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!
'
The Black Wolf's Breed
•Come, tcllow, thou art trapped ; give nic up my purse." p. 76,
fc\#*%r
' f
(
I > reed
A Stvr^ Of Frarc6
j'^jnffjj^
Harr'fs Dt\kson
Ulwtritions Ij
C. Af. lieiyea
/;//v '- • • 'OUSAAP
p. 76.
fOUDNOV)
^OT?«
-tUii^/itliii
jj TO,
S?.# t-1
t^m
Y^-M
The
Black Wolfs Breed
A Stwy of Franeg
In th4 Old World and thg Ntu, hap/mlng
h th§ Bdgn of Louh XIV
H i'<PJ
By
Harris Dickson
lUsstntiotB by
C. M, Relyta
FIFTEENTH THOUSAND
^^R'*^'' '.tit>
^^Hr ' '^'^^
-i-'€--i^
"^!fwMM>^ ? tsiv
TOEONTO
BSi^b
GBOEGE J. MoLEOD, Publisher
c' p 75,
IQOO
S>ST.
u
i9%
585
CorrKioHT 1899
•8585
TO THE MEMORY OF
BIENVILLE
THE SOLDIER-GO- £RNOR OF LOUISIANA
OUT OF WHOSE
MIGHTV PROVINCE HAS GROWN NEARLY ONE-HALP
OF THE
WORLDS GREATEST
lUPUBUC
CONTENTS
Foreword
The Master
Bienville
Aboard Le Dauphin
The Road to Versailles
II
III
IV
12
i8
36
The Decadence of Versailles
Louis XIV
At the Austrian Arms
A New Friend
Mademoiselle
VII
VIII
IX
32
47
57
7*
8S
i
In the House of Bertrand
The Dawn and the Dusk
Florinc to the Rescue
The Girl of the Wine ^hop
The Secretary and the Duke
CONTENTS
X
XI
XII
XIII
New Hopes
The Unexpected
The Flight From Sceaux
XIV
XV
XVI
XVII
Serigny's Departure
XVIII
The Castle of Cartillon
XIX
From the Path of Duty
XX
The Fall of PensacoU
XXI
lOI
no
133
MS
163
iSo
193
205
224
233
i ti...
XOI
IZO
123
«33
10
163
^73
iSo
»93
The Contents of the Box
CONTENTS
XXII
XXIII
A Note Which Went Astray
XXIV
The Children of the Black Wolfs Breed
Appendix
241
«
966
375
ao5
934
333
! I
]l
' >
-lU..
T^RANCE—In the old world and in the new!
The France of romance and glory under Henry
of Navarre; of pride and glitter under Louis XIV, in
- whose reign was builded, under the silver lilies, that'em-
pire^Louisiana—in the vague, dim valley of the Mis-
sissippi across the sea: these are the scenes wherein this
drama shall be played. Through these times shall run
the tale wJiich follows. Times when a man's good sword
was ever his truest friend, when he who fought best com-
manded most respect. It was the era of lusty men
the weak went to the wall.
King and courtier; soldier and diplomat; lass and
lady; these are the people with whom this story deals
Jf, therefore, you find brave fighting and swords hang-
ing too loosely in their sheaths; if honor clings round an
empty shadow and the women seem more fair than hon-
est, I pray you remember when these things did happen
who were the actors, and the stage whereon they played.
The Author.
ir"
r-**t^
g
m
lii
Ik
an
th
coi
of
sor
age
sea,
pail
neu
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREfiD
FOREWORD
/T- « filH„gtkal eld men. evm tho» whose trade is
war should end their days in peace, yet it galls me
gnevouslyto sit idly here ty the fire, in this year of
irace ru6. .^eat things go on in * wJldZioL
lilt'L'T ^f """ f"'- ^"-''"^'V ''is crippled
w V ""''■ ^"^ "" ' ^ ""re tlutn dreL
and meditate and brood.
'^""""^ ''"SS"h blood; again 1 tasu the wild joys of
sLTS-7 ^""- """ "" ''''"* «'■«« of 'hose
Ze Zt ""Z"' " '"'" " '""'' "'y ^ronZg
age. '^ut the yotithful vigor is ^onf> Ti.i/ f,
scarcely wield a ^fcl^inAn/TfriendtfrnaZTaL
6"- «crc:« vf keen and honest swords
(0
r
liili
a
THE BLACK WOLF S BREED
Thus run my thoughts whiU I sit here like some de'
crepit priest, bending over my task, for though hut an in-
different clerk I desire to leave this narrative for my chil-
dren's children.
My early life was spent, as my children already
know, for the most part in the American Colonies. Of
fiy father I knew little, he being stationed at such re-
mote frontier posts in the savage country that he would
not allow my mother and myself to accompany him. So
we led a secluded life in the garrison at Quebec. After
the news came of his death somewhere out in the wilder-
ness, my brave mother and I were left entirely alone. I
was far too young then to realize my loss, and the mem-
ory of those Maceful years in America with my patient,
accomplished mother remains to me nm^ie very happiest
of my life, ^^V
From her I learned to note anctW^ the beauties of
mountain and of stream. The broad blue St. Lawrence
and the mighty forests on Us banks were a constant
source of delight to my childish fancy, and those mem-
ories cling to me, ineffaceable even by all these years of
war and tumult.
When she died I drifted to our newer stations in the
south, down the great river, and it is of that last year
in Louisiana, while I was yet Captain de Mouret of
Bienville's Guards, that I would have my children know.
Along the shore of Back Bay, on the southern coast
of our Province of Louisiana, the dense marsh grass
grows far out into the water, trembling and throbbing
with the ebb and flow of every tide.
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
€ some dc
but an itt'
or my chil'
n already
onies. Of
t such re-
he would
' him. So
ec. After
the wilder'
f alone. I
I the mem-
ty patient,
ry happiest
beauties of
Lawrence
a constant
hose mem-
se years of
Thicker than men at arms, it stands awhile erect
where the shallow sea waves foam and fret; then climb-
ing higher ground, it straggles away, thinner and thin-
ner, in oaken-shaded solitudes long innocent of sun.
Beginning on the slopes, a vast mysterious forest,
without village, path, or white inhabitant, stretclies in-
land far and away beyond the utmost ken of man . There
the towering pines range themselves in ever-receding col-
onnades upon a carpet smooth and soft as ever hushed
the tread of Sultan's foot. Dripping from their topmost
boughs the sunlight's splendor flickers on the floor, as if
it stole through chancel window of some cool cathedral
where Nature in proud humility worshiped at the foot of
Nature's God.
It was in those ^wilds, somewhere, the fabled El
Dorado lay; themgtbbled the fountain of eternal youth ;
through that endlftwilderness of forest, plain and hill
flowed on in turbid majesty the waters of De Soto's
mighty grave.
•ons in the
\t last year
Mouret of
iren know,
hern coast
xrsh grass
throbbing
<r
I
CHAPTER I
THE MASTER
IT was late one clear moonlight night in the spring of
17 — , when three silent figures emerged from the
woodland darkness and struck across the wide extent of
rank grass which yet separated us from the bay. Tuska-
homa led the way, a tall grim Choctaw chieftain, my
companion on many a hunt, his streaming plumes flutter-
ing behind him as he strode. I followed, and after me,
Le Corbeau Rouge, a runner of the Choctaws. We
were returning to Biloxi from a reconnaissance in the
ChickasaM' country.
Each straight behind the other, dumb and soundless
shadows, we passed along the way, hardly bruising a
leaf or brushing the rustling reeds aside.
"See, there is the light," grunted Tuskahoma, point-
ing to a glimmer through the trees. "Yes, the White
Prophet never sleeps," assented Le Corbeau Rouge.
The light which marked our almost ended journey
came from a window in one of those low, square log
houses, fortress-dwellings, so common in the provinces.
Here, however, the strong pine palisades were broken
oown m many places ; the iron-studded gate hung un-
(5)
THE BUCK WOLP-S BREED
•"'nged and ooen fl,»
-"■o-C i. „ad L been cL^er''"''' ""' "= "^ ""«
But the decav n„H , '" "'=">' >'«'»•
^^s a garden carefully tended a r'r"" "'' '"''"^''^^
'"gly to a corner of «.e wWe ' H ^ ^"^ ""' "'""6 '»--
he bright roses of FrancriemTh ''' ""'' '''" " '"' »'
« «emed impossible to asslc ! r"""'^ '° " P''""
baric warfare ""'""* *'* » thought of bar-
I loved this humhl^ u^
"'0'hera„dIhadTpe«,C'.'°' '" '"''' » ""e .,y
comradeship before'tr ^e'th .?"' °' '''''' ^°°'-
ho"^, all reminded n,e of her of ™''' "" ""l^
tnings. ' "*'^' "" peace, of gentler
The character of iK; i„_
'0"fy abode far bette than ,^°""P'"' P™'«'ed this
chivalry of Spain, o the Cho; '™''" °' ''""«• 'he
""Id possibly ha;e done He ' ^^^"^^^ "^'-'a-ce
sonie fifteen years before a hI"™' '*'" "'' "'^^ ^«'d,
=« n>an of education and , . "T k ?'^ ^«"""e'y
"•efuge „n a knoll overlocVn. , • it""* ''■' ^°«'« »'
there to find the toIe.„uo„M' -5 .''^''''^y' hoping
'^"d. The edict of Na„tes haH T ''"" '" ^i' "ativf
,L0"i^. and thousands Of" '!T"''' '' "^"^
'o>v degree sought new fortuts I "? °' ^'^^ ^"^
Many had reached ' ""^^^ '" "ewer lands.
getic swords "d ituT^'li?'' ^'"^^ -* -r-
£<^ and fame from wharveTsot^e ,7"' '"°°' ^"^
This man alone of an m I "'^J' ""'ght.
- disposition toselh ot::f l!,?.'r^ "^^ 'hown
no
the hidd.
len treasure
ui cs oi the
S BREED
ted sand a; ft3 base
nany 3'eaiii.
w'hp'-.- inanJfest in its
'"Side the enclosure
•aiJing vine clung lov-
y, and even a few 0/
sweetness to a place
th a thought of bar-
in such a one my
ears of sweet good-
e roses, the rude
peace, of gentler
»nt protected this
ies of France, the
ceaseless vigilance
there it was said,
t exile, seemingly
"'Jt h'. castie of
feabay, hoping
im in his native
evoked by King
wen of high and
■r lands.
rove with ener-
v^rest blood and
ley might,
rers had shown
reasufcs of the
THE MASTER
ilderness, to prey upon the natives. He became their
•lend and not their plunderer.
His quiet life, his kindness, his charity, his knowledge
if the simple arts of healing, so endeared him to every
irarring faction that at his house the Choctav and the
hickasaw the Frenchman, Spaniard and the English-
.an met ahke m peace. So the needless fort. r.ea'tions
_fEll into unrepaired decay.
'. Many an afternoon I had paddled across the bay and
^pent a quiet hour with him, as far from the iat and
*^rd a. Biloxi as i, we were in some othe^t^d
As, th.s night, we drew nearer the house we sa.. no
.^ns o. I,fe save the chinks of light creeping be„ ath
the door. I rapped, and his voice bade me enter
The master sat at his table in the center of a g, at
■oom about which were a number of surgical Lnd
These curious weapons of destruction or of witchcraft
( r so the Indians regarded them, contributed to make
h.m an object of fear, which doubtless did mucTtl
strengthen his influence among the tribes
andt::r:;ss:^°-f^^^^^
rgreriTca"^ - ^u^rd-rs
I oniy thanked our HoTZtJ^ r^T"' '''''''' '"
He rose, and laving his h^"''
«e. "Wait, Placidel ' I am "Zd " ""^ "'"' ^"'"'""^
"«c, 1 am glad you returned this
^^1
8
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
M
way, tor I have long wished to speak with you- esoe-
c.any_aoIwishito„this„i,ht-o„thi.!;i;h,l;
Mechanically I obeyed, for I could see there was
ometh.„g of more than usual import on his mTnd The
Ind,ans had withdrawn, an<: the master, pacinguncer
S : « hf:, ™r ■ '''-'' ^-^ -.'rded Ve •:
tently, as if he almost regretted his invitation to stay
After several efforts he abruptly began • ^'
meet'dtth ^T- "' T '°"^ '" "™' '"" "^^'d '<>
Trti r T ^^ ^ '"'""'" ''"'>' ^performed. It is
Of this I would speak." • it is
I listened in silence. He spoke hurriedly as though
he doubted his resolution to tell it all ^
r.'l'^T;fA^ ''''''^'^"' '" '^"'" ^°^°«'"^^' know me only as
Colonel d'Ortez, the Huguenot refugee. So I have bee„
known by the whites ever since I came here to escape
persecution at home, and to get forever beyond he
so^und Of a name which has become hateful toVell;
FrZ^'f^^""'' '^''^'''" ^''^ ^'^" ^ P^«"^ race in
trance for centuries, yet I, the last d'Artin, find the
name too great a burden to bear with me in shameful
sUence to my grave. See this," and he took from his
throat a pearl-studded locket, swung by a substantial
golden chain, which he opened and handed to me In-
side^were the arms of a noble family exquisitely blaz-
oned upon a silver shield.
^'What is it; what device is there?"
I knew something of heraldry and read aloud without
!REED
k with you ; espe-
n this night. Sit
uld see there was
on his mind. The
ter, pacing uncer-
regarded me in-
nvitation to stay,
i:
ive, and dread to
performed. It is
rriedly as though
, know me only as
So I have been
e here to escape
ver beyond the
teful to me — my
proud race in
'Artin, find the
me in shameful
le took from his
y a substantial
ied to me. In-
xquisitely blaz-
\ aloud without
" What is it ; what device is there?" p. 8.
THE MASTER
jhesitation the bearings upon the shield, prominent among
jwhich were three wolves' heads, chevroned, supported
[by two black wolves, rampant, the coronet and motto
["Praeclare factum."
' 'Aye, ' ' he mused half coherently, ' 'the wolf ; 'tis the
Icrest of the d'Artins, quartered with those of many of
Ithe most ancient houses of France. So do those arms
[appear to men. But see."
He took the locket quickly from me and with a swift
Iforceful movement turned the plate in its place, exposing
[the reverse side.
"What is this? Look!" *
I glanced at it and started, looking inquiringly into
[my old friend's face. He avoided my eye.
I saw now upon the plate the same arms, the same
I quarterings, but over all there ran diagonally across
the scutcheon a flaming bar of red which blazed evilly
upon the silver ground. I understood.
"What is it?" he demanded impatiently. I still could
I find no word to answer.
"Speak out boy, what is it?"
"The same, but here, overall, is the bendlet sinister. "
I scarcely dared to look up into his face.
"Aye," he replied, his countenance livid with
j shame. "It is the bar sinister, the badge of dishonor.
So do those proud arms appear in the sight of God,
and so shall they be seen of men. And for genera-
I tions each Lord of Cartillon has added to that crimson
[stripe the indelible stain of cowardice."
The master, his features working convulsively with
m
pf
m
ill
10
THE BLACK WOLF's BREED
11
ttoes. for the murdered man waLr'' ""'^ '""*"^'
" Catholic in the service of r ""S"'""'- •"■' ^'^-yer
after St. Bartholomew' tL;'"'/."' " ^"^ '"= ^^^
«on for sa'fety to Tn oM f I ?"' '"''' '^"' ""'^ '"^nt
Catholic faith, and h bLJ^ u .'""^^^ "P '" '*=
the true right 'o, the Cou^: d'lrtfn Or"^"'^ ''""''
always been ignorant Th, ' ""' ""^^ have
^epented. andLm:rhis!t: rnrMr::,dr "-r
whole story exacffntr n c^i ' '°^^ ^'"1 the
the .'i^.-nh^iterore^anVtrrer^^^^^^^ ^°""' «"<•
oath was kept in cart m! n " °"'"- This
the child, then an'oL"n the ''''°"V^'°««. '»""<"
courage to declare hTs wn shameTnd 'r'"'^" *^
price of his father's crime p ^^''^ rehnquish the
this locket was made and L '*'°"' "'""^
*-«jv "ictue, and the same vow anri t-u^
tradition were handed down to me Th '^""^
^a^Ws,wouMgiveupth^:^J,rCitTgeT:
'ather's time. nT^'^.tt^X::^,,^"""' '" -^
P-e it; I confide them ^o^ZTJ^;',:!::' ^^^
I am gone I want you to find the lastd'Irrin ••'
BREED
aving the floor, con-
idred years ago the
castle by the son of
', who assumed the
was easy in those
Juguenot, his slayer
and it was the day
■ had sent his infant
abbott of a neigh-
brought up in the
ascendants resided
Oi this they have
on his death bed
him, told him the
hat he would find
m his own. This
ul d'Ortez, found
v. but lacked the
nd relinquish the
t Raoul d'Ortez
►w and the same
I have no child,
sed heritage if I
rd has been kept
broken in my
he papers which
Jy death. After
Artin."
THE MASTER j,
He was silent now a long time, then continued in a
I lower tone : "My mother was of the reformed religion
and I embraced her faith. It seems like a judgment of
God that I, a Huguenot, should lose under King Louis
what my Catholic ancestor gained under King Charles
5 Now go, lad."
I could say nothing, but touching his hand in mute
sympathy turned away without a word.
I had almost reached the door when he sprang after
^ and again detained me. His glance searched appre-
hensively into the shadowy corners of the room his
voice wavered, the look of a hunted animal crept 'into
his eyes.
"Tis said," he whispered, "the restless spirits of
my fathers yet haunt our castle in Normandy— oh mer-
ciful God, do you believe it? Oh no, no, after all these
troubled years I fain would find a dreamless slumber in
my grave."
I soothed him as I would a frightened child, and left
nim standing at the door.
£1 '-•
Ill
CHAPTER II
BIENVILLE
yVlUSING on .his strange stoo^, and the old „, ■
unwonted fear. I walkeH „„ j "'^" '
edge where my Indian M.„^ T "" '° *^ "'^'"'s
awaited me. Another hi \' "''f^ '" *^ P^^"--
\ii;i. -finotner half hour and we w(-r» .„ ui •
When we reached the barracks 1 1 7 ! ''°'"-
tend the governor at once ""^ "^"' '° «"
Bienville stood before !,,■■,<;
veiy different mood from . 1°"^' 'l'"'"' ■"« '" »
seen him. " '"^ '" "'"='> ' had theretofore
"Captain de Mourpt " <-i,«
Without any pre,!!de :r in^i e^^^f ^ " T'"' '"^^"'
you at once to Paris on .. "'°"' ^ ^^sire to send
tance to myse^Ldl hrd^ T', '""'°" '■■"P''^-
task, though I can ill 7 ^' ^'''"' ^O" '»*• f-s
deliJate matter T be, '^"' ^'"' ^"'' ^^"^ ■* is a
you are couTgeous •' ^°" '° "= ''»"«'. ' ''"Ow
-Sr3^S-,„^-ing Had evidently
weZThe'"4To:s^^f "'° '"""'">' "« "ere, the
band of unSled ,i'" '°"' °' "" '"^ ^^«h' A
---;jr,r.yt::ro;:t^:^^^^^^^^^
and the old man's
iown to the water's
ady in the pirogue,
we were in Biloxi.'
ound orders to at-
ne, quiet, but in a
1 1 had theretofore
>ld warrior began,
'I desire to send
he utmost impor-
select you for t^^-'s
, because it is a
• honest, I know
ng had evidently
id me here, the
I the earth. A
Canadians and
n to feed them-
BIENVILLE
13
'f
ves out of the bountiful earth which would give every-
ing we need almost for the asking. The air is full now
rumors of a Spanish war, and a Natchez-Chickasaw
iance. If these things are true we would find our-
ves entirely cut off from French supplies, and this
lony would literally starve to death. Yes, starve to
;athwith untold millions of fruitful acres all about us.
iad we strength to fight I would not care so much,
'ith but two companies of undisciplined troops, a mere
•aggling handful, officered by drunkards, we could not
ifend this post a day against any organized attack."
All this I knew to be true, so I made no comment,
e pursued the conversation and evidently relieved his
lind of much that had troubled him for months.
"Then this beggarly commissary of mine, and the
■afficking priest, de la Vente, they are constantly stir-
ing up strife against me here, and putting lies in the
ands of my enemies at court. The king, too, is wearied
ut with this endless drain upon his treasury for money
ind supplies, and is now, so I am informed, almost
eady to accede to Crozat's proposition, and turn over
:o him the revenues and government of the colonies."
The old man grew earnest and eloquent.
"What! turn over an empire such as this to a miser-
ible tradmg huckster, the son of a peasant-permit him
:o name the governors and officers! Whv, under his
■ule, such cattle as la Salle and de la Vente would feed
fat upon the miseries of the people ! Great God,
lacide, do you appreciate what that means? To
:reate this peddler of silks and laces lord of a bound-
i#»
i:
b^'J
H
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
:t
less domain, more magnificent than Louis in his wildest
schemes of conquest ever dreamed? Why, boy, the day
will come when for a thousand leagues the silver lilies
will signa each other from every hill top ; marts of com-
merce mil thrive and flourish; the land will smile with
farms and cities, with proud palaces and with granite
castles. The white sails of our boats will fleck evefy lake
and sea and river with their rich burdens of trade, pour-
ing a fabulous and a willing wealth into the coffers of
the king. Gold and silver mines will yield their pre-
cious stores, while from these niggard natives we will
wrest with mightvarm the tribute they so contemptu-
ous y deny the weakling curs who snap and snarl at my
heels Greytowerand fortress will guard every inlet and
watch this sheltered coast. In every vale the'low chant
of holy nuns will breathe their benediction upon a
happy people. And hordes of nations yet unknown
and races yet unborn, in future legends, in song, in story
and m rhyme, will laud the name of Bourbon and the
^Z;[%^:'-'' Oh ladlladl .is an ambition
The governor had risen, and waving his long arms
this way and that, pointed out the confines of his mighty
dreamland empire with as much assurance as if cities
and towns would spring up at his bidding
The face, glorified and transfigured by the allurement of
his brilliant mirage, seemed that of another man
"Ah Placide! Placide! it stings me that this chiv-
alrous king of ours, this degenerate grandson of Henry
BIENVILLE
W''* ']
iS
the Great, should think of seHing for a few paltry livres
such an heritage as this. Shame to you Louis, shame I"
His tone had grown so loud, so peremptor^^, I inter-
rupted.
"Caution, sire; who knows what tattler's ears are
hstening, or where your thoughtless words may be re-
peated."
He stood moodily with hands behind him gazing into
the fire. For years I had known Bienville the soldier
the stem and unyielding governor, with the hand of iron
and the tongue of suasion.
Now I saw for the first time Bienville the man Bien-
ville the visionary, Bienville the enthusiast, the dreamer
of dreams and the builder of castles. I watched him in
amazement.
"Then these miserable women whom our good father
the Bishop of Quebec, was so kind as to send us. bringi
mg from their House of Correction all the airs and
graces of a court. Bringing hither their silly romances of
a land of plenty ; they vow they came not here to work
and by the grace of God, work they will not. They
declare they are not horses to eat of the corn of the
fields, and clamor for their dear Parisian dainties
Agamst such a petticoat insurrection the governor is
helpless. Bah I it sickens me. I wonder not that our
men prefer the Indian maidens, for they at least have
common sense. But by my soul, Captain, here I stand
and rant like some schoolboy mouthing his speech
Tush, it is forgotten.
:^
nl
'' il
I
i\
16
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
"Tell me, Captain de Mouret wh-n- u^
in '^ ^oX't'rr' T "•°"^^' ' -- -
Everywhere w! 1 d p^?; 1° ^""^ reconnaissance,
tribes, and felt sure we Z '1 . "^ "" '""^•'
standing between .he™ and TheTant: """ """"■
inei" rr " zt: "rZ r r ^.r ""^ --
capacious chimney "^ """^ '"" ™"""^ *™ "« "P •I'e
''And they charge me at the court of France " h,
werd S"a::t;:- z ^--^^^o'^
like gentlemen for gCnTt detrTe'r^TT" "'" ''^'"
fight unwi.,i„g,y „nL':i,e thfor^ ~""''' "'■°
spoi. BtiTs Hal:? '™'"'' ^'■° -""^ - ^'^-^'^
brother Serig„v.st„ds!i"ed*H. ''''''''" '■" "^
immedjaicly upon your arrival.
^'^^^^^'^^W^^WWBS^^^^
BIENVILLE
i;
From that time forward act under his instructions. Re-
member, sir, your mission is a secret one."
I knew well the name he gave me, for next to Iber-
ville, Serigny was reputed the most accomplished of all
the Le Moyne's. To his fame as a soldier, his aftain-
ments as a scholar, he added the easy grace of the
courtier. His position at the court of Louis gave him
great prestige throughout the colonies; he being a sort
of adviser to the King on colonial affairs, or so we all
then thought him. Little did I then know how scant
was the heed paid by power and ambition to real merit
and soldierly virtues
This while we sat without passing a word. Truth to
tell I was loath to leave the Governor, for I knew even
better than he how much of treachery there was in those
about him. Besides that I had no confidence in my
lieutenant, and yet hated to acquaint Bienville with the
fact for fear he might mistrust my motives. I was heavy
at heart and dreaded the future.
When, somewhat after midnight, I arose to go he
came around the table and taking me by both shoulders
gazed steadily into my face. I met his glance frankly
and quailed not.
"Forgive me, Placide, these are such days of distrust I
doubt every one about me. Forgive me, lad, but your
old commander's reputation, aye, his honor even, de-
pends now so much upon your fidelity. ' '
I could say nothing. I felt a stealthy tear tremble in
W^ye, yet was not ashamed, for its mate PUsf^ned .'n
Z1::'^:J'' ' "" "°^ ^'^^" ^^ ov^r-weeping.
*? .t
I
f si
vm
;il
iiii.ii
CHAPTER III
ABOARD LE DAUPHIN.
yHE morning dawned moist and cold, with a stifl
s^in., the we.e™ ed::''o.re''r;"^,; ^ .ttS
enaw.se across the harbor, and put me ablard t DaJ!
I alone had no part in all the noisy preoaration f„
.stenmg to the straining of the masts, the flapping saT
the low complaining beat of the wind-tormented wate '
Above the creak of the windlass raising anchor i
z^^Crfz"' ^''''''' — atiL •::' out!
visiof r sei:^^ed": r;:::: inTb' r t'- °'
hung down the vessel's side ^a fa"d^ r ' l' "*"
disjointedly: "X a laddSr. I made out,
■•Along in September_as soon as you return =.11
will be in readiness-two thousand oJsCmT
Natche.-we ought to have nodimcu^;!!lYva^^S:::^
:t.."^;nd m":^':i -i- - ^ .- -?-
Anj~ 1. "" "<= a great thmg 1
And much more that I could not hear clearly.
ABOARD LE DAUPHIN ,«
But I had heard enough to know there was some
m. h ■„ the rumor or a Spanish-Indian alliance, and an
ataclc on B.lox,. And the name Yvard, being Unusual
clung somewhat to my memory
I immediately ran on deck and sauntered over towards
hat s,de seekmg to discover the traitor. No one ,^s
there, only a lutle group o. officers walking about Z
wards the shore were the retreating outlines of a ight
boat I knew none of these officers, any one of whom
m,ght have been the man I overheard, and so Idu^"
ask no questions. I could therefore confide in no one
on board for fear of making a mistake, but must Z
upon g,v,ng Bienville prompt warning u^on my re u^
and I must needs hide my reluctance and mingle S
officers and men, fo.- perchance by this means fmfeht
|uncover the scoundrel. •"■a • mignt
I ;f 1";°"? •> I -"'de free with the men, pitched quoits
land jomed in their rough play, I trusted 'one, susp c d
dence, but, thmking ,t wiser, kept my own counsel
JTVeason could ever wear a smiling front Ld air S:
land'Hlri""'" '""^'' """^ *^" "y-". o' gloomy
telThlTv '"' ''" '"""""■"S «>«« was so mas-
terful about h.m men obeyed him whether they would
or no A more silent man I never knew, yet courZu,
,_.-s t" Achile Droussard my heart went out in those
I days of loneliness. His almost childish lightness ordTs!
^^1
I ?«■
20
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
i; I
!!il!
position and his friendly ways won me completely and
we became fast comrades. A noble looking lad, with the
strength of a young Titan, and the blonde curls of a
woman. During the long idle hours of the afternoon it
was his custom to banter me for a bout at swords, and
Levert generally acted as our master of the lists. At
first he was much my superior with the foils, for dur-
mg his days with the Embassy at Madrid, and in the
schools at Paris, he had learned those hundreds of
showy and fancy little tricks of which we in the forests
knew nothing. However, I doubted not that on the
field our rougher ways and sterner methods would count
for quite as much.
With all the five long weeks of daily practice, I gath-
ered many things from him, until one day we had an
experience which made us lay the foils aside for good
We had been sitting after the dinner hour, discussing
his early life in Paris. He wound up with his usual
declaration, "As for myself, give me the gorgeous
plays, the fetes and smiles of the Montespan, rather
than the prayers, the masses and the sober gowns of de
Maintenon. And now it is your turn, comrade; let us
know something of your escapades, your days of folly
in dear old Paris."
"I have never seen Paris," I answered simply
"What! Never been to Paris? Then, man, you
have never lived. But where have you spent all your
days?"
"In the colonies — Quebec, Montreal, Riloxi. But
now I will have an opportunity, for I am going— "
ABOARD LE DAUPHIN
. 'm
21
Rtloxi. But
I had almost told something of my mission, ere I
checked a too fluent confidence.
Levert, who had been pacing up and down the deck
in his absorbed and inattentive way, dropped his blade
across my shoulder and challenged me to the foils.
"No, it is too early yet." Achille replied, "besides
we were talking of other things. As you were saying,'
comrade, you go — ?" -
"Oh. you two talk too much." Levert broke in again
"let us have a bout; I'm half a mind I can handle a
foil myself. A still tongue, a clear head and a sharp
blade are the tools of Fortune."
It seemed almost that he had twice interrupted pur-
posely to keep me from talking. I thought I read that
deeper meaning in his eyes. Somehow I grew to dis-
trust him from that moment. What consequence was
it to him of what I spoke?
It was not Levert's business to govern my tongue for
me. so I only said :
"Nay, we'll try our skill somewhat later; not now,"
and resumed my conversation with Achille.
While his manner showed a concern I deemed the
matter httle to warrant, yet it did make me consider so
I determined not to speak truly of myself.
"Well, now. comrade, of your own intrigues. You
were saying—?"
"Nay, nothing of that kind. I journey to Paris sim-
ply for my own pleasure. ' ' Levert, who half listened at
a distance knew I was going to heed his advice, though
.ff^H
j3|^H
i ii2iis£^:£ikn^l
■HH
32
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
I misdoubted his motive, and again took up his pacing
to and fro. *- s
"Aye, my dear Captain, but 'tis a long trip for such
an errand?"
"Yes, quite a long trip, but I weary of the life at
Biloxi, and would amuse myself for a while in France "
"But the garrison at Biloxi; is that strong enough to
spare so good a soldier? then the Indians, do you not
fear them?"
I glanced at him quickly, only half betraying my
thought, but replied nonchalantly :
"No, the Indians are quiet, at least so our scouts tell
us, and as for the state of the garrison, you were long
enough ashore to know we are strong."
"Ah, then, there is another motive; a woman
Come, is it not true? Confess?"
I blushed in spite of myself; it was an idle way I had
for I had seen little of women. My confusion threw him
completely off the track; had I only guessed it, would
have taken refuge in that device sooner.
"No, no, comrade; you are wrong"— but still some-
how my color came and went like a novice out of the
convent. His good-humored raillery continued until I
became annoyed in earnest, yet was glad he took the
matter so seriously. When Levert passed us again on
his walk I spoke to him.
"Now, my dear Levert, we will try our fortune with
the foils if it pleases you."
"No, my humor is past. Do you tiy with Broussard ;
e; a woman.
fortune with
ABOARD LE DAUPHIN
22
methinks he had rather the better of you yesterday.
You agree, Broussard?"
"Yes, yes," he replied, eagerly, "let us at it."
He fenced rather worse than usual, so I had no trouble
in touching him as I pleased. This begat an irritation
of manner, and noticing it I suggested we leave off.
I He would not hear to it ; I saw the color slowly leave
this face; his thin lips curled back and showed his teeth,
I until, fearing a serious outbreak, I stepped back as if I
I would lay aside the foil. He pressed me close, so close
indeed I could not if I would drop my guard. He
touched me once or twice.
"I call the bout n draw," declared Levert, who had
himself observed Broussard's unusual energy.
"Nay, not so, not so; he gives back. I've much the
better," and he lunged at me so vigorously I was forced
to act with more aggression. The button snapped from
the point of his foil; I cared not, and he affected not to
see It, though something made me sure he realized his
advantage. I determined now to show him a trick of
my own.
From my youth I had the peculiar faculty of using
one hand quite as well as the other, and had often prac-
ticed changing my sword swiftly from right to left. It
was a simple feat, much more showy than difficult yet
exceedingly bewildering to an adversary. In this in-
stance it afforded me an easy means of reaching his
undefended side. So I feigned to be driven back, and
watching for a more headlong and careless rush my
weapon was apparently twisted from my hand and for an
u?
-1, 1:
■II
1 ''ii
K J-
hm
ill
d
^V^,'
-"'-H
^
ill
M
Hi
24
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
instant seemed to han^ suspended in the air. I caught
It in my left and before he recovered his footing had
thrown his foil from him, sending it whizzing overboard
It took but an instant to press my point firmly against
his chest, as he stood panting and disarmed. Never
was man more surprised.
"Bravely done," cried Levert.
"A most foul and dishonorable trick," Achille
snarled.
"Not so," Levert corrected him gravely, looking at
me to observe the effect of the insult. I stood still at
guard, but made no move.
''Broussard, you are angry now, and I'll take no
heed of your heated words. But to-morrow you must
make a gentleman's amends."
"Tash, tush," Levert interposed, " 'tis the quarrel of
a child. He means nothing. "
Broussard said no more, but looked surly and ill
pleased. I was secretly elated at the success of my coup
agamst such a skilled swordsman, and only remarked
quietly ;
"Broussard, when your anger has passed I trust you
will do me the honor of an apology."
Behind it all I cared little, for I felt myself his mas-
ter with his chosen weapon and could afford to be gen-
erous. He came up in very manly fashion, after a time
and craved my forgiveness, but we played at foils no
more.
The lookouts were beginning to watch for land T
growing more and more impatient as the end of our
ick," Achille
ABOARD LE DAUPHIN 25
voyage drew near. And now I had much leisure to
contemplate, and wonder at the strange turn of fortune
which had called upon me to play a part in the affairs
of state, though what the drama was, and what my lines
might be, I could only guess. The story of Colonel
D'Ortez, too, furnished me much food for reflection
these long starlit nights, when I sat in my favorite seat
in the very prow of the vessel. There would I sit night
after night, watching the phosphorescent waves rippling
against the vessel, gleaming fitful in the gloom; there
observe the steadfast stars, and seem alone with dark-
ness and with God.
One wet morning, pacing the slippery deck, the sail-
ing master called to me :
"See, sir, yonder dim outline to the nor'east? 'Tis
the Norman coast; this night, God willing, we sleep in
Dieppe."
My errand now consumed my entire attention, so I
thought no more of my companions of the voyage, bid-
ding them both good-night before we had yet landed.
t it
if
CHAPTER IV
THE ROAD TO VERSAILLES
AT the break of day, rumbling out of the little fish.
^ ^ ing village, I was surprised to see both Broussard
and Levert astir as early as myself, each in a separate
coach traveling the same direction. I thought it strange
that they chose to go separately, and that neither had
told me of his expected journey. However that might
be, as ,t suited my purpose well to be alone, I disturbed
not myself with pondering over it. Yet I wondered
somewhat.
The King and Court were at Versailles ; so Judging to
find Serigny there I turned aside from my first intention
and proceeded thither. I was shocked by the universal
desolation of the country through which I passed. Was
this the reverse side to ail the Grand Monarque^ s ^\oxy^
I had pictured la belle France as a country of wine of
roses and of happy people. These ravaged fields, these
squalid dens of misery, the sullen, despairing faces of
the peasantry, all bore silent protest to the extrava-
gances of Versailles. For the wars, the ambition and
the mistresses of Louis had made of this fair land a
desert. Through the devastated countiy roamed thou-
sands of Gtarving people, gaunt and hungry as the wild
(26)
■ :t
THE ROAD TO VERSAILLES
f the little fish,
both Broussard
in a separate
)ught it strange
lat neither had
ver that might
ne, I disturbed
-t I wondered
so judging to
first intention
'■ the universal
passed. Was
2rgt(e's glory?
y of wine, of
d fields, these
iring faces of
the extrava-
ambition and
i fair land a
oamed thou-
y as the wild
a;
beasts of the forest; they subsisted upon such berries as
they found, but durst not touch a stick of their lord's
wood to thaw out their frozen bodies.
Young as I was. and a soldier, the"sight of this wide-
spread suffering appalled me, though being no philoso-
pher I reasoned not to the cause. Yet this was the real
France, the foundation upon which the King had reared
the splendid structure of his pride.
It was some time during the second day I think-
when we passed a few scattering hovels which marked
the approach to a village where we were to stop for din-
ner At the foot of a little incline the horses shied vio-
lently, and passed beyond the man's control. My driver
endeavored in vain to quiet them, and then jumped from
his box and ran to their heads. I looked out to see
what the matter was, and observing a squad of soldiers
Ihejround^ "^"''^ ^ '''"'°"''' ""^ ''"''^'''' ' 'P^""^ *°
Down the hill they marched, some tenor fifteen fel-
lows in a dirty half uniform, I knew not what it was
while straggling out behind them seemed to follow the
entire population of the hamlet. The old and gray-
haired fathers, the mothers, the stalwart children and
toddling babies, all came to stand and gape. I„ the lead
there strode a burly ruffian, proud of his low authority
who shouted at intervals : '
"So-with-the-H-u-g-u-e-n-o-t-s ! ' '
Behind him skulked four stout varlets, bearing be-
tween them a rude plank, on which was stretched a
naked body, the limbs being not yet stiffened in death
* «i
f!
28
THE BLACK WOLF's BREED
;M!
I hard y credited my sight. Before they came abreast
of us I mquired of the driver what it all meant He
only shrugged his shoulders. "A dead Huguenot I
suppose, ' ' and gave his care to the horses. Verily this
was past belief. ^
I placed myself in the road and bade the leader of
committed?'''" "' ''°' '^"°"' :^'^' ^"- ^^^^ ^«
He, like the driver, answered carelessly:
"None; she is a Huguenot."
"S/ie" I echoed, and stopped the bearers who laid
their ghastly burden down, having little relish in the
task. Yes, it was in very truth a woman.
"For the sake of decency, comrade, why do you not
cover her and give her Christian burial?"
"It is the law," he replied stolidly.
