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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 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*^«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, ■ '■"'■■-'•.",,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 anrly 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^ ,, [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 '^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 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, eyinIIC 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 . 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-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-liry 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;ile 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 .'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' voice comtiiandeiic 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" ;; ' >] 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 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 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' (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-\ 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 - 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 ■ 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 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>-; al- ready a rrd disk (Hi 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_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 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 \'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 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--' 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' !.■«' 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 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 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. _';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. lotlin 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:{ 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 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 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 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: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 duty 07 Monsieur's oontrinptunus t-vt-s shri wiled me as tlaiiif shrivfls a leal". "You — a Hroux of St. (^ueiitin'." Lucas, who liaaid 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!"'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 lovea<-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 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 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. 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_'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<: •■■n^.^-tr;,' chauin<''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 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 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 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 celhir. Vou ca It is h.Tf tliat tli«'y 1 n cntfi- Iroiii a con rt lH'hiiiHut 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!. "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 aiiain M(Misieur took me by the shoulder and loolpeless 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 siiu 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.' .-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«' (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 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» 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- corridor, and to him I trave the word for Vi^o. I tore away from his oa 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 teeh 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«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 :< ,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 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 passav1 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 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!ia\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," nt muttered thickly. ■■F(U- the love id' Heaven. \'ii.'o. draw it out." With ama/ement ViLTo {)crceived ihe knife. "Who diji 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 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'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 .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 hrillaniiiif as till' kiii^''s pliiiiif at Ivi-y. Imt wlu'ii at Icimtli we (Miiif out tar (liiwii tlif sircft we lia 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 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-n;i.l. urllli-litir.. (..•.'(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 yt 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 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 minlio in any wise rescuitiled Lucas. A vouii"-' e-amester >-eated near the door, whom my sud- den entranc had Jostle, 1, ro "You cnu <_'«• iKiuhnr. M. Kticniu' : it is iiiadntss. T!h' sur"_'roii said \ou nmsl lir liri'.- I'nr tliiff days. You will 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. 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)\\
  • 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 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 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 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 '.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-linl N.W.MMiK "I't ;i|iilli..' \rl_\ ciiiii |(ill;ili|_\- \\|l!iii|lt siiiriL' Ili'I'. I lII'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 .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< 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 drtiy \\ 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 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 lay." "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 urik 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 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 lispeles 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' inaiiip])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_"_'» 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('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. 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).'y.' 1 was Ifli alone with liiui anS iis ;iii;.!nni\. mti n inj i^...-. w IN TIIH OlJATOKY anted howls, lioivls lu' should liav 155 I v(llt'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; 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 '. ..],.,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.- hainke,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 lookinL 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 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!(!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. "rniinictliin<_' in his minlew 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 ber 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 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' ii'iiiiikI vuu au'ain thai you liavi' not l»rtaiiiliiiL' 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»'uiid lirtwcMi the S|iaiiish hanuiier aue. 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 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" anid 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 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 '(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.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>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-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 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.\\.\IMiii[miiiii(| of sliivucliuvs ;iiiur 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 lieaed 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: 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 y th,. path of sIkiiiic!" she frioneas, 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 .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. 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:litninIle." 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'_'hei(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»'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 shouiut 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*>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 fos\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 anF 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' 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 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!' 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"lut 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 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.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'' 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,'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 : 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 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 \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■/" "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 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 \ir(> 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'leu. 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 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 intrions 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 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 cw 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|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 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: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<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 wroni lore till' gjii r• 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-'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 wrenched the hlade out; the wounded hut neither h.e nor the soldier attacked. The torch- bearer in the window, with a sliout. wave\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 .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 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 ,'- 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[' \\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.'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 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. "Faith, my man," said .M. fitienne to the little L'»; 1 Till': III'.I.MKT OF NAVARRE ^ liiiiiiu'oois wild liiiil ()|)cii|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 hak.«>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' liaUNTKIt 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_'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 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."saiii 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 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.' iiixures, with every now and then, as the steel A CIIANCK KNOUNTKIt ^71 hit, H point of lijrlit llasliiiij; out, to fiiup 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 thred 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 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 ))linkon 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 triei('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. _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. {'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." saiecl 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()iititerensieur 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 aslapers. 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 slioidur; 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- 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, whaekinr 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 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 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.'" "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 iiiistaliif (Ics Toui"- iirllcs. wliicli l.iy ill niir own iniaittT, not :t ilo/.cii strii'ts I'l'diii llii' Ilufrl St. 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\' 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' .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- 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 saith 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 droneul 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 anF 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 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 \)'\-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 '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- 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 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 yaeket 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. (lartined 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 westerinl;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: 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<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(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' 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