when all your
wiseacres were ileadloeked, my madness has served."
Ifosny took Monsieur's hand in a sih'iit <_'ri;>.
"Maximilien." the duke said, smilinir down on
liim. "what a pity you are a scamp of a hei-eticl"
"Henri," Kosny returned ?j:ravely. "I would you
had had the jrood fortune to l)e l)orn in the l{e-
Ii<,'ion."
A<rain ho wished us (tod-s{)eed, and we L'athered
up our J'eins. As we tui'iied the coi-iu'i- I i:ianced
hack to find him still standinjr as we had left him.
j;azin<; soherly after us.
The man wlio was '^oin<r into the lion's den was
far less solemn over it. By fits and starts, as he
thought on his son's <:reat (hin^'cr. he contrived a
L'loomy countenance: hut Monsieur had ridden all
his life with Hope on the pillion; she did not desert
liim now. .\s we cantered steadily alotiL' iti lli<'
fresh, cool mornin<r, he already pictured M. fttienne
released. ITovever mad he aeknowledi:ed his er-
rand to he. I think he was scarce visite<I by a douht
of its success. It was impossil)Ie to him that his
son should not be saved.
AVe entered with perfect ease the irate of Paris,
and took our way without hesitancy tliroi'.Lrh the
Itusiest str(>ets. Xowliert' did the iruard sprin<_' on
us. hut. instead, more than once, tlie passers-hy <rath-
4_'t;
TlIK HKI.MET or NAVAHUK
«'i-i-(l ill knots, till- trndi-sini'ii ami iii'ti^aiis rail out
ol" tlii'ir shops lo clicci' St. (JiU'iitiii, to c^ln'iT Friiiicf,
to cllt'tT jH'Jifi'. to clict'i' to the (tIio tile {'alllolic
kiii^'.
"I hope -Mayt'iiiu' licai's tlit'iii." Monsieur said to
in<'. «lol'tiii>: his hat to a liii: larritM" wlio liad conic onl
of his smithy \\avin<^ impudently in the eye ol' all
the woi-ld the white tlai:: of tlie kini:.
\Vc ke|)t a lirisk ])ace alike whei'c they ciiccivd us
and vviici'c. in othei' sti'i-cts, they scowled and hooted
at. us, so tliat I looked out t'oi' men witli pistols in
second-si ory windows. Hut. friend oi- I'oe. none
stopped us till at leiiiitii wc dicw rein het'ore the
•ilMlles ol' the Hotel de liOi'l'aillc.
They made no deinur at adniittiii<: us. Monsieur
went into the house, while I led the horses to ihe
stables, where three oi* four j^rooms at once volun-
tet'i'ed to ruh theiii down, in eapTness to pump Iheii'
^uai'dian. Hut hefore the fellows had had time to
'j:et much out of me came -lean .Mai-chand. all unrec-
o^niziui:. to sunuuon me indoors. \ followed him in
deliizht. ])aiily for curiosity. paiMy heeause it had
seemed to me when the dooi'way swallowed Monsieui'
that T nii^ht never sec hjiii more, dean ushered me
into the well-romenihei'ed council-room, where Mon-
sieur stood aloue, sui'prised at the si^dit of nie.
"A lackey came for me." f said. '"Look, Mon-
sieur, that 's where we shut up tjUcas."
I ceased ha.stily, f(U" I knew the step in the cor-
riiloi'.
rt was diHieult to credit mademoiselle's tale, to
believe that Mavenne could ever be in a rajze. In
TIIK TWO DUKES
427
he came, l>i^ and calm and smiliii<,'. whatever emu-
tiou he may liavi' felt at Moiisieui's arrival iiol only
buried, hut wilh a tlowi-r-hed hloDUiiuj: <»vi-r it. He
greeted his guest with all the cDurteous t-asv of an
uiii-ullled ei»useieiiee and a kindly heait. Nut till
liis j^danee ftU on me did he show any sign of dis-
composure.
"What, you!" he t-xelaimed hrusiiuely.
"Your servant hntught hiin hither," Monsieur
said for me.
"I understood that one of your tri-nth-men had
come with you. I si'nt for him, dccmin'r his pres-
ence might eonduci' to your case, M. di- St.i^uentin."
"1 am at my cast'. .M. dc .Maycnnc," my lord an-
swered, with every ai»pcaraiicc of truth. *' You may
go, Felix."
"No," said Mayennc. "Since he is here, he may
stay. He serves tlu' purj)ose as well as another."
lie did not say wliat the [)U rpo.se was, nor could
T see for what he hail kept me. uidess as a sign to
^h)nsieur that he meant to i)lay fair. I began to
feel somewhat hi'arteiicd.
''You have guessed, M. dc Maycnnc. my ei-rand .'"
"Certainly. You have come to join the League."
Monsieur laugheil out.
"On the contrary, M. de Maycnnc. T have come to
persuade you to join the King."
"That was a waste of hoi-sc-Hesh."
"My friend, you know as well as we do that be-
fore long you will come over."
"I am not there yet. nor aiv my enemies scattered,
nor is the League dead."
■•*•
428
TllK IIELMKT OF NAVAKRE
"Dyiiiv. riiy loi'.l. It will vrrl ils (m.ii|» di- <;:vi\i-c o"
Suiidiiy, ulnii thi' Uiii;.' ;-;i>cs to mass."
"St. (^Miciitiii." .Miiyciiiic iiia«lt' iiiiid answer,
•■wlicii I am ill such cast- that inttliiii^' I'ciiiains to
iiic liut 111 fall on my s\\on\ or to kiifcl to llt-nry.
he assiirnl I sliall Umvl to llniry. Till IIk'Ii I i»lay
my •-'■aim'."
"IMay it, tlu-n. \Vi' liavi- the palitiict' to wait for
you, inousit'ur. lie assured, in your tuiii. that when
you do eoun' on your kiUTs to his Majesty you will
do well to have a fi-iend oi' two at court."
".Morhleu." -Mayenne cried, sudth'tily showini: his
teeth, "y(ui will never i:o back to liini if I choose to
sto|) you !"
.Monsieur raised liis eyehrows at him. pained by
the unsuavity.
"Of course not, monsieur. I (luito understooil
tliat when I entered the <:ate. I shall never leave
this house if you will otherwise."
" Vou will leave tlu' house unharmed." Mayeiuie
said curtly. "I shall not treat you as ycuir late
master treated my brother."
"I thank your tienerosity, imuisicur. and com-
mend your <i:ood sense."
Mayenne looked for a moment as if he repented
of both. Then he broke into a lauiih.
"One jiermits the insolenci's of the court jester."
Moiisieu:- spi-an^' up. his h.and on his sworil. Hut
at oru'c the (|uick ilush passed from his face, and he.
loo. lauirhed.
Mavenne sat as he was, in somewhat lowering
THK TWO DIKKS
420
-ilcnco. My duke iiiadt' a step ni'arcr hini. ami
spoke f(tr the tirst time witli pci't'i'ct si'rioiisiicss.
"My L()!(l Mayciiiic. it was no oulifcuitlaiut'
l)i'ou^'lit iiu' luTt' this iiioniinu'. TIumc is tlii' Bas-
lillc. 'I'lific is the axe. I know that my coiiisc lias
'it'i'ii otlViisivf to yon — your nephew pi-oved nie that.
I know also that yi)u do not eare to meddle with me
openly. At K'ast, you have not meddled. Whether
you will change your method — but I venture to be-
lieve not. I am popular just now in Paris. I had
mort' cheers as I came in this morning than have met
your I'ars for many a month. Vou have a |_'reat
name for prudence, ^I. de Mayenne; I bt'lieve you
will not molest me."
I hardly thoujzht my duke was making: a ^reat
name for prudence. I5ut then, as he said, he had
to work in his own way. Mayt'nne icturned, with
chillin<: calm :
"You may find mo, St. (^uentin. loss timid than
you suppose."
"Impossible. Mayoniio's courajro is un<iuostionod.
I roly not on his timidity, but on his judgment."
"You take a jrirat deal upon yourself in suppos-
inir that I wanted vour death on Tuesday and do not
want it on Friday."
"The kin<_' is three days nearer the true faith
than on Tuesday. His party is three days stroii<:er.
()n Tuesday it would have been a blunder to kill
me; on Friday it is three days worse a blun(h'r."
"Rut not loss a jileasure. I have h;id somethin;;
of the kind in mind over since your master killed my
brotb.er."