"Yes, yes, it is the law," eagerly assented the peo-
pie who gathered about the corpse, not as friends, not
as mourners, but as spectators of the horrid scene
Among them, unrebuked, were many white-faced chil-
dren, half afraid and wholly curious. I looked at them
all m disgust. They went their way and came to the
outskirts of the village, where they contemptuously
tossed the woman from the plank across a ditch into the
open field. In spite of my loathing I had followed.'
I perceived now a feeble old woman hobble up tOr
ward the body and try with loud wailings to make her
way through the guard which surrounded it. They
'Sktmoi
THE ROAD TO VERSAILLES
rime hath he
29
shoved her back with their pikes, and finally one of
them struck her for her persistence.
"Pierre, look at her old mother; ah, Holy Virgin,
what a stubborn lot are these heretics."
Her mother ! Great powers of heaven, could it be pos-
sible? My indignation blazed out against the inhuman
guard. ^
"Why do ye this most un-Christian thing?" and
to the crowd:
"Do you call yourselves men to stand by and witness
this?"
At my words one sturdy young fellow, of the better,
peasant-farmer class, broke from those who held him
and would have thrown himself unarmed against the
mail-clad guard. Many strong arms kept him back.
He struggled furiously for a while, then sank in the
sheer desperation of exhaustion upon the road. As soon
as he was quiet the mob, gathering about the more
attractive spectacle, left him quite alone. I went up to
him. laid my hand upon his shoulder, and spoke to him
kindly. He looked up, surprised that one wearing a
uniform should show him human sympathy. He had
a good, honest face, blue-eyed and frank, yet such an
expression of utter hopelessness as never marred a mortal
countenance. It haunts me to this day.
I was touched by the man's sullen apathy, succeed-
ing so quickly to the desperate energy I had seen him
display, and asked concerning his trouble.
"Oh, God, Monsieur, my wife, Celeste, my young
wife ! Only a year married, Monsieur. ' ' He raised upon
I (
'M k
i
1
i
1
i
nil
I
^^H y iiiiiii
■ >:lf
'1
:
ll
'
H' .
1
(
i
1
j
1
1
■
1
I
i \ 1
1
1
H^H
i
1 _
i
^^^^■1
1
hll
nil-
'
IH''
^^^^^Hh
if
^^^^^^^B
!
30
THE BLACK WOLF's BREED
his elbow, taking my hand in both of his "W. . • ^
go; tried to reach En^hnH ' °\^'^' ^e tried to
France; they brojhf.f ^^^^^^^ b.
died-died. Monsieur, of crueitvln ^'"'"' ^^^
they cast her out h-lce some uTcntMn 'T""' ^'^"
so good Onit, 1 1 7 ""*^'^^" *hing; she. so pure
Deeply pained by his miserv ^nA ^u \
thing. I made my way to The fit ^''°' °' '^^
lay. ^ ^ ''^°"'' "^^*" where the body
"What is this foul law of whinU
me?" ^"^^" you spoke? Tell
and b.>ds wi« provide her properXrHe.-^'^ "^^^'^
The bruta, ehron, a^a^^ttT.. "^ -"»'>' ^P"^" ■
Heads!rr;rr;;,r"''^'^>'-"'^-^*^'>
THE ROAD TO VERSAILLES 31
"And what is the penalty should the hand of charity
take this woman from the highway?"
" On pain of death."
"Then death let it be," screamed her husband, and
breaking through the line of guard, he threw himself
upon his wife, protecting her with his pitying garments.
Whilst I had been talking to the officer, no one ob-
served the man come stealthily to the front, coat in
hand, until, seeing his chance, he broke through their
line. But these staunch upholders of the law would
not have it so. They tore him viciously away, and I,
sickened, turned from a revolting struggle I could
do nothing to prevent. All these long years have not
dimmed the memory of that barbarous scene.
> it
i I
!i L!'i!
>■ vm
!|ii M;;r.
CHAPTER V
THE DECADENCE OF VERSAILLES
TaTthrPl''' Ta °" ''' '°"^^' ^^^ -h^n I flighted I
ward Z , """■" ''y ""= offi"" of the
guard. However, I made- bold to seem at ease anH
a^ustomed to court as I addressed the oLr:,:^:
bu:;'e:: Stt"""' ^"' '° "• "^ ^"^"y^ ^ -ave
The man smiled, I knew not at what, and regarded
me curiously. I felt mv »»,.» a i. t r^garaed
question. ^. " ""*' ''•" "-^P^^'^d the
SeeL^him'l^h"'^"^'" "' '^P"^"' "" "'* *« court
(32)
"gny? I have
THE DECADENCE OF VERSAILLES 33
Pressed more for bridals than for battles. I held my
seace though, walking steadily onward as directed, yet
-hing to stick my sword into some of their dainty t'rap-
)ings. At the door I came upon a great throng of
loungers playing at dice, some throwing and others lay-
ing their wagers upon those who threw.
Standing somewhat aloof was a slender young fellow
»:ho wore the slashed silver and blue of the King's own
juard— I knew the colors well from some of our older
officers in the Provincial army. They hcid told me of
Imen, soldiers and hard fighters, too, wearing great friz-
Izled wigs outside their n itural hair, with ruffles on their
[sleeves and perfuaied laces at their throats— but I had
generally discredited such tales. Here was a man
Jdressed more gaily than I had ever seen a woman in my
|childhood— and he seemed a fine, likely young fellow,
Jtoo. I fear I examined him rather critically and with-
lout Droper deference to his uniform, for he turned upon
[me angrily, catching my glance.
"Well, my good fellow, didst never see the King's
colors before? Where hast thou lived then all these
[years?"
He seemed quite as much amused at my plain forest
garb, leggings and service cap, as I had been at his
silken trumpery. I replied to him as quietly as might be:
"In our parts beyond the seas we hear often of the
King's Guard, but never have my eyes rested upon their
I uniform before."
Observing my shoulder s^ransli a .inh''«<- — » f--- j
j inquired :
3— BliACK WOLP
'
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34
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
"Thou bearestthe rank of captain?"
"Aye, comrade, in the service of the King in his
province of Louisiana. I pray you direct me to the
apartments of M. de Serigny, I would have speech with
him."
He was a manly young lad, of soldierly bearing too
despite his effeminate dress; he turned and himself
guided me through the many intricate halls and pass-
ages until we reached a door which he pointed out as
Serigny's, where, with polite speeches, he left me alone
Monsieur was out, at what business the servant did
not know, but would return at two of the clock. In the
meantime I sought to amuse myself strolling about the
place. I knew I could find my way along the bayou paths
of Louisiana the darkest night God ever sent, for there
at least I would have through the trees the glimmer of a
friendly star to guide me. But here in the King's pal-
ace of Versailles, with the winding passages running
hither and yonder, each as like the other as twin gaunt-
lets, I lost myself hopelessly.
Clanking about alone over the tiles in great deserted
corridors I grew almost frightened at my own noise un-
til I passed out into an immense gallery, gaily deco-
rated, and thronged with the ladies and gentlemen of
the court. I could not make much sense of it all except
It seemed greatly painted up, especially overhead, and
nearly every figure bore the face of the King.
From the windows I could see a strange forest where
every tree grew in the shape of some odd beast or bird
King in his
ct me to the
e speech with
bearing, too,
and himself
lis and pass-
inted out as
eft me alone.
2 servant did
3ck. In the
ng about the
bayou paths
nt, for there
jlimmer of a
King's pal-
ges running
twin gaunt-
THE DECADENCE OF VERSAILLES 35
being set in long rows, and among them were white
images of some substance like unto the Holy Mother at
the shrme m Montreal. Some of these graven stones
were m semblance of men with horns and goats' lees
and some of warrior women with plumed helms upon
sSts ^'"^ ' "^"'""^'"^ "^"'^ "* '^''^ ^^^4"
The pert little lads who idled about the hall began to
make sport of me concerning my dress, and laughed
greatly at their own wit. I paid no heed to their Ll-
ish gibes, there being no man among them. It irked
me more than good sense would admit, and I left the
hall, and after many vain endeavors made my way out
into the open air-being right glad to breathe again
without a roof above my head.
milrr '"/' '"'! '""^"^ '" '^''' gay gallants who
mmced and paced along like so many string-halted
nags. It was said the King walked much in that way
and so, forsooth, must all his lords and ladies go Per-
haps ,t was the fashion of the court, but I stuck'to the
only ga,t i knew, a good, honest, swinging stride which
could cover fifteen leagues a day at a pinch.
Off to one side the water kept leaping up into the air
as I am told the spouting springs do in the Dacotah
country. I walked that way and was soon lost in won-
derment at the contemplation of a vast bronze basin
filled with curious brazen beasts, half men half fishes
he like of which I had never seen. Some had horns
from which they blew sparkling streams; others astride
Of strange sea monsters plunged about and cast up jets
0,:-n
■'11
■* I
§¥■: -H
3<5
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
'41
I
ll^^'Tu' !.' '" "^'^^ '° '""^^ "*^''«^ ' ^^^rcely heard a
voice behind me say ; ^ ^
'Til lay a golden Louis his coat is of as queer a cut
maybe"' garment-whatever its outlandish name
* 'Done, ' ' said another voice.
I gave no heed, thinking they meant not me, until a
dapper httle chap, all plumed and belaced, stepped „
front of me with a most lordly air.
ontflT' ^"'"f ' ""u" '" '^y '""°^^" ^"^ behind me rang
out the merry laugh at such a famous jest
back full gladly would I have retired, had not theyoung
braggart swaggered to my front again and persisted:
l^riend, let us see the cut of thy coat "
We men of the forest accustomed to the rough ways
of a camp, and looking not for insult, are slow to anger
Mes" "' ^"""'"^^ '' ""'^^^ ^^' ^^^^"^^ «* th;
"And wherefore?"
''Because I say so. sir." he replied, most arrogantly
and stampmg his foot, "cast off thy cloak that we may
I still stood undecided, scarce knowing what to think
and bemg ignorant of fashions at court. De Brienne-^
for that was his nam^mistaking my hesitation, ad-
vanced and laying his hand upon my cloak would have
torn it off, had I not brushed him aside so vigorously
he stumbled and fell to the ground.
I had no thought of using strength sufficient to throw
ent to throw
THE DECADENCE OF VERSAILLES 37
him down. He sprang up instantly, and. furious, drew
his sword. I felt my own wrath rise at sight of cold
steel-it was ever a way of mine beyond control-and
asked him hotly :
"How is it affair of thine what manner of coat I
wear?
He made no reply, but. raising his arm. said, ttien-
acinply ; '
Now. clown, show thy coat, or I'll spit thee like a
I glanced around the circle at the blanched faces of
the ad.es, seeing such a serious turn to their jest and
<vo„ld not even then have drawn, but the men made no
effort to mterfere, so I only answered him, "Nay I'll
wear my cloak," when he made a quick lunge at me I
know not that he meant me serious inju^,, but taking
»o„sk my blade came readily, and citcii^g his slZ
derer weapon broke it short off, leaving him Paging and
defenceless-a simple trick, yet not learned i„^Vay
It^was adamtylitde jewel-hilted toy, and I hated to
"Now sir. thank the King's uniform for thy life "
Tcan°„ .T '"'■u"" ' "'''"' '° ''"''' hta a lesso'n,
servants ° """^'^ ''"'"' "S^"^' °"« <" "^
t„ ™"f '"f '^"^''"' ■"'"'• ^"^ *« ■"" fl"=h mounted
to my cheeks, for I feared a woman, but their merr^
meut^quickly died away at sound of a'n imperSus T:^;"
"For shame de Brienne, brawlerl" "And thou, my
' " "r.. 11
. 1 •' n
in
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38
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
I!
iim p
l!ii'i,i m\
m
young coxcomb of Orleans," he continued, addressing
that dissolute Prince: "How dare you, sir. lead such
a throng of revellers into the King's own gardens? Is
not your own house of debauchery sufficient for Your
Grace? Have a care, young sir, I am yet the King
and thou mayest never be the Regent."
The Duke simulated his profound \ .^gret, but when
Louis back was turned made a most unprincely and
most uncourtly grimace at his royal uncle, which set
them all a-laughing. Whereat all these noble lords and
ladies made great pretense of gravity, and ostenta-
tiously held their handkerchiefs before their mouths to
hide their mirth.
Already these satellites began to desert the sinking
to attach their fortunes to those of the rising sun I
marvelled at this, for the name of Louis had been held in
almost Godlike reverence by us in the colonies. Mean-
while he had turned to me.
"Well said, young man; thou hast a loyal tongue."
"And a loyal master, sire," for it needed not the
mention of his name to tell me I faced the King. That
face, stamped on his every golden namesake, had been
familiar to me since the earliest days of my childhood
"Thy name, sir?"
Kingly still, though a little l.xit. for he was now well
past sixty, Louis stood in his high-heeled shoes tapping
the ground impatiently with a long cane, his flowing
coat fluttering in the wind. For a period I completely
lost my tongue, could see nothing but the blazing cross
of the Holy Ghost, the red order of St. Louis, upon the
THE DECADENCE OF VERSAILLES 39
Monarch's breast, could hear nothing but the grating of
h,s cane agamst the gravel. Yet I was not ashanfed
for a brave sold.er can proudly fear his God, his con^
science and his King.
'.'pit^-rr'iv?" "'"■'"'' <'=™«"ded, "dost hear?"
Placde de Mouret, Captain of Bienville's Guards
Provmce of Louisiana, may it please you, sire," 1st ■„:
mered out. *
••Attend me at the morning hour to-morrow." and
he strutted away from the giggling crowd
too would have turned o«, had not my late antago-
nist proven himself a man at heart. He quickly mof^
toward me holding out his hand in reconciliation.
task thy pardon, comrade; I too am a soldier
Aoughbut an indifferent one in these peaceful tmes
We mistook thee, and I humbly ask thy pardon,"
course I could bear no malice against the fellow
'"™ds. First among these, de Brienne presented
me to His Royal Highness, the Duke of Orleans Ttt
Prince of the Blood and the coming Regent of F;a„c "
and a i', • '"''f ""' ^'™" "* ^'"^'-^ «">Pl>='='X
man, a cripple, who, the center of a more sedate grouo
was we,, within hearing. The deformed Duke of Ee'
thought, rival of Orleans for the Regency Th^
'aMedlandofgold-^d%tt"onrrr°RiS:
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40
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
glad was I when one of the gallants pointed out a
thoughtful lookhig gentleman who walked slowly
through the eastern gate.
"There is M. de Serigny, a brother of Bienville, your
Governor."
"That de Serigny?" I repeated, "then I must leave
you. for I would speak with him." and I bowed myself
off with what grace I could muster, knowing naught of
such matters. A brisk walk fetched me to Serigny's
side. In a few wc ds I comnunicated my mission His
quick, incisive glance took in every detail of my dress
and appearance, but his features never changed.
"Wait, my dear Captain," he drawkd out, with a
pohte wave of his perfumed handkerchief, "time for
business after a wh'le. Let us enjoy the beauties of the
garden."
My spirits fell. Could this be a brother of the stern
Bienville, this the man upon whom my governor's
fortunes now so largely depended? His foppish manner
impressed me very disagreeably, and, in no pleasant
frame of mind, I stalked along by his side listening to
the senseless gossip of the court. We soon passed out
of the gardens into the great hall, and reached his own
apartments.
No sooner was the valet dismissed and the key turned
in the lock than his face showed the keenest interest
After satisfying himself of my identity and glancing
through the packet which I now handed him, he gave
vent to an exclamation of intense relief.
"Not a day too soon, my dear Captain, not a day
THE DECADENCE OF VERSAILLES 4,
not a day, not a day. ' ' he kept repeating over and over
looking at the different documents. • 'The King prom-
ises to act on this matter in a few days, to-morrow,
probably. Chamillard is against us; he seems all pow-
erful now ; the King loves him for his truculence. But
tnese will help, yes, these will help." And again he
ran through the various papers with business-like swift-
ness His fashionable air and the perfumed handker-
chief were alike laid aside. Now I could see the re-
semblance between him and his sturdy brother
thiT"TT' r"' *°""^°^'-°^' ^y lad-pardon me
the familiarity. Captain de Mouret," he apologized
waiving aside my hand raised in protest. "To-morrow
we must act. We must gain the King's own ear These
must not go through the department of war. Chamil-
lard w^I poison the King's mind against us. Most
likely they would never reach the King at all Louis
will hardly listen to me even now "
''You?'' he repeated in unconcealed astonishment,
ves. I I replied, for I was now well into it. and
determined to wade through; besides I loved m^ old
commander, and would venture much in his service
Ihen I told Serigny of the occurrence in the garden
or en h ^o let him understand why I was summoned
to the morning audience.
'Thonart lucky, lad; here half a day and already
^^- nt witn tiic iving. "Yes" \\t»
mused haU aloud, '.Louis likes such things, he grows
. '-J
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42
THE BLACK WOLF's BREED
suspicious with age, and doubts even his ministers It
IS quite possible he may question you of affairs in the
colonies. If so, speak out. and freely, too, my lad ;
Louis loves the plain truth when it touches not his
pnncely person or his vanities. God grant that we may
win." '
Serigny then told me much of the petty trickery of
the court in order that I might understand how the land
lay.
"It may be of service to you to know something of
the many webs which ambition, cupidity and malice
have woven about us here in this great government of
i' ranee, he went on, speaking bitterly. "We never
dare speak our thoughts, for blindness, silence, flattery
and fawning seem surer passports to favor than are gal-
lant deeds and honest service. The King grows old
and It is feared his end is near. Of this, men scarcely
whisper. His death, as you know, would leave all
France to the frail little Dake of Anjou. Looking to
this, the court here is already divided in interest be-
tween the rivals for the regency, Philip of Orleans, and
the Duke of Maine. The Orleans party is the stronger
though the Duke stands accused in the vulgar mind of poi^
soning all who may come between himself and the throne
save this Anjou child, who will probably die of sheer
weakness. The King has recently had his de Montespan
children legitimated and rendered capable of inheriting
the crown, though the legality of this action is bitterly
contested by the Orleanists. He has also, it is salH
left a will in favor of the Duke of Maine, giving him all
!H •
THE DECADENCE OF VERSAILLES 43
real power, while nominally n,al<ing Orleans tlie Regent
And strange as .t may seem, it is said this will was made
at the persistent request of de Maintenon, so viciously
hated by the proud de Montespan. But you know she
was the teacher of this little Duke, and they are ve^
much attached to each other. Were the Duke of Main^
a more vigorous man, there would be no doubt of Lis
suceess. I -that little wasp of Sceaux.' as Madame
Orleans calls the wife of the Duke of Maine we"e
tlje man of the family, she would surely be the Reg"
She s a wonderful woman. Madame du Maine hates
wi' h" S lin "sT f T ""' "-' '•"' '" "" "i
with Spam. She has duped the Bretons by the prom-
ise of an mdependent provincial government but Bien-
ville stands true to his King. So they seek by eve^
means to discredit him. You may surmise fl Z
theMtrr" °" """"' ""^ ^- complicated M
he affairs of great personages, where lesser men lose
their lives at the first breath of suspicion ■ '
After a little I had ample opportunity to observe
the man more closely, for he kept his seat to exam „e
dently not entirely pleased with this inspection giving
vent at times to low expressions of annoyance ^ ^
,„,- Tf '""* "•°"'''^' '» Salle and de la Vente
spies ,„ BUoxi-Ah, here is the fine hand of ulZ^
du Mame, currying favor with the Spaniard in aid 0I
'0 -om. , this stirring up of strife. Fancy a son of de
Montespan on the throne of France. Yes, yes, y«!
»'•;
m
44
THE BLACK WOLF's BREED
:!■•■!
II if
here is the nwkward work of our old friend Crozat the
tradesman, who would purchase an empire of the King
bee how clumsily he throws out his jrolden bait "
^ I could but listen and observe. Now, more than ever
in the sternness and decision of his countenance he re-
sembled his famous brothers. Iberville, Sauvolle and
Bienv,lle-and yet beyond them all he possessed the
faculties of a courtier.
"Captain, are you acquainted with the nature of these
dispatches ? " he asked directly.
"No. sire, only in general, and from my knowledge
of affairs at Biloxi." ^
"My brother tells me I may trust you." My face
flushed hotly with the blood of anger.
"Oh. my dear Captain. I meant no offense; I speak
plamly. and there are few men about this court whom
you can trust. There is an adventure of grave impor-
tance upon which I wish to employ you. Your being
unknown in Paris may assist us greatly."
I signified my attention.
"It is supposed we are on the eve of war with Spain
and It IS my belief the colonies will be the first objects
of attack. Some person, and one who is in our confi-
dence. ,s now carrying on a secret correspondence with
the Spanish agent at Paris. Cellamare. the Spanish
Ambassador, is concerned in the intrigue. This much
we know from letters which have fallen into my hands
and I have permitted them to be delivered rather than
interrupt a correspondence which will evenfnally i^^d to
a discovery of the traitor, We have now good"rea-
ture of these
THE DECADENCE OF VERSAILLES
45
son to believe that dispatches of a very serious na-
ture are expected daily by Yvard— Yvard is the Spanish
spy-"
"Yvard, Yvard," I mentally repeated, where had I
heard that name ?
"These papers are to give our exact strength at
Biloxi, the plans of our fortifications, and a chart of all
the navigable waters of Louisiana. We can not afford
to let the Spaniards have this information, even if there-
by we should capture their agent."
I maintained a strict silence.
"You understand le Dauphin is the last vessel over,
and no other is expected for months, so we think all
this information came over with you."
When he began I instinctively thought of Levert, who
set out alone for Paris just behind me. As he pro-
ceeded, the name "Yvard" again fixed my attention.
The very name I had heard mentioned by one of the
men the morning I left Biloxi. Serigny was right in
his surmise, but I let him go on without interruption.
"If I am correct, these plans will be perfected in Paris
before le Dauphin sails again. The spy, whoever he
may be, will perhaps want to return in her. Now you
can see what I want. You can understand what a help
you may possibly be in this matter. You doubtless
know every person who came over in le Dauphin yet
you must avoid notice yourself, for they would suspect
you instantly. ' '
I still said nothing to him of the conversation I had
overheard, or of my own suspicions, childishly thinking
A'.
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THE BLACK WOLF's BREED
I would gain the greater credit by unearthing the whole
affair and divulging it at one time.
"We have some rdiable fellows in Paris ^nA T •„
-«d such ie«„s as .,1, p„, ..,„ ;„ ;osse Sn o, a i t
nformat,o„ they have. You and they, I trust ca" d S
« ^1^7^ :.„:::Th"^ "■'' ™'"^"-
what Kf.i. 1, , ' '" ™'"^ '° 'he King, we would lose
what httle hold we now have upon him. It is not a
easy or an agreeable task. The Spanish spy bears t
name of Came Yvard, a man ol good birth but a Jm
bier and a proflieate H» ;. i, , ^'°'"
1.. > II '^ ""'«'''^- "e IS known throughout Paris
as a reckless gamester, but no man dare question hZ
because o. his marvellous skill with the' swl^ „;
spends much of his time at Bertrand's wine and card
rooms, though he has the .„,... at some of the mo^
Mames exclusive Villa of Sceaux. But thereb
han^ h,s employment; we do not know how far 2
-ne ,s mvolved in this intrigue with Spain and ite-
Verily I felt encouraged as Serigny unfolded his
charmmg plans for my entertainment. I^ ast^ngtc ,
to hunt up and dispossess a man like this o pap '
wh.h would hang him. A delightful undertaking^
mu;":iitThe'pTea::r:o;rk"'" ''" ^^'"^■•"- ^^
Win renew thistwe^^to-mo^rr^r^.^''-^^-'-^^^''- ^'
That night I lodged with Serig
ny.
•' I y
CK'/i'ifiR VI
n
LOUIS XIV
pVEN at this time I remember how nervous I was
Lr when I dressed for my interview with the King.
What it was for, or how it might result, I could form no
idea, so I did not trouble myself with vain thinking.
Promptly at ten I presented myself at that famous door
which led to the room where Louis held his morning
levee. Already the approaches were crowded, and the
officer on watch was busy examining passes and requests
for admission. Some there were who passed haughtily in
without even so much as a glance at the guard or the
crowd which parted obsequiously to let them through
Most probably favorites of the King, or perchance his
ministers. When he reached me the officer of the
guard, noting my uniform, inquired:
"Captain de Mouret of Louisiana?"
"Yes."
"You are to be admitted, sir," and I found myself
ushered immediately through the opening ranks of Swiss
mercenaries into the audience chamber of the King.
Louis no longer held his levees in the great vaulted
chamber into which I was first shown, but in a smaller
(47)
M
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I "' iJi!
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48
THE BLACK WOLF's BREED
and more sombre room, that of de Maintenon. The
character and dress of those present reflected with a
chameleon's fidelity the change in His Majesty's habits
Madame sat near the King, working upon a piece of
tapestry which, when she was interested in what went
on, lay ,dle in her lap. Behind her chair stood the
sour-visaged Jesuit confessor, Letellier.
Death, which spared not even the Bourbon, had
taken away the Dauphin and his son; leaving as the
King s successor, an infant yet in his cradle. This em^
b.ttered every thought of the King's declining years
made him gloomy, petulant and querulous. And yej
there were many men still about him capable of uphold-
ing the dignity of the throne. I heard announced, on.
after the other. Grand Marshal Villars. lately placed in
command of all the armies of France; the Duke ol
^avoy, a famous soldier, but a deserter from the En-
ghsh ; the brothers de Noailles, one bearing a Marshal's
baton the other, cold, cynical, austere, robed in
churchly garments. Archbishop of Paris. There were
Villeroi, de Tourville, the admiral; and Marshal Tal-
lard-he who lost the bloody field of Blenheim to the
Englishman Churchill.
I confess I was abashed at the sound of so many
great names, and advanced in hesitating fashion across
the floor, to kneel before the King.
^^ ''Tut. tut, Captain de Mouret," he said, kindly,
"Rise, we would hear somewhat from you touching
matters in our Province of Louisiana, and particularly
of their safety in case of war— say. with Spain."
! '■■■ity
LOUIS XIV
49
He then asked a few questions about things familiar
to me, which put me quite at ease. What 1 said I can
scarce at this time recollect, but I know I spoke with
all a soldier's enthusiasm of my beloved commander, of
his diplomacy in peace, of his war-won successes.
It did not pass unnoticed that many a venomous
glance was shot towards me from that little group be-
hind the King, but in the King's presence I feared noth- •
ing, and spoke on, unrestrained.
Once a tall man whom I took to be Chamillard in-
terrupted ; the King motioned me to proceed, and I told
him all the strength and resources of the colonies, their
weakness and their needs. When I thought I had fin-
ished, the King's face hardened, and looking me straight
in the eye, he inquired :
"What is this I hear of Bienville's presuming to criti-
cise me—me, Louis, his King— for contemplating such
a disposition of the colonies as suits my royal pleasure?
Can you tell me that as glibly, sir?"
For the moment I was astounded and had no word to
say. I could see a faint smile run round the circle as
they exchanged glances of intelligence. Serigny was
right. The spy had already arrived. Kis eavesdrop-
ping news had reached the King. In my indignation I
forgot the man I addressed was the Imperial Louis.
Defending my master I spoke vigorously the truth, and
that right earnestly.
^ "Your Majesty is a soldier, and will forgive a soldier's
biunt speech, i beg you, Sire, to consider the services
and the sorrows of Bienville's people, the loyal le
4— Black Wolf
ill
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THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
Moynes. Where rests his father? Where his valiant
brothers, Ste. Helene and Mericourt? Dead, and for the
silver lilies! Where's Iberville, the courteous, the
brave; he who ravaged the frozen ocean and the tropic
seas in his royal master's name? Dead, Sire, of the
pestilence in San Domingo. Does the King not re-
member his good ship Pelican? Has the King forgot-
ten^ Iberville? Hast forgotten thine own white flag
cruising on thine enemy's coast, borne down by four
vessels of superior weight? Did the Eagle stretch her
wings to escape the Lion?
Did the Silver Lilies flee before St. George's Cross?
No, by the deathless glory of the Bourbon, no ! And who
was he that dared— following the example of his King,
the Conqueror of the Rhine— who was he that dared meet
such enemies and engage such odds? Whose was that
boyish face of thirty, waving his curls upon the quarter
deck, with the noble front of a very God rf War? Iber-
ville ! Who is he that brushes away a tt ur to gaze upon
his stripling brother beside the guns, soon to be exposed
by his command to such a fearful danger? Iberville,
again ! Who is that fiery soldier, recking nothing save
his duty, who seeth without a tremor that beloved
brother lying mangled at his post, where the storms
of hell do rage, and flames consume the dead? Who,
when the enemy lay dismantled, their hulks afire, theii
colors struck, their best ships sunk, when the glo-
rious standard of France triumphant dallied with the
breeze— who is that dauntless gentleman who kneels
LOUIS XIV
!'i
51
upon his battle-riven but victorious deck and sobs aloud
in agony above his writhing brother? Who is this
stricken gentleman, who, having won that most heroic
fight for his King, now prints a kiss, as a tender maiden
might, upon the pale lips of a dying lad? Ah, Sire,
it was Iberville, it was Iberville, my King, Iberville the
gentle, Iberville the true! Hast thou forgotten that
wounded lad who lived to serve his King so well on
other fields? Dost remember his name? Let me re-
mind you. Sire, that lad was Bienville de la Chaise, your
loyal governor of Louisiana. Did the King but know
the trials and sufferings of my master in upholding the
royal authority, he would forgive him much. Nor do
I fear to say it even here, that those men who seek his
downfall would as lief line their wallets with Spanish
doublocns as with honest Louis d'or. De la Vente, the
renegade priest, the center of itrife and discontent in
the colonies, traffics with the Indians and brings oppro-
brium upon your Majesty's name. It is he or la Salle
who sends this idle tale— la Salle, who, from your
Majesty's commissary, supplies this de la Vente with his
merchandise. Who their friends are here to tell your
Majesty these tales, I care not. Saving the royal pres-
ence, I would be pleased to discuss the matter with them
elsewhere. ' '
"Thou art a bold lad," observed the King.
I had noted his eyes flash, and the thin nostrils dilate
at mention of the passage of the Rhine; so, emboldened
by the surety of success, I kept my own courage up.
"Aye, Sire, truth need have no fear from the great-
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THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
h
est of all the Bourbons. Bienville is a soldier, not
a courtier, and stung beyond endurance by the threat
enemies that thev would yet beguile your
o2 his enemies that they would
Majesty to sell your fair Province of Louisiana, and turn
the royal barracks into a peddler's shop — mayhap he
did use some such hot and thoughtless expressions to
me. These, some spy may have overheard and for-
warded here t^is hurt. If it please you to hear the
words, I will repeat them upon the oath of an officer."
"Go on," he commanded drily.
"Bienville did say it was a matter of shame to forego
such a broad domain wherein lay so much wealth, be-
cause of present troubles. It is his ambition to found
there a new empire in the west, to add a brighter glory
to the name of Bourbon, to plant the silver lilies upon
the remotest boundaries of the earth, calling it all Louis-
iana, a mighty continent, without a rival and without a
frontier. Ah ! Your Majesty has in Bienville a strong
heart and a firm hand, a man who prefers to devote his
life to your service, rather than live at ease in France;
a man who carries more scars for his King than your
Majesty has fingers— poorer to-day than when he en-
tered your service, though others about him have grown
rich."
I told him, too, without reserve, of the contemplated
Indian attack in the spring, of my own haste to return.
His face lighted up with the fire of his thought :
"Then, by my faith," he broke in, "you need a
bold, ambitious soldier for your Governor. What think
you, Villars, Chamillard— gentlemen?"
LOUIS XIV
53
None dared oppose the King.
"I overheard you, Captain, in the gardens yesterday,
and think the master who has taught you such senti-
ments is a man the King of France can trust. Convey
to the trusty and well beloved Governor of our Province
of Louisiana our renewed confidence, with our assur-
ance he is not to be disturbed. We make you our
royal messenger for the purpose. ' #^
Then he gravely inclined his head to signify the inter-
view was done.
As soon as I decently could I left the royal presence
and repaired at once to Serigny. I found him still in
his apartments waiting me with every appearance of in-
tense impatience. Almost as I rapped he had opened
the door himself. The valet had been dismissed. My
face— for I was yet flushed with excitement— told of our
victory. He grasped my hand in both his own and
asked :
"We have won? Tell me, how was it?"
"Aye, sir, and nobly. I have the King's own war-
rant that our Governor is not to be disturbed."
Every shade of anxiety vanished, and he laughed as
unafifectedly as a girl.
"Thou art a clever lad; but tell me of it, tell me of
it!"
I told him then of the audience, neglecting not the
minutest detail, not even the black looks of those who
thronged about the King.
"Chamillard's doing, and Crozat. Crozat the par-
?»»
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THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
venu— Marquis du Chatel, forsooth, with his scissors
and yardstick for devJcc."
He questioned me closely concerning the netscnages
present, and what they sa;d. After hiving heard on to
the end he was quite composed arsd broachtd agam the
subject of the previous night.
"Weil, Cnptain " he commenced, half banteringly,
''li Uiou hast dortc thy conferences with the King, we
,va« talk of your next adventure. Time presses, and
you see from what Louis said, our enemies are already
at work."
I hearkened with many misgivings, for I felt of a
truth uncertain of myself in this new character— and
shall I confess it— a trifle ill at ease concerning this
bravo, Carne Yvard, the duelist of the iron hand, and
the gamester with the luck of the devil. However, I
put upon myself a steadfast front and listened.
"We have a fine lad at Paris in our service," said
Serigny, "and with him four as staunch fellows as ever
dodged a halter. De Greville— Jerome de GrevUle—
has his lodgings in Rue St. Denis, at the sign of the
Austrian Arms. The host is a surly, close-mouthed
churl who will give you little information until he knows
you well. Then you may rely upon him. Jerome has
been watching our quarry these many weeks ; we hold
him in easy reach, as a bait to cc -'i his accomplice.
Then we will put them both wher .: y can spy upon
us no ^-)nger. I desire them to be taken alive if possi-
ble, ^>T;r by all the gods, they vihu Jiang."
Verily, this was a pleasant ad/c iture for me to con-
LOUIS XIV
55
template, taking alive such a desperado, who handled
his sword like a hell-born imp.
"I would not expose you to this," continued Se-
rigny, "but for the stern necessity that those papers
should reach me unopened. They are to be delivered
to you, and I hold you responsible. You understand?"
I bowed my acquiescence.
Then he went on, talking more at ease, though I was
far from placid at the prospect. He told me of the dif-
ferent streets, the lay of the town, and the various men
with whom I would be thrown.
"Beyond all," and in this I afterward acknowledged
his foresight, "do not neglect the women, for their
hands now wield the real power in France.'
I must own I thought more on the nature of my new
errand than on what he was saying. I felt no small de-
gree of distrust, yet, for my honor's sake, keot it to
myself.
"And when shall I set out for Paris?" I asked.
"To-day; at once. Le Dauphin has already lain
four days at anchorage, and we know for a surety that
the expected spy has come. We can not act too
promptly."
And so it came about that I left within the hour.
A carriage had been made ready, and I bade Serigny
good-bye in his own rooms. He feared our being seen
together too frequently about the palace.
"But one other thing, my lad," he stopped me as I
would go, "you must need have other garb than that.
Your harness of the wilderness but ill befits a gay
■J!
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56
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
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gallant in Paris— for such you must now appear You
visit the capital to see the sights, understand; a coun-
try gentleman— GreviUe will instruct you, the rascal has
naturally a turn for intrigue and masquerading A
dress like yours would mark you apart from the throng
and perchance draw upon you the scathe of idle tongue
Here is gold to array yourself as becomes a well-to-do
gentleman, and gold to spend at wine and on the games
withal— for, thank Providence, the ancient House of
Lemoyne is not yet bankrupt."
I fain would not take his proffered coins, but he
urged them upon me with such insistency that I, seeing
the good sense of doing as I was bid, placed them in my
meager purse, and with a light heart I set out upon my
doubtful journey.
The fear of which I spoke died away, for since our
success with the King, my spirits rose, and I deemed
all things possible. Besides, was I not in the personal
service of my beloved commander who never knew a fear ?
* * • #
The postilion whipped up his horses, and we turned
towards the old city of Paris, that treasure-house of
varied fortunes whence every man might draw his lot—
of poverty or riches, of fame or obscurity, of happiness
or misery— as chance and strength directs.
M' ' ' 4.
Since our
CHAPTER VII
AT THE AUSTRIAN ARMS
TT was w<Il fnto the night when the first dim hghts of
I Paris came into view, and perhaps some two good
hours afterwards before we drew up in front of the
"Austrian Arms."
It was not a new or prepossessing place, yet much
better than those I had seen along the road from Dieppe
The host well deserved Serigny's appellation of a
churl, for he looked suspiciously at me, and when
I asked for de Greville replied he knew nothing of
him. I could get no satisfaction from him, so I deter-
mined to take up my abode and wait. In I went and
heeded not the surly host who regarded me askance.
The small public room was vacant, and I possessed
myself of it with the settled air of a man who has come
to stay. Verily the fire felt most grateful, and it did
me much comfort to stretch as I listed, after the tedi-
ous confinement of the coach. Mine host busied him-
self about mending the fire, but whenever I raised my
eyes I caught his gaze fixed doubtingly upon me. Ev-
idently the man knew more than he told, and I planned
tO test his loyalty.
(57)
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THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
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"Here, my good man," I called to him, "dost know
anything of this Jerome de Grevilie ? Where is he ?"
"By our La' ,_ ^ ,>, T knovr him not. Paris isa
great city, and many noble gentlemen come and so at
their will." ^
"But M. de Grevilie lodges with you, I am told. My
business is urgent."
"I do not recall such a name? Jerome de Grevilie?"
and the rascal turned his eyes to the ceiling in the atti-
tude of deep contemplation. I smiled inwardly.
"If it please you, sir, to write your name in my guest
book, should Ucn^eur de Grevilie call T will show h
nim. You may tell me where you can be found, '*
He fetched out a worn and greasy book from a chest
in the rear, and handed me a pen, watching, as I
thought, with some interest, what name I would write
though I much questioned if he could read it. I pushed
the book aside,
"Oh, .^ matters ot, my name; it is an obscure one
ant I. de Grevilie would not recall it. See I 're my
good^ fellow, here is a gold piece to aid thy memorv
At w at hour will M de Gre\t[le return?"
He took the coin, and turning it cv.t and over in his
palm, said, as if to ?f
"If Monsieu- vill v jte a note and leave it I will
send to other in a see if such . man be in Paris
Monsieur is of Ca.,cony?" he ventured.
The Gascons were at this time regarded with distrust
It was such an easy matter for them to carry news into
i>pam, being on the border.