4U0
THK IIKI-MKT ()F NAVAKHP:
"Ymi should pi(itit l)y tliat iiiui-iUTrr's expc mcc
bctort' 3011 tiiki' a li-af from his book. M. (!•• .\lay-
i'lMif. H»-iiry of Valois ^'aiiicd siiiuMihiily littK' wlit'ii
III' slew (iiiisf to iiiakc you head of thr l.ca^MK'. "
.Mayfinu- staitcd and tluii lawjilifd to show liis
M'ofii of the tlattrcy. lint I iliiuk li.' was, all thr
saint', half plfasid, tionc the less hccausf he knew it
1(1 1h' tlattcry. llf said uiicxpcctcdly :
"Your sou coMii's honestly Ity his unbound
tont^ui'."
"Ah. my sou! Now that you montion him. we
s.iall discuss him a littl.'. You have put my son.
monsieur, in the Hastille."
"No; Heliii and my nephew I'aul. whom you
know, have put him there."
"Hut M. de Mayenne oan jret him out if he
choose."
"If he choose."
Monsieur sat down atrain. with the air of one pre-
])arin'Z for an amiable discussion.
"He is charjied with tlie nnirder of one I'ontou.
a lackey. Of course he did not conunit it. nor would
you care if he had. His real otVence is makin<r love
to your ward."
"\Yell. do you deny it?"
"Not the love. l)Ut the otFence of it. Palpably
yo\i miirht do nmeh.woi'se than dispose of the lady
to my heir."
"T mij-'ht do nnich ])etter than bestow my time
on you if that is all you have to say."
"We liave lianlly opened the subject. M. de May-
enne— "
THE TWO DCKKS
431
''I have no wish to cjirry it t'urtlicr."
"Moiisuur. Ilif kiiij:"s ranks atVttnl no Ixttrr
Miatcli than my heir."
"\(» maid oi' mine sliall fvrr marry a Woyalist."
"I swore no son of mine shonid ever marry a
l-t'ajiucr. l)ut I liavf I'oiii*' ti» sec the ri-ror ol' my
V ays, as you will sec yours. Maycnnf. It is for yoii
to c'lioose uht'ic anionu' the kind's forces you will
marry mademoiselle. "
A va>:ue uneasiness, a fear which he would not
own a fear. erei)t into Mayenne's eyes, lie studied
the face hefoi'c him, a face ol <:ay challenvre, ami
said, at lenvrth, not unite contidently himself:
"You speak with a conlideiice. St. (^tientin."
" Why, to be sure."
Mayenne jumped heavily to Ins feet.
"What mean you .'"
"I mean that mademoiselle's marrying' is in my
hands. Whei'e is your ward. .M. de .Mayenne.'"'
".Mordieu! Have you found her?"
"You speak sooth."
" In your hotel — "'
"No. eaL'er kinsman. In a place whither you can-
not follow her."
Mayenne looked about, as if with some instinctive
idea of seekin'^ a weap<in. of summoniriLr his soldiers.
"By (iocl's throne, you shall tell me wheic!"
"With |)lea.-.nre. She is at St. Denis."
Mayenne cried helplessly, as [niml>ed under a
l.low:'
"St. Denis! But how-"
"How cji!!'.'.' she there? (^n foot, every step. I
i;):
TIIK IIKLMKT OF N.WAliUH
MI|>|Misc >lic never Ulllked two streets ill iler lil'e lie
lore, lijis slie, M. (le Miiyeiiiie.' I5ilt slie trjiliiped ti»
St. Denis tlir(iiii:ti llie diiik, to knock iit jiiy door at
one in the iiiorniii<.'. "
Miiveiine seized .Monsieur's wrist.
"She is siife. St. (Jiientin .' Slie is safe?"
"As sale, nioiisienr. as the kinij's in-oteeuon can
make lier. "
"I'ardieii! Is she with the kiii<^'?"
"She is at my h)dj.'in:_'s, in the care of the sad-
(Her's wifi' who h'ts them. I hd't a staunch man in
ehar<.'e- I liave no <h)ul)t of him."
'Von answer for her safi'ty'.'"" .Mayeiuie cried
huskily, his hreatli eoiniii": short. He was tliislicd,
the Veins in his forehead eorded.
" Wlien slie came last ni^^ht, it happened that tlie
kin;.' was there," .Monsieur went on. "Ilcr loveli-
ness ami hei- misery moved him to the heart."
"'riioiisaiid thuinlt'is of heaven I You, with your
son. shall lie hostajzes for her safe return."
"The kin^'." Monsieur went on. a.s immovably as
.Mayenne himsell at his best, "with that warm heart
(d" his pitying' beauty in ilistn's,s. is eau'er for made-
moiselle's mariia^f with her lover .Mar. But he did
not favour my venture here; he called it a silly
business, lie s;iid you would clap me in jail, and
lie told iiie Hat 1 niiirht rot my life out there before
he would '_'ive up to you .Mile, de .Montluc."
"Well, tlu'n. i)ardieu. we "11 try if he means it!"
"He trave me to understand that he meant it.
'!'he St. (^uentiiis out of the way. there is Valere,
•<tout Kiii<'sm;in, to siieeeei!. The klniT loses little."
THK TWO IH'KKS
i:«.T
"Then an' yon pine niad that you put yonrsfU'
ill my j^'riisp?"
"1 was iit'vcr santr. I conic, my frictid, to mnkt-
yon listen to sanity."
I liad wailfd from momciif to momi'iit .Mnyi'tinc's
Mimmoiis to his soldins. But lir luid not run'_'. and
now he tlnni: liim.st'ir down aj^aiii in his arm-chair.
"What, to your uiidcrstandirij;, is sanity?"
"If you send m»> to join my son. monsieur, you
leave madeiiioiselle williout a protector, friendless,
penniless, in the midst of a hostile ai-my cursinu' the
name of .Mayeiiiie. Have you reared her delicately,
tenderly, for that .'"
Mayenne sat silent, his fai-e a mask. It was im-
possihle to tell whether the shot hit. Monsieur
went on :
"Vou can of course hold us in durance, torture
us. kill us: hut you must answer for it to the people
of Paris."
Still was Mayenne silent, drumminir on the ed«:e
of the table. Finally he said rou-rhly. as if the
words were draL'tred from him a<.'ainst his will:
"I shall not torture you. I never meant to tor-
ture Mar. The arrest was not my work. Since it
was done. T meant to profit hy it to keep him awhile
out of my way-only that. I threatened my cousin
otherwise in heat of passion. But T shall not tor-
ture him. T sliall not kill him."
"Monsieur- "
"I put a canl in your hand." Mayenup said
curtly. TTis prirlc ill brooked to concede the point,
hu- he or\}\:U not hr^.ve st supposed tliat he did not svc
4:54
THE HKLMET OF NAVARKE
what liP was (loinjr. "I frivo you a card. Do what
you fan with it."
"MonsiiMir, you show wiiat little surpi'isos iiit> —
i<iii^'litly •it'iicrosity. ll is lo that genorosity I
appeal."
"Is the hoise of that colour? But now you wore
frightening' my pi-udenci'."
"Ah, hut how fortunate the man to whom ^en-
ei'osity and prudence point the same path I"
It may have Ineti hut pretence, this smilinp bon-
homie of Monsieur's. Mayeiuie douhth'ss Lraujred it
as such, hut. at any rate, he suiVei'ed it to warm him.
He rejzained of a sudden all the amiahility with
which he had izreeted his guest. Smiling and calm,
he answered :
"St. (^uentin, I care little for either your threats
or your cajolei'ies. They anuise me alike, and move
me not. But I have a care foi' my sweet cousin.
Siiu'e you threaten mi' with her danger, you have
the whiplumd."
Xow it was Monsieur's turn to sit discreetly silent,
waiting.
"T went last night to tell the child I would not
harm her lover. Lo I she had llown. I had a n'gi-
mt'iit s(>arehing Paris for h r. I was in the streets
myself till dawn."
"Monsieur, she made her way to us at St. nenis
to olfer herself to our torture did you torture Mar."
"Morl)leuI" Mayenne cried, half rising.
"(lod's mercy, wi' 'I'c not ruffians out there! T
tell it to show vcmi to what the maid was struncr. "
"I never thought it great matter whom one mar-
THE TWO DUKES
435
ried, " Maycnne said slowly: "one boy is much like
iiiiothcr. I should have mated her as befitted her
station — I thoufjjht she would be happy enough.
And she was good about it: I did not see iiow deep
slie cared. She was docile till I drove her too hard.
She 's a loving child. You are fortunate in your
daughter, St. Quentin."
Monsieur sprang up radiant, advancing on him
open-armed. Mayenne added, with liis cool smile:
"You need not flatter yourself. Monsieur, that it
is your doing. I laugli at your threats. 'T were
sport to me to clap you behind bars, to say to your
King, to the mob you brag of, 'Come, now, get him
out.' "
"Then," cried .Monsieur, "I must value my sweet
• laughter moi-e than ever."
lie was standing over Mayenne with out.stretched
hand, but the chief delayed t- king it.
"Not (luite so fast, my friend. If I yield up the
Due de St. Quentin, th" Comte de Mar, and Mile.
Lorance de Montluc, I demand certain little conces-
sions for myself."
"By all means, monsieur. You stamp us churls
else."
My tluke sat again, his smile a .shade uneasy.
Whicli Mayenne perceived with quiet enjoyment, as
he w(Mit oji blandly: "Xotliing that I could a.sk of
you, M. de St. (Quentin, could e(|ual. could halve,
what I give. Still, that the knightliness may not
be, to your mortificati . . all on one side, I have
thought of somethinir * . you to grant."
"Xarne it, monsieur.'
4:<o
THE HELMET OF NAVAKKE
"Another point in your favour I had forgot,"
MayiMiiif observed, with his usual reluctance to show
his cards even when the time had come to si)read
them. "Last ni-xht I laid on this table a packet,
just arrived, which I wa.s told belon^'ed to you.
When I had time to thiidv of it a«zain, it had van-
ished. I accused my lackeys, but later it occurred
to me that Mile, de Montluc, arming for battle, had
purloineil it."
"Your shrewdness does you credit."
"You see you liave scored a fourth point, tlumjrh
again by no prowess of your own. Therefore am I
emboldened to demand what I want."
"Even to half my fortune—"
"No. not your gear. Save that for your Hear-
nais's itching palm."
"Then what the devil is it you want? You will
not get my name in the Tjcague."
"I am glad my nephew Taul bungled that afl'air
of his." Mayenne went on at his own pace. "It
might have been a blunder to kill you: it had ( er-
tainly been a pity. Though we Lorraines have two
murilers to avenge. I have changed my mind aVuiut
beginning with yours."
"You are wise, monsieur. I am, after all, a harm-
less creature."
Mayenne lauuhed.
"Natheless have you done your best here in Paris
to undermine me. Did I let you carry on your little
works unhindered, they might in time annoy me.
Tl-.erefore I request that so long as 1 stay in Paris
yuu slay uut."
THE TWO DUKES
4^7
"Oh, I don't like that!"
The naivett' ania/ed while it amused Mayer.rio.
"Possibly not. but you will consent to it. Vou
will ride out of my eourt, when we have finished
some necessary si^'ning ol" papers, straijrht to the St.
Uenis gate. And you will pledge me your honour
to make no attempt hereafter to enter so long as the
city is mine."
Mayenne was smiling broadly, Monsieur frown-
ing, lie relished the condition little. He was en-
joying himself nuich in I'ari.s, his dangers, his suc-
cesses, his biting his thumb at the power of the
League. To be killetl at his post was notii'ng, but
to be bundled away from it to inglorious safety, that
stuck in his gorge. For a moment he actually hesi-
tated. Then he began to laugh at his own hesitation.
"Well, ma foi ! what do I e.<pect ? To walk, a
rabbit, into the lion's den anil make my own terms
to Leo? I am hai>py to accept yours. ^L de May-
enne, especially since, do I refuse, you will iione the
less pack me ofl'. "
"You mistake. St. (^uentiji. You are welcome to
spend the rest of your days with me."
"In the Bastille?"
"Or in the League."
"The former is preferable."
"You may count yourself Ihrice fortunate, then,
that a third alterrative is given you."
"It needs not the reminder. You have treated
me as a prince indeed. Be assured the St. Quen-
tins will not forget."
"Every one forgets."
37
t;{8
THH HELMET « »F NAVAKKK
"Perhaps. But wlioii you ui'i-il our good offices
we shall not have had time to torf,'et."
"Pardieu, St. (^uentiu, you have i,'ood courage to
tell nie to my head my course is run I"
"My dear Mayeiine, none |)uni.shes the maunder-
iugs of the court jester."
Monsieur laughed out with a gay gusto: after a
moment Mayenne laughed too. My duke erieil
(luickly, rising and walking the length of the table
to his host :
"You have dealt with me munifieei.tly. Mayenne.
You have kept back but one thing I want. That is
yourself. You know you must come over to us
sooner or later. Come now!"
The other did not tlame out at Monsieur, but an-
swered coldly :
"I have no taste to be Navarre's vas.sal."
"Better his than Spain's."
Mayenne shrugged his shoulders, liis face at its
stolidest.
"Well. T am no astrologer to read the future."
Monsieur laid an emphatic hand on his host's
shouh'.er.
"Rut I read it. my friend. T s(>e a French land
under a Fieneh king, a Catholic and a gallant fel-
low, faithful to old friends, friendly to old foes. I
see the dear land at peace at last, the looms hiim-
miuL'. the mills clacking, wheat growing thick on the
battle-fields."
Mayenne looked up with a grim smile.
"I have still a field or two to water for that
wheal. My eompiinients to ;. our new master, St.
THK TWO DUKES
4UU
Quent
in: yon may tell him ifom me that \vli(?ii I
submit, I submit. Wlu'ii I hiivc maik' my surreii-
i!t r. Irom tluit hour Toitli am I his houiul to lick his
hand, to guai-d and obey him. Till then, le* him
l.fwaiv ol" my teeth! While I have one pikeiiiaii to
iny back, one sou in my pouch. I tight my cause."
"And when you have none. y<»u yet hav*- three
j)aii-s of hands at Henry's court to i)ull you up out
of the mire."
I thank their gr'aciousness. thoutrli I si
lall never
need their otlices
Mayenne said grandlv. lie
stood there stately and pi-oud and confident, the
picture o! princeliness and sirength. Last night at
St. Denis it had seemed to inc that no power could
defy my king. Now it seer.icd to me that no king
could nick the power of my Lord Mayenne. When
suddenly, precisely like a mummer who in his great
moment winks at you to let you know it is make-
helieve. the general-duke's dignity melted into a
smile.
"After all." he said, "it 's as well to lay an
anchor to windward."
XXX
My young lord scttlrs scores willi two foes at on
ce.
wranpliiii,' with the
CCUPIED in
j,'ro()iiis over the merits of our several
stables, with the soldiers over polities
and llie aiinies. I awaited in a shady
eornei- of the court the conclusion of
formalities. I had .just declared that Kin«,' Henry
would he in Paris within a week, and was on the
point of ■rettin<: my crown cracked for it, when, as
if for the very purpose-save the mark! -of rescu-
ing me, entered from the street T^ucas. He ap-
proached rapidly, eyes straijiht in front of him.
heedinjr us no whit; hut all the lounjrers turned to
stare at him. Even then he i)aid no heed, passing
us without a glance. But the tall d'Auvray be"^
spoke him.
"M. de Lorraine! Any news?"
He started and turned to us in half-absent sur-
prise, as if lie had not known of our presence noi-,
indeed, «|uite realized it now. He was both pale
and rumpled, like one who has not closed an eye all
night.
"Anv tiH\v« hf're"" h" m'"-'!' Vi-"i i uiv-, »
440
MY YOUNG LOUD 8ETTLES WITH TWO FOES 441
"No, iiiotisicur. unless his (iracc has information.
W(.' have heard n()tliin<r. "
"And the woman?"
"Sticks to it niadeiiioiseWe told her never a word."
Lucas stood still, his eyes travelling; dully over
the i^roup of us, as if he exjtrcted somewhere to tind
help. At the same time he was not in the least
Ihinkinj,' of us. lie looked strai«.'ht at me for a full
minute before lie awoke to my identity.
"You!"
"Yes, M. de Lorraine," I .said, with all the re-
spectfulness I coidd nuister. whieh may not liave
heen much. Considering; our partinji, I was ready
for any violence. But after the lirst moment of
startlement he refrardcd me in a sin^idarly lack-
lustre way. while lie inriuired without apparent re-
sentment how T came there.
"With M. le Due de St. Quentin," I trrinned at
him. "We and yi. de Mayenne are friends now."
I could not rouse him even to curiosity, it seemed.
But he turned abruptly to the men with more life
than he had yet shown.
"You 've not told this fellow?"
"W^e understand our orders, monsieur," d'Au-
vray answered, a bit huffed.
Now this was eminently the place for me to hold
my ton2riu\ but of course I could not.
"They had no need to tell me. M. de TiOrraine.
T know quite well what tlie trouble is. I know
rather more about it than you do yourself."
Tie confronted me now with all the fire I could
ask.
1L»^^^
'^^^
142
THK IIKI-MKT OF NAVAKICK
"What mean you. whelp
"I mean madenioiselle.
^Vllat else should I
mean ?"
"What lio you know?"
"Hveiylhinfx."
"Her whereabouts?"
"Iler whereabouts."
He had his hand to his knife by this. T abated
somewhat of my drawl to say. slill airily:
"Go ask M. de St. (^lentin. He 's h«-re. He "II
be so <rhid to see you."
"Here?"
"Certes. He 's elosoted now with .M. de May-
iiuie. Thoy 're thicker than brothers. <io see for
yourself. M. — Lueas."