AT THE AUSTRIAN ARMS 59
I soon found there was nothing to be gained from the
fellow, and becoming convinced of his steadfastness was
Willing he should keep the coin as earnest money for
future services. De Greville not coming in, I grew
restive, and concluded I would stroll about the city
Claude, for so the land'-rd styled himself, directed me
to the principal thoroughfare, and I thought by walking
straight along one street I could easily return. There
was nothing unusual in the neighboring buildings to
make a landmark of. so I chose a great round tower
not far away, and carefully laid my bearings from that
The landlord watched me taking my observations and
fctsure I would shortly return; the more so that my
few articles of apparel and necessity were left stowed in
the corner by his hearth. These I had purposely s. ar-
rar d that I could detect any meddling. Throwing
my ak about me I took the way he indicated, and
soon passed into a wider and more handsome street
which I came afterward to know. Walking idly on'
without thought of distance or direction. I ti j after a
while, and began to think of getting back to tiie inr f , -
side. I retraced my steps perfectly, I thought, and if
my calculations were right should have stood where the
broad, well-lighted street I had traversed corners on Rue
bt. Denis. But the locality was entirely strange, and I had
lost sight of the great tower which I thought would guide
me home, when a squad of the watch halted me and
questioned my errand.
"I am a gentlei lan and r
plied with such
an air they passed on
^^E-
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60
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
Ir ^ '.?i
"I pray you, gentlemen, direct me to the Rue St.
Denis, thence I can find my way. ' '
The man gave me directions which simply confused
me, and, ashamed to confess my ignorance, I blundered
on to where five or six narrow, crooked streets ran to-
gether, branching out like the fingers from my palm I
paused now uncertain which way to go amid so many
devious courses, and deciding almost at hazard, turned
down the best paved of all those dingy streets. . I had
hardly gone past more than two cross streets, when
there stood at a corner, looking timidly this way and that
a slight girl, with blonde hair and eyes of Breton blue'
She seemed so brave, yet so out of place and helpless
at that hour of the night, on such an unfrequented road
I almost made so bold as to address her, thinking I
might be of service to a lady in distress. But my tongue
was not formed for such well chosen words and polite
phrases, so I merely held to one side, she standing to
the outer edge to admit of my passage.
At the moment I got opposite her, it seems she had
misjudged the width of the pavement, for I heard her
give a slight ejaculation, and one foot slipped off the
paved way as if she would fall into the muddy street I
passed my arm quickly about her, and raised her to a
place of safety, but even then could bring no word of
courtly elegance to my assistance.
She thanked me prettily and daintily, and as I pur-
sued my course, I could but turn and give yet
another glance in her direction. She caught my eye,
and again looking each way jent her steps down a by-
^; ,11
AT THE AUSTRIAN ARMS
61
way leading off to the left, which we were that instant
nearest. There was that in her manner, I could not say
exactly what, which led me to follow her at a respectful
distance, seeing which she turned her head, and I fancied
I could observe a thankful little smile playing about her
lips. At any rate she quickened her pace and walked
with more assurance, no longer in doubt about her
movements.
For many rods at times she would be lost to view in
the dark, and her tread was so light it scarcely made
a sound— or the great, clumsy clattering I created
drowned it entirely. Just at the time I thought I had
lost her, I could catch a glimpse of a flitting skirt beneath
one of the flambeaux, which, stuck in niches of the wall
here and there, lighted old Paris.
In a very pleasant frame of mind, I strode along be-
hind her. It was wonderful, I thought, how readily a
woman's intuition recognizes a protector. And I
for I must admit I was young then; in the ways of
women, far younger than my years— I amused myself
with many conjectures concerning what manner of errand
had taken this young woman abroad alone on such a
night. A lady she plainly seemed. Disguised a little,
that might be, for her quiet dignity did not fully com'
port with the style of her dress.
A thousand airy castles I built for my fair heroine to
live in, and I, like the knightly heroes of the Crusades,
was ever her defender, ever her champion in the lists.
Busied with these fancies and romantic thoughts, I
lost count of streets and passages, turning this way,
11
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62
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
that and the other, through many narrow and tortu-
lost 'w>H '"' y^- ""'" ' '''"''" ' "- "opeSy
lost. W,th my fa,r guide in front and my good sword
by my s,de lightly I recked of streets or houses. Y«
I dared not forget I was on an errand for the Governo
and must not expose myself to bootless peril
• At last, and somewhat to my relief, she stopped be-
fore a great oaken iron-studded gate, possibly 'of five
good paces wdth, in one corner of which vvas cut a
mailer door so low a man must stoop to pass. Upon
th. smal^r door she rapped and stood in'the attitS
I had a moment now to look about me. It was in a
quarter of the town that was forbidding. Here were
two h„ge dismal gray-stone mansions,'separatrd b^
cr rt-yard of probably forty paces across; a high wall
fronted the street, flanked by a tower o; either ^d
the gate. On top, this wall was defended by bits of
broken ghss and spikes of steel, stuck into the ma-
sonry wh,le .t was yet soft. More than this the flicker-
mg braz:er would not permit me to see. All of this I
ZJ\T I ! " '""'^ *" '''''' "-^ -""^kiness of
he „,ght shut out my view. She rapped again, impa-
fently, but in the same manner as before. At S.
»pace thereafter the smaller door was opened, whoever
was .ns,de haying first peeped out through a round hole
The tr 'T.T ' ^"""^ "° '"■^^- '"- "4:
The lady looked first to me, then stepped inside L^
stood back as if she bade me enter. ^
This was an advEnture I had not bargained for.
,j.3
AT THE AUSTRIAN ARMS
63
Thinking only to see that the lady reached her destina-
tion in safety, here was a complication of which I had
never dreamed. What her singular errand was, or
wherein she desired my assistance. I could not even
hazard a guess. Yet there she stood and beckoned me
to enter, and I moved forward a pace or two so I could
see within the door.
The concierge held the door ajar, and a more repul-
sive, deformed wretch I never laid eyes upon His left
arm hung withered by his side; at his girdle he swung
a bunch of keys, with any one of which a strong man
might have brained an ox. Every evil passion which
curses the race of men had left its imprint upon his low-
ering countenance. Yet for a moment, when his gaze
rested upon the girl, it was as though some spark of her
lovehness drove the villainy from his face. He was
hardly so tall as she who stood beside him watching me
the semblance of a mocking sneer about her lips. Look-
ing past them both I could see what nianner of place it
was. A smoky oil-lamp sputtered in the rear, suffi-
ciently distinct to disclose the paved court-yard, cov-
ered with the green slime which marks the place where
no sun ever shines. Further than this I could see noth-
ing except the tall gray buildings which shut in every
side and this wall in front. That door once locked
upon the intruder there would be no easy egress. In-
stinctively I held back
"Monsieur is afraid?" she inquired, then tossed back
her head, and laughed such ^ low, disdainful, mean
laugh, as fired my every nerve to hear. I hesitated no
'i !
1
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64
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
longer. Let come what will, let the Governor's errand
look to Itself, for no man or no woman could ever laueh
at me like that.
Holding my blade at easy command, I stepped in-
side. Immediately the door closed, and the rasping of
the key told me it was securely locked as before
Then came regret, but came too late. What I had
so foolishly commenced, I must now see finished The
cup had been taken in hand and the dice must be
thrown.
As we came, I followed her again, though at much
closer range. We crossed the yard diagonally, across
the broken panes, bits of casks, wine bottles and other
refuse scattered about. I liked not the aspect of the
place. As the girl was about to enter a door leading
inside the building, a man came down the inner stairs
and passed out, coming in our direction. For the mo-
ment he was under the light I had good sight of him
A rather low, dark fellow, dressed in the height of
the fashion, yet somewhat flashily withal; not too fop-
pish, he was evidently a young gallant of the better
class. He staggered somewhat from wine, and carried
a magnificent breadth of shoulder, denoting considerable
strength. This was my mental catalogue from the
glimpse I caught.
By this time, the lady had got rather within the
range of the light; the man came straight at her and
to my amazement, despite her struggles, seized and
kissed her. This was before I could reach them.
I was upon him in an instant. Anntha,- ^^a u- u.j
n
AT THE AUSTRIAN ARMS 65
reeled back against the «,all, drawing his weapon as he
(ell. He recovered his feet, my blade met his; yet each
paused well knowing the deadly lotteo^ of such a duel
in the dark, '
The lady ran up as nearly between us as she dared
and besought: "aicu,
"Oh Messires Messires," she plucked me by the
sleeve, "do not fight; there is no need of it ■>
"Get out of the way you impudent hussy," he com-
rndt'is. " "'■" '""' '"''''"' '°-' «^^ '"^ ™Z
I went at him in earnest. His further insult to her
made every muscle a cord of steel. ! soon found this no
mere sport, for the fellow was a thorough master of h"s
weapon. I was a trifle the taller and had a longer reach
.h,s w,th my heavier blade, gave me well the'vantagt'
Besjes I had touched no wine, and my nerves wf«
However, I had the light full in my face, and he was
not slow to see the annoyance it caused me I kneZ
o.ld not maintain such a fight for long, sol preyed
h.m sternly and the bright sparks fleC Backw^ds
ep by step he retreated, until he had almost reTched
the door out of which he came. I durst not withdraw
'""l^^^^- ^- eve., advantage wa; mi::
lU
66
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
for he was well within the glow of the lamp, every move-
ment distinctly visible, while I yet stood in darkness.
"For the sake of mercy, my lord, come quick "It
was the girl's voice at the head of the stairs; "there
they are. They will desist if you command it. ' ' And
I heard the heavy tread of two men coming down th^
stairs, a lighter step behind them. My foot touched
something which lay in the dense shadow of the door-
step. It felt soft, a package of some kind. Then I re-
member seeing something fall from the cloak of my ad-
versary forgotten in the heat of the fray. I placed my
foot upon it.
"What quarrel is this, gentlemen? Put by your
swords?"
The voice was that of a man accustomed to obedi-
ence. My antagonist stood entirely upon the defensive ;
I stepped back a pace and we rested at ease. He
leaned heavily against the balustrade; his breath came
hard ; I could see he was nearly spent, so furious had
been our short contest. His face showed, besides, the
flush of too much wine, or perchance I had not been so
fortunate.
' 'What mean you , gentlemen ? Your quarrel ? ' '
"I did but kiss the wench, and this fellow set upon
me in the dark." ^
"Aye, my lord," I replied stoutly, according to the
stranger the respect he seemed to command. "A wan-
ton insult to this lady whom I met unprotected in the
AT THE AUSTRIAN ARMS
67
.."".~.r,;r:"H"xr,'r;T'''«»
But they only laughed the more. The "ladv Inni, ^
much confused. "^ looked
"Thou art not of Paris?" fh^ f^ii
"Nn fi,:o • ^/'''^'S'^ tne taller man asked
No this ,s my first night in Paris."
1 thought as much. This ladv " th« . 11
tinued in a sarcastic tone "nermf' '^^" ^^" "^^^ con-
Mademoiselle Florin waitress ir;:^^^^^^^
Betrand's wine rooms wh! , "'^ P'^^°" ''^r
at dice." "''°^'"'' ^'^^^^ gentlemen sometimes play
He laughed again, and even the ^Irl ... m
.P a s^ne „„„ .ha, ,,e dan,, ha'duf: r ' "'■'''^'
.. aTu ' ''^'" """'"'•e in such a matter "
And by my soul, comrade, right glad I 1 , k
you say it; for you fight like a very deWl Ju ,? ^'"
Came Yvard k„.,,. . .wordsman •■" "' '''"' ^""^
v.Hy, I warr;i.e^"t:'trw'ir,d'";;oTd "^ '"^^■
against this ,amous-„r infamous^bravo aLT"
'-.nggained; Ik„e.my man whHe ye^a stratr'"
=»*• i-n
4-
Ill
iflllil
68
THE BLACK WOLF's BREED
' h
h m And further, I stumbled on the very place which
of all others I desired to find. Truly the chance was odd
The two gentlemen upon the stair had not yet
staunched their merriment, while these thoughts comL
so unexpectedly had swept from me every recollection
of the hght.
'Thouart not of Paris?" the spokesman asked again
1 heard him as a man hears something afar off for
my foot resting upon the package which had been
dropped, sent my mind a wandering again. Could it be
that this was a paper of importance, or possibly the verv
one I desired? Why not? I resolved to possess it at
every hazard. Yet were I to stoop and pick it up now
and they saw me, I knew of no means by which I might
leave the place in safety. So I carelessly shoved it with
my foot farther into the shadow of the step. I answered
the question asked me so long before.
''No, my lord, the city is a strange one to me."
"Of what place, did you say?"
Now I had purposely refrained from saying, and did
not know what reply to give. I hated to appear boor-
ish, besJes It would not serve my purpose. My father
being of Normandy, I deemed I would have nearly the
accent of those people, so I made a venture to say
"Of Normandy, sir," in such a way he did not pur-
sue the subject further.
"We thought you no Parisian, or this lady would not
have made so easy a conquest, ' ' and they laughed again
"Do you play?" he queried.
AT THE AUSTRIAN ARMS g.
thedlt""'^' "'' '""■" *« '-' »- 1 -cnew .i.t,e of
my bosom This wl,/ , " '° """'''• "'^^ ^^'^'^ '"
had turned his brck " ''=~»'P"^'>ed when Ward
-e. ,eo.d.eo;rer;t:^-t^^^^^^^^
Tlie gaming tables were ranopd ai,„ .. ■ .u
the room and ahr>„f I ^^ "" '" ">« center of
too-at p ay On tV • J" ""'"^ '"™-^"'' '-""en,
umns ran sine four TlT''°J ^ ^'^^ => ™- <" »!:
pniars formed cln:^^':':: tho?^". ^"^^^
sit and sip their wine Som. "'''° """'"^
ter to screen th2 „ ^'^ curtained, the bet-
open. °''"P^"'^- Others stood broadly
The four of us walljed over to a hKu i,
and sat down to wine u7JZ , ' ""' °' ^^
ing already heeded%;/- f ' '■'=g«"ed not hav-
-y^eif with%trtstr^:,:r :'■•-- •'^°^'<'^
I felt I attracted some attentLn t '' '™'"' '^
.Heroom, and this was :::'::CZ^-' '"""^^
tommed to touch no wine that night ' ""
„...^.Tf ^■,f°" d" "C drin!^, •• Yvard ren,.,v,^
-'■" """^ '"" hot with the clash of steel?-
\rn
'm
;o
THE BLACK WOLF's BREED
No, by my honor, that is long forgotten; it is my
oath, an oath, too, that can not be broken "
"Ah, to a lady?"
I nodded, and he smiled.
We talked indifferent gossip, and after awhile the
Spanish troubles were mentioned ; I think the tall man
first spoke of it. Somehow I felt Yvard's carelessness
to be assumed, and that he very much desired to hear
what these two gentlemen would say on a matter so im-
portant. His manner made it plain to me he knew the
two gentlemen, and also that they were men of rank
However, they were quite discreet; while they talked
much, yet they said nothing which was not common
talk on the streets. After a bit they arose to leave, and
I was sorely perplexed whether it were better that I de-
part with them, now that papers which might be valu-
able rested safely against my breast, or had I better
stay and endeavor to learn more from Yvard, who was
beginning to drink heavily. Perhaps a little more liquor
might loosen his tongue, and I might even capture him
or his confederate. Discretion would have taken me
away, for that these two gentlemen were powerful
enough to protect me in case of trouble in the house I
did not doubt. The bearing of the elder man espe-
cially was such as to inspire confidence.
The adventure, though, was too enticing, and the hot-
ter counsels of youth prevailed. I bade the gentlemen
good night, and remained sitting at table with Yvard
It was but a few moments before I regretted my unwise
decision.
AT THE AUSTRIAN ARMS ^,
/..« u ^ [^^.^'""^ ''^ ^^^ forgotten in the fight Hi«;
^changed instantly, the drunken leer vanished. A
first there was merely a puzzled expression as of an t
tense eifort to remembpr u-. i i j " '""
convinced ™e o, the i.poZro,T- p3;::r H^
o::tv::eTar''rr'''="^" r-'" -^ --
way we came. As he passed through the m^o,
-,a„d .HoShe'^o^redltra/rHldlt "''^
position where as T fmo • ^ ? ^' ^ ^^^^" ^
that I did not Lve ^'7^'"'"' ^' '""'' "^^^^ '"^
nnf f.ii u ^^""^""^ ""^asy now, for I could
way I entered ""''• ^'""'^'y "<" "^^ *«
-- a je .; i-:rr ;rerre\v:r
mind agl buf h,H ' """""" ^'^ ^'"'^ «"^'^ -"V
and dir^dtitair ^:,;rr-^^"^"'°"^'
question how to leave ,>.,Tj"'°^ °' ''""•'■ The
gave me infinitely more^conTernTh, 1"' -l?'" "'S"'
tion as to who had n,^K m ^ ** "^'^ ^P^'ula-
who had probably owned it long yea,^ before
J. l„i
'isi^'f
^^Ih I '''i'
(i n
CHAPTER VIII
A NEW FRIEND
T RAPPED on the table, called a waitress, and ordered
1 a bottle of light wine, which I knew would not
hurt me.
"Send for Madembsielle Florine," and before many
secoads were gone that lady presented herself, and
perciied upon the edge of the table where I sat. Her
humor was gay. her laugh was keen; she smiled and
asked, "Has Monsieur forgiven?" with such a penitent
little look I bade her be at ease.
"Mademosielle. sit down. I pray you," and she saw
by my serious face I was in no mood for chaffing, so she
seated herself with a pretty air of attention. I could see
the fellow at the dice watching, but now he appeared
quite satisfied I intended to stay and drink with the girl.
She was evidently a great favorite with the habitues of
the place. He looked at me less frequently than at the
door, and I guessed he expected Yvard's return.
Now I grew certain. Yvard had merely gone down
the stair to see if he had dropped the papers in the
fight. As soon as he found they were not there I felt
morally certain he would come and demand them of me.
I had begun the game, and must play out the hand So
(72)
A NEW FRIEND
73
.oast. I tapped hfr ban eSy .I": 27°"."
benefit of h™ „„o watched, Z laid Z ^Tu^ ^
mg to mamtain my nonchalant manner ' ^"
"Listen to me a minute, and I beseech you smile do
not loolc so serious. You brought me here JT ,
trust you to get me out alive, V there /nv oth/
than that I came?" ^ ""'*' "V
Jhe^boi^ed about her apprehensively, so I cautioned
an:":mttrghtd:r:i;.:T,;rrr''-
and made love. " ^ ^ '^'^"'^ ^'^^ you
She comprehended, and well did she play her part
The tones of her voice were light and'playLT. ^he
nfted the g ass to her line foo*.- «/iux, sne
said between her sips- '' "^'^ ' connoisseur, and
"Yes Monsieur, there is-another way Lading ouf
on an alley— in the rear. ' ' ^^aamg out—
"How do you reach it?"
your a,,, ,Hat way-and you w«, sf:.- °° "■" ^'-
Then let us — "
"Wait, Monsieur, not vef t* m
andseathimseifatthatLTe^asil^d:::^^^^^^^
we women here respect a genlma:."'^^""'"'- ^^="
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j^B 1653 East Main Street
^^L Rochester. NY 14609 USA
^^^= Phone: 716/482-0300
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74
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
I pitied the woman from the bottom of my heart I
took out my purse, paid the reckoning, and together
we wandered aimlessly toward that table, laughing and
looking on at the various games. The fellow watched
us as we went, but was pleased, and seemed satisfied
the woman but carried out the purposes of her employ-
ment. ^ ^
I took a seat at the table, laid a wager or two and
made myself intent upon the game. Florine stood be-
hind my chair for awhile, watched my play, then dis-
appeared. After a little she returned and again took
her place behind me. Directly she laughed out mer-
rily, and in a tone loud enough to be heard by the man
who listened as well as watched, cried:
"Monsieur plays the stakes too low. Fortune favors
the brave," and reaching over she took several gold
pieces from my store, laid them out and leaned close
beside me to watch the throw. In this position she
whispered :
"I have the key to the outer door. The inner door
will be unlocked. Monsieur will play twice more, and
by that time I will be in the passage. Arise, and when
you lay your hand upon the door I will open it from the
other side. ' ' I lost the throw.
"Double the wager, and better luck next time," she
laughed as she moved off, and joking lightly to different
men she knew, made her way beyond my range of vis-
ion. During the play I saw Yvard come in hurriedly
and question the man at the door. He shrugged his
A NEW FRIEND
Shoulders and shook his head. Ward ,v^ .,
who had passed out or in. '^''"«' "'denUy asked
The doorkeeper then recollected anrf t • •
was telhng o, the two gentlemen X hid r'" "'
rtor'^i^eJaiirrr-''"^-^^^^
He gianced -rrt^hirhrere'C^^^''"'
was gone. He strode over to h,s co^,^ " ""'• '
gaged in piay. and n,ade no ^e „ r/^t"'',?'" ™-
abruptness of his question The ™! • ""««'">g *«
"y position at the othZa Je vTard "'"^' '"'''^''''
what relieved. Again he spoke !rd thisT'^V'"""
at the table gathered uo ihi^m • '""* "'^ "^n
replaced it in hi p„Z Then"!"" 'T! °' "'■"■ «'"'
for me to hear: ""^ "'*'' '""d '"ough
"Whati>"
And sprang up instantly. Thev both i„.i. ^
and held a hurried consultation, trenttral^dl H ""'
going one v/ay, one the oth-.- L ^^P^'"™. and one
I sat. By thfs time m^ ! 'ond "! "" '"""^ "•>-"=
felt if Florine played me fXthl ""' '"'"^'' """ '
hoping ,or ev4.hing 1 roZ^^^rj^r ^"
mnnings in a wallet-for I had been'f„ ? ""^ "'y
back and laid my hand upon thetnob """f^'^"'''^''
I had no time to think Z, , " "^' 'o^ked.
.0 my destruc'n tmrn':^ rbetrht T' '""'
Bitterly I repented my folly. ^ ''°P' "' ^'-^^P^'
I have heard men say they faced rf.=th vi- .
tremor, and so for that matter have I J.T ' *
butitwasuponan honest field SjrgS:r;
.*
^'i
76
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
f»*
Ijll
sake or duty's. My cheek paled in spite of mc. at sight
of the men who now came on. Three others with blades
half drawn pressed close behind Yvard. How many
more there were I had no knowledge.
It was a sore test to my courage thus to meet the
ugly chill of death in a Parisian gambling hell~in a
place of such ill-repute. But there was no escape, and
even if I fell ,'„ fight, they would brand me as a thief,
bhould the papers be found on my body, then honora-
ble men would execrate my memory as a traitor to
country and to King, for had not Serigny told me h<r
could not avow my connection with him ? The lust of
life still surging strong within me, I drew my sword
Its point effectually guarded the narrow space in front
from post to post. They parleyed a time, and I res^^ ^
firm against the door.
^•^Come. fellow, thou art trapped; give me up my
"Spit the thief, run him through," came from one of
those behind-for the rear guard, beyond the reach
of steel, was ever loud and brave. But Yvard, being
in front, was more cautious. He well knew the first
man who came against me would be badly hurt. And
I rather fancied, he respected my blade.
As they took counsel together, dozens of voices from
the hall .swelled the din. yet above it all I caught a light
step without. My heart bounded to my throat; I felt
the door give way at my back, and before they under-
stood what had happened, I was safe on the other side,
with the stout Cuken boards well locked between.
A NEW FRIEND
;;
' ^"° ^^ ^'^^^ a great pressure was
come, Flonne said; and taking me by the hand
mgs until I stood once more in the open street.
St Antome, whence Monsieur can find his way • •
J iTr T ''*"'"' * '"°°'"'" «° *ank the g!rt. but
he bade m, haste. I pressed a piece of gold Lo her
hand; she would not have it. B a into ner
"No, Monsieur, not tor your gold," and the woman
Mo = eJ" te ?'■":' '"V""'''''- "Good-nigh"
■noie tha.; the distance of three rods when I heard a
^b^ik iir^r - -' - --•-"-
Zmade":^^;^^""^^''^-'-'^''"'"'^^-
"Speak quick or I'll kill you a« I would a ha,« ••
Still she kept her tongue.
"She makes time for her lover. Came," the other
';Here he is." to draw them off from the girl
They dropped her at once and started in mydi^ection
I ran on ahead, yet at a di.aHvarta-e -- f ?''^^^'°"-
where fo trn i.„ • --'^--^nrase, ,ur I Knew not
■■^'•c to go, knowing, too, that I could not fight them
I ..
;«
THE BLACK WOLF's BREED
1
both. Yet more than all I dreaded falling i„to the
■ I "n' . '^ ^""'^ "'* '"« P^P-^" I had "pon Te
twen^ feet beyond ,n the dark, waited. The knife for
one the 5word for the other, was my thought. Holding
my long sword in my left hand, I swung my right frle
and catching my knife by its point, stood my ground
lead Yvard. So they passed under the lamp side by side
Selecting Yvard as my mark, I made a quick cast'
and had the satisfaction of seeing my knife glitter T\t
Ind i h, , T K " T" ' '"'"' '"^""^^ "»«' 'he Indians.
and It had not been lost.
"A million devils, who was that?" screamed the
t cken man, tugging to free the knife. Out it came
followed by a widening dark stain upon his doublet.
He had others with him-hidden in the dark," and
at h,s companion's suggestion, they stood back to back
m readmess for their imaginary foes.
This gave me an opportunity to slip away, they pur-
sumg no further. I dodged round the next corner and
took my way up a street running parallel to the one I
walk trymg ,„ vam to recall how 1 came and how to
reach Rue St, Denis. There was nothing for it but to
keep straight on. The streets grew broader and travel-
ers were not so few. I questioned several, and for a
com secureu an honest-looking idler to guide me. It
A NEW FRIEND
79
was not so very far after all to my inn. yet right joyful I
was to see the place again and to find a cheerful fire
blazing on the hearth. I stood before the homelike
warmth and chuckled to myself at the success of my
adventure. '
The host and some crony oi his sat at table with their
cards and ale. I overlooked the game They ex-
changed glances and prepared to leave off. whereat I
apologized and begged them not to let me disturb them
Claude declared he had only waited for me. and being
tired he would shut the house. He went on up to bed
and his friend took a seat beside me at the fire
He was a simple-looking young fellow, dressed after
the fashion of a peasant farmer, with mild blue eyes
and straggling yellow whiskers on his chin. I thought
to question him about the city.
"Well, friend, how goes the world in Paris? "
"Much the same as ever, yet your Paris is new to
me. "
"Indeed? You are not of the bity ; of what place,
then?' ^ '
"Of Languedoc, in the south, where the skies are
bluer and the wind does not cut you through as it does
in this damp Paris of yours."
"Yes, I thought you of Languedoc. from your
speech. So the climate is with us in our parts beyond
the seas. Beneath our southern sun ice is a thing al-
most unknown, and the snow never comes."
"And where do you live, ray lord?" his eyes wide
open and shallow.
' f
• !
f .-,
i
' M
!
!'' ' 1.
;
1
80
THE BLACK WOLF's BREED
th/^t'°"''''^''^'""''^ ^'^'' ^"-''^^^ recognition of
the difference in our stations.
"In Biioxi; the Southern Provinces. Louisiana " I
explained, "whereof Bienville is governor "
Aiterward I thought I could remember a knowing
twinkle in the fellow's eye. which passed unnoticed at
the moment.
"Ah I hear much of the colonies; it must be a
c^lib'a Is"' '' '"'" "' '"' '" *'^ "^^^^« -^ *h«
I laughed outright.
''Verily, friend, we have no cannibals worse than the
barbarous Spaniards who wait but the chance to
slaughter our garrison," and before I was aware, I had
told h,m of my voyage from Biioxi, and of going to
Ve«a,I les, stopping short only of giving the purpose of
wLTl ° l"7r } """ '"" '^"^"^'^ °' *« indiscretion.
When I looked I found him laughing silently to himself
laughing at me. '
"Then you are Captain de Mouret?" he asked with
purest Parisian intonation, and the courtesy of a gentle-
"How do you know?" I attempted to be stern, but
somehow my effortfell flat. "How do you know?"
Well. I ve been expecting you." and he brushed
his hand across his chin, wiping the yellow whiskers
away before my astonished eyes.
"I am Jerome de Greville. Claude told me of your
coming, but I wished to make sure. We have ex-
amined your bagfRaee." he wenf on fro«n,. .,n-'^* •
A NEW FRIEND g,
Of my ill-concealed disapproval, "but found nothing in
the way of identification You see " K« , i "^
• •fi,oo«*u- «ou see, he apooerzed
these thing, are necessary here, in affairs of this nature
d a ,ello«, would preserve the proper connection beJ^Je^
his head and his body." "" oetween
He rolled up his «rhisl<ers, laid aside a yellow wic
and I could see he was as Serigny had deacribr *;
was no. 3s tall as 1, but strongly built, and sole .^o
good years my senior.
"Captain, if you will allow me I will take these trao.
of yours to our apartments. You lodge with m^- '^
I was nett ed that I should have spoken so freely to a
stranger, and felt ill-disposed to be feasant, but heslo'
drove away any lingering animosity """oon
When we had settled in our rooms, which adjoined
de Grev.lle threw himself across his couch and said: '
Look here, de Mouret, we have a hard task blre
us and you may as well know it. M. de Serigny tells
leave I me" wf:! '°'' """''"■ *•"' ''«^''' "' would
leave to me. What's your name?"
-Placide " I replied as simply as a lad of ten.
Well, I m Jerome. We are to stand together now
^iTanZ^"" '" ""^'"^ '"'^ »- "— «- f^
His ij,» camaraderie was contagious, and I gladlv
caught .t. "Agreed, Jerome; so L it. Go on ^ ^
First we must locate our friend Came Yvaid the
^'S. hL °\l .f ""• "''° '*°P' "' "°*'"«' Then to
catch him with the papers, take them rmt »i,.. :. ..-•.,
«-Bi.Ac«Woi» --, — t „„a. u „.„.
f «£
M
'it
8i
THE ni,ACK WOI.K's BREED
For that work wo have strong lad, enough and true
Above all we must make no mistake when w7,t ke
for 1 he scente our suspicion, o. him he'll wwlk hem
o« Spam before you could bat your eye ■ '
k:«, * 1. " "°^ so niuch trouble abonf
h.m. for he can be captured aboard ship It L YvL"
we want, and his dispatches " « « Yvard
I said very quietly, still looking into the fire:
inat much is already done "
he'trgitri^d °" "' ^'""^ """ '"^ - - - ■•'
He™ .£;::"" '""" """«'=''- '™- your Mend.
"..•dIe\fThir„^:r" 1' r't °"'' '^"'"---^ "-^
when?" ^ ""«'* ^'"^- "How and
He would not leave off until 1 had related the whole
Of my adventure beginning with meeting the lland
ending when I found him, at the inn H-
happy as a school-boy. andlaughe^ heVat 27^
Such tender doves to pluck she does not often find
and I warrant you she lets not many go so eLiJy " "'
1 thought It unnecessary to tell him m ™„ .'
. my cnviuuncer
A NEW FRISND
«3
"You lucky dog; ifs well he did not see you o,
you m,ght not now be talking to me with a whole skin "
It w^ bettor though to let him know of Yvard',
wound, (or that would perhaps assist us in a measure to
determine upon our future course. So that part of the
affair I detailed in full.
in S'itJd'"'"' """' ""-P'i'hment stood you
He recognized the description I gave of the fellow
filt H ■ :' "'■" "^ *"' * """y' "'-d -"ely t!
fight, and perhaps knew nothing of consequence. Then
we examined very closely the envelope containing the
papers It had from all appearance, come over from
he colonies, and bore traces of having long been car-
ried about a man's person. This settled one matter
The go-betweens had met, and the traitor on le Dauphin
was most likely in possession of the instructions from
n"r- :f """^^ ""■' "P'"''* ""■ ^« important.
De Greville well merited all Ser.guy had said o his
shrewdness, and more. Now see what a simple scheme
We were first to find where Yvard was hidden He
healed; the finding of the papers upon him making it
necessary he should not be seen in Paris
Where would he be likely to secrete himself? Ah
trust a woman for that; so reasoned Jerome. Whai
woman? L'Astrea, of course. Of her intrigue with
h
I
Ml
J I
■■ ill
tji
•4 THE BLACK wolf's BREED
Yvard, de Greville. who was a handsome gallant with a
smooth tongue, had learned from a waitress at Bertrand 's
This was the more probable because, Bertrand's being a
public place, the confederate could seek him there with-
out suspicion. This confederate being unknown and
unsuspected could come and go unchallenged. Jerome's
deductions were plain enough when he told me these
things and the wherefore.
It was agreed our plan would be to watch L'Astrea-
she at least would enable us to find Yvard, or his ac-
complice whom we most wished to discover
Who would do this? Why I. of course.' for no one
knew me. or would know me when I had wrought the
miracle of shining boots, blue coat, curly wig. laces at
throat, m all which small matters Jerome was aeon-
noisseur, and so it was laid out with much care; run
the quarry to earth, then continue the chase as n^eds
demanded.
Yet folly of follies; how lightly are such well ar-
ranged plans broken into. Through a woman came all
this scheming, by a woman's hand it was all swept into
naught. Both innocent of intention, both ignorant of
T'\. \'' '' ""'' *'"'• J"^°"^" ^"^ I' ^^ ^e then
thought, disposed our pieces with great care and cir-
cumspection, advanced the pawns, guarded the king
and made ready for the final checkmate. Yetawoman^s
caprice overturned the board, scattered our puppets far
and wide, and by the tyranny of an accident recast our
game on other lin^s. without rule or rhyme or reason
CHAPTER IX
MADEMOISELLE
TN the morning of the following day we were engaged
I about a business which troubled me no little. Had
it not been for Jerome I fear I had never come through
it at all with credit.
First, we repaired to another house which Jerome
possessed in a more fashionable quarter, and thither by
his directions came a fawning swarm of tailors, boot-
makers, barbers, wig-makers; vendors of silken hose
and men with laces, jaunty caps, perfumes— it was a
huge task, this making a gentlemen of me-as Jerome
phrased it,
I worried over it grievously in the beginning, but at
length sullenly delivered myself into his hands, murmur-
ing an abject prayer for the salvation of my soul. That
at least, was not to be remodeled by all their fashion-
able garniture. These heated discussions concerning
what I was to wear were not for me to put a voice in
Verily, I knew nothing and cared naught for the cut of
a shoe my Lord of Orleans had made the style, nor did
It matter whether my coat was slashed with crimson or
braided with golden furbelows. Like some wretch
a-quivering of the palsy I heard the learned doctors
(Si)
« i
I J
86
THE BLACK WOLK's BREED
Of fashion from so rough a b L'kTl T™ "° ^P''*-'
now have a squire to Ltl v i ^"■'^=' ' """''
•ne, for by J word lit ' "''' ''"'"'•'^^ *^" "PO"
other by sight oTit 7e ""' °"' «""""' '""" ^e
'- seeing I trS toXrinll'"" f °' '='"«'-
even guess the use of ^'"^' ^ ^^"'^ "^t
with a half-critical halfT„ ^- •'""""^ '"""^^^d ■«=
-yed to bucicie :: my 1:^'"" '""""' ""«' ' -
nevefl^t',^;^:-;--;*^' dingy o,d -"- wil,
cap to cover those^forir k' "'^" ^ ""'""'^ dusty
"ust get thee one stped i'T"'' T.."' *'"«' ^
exterminated my patieLe "'°*- ^'"^ ""'P
thmZ° ?U:',hX:' V" *« everlasting styieo,
-d by all the S at o± r,r'' "'' °" "^"^ "^ids,
silly toy." ^ ^' """=' I " "°t --eplace it with a
I»aps, that he provided a Zl t ^'"^^ ^''^^^ P^^-
waichhesaidLds^^r-r.n:SlLr
MADEMOISELLE ,.
per, and the edge bcin? kepn t wa
place., while in others I ofu 7? °' ^'" '" ^""^
himself contented down and D„t „? .C' / "^ ""
like some fanier shorn. o« . . "^^ "^ P*«'
than ha« believedt w^f aU the ht"' "^^- ' •"«'
».e, yet I knew no better At^ ' •"""""^ ^^""^ °'
nonsense. ' ^°^ ™^ " "^^ *« veriest
taken me t1,e belr p t o. a1 H "''''''• ^''« "^'^
pushed in a short half hour r k" "'^ "^ ^"<""-
he cautrht m. T ^°"""S •»'='' unannounced
' Had been detected Sin^fJ^onhetl;^ ^o-^"
.h..... "'"'y Pa'^'fi'^d 'n wonderment at hims-lf I
""'" "■="" ""''^ "--" hi- again for the plain jJL
' <l
8B
:N
I' !•
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
dress e.cepe JX^ss;^ 1^^;" f "-•=
"To a what?"
keep my sword fmm c ^ '"^"'^^ skill to
-atters. He led Ve waAndT, i? ""''" °^ "^^^^
lap-dog. "^^^ ^"^ ^ 'olJowed meekly as a
At the great entrance P-atf» «,« ».
"•ediey o, soldiers, c^aXn '^r '"''"''^ '" '
ants coining and eoin.. "■"*"• «°reh-bearers and serv-
I wished I were sre^~r "?''"' ='™»ee "aths-
Pleaded with jZoT. ^Tnl '' T'"'' °' ^'o'^'- '
able. *" '"™ ^gain, but he was inexor-
Plallr^' '° '"" •"' --«"-"S 'o-„igh,.. he eK.
«oo°r! S'ararco:,d1eT'"' '"" *"= ^""P-^
» deadly fear iest ^ swo d tTp fr '"'' "''' "^
and talkative ooinfinC ! ^ ' ■'"'""'^ was gay
heard, b.. .h;rd d „ot C^ ''~'^'' °' '^''- ' '"d
^ uiu not look so great after all.
MADEMOISELLE gg
"For sake of heaven man, wear not so long a face-
. .3 not the funera. o, thy distress I have brought :he;
I marveled that so many old ladies should carry
gray earlier than was ,ts wont in the colonies. And too
cheek of nearly every one there showed a natch of
black sfcking-plaster. Poor things! I L^wed ,o
them, ,t was so humiliating. Verily, I pitied them aU
»d speculated on the wonderful eom'pens'ations of Pr I
:a::ie:-a„d''ti:' eitr*" t r- ''-' '-<^'>'
u.cir jewels, these noble dames couM n,^^■
I -ledV^rhrmTrto^^^^^ ^t '°^^^-
c.yirore„7ofte^r hai; r " ^ 'r ^ -'-
beings but Of Wild beasts^med .71:4 T^
danang, the music, the hum of voices ceased and a
h,ck s,lence as of direst fear fell upon them 1 1 Then
voma;""' ' '-d crackling and Shattering o'glal a
woman s scream, the first of very manv t? ;
aught I know might have been a Z.TZJ^\^:
ball, I had never been to one before. ^
I looked for Tpfrvmp. iLj_ .-
a vonnc 1 y ^~"'^^- ^^^ ^^'as gone, speeding toward
a young lady surpassing fair, with whom he had been
90
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
^'-^4 1
S'hL" o TheT: T '"^^' ' '^■•" -"" Have
the whole rh.:;:'^™!::!^^^'/"'''"^''^^^'' "•"'
in the rankest riot, o" r r „ j.e " ""'"""^ ''^''"'
■ny feet and bore ;e bacrto^: , ^u^ '""P' "= '^^
'ouno myself pinned ti4t and t""' ''''"' ^""^ '
What the danger was I 1 u ^""" * '"""<>"'•
have been dolorous hZ the H T '''' *"" " ■""^'
flight. Soon bv th. fh • ^^""""^ '"••°'- °' "-'ir
doors I saw tht^aus "r "' "°"' "'^^S" *«
spectacle For h? ^' ^ """'^y «"'' a moving
broken tto Z tC: "'"';"" ^ ""''^ °' *-P "ad
shaiw sens by t:rt;::d '"■'''":'' °"' °' '"^'-^
men here and thl ! ""'"•• *<=/ "-^hed pell-
whatever stood in re;;;:r'"' "■■"■°"' ''■^"'"■"-'-
-:^s:in:^rdri;;et^^^
lord and my ladv thZv ^^"""^ ""^^'S^' ^Y
humbiest pa^e '^^ Mr^nnrb^ t^ .'"^
Pmg and a sliding across a floor s ckeL ^ ' '"T
wax and polishing, was never in a ballrool h """'
ever was again On, „u "" ''*'°''«. "»'
a certain avenue o^e scale T/T''' ''''' ™"- ^
each ^ugbt hL nTrekt:'*::™"''""''™""'^"'
Others. ^ wisdom concerning the
in her horror andtr Iw^' ™"'°' ''"'■ ^""'""'^
MADEMOISELLE
the balance. Sh. aplTl ?, P'^'-'^ «««d than
/usion. '^P'^^'"'' ^--^^'y to enjoy the con-
Her cheeks. Her ht'w!^' ^U Tck'Tr T
into conversation Her mZ/ "^'' """"■*">'
"Does my lord understand— fhaf?" . ^ u
'.er finger to the servants Tho were cha fnt T. "'"'"'
...g the refractoiy sheep one by one ^ "'""'"
procX"' '""' '"• ■■" "" ="'°"^--' '* -- a queer
BeZ1.5' *°° ""'>' * '■«' to keep long a secret
certain defian" ^ve a f . ""^"^ 'P'^^^^" A
voice, a n.r.«„f!!4?,"'"''r^""™' °' madness to her
' ""^'5 ^cueJJion to her tone.
92
THE BLACK WOLF's BREP
^^A„dI.,V,uIlcHIwa„tto;there-s„oha™,i,
coLir'" """' '" "'*' '"' ^°'"^^^ -hat was
"Well, you see," she dried her eves on , i, j
kerchief oi costliest lace •„„ * '''"^■
Duchess, isofsulharol T" '" '"^-"■« '^' ">=
oured of rural scene ' dvT '^P^^^"^"'' ^° -"^m-
'"'ispi! Ts:^^^^
That U, dar. place back ^f behrndtXTar^^
tion, was arrang-ed a<5 n mo^^ . , ^ parti-
trough it, andrc:s^X?a„7w\aV„"''"s7t" !
s- i^c a signal from her during the hall i;^u.
The Duchess fret'ted Tr 1 ^""^ ""• '^'" ^««''-
^^heepescapeVrrti^irterr; r^ -f •' ""^
ludicrous?" *^ ' "' °"' '=" t it too
Thus she chattered on with the naive freedom of
other young demoiselle. I agreed Ci!hl i "^
inwardly glad the affair turned out 1 'i'; ." ""'
th.s^*e custom Of balls Td go rnro^e^ " '"' ""'
"vS^Xllrrrist^^' rfhX-, T -^ - ^
-^horses. of the chase, o^sw:ra'-;-:;tr
MADEMOISELLE
marked. ^ *' ^"^ '^^ "^'y ^'"'■ally re-
"My lord is a stranger?"
,''°";;'''~f'"P«i^" I assented.
From what place comes my lord?" »n^ / .^
second time in a day I was driven^o a dLc ife ^
From Normandy," I replied. '"•
lo live in Paris?"
'e:'a;rtrsrT^;x!:r;H '•^''"'^^" '- ^
■ady was pensive lor a ^ 0^" itlfd' • °''"'''- ' ' '"'^
Plexity and then spoke d'o uM^ ' "" ' '''*^ P""
■'You can be of a service to me H you will "
-irH;t:^irs::i:rt^"-'°'---'
at me long and se u^;^^!^" 7'-- ^^e looked
subject of her thought. ^"" P"'"'" **
Perchat: Ttt :o°tT'r''™'.''r ^ ^™«>"«^ -'■"n^.
y« I have it, Li yo^rbr id°;: f ^„°' '"■«'''
through. " ^'^ '"^' ^ ^vill carry it
I 42d:fTefwha-"'°'n^' '' ""^ °"-- -'-.
"Com. ,\ ° "'^'S'"y « ■natter could be
~r; ^is^rd""" ''' r™"™ '^- - -^^
„,„-et corr"^ L '"^ '*"'' ^""^ '^^ «>= into »
q-et corn=. where Aere were seats. I would have
.f ■'
94
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
thoughtlessly taken a place by her side, forgetful ol
Jerome-s teaching., but she commanded cddly
Monsieur will stand . "
And I stood.
"You are a stranger in Paris, you seem a man n<
honor; for those reasons I choos/you. Tworno
w sh tldo'^^rp"' "" r ^^""™'" ''"- *"="
wish to do. All Pans would talk of it to-morrow. We
m the palace see naught of the common people and I
have long dreamed i. would be a brave advenfu'; to to
unknown among t^em, to their inns and Xing
places. I have always desired to know more of our
Pans especially one place which I hear mentioned fre-
quently of late. My position will not permrme To
vi.s.t It openIy_you understand."
J ^Tf^ ""' ''"™'"S ""ught of the streets I
should be but a blind guide.
"I know where I would go," she said, determinedly
brushmg as.de the difficulties I would suggest "and i
will go; you will go too." ^ ' ^ '
' suJh'^IthT'^ ''""V "' *'^' '°' "■'S'" " "°t 'ead to
such another escapade as came so near costing me dear?
mand which no man dared disobey, with an entreaty
which none would willingly run counter to, and I gav^
reluctant assent. ^
"Will you await me here?" she demanded rather
than asked. "My apartments are in this building I
Will return veiy briefly. " ^
When the lady came back she would never have been
MADEMOISELLE
taken for a woman; her lone cloak «,.h
reached to her boots, identkalin all """ """•"'
own. Her hat nl„^. J ' "^^^"^ «""* "ly
bravely wo™ He "1,h ,T' ""^ ~-«' »"d
venture, but who slMnl' k "'"""^ °^" *^ '«'-
n-e,andheMtl:rkrKar^'"'"-''--
anyZ"r;tsutrthr:,:r'^"^''-^-'^-
a J;:n:t':;,trerlr^^ - -- *'-He
I demurred to the mask
ca:L:i:r;a::ii^'^ '"'°" ^- --<' "»- we
She laughed merrily, and replied • "U i. .u
»..w™,..-..„,/..r4,t™5,-.r~
She led me out of the nalar^ K,, o •
when the street was relch^^e Ca,k~ nri' T
men would. She directed our course annl^. °
:r:a',k^;r '•-"" ' ^'"^ -"'--' ^-r :
a brief walk before ive came to an arched door on a side
^ree , ad there she paused and looked careful; b^u .
z td , c-dTp r r ■"■"-'■" ^^ ^™'-
countable- r^^a d laSd V'" "''" '" ""''■
shiy. "Now I
will
1 ' 1
» I
96
THE BLACK VVOLF's BREED
gratify my curiosit>^ You know I admit my curiosity
sometimes. These men are not alone in the^ thirst /«;
exatement It is so tiresome at court, ever the same
thing day after day."
hJ^ ''!"' "7 ^"^ '""'° * '^'■•'y ""«• welMighted
hall, and an obsequious attendant showed us up a stair
and opening a door, pointed out the place she asked
for. Imagine my utter astonishment when we stood
together within the gaming room at Bertrand's What
an mfernal fool I had been to be tempted back into this
very place of all others. I thought at once it wa some
cowardly tr.ck of Yvard's. I seized the woman by the
arm, for I supposed her then but another decoy; there
was no telhng how far this Spanish intrigue had gone or
what h,gh personages Madame du Maine might be able
to enhst m furtherance of her schemes. I seized her
firmly, and had taken one step back towards the door
again, when her cold ringing voice undeceived me
. Shall I appeal for protection to these low men here?"'
There was such a truth in her low tones that I cast
'Zn r"™^,'"'^^^"" «P'^ined my thought.
Well, well, we'll not quarrel here," and looking
about her with eager curiosity, she chos^ a table wh"!
fewest players sat, and thitherwards we went Th !
table was placed rather apart from the others, against a
p.Uar,and no gamesters sat on the side nex; the w^ll
It lef but scant space to sit between. There we took
our places, and the lady tumbled out a purse well fitd
w.th gold pieces, handed some to me and bade me play
MADEMOISELLE
97
She laid her wagers, and won with the glee of a rhfM
her face alternate flushed and pale I rJ u i
wronged her by sunnoslAa h f ""'"^ '^^ '
She pVed Ir. foXri:;^^::?^^^^ ^'' ''' ^^-•
During this while I had observed the same hvn
men who had met me on the stair fh. ' .'^""^ ^"^
They were walking about and care eslfloT ""'"
the different games Yet iorJZ- 1 '"^ °" ^^
tracted my attention. The taller m.n 7
person J„ the ha„. and .,t ^L; .T^e ThT
watched us intently. ^^ '" "®
His companion-the same as on the previous ni^hf-
withdrew to talk. Aftersome consultat!:,:ry "fch"
a decision. Together they came our way and 2 . n
man clapped his hand twice. ^' ^ '^"
At the signal, for such it was, from every table rose a
cTed" iTo' Id', ""^^' ''^"^^^^^^^ about ht":;:
aned. I could also see a guard suddenly stationed Is
if by magic, at each point of exit Where hZ !
there, a cloak was thrown back ^he Zm of'. .
showed beneath. ^ "" °^ ^ ""'^°'"»
"There, my lads, is our quarry take fh^m "
manded the tall man, pointing to us ' '°™"
danger' myself for a silly fool to run again into such
The dispatches in my bosom would hang me arid I
fd
7— Black Wolf
well as Serigny, had
< t
98
THE BLACK wolf's BREED
their itfipicions of the place, it was too late now for
penitence, it was time to act.
The lady arose so trembhng and frightened that my
courage all came back to mc. She forgot her gold
pieces lying on the tabic in front of jicr.
"My lord," she whispered, "you must protect me;
it would be the scandal of all France were I to be dis-
covered in such a place."
Her apical made me forget my own imminent dan-
ger, and I bethought myself what best to do. They
could approach me by but one side, and while I
considered a parley with the officers, heard a glad lit-
tle cry from the lady. She calmly gathered up her
gold and restored it to her purse, as if the matter were
already settled, though I could see no change in the
front of those around us. As the soldiers would have
pulled the table away, she bade them wait, and said: "I
would speak to your leader."
The tall man asked : "And what would you say? We
have no time to talk."
'It is not to you, I know you both; I would speak
to my lord by your side. ' '
With that, the other, who had r,-mained rather In t^ ^
background, came forward, and she took him i . ;=.
where none could hear, save myself a word or two. The
lady spoke to him in a low, quiet tone, and raised her
mask i- :;itle. The man started back, then removed his
cap defe. -^"^Vy, j ^as close enough to hear his ex-
clamatiru :
"MaOem; -die la Prh< ;sse."
mademoisellb
sncl. a place. * ' '■'""'••^' "' ««= Blood i„
^^•mat does Mademoiselle do ,-,.Be«.a„d. gaming
"It is not for you to question mv lor^ •' , .,
herself up coldly, ..J chose it No7l 1m '° ^"^
vide an escort for me i„d Z "''' «°' P™'
honor to accompany me ■■^'""''"='" ""^ "" *e
o-o.,,.t. I :oru::rH-X" "''"'>'■■"
J ;hougHtr could enlighten W,peC,.ut.ept a
app'^tlaf T„^cotr„f:," *^ '^" --• -^O^. ''
He in turn eommun^^t^d to *em """^' ^'"' ""-
"We have made a mistake P«. -. ...
to pass out, and none X • ' *^"'' ^^"^'^"^^"
Vauban then interrupted •
events. ^^^ °' °^ore exciting
"Nay, nay, boy do not look .n „i
w.d, it is an Honor a ^..J^^Z^Z^JZ
o.a n^t otcincr auties bid him stay. " " ^-sume
;fi
1
f
'i
III
i
!
ii
1
100
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
My lady tossed her purse to the sergeant as she
passed :
"Divide this with your men, and drink a health to-
well — the Princess Unknown. ' '
I ^ ?,.
I !
i 's
CHAPTER X
IN THE HOUSE OF BERTRAND
TT would now have been a most simple matter for me
1 to go out unmolested beside the princess. And this
IS what I should have done had it not been for an acci-
dent. While Vauban was talking to the princess I
glanced round the room to see if Yvard was there or
any other person likely to know of this business There
was one figure strolling about in the rear which wore a
familiar look, yet I could not say I had seen the man
before.
When Vauban gave the order to allow us to pass "and
none else," this man very visibly took on an air of
apprehension. He looked from one door to the other
and, finding all guarded, was quite alarmed, then, without
perceiving himself observed, he manned himself with
his former unconcerned manner. There was something
m the poise of his head, his v ilk, which came as a well
remembered thing from some secret niche of memory
Now as the princess and I walked out in front of our
guard, this man fell, as if naturally, into the rear of our
company, and attempted nonchalantly to saunter out
behind us. The guard at the door locked their bayo-
nets across, barring his exit.
(loi)
Ml
n
All
nil
Wr-fllf
Jl
102
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
? i
I'i
"By whose orders," he demanded with some show
of haughty indignation, "do you hold me a prisoner
with this disorderly rabble?"
"Marshal Vauban's," the sentry replied, unmoved.
The man shrank back perceptibly ; as I took a longer
sight of him the familiarity of voice and figure recurred
more strongly. I stood still to look. He turned his
face. Broussard! I almost spoke the name. Yes, be-
yond all perad venture it was Broussard, disguised, but
still Broussard.
What a world ol vain speculation this opened on the
instant, speculation to which no answer came. How
much and what had I told him during our voyage?
How had he treasured it and where repeated it? For I
had now no other thought than he was the spy who
brought Yvard the packet designed for Spain.
"Come my lord, are you dreaming?" the princess
broke in impatiently. I had quite forgotten her.
"No madame, I crave your patience, and beg atten-
tion a moment."
I then asked hurriedly whether she knew the young
officer in charge of our escort, and whether she would
trust him to see her to a place of safety. She knew the
lad as a gentleman of birth and reputed honor, so with
the guard and the marshal's orders felt herself safe.
Despite the effort to speak coolly my whole frame and
voice quivered with excitement at prospect of winding
up the entire affair by one more stroke of luck. See-
ing which my lady icily inquired:
IN THE HOUSE OF BERTRAND
103
"But why? Why do you fear? Surely these soldiers
are sufficient to afford protection."
The half veiled scorn of her manner cut me to the
quick, but I determined not to be drawn aside from my
purpose. My face still a-flush at her suggestion of cow-
ardice, I replied earnestly:
"Mademoiselle la Princesse "
"Ah, you know me?"
i nodded.
"And yet are willing to relinquish the honor of my
escort?"
"It is duty, Mademoiselle la Princesse; stern and im-
perative duty."
"Sh!" Placing her finger to her lips, "address me
simply as Madame."
"Madame, you wrong me; I would not desert you
while in danger ; now I may give you into safer hands
with honor. A most urgent matter demands my pres-
ence there," pointing inside, "it may cost my life. Had
I better not acquaint M. de Verrue with your character?
He will then be more circumspect?" She 'thought a
space.
"No, you may tell him I am a woman— tell him of
the stupid folly which led me here to-night and brought
a brave gentleman into danger — but not my name."
She would have thanked me further, but I was all im-
patience to be inside, seeing which she graciously bade
me go. I bethought me then of the packet yet in my
bosom, and knowing all those within were to be searched
I took a hasty resolution, born of my confidence in the
104
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
Princess. It may be said here that the lady whom I es-
corted on that memorable night was known throughout
the kingdom for her eccentric tastes, and noted for never
meddling with intrigues of either state or love. Her
passion lay with her dogs and horses, the hunt, and not
in the trifles of a court.
"Madame, will you not render me a service in re-
turn?" I felt my whole attitude to be imploring, so
warmly did I bespeak her grace.
"I have here some papers of the utmost value to my-
self, to no one else. My honor requires that they be de-
livered to M. Jerome deGreville before to-morrow's sun
arises. He keeps his lodging in Rue St. Denis, at the
sign of the Austrian Arms. Can Madame not dispatch
a trusted messenger and secure their delivery?"
The fervor of the appeal touched her, for she listened
with interest.
"Oh, Madame, I beseech you, as I have obeyed you
without question this night, do not fail me as you love
the gloiy of France. You may have M. de Greville in-
formed how and where you came by them, in case aught
of ill should happen to me this night."
She took the packet.
"Upon my royal word," she whispered, in such a tone
of sincerity I felt relieved of any uneasiness concerning
the papers.
I had a real regret at seeing her leave the hall.
Walking so regally in front of the guard I wondered at [
my thick-headedness which had not before perceivc4in
her every movement the princely pride of Bourbon. " I
IN THE HOUSE OF BERTRAND
105
threw my cloak, which fettered me, to one of the men,
and wearing still my mask, re-entered the hall. They
were already engaged in the search, questioning closely
each man in rotation. None was allowed to depart
without being quet>tioned and examined. I immediately
sought for Broussard. He had gone over towards an-
other small door, the same through which I had escaped
the night before. There were two guards posted here
Broussard dawdled about with the air of a man
very much bored, who only waited his turn to go
through a disagreeable ordeal that he might leave. I
fancied his wits were actively at work beneath so impas-
sive an exterior. He had spoken privately to several
men, one at a time, in careless fashion, and then tap-
ping the legs of the tables, and kicking the chairs as he
passed, he again came near the door. I managed to
keep close to him. As he stood talking to the sentries
the four men came up t\vo by two from opposite direc-
tions, and at a sign from him, grappled with the guard.
While they were thus engaged Broussard bolted through
the door. I drew my sword and plunged after him.
From inside, the sentries cried out : ' 'The two spies
have gone this way," and the whole mob surged out
and divided in chase. Some perhaps were in league
with Broussard, others were in the service of Vauban I
could not tell. '
The hall was densely dark; I knew not the way, but
I had Broussard but a few feet in front to guide me; be-
hind, some twenty or thirty stout variets strung out in
pursuit, not a dozen paces to the rear.
! ii
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THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
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It so happened that there was a door which stood
half open, and Broussard being hard pressed doubled
by this and darted in. He was but a couple of yards
ahead and I alone observed this stratagem. When he
vanished to the right, I slipped in behind, just as our
foremost pursuers swept by. The great noises they
made and the resounding echoes effectually prevented
their notice of a cessation of sounds from us. Nor did
they pause to listen. Crushing through the narrow
passage their pressure slammed the door behind us. I
heard the clank of a heavy bolt as it dropped into place.
Thinking Broussard had sought some secret - means of
escape known to himself, and fearing he would get away
I dashed madly on, only to fetch up with a terrific thump
against a stone wall.
The shock dazed me and I fell in a heap to the floor.
Perhaps it was as well, for I made no further noise. But
I listened.
The place was intensely dark, and not a sound save
the heightened beating of my own heart disturbed it. I
was afraid to move, lest I bring upon me the crowd out-
side. Had not one of the men cried *Uwo spies." It
did look as if I too was a confederate of Brdussard, and
I could not have explained. The echoes of the chase
died away, and all was still. My mind and ears were
very busy then trying to make out what sort of a hole
this was I had so unceremoniously fallen into. And
Broussard? Where had he disappeared? I knew he
could not be far, for there had been no footsteps since
the door shut. I took it that he must be in the room
IN THE HOUSE OF BERTRAND 107
and that the reasons which enforced quiet upon me were
also powerful to him.
He was worse off though than I, for he had doubt-
less heard me blunder into the wall, and thought one of
the marshal's men had followed him. This idea sug-
gested he would probably then lay perfectly still and
wait for the man to recover and go out. Or, the thought
made me shiver-he might steal up and finish me with
the dagger. As quietly as I could I loosened my own
knife m its sheath and got it well in hand. In spite of
all the caution I used, the sheath rattled against a
buckle. I knew my position was betrayed. I thought
then to reach a corner where I could the better protect
myself against a stealthy attack.
Immediately overhead an almost indistinguishable
blur marked a high, square window, some seven feet
from the floor. There was but one. In all probability
the door lay directly opposite. That being true, the
natural inclination of a man flying down the hall in the
direction we came would be to go further to the right
Reasoning in this wise, hoping to avoid a struggle with
Broussard .1 the dark, I edged my way along the wall
toward the left. Inch by inch I went, holding my
sword extended at arm's length in front of me, and lift-
ing each foot carefully to avoid the scraping. Every
few feet I made a complete sweep in all directions with
my blade, to guard against approach. Proceeding in
this way, I felt my sword's point at length touch some-
thing—something soft. Before I had dme to wonder
what it was, the sharp hiss of a blade cut close to my
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THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
cheek, and struck clanging against the wall. I sprang
back beyond reach.
"Broussard," and in the extreme excitement I spoke
his name unwittingly, "Broussard, stand still; I had
no thought to attack you. Stay where you are, and I
will seek another place."
There came a voice, "Who are you to call me Brous-
sard?" but I answered not.
In the absence of any preparation for assault, I took
it that he would remain where he was. Thereupon I
backed into the diagonal corner, and stood stock still.
After some period — hours or minutes, I knew not
what, they were interminable — Broussard spoke again.
His voice sounded sharp, and unr^turally loud.
"Who are you, and what do you want? I know you;
is it Nortier, Lireux?"
"Hush, fool; dost not hear the tread of Vauban's
men outside? You will call them down upon us with
your babble." They were stamping through the pas-
sage as I spoke.
"Ah ! " and there was a world of relief and incredulity
in his lowered tone. "Then you are not with Vauban?
Who are you?" I made no reply.
During the long period of absolute and profound si-
lence which succeeded I had much time to reflect. I
judged myself to be in an unused chamber, which, if
square, would be about thirty feet across — calculating by
the distance from the diagonal corner — if in fact Brous-
sard lay in the corner. There was but one opening, for
I could hear the wind stirring outside, and no draught
IN THE HOUSE OF BERTRAND
109
came in. Did the window open on the street, or on an
inner court? There was no way of telling.
If it be true that men live in thoughts rather than in
deeds, if the changing phantoms of our brain carve
deeper impressions than the petty part we play with
our hands, then, indeed, that frightful night would form
by far the longest chapter in the history of my soul.
Darkness, darkness, darkness; quivering, soundless,
hopeless night.
I feared to move, and no sense save that of hearing
bound me to the world of living men. Living men?
What place had I among them ?
A party of drunken roisterers staggered beneath the
window, singing coarse songs and bandying their brutal
jests. But it no longer interested me to know the win-
dow opened on a street,
Hour after hour plodded in slow procession through
the night.
Outside, a clattering vehicle whipped past over the
rough stones, the driver swearing at his team. The
day was coming at last. Did I wish it? Perhaps the
night were kinder, for it at least obscured my misery. I
almost prayed the darkness might last.
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CHAPTER XI
THE DAWN AND THE DUSK
GRADUALLY, so gradually the change could hardly
be observed, the inner grating of the window be-
came visible ; the chinks between the edges of the stones
assumed distinctness. A ghostly blotch grew into a fact
upon the floor. * A leaden hue, less black than the
pulsing sea of ink about it, spread and spread, lighter
and lighter, until it invaded the dim recesses where I
stood. My hand became once more a tangible posses-
sion, unreal and grim, yet all my own. The opposite
wall loomed up, my utmost frontier of the domain of
certainty. Dimmer, darker, more obscure, the door, a
vast unexplored cavern gathered to itself the hobgoblins
of evil and gave them shelter. As still as the creeping
on of day we two men stood, glaring at each other and
watched it come.
Exactly when I began to see him I could not say.
Every impulse and vital force of nature centered in my
eyes, and they fastened themselves upon that one irreg-
ular shadow in the opposing corner which slowly — oh !
with such agonizing slowness — assumed the outlines of
a man. My fascinated gaze wandered not nor wearied.
When in the moist light of the morning I clearly saw
(no)
■, .■■^..
THE DAWN AND THE DUSK m
Broussard, haggard, pale and sunken-eyed, watching
me thirty feet away, it seemed that I had seen him all
the night.
No detail of his dress or manner but I observed. There
was a scar across his forehead, fresh and bleeding a bit A
contusion rather. He had probably struck the door-facing
as he rushed in. Yes, it bled. A few drops had trickled
down his nose ; there hung one, quite dry, from his brow
Precisely beneath this there were some dozen or so upon the
floor. All could have been covered by my hand. Like my-
self Broussard had not moved throughout that awful night.
God, how I pitied him. With such a weight of treason
on his soul. And yet, looking back, the night was less
awful than the coming day, far more merciful than the
hideous night which followed it. With the sun Brous-
sard heartened up, and first broke the silence.
"Who are you comrade, and what do you here?"
I was at a loss for reply. I had no faith in him, yet
even a rotten stick might serve to get me out.
"I am trapped like yourself, and feared you all the
night. God in Heaven what a long night it was."
Broussard had no words, his convulsive shudder ex-
pressed more than mine.
"Do you know how to get out of here?" I asked.
"Not I, except by the door, or the window," looking
at that. ^
"I'll try the door," he continued, smiling the treach-
erous smile of the tiger. I remembered so well the
first day he showed his teeth aboard ship. The man
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THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
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well knew I rcrognlzccl liim, he had heard me speak his
name, and I feared if he foimd the door open he would
shut me up again, and escape.
"I'll test the door softly and see what is outside,"
and he moved as if to put his thought in action.
"Hold on, not yet; methinks I'll try that door my-
self." I could see he had the same idea which had oc-
curred to me, for he demurred.
"No, my fincsif; why you and not I?"
"Because I know you, sir, and fear to trust you."
"Verily, you have honorable intentions yourself to
suspect me so readily." He was bent on engaging
me in conversation, so he might perhaps recognize mc
from my voice. The mask still hid my features, and
the entire difference in my mode of dress made recogni-
tion almost impossible. The puzzled expression of a
half recollection still rested on his face as I continued :
"I do not merely suspect you, I know you for a
traitor — nay do not clap your hand upon your sword
until I have finished. You have now in your possession
certain traitorous dispatches which were given you by
one Came Yvard in exchange for othe'rs which you
brought over with you in a vessel called le Dauphin.
Ah, you begin to pale and shrink, and well you may — "
"You lie!" he shrieked, convincing me I had made
a home thrust.
"Softly, softly, have a care, lest you call the Marshal's
bloodhounds down upon us. The dispatches with the
ntirnle seals which vou brought with such care from
Biloxi, have been tal<:en from Yvard, and are now in
THE DAWN AND THE DUSK 1 1 -^
safe keeping for the King. The lie, ah. well III
pardon that for the while. You can not leave here' and
I have ample time for avenging my honor after I "have
had the pleasure of your delightful conversation."
He leaned morosely against the wall, staring at me
as I went on. '
"Now listen to me quietly. You have those dis-
patches upon your person. I want them, and by all the
gods I will have them. If I have to kill you for them
then so much the worse for you. Now listen Give
me those dispatches. Wc will then get out of here to-
gether, and once outside, I will give you full four and
twenty hours. That time elapsed, I will turn the dis-
patches over to the authorities. If you can escape with
your miserable life so be it. Do you agree?"
"I have no dispatches," he sullenly replied,* "and who
are you to dare charge me with treason?"
There was no ring of real resentment in his tones
though he strove manfully to simulate offended and in-
dignant innocence. It was necessary to keep him in
Ignorance for a while, because I feared he might set
upon me, and being really an excellent swordsman the
issue of conflict would be doubtful. But the weightier
reason lay in the fact that the clash of steel might draw
down upon us the occupants of the house. Here I was
m a much worse plight than he, though he knew it not
For whether those occupants were the friends of Brous-
sard or the Marshal's men, the result would be equally
fatal to me. A man must think quickly under such straits,
8 — Bi^cK Wolf
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114
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
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and I was sorely put to it for some device. No stratagem
would be too base to use against such a villain, for he
would not hesitate to knife me in the back.
"Broussard, let us understand each other here and
now. Ypu know me. lamPlacide de Mouret," re-
moving my mask and looking him sternly in the eye.
"Great God, de Mouret!"
"The same. I am your master at the swords, and you
know it. Now turn out those papers." I had been
quietly drawing my blade during this speech, as the
dazed man tried to collect his senses, so I was ready
while he still stobd unprepared.
"Throw up your hands."
He mechanically obeyed; the discovery of his vil-
lainy had completely unmanned him.
"Now unbuckle your belt, and drop it to the ground. ' '
He did as he was bid.
"Kick it across the floor." The weapon was tossed
out of his reach.
I walked up closer to him, and forced him to loose
his coat that I might find the papery, and was re-
warded by the discovery of a packet, much similar to
that dropped by Yvard. It was sealed in such a man-
ner it could not be opened, and bore no address. I re-
moved the dagger from his hip, and having, as I thought,
completely disarmed him, felt no further uneasiness. The
man was thoroughly cowed, and never once raised his eyes
to mine. Verily treason doth rob the stoutest heart of
iiaa lis cuUrugc.
"Now do as I bid you, and I will keep my promise to
r of his vil-
THE DAWN AND THE DUSK
1J5
y promise to
let you go. And mind that you make not the slightest
sound which may attract the soldiers. ' '
"Ah, you fear the soldiers too? " he asked, vaguely
trying to puzzle out why I should be afraid of those in
whose service I was.
"It is not to our purpose to talk. I simply want the
credit myself, and do not want to share it with those
fellows out there. We must work to leave this place at
once. Do you stand where you are."
I gathered up the scattered weapons and piled them
all m one corner, farthest from the door, where I now
proposed to set about getting free. With the fearful
bhght of uncovered treason in his soul. Broussard obeyed
me cnngingly as a servant, and worked as hard, for his
safety lay in mine. We went first to the door by which
we entered, and after a tedious examination failed to
find any means by which it could be opened or broken
down. A stout latch, of some pattern we could not tell
held it fast from the outside. There was no catch or
fastenmg of any sort within. The age-hardened oak
studded as it was with heavily wrought nails, forbade .
the plan of cutting through This would require days
and days of patient labor, and I was already faint from
lack of food and the exhaustion of the night. Plainly
the room was intended for a prison, and as such it served
well Its purpose. Baffled and disheartened I turned my
thought to the window. It looked out upon the street •
this was so much in my favor. The irons that guarded
It were close set, bending out toward the «frPPf In. the
shape of a bow. I judged this was in order that archers
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THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
Stationed there might shoot the more easily into the
street in times of siege.
I could have reached this without trouble, but I de-
sired to employ Broussard, that I might know where he
was and prevent treachery. For that double purpose I
reached up and grasped the sill, commanding him to
catch me about the knees and lift so I might see out.
This he did. While in that position he made a pretense
of shifting his hold, and somethimg impelled me to
glance downward at him. He was stealthily drawing a
concealed knife from his bosom. I threw all my weight
back upon him, casting the twain of us together to the
floor. Meantime he had the knife full drawn, in his left
hand held at my breast.
I grappled with him, holding his left hand in my right,
and with the free hand clutched him by the throat, burying
my thumb deep in his wind-pipe. Instinctively he
raised both hands to protect his throat, and then we
struggled to our feet. He made futile efforts to strike
me with the knife, but his strength dsserted him with
his wind. The blade dropped clattering on the floor.
My other hand closed about his neck, circling it with an
unyielding collar of steel. Desperately as a caged rat
might fight he squirmed and twisted in my grasp. To
no avail.
Tigerish now, as though I held a rabid dog, I thrust
him back against the wall, and there rigidly held him
fast. In merciless silence I listened to the precious
breath gurgling from his body ; a reddish froth gathered
at the lips. I could feel his hot blood surge and beat
':■ -i
THE DAWN AND THE DUSK I17
against my thumb under that deadly pressure. The
cold sweat stood in clammy clusters upon his forehead;
his head thrown back, the eyes turned toward the ceill
ing no longer pleaded into mine. I sickened almost at
sight of the tongue swelling black, which seemed to
consume all the fleeing color from lips and face. Oh God
how he struggled ! His hands closed over mine as bars
of steel to tear them from his throat.
Even in our mo-tal strife I marked the eternal har-
mony of the scene. Truly death had never stage more
fitting whereon to play its last stern drama of dissolu-
tion. Hemmed in by four massive walls of granite
ghastly grim and desolately gray, we wrestled in a
stifling stillness, while hell stood umpire at the game
No sound of trumpet, no warlike cry, no strains of
martial music were there to thrill the nerves and taunt
men on to glory. We fought to the scrape and scratch
of shuffling feet, the labored gasp, the rattle in the
throat, while echo hushed in silence and in fright
He grew more quiet, his muscles stiffened and re-
laxed—he was no longer conscious. A few more con-
vulsive quivers, as a serpent might writhe and jerk
then he hung, a limp dead thing, in my hands. My
outstretched arms seemed made as a gibbet, feeling no
fatigue, so lightly did they sustain him. Cords of brass
could be no more tense than mine; his weight was as
nothing. Softly I eased him down, and composed his
limbs in decent order upon the stones.
Then I rose, and eazed comnlar*»nfi„ o* ~. ^„|.
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THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
Yes, it was v/e\\ done, excellently done, in fact. The
nrtost expert strangler of the Choctows could have done
no better. Those purpling lines about the throat, those
darker clots where my thumbs had left their signs, could
not have been more intelligently placed. I smiled my
satisfaction at the job, then — then — my own overstrung
nerves gave way, and I fell unconscious across the corpse
of my hands' creation.
When I came to myself I was weeping, weeping as a
child might weep, over the dead, distorted face of him I
had loved. How long this lasted I had no means of
knpwing. Uncompromising necessity forced me to ac-
tion; forbade me time to dream.
The body being in my way wheie it lay — for I pro-
posed now to work in earnest at the window — I moved
it tenderly as possible across the floor and stretched
him out near the door sill. Springing up then I attacked
the bars, at the window. Hours and hours I labored,
impelled to greater effort by the dread of spending an-
other night in that room of murder. I was patient, too,
patient with the cunning of a maniac.
The dagger made my chisel; my sword, wrapped in
a cloth to muffle the strokes, furnished me a maul. Full
half the day was before me. The rough paving stones
below held out the hope of escape or death. How to
reach the street after the bars were removed, I did not
suffer myself to consider. I should go mad if I lay idle.
I leaned as far out the window as the grating would al-
low, and observed a guard standing in plain view at the
weeping as a
face of him I
no means of
ed me to ac-
7 — for I pro-
)w — I moved
nd stretched
en I attacked
rs I labored,
spending an-
patient, too,
f -.lil:
"Then I rose, and gazed at my work." p. 117.
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THE DAWN AND THE DUSK ,,9
corner. It was yery evident the Provost of Paris had
taken possess.on of the house, and there was link ^se i^
my trying to malce a way out the door
I bitterly resented the intrusion of every passenger
came. For while they remained in hearing i "°
oWiged to cease my chipping at the masonry and leaZ
cement which held my freedom. I bided my time an^
found I couldtkf it out T '""^ '" r ''"'^'' ^"<"
.e a powerfu. ^Jl^l ,f;-- * ^.^^
. While thuse4a;:d';reSrre:ttr^::;.
lously upon the street, in the hooe th»f i . T
P-sue his pian of witching thfh u I H ""^M
catch sight of him. The passers-by w^e it inZ^
but somehow it struck m^ fiTo^ .u indeed,
-era. times, J"^ ZZXZ^::Zrt
patrol of Jerome's? My heart bounded at the fhou.hf
watched more carefully; yes, it was true. I counted five
™r t^t ^^:;;isrntrr r r- --
.eldtS^::t:hlr •'■"'"" '° """" ^'^ "«»'-.• >
° to yell, lest that give notice to the sentry. I tooV
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1 20
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
a spur from my heel and dropped it directly in front oi
him; I knew he would recognize it, for it was his own,
loaned to me for my more fashionable appearance. He
heard the jingle and glanced around. His hat blew off
as if by accident and fell near the spur. In stooping to
pick it up, the spur also found its way into his hand
beneath the hat. He was truly a quick-witted gentle-
man, and I forgave him from my heart all his chaff in
the matter of teaching me manners. It took him not
a great while to comprehend, and hking note of the
situation of my window, he sauntered off. Thence
forward only three men passed by the house, at much
longer intervals, tie had taken one with him, and I was
left to surmise in what method they purposed to effect
my deliverance. I made myself almost merry. The long
labor at the window had cramped my limbs to such a
degree it pained me to move. I clambered down and
took a few turns about the room as if I had naught tc
do but exercise. But at every turn the hideous face and
whitened eyes of Broussard dogged my footsteps as a
spectre. Look where I would, it was only that I saw.
Hour after hour crawled by. Jerome would wait for
night. Night !
Did he but know what lurking horrors filled the dis-
mal hours for me, he would come soon. By some fatal-
ity I had drawn the body directly to the spot where the
last fading shafts of light would hover about its face.
Not for a paradise of peace would I touch the loathsome
thing again to hide it in the shadows. I could neither
take my eyes from it nor put my hands upon it. Like
THE DAWN AND THE DUSK 12,
the basilisk of fable it held my ga^e charmed, fixed it.
bound .t fast. Crouch as I might in the remotest corner
cover my face in my mantle, still that searching, penetrat-
ing thmg p,erced all obstacles, glared grisly and distinct
before me.
I tried to throw off the thought which now constantly
recurred. What if Jerome did not come? Would I
starve here in company with this corrupting flesh? No
there was the window ; a headlong dash from that would
bring death and release. So I determined. Then came
on the mght. To me it brought no rest, no sweet sur-
cease of the labors through the day
Somewhere, afar off in the city, there rang a tremu-
lous ben, launching its vibrations upon the infinite
silence as a sinner's guilty soul might trembling stand
in the presence of Almighty condemnation. The mel-
anchob^ howl of a dog at first cleft through every nerve
and fibre of my being, thrilling with a creeping chill of
horror. So regular did it come, so unvaried, I grew to
count the seconds under my breath, and to note its
monotonous precision. Somehow this occupation in a
measure relieved me, and when the howls came more
infrequently and at less well defined intervals, I men-
tally resented the change. Time had ceased to be I
cowered in the corner with naught but death and fear
and darkness to keep re company.
!1
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CHAPTER XII
FLORINE TO THE RESCUE
A SHROUD of consuming terror now possessed me.
^~\ I crouched in the dank corner clutching my sword
listening, vainly listening, for some sound out of which
to conjure up an assassin. A rat ran across my foot.
Screaming out I bounded erect and beat about me with
blind desperation. One hand touched the other and
shrank from its mate. They were as ice.
Oh, God, the horrid silence ! How weightily it bore
upon me, stripping me of voice, of courage and of hope.