"Where is mademoisell' ?"
"Safe. She 's to marry the Comte de Mar to-
morrow."
He stared at me for one moment, weitrlunt: whethei-
this coidd be true; then withcmt further parley he
shot into the houstv
"Is that true?" d'Auvray demanded.
Their toni-'ues loosened now. they flooded me with
questions concerninfr mademoiselle, which I an-
swered warily as T could, heartily repcntinj: me by
this of baiting Lu-as. No <rood could c(^me of it.
He miixht even turn Mayenne from his bariziiin.
up.set all our triumph. T hardly heard what the
soldiers said to nie : T was almost nervous enoufrh.
wild enoush, to dash up-stairs after him. But that
was no help. T stayed where T was. fevered with
anxiety.
MY YOUNG I.()KD bKTTLKS WITH TVVo FoKS I i:J
At till' vi\d ol live iiiiimtt's In- caim- out ot
the house again, aiul, without a -laace at us,
went straight through \hv gate with the step
and air of a niau who knows what he is about.
! was uo easier iu my uiiud though I saw hun
uone.
Soon on his steps eauie a lackey to order M. de St.
(^uentin's horses and two nuisketeers to uK.unt and
ride with him. On reaehiii- the door with the nags,
1 discovered I was not to be of the i)arty ; our sec-
ond steeci nnist carry gear of mademoiseUe's and
her handwoman, a hard-faced peasant, sik-nt as a
stone. Though the men ([uizzed lier. asking if she
were glad to g»-t to her mistress auain, whether she
had known all this time the lady's wherealn.uts,
she answered no single word, but busied herseli see-
ing the horse loaded to her notion. Presently, in the
•'uidance of Pierre, Monsieur ai)peared.
" "You Slav, Felix, and go to ti.e Bastille for your
master. Then you will wait at the St. Denis gate
for Vigo, with horses." t i n
"Is all right. Monsieur?" I ha.l to ask. as I held
his stirrup. " Is all right ? Lucas-"
His face had been a little clouded as he came down
the stairs, and now it darkened more, but he an-
swered :
"Quite right. Achates. M. de Mayenne stands to
his word. Lucas availed nothing."
He stood a moment frowning, then his counte-
nance cleared up.
"My faith '. I have enough to gladden me without
fretting that Lucas is alive. Fare you well, Felix.
-■ ^VrViVC'jffTlB-L.V
444
TllK HELMET UF NAVAHKE
You an- like to ivaeh St. Doiiis as soon as 1. My
son's horsi' will not la},'."
Ik- sprang' to tin- saddle with a sniilin- saluli' to
his M:uardia..s, and the little train elatt.Te.'. olV.-
Pierre eanie to my ell.ow with an o|H'n I'aper-
the order si-.ied and" sealed for M. de Mar's release.
"Here my voiui'^' coekerel. you and d'Auvray are
1„ take this t'o the Bastille, and it will he stran-e
if your master does not walk fre.' a-ain. 11 is (.rare
\m\s you tell M. de Mar he remembers Wednesday
ni'^'h* under<iround."
" And I n-member Tuesday ni^rht in the eounoil-
room, Pierre." I was be-innintr. but lu- cut me short.
Even now that I was in lavoiir. he risked no mention
of his disobedience. He paeked me ot^' with d Au-
vrav on the instant : I had no ehanee to ask hmi
whJther he suspeeted us yesterday. S.unetimes I
liave thoujrht he did, but I am bound to say he {.'ave
us no look to show it.
D'Auvray and I walked strai<.'ht across Pans to
the many-towered Bastille. It seeme.l a little way.
Before the potent name of Mayenn.' Ijars tlew open ;
a sentry on ^'uard in the ecurt led us int.) a small
room ail stone, floor, walls, eeilin-, where sat at the
table some hi-h ot^eial, perhaps the -overnor ot the
prison himself. He was an old campai-ner, jrnz-
/led and weather-beaten, his ritrht sleeve hanir-
in^' emptv. An interesting fij-'ure, no doubt, but
I paid him scant attention, for at his side stood
Lucas. ,,
"I come on M. de Mayenne's busuiess, he was
expostulating', venement, yet civil. "I suppose- he
MY \-OVSr- L<.KI) SETTLES WITH TWO K<>ES ur.
,liil i.ut thmk it nr.-..s.sary to writ.- th.> nnl.T. sine..
vou know inc."
* "Tl.o .viiulMtions. M. d." Lonai,,,.--' 1 h.> otlin-r
hrokf otr 1- .l.'iniuul of our escort. '•Well, whiit
now?" . . .
I ucnt strai./ht np to him. not waitin- permission.
and held out my paper.
"An order, ii it plensc you. monsieur, lor the
(' .mte dc Mar's release."
l.ucas's hand w.-nt ..nt to snatch and crumple it ;
th.'u his rlenched fist dropprd to his side. It
sce.ucd as if his eyes would blacken the paper with
their fire. , ,, ,
-Just thiit-the HMiuisition for M. de Mars re
l,.ase •' the otVicer told him. l-okin- up fnm. it.
" Ml perfectly n-ular and in order. In five min-
utes M de i.o.raine. the Comte de Mar shall '.e
before y..u. You may have all the conversation you
wish."
Lucas's face was -s blank as the wall.
"I am a s<.ldier. and a soldier's orders must be
obeyed." the officer went on to exi.lain. evidently
notcarin" to ofTmd he ..'eneral's nephew. "With-
out the written order 1 .-ould not admit your brother
„f r.uise. Tint now you can have all the conversa-
tion vou desire with M. de Mar."
Lucas's face d-l Tiot chani-'e. sav- to scowl at the
verv name of his brother Cuiso. He said curtly,
"Xo. T must ct back to his (irace." and, barely
bowiiif. went from the room.
"Xow T don't make that out." the keeper mut-
tered in his heard. That Lucas shouhl be in one
wm^mmtL
nn
TIIK IIi;i-MF,T OK NAVAKUE
iiintiit'nt onrp(l of his iirtri'tit nofd nf sccintr thi^ Coriitf
<!.' Mill- wjis too iimcli for him. l»ut no riddh- 1o \nv.
I knt'w Ih' had codic to stid) M. ftticnnr in his cell.
Ft uiis liis hist iliiiiK-f. iiiid Ik- liad missed it. I
rcjiird liim no loM'.'t-r. for I hclifvcd in Mayt'iinc's
laith. My maslfr oticf nleasfd, l.iicas t-ould not
hurt him.
What ua.s a.s nnich to the jmint. the otTuM-r had no
doiiht ol' Mayctim's <:<iod laith. Hf went with liis
paper into an inner idohi, wheie we eaujrht si^ht.
thron^'h ihe door, oi hi^: hooks with a eh-rk or two
behind them, and in a monuiit appeared a-rain with
a key.
"Since tht' yonnsx :_'enth'man 's a count, I '11 do
turid<cy's otTKce mysi-IT." he said, iiis <rrim old battle-
ment of a face smiling'.
This was our day: from Maycnne down, evcry-
])ody went out of his way to pleasure us. I was
sufldenly emboldened l)y his manner.
"Monsieur, perhaps it is preposterous to ask, but
mi<,'ht I iro with you?"
lie looked at nie a moment, surprised.
"Well, after all. why not? You too, Sir Musko-
leer. an yo>i like."
So the three of us. he and d'Auvray and T, went
to i-eseue the Conite de Mar.
We passed tbrouuh corridor aftcM- corridor, row
after row of heavy-barred doors. The deeper we
])enetrated the miphty pile, the fonder T jrrew of my
friend Mayenne. by whose complaisance none of
these doors would sliut on me. We cliinbed at last a
steep turret stair windin<: about a iiu«le fir trunk,
MY
YOU.Mi 1A)1<1» SHTTI.KS WITH TWO lOKS n
li-rhtfd I'v nIiN .>t wIimIows m th.- rour-foot wii
iiikI ill 111'' top tiirti.'*
at tin- fiK
11.
I (luuii a (lark passatft' to a <loor
tlu
1 tl'.r bolts ol wliifh. mvisihlf to iiu- in the
vrlo..iii. till- s.'l. laii .hvw l.aok with laiuiliar banc
Till' .til was small, with ono
luirh window through
,l,,,.h I r<.iil.l MM- luiu-ht l.ul ili<- sky. Foi- i'll *■'"•-
11(1. a stool, a ht'iifh that
iiit\irt' it coiilaiiifd a pa
iiiivrhl scrvi
as lahlf. M. KtitMiiu'
stood at till- win-
dow, his aim crn
ik.'d aro\ind the iron bars, ijazinj
oil
t over thr root's (d' I'aris.
Ik- whf. led alioiit at tl'.r door's creaking'.