How many, many times I braced myself against the wall,
cold with fear at the apprehension of an attack by some
demon of the night. How many, many times I sank
again into the same dumb misery when no enemy ap-
peared to do me hurt.
So long it had been since the tones of human speech
blessed my ears, I almost hoped the marshal's men
might come, that I might hear his stern command,
"Hang him to yonder window ledge." A rasping
thirst roasted my throat until my tongue gritted and
ground as a rusted clapper in a bell. I touched it with
my hand. It was as dry as Broussard's,
(122)
FLORINE TO THE RESCUE
Broussardf A auiver in ^u
shudder; in every ruTeVL ""T "'' '^' "^ "" «
of the dead. Dull" ' ht^ ' "^"" ""^ '^'' convulsions
eyes, and rested upofht fwo .r/'^" ' ^'"^'' '">'
eyes following me irha.e "''''• ">"'■■ ^-^ite
Coolly and logically as if If ,
the reason of it all crept il ","'' '°"'">'" «'»•
™ad ; mad fro™ huZ tWrst'"'' T^''" ""'"'■ ' «^^
-d felt not one .uTsory:n"iT': ■ ^^- '"'"'■
'or it meant a freedom o[ the ' 2' ^f'^^-^ "*er,
this knowledge forced itself , ^ ^° '"^■d'ously
»hock, I even dimly wo:r;P°" ■"^' ''?""S'" -
ever existed. VerL me„ f ^"^ °""'' <=°"dition
frenzy. Then, i„Zd 7" TJ"""''' "" " S«"«e
riers removed, c're we" , "t"?^ '""''''■ "" >>-
■shed into nothingness Enr„ /• ""^""^ "■°'''''^^' ™n-
all fragments of les^'; ^ S '," ' '°'"""'" '"■" '^^
of punishment-all „ '„!,.""'"'"■ ''^"""•d. the dread
were powerful novv 'no^e'^irof*^ '■■"^^■■"""'"
every human hope and dulled th„ 7 '^^^" ""'^^"^
fear. What cared I now for fn! "f^" °' ^'"^ '"'"»»
or for shame? My mi°I t! ', '°' ™'^''- '°^ ^onor
eial restraints, plungedrttnT'" '"' '^^^ '~"> ^ifi"
I reveled i„ he eSllT f'T-" '"'"'''^" "^''«--
<"ank from the de^ " " ^ f'"'? *""^'"' ""^
draughts of secret fnthl" '*'"'"" *«'='°"^
*et madness which g^vfa "tri; ^'.\*"'^'"^. *is
What repugnance had T ^'""f"^ '"-dependence.
^^"d rotting' cL::^ wh t :i" r p'^^^"' '°'"
^--- ™an it had ^^Tt^X "X^
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134
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
'■ 'I
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gods, a knightly feat and most bravely done ! And I
laughed at my former fear, not loud, but such as laughed
the fiends of hell when Lucifer rose against his Prince.
Low I chuckled, then shivered at my own unnatural
voice.
Dead now to every sense of physical loathing I ad-
vanced steadfastly towards where he lay. Shorn of
human companions my wretchedness sought a lonely
comradeship with the piece of mortal clay. Turning
now and again to beat back some skinny hand which
snatched my garments, to slap in the face some evil
sprite which thrust its sneer upon me, I walked in reso-
hi ion across the floor. I fancied again I heard the
tread of men in the passage. Pleased at the babble of
the children of my own imagination, I stood to listen.
Yes, by the wit of a fool, I'll indulge the jest, a joyous
jibe and a merry.
The low shuffle of cautious feet came again The
latch clanked ever so softly as if some hand without
lifted it gently, oh so gently raised it. " Ha ! there you are,
seeking to frighten me again, but I know you well. No,
no, you'll scare me no more; I'll play a merry game
with you." Sol hid myself in the dark, and thought to
play a prank upon the evil Thing. Held my breath.
Elated to find I owned so wondrously fertile a brain I
saw the door open little by little without a creak. A
current of liberated air brushed by my cheek. So real
it was, I smiled. The door swung wider and wider yet,
in the dark I saw it. Verily the sight of a madman is
sharp. The wind blew more chill and strong. I saw a
FLOKINL TO THE RESCUE ijj
gleam peeping beneath a cloak as from a hidden lan-
thorni I bethought mo I would catch the tiny wanderer
from the floor and hold it in my hand. It came crawl-
mg and crawling, on and on, wavering to my feet So
many ti,j,es that night had I manned myself valiantly to
figh^t_a shadow, I only laughed in silence and contempt
Behold the folly of a madman's thought. Yet the
t n ! " '" '°"" "'■""g^ '°y f™-" which it
could call weird shapes at will, On it moved with a
ncseless, ghding motion; now inside the door now
commg, coming, coming-nearly to me. Now it let
fa I a fmorous blade of light along the floor. It reached
Broussard s body. Its foot struck him. It stooped,
threw the hght full upon him. Op ,. .ell the concealing
mantle, showmg the barren stones, the corpse, the
ghastly upturned face of the strangled man
The woman-for it was a woman-dropped to her
knees beside him, called him, felt of his clammy head
and suffered but a single scream of swift affright to
leave her hps. From the unhooded lanthorn bufst out
a spreadmg yellow glow. Her scream awoke me to a
conscousness of reality. From my own unlocked tongue
of terror came its answer. I joined my voice to hers
defied the hush of slumbering centuries and filled that
quak,ng room with a perfect deluge of reverberating
hneks. Many others, men, with cloaks, some havteg
iignts, some none nic:h*^ri ir. k«u:„j ^.i,. _. ^
, • " u^niHu the woman. From
that time I knew nothing.
. .«
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136
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
I awakened from a dreamy languor; a subtle essence
of perfume floated through my senses. A gentle touch
of some kindly hand was bathing my temples. Fearful
lest this sweet illusion vanish with the others, I kept my
eyes firmly closed, and soon abandoned myself wholly
to the subduing influences of natural slumber.
"Has he stirred, Florine?"
"No, Monsieur, but his head is cooler now—he
sleeps, hush ! Perhaps another day he will be better.
How he raved through the night. Poor, young gentle-
man, he quite exhausted himself."
"Ah, well, Florine, he is young, and with such nurses
as thou and Nannette he will of a surety recover."
I turned my head and smiled a feeble recognition of
Jerome and Florine. The other woman I had never
seen; she was much older than Florine and had a kind,
motherly face.
"What day is it?"
"The morning of Sunday."
It was Wednesday night when Jerome and I went to
the ball.
I looked about me. The lodgings were those I had
taken at the Austrian Arms, yet much changed in little
things. The vase of flowers there in the window, the
neat-swept hearth, the cheerful fire, and that indefinable
something which gives a touch of womanliness to a
room. Florine, perhaps.
and I went to
FLORINE TO THE RESCUE " ,„
"Ugh! rm so glad to be here," and I shuddered at
the remembrance of my prison and suffenW
"Poor dear," said the older woman in a voice full of
sympathy -don-t wor^^; you are in comfort" ow Id
will soon be strong again. ' ' '
"Am I wounded in any wise?" I inquired, for I knew
not the manner of ray coming there •■"'Knew
"No, no, my lad," broke in Jerome's hearty reas-
surance, "not a bit, just worn and starved out Trl
boy, you had a rough adventure. By 'Od's blood Td
ha e to have the like I Has he taken'^y food F^rfJe?
"Nothmg but the wine, and a sup or two ofbTth
Here ,s something for him now," and she brough me
a mos tempting array of soup, hot viands and Wc tuTls
of which I feared to eat as I desired
Though Florine and Jerome would not permit me to
disturb myself with vain conve^ation, yet by dte o^
TsM "l fould r '"? T" ''"' ''''"' apartf thinking
i Slept, 1 found how it all came about It sp^mc p. •
saw and recognized me when I returned tr;?!!".'
room, having left Madame la Princesse. She knewt?
m some way which I did not learn, that nefther Brl?'
sard nor I had left Bertrand's that mgh This th^ l"
*eProvosfs men had been searchiV thlt^t?^^
both. She kept her knowledge to herself. When the
turbulence calmed down somewhat and sentri!!
placed to guard the house, she occupied C^ Z"
mle wh, e for her, familiar as she was with the houL
•0 find the room where Broussard and I had takln
rm
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128
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
refuge. Listening at the door she heard our angry
voices and the scuffle v/lthin. This may have been when
I was choking him. Horrible ! horrible !
At any rate she feared to intrude, and at once set
out to seek help. The girl throughout acted with
astonishing promptness and judgment. Florine had
recognized Madame la Princesse— all Paris knew the
eccentric lady — so went straight to her. At first denied
admission she sent up a note couched in such terms as
gained for her an immediate private interview — indeed
the Princess herself was careful it should be strictly pri-
vate.
Madame knew nothing of me except the request I
made concerning Jerome, and .sending the papers to the
Austrian Arms. Florine went without delay to that
place. This was about midday. Meanwhile Jerome,
much troubled that I did not appear during the night,
pursued our original plan of watching the house, and
arranged his men at windows, and in the street, in such
a way as not to attract attention. One of them had
seen me working at the window but never dreamed it
was I. Jerome found the house already doubly guarded
by the Provost's men, to his infinite disgust. He was
a handy chap though, and not to be outdone. Dress-
ing himself as a clumsy lout, he found little difficulty in
worming the transactions of the night before out of one
of the guard off duty. A drink or two together at the
sign of the "Yellow Flagon" fetched this information.
Jerome was much wearied through his long watching
and anxiety when he returned to the Austrian Arms.
FLORINE TO THE RESCUE ,2q
The hostler at the inn turned him aside from the front
door by a gesture, so that he entered by another way
Claude acquamted him that a lady in the public room
desired to speak w.th M. Jerome de Greville, andwould
„ot be demed Jerome's custom with visitors was to
see them first himself, before Claude told them whether
he was in or no.
Peeping through an aperture he saw the lady walking
impatiently up and down the room, tapping at the win-
dow, mending the fire, and expressing her haste "n
many other pettish manner, so truly feminine. It was
Bertrand s during this p.e^e of business. Jerome sent
her word he would be in and chanmnr, i,-
"^ ^"' dna cnanging his costume to
one he usually wore, presented himself before her in the
public room.
"Is it I you seek, M. de Greville, Mademoiselle?"
he inquired, politely.
"Oh! Monsieur de Greville, it is you; I'n so glad "
she came forward with a pretty air of perplexity and
surprise, for Florine had a dainty woman 's'way Loj
her, showing even through her present trouble She
bore herself more steadily that she had not to deal with
some severe-faced stranger, but a gallant gentlemal
prone rny""^' "°' '^'' ^'°"' ""^'"^ ''"^'^ "^"'^^"^ ^^^^
"Oh. Monsieur de Greville. I know not what to say
now that I am well met with you. " ^'
"And by my faith, Mademoiselle. I am sure no «,o^d
9-Black W01.P " " °
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130
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
of mine would jrace those pretty lips as well as thine
own sweet syllables. So / can not tell you what to say. ' '
Florine pouted her dissent, yet was not in earnest
angered — she was a woman. Jerome saw her business
lay deeper than mere jest and badinage, so he spoke
her more seriously.
"I pray you Mademoiselle — Florine? — am I right?
Be seated."
Florine had no thought for gallantries ; she declined
the proffered seat, and, standing, proceedeu at once to
the point of her mission,
"There is a young gentleman in our house," and she
blushed a little, Jerome declared to me afterwards, "in
Bertrand's wine room — ^you know the place? locked up,
and I am not certain whether he lives or is dead. I can
not tell Monsieur his name, but you know him. Oh,
he was kind to me, and I would willingly do something
to save him. It is so hard to be only a woman. The
Provost has the house guarded."
•'I know it," Jerome put in drily.
"This gentleman gave your name and lodgings to the
lady who was with him there last night, and she it was
who sent you the packet." Florine had run on hur-
riedly, unheeding Jerome's blank look of astonishment.
This was probably a shrewd guess on her part, yet it
squarely struck the mark.
"Lady? Sent the papers? Who? What lady?"
Jerome asked before she could answer anything.
* That I must not tell, Monsieur. Oh, come, quick;
get him away from there ; if our people find him they
— am I right?
FLORINE TO THE RESCUE ,3,
may do him harm. Monsip.ir 7c o u
'"•end Of his. is it not iT? Come " " '""^■""' "
Jerome drew the facts pretty well out of the exeited
girl, knowing somewhat of ti,. „• excited
ine the rest ^ . "''""'^' °' "'^ circumstances and guess-
ifig iiie rest— all in an evrppri;,.^ -u >^ t> -^
Florine told him /" ^""^^'^'"^ ^hort space of time.
clad again a" a stul 5 ''"™"«™«d'y. ^"d Jerome,
-=e t^ dro^rTourrdor ^' -^^^ "^ *^
It was at this time that the falling of th^ .
veyed to him th^ int.ir ^ '"' ^P""" "^O"-
confinement Afte tfT" "'.""^ ''" ""^ P'«« °'
-pen the <,uic,c-t^:,''^i:r ''' '° ''^•'^'"' ^^-^
howI^iu'uUhtTor'r.' " ''°*"'"- ' '°'^"
faced woman IhoL^T^ ' "™''' *^ '""' '^'"d-
windoZof tht, ri:^;f "^^ ^^"^h "-"« "y bed; the
directly opposrte F o! • ^"''' "'"" °P'"''^ «'™°«
*e upper ^fortf caL trrtrh*" '""^ ^''^"
Horine's frienrf ,« touchmg across it.
to aid the roue o T' ''"*' P^""^^'""' ^"-"ted
I described o b" The ',"'"?; ^™"^""='" ^ ' --
I The friend permitted i ^ T'*^ '"""^ ^"<' 2° ^' ^i"-
in her room Trm ir,!:^';"'' f " °' ""^ ■"=" '° ^''^'^
'"'0 Fiorine-s ,^X he'SrT ^"^^ ^ "^''' "^^
Nth it, and m»H» fa« j,™"^ ^ ''°"''=-^ ■'ope across
!3st. Jt now Decame a triiiijg feat
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132 THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
for these nimble adventurers to swing themselves across
to Florine's room, but twelve feet or so away. Once in-
side Bertrand's they proceeded with abundant iaution, all
of which near came to naught through Florine's sudden
shriek and my own nervous clamor. It shamed me
heartily.
"Truly, comrade, thou hast good lungs," Jerome told
me days afterward. "It took all our strength to shut thee
of thy wind."
When the four men found me a helpless body m their
hands, they were greatly troubled. However, Fiorina
insisted that I be carried to her room where she could
conceal me.
Once there they ^und means to trss me up like a
bale of merchandise and sling me across theallej again,
whence I was conveyed, still unconscious, through out-
of-the-way streets to the Austrian Arms.
And so it was I came to my strength, safe in my own
lodgings in Rue St. Denis, with Fiorina and her kind-
hearted friend to nurse me.
CHAPTER XIII
THE GIRL OF THE WINE SHOP
yOUTH and health do not long lie idle. Even while
1 I lay recovermg my health, Jerome and I werelu v
wth our plans. Not the least unforeseen itemTwhat
had befallen, was the chance that carried me into L hluse
where I saw again the "black wolfs head •' which
^:t::z:z i "'-' *r "'^'-^ ■" *^ ^-^
nn» u"t u ""■"^ "'^' °*" happening the
one wh.ch bound my whole life, heart and soul my love
and happmess forever, in with the fortunes of tLaTb!::;;
As I grew stronger Jerome and I had a long talk He
old me the morning after I left him, which was Thufs
S'^nt —t^at t-^' ^'™ r- °' ^
;-en. iiyUe'd'^krrx::^^^^^^^
present. The woman answered no question^! oni, •
033)
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134
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
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Verily this was coming close to the King, aaid to Or-
leans; these gauntlets coming from the house of this
haughty Bourbon Princess. One of the gauntlets, of
course, contained the papers taken from Yvard, the sr.me
I had confided to Mademoiselle la Princesse. I smiled
my satisfaction that she had been so discreet.
The other packet Jerome found upon ine when I was
disrobed for bed.
It was many days before Jerome asked me for any
details of my imprisonment, or how it came about there
was a dead man in the room with me. I related the
whole circumstance briefly as possible, who Broussard
was, and all, to avoid further questioning. For I hated
to dwell upon the occurrences of that night, yet ever re-
turned to them with a sort of secret fascination.
"You choked him well, comrade," was Jerome's only
comment, regarding the affair, yet I fancied I saw him
shiver somewhat at the ghastly recollection of Brous-
sard, The matter being thus dismissed, we never spoke
of it again.
Our fire burned warm, filling the room with a home-
like glow, so with good wine and clear consciences
Jerome and I drank and talked and stretched the lazy
evening through.
"There is just one other thing we can do, Placide, to
put the finishing touch upon our success."
I turned an interrogative glance toward the speaker.
"That is to find out, if possible, who is back of this
scheming. That fellow Yvard, dare-devil though he is,
has not brain enough to concoct such a plan, even if he
!!i!l
io, Placide, to
THE GIRL OF THE WINE SHOP 135
had courage and energy to fight it through. Depend
upon rt some powerful person is behind Yvard. Most
Tel!l'^"'' du Maine. What say you.to an ad-
My blood was in the humor for sport, the wine heated
.e^som^^
"Willingly, comrade, but what?"
"Let us to Sceaux, to Madame's court, and see what
we may d.scover, for two fools like oursei;es might per-
hance stumble blindly upon what a wise man wouTd
overlook, he continued with mock humility
Ves, and two fools like ourselves might perchance
get hemse Ives hanged for what a wise man wou d keep
nis skirts clear of Thpr^'c o «^ -i • , ^
the affairs of the great •• ^ " '" ""''"""S with
"Seriously now. I have means and ways of learnine
hmgs m Madame's family. My head has been fasTse!
on this matter for some time. If yo„ agree to take the
r.sk with me. you should know how we fre toact Now
n>.n you,' he pursued, rising and stretching hs back
to the fire, facmg me, "mind you, I tell you all I wa„t
you to know, and you must promise me to make lot
qmries on your own account "
Grf^llf I'r' ' ^' ^™™ ='«''=""»«<J *o trust de
Weville, so I simply assented.
"A lady you know-it might get me into trouble -
he further explained; with that I made myself co„tel
Jerome averted his face as if he --uM ' ??
^ sneech carefully before he gave it" "m^' "^Te!
J 1
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136
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
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rigny's final remark about making friends oi the
ladies recurred to me, and I wondered what this fair
unknown had to do with such a rough game as we
played. Before the hand was out, though, I understood
how truly it had been said that women's wits now
swayed the destinies of France. Since this day, too,
our country has suffered much through women, when
under the next, and more pliant Louis, they ruled with
even a scantier pretense at concealment or of decency.
Jerome spoke slow and guardedly, when he turned to
me again. He began in a tone subdued by the inten-
sity of his feelings — which, as I soon learned, were quite
natural.
"I was a mere lad ; I had a sweetheart whose family
lived near our own in the vicinity of a certain small
provincial town, it matters not where. She, much
younger than I, shared all my childish games. It was
the will of God that we should love. My family was
rich, is rich; both were noble. I had two older brothers
who stood beUveen me and a title or wealth. Her
parents were ambitious for her future; I was put aside.
They sent her away, away from me, and married her
here in Paris to a man she had never seen, A simple
marriage of convenience, as we say here. Her heart was
numb and dead; it made no rebellion. I went to the
army ; gained nothing but my rank. My brothers died,
and I being the next heir can live as it pleases me.
Here I am in Paris; she is at Sceaux, two leagues
away. I love her yet, and, God forgive her, she loves
me. Her old husband who is attached to the Due
THE GIRL OF THE WINE SHOP ,37
du Maine cares nothing for her <;i,. -
self hall in idleness with ,i .' ■ """^ ^^'■
Nay do not look so bll k PlaciH 7"" "' '"^ '=°""'
innocent enough Th'. '^'=""'\ '"i- «ven this can be
my friend A """^ ^'''"'^ '°^ her, too
Men may make of thei live a cZteVl ''''"""■"
be content, but women, whate e 1 J "J""
.>.-t.er they may have, 'yet ,.; et e nd'tenr"
^i^eiThe^ ri- . "^p-" "r^j
-ds dan,eror;:nd"rre' ittrir
your wonder at hearing this from me b„t f L
thought constantly upon such things ' PeL, '''2
touches not our business; let us eo on tI u .
iady's husband, and by a'nother sf le of infoZf ""?
hope to find the truth concerning Ward D^^ . ,?' '
me?" '"8 '™™- Uo you follow
"Yes, but how?" I put in "Wi,.„ t
a halter. I want to know whose Ta nds are T ""' ''"'°
the cord. ' ' ^^ ^'^^ playing with
"Never fear for her. Madame-that is the In^
fM
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138
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
bittern'='S8 it contained, "In spite of it all she'd rather be
back in the country breathing the pure and peaceful air,
a guiltless and happy girl, than to live as she does, and
rule the land. God knows I wish we had never seen
Paris."
I held my tongue ; there was nothing I could say. He
felt his trouble keenly enough, and I refrained from
molding my undesired sympathy into words. Directly,
Jerome took heart and spoke again :
"Those are the conditions, I merely make the best of
them. There is still another friend of mine at Sceaux,
the Chevalier Charles de la Mora, a most gallant sol-
dier and kindly gentlerhan. Verily, they are scarce now
in France. He has fallen into misfortunes of late and is
about to take some command in the colonies. I love
him much, and am sorely tempted to cast my lot with
his. But, you unders<-and why I stay," and he lifted up
his hands with a gesture of perfect helplessness.
"His wife, Madame Agnes — almost a girl — is one of
the most beautiful and clever women in France, and who,
by way of novelty, loves her own husband. Women
are queer sometimes, are they not? To-morrow we go
to Sceaux; it will at least be an experience to you, even
should nothing good come of it. Do you agree?"
My curiosity was thoroughly aroused, and scenting
sport of a rare character I agreed to join the chase. It
was judged best that we should make all things ready
for an immediate journey to Versailles upon our return
from Sceaux.
THE GIRL OF THE WINE SHOP
what he was s, 7; fed toTo °"! °' ™"^'''-='-" 'or
that he refrained 'Irlt.nTre" "c" T ^°"''"°"
ping in later with the „,ess g^ Th , M ^ ;^:"- '^ «":
gone to n,ake some last arrangement^ fo, , :"" " "'"
J slept so restfully throu!>h H,. n t! i-'umey.
un,>leasant reminders otetpS r«""'"' ''"'' ="'
quite worn away and T w? ? . ' Bertrand's had
WhenKlorinecametin ,-::r ' \"' ^'""^ ^g-"-
- busied about the pa'c",^^ r rZeTl^ :-'T'"'
-re^s::aMo';T5r°i"'^^"^^^-''^'^--'
purpose in the question '" '" '^' '«"' ^o™"
"Ves, I leave Paris to-day "
"To-day?" she echoed
notXa'rrfr'orp* rihr t/n' ^°" ^^^'"= ' ^^'^
'or ail your kindn^r IZtkl? "f f ""'"« ^°''
(or — _ " T ,,;„. ; "^'"" I a"> glad you came
lips sounding so cold anT '"°"' *"" ""= ~^°'* '^" -/
"ay incomplete "'^^""■gless the sentence died
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140
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
I had already said much more than I intended, for I
was not fully aware of Jerome's intentions, and desired
to say nothing which would reveal them.
"Leave France?" she urged again, "Monsieur—"
she halted for the word quite naturally.
"De Mouret," I supplied, and for the first time she
knew my name ; surely it was little enough to trust one
with who had given me my life.
"Monsieur de Mouret is to leave France?"
"Yes," I answered her truly, "but not to-day, pos-
sibly not for several days. I would not go away with-
out seeing you again. ' '
I felt my tone become warmer as I thought of all this
girl had risked for me, and so blundered on uncertainly.
What was I to do? What could I offer her in repay-
ment? Not gold; she had refused that with the air of
a grande marquise the night she first helped me from
Bertrand's.
Heartily wishing for some of Jerome's finesse and
tact, I gazed at her, stupid and silent, watching the
tears gather in her eyes. I could only guess the thought
which wr.3 passing in her mind, and even there I wronged
her.
"Oh, Monsieur!" she spoke as from the fullness of
her heart, while her voice trembled with excess of emo-
, tion, "Monsieur is going back into the great world;
Monsieur has hono" and fair fame ; I must return to the
wineshop."
The poor girl m st have been wearied out with her
watchings by my bed, for she burst into such an uncon-
THE GIRL OF THE WINE SHOP ,4,
Reliable weeping as I fai„ would have prevented I
d.d my rough best at comfort, but had to kTh^ sor
row run its course. ^°*^
dJfui ^retipt'h?'' ' ""'^' ^° "^^'^ '» *-
«nue .0 draw n^tXe o bf Z^fiCl """^ '°"-
a:=e:o^::r™^^^^^^
were so kind to Florile '' ^ ' """" '"^^°" ^''°
^et, Monsieur, what can Florine do? TU. •
Ss'^ni\rb:-rf-^--"--^^^^^^
beats me. See ' "she 2^ ^'^ '° *' """'^ "^ ""«
the welts of cru:. ... "? *""■ ''"'""' ^■"^ ^''Po^ed
weits Of cruel cuts across the bare white flesh '■■^^.
denies me food in my carret <;„ 1 ^^
merry and work-a„d weep al ' the H T' T*' ''^
of the nights •• Mv h!? ^^ ^°' ""^ ■»'="/
^«;, but, e^^thitrsrt^f^r r
wondered what could be done ' ' ""'>'
bel'il'^e";; "ilr "" °' "^ =''--^. '"^•■•eve me,
-ster so well l«t ^hH "°P •^'^ '''"^^ ■»''"^'" "'^
fade me come with her W^ T P'"™''' ^^
p- , My mother^^^d „T^rer:r:jit
'5-^v can I go back? I H:,r^ „«. i.. ..- . ' "^ "°^^
dare not let her know how
I am
■■■Ma
142
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
h '
11
treated. It would break her heart, and she is so old and
tottering. If I seek other employment no one will take
me, no one would give me a character for service. All
the world is open to you. You go where you please, do
what pleases you. All the world is shut to Florine.
And you. Monsieur, ray only friend, I hoped when you
were well again, such a rich gentleman could find me a
place among his friends ; find me some quiet place where
I might live and be of use, not bringing evil to all I
touch. What an evil life, what a wicked life I lead.
Oh, Monsieur, save me from it; save me! The horrible
man you defended me from that night pursues me every-
where; my aunt is jealious because of him. She hates
me now and would like to drive me out upon the streets
— ugh ! the terror of it. But her husband won't let her;
he is kinder than she. See, I am pretty, I bring cus-
tom. She can not tell her husband why she hates me.
No, no. Bertrand would kill her. And I dare not tell
him. They would kill me — "
Her speech rambled on now, disconnected and inco-
herent. Still by catching sentences here and there the
whole pitiful story was clear to me. My eyes would al-
ways overflow at sight of woman's suffering, my throat
choked up ; I could speak no word to her. Of a truth
what a horrible life it must be; what iron webs do
sin and circumstance weave round their victim. The
cowering girl sobbed convulsively on the floor at my
feet. I laid my hand tenderly upon her head.
"Florine, I have but two friends myself in all this
land of France, You have served one of these faith'
THE GIRL OF THE WINE SHOP
H3
fully in helping me. I will commend you to him . .
am sure he will reward you well " ' """^
"Monsieur, I seek no reward • I .et^.A
money." ' ^ ^^'^^'^ you not for
She shamed me, though I persisted.
Not a reward, Florine, but surely you can let V
send you back to your mother. Here's monl ' i""
money, notmine; he is rich, lam poor H. ^' ^"'
for valuable service I can nni ? He can pay you
gratitude." ' " °"^^ ^'^" ^^^ "^^ ""dying -
I bent down and kissed her oale tnr^h^.A u
she wept afresh. ^ forehead, whereat
"Claude's wife will keep you here safe „nf;i
men A t^, ^ ^"^^^ of several horse-
I called Claude's wife up and delivered the »irl t„ h.
-P.ng, then turned to look out into the tr4 Th
were now drawn up in front of A 7 ^"^
equerries, we,, -un^ed a^d Tea l'^ w Ici^^ '"^'^
-^U took to .e those Jerome Ha^d Tro^tedlr^t;
which permitted a man to u/e his .LJ" .T^ ''""'"''
God had given them, ^;el I'™ .„:«,''' '"^''°'"
*en all this '"PPe^ cou,d' h7cas ^ Le^d^T;
W'i^t
'^'"^
144
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
! ' i !■!
faith, It was much simpler to lay it off than to array one's
self in. I never did Ifearn all the eccentricities of that
remarkable rig my fashionable friend had adorned me
with.
"Had we better not strap on our pistols?" I asked,
not knowing what he purposed.
"No; gentlemen do not wear them. Beside, at
Sceaux one sharpens one's wits, and lets even his good
blade dull and rust."
We mustered six stout swords as we clattered away
from the Austrian Arms, and I could not but note, de-
spite what Jerouie had said, he took good care to pro-
vide trusty fellows and Wift horses.
"A lean hound for a long race," Jerome laughingly
remarked, noticing my inspection of the not over-fed
nag I bestrode.
We took that road leading past the heights of Ville-
juif, which in hardly more than an hour's brisk ride
brought us to the park of Sceaux, overlooking the
beautiful Fontenay valley of which I was destined to
learn much. During this ride I had leisure to speak
with de Greville of Florine, for the girl's story had
roused a real desire in my heart to see her bettered.
"There are thousands such in Paris," he replied,
shrugging his shoulders unconcernedly. "The few tell
you truth, the many lie to you. You know not when
to believe them. If you like, though, I will see what
may be done. At least she may be placed in la Siiit-
peterie where no present harm can reach her, to earn a
living. It is not a pleasant life, and no wonder young
THE
ols?" I asked,
GIRL OF THE
^VlxVE SHOP
and pretty girls prefer th. ^^
-diaborof Saitp'eterie/ ^eTLTlf ^^ ^'^ ^-^"-n
He treated the matter ull ^" ''^- "
occurrence, yet was Jero„.e t ^^eTlf ''"^ ^^ -"^-^n
-e in great cities become so hard T'" ^'^ ^^^
cnme about them that they no l"^ '° '^^ ^'^e and
~t st' r ^^-"r^^^^^^^^^ ^- ^-iy, as J
J migiit say here thaf pj^ •
;''-p-'oad c, g,v,s Who : L ::;'? 7,' °- o, the next
she found a veo^ worthy yoZ^ ^ '°'''"''''- ^'"^'•^
-rfe, and after the mai^roTfhe '^^ ^'° '°°'' "^^ 'o
f "y tales yo„ children used o ,."";'""'''' ^"' •" «>e
ever aftenv,,^.., She becaJ , ' ""^^'"'appily
^ood w«e and devoted „,othe?'H;°":,!," ««°"»'s' T
Lo'-.s.ana, happy and prosperous *'" ^^^^ ''^^ »
'i
r ,iti
A, '
10~B
^ACK Wolf
I ■ ■ii
I I
'I
CHAPTER XIV
THE SECRETARY AND THE DUKE
THOSE reflect JciVo v/'ich I .'-ct down at the end of
the last paragr?bh Jriited me somewhat from the
regular thread of my :iarrativc. This, perhaps, is not
the only reason why I should stumble and shy alon ?
like a balky palfrey when I approach one of the trifling
accidents which transpired immediately after our arrival
at Sceaux.
Thinking now this matter over, my withered cheeks
lose their ashen hue, and burn again with the hot,
tumuiiuous blood of youth and shame. But I may as
well tell it with all the resolution a man summons before
plunging into an icy bath at midwinter. It came, the
unexpected prelude to one long, sweet song. It was in
this wise :
Jerome seemed a welcome guest at Sceaux, and from
the hearty greetings, yet respectful withal, which were
accorded him, must have been a man of more consider-
ation in the world than I had heretofore supposed. Be-
fore this, I received him at his own worth, and our
short acquaintance had been so filled with matters oi
serious moment, I made no inquiries beyond the scan'
1 i;-5)
•"■HE SECRETARV AND THE DUKE
UKE
1 at the end of
:what from the
perhaps, is no;
and shy alon?
e of the trifling
after our arrival
withered cheeks
with the hot,
But I may as
ummons before
It came, the
3ng. It was in
eaux, and from
lal, which were
more consider-
mpposed. Be-
vorth, and our
,^ith matters of
yond the scan'
H^ev^'toatmthTb? m!" ^f ^""'^' volunteered
"■e jovial Jests and flings he cast a ',f ' '''°"''' '-»
ro. .d. v..-hich set them ail a-lanl "'''° "°"'*<'
««. ehe do,„gs of the dav nd^'^- . "'^ '^■""■^ity
u«d to men of different par'ti " J" ?""'' ''P^''''^'^ he
Having disposed o, our hoS af'' "= ^^-"3'-
>o the groom, Jerome Lade 1""" ^'^^" '^'''et orders
"ends. Some part of trel'od /n'"'''"'^' *■"• ^s
'"' as a friend of Jerome^ afd°?'°*^'"> '^« to my
to return it. ^ *' ^'«' P"' me upon my mettle
As good luclc would hav^,v r
alierCharles dela Mora was •I?'"''' '"'^'"'- '"^Chev.
"P eariy on learning of ;ur::!::'; ^' ^«-''. and came .
7-^^i'^:it?::;:;f -«- -wart a„d
»"d cordial manner waT his '"""''• "''^ fr^nlc
^;* be surer :tr:utlre-'"°'"^- '"' '^'^ »
P'^f^Te, Several o, t^ ilr ' f *''* =»«^est
- with them I was immediate !?" ''' "^" =-"-.
Before entering the Vil r ^ " ^^'^ '^'•™^-
t" t' ^ ^Oo" flight^ '3 /p^t '■" ' ''-"-y at the
^'l^"gh my new eataIog!^o,''r?^ '"'' P°^'"""g
i;:!^!"^ '-/—s aprva^'^,":"^-' /--o-iy ,
T-"-o^theh.eofmetellf— ,!:;S
I- -
M
'»
148
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
II liif\.j!jiiiiiiiiiiir'
H f ,
whether he applauded my fine manners or laughed se-
cretly at the folly of it all. But I went on as I was
taught, bending myself pretty well double, half backing
into the door which led to an inner hall. Holding this
position, which however elegant it might have appeared
to those in front, was certainly neither graceful or at-
tractive viewed from within, I felt a sudden jar from the
rear, and being thus struck at a point of vantage, came
near to plunging forward upon my face. Before I could
recover my equilibrium and turn about, I heard the
jingle of a tray of glasses and a cool shower of spray
flew about my ears. Then the dazed and bewildered
eyes of a timid girl lodked full into mine ; she courage-
ously paused and essayed to stammer out an apology.
Her gaze, though, wandered past me, and one sight of
the drawn features of those who had seen it all and now
sought in vain to restrain their laughter, was too much
for this startled fawn. She turned and fled as the wind,
just when their merry peal burst out,
"Well, my little lady had best look where she goes,
and not run through a door with her eyes behind her,"
roared de Virelle, when the girl had well escaped.
"His clothes are ruined, and so fine, ah, so fine,"
drawled Miron.
"By my soul. Captain, you have flowers to spare,"
chimed in Le Rue. "That's right, gather them up, for
Mademoiselle is not usually so generous with her guer-
dons that any should be lost. The little icicle. "
His speech was suited to my actions, for, like a fool,
I had already dropped upon my knees, busied about
THE SECRETARV AND THE duke
busied aboiit
picking up the scattered mc j
vases from whicl, tliey li.d If, '^P'^'^'^S *eni in ,he
-iiin? and rattling a^u^l'tr-J"^ J^ ^^ =«"
my shame must consume me and ^ J ""^' ' '^"
'.;mbie occupation to hide my ,a« ^h "'-'^^ '" '''''
of a confused recollection now l^, ■ " """« ^^
H'an-servant at length came tr,^"^"'"' "^^ 'h^' »
while I watched him vacrtll T" "^ ""^ ''•^g'"™'^.
in ray hand. ''""^' * ^"S'^d bunch of roses
;*rl::ltfoL™'^^^^^^^^^^^ "-'ed at my
">e mam purpose of our visit A. ,r""™' '"'' ^'S'" <"
- did headroitry turn a .opttf'" ^ '^'"°''°'"^'
hose channels where miJht k ~"''"^«ion into
information we wanted ^-PPosed to run the
■«-d r^ch?;?^ ■;■">' ,r- '-« of ™,-nd.
'«'ness of the camp suteH I I ' ^"'^ ^^'"'""'i di-
T-l'-gh I n,ight disc "ett i "^ ->'= »d speech.
"»« It with the credit I co„W ^ ^"^"^' '<^°"'dnever
"d my mind of the childlh ''• ''"'"^- ^"^ ~"'d I
instant confronted me a t f"" *'"^'' '°^ ""^ ^^o"
"-ed more on her Tma.ed 'r. """" *^" ' P°"-
"°«nce than upon on' of'"" ""' '"'"*'"'" '""- '
failure. P"" °" ""'n chances for success or
^h '- a' p:j;~;:',:;:- ^"r '"^' ^ ^*-^
"^^3 made her no great falT '■"'^'^ ^=^^^^«d man-
*ich collected att'g ^a 7" "^ *^°""^ '"-^
-^* -^ «-"uk iittle
ISO
THE BLACK VCLF'S BREED
'niijjil I ,..:;il.:!
part in their conversation, and was glad when Jerome
by a gesture called me to follow him away.
"Let us go to sec Madame," he said simply, when
we were entirely out of hearing,
"Du Maine?" I inquired, vaguely wondering why we
should venture into the lion's den.
"No — Marlame — the other," he replied with some
degree of hesrvation.
I follow d him without further questioning. He led the
way, which was doubtless a familiar one, and the maid
at the door, knowing him, admitted us at once to
Madame's apartment. The woman, who sat alone in
the dainty silk-hung boudoir, rose and came swiftly for-
ward to greet Jerome, the radiant girlish smile changing
quickly when she perceived me enter behind him. It
was more the grande dame, and less the delighted woman,
who acknowledged my presentation with courtly grace.
Intuitively I felt her unvoiced inquiry of Jerome why
he had not come alone. Yet was she thoroughly polite,
and chatted pleasantly w**:h us concernir ^ the news of
the day,
' 'We are to have a fete this afternoon ; you must both
come. Each guest I.; exp;jctcd to contrhute in seme
way to the entertainment of the company. You Jerome —
M, de Greville," she begged pardon w:'- a sudden
glance at me, "You, M. de Greville ill do btless favor
us with a well-turned madrigal, h i, my dear
Captain de Mouret, in which direction do /our talents
lie?"
when Jerome
THE SECRL-TARV AND THE DUKE
^^_^Ihav.„o.a,e„.,Mada™e;ap,ai„b,u.,e„a„o,.h«
■J-sed. Ah, it has been ^ ^.,. ;\,~ ."f"-"/
were created, some of thp n, , %,f , '™' *''™ m™
.0 ...„ th; sou,s " ir J ;l--tVr
youcould gve usa sf-nru?" ''^'^'^eys. But surely
<<~ouf, .„. Ce^S -;- e taU.d on, „o^
once to tell her u ^we cnm. . , P''°«=d=d at
Menc.. he ever ke sol^^'' ""''' '" ^" '>'^~n-
sake. The maTd re „ ^"^ '" ^'""'"' '°' ^^^y's
announced, • M ,e Valef """ '"''""P'^" -' ^^e
A gkam 0/ anger swept acros. Madame's face
Bid him wa t my nleasur^ !n «, '
ten m|n„tes earh- Vn T ""te-room. He i,
cj, cdnj . jMo_ the sooner he comos tr,
« '3 oyer; wait; bid him come in M TeC l'"™''
An<.s„itcaLra;ir::Sma'r^n"''
opened my mind to thewa,.,ff=, . ^""^ *'"=''
and I grew to learn pon whaf Z^ "^*f "^^ "-"g^d.
of malice, of jealousy IZ 7l\ " '^'^^'^' "' '»«,
"-t Often hang From ''''"''■"'■^^°'''«'-°"
"■ '"' ^-^^ »^™«n Madam, and her
U
.1 ^
i. ^'m.
'. i
ff ■■:' '■ ''''
i'lf:! !
153
THE BLACK WOLF S BREED
caller. The maid withdraw, in the slow hurry of a
truant on his way to, school, but hastened at a sign of
annoyance from Madame.
"Monsieur de Valence, you are full ten minutes early.
You know I bade you be always exactly punctual," was
Madame's petiuant greeting of the handsome man who
bore himself so meekly in her presence.
No tone was ever colder, no demeanor more haughty
than hers, and this proud man who bent before no
storm, who held the fortunes of many within his grasp,
bowed like an obedient child to her whim.
"Yes, Celeste, I know, but — "
"Madame de Chart^ain," she corrected. (I use the
name de Chartrain, though it was not her own.)
"Yes — Madame, I know, but, it is so hard to wait;
do you not understand how I count the minutes every
day until — ' '
"Yes, yes, I've heard all those fine excuses before.
To your business. The other can wait, business first,
then—"
"Pleasure?" he supplemented with an eagerness
strangely at variance with the rigid self-control he had
hitherto shown.
"I did not say pleasure," she gravely broke in, "your
business." •
The man submitted with the patience of one quite ac-
customed, yet not wholly resigned to such a reception,
and spread numerous papers upon the table before her.
Selecting one he began to explain :
"Your wishes in regard to this matter have been car*
)rokein, "your
have been car*
THE SECRETARy AND THE DUKE ,53
ful at the restraint." '^ """""«• """"Sh '«'-
"Very good. And the other?"
tH^t^'re^tnlrr;;:^;:^-^-''"^---
-= years ago. H^e • Xt„th:to;'n-''r''
can look over at leisure. The Duke h!T """"■ ^°"
this in his impatience to .-en, dy the y " r'" 1'
will serve, however, to make hi^T- , ^°- "
clever and devoted to him- ""^ ^^ ^^"=» "°^«
I listened closely at the name "Ward."
Well, now so far so P-onrI a j ..
finance. That is o, more Ctant'" '"^ ''"^^"»" °'
blestlin-Xse'dlTil'^ .The Madame often dab-
■•s harder to dece":. 'll^r*'"? Z^ '"" '''
figures, clever though she be otherwise TTT' "
'his; this calcilation. See there i!? , ^^ °''"
;™ or an item, which result /dstrcfo/lTr''-
housand livres. It appears there to have been IT
by the money lender for his greater ^n V
study this copy beldre the Duke comes Th ""
he quite prepared to point out thTe^r a^d"" T '"u'
correction H^-^ : u- "^ ^"^ ""'^ke the
Ah, good," she sa d looking over fi,»
dum he had given her of the ,Z^„r. ... '^^'""^-
calculations all neatly carried out "' "'"' *' """'^
I;'
.'■11
i.f
I • I
9. l> f(% I
Hi
1 1
111
' in '
<}
1
i !
THE BLACK wolf's BREED
"Well, that is enough for this morning; you may
go; these things weary me."
"Celeste, Celeste, how long is this to continue? will
you never — ' '
"Madame," she corrected positively, rumpling and
smoothing out again the paper in her lap.
"As you will," with an air of hopeless protest. "Do
you mean always to send me away when our business is
completed — ?"
"Was it not our agreement?"
"Yes, but I thought— "
"You had no right to think."
' 'A man must needs think whether he will or no, what
is of life itself. Are you a woman of ice? Do you not
realize I sell all I hold most dear, the confidence born
of a life-time's honest service to my King, my own
honor, only to serve you to be with you?"
"I am weary. It is time for you to go."
"Yes, but is there nothing else? You agreed — "
"Oh, I know, why remind me?" She turned upon
him fiercely, "Do you wish to make me hate you?
Now you are only an object of indifference, objection-
able to me as are all men who make love, and sigh, and
worry me. Do you wish me to hate and despise you
more thru the rest?"
"God forbid! But—"
"You still insist?"
"Yes, I must have my thirty pieces of silver, the
price of my treachery," de Valence returned bitterly;
"men die in the Bastille for lesser offenses than mine."
I
y; you may
ontinue? will
THE SECRETARY AND THE DUKE ,55
sJJ^UoIZ "*"'" *^ ^'""'"' '^P"«^- -*o„t ,
through the portiere QU Z ^^'^ ^''^O' ^ord
ValenL ^usfno: ::spe« """'^^ '•^^^^" ^--^' <>«
looking ^as we i r,i 1 Ir^LTv f" '?* ^""^ °'
her, but lifted his heir^galn. "" '""^'' °>'-
"Celeste— Madame, so colH tm
-arble lips of Diana ii t"e part '• ' '"' ''"' ""^
the instant. 'fltyl In' '"' "^^ ""' P'^'^ '»'
commodities YouL v T""'' " '"'* ^ """^ ''^"er of.
The ma^^ at' :d::rdtxr "h^7°" '''~-- '•
the woman gave ,0 si^ all '^"^ '"'" """• ''«
intense impatience ^ '"^ ""^ ^°™P='^^ion. only
youlm'; t?:: a-sor^d 1'°." "^''"^ "» """^ ^^
price?.. * '°'^''"' '""^'^^'er to wrangle over your
%ht,'Xde^ri-r' r^'' "■«'-
the table as he went T ^^^^"''"^ "P ^is papers from
Ma^ameheldlSyilrerrl'^^'^'^"'-^"-
. ^e 'elt thoroughly conscious Of o..r „»:u t..._
^when we put aside the SYeen 7"^^"''''"'^ ^""^
"^ ^"^^^^ and re-entered the
156
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
room. There was a certain air of resentment in his
manner, as if he would call her to account, and I heartily
wished myself otherwhere. Perhaps it was all for the
best; my presence prevented, for the time, explanations,
and I fancied the woman was grateful for the respite.
Her lassitude, and effort to overcome it, smote me to the
quick, and right willingly I would have aided her had I
but the power. To Jerome she spoke :
"You heard— all?"
He nodded.
"And saw?" Less resolutely this question came.
The words conveyed the wish, unexpressed, that he had
not heard. To me she gave no thought. Again Je-
rome nodded, and looked away.
"It is the penalty and the price of powei. Oh, Je-
rome, how fervently I have prayed that this all had r.ct
been," she went on oblivious of my presence.
Jerome's resentment faded away at her mute appeal
for sympathy, and I am very sure ne would not have
me chronicle all that then occurred. Suffice it, that I
employed myself by the window, some minutes per-
haps, until a hasty rap on the door, and the maid bore
a message which she delivered to her mistress in secret.
"Bid him come in at once if it please him."
"He is already here, madame," the girl replied.
We had barely time to gain our former hiding place
before a man richly dressed, and limping, entered; the
same I had seen in the gardens of Versailles. I was
now intensely interested in this little drama, which, as it
THE SECRETARY AND THE DUKE
'H-'f.
were, was being played for my own benefit ,„H
both, and to W tn^, '''""■ ^^^"^ '"<'"'" ^
adopted whe: th^ s^c ^ 1''^"'°" ^^'■^■"^ "«
'ancd. the Duke t^eltd to^t onTe^^ "'" '"^^
ni.ghty intrigue whicli oerrh, ° . "^'^^ °' »
ter of an empireplrchaf """''' "'^'''^ ■"■" ■"«=- '
or to tl,e block "^We^re r"^".'™ '° '"^ ^^""'^
Philip of Orleans tholth i. ' """ ">= ^''^"doned
-ever spared an -J'::;' W ^ riTn' "' "^"*'
him, his timid mind sh a.,r "^'"' ^^""''"S
a decisive test and hf u """'"^ '■''^ '°«"»^^ to
the increas.^g f let s otth'T^'' '"'"■'' '» -
whenaquick'-strok'rrjintlo::' '""" '"" "^^
^- -A j:erotiit:r;:::r- ^°-*-
Have you heard, Celeste, of Yvard?" h. • • .
dropping into a seat ^^ squired,
"oMfh^tX" «T"''''^''''^=' -^ » '-W
..*'■ '■
-m-^aek
^ ^.^^vi^.»tm^msttMMiSmfimSSiimea^Bim
158
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
Ni I ■■' y :'| •' r|; i
2 -
f
i
?
"What!" exclaimed the woman, as if genuinely
alarmed, and learning the bad news at first hand.
"Yes, the cursed fool lost them in some drunken
brawl in the city. We have had the place thoroughly
searched, but — "he finished the sentence with a shrug to
express his failure.
"What if they should reach Orleans?" he continued
evenly. "My men fear he has gone to him anyway,
hoping to play in with both for pardon. I'd feel much
safer could we only lay our hands upon him. He is the
one ma I beside ourselves here who knows— who knows,
anything," the Duke went on with growing trepida-
tion.
"Well, make yourself comfort, my lord, I took the
responsibility to detain Yvard in Taris,"
"You?" he sprang from his chair in astonishment.
"You? Why? How?"
"I thought your safety demanded it. My lord is too
generous, too confiding," she threw toward him a
glance of concern poor de Valance would have periled
his soul to win. You see, when we entrusted him with
this business, it was so delicate a mission, I set a watch
upon him — some of my own people of Anjou— and
when he acted negligently they reported to me. He
began drinking, too, and freely, so I feared his discre-
tion. I now have the man safe in Paris. What would
my lord with him?"
Du Maine fixed his cold eyes upon her, for a short
space, then,
"ll; would be prudent to put him quietly out of the
astonishment.
THE SECRETARY AND THE DUKE ' ,59
way "he suggested, the thin lips dosing cruelly. .'No
hold h,m, we may have further need for his sword Bui
have a care that lie talks to no one "
Madame had raised no objection to the Duke's cool
command that an end be made of Ward, yet I didh^
the credit to suppose it was because she well knew she
might do as she liked, and he be none the wiser
He now settled himself upon a divan near Madam,
with all the complacency of a man whose o vnTo s^hl
has saved him a serious trouble, and said after maSre
otrcr -g^"'"^ '^-^'■''"">' - «•« ^P-'ve Cherub: '
"Well, it could not have been so bad after all for I
observed the caution to prepare a warning for our friends
across the frontier and had arranged for a friend of our
to be entrapped by Orleans, betraying misleading X-
patches to him. A fine plan, think you ? Menezes Z
know^is devoted to me. and I have promised hima
"Who did your grace say was to be this friend?"
Menezes."
"Why Menezes?"
"I have done much for the fellow, and he is not over
cleve^; clever enough for the purpose, you know'
"Does my lord not remember Mene.res is a brother of
he Perrault whom you had hanged .cm. years ago? I
fear you have been badly advised . "
"No! I do not recall him."
"The rogue who cast a stone at yoitr horse?"
■'k
^agMi«a«gigS';3!3-S!T-r-
1 60
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
"Ah, I bring him to mind. Short, thick-set fellow,
who whined something about hunger, children, and the
cold. Ugh! What concern have I with the rabble?
But how do you know this, Celeste?"
"I have long misdoubted him, and had the rascal
overlv)oked. He is of Picardy, and his father was at-
tached to St. Andre, who likes not His Grace, the Duke
of Maine."
"No, by my faith, he hates me. Ah, I see it all.
Celeste, you should have been a man, a mxn's wit al-
most you have. Really, so much brain is wasted in
that pretty head of yours. Madame will come to com-
prehend she does not know it all — yet she torments me
till I give in. I think' I shall take firmer hold, and
manr.ge my own affairs to better advantage than she.
Ugh! What a scrape she was like to get me in."
He gradually regained the expression of complete
satisfaction with himself, and prepared now to show the
masterpiece of his work, the contract with Antonio oi
Modena, the money-lender.
"Here are our financial plans ; the usury is high, but
there is great risk, so thinks Antonio ; egad! perhaps
he is right, though it is possible we may pay him. Al-
together a most excellent plan, my own work ."
Madame interrupted him, thinking perhaps it v/as
wise that he should not be committed too far that he
could not throw the blame on other shoulders. She
took advantage of a pause to examine the document
with apparent care.
"Yes. excellent, but let us see. Three, seven, twelve,
4M i^'
THE SECRETARY AND THE DUKE ,6,
fourteen twe„ty-thrc=-here is some mistake. Let -s
go over ,t again. Yes, l,ere it is. Tliis is not your ac-
countmg. The miserly Lombard would cozen ;:"
your lionor .f he could but sell it again. Here is an
error of near ten thousand livres; let me correct it f'^
And while he stared at her she deftly copied the cor-
rect amounts from the slip she held concealed in her
hand. She ,«.ew the figures were his own, but gave no
"I doubt not you would have looked over it more
refully before you signed it, and these matters w"u d
liave been detected by your own eyes."
k.'j7' ^.T" ''^ '■'P"''' nervously, reaching out his
hand for the paper lest she observe-what her qu.ck
yes had at first seen-that the contract already'bTre
hs signature and seal. She gave it him and he r !
placed It carefully in his breast.
"I will give those careless secretaries a lesson they
or ly need •■ and in this disturbed condition of mid
he blustered out of the apartment, forgetting his usual
ga antr,es, which Madame so diplomaticaliy put aside
v/ithout givmg too serious offense.
Jerome leaned against the window-facing, his unsee-
olr r "H,^'b " '": ''"\'''°''' '"= "«^ ^-'>™"
«th the murkmess of a settled and dismal day Per
chance his thoughts wandered with his childhood's
sweetheart amid the fertile vales of far away Aniou
seven, twelve, s 11— Black Wolf
> t
i*it|i
162
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
Nothing was more distant from him than the gilded
furnishings, the frescoes, the marble Venus at hitf elbow.
Beside her table, alone, and abstracted as Jerome, the
woman toyed with a dainty fan; her impassive beauty,
born of rigid training, betrayed not the inner desola-
tion. Her face was calm and serious enough, the skin
lay smooth and glowed with all those delicate tints that
women love.
Her quietude reminded me of the slumbering ocean,
glassy and tranquil, whose unmarred surface conveyed
no hint of sunken ships beneath, of cold dumb faces
tossing in the brine, of death-abysses where wrecks
abandoned lie.
I slipped away withoyt rousing a protest from Jerome,
and closing the door softly left them to their medita-
tions and to each other.
'Ii
. I
? ■ 1.^'
CHAPTER XV
NEW HOPES
MOW, that I was well out o( their way !, came to
IN me to wonder what I sh^„M j T '"
Jerome might please l eltetat t "^•f ""'"
vored me with occupation. Pas:-^;' hr^h The h"an i
»iZ:hnidtt mie' :: r -"^'^ '° - ^-^ °'
^aYouhemostcTarrgrMoSr?^-^:''
member, you are onh, o u- i- viara. Ke-
seH no Jh .Z^^^ ^"^ -" «'- Xour-
an Jo:tt:ttd' TZfr-'^'' *™- -^"^ op^,
ra.e. Shets hea'^r/eirr 17^'"?°"'°""^
was diminutive, and oetulMt J ^ '^^"'■*' =''*
::ro;tLr£rdr -^^
an alcove lest neTrl u ^ ''"PP"^ ^^^'^ '"^^
1 64
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
'ii
^liii
! Ii
The Villa being a strange ground, it fretted me to be
alone therein, with notlilng to think of but this trouble
of my friends. And Madame dc Chartrain, did I blame
her? Blame Jerome? Yes— no. I hardly knew.
Viewed at a distance and impartially, such things strike
us with aversion, and we are quick to condemn. But the
more I thought the nearer I came to concluding it took
something more than a mere mummery to make a wife.
All the ceremonials and benedictions and lighted can-
dles and high-sounding phrases could not bind a
woman' s heart, where that heart was free, or called
some other man its lord. Yet the bare fact remained,
this woman was a wife, and to me, at least, that name
had always been a sacred and holy one.
To what vain or wi.c conclusions my cogitations may
have led me, I conceive aot, for another small matter
now quite absorbed iiiv whole attention. It was the
beginning of that one ck^.r hope which speedily banished
all others. It is said the trippant tread of Fate doth
leave no print upon the sand to mark its passage, nor
doth she sound a note of warning that the waiting hand
may grasp her garments as she flies.
A gleam of white in one of the summer houses
caught my roving eye, and quite aimlessly I passed the
door. A chit of a child crouched upon the floor, and
leaned forward on the benches, weeping as though each
sob were like to burst her little heart. I grant it was
no affair of mine, yet my tears were ever wont to start,
and eyes play traitor to mine arm at sight of woman's
trouble. Without thinking one whit, I stepped in be-
NEW HOPES
i6s
and sincerity i„ n,y voice a„d" ^" °' '^"'P='"'>'
>J^^Z':': ' "'-^'■'■•'*-o,dMo„sieurViard.
I^ was the same little mmVl T u^^ . .
that was v,hy I tremb ied 1 '''" '" "" "■'"■ ^""^
ingshe had got I If.h,^'"' T"' T" '°^ ""=^~W.
she wept. ^'" ™y ''^'^^"' '» inquire why
eo hl^nrtttronatf^THr ' T '"""" °'^^<'='-
pendent position. Ad tnZ:^ T "^m ' "^ '^^-
encd up proudly till she wasTui ; a ' "™''^'"-
sfeur, I come of a race as dd Tu "' "'^°''-
wed." "CharleoT . ^" °*"-''"d as hon-
you .enow, 'tii: r;-f ;?h:"r --^^ '^ ^°^^'
take me with him " '^°^''"'^'' ^"^ ^^^
-eTr'rerouiotf/:-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
«lves when tU.yt^^f^JI^ Th Tf "■™-
Of passion, their netfv o ^^^"^ ''"^^ ^^^^ts
-s-a„ we::ur::^,„ T^r rLrr ''''■"■
yet an unread boolt. ™ '° "« "as
ciousi*' '"" °' *^ '■°"- M- Le'oux hailed me gra-
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i66
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
"Well met, my dear Captain ; we go to the park, and
would have you bear us company. Where is M. de
Greville?"
I explained as best I might his absence, and folio d
them in lieu of better employment, forgetting for the
time the threatened fete. Before I could extricate my-
self, these new friends had led me into a brilliant circle.
and duly presented me to Madame, who sat on a sort
of raised platform in the center.
She showed no traces of her recent anger and spite,
vented upon that patient girl who now claimed all my
thought. Her ladies, some languishing literary nota-
bles of the day, and officers, stood about discussing the
news, and talked of naught but some fetching style or
popular play, through all of which I struggled as
bravely as my dazed condition would permit. It seemed
I would never grow accustomed to the like, though it is
said many men find great delight in such gatherings.
But one thing I searched for most eagerly.
Behind Madame's chair, after a little, appeared the
sweet shy face of my weeping Niobc of the park. I
felt she saw and recognized me, and my face grew
warmer at the thought. I made bold to ask one of the
gentlemen standing near me who the lady might be,
and not desiring to point at her, simply described her
as well as possible, and as being in attendance upon
Madame.
"That, Monsieur, is Madame Agnes, wife of the
Chevalier de la Mora ; the wittiest and most beautiful
woman at Sceaux, and the chilliest."
ilf' ( •
NEW HOPES
fcr her own hu band Such "" "'" '° P'^
«" o, livin,. Beside. ^:^:Z .t"™^ ''^" ""«
s-vord and a most unpleasant .emo/ n ' r"*'""'
""Bul-iTr '-"Se/attX; «'""'»«'>•■<«-
-Ye ' b, /"'"',' ""'* «^"" " "•«« child •■
<<arin,yo™,Aro„et;tTareVh:~^^^^^ *"" '"'
versal fame under the name Voltaire '""" •*"-
spoken to me of Sharif" "d o, " ' •""" ' '"= '■^''
-^M;ii^t:rr:^:p--.oodinte„.
cellent cobblestones tcward th. / . '"'' ""^^^ ^'"
^evv days and I woulHe go e st^ th"^' ^'^ ^
passed through in peace <^lT ^ those could be
Eve^he:rwars ; rX'^^^^^
Wendship and virtue wLTl2 7 u^""' "°»°'-
of a fool. Why shouM 17^ • ? *" ™''" '='>''""a»
Directly Mad,t " rl' '">°y "'^ -"■•'- ' "-.f ht,
'""'"'"> ™t««d without intrud-
■f «» ♦
&>
thttfriimBd
t ^^
1 68
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
t "
-#;
ing, and composedly took her place among the ladies
who made room for her near Madame. Nothing in her
manner bore evidence of her recent conflict. It was
really marvelous how the life these women led schooled
them to a stoicism any Choctaw brave daring the stake
might envy. She nodded to me gaily, and I stopped
to touch her hand .
"Where is M. de Greville? Is he not to be with us
this afternoon?"
I looked her in the face, wondering, for could she not
answer her own question far better than I? She read
my meaning, but her glance never wavered.
"Ah! There he is, among the gentlemen. I feared
he found Sceaux too dull after Paris, and he had prom-
ised us a bit of his work. You know he composes fa-
mous verses to some fair and distant inamorata."
"Indeed, Madame, I suspected not his talents," I
replied. Our conversation lagged, for the programme
had already commenced, and we gave our attention to
the reading of some curious letters, said to have been
written by two Persians of distinction then traveling in
Europe, which were being published anonymously in
Paris. At first, I could not b;ing myself to listen to
such twaddle, dubiously moral, which, under the guise
of light, small talk, struck at the foundations of govern-
ment, religious beliefs, and all which I had before held
sacred. Listening only to contradict, I grew interested
in spite of myself, and only at some allusion more than
usually out of place, as it seemed to me, among so
NEW HOPES
169
t to be with us
many ladies, did I take my eye, fron, A . .
tenance, and suffer tliem ,i ? ""e reader's cou*
Feeling again rtfllTfl °" "'"'»»P='"y-
fixed full upon „e, it cau L mv T\°' ^^''"' £"«
""- to quake, a;d veray mT,:'"'^ '° «-". "y
carry n,e away as to sustain ^rwe^: I P "^ '"' '°
a Tee. The girl was looking strait /'""'' "2"'"^'
not return her stare which Lf . ""=' ' <^"«1
- -osity in it, :^t::Li:tX'"'"' "■'-
pJeXi;!:;: '^XT^' ----- •
which I did not L wheT™!^^""' "-rough with,
Madame, brought me to 2— "'"'"• <^*"^'' by
"Jerome?'' T """'^ J^'" O""- merriment "
■»emi«red hearing him recitV^ml Ian. 1 '" ' "'
about a white rose akissTl!^ • 'anguishing verses
»nd «uch other stuff thr* ^ ' ''P»-sorne sighs,
Pa.dnoatten«;nto".*u ""^ *''''P" "-but I had
w~:;i't:fn:der:iho"tr'^ ■^'"'-' -
»as no carpet knirttrnnM.^'' ''* *«^" ■'new I
on the to„™;'fii''„r::t "''"^•■"■■"^ '="^- '=*
•■T'.. Captain sings divinely, Madame, bu, i, be-
^'l, ■■
i
1
_^:
i
i
I/O
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
t
;«flH
1
i
■ ■'■''^
■ M.
iiyi,:
comingly modest, as you see. " The wretch laughed in
his sleeve; I could have strangled him.
"Ah, so rare," she retorted, "you men are vainer
than my ladies."
I knew m/self the target for dozens of curious eyes,
unCcr the heat of which I near melted away.
"Sing, comrade, sing some sweet love ditty of a
lonely forest maiden and her lover, robed in the inno-
cence of Eden."
Had the fool no sense? I caught the imploring ex-
pression of interest on tlie girl's sweet face behind Mad-
ame, and determined at all hazards they should not have
the kugh at me. I saw it all then ; they were in league
with Jerome to play a game of "bait the bear," with me
for beai .
So I pitched in and sang, such a song I warrant as
my lords and ladies had never bent their ears to hear
before, a crooning death incantation of the Choctaws,
which fell as naturally from my lips as my own mother
tongue.
Their laughter hushed, for even in the court of France,
sated as it was with novelties, laying a world under trib-
ute for amusements, that wild, weird melody never rose
before nor since. One stanza I sang translated into
French that they might understand ;
«• YuhJ Listen. Quickly you have drawn near to hearken ;
Listen! Now I have come to step over yonr soul ;
You are of the Wolf Clan ;
Your name is Ayuni ;
Toward the Black Coffin of the upland, in the upland of the
Darkening Land your path shall stretch out.
t ■•»
:tch laughed in
icn are vainer
NEW HOPES
with the Black CofRn and the Black Slab. I H
cover you. *^* ^'*'»« I have come to
Madame besought J^lhl "°""' ''"^«" "«««•
ana .he o.He„ cVwraTlTrC VT '" ?" '
What evil genius of folN, ^ ^° "^^ ^now
■noved more than I woM^Lt T *'"""' """'
"o-n the gentlemen who stood abon = ?'" ""^^ers
whose weight and balance commX the "l"^ '""^
to my purpose, I cleared , c „°^° themselves most
a serving ^an lor ap^k „, «1'T' "" """"^ ^^
pinned it to a tree Stanl?^ ' . ^°'' " ''"^ ^P<« ""d
paces. I cast the four knive ft ^f ^""^ 'V '» «"-»
accession, piercing them " urt^h'""" " '' '" ""'■'=''
and cast the fifth knife a^th? . """"^ * ""■""te
between the other fit It "'"' ^'""'"^ ^'-^tely
y« I hated for Jerome to t. T '" ""' "' ''"^ ™"'ty,
By these pet4 mea„s1 ?' °" ""^ "^>' ''»■"=•
'^e belies and gTllTr / sCu'/atd"? ^'""^''''' '^^
"°t his lips to jibe me « i T .' ** ■'^'■°"'« 0P™ed
plauded. ' ™'' ^^ ' '«"^d- but like the rest, ap-
I had now o^'^-a » • ,
'""' "^""^'' -"y courage, but for the
- ij
I
f
mmm
m
I
ill
172
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
girl. I loved to think of her as but a girl ; that she was
also a wife I barred out of our castle in Spain. Why
should I be afraid of such a timid child? Verily, I
knew not.
My folly had one result I could not then foresee; it
told some of those present, whose hand it was had cast
the hunting knife which struck Yvard. I did not learn
this for days after.
The approving and pleased look on the little lady's
face fired me with an insane desire to further win her
notice, whereat I chided myself for a vain coxcomb,
and drew imperceptibly away from th» company, until I
gained a shady and secluded walk whichrled to a retired
nook overlooking the valley.
The quietude of the evening's close jarred on my tur-
bulence of spirit. For the first time a woman's voice lin-
gered in my ears after her speech was done, a woman's
smile played as the fitful summer's lightning before my
eyes. Oh, fool, fool! What place had women in a
soldier's life. What a discordant harmony would one
angel create amid the rough denizens of Biloxi. So 1
reasoned, forgetful that reasons never yet convinced the
heart.
I
■*f
CHAPTER XVI
THE UNEXPECTED
terless imaginings before 1' Isudd nTa" h "' 't
me the perfume nt h. suaden whiff brought
"iid'wrhihr:" i t-^"^ '^"«'"-- "- voice
"Monsieur, quick, h'sten. You are in T
v::tfetr/^-rr^?^^'-""^^^^^
other dangt- stn"o„r TT?"""" "''• ^^ere is
-aai, da^;^r ,:^i: t vtirr^cr -
, - -—i-, . wuaeecfi you to
('73)
■'h
WW
n,
M
iiiiiiliiiiataiaiiiiit]!'
174
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
leave — at once. M. de Greville will take those letters
from you by force or guile. Oh, tarry not, there has
been so much ot blood, and this place so seeming fair;
the assassin, the poison and prison houses."
The eloquence of fear trembled in her words. Half
starting forward I drank in every syllable, not for the
warning she would fain convey, but for their sweetness.
All I could realize for the moment was that she had
sought me, sought me freely. Then she was gone.
Swiftly, noiselessly as she came, she disappeared. The
distant flutter of her skirts among the sombre trees
marked the path she went. Through it all I spoke no
word, returning, as one who has received an angel's
visit, to my reverie.
I was not suffered long to spend my time alone. The
old beau, de Virelle, in his bluff and hearty way di-
rected the attention of a party of ladies who were with
him to where I hung over a marble balustrade enrap-
tured at the broad expanse of valley, rosy tinted with
the hues of ebbing light, boundless as the dim horizon
of my own sweet dreams.
"By my faith, Captain, you should have heard the
clamor over your departure. Already famous, and so
soon weary of your laurels. Ah! a tryst," he ex-
claimed. "Verily you do better than I thought," for
he had picked up a muslin handkerchief, edged with
lace, which sought in vain to hide itself among the
leaves. So busied had I been it escaped my notice.
Instinctively I reclaimed the prize and with no gentle
'WM'
THE UNEXPECTED
hand I doubt for hio «.« i .
erated .he sacred .et of iV"' .'T '"^ "'"""' "««-
Da Virelle. cowled ::'e,I"";:"'^-!--
■nceting a no less detejrned V *" P^"'P"«'on. but,
His ladies affected nor"::' Th "" ' 1'" '"'"'" "y'
me with inquiries about the savageTirAlt-'"™ ""'=''
all manner of silly auesHnn. j America, asked
foolish ^imperings «,e dC;* ? >~T'"''' '''■"• '■>«'>
interruption to my thoutl ' y! """^ 'e't at such an
of novelty to women they clunl Ik^'"' '^ the force
^■•esoftheworid,andu;g heJn '"," '"^ "^P""'-
i»g of truth at all times. " "^ "' "''"'' ^"^ '»ok-
"How brutally frank! What h,^ i. .
semed that young woman. ^ breeding as-
"Thiscaptain seems so full of w»=,:
-d lacks the grace to veil " de«n«rL" °'" T'"^'
Finding no hand of mine rated t^K- T "' ^°-
fair dames and demoiselle" S ' "'' *'"•■ """^
'-Xrt::cht;-v£i---
-n.m,.,.,o„.,^3etout slowly toward the vC
'1'
.{•
176
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
m
The meaning of all the girl had said now forced itself
upon my attention. If this were true, and it seemed
plausible enough in view of all that had transpired here,
I was indeed confronted by a new and serious danger.
Happily danger was not a new fellow-traveler ; I merely
turned over in my mind the best means to meet it.
Going rather out of my way, I found the grooms
without much difficulty, and telling them we were to
leave Sceaux at once, ordered the horses saddled, and
made ready at a side door where I directed them to
wait. My ovvn mirt^^ y«s to tell Jerome nothing of it,
t)ut simply to mount th6 best horse and ride away alone
— if that course became necessary.
• •••••
I will break in a bit just here to speak of an incident
which occurred that very night in the modest boudoir
of Madame de la Mora. Had I but known of it at the
time, it would have saved me many weary months of
suffering.
Madame Agnes de la Mora sat placidly, her work
basket by her side, busied about some lace she was
mending. The Chevalier studied a number of military
maps of Louisiana at his table. It was a pretty picture
of domestic harmony, then quite unfashionable at
Sceaux. A timid rap at the door, and a voice:
"Sister, may I come in?"
"Yes, child," and her sister Charlotte slipped silently
in and sat herself upon the floor at Madame's feet.
There was a striking similarity between the two. Mad-
ame, for all her dignified title, Ipjng but a year the
r.'
THE UNEXPECTED
'77
Cider, and she scant of twenLy Ch;,rln^..
slighter and more dchcatelv color./' ' '^'"^^hat
bca.. than her sister, t^^ ^h^rr^IJ^ ^^ ^'^^
to come. To the casual observer T, *'""
when viewed apart Ihov J Tl "^''- «P«'ally
0. the other. Se ITs ^'h "'"'' "''""•°- °"«
ianship in .he attitJl^re^ ';«„;; 'T"' ^""<^
that of the younecr as O »! J ? <'°'>Mmg trust in
=i-r;s.„ee'i„pf:;C':;4rn'' "" "^'^ ""»" "-
*a;fi':e7ori;i"."::;'H^Tr'''"^.- ' ■'"- -'
surety of sympathy • '""" ""^ '«^ "'•"' »
__ JWhat fa it. dear, what weighty matter trouble, you'
The Chevalier looked up long enough to say
Have you torn your froek or «„i ^'
with the good Abbe'over y ';!! r. "1^'^^^''"
evidently had nothing to fear f™^ h- i, . ^"'' *'">'
"Nol Not r. .! '"^ ''"^'iness,
TWsdaiat n onMadmeait"'- """^ ™P»«-'-
ber-you know the JoTn^^'f."" '" ""='""-
KcmeP-delaMoraCd^d '° ""^ '^'""' «'
"The same I ran into at the door?" j t -
a^ah. at the men.ory of our diLorure"' ''' '"''''
'^a.4eitL:ed"htrc::iS^«--'''' ' »-<^
something which he has^a^ M j^ '"'"" ^'P'" »'
*ey mean him harm ^d Madame du Maine, too,
DidldoilUister?'- ^''"''-*"''-*-l'. 1 told him.
12— Blapit ixr«,- .Mi.
178
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
"What is that, Charlotte? Come here."
She crossed the room obediently and stood before
him.
The Chevalier asked: "How did it happen, child?
Tell me all about it, where you saw him, who was there,
and all."
So she went on to tell of her seeking me in the park,
and her hurried warning.
"Well, what did he say to all that?"
"He didn't say anything; I gave him no chance; I
just ran up near him and told him as quick as ever I
could that he had be'tter go off somewhere, and then —
and then — well, I just ran away again. He looked so
startled and surprised he could not say anything. When
I turned again to peep through the hedge he was still
standing there with his hands f tretched out as if he
would have liked to stop me, but I was already gone."
The girl laughed a short little laugh and tucked her
hand closer into his.
"Did I do wrong, Charles? Tell me, was it so very,
very — ^bold?"
The Chevalier could not quite suppress the smile al-
ready twitching at his lips, though he soon looked grave
enough.
"Yes, child, it was not well; beside, the affair is not
yours, and it is always dangerous to meddle. There,
now, don't worry, it does not matter much after all.
Soon we leave here and you will never see any of them
again, I hope. This is no place for lassies fair and
I I
ED
id stood before
happen, child?
I, who was there,
me in the park,
m no chance; I
quick as ever I
lere, and then-
He looked so
mything. When
ige he was still
ed out as if he
already gone."
and tucked her
THE UNEXPECTED
i'.'-
young as you I ho f
a new and purer land/' ^^^^ ^""^^ ^°" ^"^ ^^^^^ to
"Soon We leave?" cU
I don't .ant to, I Uk.tC^T"' "o". I forgot; but
"But, what?"
. ''^"^' "°^hing. Ijnst likeit-now " .h.' - .
ically. "ow, she insisted illofr-
-*"
, was it so very,
ess the smile al-
>on looked grave
the affair is not
(leddle. There,
much after all.
see any of them
lassies fair and
CHAPTER XVn
W
THE FLIGHT FROM SCEAUX.
THE responsibility brought by the possession of such
valuable state papers oppressed me greatly, to
say nothing of the perils which would beset their custo-
dian if it became Jerome's purpose to reclaim them. I
thought it most prudeht and proper under present con-
ditions to see the dispatches safe in deSerigny's hands-
then, at least, I would be absolved from any blame in
the matter. Serigny held me responsible, and it would
perhaps be the part of wisdom to act independently of
Jerome, report fully to Serigny, and if it were then his
wish that the investigation concerning Yvard and Mad-
ame du Maine be pressed to further discoveries, nothing
would be easier than to return to Paris almost before Je-
rome could miss me. I need tell Serigny nothing of
my suspicion of Jerome; even if true, his animosity
would vanish with the cause which gave it birth.
There was much to acquaint Serigny with, much per-
chance he knew already. Paris swarmed with rumors.
Every lip was busy with second-hand gossip coming, as
each relator declared, from the most reliable sources.
"My cousin, who is laundress to the Countess de La-
nois, says," and upon this immaculate authority the
THE FLIGHT FROM SCEAUX ,3,
"Pierre m„ ^ ^°^^'P ^^ his customers.
chrororcr : ;:^r ■!'- «■-<"•«"-.
own lips' --and so 2 ' '^"'^^ ^^^ »■'* his
"ation echoed. No not ^^^ ^ '""■" "'^'"^''
gave voice to the Vw ,h 1' "? ""^'^ *^'* '"'°
Cear brains ques ,w7gThe .'m o, """ '^'«"^<'- """
a whole people into ren^ewed fu'hter Vr" 1° "'""^^
peace for the sake of their n ckf "A 't' "•"''
Louis had declared, and such iL '/"•S'A.fe,"
canaille to have- thev !! . ""'' ' ^^^ "-"e not for the
Ae gibbet Be/nir, M * ""eir tongues to cheat
these reflections, paced ab^'ut u„"t " 1"' ^^"' '^
horse and away. """^ "™« to take
j-e.suddL.c':::;nXr„r''-'^^''-^
--^^■^ZXJ,::^ o' - crowd and
■y teJ t„k flush permitted no denial, nor did I ca«
1:
;?
W
':'''■■
182
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
to discuss it. As we talked we drifted into a small room
just off the main hall.
••By the way, Placide, had we better not place our
dispatches in some safe hiding until we leave here? It
might be suspected we have them. The devil only
knows what that cheming de Valence and du Maine may
not unearth. Their spies are everywhere."
I agreed with him. It was as well ; anything to gain
time and allay suspicion. But I understood my lady's
warning was true; his earnestness convinced me.
"Where do you carry them?"
••Sewn in the lining 6f my cloak," I replied. A lie,
but pardonable.
"Why, you careless fellow; they maybe lost. Where
is your cloak?" seeing I did not have it.
••In charge of Damien; he is trusty."
••Better have it yourself; wait here, I will go and
fetch it."
I congratulated myself on -this diplomatic stroke, for
Jeron.e was about to start off in all haste when Damien
himself appeared, and before I could stop him, deliv-
ered the message.
•'The horses are saddled and at the door."
• • Go and wait with them . ' '
Jerome had taken my cloak from the fellow's arm, for
in fact he had it, and now laid it across his knee. His
blank expression showed utter astonishment at the dis-
closure
••What does this n(»ean? We are to r^'**: here to-
night?"
a small room
>e lost. Where
r*"*; here to-
THE FLIGHT FROM SCEAUX
I83..