I t'o to trial, nionsii'i
ir .'■' lit' askt'd (|uiokly, not
st'fin<: nif lu'iiint
th.
•pt'r.
\o .M. If Conitt". Tht' chart.'t' is cancelled. I
c-oint
to sft von frt't'
r daslftlin i.ast the oflicer, snatchinti my lord'
hand tti kiss.
s«
'• It 's trnt". ninnsit'U
■ttl.tl with .May.iuu'.
SftS vou
!•: Yon 're free! It 's all
Monsieur 's st-en liini ; he
free, lie said, ' In reetx^'nizance of Wednes-
day niizht.' "
Tncif.lnlous joy flashed over his face, to <:ive way
to belief withont .it)y.
•'Now I know she 's niarrietl."
"Nothing: of the sort!" I fairly shonted at him
dancin<^' np and dt)wn in my ea«(
rness. "She 's
It) marry
M. K- Comte. She 's at St. Denis wi
Monsieur. She "s to marry you.
Mayeiine eonsen
settloil. Sln' marries you.
Preposterous as it seemtt
niv fervour.
ts-the kinjr- everybody. It 's a
th
It 's all arranpetl.
11
1. he eould not discredit
He ft)l lowed us out of the cell and
'-■"iaetl- - ri
44H
THE HELMET OF NAVAKKE
lliro\i<.'h the fortioss in a ratliant daze. Ho hall
lu'licveil himself (ircaminu', I think, ami fiaivd to
speak lost his happiness should nu'lt. I lanciod
even that he walked li^'htly and :_'in-rorly. as if th.'
sli<.ditest nnwary niov< iient nii^'ht break the spell.
N.rt, till we were aotnally in the open door of the
court, face to face with freedom, did ho rouse him-
self to acknowlodjro the thin<r real. With a .joyous
lau>rh, he turned to the keeper:
"M. dv La Motto, you should employ your leisure
in writini: down your roHootions, like the Chevalier
do Montaiirne. Vou oimld !.'ive us a trenchant essay
on the Ingratitude of Man. Here are you host of
the l)i^'<rost inn in Paris— a pile more imposing' than
the Louvre itself. Your hospitality is so oa<ior that
you insist on entertainimr me. so lavish that yt>u
iod<.'0 mo for nothing', would keep me without a mur-
uiur till the eml of my life. Vet L injirato that I
am. depart without a thank youl"
"They don't leave in such case that they can very
well thank mo. most of my <ruest.s." La Motto an-
swered, with a dry smile. "You are a fortunate
man. M. <W Mar."
"M. le Comto. will you oome ipiietly with me to
the St. Denis <rate?"' dWuvray asked him. "Or
must T liorrow a uMiard from .M. di.' La Motto?"
M. fttienne's whole face was smilin<r: not his lips
alone, hut his eyes. Kveii his skin and hair seemed
to have taken on a hrijrhtor look. !!.■ elancod at
d'Auvray in surprise at the absur.l (lue.-tion
"I will cnmo like a lamb. ^L le Mous(|uetaire."
We salute»l La Motto and walked merrily out into
MY YOUNO LORD SETTLES WITH TWO FOES 440
the Place Bastille. I think I never felt so prand
as when I passed throu'^'h the noble sally-port, the
soMiers niitkini: no motion to hinder ns, hut all salut-
ing' as if we owned the plaee. It had its advantage,
this making friends with Mayenne.
The first thin^' my lord did. still in the shadow of
the prison, was to eome to terms with d'Auvray.
"See here, my friend, why nuist you put yourself
to the fatitrue of eseortinj.' me to the <rate?"
"Orders, monsieur. The ^reneral-duke wants to
know that you <ret into no mischief between here
and the ^ate. You are banished, you understand,
from Paris."
"I pledjre you my word T shall make no attempt
to elude my fate. I ?o straitrht to the pate. But,
with all politeness to yo . Sir Musketeer. I could
dispense with your company."
"I am a soldier, and a soldier's orders must be
obeyed." d'Auvray (juoted the keeper's words, which
seemed to have impressetl him. "However. M. le
Comte. if I had somethinvr to look at. I could walk
ten paces behind you and look at it."
"Oh. if it is a question of something to play
with!" M. fitienne laughed.
D'Auvray was provided with toys, and M. fitienne
linked arms with me, the soldier out of ear-shot be-
hitid us. He followed till we were in the Rue
St. Denis, when, waving his hand in farewell, he
turned his steps with the pious consciousness of duty
done. Only I looked back to see it ; monsieur had
forgotten his existence.
"T am not proud; I don't mind being marched
450 THE HELMET OF NAVARRE
thr..u-h tlK> sl.volsby a muskcfor/' M. Ktionn.. ox-
; aswosta.1nl-'butIean-t^
!,:,,,,, Folix, .he story, if you would have xne
'"Ana I told hi.n, till ^ve almost ran blindly int..
11,,. lower of the St. Denis gaU'.
\NV |...rned ofMhe warder that M. de St Quontn.
luHi reeenlly passed out. bnt that notlnn. had been
s..n of his eMUery. No steeds .v,v here to s^
'•Well. then, we Ml go have a dass. ^u it \ iM^
a.H,s n-t e.)n.e soon, by my faith, I "11 walk to St.
^^'liut' that promised glass was never drunk, nor
J^we to set out a. onee for St. Denis; form the
door of the wine-shop w.- met Lucas.
I )K.d disM.issed him from thought, as sou.ething
out of the reekonin.. <lea.l and done with, powerless
rvosterdaVs broken swonl. 1 thought bun gone
„,,-,f our lives when he went out ot pnson-gone
; ..ver. like last year's snow. And here w,,lnn the
hour we encountered him. a naked sword in h.s hand.
;; Lie on his lips, lie said, in the tlowvr of lus
•asv inso! "nee: „ t+ ;«
■* Tuesday I told you our hour would come. It is
' "At your service." (piotb my lord.
"Then it needs not t.. slap your fMcoi"
'■You insult me safely. Lucas. You have but one
life. That is forfeit, be you courteous.
"You lbnd< so .'"
Luoarheld .Mit the bare .worrl. hilt tova^d us.
MY YOUNG LORD SETTLES WITH TWO FOES 4r.]
"Mousiour had a box for weapon yesterday, but
as I prefer to ti<:ht in the established way, I ven-
tured to provide him with a sword."
" Thought ftd of you. Lncas. Is this the make of
sword you t-le-t to be killed with?"
He was bendinr; the blade to try its temper.
Lucas unsheath'^d his own.
"M. de Mar may have his choice."
M. de Mar prof(>ssed liimself satisfied with the
blade '^'iveii him.
"Have you summoned your seconds. Lucas?"
Lucas raised his eyebrows.
"Is that necessary? I 1hou<:ht we mi<:ht settle
our aflTairs without delay. I confess myself im-
patient."
"Your sentiments for once are mine."
"It is understood yoti l)rint.' your spaniel with
you. He will watch that I do not sprin-; on you
before you are ready," Lucas said, with a Hne sneer.
"And who is to watch me?"
"Oh. monsieur's chivalry is notoi'ious. Precau-
tions are unneces.sary. It is your privile«:e, mon-
sieur, to appoint the happy spitt."
"The spot is near at liancL Where you slew Pon-
tou is the fitting' place for you to die."
•'It is fitting' for you to die in your own house."
Lucas amended.
Without further parley we turned into the Rue
des Innocents, on our way to that of the ( "oupe-
jarrets.
Now, I had been on llif watch from ihi' lii*st in-
stant lor foul play. 1 had suspected somethinir
il
THE HELMET OF NAVAKKE
462
wronc with the suord, but my lord. uh.. knew, had
.u-cptcd it. Then, when Lucas proposed no s.-c-
;„J, IhadiVltsureofHtn.p. Hut his inviting' my
presence at the plaee .>f our choice smelt like honesty.
M fitietine remarked casually to me:
-Faith there '11 soon he as many «hosls in the
,,ouse as 'you thought you saw there-J inuium-nt.
,>„„tou, ami now Lucas. ^Vhat ails you. lad ? t oot-
steps on your v'i'i>vc.'"
H„1 it was not thou-hts of my '.'rave caused the
shudder, hut of his. For of the three men o the
li.htnin-.Mlash, the third was not Lucas, hut M.
l^-ticnne. What if the visiou were, after all. th.-
,hin- I ha.l at first h.'lieved it -a portent? An ap-
,,,„,, not of those wh..ha<l died by steel. l.nt..t
those who must. One. tw... an.l now the third
Next moment I almost lau-hed out in reliet. 1
was not ront<.u I had seen, hut Louis Martin. And
he was livin-. The visiou was no omen, hut a mere
happenin- \Vas I a hahe to shiver so?