"No; I ride to Paris "
"Why?"
"lam afraid."
'"Of what?"
open it, steady-eved anH « u . ^^^^ '^' ^ *<^
breach we kne^rus; col "' ""'^'"' '» «"« *'
"Placide, the papers are not here '• 1,. -j •
tone, yet full of determinafon ' """^ '" " "l"'"
"I know it."
"Why have you deceived me then?" 1^ u
™ask his.purposes no longer 'h,'h u ''""'^
patches." ^ ' "^"^ ■»« those dis-
SerSy." ^'^ "'^T "" '° "''^ **■» '■" *« "ands of
"But I must have them "
"And I tell you as firmly, you can not. "
"^^^2,^XtL'' '''''' '■" «"-<J tones,
take from thCa;;thrwrh''-°t' '^''"•^- ^' "'
-".e intrigue, an^^tCh^'^sf^htr •"'■■' ■"'^-
can open and cln<i> fh^ " "^"^^ '^ ^asy. I
"My orde„tl It? '^"" 1° '' ''" "»' "« '»" ' '
•'ti, r' V ' '° "pen them."
By God, you will," he burst outwith volcanic fury,
'^Stei-^
m
1 84
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
■I'-v' m
4i!ii
' V
••no, no; lam too hot. We can lose them; tell ..
rigny they were never found; tell him Yvard carried
them off; tell him he never had them. We can fix a
"It would be a long story, and a liar must needs have
a good memory."
I was playing for time, time to think, time to get
away.
••But I will go with you to Serigny," he insisted, •'tell
the lie and make him to believe. Tshaw, man, you
know not the ways of the world, at least not at the Court
of France."
••Think, Jerome, of the war, of our people in the col-
onies, of our honor?"
"I care not for it all," the wild passion in his voice
made me almost fear him. "All that is as nothing to
me where Celeste is concerned. Oh, Placide, think of
it! I love her, love her, love her— do you comprehend
what that means to such a man as I? I, who have
loved her almost from her birth, have seen her taken
from me and sold—yes, sold by her money-loving father,
sold, sold! I, who have borne all her husband's leers
when, flushed with the insolence of rank and wine, this
shriveled bridegroom bore her as a piece of orn?ment
to his house in Paris. Can I bear to lose her now?
"But, Jerome, you would not be such a coward as to
permit our brethren in the colonies to be slaughtered,
while you tell your pitiful lie to shield a woman? It
can not be done. What a fool you are come to be. Man,
man, where is your courage?"
ist needs have
THE FLIGHT FROM SCEAUX ,85
spoke Tnir^ " ""•"'' '■'''^" ^'°'^ ">« as he
spoke and I knew my own weak heart. I contesshh
She so cold and put her vLtr' ° "'" '° "" ""■
flock of butterfly woln tk^ "'^ " ^ "P'°^^^ '° ""'^
even . hough, hat ZTk 7'"^*°'"^" 'oves me, loves me
hate the word Z ^,f'' """ '^'" "'''""">'■ ^ah I I
that«,=r , "*"«''«'• never sold her heart No
tnat was mme, forever minp Haj t u w '
have left you rotrina • d "' '°''"^™ *''' ''d
you rotfng m Bertrand's c-'ngeon. No, no.
4vlJl*i;
1 86
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
. U b|^ l{f*liHI(
Placide, I meant it not; I'm not myself; forgive me,
comrade; pity tier and pity me."
I vaguely wondered what there could be in the packet
to cause him so sincere an apprehension. But I must
think of my people and be strong. I denied him once
for all He sprang at me with the fury of a demon. Be-
ing the cooler and stronger, I threw him off easily and
reached the door as he came again with his sword. It
was a delicate predicament. I could easily kill him.
Wild with a lover's fear, he left his front open to my
blade, but I'd had enough cf death. He paused to
shove a table from his path, which gave me time to open
and slip through the door.
In a moment he rushed out behind me, pale and
panting. The corridor, deserted, echoed to our flying
steps. I ran on ahead making my way toward the
horses. Meeting people outside, we had to slacken our
gait, smile, and conceal the realities of the situation,
the necessity for which he apprehended as quickly as I.
Four horses stood ready, and choosing the one I
thought best fitted for a hard chase — it was evident we
could not afford to fight it out at Sceaux — and to fight
seemed now his purpose — I vaulted lightly into the sad-
dle, and before Jerome could hinder, had jumped the
low wall and taken the direct road to Paris.
Practiced horseman as Jerome was, it took him no
time to follow, and his grooms joined in the chase.
On, on, we sped. Trees, fences, walls and people
all melted into one motley and indistinguishable stream.
In the open road we strung out, according to the speed
THE FLIGHT FROM SCEAUX „,
grew steadily greater ^'^^^'^'"gs o' h's brave steed,
That way quick; to the Versaill.c ^^ t ^''
off." 'ne Versailles road. Cut him
The fellows obeyed, reining their horses intn n •
'ng Jope, as, less hurried thev tnlTf '"^°^«^^'"g-
Jerome thence rode on ait ^flf 'tf •"<?'^^^^^
was now becoming awkward ruT ^^ ''*"^^'°"
consideration heretofle T.t u''' ''''^ ^'''^°"' ^^^^
it was the on'ronl 'kn ""^ ''l "^"'^ ^°^^ ^^-^e
largely to fortL Nor'as^l '"t" ^'^^^^^'^-
glimpses of the city spires fL. "'"^ ' occasional
-St perforce rem^em^r ^tHH:' ^r ^^"^^' '
The crazed man behlnH t l °P^' '•"^'^ ^hem.
i. was a .ab.n^;^:?:fffiX I tZ Z') ""f '° ""^
he counted manv r m,..^ ° '"^"^^' wh''e
I but known enough ZlT:, "' T '"''^'''^- "^^
Versailles road I fou, CeaXd tf 'T '"'" '"^
molestation, thanks to myZ^tlu ?t ' '''"'°'"
horse of the lot ThinwL ^l ? '" ^'"'""^ ^e best
which promised well ^ ' "' ""' "■'""S'" "" Wea
dra'!°nt::r' r^rcalfed' ""^ ' """''' J-™^ -
wewerenow^antolf """ ^ ''""''''*' *at as
it n-,f „„ "■ "^^ '"'£'" dismount ap^ f ,u.
« out upon a p.ece o. level sward beside the road: m
it'
m:-
M
1 88
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
horse was nearly spent, and inflamed to fury by the fear
of my escape, he eagerly agreed. While we parleyed.
I worked myself into a position near his horse's head,
and as he prepared to alight, snatched my sword and
with a quick upper cut severed one rein near the bit.
The blade having cut his horse slightly under his throat,
he reared and plunged, and finding himself uncontrolled
started madly off down the road, Jerome cursing,
screaming and clinging to his mane.
I had to laugh at the success of my stratagem, for
though it was a scurvy trick to play an old friend, it was
much the simplest way out of the difficulty to dispose
of him in this bloodless fashion. I put my horse about
now without interference. When I wheeled down the
lane toward Versailles, Jerome's clatter and dust was
just dying away over the crest of a distant hill, making
most excellent time in the direction of Paris.
Now that this new danger was past, I rode on heavy-
hearted enough, for I had grown to love Jerome, and
blamed him little for his sudden touch of fury. For I
was nearly in the same boat, borne on by the same
strong currents as Jerome.
Verily, what will man not do for woman? Love had
turned him from a courteous nobleman of France, a
brave and kindly gentleman, into the frenzied coward
who would lie to his master, slay his friend, and turn
traitor to his countrymen. A god could not love and
be wise.
I jogged along slowly, seeking to rest my horse, for
I could not tell how soon I must look to his speed for
stratagem, for
1 friend, it was
Ity to dispose
y horse about
eled down the
and dust was
It hill, making
ris.
ode on heavy-
'e Jerome, and
f fury. For I
i by the same
t my horse, for
;o his speed for
\
t' >:
):
!
h\ .
,)' 1
■'f
•• WitJi a quick upper cut F
severed one rein near the bit." p. ,c;
p. iS8.
'
1 (^
r 1
*
1
j
i ■
>
'' ^11
i i
THE FLIGHT FROM SCEAUX ,8„
safety. It was necessary also that I should see the two
fellows who watched the Versailles road before tl^v
caught sight o. me Po..i5,y a„ artifice migh aval me
where force would fail ^ "™®
-i.ht,for.twasrrj^^:^^rT;is
undulat,ons toward the distant palace of thf k"„' I
drew rem among some trees which served for hflter
wardPans, while the Zr2:Z^r'^:'^:::
r.Z ,rT '."' ""■" "^-^ '--' hundrtd yal^
." the other direction. Within the irregular mZT
thus formed the two grooms had tl Z LlsXt
;.pon the ground, being distinctly visible in a littr:;^::!
oJoaZ::::^;rcra:dr'r~""''"^'^^
-d..eagoodho:r.rrH::,lr---^^^
far, .t was certain they did not expect me tVoJsiZ
«ne;,me P,at cut-off through the lane must have
bwu n miles the shorter journey.
This reflection gave me some hooe tha^ I »,• i,. ..
*^ to slip by in a gallop before they co d ta^h: J^*
Yt I could not afford to waste much time, for Je" me
™.ght perchance find means to follow, and would no" be
«• a pleasant humor. There co„M k. "'."^
I3»' ;l
P-U
! 1
190
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
a^iii ijii. Ill t mil li'
the lengths to which his desperation and folly might
carry him. I had need for both haste and caution.
I was now at the top of a slight hillock, the grooms
resting at the foot. As ill fortune would have it, my
horse's hoof loosened a stone, and one of them looking up
recognized my figure clear drawn against the fading
colors of the sky. They both j umped up with an alertness
which would have done credit to old woodsmen, and be-
fore I could dodge by, had remounted and taken posses-
sion of the road. My more elevated position and perhaps
better hearing, too, enabled me to detect the coming of
persons along the road from Paris. Certainly as many
as three or four horsemen, perhaps a vehicle. It could
hardly be possible that Jerome had made the trip so
quickly, yet I did not know what other and shorter way
he might find. At any rate every instant intensified the
danger, for if it were Jerome, then, indeed, I could not
hope to make Versailles that night.
Listening more critically I decided they were travel-
ling too slowly to be Jerome's party.
I would then most gladly have charged the insolents
in front and taken all chances, but my half hour of quiet
thought had brought me the conclusion it was too much
to risk my life, at least until Serigny was acquainted with
the information we had gained. I, too, was the only
person who knew of the traitors on board le Dauphin,
"Who are you, and what do you mean stopping a
gentleman's path?" I called to the twain who had
drawn a little away from the foot of the hiU seeing the
,ji!
THE FLIGHT FROM SCEAUX
they were travel-
disadvantage of their former n.cV • '^'
them, and preferring toTce le"?" '." "" ' ^^^^^^^
"No harm, Mon^eur we o^ °" ''' '^^" ^^°""^-
until M. deGreville com'es up "^u'"?" '" '^^"■" ^«"
quite poh'tely. ^' ^"® siender man spoke
"M. de Greville will «^*
God have mercy on T^ s" •T!,7 """' "■g'"-°>ay
■■Whynot. fine sir ''l' 'f^"^" solemnly.
bay questioned witi, some taf I m't" °" ""= "''g
his manner, but replied • "° 1"'^*'^^ on
'he roadt SceauTand"l t™' "^ '"' »-'' ^"""er i„
or stil, lives.- ' ""^ ' '"'°''"°t whether he be dead
• ^^tzx ::rrth7^.r ■•" =■ - --.•
"What excuse n. ^ ^^"^ indecision.
y" 'or hrrtLTarorerTthr/*-" -''■-•'>'''-
to the King? With M Jerome / ^'"^ ^''^ '''^P'"^'-"
'«en you and harm it wtTT "^^ ^''^""^ '° "and be-
'■» ^^ matter of hanging.'- '"^'^"^ ^"""gh; now it
'°Sefhe'r.''ve',eft7to a^ew' '"'■" *^^ P™'«'ed
"=«■" I seized upon the taT-ir""'" ^'■"^ ="■>= and
vo;-a„dproceede7wifhVorfidr "'""^^' '•""'->
-Mier::etu,rL'r^^'°-''''--''^™*
'■•= temper too weH 01^1'^" ""'^' ^°" ''"-
""man? I t„„,d about to L.?' ^''' ""■"" ''''e »
^ee, his blood is not yet drv uo„ "'"^' P^'"' ""d
"- do not beheve you T<- ;c - "• '^•
'=you. It IS some trick "
' I'!
ii:i^"
; 'i -.1
192 • THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
"If you will but move this way and give me clear
passage to Versailles, I will go and say nothing. You
can then return and minister to your master.
"Nay, we'll hold the road an hour, which gives him
time to come up. An hour gone and you may pursue
your journey."
"Then, forsooth, one of you can make his peace with
God. I'll shoot your stoutest bully and try blades
with the other."
I raised the pistol which had been concealed unknown
to Jerome, and to say the truth, it looked formidable
enough all a-glitter' beneath the rising moon, though
I doubted much if I could strike my mark.
As I started resolutely onward I warned them:
"Pull your nags off in yonder level space, leave the left
fork free, or by the gods, you burly black-haired ras-
cal, I'll take the first shot at you, you make the fairest
target. Way there, in the King's name ! ' '
As is ever so with low-born churls, and no gentle-
man to command, each looked to the other for some act
of heroism, and each sought his own safety.
They stood their ground only an instant, then pulled
aside as I had bidden them. As soon as I passed them
a decent distance as if I had no fear, I put spurs to my
good steed, and, breathing more freely than I had done
for many days, heard the merry pounding of his hoofs
upon the open way to my mission's end.
CHAPTER XVIII
SERIGNV'S DEPARTURE
I delivered my h~V ir"' '"^ °' """^ '^''-
b-smess, and opened his door hire K TK '"'"'
need for concealin? his irr-.^ J '^^'^ *^« ""
patience he ,e,t Jk^ r^nl' d'dt '"""^^ ™-
"tempt at concealment 0„ h. ' ^" ""=""= ^"^
"gent as a school child Fv. t "'"">'' ^' ^'' ^
- boxes and irJ^,\T,V^"!:'°"''^''"-P^^^^<i
Slant journey Uno„ V 7?!' '^ Pi-epared for in-
-vere scattered £ deatln '"^"^--"8^^ P^P-
-bich he had evidenl be en tl" "T""' "'™"^''
VViehout stopping to re'^l e a ; tThe d" ' "''"''■
hastened me to a seat and m . documents he
manded me to bel ';'*"«""?■:« chair close, com-
' bad given no con dera^onT? "'' ''^'=" ^ ^"^den
'oSerigny, and found some ^ ;;"•"" °' "^ "P°«
•ojether in such shape Z 15 '" ^''*"""S ideas
bad hardly belf !!! . ^ """"" ''' ""derstood, I
y begun my statement when quick steos
18-JJiicK WOLP ( 193) ^ '^P*
p
VI
y
( «
ii :v'-'
m
194 THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
sounded along the outer passage followed by an almost
imperative knock on the door. Jerome, I thought. So
it was. Jerome, bespattered and soiled from his hard
ride, a raw bruise across his cheek, his clothing awry.
He was pale and determined, yet quiet withal.
I instinctively rose and laid my hand to my hilt. A
glance reassured me. His purpose, lying deeper, I could
not divine; it was plain though he brooded not that
kind of quarrel. Nor do I to this day know what he
intended when he first entered Serigny's room that
night.
"I rode after you in all haste, Captain."
"Indeed you did," I mentally agreed.
"And met a fall, which, as you see, has somewhat
disfigured me," and he laughed, while I agreed with
him again.
Serigny, being so intent on the important transactions
of the hour, accepted his explanation without question,
The welcome, though cordial, was brief, Serigny being
a man of no unnecessary words.
"Go on. Captain," and I picked up the broken
thread of my narrative where Jerome had interrupted,
As I went on obediently, Jerome would now and
again supply some link wherein my memory failed, or
suggest something I had left unsaid, until having so
much the nimbler tongue he took the telling out of my
mouth entirely. I could not complain, for he detailed
the various adventures far better than I, and gave me
more of the credit than I would have claimed for myself.
We had, by common consent, forgotten our late strife,
\f>';j4
SERIGNY'S DEPARTURE
in our late strue,
and becoming much interested I broke i„ ,
mg account of my heroism : ° ''°" * ^low-
"Hold, Jerome, by mv fain,
lous than a fish-wife of thf h!' ^°" ^"^ "'°'' «"'"■
straight tale, and leave off a„ t™:^ ''"■ '"' ^ P'=""'
thine," and thence I reclaim^ """^ ^^"''""^ °'
bought it to a conclu bt AilTi: 'T-f"'"' ''"'^ ^"^
for which we had risker„ u , "''"'^ *^ dispatches
I rather hesitated o produceTh V''" '" ""^ "--'•
hoe-headed fe„ow mfg^d: to ^^i ^^.'7 *"" *^
which peradventure would cau,. f uf '' "P°" "'="
'could not decline whenSerl ' '°^'" '^''^'°^«-
hauled out both pacle^ one'T''/"''^ '"' "'^'". b"'
other from Broussard «st"n. th'" '™'" ^''"'- '"«
Jerome eyed them so I 'thatT^ ?" "P°" *« '^b'e.
'"V was not yet deL ^n., ^ '""" "'^ '""k •"= 'ate
'-y n,o„el STa e'tr^tstesir '^^'^'■-"^
t^de was safe in ,re kl* ■"^'". "Meet of his solici-
do^bted whether thl t^fnl n " '"""'""■ ' ""-
hardly believe him the samr, • t '''^'"' ^""^ ™"'d
pleaded so hard, and fou^ 0?'"' ^"°"" ^''° "^d
™e packet „, Yvard's 'hth'^'^T'^ '°' ""'^ '^»-
; «*" easy reach o, Ws ha" d o ^t ""'^ '^P"-"
^'d took it up neghWiv ■• ' ''" "^"^''^ °>"
"--'^..hen 4acel t' "^/s S::- "^ ^"'^ '""
ofmere idle curiosity or woolT " ^^™ed one
"tltnown that he wa a reTdvn 7','° '"'"""' ''="' '
"eo' mark borne by o„?:h tf Th '' "''""■"'^^ "'•*
I y r Charge. The eyes, half closed
I ^ ■ ■ '
f
■
•r'
if ',
'i 1
mM
iiii
196
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
in dreamy contemplation, spoke apparently of a man
who has been relieved of some grave responsibility and
enjoys the relaxation, yet, for all of that, he was listen-
ing most intently to what Serigny and I were talking of.
Serigny was now fondling the instruments which were to
be the restoration of his own and his brother's influ-
ence. His words were addressed to neither of us in
particular.
"Here is the seal of Spain. Cellemare again, Egad!
They are bold, or must have great confidence in their
emissaries. Here, too, is Madame. Ah, my clever
little lady, you have outdone your own cleverness at last.
I fancy even the King's old love for his son's mother
will not save you now. I would I knew what was in
them."
"We can easily see, and close them snug again,"
ventured Jerome, but noting Serigny's frown, he turned
it off with a laugh, "or so our friend Madame would
advise."
"It thus became manifest he had not abandoned his
idea of intercepting whatever might compromise Mad-
ame de Chartrain. »
Serigny continued: "These must be placed before
the King unopened by any of us. Yes, it's a risk," he
caught Jerome's knotted brow of indecision, "I grant
you it is a risk, for I know not what complications are
here contained. I will myself seek the King, and with
these am sure to gain his own ear."
Jerome all this while uttered no other word, nei^usiy
i ■ : . I
SERIGNY'S DEPARTURE
;r word, nei%usly
flicking the mud splotches nff w u '^^
-est ,00. now ^ anor^S ;; '°"'- ^"^ '"^"'^ "
My own mind was busv H„ • ^'
contemplated treacheo^ upon m'"^ ""'"' '" '-"■' ^"Y
whether it was not my dTv ,^ "'''' '""' ™"dering
the wi,oIe truti, of the matter %\''"'"'"' ^erigny with
least expected it. When all ' ! '"' '^'""^ when I
detailed again and again his L '"'"""''' ^'^ been
answered, our oonveCtion „' rardTT^ ^""'■•™'
future. My mission in F-^T ^ '""^ '°"""-d 'he
"othingnow but a return to the T?"'''"'' '^"' ^^
certainties of a campaign ^,1 I "T '"' ""^ ""■
was imminent. Somehow thlthn "." "^'' '^°"'''«d
glorious war did not appel, to m °"^^' °' '" ^^^^ «"d
prospect would have donf LlT'" °'""'"^ ''^ ^-"^h a
There was ever a shv IM ? ""*' ^?°"^-
which stood resolute and trembr ' ''u"' ^'""''' "S"^''
P^k, that intruded betweeT "^ ' "^ '" ">«
splendor of our western^ s No' !,"^ '"^ ''^^^--
•» brush the vision aside It ^oZ/'f ' "''^^ ^ "^"^
;avageryofman,softe„edthest^rn .^™ ""^ '""^'^
the soldier, and all the -rrent ,' ""' ""P"'^^^ »'
through quieter, sweeter chaln!^ °/ .""^ ^"'"^ *™Wed
*= ^bame of it made nit the ho . f '"' '°™- Even
There was but trimng Lrfod ° '^^^ ™-'-
™sings, for Serigny by a °i '"'"°"' ^"^"^ g^"tler
'is well packed luggage"^ ^ "' '""'^ ^''^^'o- to
^-p- tb \7:::to„Lt :t t- ^""•■■-^ »^
, - a.ready gone forward to arm , ^ ^ P^^P'^
^^i ^° ^""^ ^"d provision her for
#
198
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED -
fj !
II
the struggle. We must be prompt. There is much to
lose in a day. I myself will go on to-morrow and have
all in complete readiness for the voyage, and, who
knows, for the fighting on the other side. Now give
heed Placide — Captain de Mouret," for he was always
particular to distinguish the man from the soldier, and
in giving orders to address me by my proper title.
"The war has been decided upon; you will remain here
and watch developments" — he was proceeding to ac-
quaint me with what was expected of me. I knew not
what he might say, but felt impelled to throw out a
silent warning, which even though he understood it not,
he was quick enough to take. He paused and looked
me inquisitively in the face. I glanced awkwardly from
him to Jerome and back again.
The thought then dominant was a growing distrust
of Jerome, and the desire to have our movements secret.
I remembered Bienville's words "We know not who to
trust," and being ignorant of what orders Serigny
meant to give, or how much information they would
convey to Jerome, deemed it best to let all the occur-
rences of the day come out. I could not forget the
lad's gallantry, nor must I lose sight of the fact that as
affairs now were, he might very well have gone over to
the other side for the sake of Madame ; things stranger
than that took place every day, and I had learned to be
discreet. He might thus come into valuable hints and
afterward cast them into the scale against Bienville, for
every means good or bad would be used by them to
save their own influence, to uplift the Duke of Maine.
SERIGNVS DEPARTURE
'►V^
If Bienville were involved in th/ ^ '^^
mattered it to them ? ' ^'""''^^ '^'^^> why, what
While I remained hesitatin., f
ready wit had already coTp 'h! f . " ^'^^' ^^^^'"e's
took the words from"^ ^^y^'t' "^ ^"^^^^ ^e
flushed, then became hard and fi f ^°""tenance first
the time into silence. ^^'^' ^^"'Pelling me for
"Monsieur de SenVnv T n u
better our good Captain's mLdu^' '"" '^'^^ ^ou
"^ou?" burst oit Seri^ '"'^''""^^^ "^^- "
you have ever been our staunrh^''^^^^ ^^rprised. "Why
- this. Captain de Moure sJetv ''' '"^"^- ^^^^
man's Jealousy?" ' '^^^ >'°" ^^e above a young
Jerome save ma «„ ^•
^dve me no tirae to exniam
Softly, softly, sir Th» _ P^'"-
Give me heed, my friends :^'''" " ^^ ^'od cause.
«-" say upon my honor 1- I ^°"- ^- ''^ Serigny I
*-d by thoug'ht or"!;:" ,•„"::" *'\*^ — «'
fcave betrayed you. Nay d! ?^'~""'' *>" ' «'°"'d
"*hevi;,g.. ailmena/emoftal : H '^°P^'-d -"
even than duty, strongerThan lo! ..'""''''""^ "™»?^^
aan honor itself, may ,y ' , " '°^""^' >"««. stronger
'epeat, this day would iTTV""' ""^ ''«* »' "s r
'-yedmy„e„'dst:la/ef^:j;.';r "''"'''' ^-.''>-
'"Oman. For the woman 1 1 '' "°' «''>°'n. but a
"« her life when thosraec„ied """' '"" "^^^ '"'-'J' if
"' *^ King. I was mad and 'h'"'" ""'' '"<= "»*
'f ^ "yself. It i, better no, ;„! ""'""^"' d°"bt and
; ; Captain is right, lerol,:;"^ ^r"'" >"""• P'ans
«'-" a friend, but for the ove^rCo: "T ^^' ''-
Of God, Messires, do
1
5 ;l
i 'i
i f
!>'
200
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
l|l||
II I
*■■
;l I !
■^M
W'.
...
■ ■
k
'r .
1
1
. ;
1 !
'■; i
not tempt him now," and he faced about with unsteady
step and started toward the door. Before we could de-
tain him he was gone, leaving Serigny staring in the
most unbelieving and bewildered fashion at me."
"In God's name. Captain, what piece of folly is this?
Tell me all, for ofttimes the success of the most careful
plans is governed by just such undercurrents as this, of
man's love or woman's spite. Go on, I listen."
I explained briefly Madame's position, Serigny nod-
ding his acquiescence; it was an old tale to him, except
he did not know Jerome's relations with Madame. Of
her domination over the Duke of Maine he was well
-aware. When my story was fully done he pondered
for a long while in silence. His sorrow was deep and
sincere.
"Poor fellow; poor fellow; as noble a lad as ever
drew a sword, but in his present frame of mind it is
safer not to trust him; he is capable of any act of
desperation. We will do our best to protect his lady,
though. Where was I? This matter has disturbed me—
Oh, yes, about to give your orders. You see I am all
ready to leave. I have but waited your return. The war
has been decided on and the news needs only to be given
out. The King hesitates and wavers ; Chamillard is a
mere reflection of the royal whim. If we do not attack the
Spaniard he will attack us ; it is simply a question of
whether we want the war at Biloxi or Havana. For my
part I would rather see Havana in siege than Biloxi,
This matter can not be long delayed, a few days more
at most. These dispatches may decide. With these
SERIGNY'S DEPARTURE
before the King he will n^ I ^°'
-■" P-ace t.K.'b,a:*t.:Tr I"'' "^ '''■«''-.''"'
lor in ,he main, Louis iobs r '"T"' ''"°"S^~
greater pleasure than to L\J '"-It "°* desire any
traitors Of the itching pa|,nrtb! f't-b" whereon these
Xi-^g for Spanish gold WM '"■''" ''''° '"' ""^''^
r-- remain here for as J ' t I^T '^" "»«• Do
a. your disposal. Be qlt^..^ ^'.^ ^^J'^' ""^ ^oom is
toil nothing, A stil, tonZ il . ""f^"' ''^^™ all and
The moment war is deXd „ ,' '' f " '" "■'"= «■»«■
-^ we wii, up anehor X:;'^ ^" ^P-^^" '»' "^^PPe
i>er,g„y was as happy as ■, h„' . .
"on; ^he atmospherro^ Zu\t°nT '''T°""" °' -
'^Per. This was the 2 "f 1 T"* ^''^ ""'^ ""/
and it was so arranged in detail " " °' °P^^^«°"^.
In a few moments Serionv i.i,.
-•"• him, and I i„ JcZT^lf"''' *^'='"g «>« paclcet
"'^ d'-^tanee. loeking he dooTbT i°"°"^'' ''™ =" ^
«>e key in my poelcet I k° I ""^ *"<* ^«P''ng
^feht until he parsed out o, thT r" ''"■ "^"^^ -=" '"
«;;»! portion of the paid whe'e "hr'""'^' '""' ^"'^
of fortune congregated to InZl ."^"^ ^''"ttlecocks
'-• Not long after he cam \ T ''" ^"'' P'°' «"d
disappointed. """ ''^'=''' =°«-e'y nettled and
^«"he dofsToi tlt'^^f '" *^"' ■■" ""'^ °w" hands-
kis ministers,, thj'^us hTr""-?' -cioseted wth
" is all secure for us for I MT'"'^^-'''"^ importance.
,f -orning to the c^.o^el and h^ '"' "^P^-"- ''"
'-». it is something of a :;;! ^J^' ' i"<^ge.
: yaeucate nature, touching
;-M:
203
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
11 IPi
tliKi royal honor of the King's own blood. Besides much
is in cipher which it will take time to read. Louis,
you know, would not admit, save to those nearest his
throne, the possession of the secret Spanish cipher."
The night passed by dismal and uncertain enough.
I must confess to a great sinking of the heart when I
saw Serigny's carriage roll away in the gray of the early
morning, leaving me absolutely alone in my father's
land of France, where in the short space of two weeks so
much had transpired ; much to be ever remembered,
much I would have given worlds to forget.
It must have been 'a most forlorn and dejected Ioc'k-
ing creature that stood in the great square that sunless
morning, peering into the mists which had absorbed the
carriage. The solitude of vast untrodden forests breeds
not that vacant sense of desolation which we children of
nature feel in the crowded haunts of men. Face after
face, form after form, voice after voice, yet not one
familiar countenance, not one remembered tone, not the
glance of a kindly eye; all is new, all is strange, all
at seeming enmity. The defection of Jerome, my only
comrade, was indeed a cup of bitterness. I dreaded to
meet him, not knowing what tack he might cut away on.
Yet I could not blame him ; it was more of pity T felt.
I recall with great delight some of the minor occur-
rences of the next three or four days. After Serigny's
departure, every afternoon at imminent risk I would
take horse to Sceaux, and pursuing a by-way through
the forests and fields, through which a wood -cutter first
led me, ride hard to catch a glimpse of her who now
SEK/CNy's DEPARTURE
occupied all my tho^^ ^°i
I '.""' hold so fi™ by"., Id j 77''" « 'hi. ,-„e ho.,
0"'e,. When the very .hou^, 7^„°' «.ur„i„g .„ ^^e col-
lolhcd myself once more i„ "' ™''= '° P-"s and
' -^ 'nendly folds gave m"/ "' "^°P" garments
"■'-'-er Fa,e migh.lnd ""' """^^ '» meel
woTCd his wile's act in r "." ""^ *°'-'d knows di,
--" his own dain y c easTI'"^ "f 'P^'"' -^ th s"
■".'he Bastille. But bo rhr^t™^^ ''"^^ "P'-.V
P^'^oned until he made mo ' ,h- '"'' ^'^""^ *"e imt
ogy to Orleans. '"°'' ^''J"' ^"bmksion and apl
Madame deCharfrn-
-<- hore her inearc""t">r • f" ' '° ' P™""''-^' 'ortress
;- '^n. her ene^S tf?' '°"""*' -'^
'°pfi™ness and virtue, ""'"'""on always accorded
^^g-crchaSl'stuar" '™'>' -'^""shed in the
»' *o.se who had co p I. Z""'"' ^■"' P='^<'°"ed mat
^""'^ >vere opened, a„d he TT* '''"'■ ^Leir p„C
;«°-i,ed to his haught Idf f °' ^^■■-. becoming
^-credit 'hereby l^etlgr^j'" """ ^^'"^^
"leir Jives qufeMir -.4- c ^'"'gar mind. Thpir c^ .
»-?ht else'o them' """ """"^ 'he Regent Tnd
gfeatman --i ^^^^^^^^^ some of ^h- v-'-
"•-''n.anyofagoodman.buft;::™:^;
" 1
1.JS-
t .».
204
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
! I
ii
ever locked within his own bosom. His mother, the
rigid and austere Madame, said once of him :
"Though good fairies have gifted my son at his birth
with numerous noble qualities, one envious member of
the sisterhood spitefully decreed that he should never
know how to use any of these gifts." Such was the
character of the Regent.
Of Jerome and Madame de Chartrain I would fain tell
more, but during the troubled times in America I
completely lost sight of them, and my inquiries devel-
oped nothing of sufficient verity to give credence to here.
All Frenchmen know of Jerome's gallant death at
Malplaquet. It is a fireside legend now, and young
French lads turn their moistened eyes away at the
hearing. Marshal Villars being sorely hurt and in peril
of capture, ther6 fought beside his litter an unknown
gentleman who, without name or rank, yet bore himself
so commandingly, the discouraged guard rallied again
and gave him willing obedience. Arrived at a narrow
bridge he urged the litter-bearers safely across, and
fighting at the rear to be himself the last to reach a place
of safety, he was struck and fell. Prince Eugene, the
courteous enemy, who had himself witnessed the inci-
dent, sent a guard of honor to the Marshal at Valen-
ciennes the next day with the body, deeming it that ol
a man of consequence. His letter congratulated the
defeated Villars upon having such chivalric friends.
It was poor Jerome, and no one knew him then. He
rests now with his fathers.
I loved the lad truly. As knightly a gentleman as
ever died for his King, or lied for his lady.
I .
y a gentleman as
CHAPTER XIX
THE CASTLE OF CARTILLON
TWO days, four, passed q •
} D-Ppe to :Z a d e 'b r'^' '^^^^^^^ ^-
^here was no official declarat on of '"^''■"' ^'^ «^'"
'«en an ignoble love a;dr„l;''!:,'"' ' ™^"'«-d be-
*- «e„i„g, the whole court w"' "'^^ ^''^"' '«« in
"°-d to .pread througho" E "'" *"'° ^ "^^^ des-
:r~--:"xr,oi-[r.a
*°"gh I well knew I JZT "^^ ""P'^P^'ed. So
-d possibly neve, see ;eV3;::e """ "''"" ^" ^P"^
™^ as persistently as men do T '^""' ' P"' ■■"™'n
£"7 day did I ride to SceaL k' T""'^ °' ^eath.
"'ch a glimpse o, her I fZT' 1 *' "'^ '^''"- «"«
d^dared there was no time I „ Y """ ^'^ ^' 'a«
P»' lay straight and cleaTbelf '^'"^ ""■ ""'>'• %
^-^•' ^-^ty and a soldier s adve. ' ''" '°^°"« ^ sol-
""'>' thoughts ;:rr:tr:^r"'-<'p'eas-
(205)
path
die
ure
'-m.^
^^"aWeB^iiatiA-
206
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
1 h
Hot-foot to Sceaux again I rode on my way to Dieppe,
and from the same embrasure at tiie wall where my
horses had trampled down the foliage many times, I
watched her coming. It was not for long. More hur-
riedly than was her custom she glided, a glorified young
creature, in and out amongst the shrubbery, until the
envious chapel door hid her from my sight. No living
thing was in view. The sound of no discordant voice
broke the holy peace of God. Temptation came never
to our first erring mother in more insidious guise than
this.
Where was the harnb, I reasoned, it was but for an
instant's speech with her, ere the bounding seas would
roll between us. So with nervous haste I tumbled from
my horse and tethered him stoutly to a tree. Over the
wall and to the chapel door took another instant, and
there, inside, at the rail, she knelt. I paused, as a
sinner might, hesitating to mar with heart profane the de-
votions of a saint. My foot struck a cracking board in
the entry, and drew her glance toward me. She sprang
up as I entered, with a swift cry of surprise, and, as I
fancied, some whit of gladness in the tone.
"You, Monsieur? You here? I thought you away
from Sceaux." ,
"Yes, Madame, true; but I returned to speak with
you before I lenve France forever. I came here to — to
— " I could not tell her why; my heart, so full, clogged
my utterance. But women ever understand.
As I cast about me for a word, we had drawn closer,
and taking the hand which half-hid in the folds of her
THE CASTLE OF CARTILLON
dress, gleamed more white anHn, ,
'•' "> my iips. Evenit uch a !!; "°"" ''""^'■-''
"Pon a ring she wore a deW- """^ "" """«
"-^//V /,«< ,«^/,. • ^ ^^"'^ g'-own so familiar: A
■■cl^LZ'on:\:',^r. "'°*-'V' ^he explained,
Aye, I Icnow the deviro ,,„ii
tins?" "^"'"^ «'^"; are you of the d'Ar-
"Yes, my mother was; there ar- „^
race. The last is a wanderer -Ti, "°"^ "' *«
"I'="ow, perchance, ffi a :r "„'." "^ ''•"«"
you .e„ me more of him, of /ou^seTf "'■ '''"^"^' '^"'^
"•^.e dTJe^e: himgrtirm T"' "'' —
•'om. a girl, she sent ft tl him^ \ ' ^''' ^'■'" "^=
denied it, saying he wanted n„ "' '"^^^-"S- "«
child died in infancy Of mv-T"' °' *°'"^"- The
was never told. Then h^ ' "^ '''""' ^"^ """e he
know." "'" ''^ "^"t away, where, none
^u'^y'i^Mo:::fH coToiXer"^ r' ^"-
3ga,„ in her way. I took her h! J ""^''' ""•°"' ■"=
'ence to examine the it !,„ '"'' ."^"■"' -"aWng pre-
=«ght demur, and Iprrsed 2 T'T'"' '''^ ■"^<'«
'^ehand of woman Mai ,L !'!,"''"' '^'^^ "P°"
"ore. Tossing honor ^t^ V'°"""de could stand no
folded her close .ll"°"'''"'>"o the winds I
her close, closer yet, and kissed her brow, herh j/
:- ■»
:.::; S
a
M' I I JM
208
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
her eyes — her lips, she struggling like a frightened nest-
ling all the while. It was done.
Ashamed but impenitent — it was too new, too sweet
to wish undone — I loosed her gently, and kissed her
hand but once again, then left her standing where the
light from the muUioned window in halos wreathed my
saint. It was thus I ever afterward remembered her.
She made no other sign; I withdrew swiftly as I
came. From across the wall, unobserved, I watched
her leave the place, downcast of eye and slow of step.
In rebellious and uncertain mood I rode away.
Though the relish in my task was done, I made all
haste toward Dieppe. Scarcely stopping for food,
changing horses as often as I could, I pushed on with-
out adventure until I reached the Chateau Cartillon, then
a formless ruin.
Here my saddle girth broke and I was nearl)' thrown
to the ground. I scrambled off, walked to the little inn
where I inquired how far I had yet to go.
"Three leagues yet to Dieppe," the host replied,
"but Monsieur can not go on to-night; he must wait
the morrow; he can go with comfort in the morning."
I sent my groom for a new girth and found it would
take quite an hour to procure one from the village.
"Probably Monsieur would visit the castle upon the
hill there," persisted the landlord, pointing across the
way, "it is worth his while. It is said to have been de-
stroyed by the Great Henry in his wars with the Duke
of Mayenne. True it is that sounds of battle and
a frightened nest*
THE CASTLE OF CARTILLon ,
1 essayed to silence the fellnm f„ t '^^^^■
'o listen to his chatter yTZ' "'' '" "° ■»<><")
eulogy 0/ the locality , which he !""' """'""'"^ '" ""'^
■'"g his wares, that fad ^^yJZmT " ' ''"'^^' ^-y-
, "And, Monsieur, perc^an." ^ """"°"-
Michel. What! y;„T„ow"; ^ "'"^ ''" °''^ "^d
'oiic do say his Jnda^TSd,: ""'!, """""^
Count, and that it sent her Tli ™"'''^'' °' *«
Her child through all her .'ri'.""""^ a-wa„deri„g.