And vet Martin, if not dead, was like to die. He
xvas in" duress as a Leat'uer spy. to await Kinj:
Ilenrv's will. AH who entered this house lay under
,, ,.,„.se. We should n..ne of us pass out again, save
{() our tombs.
We entered the well -remembered little passajie.
,h,. well-remembered court, where shards ot fzlass
still strewed the pavement. Some one-the pen-
jarmes. T fan.-y. when they took away Pontou -
,;,„, ,,„t , heavy i^adlock on the door Lucas an.l
Crammont left swiuLMni:.
"We ^'o in by your postern. Felix. my master
MY
YOUNG LOKI) SETTLKS WITH T\V<> FOKS r.
san-l.
first.
Lu
M. Iau'hs,
1 eon less I pn-lVr that vuu g<>
his l)aek to tlic wall.
..cas put his baelt to
Why ^'o farther, M. I<' Cointer'
'*D() you louji for int<'rrui»tion?"
"We were iu)t noticed eoiiiin^' in.
The street was
'"lie crossed the curt abruptly and went down the
alley to look into the street.
"Not a H.ul in si^'ht," he said, connnfi back. l
think we shall iH.t be intrimpted. Still, it .s wise
to use every care. We will ii'.'ht, if you hke. m the
house."
He opened with his knife the fastened shuttei,
and leaped liirhtly in. Monsieur followed. I. the
last, was for closin- the shutter, but he stopp.'d me.
"N,): leave it wide. I have no fancy lor a walk
in pitch-darkness with M. Lucas.*'
"Do we ti-ht here?" Lucas asked, facinjr us m
the wide, square hall. "We ••an let in more liuht."
"You seem an.xious, my frien.l, to call attention to
vour whereab.nits. As T am host, I desitznate tlu'
fiirhtin-'-M-ound. Tp-stairs, if you pleas.-." ^^
""1 suppose you insist on my walkiufz first." Lucas
sneered.
"T request it. monsieur."
"With all the willin-rness in the world." his rosue-
ship answered, settint; foot straightway on the stair
and mountin- steadily, nevr turnini: to see liou
near we follower' or what we did with -nr hands.
His trust made me ashamed of our lack <.f it. 1 al-
most believed we .lid him injustice. Yet at h.'arl
38
l-.t THK HELMET OF NAVAKKE
I .....la not brin^' n.ysc-lf to or.ait him with any fair
\V. went up one fli^'ht, up two. W o had U-ft b, ■
,.i„a us th. twilight of th.. l..wc.r story. ba<l no
reached .hiwn a^'ain at th,- top. \N e walked u.
l.hickness. Suddenly I halted.
"Monsieur!"
"What?"
"I lieard a noise." . ^ „ ^ , ••
"Of course you did. The place is full of rats.
"It was no rat. It was footsteps."
We all three held still. ^^
"There, monsieur. Don't you hear?'
"Nothin..'. Felix; your teeth are chattering.
Cross yourself and come on."
Hut I could not stand it.
"I '11 ^'o back and see. monsieur."
"No." Lucas said, stridin:-' back from the foot ot
the next ili^'ht. "Iwillfio." . . x ,
We saw a ^dint in the -loom, monsieur s bared
"You will fro neither one of you. Hush! It x\.
show ourselves, there "11 be no duel to-da.y.
We kept still, all three leanin- over the banistei,
peering down to where the white tiles pick.H them-
selves out of the tloor of the hall iar beneath. Wi
could see tliem better than we could see one another.
Ml was silent. Not so much as a rustle came up
from below. Su.bhnily Lucas made a step or two.
ns if to pass us. M fitienne wheeled =.l-nt. rn.smir
his swonl toward th. ^pot where from his footfalls
we supposed Liicas to be.
MY VOINC LOHU rifcTTLES WITH TWO F<>E8 ir,:.
••You show uu t'useriK-s.s to yt-t away I'loiu me. M.
(Ic Ivorraint'. "
"Not in the h'ast. M. tk' Mar. This ahum is l)ia
Fi'-lix's poltiooiKMy, yi't it prompts m.- to v-'o .h.wu
and close the shutter."
"Ou the contrary, you will j.'o uj. with m.-. K.-lix
will close the shutttr."
They cnfrontetl each other. vauMie shapes in th.-
darkness, tach with drawn sword. Th.-n Lucas
raised his in salute.
"As vou will: so he some one sees to it."
"do, Felix."
Lucas Hrst. they mounted i1m' last tliirht of stairs.
and their footsteps passed alonjz the corridor to the
room at the hack. L as I was onlend. set my faci-
down the stairs.
They mi-rht nioek me as they liked, hi't I could
not tret it out of my head that I had heard steps
lu'low. Cautiously, with a th\nnpinL' heart, I stoh-
fnmi stair to stair, pausing at the hot torn of the
flijrht. I heard plainly the sound of movini: above
me. and of voices; but below not a whisper, not a
creak. Tt nuist have been my silly feai^s. Resolved
to choke them. I planted my feet boldly on tlu- ni'xt
fli«rht, and descended hunnniu'^'. to prove my ease,
the rollicky tune of Peyrot's catch. Suddenly, from
not three feet off, came the soft sin>rinjr:
Mirth, mil tore, and Folly <h(ir —
My knees knocked together, and the breath flut-
tered in my throat. It seemed the darkness itself
4r,0 TlIK HELMKT OF NAVAKUK
had ^Mven tongue. Tlu-n ca.iR' a low laugh and the
liiutlcrt'd words:
'•llfiv ui' aiv, M. df Lorraiiu'. An- you n-ady .
Tlu-n- was a stir of fo.'t on the landing' Indon' ni.-.
behind the voir.-. The house, then, was full ol
Lucas's eutthn.ats, the H.-st of them I'eyrot. In the
height of my ternir. I remembered that M. fitienne s
life, too. depended on my wits, and I kept them. I
whispered, for wliispering voiees are hard to tell
apart:
"Not yet. The two of them are up there. Keep
,,uiet. and T 'H send the boy ilown. When you 've
iinished him, eome up."
"As vou say. monsieur. It is your .ioh."
I turned, seare.' able to b.-lievr my luek, and. not
darinjr to run. walked upstairs a-ain. Prick my
ears as I mi'^'ht. I heard no movement after me.
Actually. I lu.<l fooled IVyrot. I ha.l -one «lown to
meet m'v death, and a tune had saved me.
When I reaehed the uppermo.st landin^r. I rushed
alonir the passa-e and into the room, tlin-ing the
door shut, locking' and boltiiiir it.
They had not be-^'un to ti-:ht. but had busied them-
selves "elearinir the spaee of all obstacles. The table
was pushed atrainst the wall in the corner by the
door: the ehairs wer.' heaped one on another at the
end of the room. Both shutters were wide open.
M. fitienne. bareheaded, in his shirt, stood at <:uard.
Lucas was kneelinj; on the floor, pickinj: up with
scrupulous care some bits of a l)roken plate. He
spran-: to his feet at sijzht ot me.
••What is it?" cried M. fitienne.
MY VolNiJ LOKl) SF.TTLES WITH TWv. F(»KS 4r.7
"Cuttlin.als. 'riM-y 11 1m- lifiv m a luimit.'."
Evt-n as I spDki'. I li»'iinl trainpinL' on llir stairs
lu'low. My slam of th.- door Iwul \varnt'«l tlu-iu that
soiiu'thiiitr was wroiii.'.
"Was that your delay?" M. fttionn.- shout.'.!
.spriujliiit: at his foe.
"I play to win!'* Lucas answcrftl. siniliui-'.
The hhuh's nu't : tlu" iiu-ii ciirleil ahoiit and alH.iit.
huoas. thou'^'h li.- pndVnvd to iiiunliT. km-w h..\v
to duel. ,
We wen' doomed. With monsieur s sw.)rd tor
,,nly weapon, we e.Mil.l never hope to pass th.' umul'.
In another minute tiny would he here to hatter th.'
.h)or down and end us. Our consolation lay in kill-
in>.' Lucas first. Vet as T watched. I f.-ared that
S\. fitienne. in the hri.-f moments that remained to
him, could not con<iu.r him, so shr.'W.i ati.l stron:;
was' liucas's fence. Must th.' scoundrel win? I
started forward to play ront..u's trick. Lucas
soujiht to murder tis. Why not we him?
One flash from my lord's eyes, and I retreat.'d in
despair. For I knew that did I touch Lucas. M.
i::tienne would let fall his sword, let Lucas kill him.
And the hravos were on the last fliirht.
AYas there no escape" Th.'re were three doors in
the room. One led to the passage, one to the closet.
the third- I dashed throuL'h to find mys.-lf in a
larire empty chamber, a door wid.- open ixivin'.' on th-
passace. ThrouKh it I could s.'c the dusky fiirures of
four men running up the stairs.
T was across the room like an arrow, and jrot the
door shut and bolted before they could reach the
ir.s
Tin; iii:i.mi;t •»!• n.w .\i;i;i.
liMMliii-/. Thf ii.'xt in..i.i.'iil s.m ii- tluiiir aL'ainst
it. It sI.kkI linn. D.'lii.ym- "iil.v ;. iimni Mil t.. -luik.'
it. thn'o of th.' lour I ••(.uM li.iii' niii i" ili'' I'iiilli.r
(!,,(. r. when.-.' ismkmI tli.- iioIm' <>I' tli'- s\v(.nls.
I, iiisidr th.- wall, niii bark to... TIm- vnmh-A\ still
m.^i'd. N.'itluT. thill I coul.l s.v. ha.i -aiiir.! tli."
l.-i^st a.lvai.ta^'.-. Oiitsid.-. the niur.l.-n-rs .lasli.d
tluMiisflvcs upon tin- »l<tor.
I .IniL'-.a at th.' lu-avy tahh-, and. uitli a sin i-tli
that aiiia/.i'd luys.-lf. push.d and pnll.-d i' I., fo.v tlu-
door. It woidd iiiak." th.' pain-ls a littl.- tinn.r.
Was th.'iv no .•s.ap.'? Nu.i.'.' I ran mu-v ni.uv
into the st'.'.md chanih.r. Its sluitt.'rs w.iv rl-.s.'.!:
I thri'W th.'ni op.Mi. Then' was n.. oth.-r .lo..r to tin'
room, no hidintr-pliH-c Tlu-r.' was a chii.in.y. hul
spann.'.l a foot al..)V.' th.- lir.'i.la.-.' hv two in.n bars.
Tlu' thinm-st sweep that .-ver wield.'.l br.H.ni eoiild
not have s(iueezed between ill. 'in.
In despair. I ran to the window airain. Toj. of
the house as it was. I thou-ht I would s.mn.-r Lap
than be stabbed to d.'atli. I stuck my head out. It
was the same win.low where I had slood when (iram-
mont seized me. There, not t.'ii fi'.'t away, ei-ht at
the most, but a little above th.'. was th.- eas.'nient oi
my "arret in the Amour de l>ieu. Would it be pos-
siblo^to jump an.l ealoh the sill? If I «lid. I could
scarce pull myself in.
I looked below me. There swnnjr th.' sIlmi of the
Amour de Dieu. And then- b.'sid.' it slo.vl a horn-
spun tlLMUV surely known to ni.'. Tli.'re was n.) mis-
taking' that bald pate. 1 yelli^d at the top of my
linigs:
MV YolNt; M»U1) SKTTLKS WITH TWO KntS iClt
I
•"Mjiitn- Jui^quesl'"
He Uwkcd up. j,'i!iM"'o' »< ''''"^ ^■'''''•' '"" '•' •'"" **'^'^-
■nictit. I saw thai Ik- kiuw m.'.
We "ii- Ix'iiin iiiurtU'iftl I Wf
but, dfspitf his aiiia/i
l-UIl
'Mllitlf .iHCqUts!
t L'et out! 11. 'Ip us f..r thr lov.- <»l Christ
H
For an
plank, a mpc. to the wimlow tlu-r.
instant he stood confoundt'd. 'rhm lu
('anishi'd into the inn.
I waittMl, on
fire. Still Iroiii the next room
soundi-d the .'lash of st.-rl. Whitr shirt and l.iai-k
doublet piusst'd the door in turn, untla'4«;inn. iu»-
k'aininfj.
Suddenly came a new noise from the passa^'e. ot
trampling and rending'. l»l<»ws and oaths. My iirst
thou^'ht was that they were fi<:htin<r out there, that
rescuers had come. Then, as I listened. I learned
better. Despairing.' <d" kiekin-: down the door, they
were teariuir out a piece of stair-rail for a batteriu'.'-
ram. It would not loii<r stand at:ainst that.
I ran back to the window. No Jiniines appeared.
We were lost, lost !
Hark, from the next room a cry. a fall! Well,
were it Lucas's victory, he miirht kill nie as well as
another. I walked into the back room. But it was
Lucas who lay prone.
"Come, come!" I cried. clutchin«: monsieur's
wrist. But he would not till with Lucas's own mis-
ericorde he had <.'iven hitn coup de trrace.
Crash! Crash! The upper panel shivered in
twain. A ^'reat splinter six inches wide, hanirin^'
from the top. blocked the opening,'. A hand came
through to wrench it away.
MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART
ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No 2
1.0
I.I
1 2-8 lllll 2.5
"III 1
j_ !« 2 2
!: m
t m am
1.8
1.25
1.4
1.6
^ APPL I ED IM^G E Inc
' 'BbJ Cast *^Q r. Svee'.
I T'-SI f'oc'^ester, New rort. 14609 oSA
'-^ (716) 482 - 0300 - Phone
^= (716) 288 - b989 - ^^x
460 I'Wi: HELilh'i UF NAVAKKK
M filiruiK', across the .■oo.u at a leap, drove his
kuife throu-h the hand, nailing it to the ^od. On
the instant he recojiuized its owner.
"(;ood luoruin./, IVyrot. We "ve recovered the
packet." . . T • 1 .,,,-
Not waiting for further amenities. I seized m>
h,rd and dashc<l him into the front room, only a
faint hope to lead me, but the oaths of the bravos
a -ood spur. And. St. (^lentin be thanked, there
in'the '^'arret window were Jaciues and his tapsters,
i)ushing a ladder to us.
"(j(,, monsieur! There are four behind us. Go.
"You first!" , ,
But I, who had snatched up his sword as he
stabbed Lucas, ran back to -uard the door. He had
the sense to see there was no jiood ar-uin-. Cryin;,',
"Quick after me, Felix!" he crawled out on the
'"^ Pevrot was released. Another blow from the ram,
and the door fell to Hinders. They leaped in oyer
the table like a freshet over a dam. I darted to the
window. M. fitienne was in the -arret. heli>ins hold
the ladder for me. T fhm- myself upon it all too
eajrerly. Like a lath it snapped.
:i^'
^.^?!;^im^'
XXXI
"T/fc very pattern of a king.
^^C^,
^^\w.m
|HK iu>xt worki appeared to be stran^jely
like this. I ftmnd myself lyintr on a
straw bed in a little low attic, my head
restinji comfortably on some one's
shoulder, while some one else poured
wine d.nvn my jrullet. Presently I discovered ihat
Maitre .Jac(iues-s was the ministerinp hand, M.
fttienne's the shoulder. After all, this was not hea-
ven, but still Paris.
I had n(^ desire to speak so long as the flow of old
Jac(iues's best Bnr<rundy continued: but when he
saw my eyes wide open, he stopped, and I said, my
voice, to my surprise, very faint and (juavery :
"What happened?"
' ' Dear, brave lad ! You fainted : ' '
My lord's voice was as unsteady as mine.
"But the ladder?" I murmured.
"The ladder broke. But you had hold beyond
the break. You huncT on till we seized you. And
then you swooned."
' ' What a baby ! " T said, jrettinc to my feet. ' ' But
the men. monsitMir? Peyrot .'"'
"T think we 've seen the last of those worthies.
They took to their heels when you escaped them."
4t>'2
THE HELMx;t of NAVARRE
"Bui. iiKinsiiMir. thoy 've jrom- to inform! Yon '11
he taken for killin-: Lucas."
"I (loul)t it. Thciiisflvcs smell too strong of hlood
1., ,lan' bruit the matter. Xatheless. if you can walk
now. we "11 make -rood time to the jrate."
But for all his haste, he would not start till I had
had some bread and soup down in the kitchen. ^^
"We nnist take j^ood care of you, boy Felix." he
said. "For where the St. Quentins would be with-
out vou. I tremble to think."
I "set out a new man. In three steps, it seemed to
me, we had reached the city ^'ate. to tind the way
blocked by a company of twenty or thirty horse, the
St. Qui'ntin uniform Haunting' pay in the sun. The
nearest, trooper set up a shout at sipht of us, when
Vipo. coniin'T <Mit suddenly from behind a nap, took
M."h' Comte in his bi-jr embrace. He released him
immediately, lookinj: inunensely startled at his own
demonstration.
M. fitienne lautrhed out at him.
"Be more careful. I be? you. Vi?o! Yon will
make me imagine myself of some importance."
"T thoutrht you swallowed ui " Vijjo <,'rowled.
-You had been here-I could n't get a trace of
you."
"T was killin? Lucas."
"Sacre! lie 's dead?"
"Dead."
"That 's the best morninft's work ever you did.
M. fttienne."
"Have you horse for us. Vitro?"
"Of course. Sout^ f^f the men will walk. T mip-
"TIIK VERY PATTERN OF A KING" 403
pose \vi' "if leaving' Paris to »)iiy you out of the
Bastille f
"Not worth it, eh, Vigo?"
"Yes," said Vigo, gravely -"yes, M. fitienne.
You are wortii it."
Vigo's tnxip was but slow-moving, as some of thr
linises carried double, some were loaded with chat-
tels. M. Htiemie and I. on the duke's blooil-charg-
crs, soon left the cavalcade behiiul us. Before I
knew it, we were halted at the outpost of the camp.
My lord gave his name.
'•To be sure!" cried the sentry. "We 've orders
about you. You dine with the king, M. de Mar."
"Mordieu! I do?"
"You do. Orders are to take you to him out of
hand. Captain!"
The officer loungeil out of the tavern door.
"Captain. M. de .Mar."
"Oh, aye!" cried the captain, coming forward
with brisk interest. "M. de Mar, you 're the child
of luck. You dine with the king."'
"I am the cliild of bewildernunt. captain."
"And you "ve not too nuich time to recover from
it, M. le Comte. You are to go straight to the
king."
"I may go to M. de St. Quentin's lodgings first?"
"No, monsieur: straight to the king."
"^Vhat! in my shirt?"
"[ can't help it, monsieur," the captain laughed.
"I suppose the V.ing did not guess you were coming
in your shirt. Anyway, his order wa.s to fetch you
.iir'ect. And direct you l'o. But never care. Our
c^^mm^mmmm
m
•164
THE HELMET OF NAVARKE
kinp 's no stickler for togpery. He 's known what
it is himself to lack for a coat."
"I might wash my face, then."
"Certainly. No harm in that."
So M. fitieune went into the tournebride and
xviushed his face. And that was all the toilet he
made for audience with the greatest king m the
world.
"You '11 ride to Monsieur's," he commanded me,
when the captain answered:
"No; he goes with you, monsieur, if he 's the
boy Chou.x, Troux, whatever it is."
"Bronx— Felix Bronx!" I cried, a-quiver.
"That 's it. You go to the king, too. Another
luck-child."
I thought so indeed. We followed the sentry
through the town in a waking dream, content to let
him do with us as he would. He did the talking,
explained to the grandees in the king's hall our
names and errand. One of them led us up the stairs
and knocked at a closed door.
"Enter!"
It was Henry's own voice. I pinched monsieur s
hand to tell him. Our guide opened the door a
crack.
"M. de Mar, Sire, and his servant."
"Good, La Force. Let them enter."
^L La Force fairly pushed us over the sill, so
abashed were we, and shut the door upon us.
The king was alone. But before this simple gen-
tleman in the rusty black, I\L l^tienne caught his
breaih ah he had nut done before a court in full
-THK VKKY I'ATTKUN oF A KINU"
ic.r.
„.. in.l s-n .-urts. but lu- Im.l m"x.'. -' "
the Hrst sol.luT ot 1'"' ,.,.,_ ^.,,..„ ,o
sf ps >"to the ->- ;:■ . :,^ :, ,, ,y stan-a
^vi.UM'y.,l at ina.U'st>. as n.a ^^ ^^^
,,,, tUoy stoo.l sn.v..y,n. .. -1- ^^^, ^ .^^^
,„, in th. frankest eunos.t>, till at un.
^^"!^: a. Mar, you look loss Uk. a earp.t-kni.ht
than I oxpectoa." ^^^ ^ , ^^ ^,,,^,.
M. fiii-nne ean,. to hnns 1 . ^^^^^^^^
-Sh-.. I blush for iny looks, l^ut >ou
soiai \vouia not let n. fron. tlu.r olut.h.s. 1
r;!;-:::eon.efn.nknUn.i;auiaeLorran...
"^Vhat! the spy lAieas . ^^j.
''Hin^elf. Ana .1.-1 eH^W^^^^
the Nvinclow ni some hastu i
honour. Sire. vontre-saint-U'ris!"
M. de Mar."
this hour. Marr>. all s ^^^' ■ ^^^ ,,,,,
n,y breathless follower! ^^^^^^'^ ^
,reat battles, and yon -- "^ ^ ^^ ,„.,^,i„,. v.nt
Scarlet under the lash M.r.tuu- ^^^^^ ^^^
,i. eyes on the ..>n.^^ ^ ;;- ^^;^^^ ^,, ^^^„,,,^,
the kin? spoke not, tie u ii
something: ^,. ,,
That isn., life's nustortune. Sue.
(( '{
MW,
THE HELMET OF NAVAKKE
"Misfortune, sirrah? Misforlunt' you call it?
Let me hear you say fault."
"I dare not, Sire," M. fitieniu- murmured. "It
was of course your Majesty's fault. We cannot
serve heretics we St. Quentins."
"Ventre-saint-gris! You think well of yourself,
yount: Mar."
"I must, Sire, when your Majesty invites me to
<linner. "
The kinp burst into lausht<>r, and his temper,
which I believe was all a play, vanished to the
winds.
"I'ardieu! you 're a ?lib fellow, Mar. But T
did n't invite you to dinner for your own sake, little
as you can imagine it. So you would have j(»ined
iny flag four years ago, had I not been a stinking
heretic?"
"Aye, Sire, I needs must have. Therefore am I
everlastingly beholden to your Majesty for remain-
ing so long a Huguenot."
"How now, cockerel?"
M. ftti(.nne faltered a monn^nt. He was not bur-
dened by shyness, but before the king's sharp glance
he underwent a cold terror lest he had been too free
with his tongue. However, there was naught to do
but go on.
"Sire, had I fought under your banner like a
man, at Dieppe and Anjues and Tvry, M. de May-
enne had never dreamed of marrying his ward to
me. T had never known her."
"The loveliest demoiselle I ever saw!" the king
eried. "T shall marry her to one of my staunchest
supporters."
THK MKKTlNii.
\
..-ni.. VtUY I'ATTKKN OF A KINO" 400
'"rt::n:s.;i::'a «p tro™ ...e wri.in« into th.
kin^^'s laii^'hin^j face.
'.' Y,m! Mar.'yo'u. You arc my »..uneh supportor,
pci-lu'.ps?" u;rnt"
-Your hom-boy. an you "sk ■ • f"';
„, p,,.»,.a hi» lip» .o the. ki„«-s h»n,l. groat, h.lp-
leas tears .Irippini: down upon It
"If I ,.v.-r d..»,.rt you, I am a .log. Sue! But l
„.Wi„'. is not all don,.. I wiU capture you a tla.
■"■"Perhaps. I much foar me there 's life in May
™Mtien„e, no, venturing to rise, yet lifted he.
--t:;;r;":':,t''r;et a.ay from ^. vemre.
"'MvTord'who wanted precisely that, had no choice
„„f ,0 attest that nothing was farther from h,s
"'?,t;;V. the king exclaimed. "^"-^-^ ^
ru^^^=-^fS"
and your one itch is to escape the tedmm!
4!^ace ! You are guilty, sirrah. Take your pun-
iphinent!"
^-^y ^^^ ^^:^^^^m: m^-^f^m^^'
■^M
«^«*': A2==
•I7n
Till; IIKI.MKT ol' NAVAIkKK
He (liiitid across the lOdiii, iiiid tlii(i\viii<: opi'ii i.ii
iriiici' tliMir, callt'd jiciitly, " Matlftnoisflk' I"
" Vfs, Sii'c," she aiisuiiiMl, coiiiiii^' to the tlircsh-
'I'lii' peasant lass was ^'oiic tonvcr. 'I'lic tri'i'al
hilly, ii'L'al ill satins, stood licloic iis. Shi l)rnt on
tin- k\\]>^ a littli'. raL'iT, i|Mi'stioninu' ulancc; tlim sin*
caii^rlit si>_'lit of lii'i- lovrr. Faitli, hail tin- snn <.'(>ni'
out. the fooui woiilil havi' hi-cii biilliant with tin-
litiht ol' lici- face.
M. fitit'imc spi-atii: np ami towaid Iut. Ami sin-,
pusliin^ by the Uin^: as if \u- liail hri'ii the door-post,
went to liini. Tlicy siood hctott' each other, neither
toneliini,: nor speaking', hnt only lookinvr one at the
other like two blind folk by a heavenly inirado re-
st(»red to si^rht.
"How now, ehildnn? Am T not a model mon-
arch? Do you swear by me forever? Do you vouch
me llie very pattern of a kinu'?"
Answer lie <rot none. Tliey heard nothintr. knew
nothiiiLr. but each other. The sli<jrhte(l kini; cluiekled
and. beekoninji me, withdrew to his cabinet.
So here an end. For if Ileiuy of France leave
them, you and I may not stay.
m
:w'*f-
4;;- rJf
m^M^
National Libranf ot Canada
Bibliothique nationale du Canada
3 3286 51457 6632
I
mm