Count, and n,adetat,e ;eels to iT'' '"'"' *'
And now this grandson of her'ha, "'"^'^'^ '^^^■
like his mother and grandam ^'°''"' °" ■" '''^■'^y
Which speaks througH^^^T^f:™;' '" '''" ^P'"'
Wood, Monsieur, a grievous cu ^0?;^ rj" "' ""
It aroused something- of o • blood."
'- .oath to pause ton :;j:::r TT'' '-' '
•0 wait an hour, I thought to walfc . ''' "'""S'''
^ couple o( hundred yard ^sranf 7.-° '"^ ^''«^^"
lounged about the inn to !l ^"""^ « '^^ who
"P the path, paus^Ta ti^LTtT;'^ T' ' ^^""'^^
and idly plucked an apl t=m a Y^'^r^'^ ''Pring,
hu"g it. A little furthrun "^ '"''' """"^ °^«'-
-^^.i.toodwithi:ra;:reitTor? '-^ ^-^
*« elate the grew cttral. '" '°™ ""«• At
a^ldtHe^^univefsarderlri tcl "°°'' ^'^^
14— Black Wolf
wolf's head
I' m
MHW" ^f^
2IO
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
reared itself high above the portcullis. The moat was
filled with drift of crumbling years, and the walls, fallen
in many places, ran hither and thither in aimless curves
and angles, much as they do to-day.
Up to this hour my chronicle has been only of such
adventures as might befall a soldier upon any enterprise
but now a strange thing happened. Until that moment
I had never seen the Chateau Cartillon, still there was
not a corner or a passage which did not seem, well known
to me. My feet fell into paths they seemed no strangers
to. I seemed to know intuitively what each buildin»
was for, and even imagined most vividly scenes which
had transpired there. The whole place had the most
intense personal interest for me, why I knew not.
I am not superstitious, but the ruin oppressed me,
made me restless and uneasy; yet I was loath to leave.'
The loneliness of it all filled me with vague apprehen-
sions as I picked my way across the grass encumbered
court-yard toward the road again. A thousand haunt-
ing fancies of half familiar things thronged from out each
dismantled doorway. Faces I all but recognized peered
at me through the broken casements ; voices I almost
knew called to me from many a silent corner. Yet all
was still, all was solitude. Heartily shamed at my
quickening step I hurried on and having consumed a
quarter of my hour sat down by the spring mentioned
before, just beyond the castle's utmost boundary.
The haze of late afternoon had deepened into nic^ht
upon the peaceful meadows and lazy sweep of river.
A distant peasant's song came faintly from the fields.
™' ^*'^" °^ CARTItLON
'"'o ,.s pbcid depths, an utat:"?^' ^^^'^g'-fesly
'"rough a breach i„ ^e bast ior, /"" "^'''^ ■''^ 4
At first I confess I was «!..?' "'' ''""^ before me
tent and decrepit, IThta tt t ^"' ""~""> '"'".'
fiery sunken eyes seen,»!, k "^ ^"'f 'angled grav
*- He b J his ga,f^r "' T'^ "-'^ S
"pon me. ^"^^ ""'h searching scrutiny fulj
^he lad whispered: -if, „
■"en bowing uJ:^:^'y - - for so.e „„,,„,
"^'" Son of d'Artin'r u
»-^ain? ut us intot wa":'""™^ '° ^'- «■«.
^■•". at ™, fo.,"": •::;e^^'"''" -^^--^ ^e ,ad. tug.
^"6 dusk in fa f-
^^lows crept rou'ndXr^"" '""=' and climbing
■•I an, Henri dArtlr^' °" ■"^"- " ' -''^<'
"^'■J tell you ^u,^"'"' ">' ""rder'3 hand laid low; j
Let us go, Monsieur I»f
^12
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
'f.iii^ii
( i.
response he turned and fled down the slope, away in the
twilight beneath the trees.
"Dost hear the clanking arms, the rolling drums of
war? List unto the shouts, the cries within. Dost not
know it is the day after the feast of the most Blessed
Saint Bartholomew ? "
The man's wild earnestness fixed a spell upon me, and
to the end of his narrative I listened until the tale was
done. I can not hope to set down he/e as I heard it
what the madman said, nor to have my lines breathe
forth the vigor of his speech. Carried beyond mortal
energy by his frenzy, overmastered by some mysterious
Power of which we men know naught, he threw into his
strange, weird story a life and action which entered my
very soul. And as he spoke he seemed to live through
the scenes that he so vividly described. It was as though
some grim drama were being enacted for my enlighten-
ment. So well as I can tell it, the tale ran thus :
On yestermorn my wife, my daughter and little boy,
committed to the charge of old Gaston, had driver, into
Rouen to spend the day. I rode along after them to
learn the news from Paris. We of the Reformed Faith
hoped for great things from the meeting of our leaders
with the Duke of Guise and the Queen Mother, for
King Charles seemed kindly disposed toward us. But,
God of Mercy ! what scenes there were in Rouen ; every-
where was slaughter, everywhere was murder. I found
my carriage overturned in the streets, covering the dead
and mutilated bodies of wif' and daughter ; the babe,
)pe, away in the
oiling drums of
thin. Dost not
le most Blessed
11 upon me, and
itil the tale was
.-e as I heard it
ly lines breathe
beyond mortal
ome mysterious
e threw into his
lich entered my
, to live through
t was as though
r my enlighten-
ran thus :
■ and little boy,
had driver, into
g after them to
Reformed Faith
2 of our leaders
:en Mother, for
)ward us. But,
1 Rouen ; every-
urder. I found
tvering the dead
hter ; the babe,
"'^■''e old man gazed steadily at
'He for sonic m
onients.
1>. 2U.
1:
: ^' '
•i
J
1
fcf
Hi
Hi
i%^
THE CASTLE OF CARTILLON
fit
"nhurt and unnoticed in rt. • " "^
Throughout tlie city weren^n.'"™^^' ^^'^ "'=«Ped.
white cross i„ ti.oir'^^aTs "he wW:"^ '"r"' -^'"'"^ «-
"".ch designated the fo wj' '^c " ' °" "^'^ ''™'-
"Death to the Huguenot" and "no ""' ""'"' "'"
enem.es of Holy Church " ,1,. , ''"^"'^'' '° 'he
'had now no idea bu to 'JtV ^ ^'"'°"' "^'^y^
safety, and with him be/ore "1 ^"^ '" * "'"« »'
nearest gate. I passed ,, , "°^^ ''"'■«•>' 'or the
and by abiding ^i r^ ^ ^^ «>^ -«"'
W of murdering bands th„ f ' ""'"^ °« °' ">e
reach the river gate south ',° '° """'' "'='" ='■«'
voteed at leaving The hn. T' ^^ >^''°'« »ulxe,
•^o-n, but the'*; c ,rm°u T "•" "'"^'^^^ '^
'he dead. At the turn , ^ ' "" ~"^''dered before
Croix into the opL' a H ViL"'^^^"^ «"« ^t.
sho"'. "Here he is, this wL"!T "'"'"' ''^''^<' =>
«ioned in the squire IZZi- '"" f" " """' «arms
-»e clattering downthe R„e Te^^" ""' ~™"<'« who
'"e pa* along which I imendedl ^ "'• J"" '"°"'^<'
Riding attheirhead I re^" ! ^^™ "'^ '"W"-
-y -.alf brother, Pedro orTmarrV™'' '"■-^•
-d cruelty terrible stories w ;e eo"d "'°" P""'^^'
R'ght willingly would T ri
%h', but for thebaic Thetn "'T '" ^'^ "in,
«y »ow threw himself full in !," "'"' ^^ "''^d the
2°^e Of engaging me „XX'* '"^ evident
We straight at him, but he too^ V '""' "P' ^
a"d encumbered as Tw/ f " ^'"««' bravely
,„„, .. " as f was with the -^;l-^ i,
'awounamg me twice before I co,,m' .^ """"ded
'ore 1 could pierce him through
f
,1* ■ )'j
H ■•
t.
Ill
ill
214
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
the throat and drop him from his horse. Verily, his
courage was worthy a better quarrel.
This, in full sight of the oncoming band, fixed their
attention, and, raising the shout of "Death to d'Artin,"
they spurred their horses to a gallop. I had barely
disappeared down the deserted Rue Corneille when they
debouched into the square, spreading out and circling
round as hounds hot upon a scent. Here they were at
fault, not knowing whither I had turned among so many
narrow and irregular streets. Before they found me
again I was well updn the high road to Cartillon. The
superior speed of my horse gave me easily the lead .
I soon overtook Gaston, drawn aside in the bushes,
wounded and bleeding, waiting for me. At first I up-
braided him fiercely, but a frightful gash across his
head, dabbling his gray hairs in blood, stopped my
wrath. On the ride home he told me of the day's dis-
aster. Pedro Ortez and his cut-throats had set upon
them in the name of the church. He was soon cut down
and left upon the street, recovering consciousness only
to find his murdered mistress lying dead beside him.
He had then crawled away to warn me, for the whole
object of Ortez seemed to be to take my life.
Gaston's distress was pitiful ; as his mute eyes now
and again sought mine, I could not find it in my heart
to censure him. Having distanced my poorly mounted
pursuers I stopped to water my horse at the spring
before riding the few hundred yards to the gates of Car-
tillon. While yet waiting by the spring I was horrified
to see men stfuggiing on top of the great tower. Their
Ji
THE CASTLE OF CARTILLON
, . aic
fight was brief and decisive T , ,
Maurice my m„,t trusted man 1? ""' °"' ''*'"«
violently ,o the courtyard belol On,' """u "'™*"
were l<illed, some overpowered ,. ° """"^ ^"""^
All o, this took on7y7:zt::'T:"',' ^'"^ ''«^■•"■
*e end o, a desperate'encou "wh a hadT""" ""'
elsewhere. The time, however ZsZ^ " "^'"^
to see that those o/ the lar„. f ^ '"""^h 'or me
and cross which disttal I/' '' """■' "'^ *'""= ^"^
"God in heaven tZTI ""^ """""""^ '" R°"en.
""o"''' I cried aCdtry'^Lr tT ^"^ " ^--
could answer came runnina ,r. 7^' ^^" °"^ ^ho
.«hed with s„appe7s:rrhi'"'= '"'"' ''' -"-
at my horse's feet ^ '^" *' '^"^^'ess mass
Cartillon was not now a refuge
'o.^::a'tr;efrLT;'^-'^-''«-
Orte. was coming *' ''''««''" °' Rouen.
"Quicic, Gaston, we must fly •
My overtaxed horse failed ™
Oe oniy sank slowiy":' • 'tn^eVrd aft""""! *' '^'■'■
»odic twitches, stiffened out ,o;ever "'''' '' '^" ^P'^"
"ad. I stood erect a mome„ cMM ''™ ""^ '"^''y
Med aXr-""^^"' "--•'"% -o7::;
Ca:"St!rAro;tt-„;-?n^Hewo,.
DriMf K,. _.,_ r .. . . "^^x, and conjure fh<" r,r.fsj
Tlf 1
iil
K^ !
and ours, to save my baby.
i I
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>
I ' •
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f 1' 41
» 11
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1 ^1
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2l6
THE. BLACK WOLF'S BREED
Gaston had hardly passed from sight among the trees
before a dozen well-armed horsemen, bearing the same
white cross in their caps, spurred round a curve in the
forest road, coming suddenly upon me beside my fallen
steed. Sword in hand, I fronted them, determined,
come what would, to fly no further. The evil face of
Ortez shone with gratification at so unexpectedly find-
ing me alone.
"Now, yield thee, sirrah," he cried, as his men sur-
rounded me. A quick sword thrust through the body
of his horse, brought him to the ground. ^k
"Not yet, thou slayer of women; here, upoS equal
footing, thy life shall pay for those of wife and child."
I verily believed the Almighty vengeance was in my
blade, and doubt not I should have slain '^im despite
his troopers but for a crushing pike blow over the head,
so swiftly did it all come about.
My brain reeled ; the sword dropped clanging from
my nerveless hand. When I recovered, I found myself
bound upon a horse behind one of the men.
"On with him, men, to Cartillon; there we rest this
night in the King's name."
In this wise we rode along; Ortez openly exultant, I
silent and scornful.
"Aha, my fine brother," he spoke low at my saddle,
"thy father's son has thee in his power now. And
shall I not revenge upon thee the wrong our father did
my mother for thine? Didst know the story?"
I made no reply, but he went on unmindful.
"To my mother he gave his love but dared not gjve
THE CASTLE OF CARTILLON
Dpenly exultant, I
his name; to thy mother he gave hfs n.r. u "^
never give his love Sn fh ^"^^ ^"* ^0"^^
CartiJJon. and I the n . ^'' '^^ P'-^"^ Lord of
nameless'adventuref C"o; "^^^'^^ <^^ '-tune, the
But things are cha;; Tnow ~""^^'^* ''°" ^'*'^-
-iil be the Count d'Ardn and If ""'"^ ^°"^^ ^
corpse, sweet brother." '^°" ^ dishonored
''Thouf T-^.,. my* brother?"
1 turned upon him a loolc of ;«. j ,
y^t, fori had heard s me slrtTl T ""^^"P^'
youth, I asked : """^ '^^^ <^' ^V Other's
"Thy mother was ?"
.0 diT:;^c^::' "'■°'" '-^ '^*- ^"o-^^" ••- spam
adventurers who h.n^ZlZJT "" '"'^"''"P'^^
words for hire. When thr • °"" '"'' ^eld their
2^'es of Cartillon their 1^'^''"' 'T^ "^^ "P '» ^e
"Pon the battlements P'"'"*' " ''^^'' Reared
day ofti^' rre^'i;? *^ -'^h-^'i °' that
»""g the ^tes """"""^Se lowered, and open
^'Welcome to Cartillon, d'Artin " n- v
"Here at last we find rest and r»,u' ^" '"'"'=<"•
>« spread in the great hall " '^'7'^"'^"*- Let a feast
,'^-. We've do":: rte worths , "'"^ '°^ ^""-^
'ads, and a merry endinJwJ^i t ! ^'°"°'" "^^y- "X
gone." ^ '"^ *« " ''»>'e before the night is
Even-here in the courtyard wereevidencesofhlood.
«ski6
'i'n
S J
H'
i
'
■■™**""'
■Miniiiifiiiir'fi'i
I
2l8
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
conflict. Singly, in groups and in hideous crimson-
splashed piles lay Catholics and Huguenots together,
peaceful enough in death.
"By my faith, and a gallant set of gentlemen we
have here," laughed Ortez. "What think you, brother
• 5> >
mmer
And even as he spoke he leaned from his saddle to
strike down a half dying wretch who lifted his head
from among the slain.
"Perez," he called to his sergeant riding behind him,
"dispose of these bodies. Throw the heretic dogs into
the old well yonder. Give our martyred friends Christian
burial."
He sat his horse idly toying with his dagger, and
forced me to watch my servants, the wounded and the
dead, being cast into the yawning darkness of the well.
"God's blood! here is our sweet young Philip.
What, not yet dead I Why, it matters not, cast him in."
This in answer to a questioning look from the more
merciful Perez.
The men at arms had extricated from a heap of slain
the limp body of my youngest brother, a boy of twenty,
his pallid face gaping open from a cut across the cheek.
He lifted his eyes languidly to mine.
"Oh brother, you are come. Some water, water,"
he murmured.
"Throw him in, men," Ortez interrupted.
Perez yet hesitated.
"Shall we not first dispatch him, sire?"
'No, I would not harm my gentle brother; throw
Ml
me water, water,
THE CASTLE OF CARTILLON ^,^
htrt^d bunL"^^^^^^ ^'^^-' '^- Chicken.
durance, and stru^gHngr^^o^dr ^^^ '^^^"^ -
Ortez slapped me in the face w h* V
layng his hand upon mv shn m ' ^^""*^^*' ^hen
gentleness ; ^ ""^ '^°"^^^^ ^aid with assumed
"Calm yourself, my dear ih
bandaged wounds; thev rr . "^^' t^'^k of your un-
should permit to men such 1 ,4 "• °''' ""« ^od
*o.id witness tl,em Wl,e„ t' Tt T"' *^' ■"-
Asposedof, Orte.led tl,TwZ o .h k '"'^ ''^'' ''^^"
v.e.ng all his rabble to jot t7f sf VIT ''^"' ■"-
"sed as it was to scenes of 7 k f ' ^ ''^"'1"'* hall,
had looked upon such a 1"'"""^""=^' "««' Perhaps
a= head of my owntebfe st"^ ^' *''• ' °«"P'-ed
On either side wZ va^^;;''!'' '^"'^^^ ■" "^^at.
'«• Between, the sS; "^^.^ °"«,-' « the
P'ea.«d. One of the tr„o„ ^ ""emselves as they
'-aken his place trrbuT:i^^'" •"'= ^""^
'I'M : ™^' '^"^ ^'s Captain stopped
^'«- as he spoke the chair, on either Side Of me
* ftf
A
f'I
Ih'ii I.
220
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
were slipped away, and after awhile as silentiy returned
to their places.
Sacrament of passion! In one of them was bound
the mutilated corpse of my queenly wife, her fingers
hacked off and her ears torn out for the gems which
had decked them. Upon my left sat little Celia. But
for one lurid stripe of crimson across her girlish breast
she might well have been asleep, so lightly death had
touched her. Behind them I saw a tall, gaunt woman,
wearing a man's hejm and carrying a pike. She di-
rected the men. This was a woman's hellish work.
Ortez rose with studied politeness :
"Your wife and child, d'Artin; our charming family
reunion would be incomplete without them." And the
woman laughed aloud.
My brain burned ; something seemed to strain and
give way. I lost all sense of pain, all capacity to suffer.
How long this lasted I know not. When the revelry
was at its height, when the wine had dulled every
human instinct of these rough "Soldiers of the Church,"
Ortez raised his voice above the tumult ; he knew his
men were in the humor for a diversion he was about to
propose.
"Now comrades," he said, "for the crowning joy of
this most blessed day, now for our last sacred duty to
Mother Church."
He came round the table and taking a cord from the
hands of one of his men he threw the noose over my
head. With feet bound together, hands free, I stood
amongrst them, this thronsr of butchers, each with the
silently returned
THE CASTLE OF CARTILLON
231
white Cross of ChrJ'-' in Ti.'c i.
name dishonored, thy est", forfld ^"'''■"'^''' '"^
^o™r:r:r;o?rhV^r- "- *- ^- "
The coo,' Boh-te m? 'P'"' ; not to yon !• •
■n-k. He s'e d trZ^lvrt- '^" '™'" '>'^ "''« ^
•»e prone upon the floo » / ""' °"" ''^"'^' i^^ing
clutched instinctively aTev/fv^ '''"''' ''"' "'"''• I
'-y. being to™ from^Ichl^HK^f"" """''■' "^
M the rope. "'* '"'''' ''J' ""e ruthless villains
=.'s:he^r:lrdr r°°-' "-' » -
«^''- they started for thtoo™ '"' """ ''°"" *e
COM came tumbling, „,i1k°"": ^^ '"e end of the
"'PMhis almost sentl^hf;ori"^''°"" *^ ^'°"«
Arrived beside the well ^."' "'' ^^^ ^ '"^''•
^weep offered a convent 1' "^ ^'"' overhanging
[-<= « his Vic.-: X jr'' ^''^^ "="•-' '»
l-^^dly hear their words '""" ^'°«'' ' <=ould
"Think you his sense, m.-ii -.„ ...
222
THE BI^ACK wolf's BREED
l!;:.ii;'
'J
"Possibly, sire," replied the man to whom this was
addressed.
"Then we will wait; my swee*^ brother would weep to
miss so brave a spectacle as his own hanging. ' '
He sat there upon the edge of the well, whence came
the groans of the dying, the hot, fresh odors of the
dead, and waited, fiendish in the patient ferocity of his
more than mortal hate.
After a litt'e I opened my eyes and stared about me,
scarcely comprehending where I was or what had hap-
pened. Ortez called upon his men to raise mr Being
placed erect the cord was drawn just taut enough to sus-
tain me standing. Now the ghastly woman I had seen
in the hall pushed her way through the crowd.
"Her son," she hissed, and savagely struck me in
the mouth until blood followed the blow. The cord in-
stantly tightened and I felt myself swing across waewell.
First only a dizziness and a parched mouth. Then the
tumultuous blood surged to my throat, beating, stru^'-
gling, gurgling like some pent-up mountain stream
against the rocks. I threw both hands up to grasp the
rope — heard a laugh, not a human laugh, yet it sounded
so far, so very far away, away back upon the earth.
A gigantic merciful hand seemed to take my head
within its gripe and press out all the pain.
Fiery circles swam before my eyes; great crimson
blotches floated about in restless clouds of flame ; then
dreams, dreams, long delicious dreams. And out of
endless years of rhythmic music, the laughter of low-
whom this was
THE CASTLE OF CARTILLON ^^S
voiced women, and manv colorp^i UrrU^
oblivion. ^ ^ ^'^^*'' ^^"'^ at length
ness of desperate truth earnest-
When the speaker fad done h sLTC . -^"""L^-
darkness, and was gone ''^* '"'° *«
cas..e;s coure whe^n' eher.h.^s^^r^ardr ^^^^^ f
man knoweth not the rebelh™,. ,„ • 7 ^"'J'
«rain; knoweth not what ^^61 ^'"" °' "" ""'"■"S^''
or What he so,en,n rerrtirCr:;^,^-^:'
gnastly monument of evil deeds 7 i„„i j ""'y- »
the madman but saw him not Th ' '^ °"' '"
moulZ'' "'' ''r' ■■^■^'"''PP-d. Still shuddering I
pT tC '::,f "'5 ^''r'^ !>---<^^ « '^e cu.'ed
brain iT' madnian's story surging in mv
hram, I dug savage spurs into my steed and 5.11 ^
desperately onward through the night ^ ^"^
"Jl
, ill
CHAPTER XX
FROM THE PATH OF DUTY
IT was about ten of the clock when I reached Dieppe.
Soon thereafter ,1 was well aboard le Dauphin,
Serigny himself meeting me at the vessel's side.
"Hullo, Placide," he cried. "All goeth well, and
the passing night giv£s promise to us of a brighter
day."
Later, in his own cabin, he told me of a brief meeting
he had with Louis.
"For the time we are safe. The King is restless
about the safety of the province, and he trusts Bienville
as a soldier. The Spanish intrigue keeps our enemies
so busy they have not time to disturb us. The King h?i
no man who can take Jienville's place. Well, it's ail
happily over, and I am as delighted as a child to be at
sea again. We would sail at once, now that you are
come, were it not for de la Mora; he, with his wife and
another lady, are to bear us company. The Chevalier
is a thorough soldier, and I welcome him, but like not
the. presence of the ladies We may have rough work
betimes.**
I knew my face grew pale, and thanked the half-light
(224)
a brief meeting
id the half-light
FROM THE PATH OF DUTY
lor concealment, or hi» «i.,e4. l
never asked. ^ "^® "° interest, and I
Ce la Mora. This wac *^ -Lt
F.iiwen I knew ?: r;:ttd'fi"' r """'«'-'•
daily contact with Aenes anrfl? . '""^ «'«''« '"»
n.ust needs have timf to thiflf ;?''"^'"^ ''^n. I
•■When do they "It ^^e^ "'' "'"' 'P^""/-
"Any moment: thev lef*- ,^.. .i, ,,,
Ae same time as ^our^H ^t' f '' """^ """^ ^°-
Rapidly as a ml„ co "d th" k if r "! *' """=•"
;;How,on.wi„y„„„.;t:'^,:-^^'>'^
aSITo"; Ce^SlJr --•'•••
Without any Cea.^^ ed ptposTf l^ ''^""'^^•
carefully gave Serigny every deM of / "' °" ^"^
could be valuable touchillThfl '"'"'•'"^'on which
colonies. O, this m'taU ^^d '"""^ '" *«
*an. I even handed hirtl^l'.;"^"^^^^"'' "«
directed to Bienville, where*: wi^' rr""^""
bearer. Whilst ridding my mirro, ^ ''^ *^
-Id not have said wh'atcour medt:^"^' '
rating against the vessel's side set me ll "*'
"t it was only a letter o, i„str„ LT lljr"''
poor excuse to SenVnv for fi, -iviaking some
Black Wolv " ''^ ""'=•
made
lb
'If-
I
! I
226
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
"Boatman, can you put three of us aboard yonder
vessel?"
"Aye, sir, it is from her I have just come."
"Is thy craft a fit one to carry ladies?"
This dashed down the hope he had left his wife be-
hind.
"Aye, sir, it is a safe craft, but not a fine ladies'
barge. We can go with care and run into no danger.
The wind is low."
" 'Twill serve." ,
I jumped ashore and would have slipped by without
speaking had he not recognized me.
"By my soul, de Mouret, it is you; and we are to be
companions on the voyage. Bravo."
He approached me frankly, with outstretched hand and
hearty greeting. I would fain have avoided touching
his honest palm, but there was no way for it.
"I see you are surprised. Yes? I was suddenly
ordered to sail in le Dauphin, and report to your good
Governor, Bienville. A most sturdy soldier from all
report. Heaven send us a sharp campaign, I am weary
of these puny quarrels. We will have brave days in the
colonies."
This open-hearted way about him struck a new terror
to my heart ; I could face his sword but not his confi-
dence. His cheeks glowed with martial enthusiasm and
I almost caught again the hot lust of battle.
"And Agnes, with her little sister, is at the inn.
Yes," he continued, noting me step back a pace in pro-
test "it is a rude life enough for tender women, but
left hii wife be-
FROM THE PATH OF DUTY ^27
honorable gentleman ITl ■ ^ '"'""^"^ "''"' ""'
filled the wht^;" : ':„ to .r '°""''""' -"^ '■^"^'
thing was torture not t'o be T.C7^ '° ~"^""-*«
th:?u^arab::rr^i™' :;;;:-'-
-;a. .He Has great ^^t^^:^:;^
^rrperniir '^-^'^ "-- "-^ •"- - -«
.heX^tut' tT;e:;;-„t tHT^'' ' ^"^"^-^
deny myself The rh r ^ ' "'^'' ' ""''' n°'
lady' to^^Lr :;?o:: ribf ' -f ^"r ""^ ^"°"'"
ing lantHorn be.W ble :„ ,h '"^ ^^'' " '''■^'^"-
■■Agnes win be glfd trL" : try':" sHet ""'^•
--.toseewHaty„„are,l.,.C:r;:::a'';S
oufLtUf Ar welllV ''^'^"^" "°""-"^°'
« are ever dupes' aL , T '"?""" """'«'' ""^
teted small deT,-' . ' ^^° ^" "y '"= had de-
i"g.his-l tn'rr' ""'"'' ™y^^" heartily applaud-
«"" /i^rj/ the bonH «7h,VH wra f,, i. s ?
">»" apart from all the world 1 "^ '" "'""-
tne world. A sweet reflection.
328
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
The little weaknesses of women are very precious to
their object, and if the deluded one knows it not, why
Where's the harm? Small comfort came to me, how-
ever, for all the while conscience, like a burning nettle
in the side, gave the lie to each excuse.
All that night I paced about, and up and down. At
length came gray dawn, but not decision. An early
fisherman disposed his net upon the beach, I watched
him long in silence, then abruptly asked, so fiercely that
he dropped his woi'k :
"Old man, do you know of any other vessel sailing
soon for the American Colonies in the South?"
"Aye, sir, there's a brig fitting out at Boulogne-
sur-Mer for the Spanish seas, to sail in a week or there-
about. But, sir," the old fellow looked cautiously
about to assure himself that no one else could hear,
"they say un-Christian things of that brigand crew.
She bodes no good."
"A freebooter?"
"Aye, sir. or a privateer, which, they say, is the
milder term."
My resolution was formed.
"Await me here; I will pay your gains for the day if
you will but do me a slight service."
"Aye, aye, sir," he responded, touching his surf-
stained cap.
I returned briefly from the inn bearing a note for M.
de Serigny. Therein I explained that a most important
matter had transpired to detain me until another vessel
they say, is the
lins for the day if
Duching his surf-
«0M THK PATH OP OVTV „.
Mil«d, some lew davs at „„„ ,
-d directed that Cjjto'T- '° '"^ ""' '^"°^'
raained unfil I saw the m!„ ? u"^"*'' "^^^"^ ^ «-
-•de.whenlWtatoneTanf"; ;"P '^ ""'^''■'■^■
from Serigny. ' ''^""^ '''«h"com.;.ui;.ation
The ancient city t.^Wd in i sTiLt"""'"'" ^'^""•
'eady it became restless wi h 1 "' "'>"'=^'- Al-
which clad its gable Tn T ' ^'°"'"' "' ^"'"her day
'owers With thf s Mn J^ ''^: :"' ^"-^^ '"e rough old
.'"e waters glim„,ered fn th sun sit ^""'^ '''""'■
'"S seaward tossed themselv« "^'' '""^ "'"'"'-
*e cliffs or our heredl^ lis "'" ''^"■"' '"^ "'-
'0 - ;u^rd tith^z onTt"^ "■'■' ^" ^-- "--^
"■^d. From the heightfl " '.' T"'"^ ^ ^'"^ " "<>
«'«ts into the lowe town T "°"^ "'^"Sh quiet
' -- -on inquiringarong"? '^'^^ ''^^'''' -"-
<""«■■. These women ^I^ . ''"' '°'' *« Pri"
^-ded my unfamZr" nL,!' "^'"^ « '"^. -d re-
^-at difficulty one of the^llt' "'?'""°"' ""'a'^-
"le alongside an ominou! T 7 """ '""^""d '» ^^a^ry
'^'-a biack-hulled bl o, '"! "^" '^'"^ ■" *» "ar^
%tons burden OfXtrr"^'" '"'"*^<' and
2<>^r captain-." """" °" ^^'='' ' asked:
"'""'"^•" and at the word a darlr •
™ a oark, wiry man, who
m
I I
230
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
-t ■(
had evidently been watching my approach, appeared at
the companion way.
"A word with you, sir, if you are the captain of this
craft. I am told you are refitting for a trip to west
Florida. What your errand is I care not; I want to go
with you."
"We do not take passengers," he answered positively.
"Then take me as a marine, a seaman, what you will,
I am a soldier, familiar with the handspike as with the
sword, though knowing little of winds or currents."
Captain Levasseur'eyed me closely, asked many ques-
tions concerning my life and service, to which I replied,
truthfully in part. He seemed satisfied.
"Well, we do need a few more stout fellows who can
handle a cutlass; when could you come aboard?"
"At once; I have no baggage but the weapons at my
side."
"Good. Your name?"
"Gaspard Cambronne," I answered at random.
The freebooter laughed.
"We care nothing for your name so you will fight.
We sail the day after to-morrow one week." And sur-
veying my well knit frame, for I was a sturdy youth,
"If you know any more stout young fellows like your-
self we can give them a berth apiece."
So I scrambled aboard without more ado, and became
at once a member of the "Seamew's" crew. I hardly
knew at first why I gL e a false name. But the charac-
ter of the vessel was doubtful, its destination uncertain,
and knowing not what mission she was on I shirked to
ch, appeared at
FROM THE PATH OF DUTY
give my real name and station The rh.«
Perate, yet not one whit .ore desp^^: ^7" '""
The Seamew sailed more than fU
k Dauphin, armed withTe" L of """'^ ''='"»d
commissioning her to pre!";' Z'^T"'" *^^'''S
, southern seas, and espec.^j/rtate ' . • """""^ '"
dition against Havana or PeLaco'a "^ '" ""^ "^P^"
:ort:it:: -r r;: - ^^^^^
tient and full ol dread L dLI" .'"? ""^ '"'P^-
days the sUrt of our faster vet^a^d R-f '"'"^■'"'^^
ably at that moment in a fever oi I , j'"^' ""'' P"'^
It was just possible, too thattLl: ' P---Paratio„.
been informed of the vTa'r a„H f^"'""' "^'^ ""^ ^^
done by them ' ^ """""^ had been so far
anZ^ritXr? '^•'' -"'' "^'^ *- - at
JCh'^-jiri^-Lrh^
5srf^::%:-dsi^xrf--
the Seamew boldly about and entt d the r?'" P"'
Signaled the Frenchmen, lowered? bo., I. ""'
lieutenant ahn.r^ the f' .u -l ' ^""^ "^"^ ^'s
.-__.. the fla^.hip With credentials and a
- r
232
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
IM
letter signifying his readiness to engage in any enter-
prise.
From Admiral Champmeslin, in command of the
squadron, he learned that Bienville and Serigny, com-
bined with the Choctaws. had invested Pensacola by
land, and on the morrow a simultaneous attack by land
and sea would be made. The Spanish forces consisted
of four ships, six gunboats, a strong fort on Santa Rosa
Island, and the works at Pensacola, the strength of
whose garrison was unknown. ^,
That night on board the Seamew was spent in busy
preparation andjin rest. I alone was unemployed, my
awkwardness with ropes and spars forbade it. I sat
moodily upon a gun at the port, and fixing my eyes on
shore vainly endeavored to make out what the French and
Choctaws were doing there. To the left were the mea-
ger camp fires of the Indians; further up the hills a
more generous blazing line marked the French position,
Gradually a low wavering sound separated itself from
the other noises of the night, coming faint but clear upon
the light land breeze, the first quivering notes of a
Choctaw war chant. How familiar it was. Was I
mistaken? I listened more intently. No. It was in
very truth the voice of Tuskahoma, my old friend on
many marches.
I cared nothing for the Seamew or her crew, and de-
termined to seek my old friends to fight out the day
with them.
What little thought I gave it justified the deed. My
pocitlon as an officer of the King would palliate desert-
ing the ship which had brought me over.
in any enter-
mmand of the
Serigny, com-
[ Pensacola by
attack by land
forces consisted
; on Santa Rosa
;he strength of
spent in busy
nemployed, my
bade it. I sat
:ing my eyes on
; the French and
t were the mea-
up the hills a
French position.
rated itself from
It but clear upon
iring notes of a
it was. Was I
No. It was in
ly old friend on
er crew, and de-
;ht out the day
I the deed. My
1 palliate desert-
;r.
:$
CHAPTER XXI
THE FALL OF PENSACOLA
1 ™he°thfrh" "' """" '''^'" -■"•°« noise
■ngle voice which still sangof laf of ., ^"'
eyes this would have been'a Si sight" """^""°"^''
abo^rthe"thtrf"\"'r°''™'^=^^'' "^^ =^°'=
bac^the^LtlVstu ";,r u\f '°''-' '"'^^'
threatening citcie ™oved klTho.'a t':: rrclfon
a li'fMo ^^:«« *. I K^ound and round
^httlepme-tree shorn of its branches and striped with
red, he crept, danced and saner w ,
thrilling every ear by their sudden feTd; "V^
-nmg, the laugh.cr oi a child; again, the bursting
(233) ^
y
234
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
of the tempest, the lightning's flash, the thunder's rum-
bling roar.
His arms raised to heaven like some gaunt priest of
butchery, he invoked the mighty Manitou of his tribe,
then dropping prone upon the ground he crawled, a sin-
uous serpent, among the trees.
For awhile his listeners wandered away upon their
chieftain's words to the waiting ones at home, to hunt-
ing grounds of peace and plenty ; melodious as a maid-
en's sigh that song bijeathed of love and lover's hopes,
it wailed for departed friends, extolled their virti'es, and
called down heaven's curses upon the coward of to-
morrow's fight. Then the fierce gleam of shining steel,
one wild war-whoop and all again was still. His words
faded away in the echoless night till a holy hush brooded
o'er beach and forest.
Then the solitary dancer wound about the ring as the
crouching panther steals upon her prey, while peal after
peal came the frightful cries of barbaric conflict, the
shrieks of the wounded — a wild, victorious shout blend-
ed with a hopeless dying scream.
With a master's touch he played upon their vibrant
feelings ; not a key of human emotion he left unsounded
— fame, pride, hate, love and death — his songexpi essed
them all.
Thoroughly frenzied, warrior after warrior now began
to join him in the ring ; voice after voice caught up the
dread refrain which terrorized the trained soldiery of
Europe and filled their imaginations with the nameless
horrors of unrelenting war.
thunder's rum-
THE FALL OF PENSACOLA
-k his to™aTa;;x fjr :„': "r """-^ "^
moved swiftly out of the drc k tnt ' *™''' ""*"
was the act by which Z, *" °"'" ^'^- This
supreme autho„ry '""°"""'' ^'" ^^^-^pfon o.
"po'^it rcir/:r; tr --r '^--^ --■'=<'
fragments and '.he roots ™;r^ f" '"" *= "^"gl^d
And the forest ri™?a„7t- " "'' ^'°°''-
lonely path. ^"'' *« ^^nh^y paced his
terfo;hi::oTSTa::br^' ■'" ''^'='" °' *-^ -'-
by men of learninf 1 1 . '° "'""' l^"'" described
■•". 3uch -aiie/XiJarL^dtLT""" '" •'^^'-
rati ve. ^^ airectly to my own nar-
.averrsie'^:-^;-:^ "'f ' "--«-.
"v-er the palisades or h„Ti^ Pensacola. Swarming
Choctaws Je^S Tulahoma '^""'1"'- ^o^n, thf
'heir works. It so h^T :,'?''"''' ^^^"'"''^ '™"
counted the foni^ca^r : ,t' ^r^^ -<^ '
drop down upon the in,iH» ' essayed to
*e top of a pcket leavW ^'""' "'" ^^"S"" "P""
-y prey to'thote belo^h":: Z'""' '" '"■•'' ^'^ »
Pi'Sht. Tuskahoma pauled t °. '' "°"''"'' ">'
knife, and by this accfde„T r T *" ''=" "■* his
'•^h works, sLdl:dS Irn" c"'"" 't^ "'^»-
were by my side ' -^°°" ^ hundred
The Spanish troops, i„„„d to civi,i.ed warfare, couid
''I
'4
ff till
236
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
not Stand before these yelling demons, springing here
and there elusive as phantoms, wieldin^:?; torch an i tom-
ahawk with deadly effect.
In the very forefront, shoulder to shoulder, v/ith i
laugh and a parry, a lunge and a jest, fought the Chev-
alier de la Mora. Mv rry as a lad at play, resolute and
quick, I could but stop betiiics to v/onder at the fellow.
Gallant, gay and debora:;';r, he sang a rippling little
air from soft Provence, and whirled his blade with such
dainty skill that even the stoical Indians gazed in awe
upon the laughing cavalier. Fighting through a bye-
street, he met, steel to steel, a Spanish gentleman,
wr; hin the sweep of whose sword lay half a dozen of our
good fellows.
De ia Mora glanced at this silent tribute to the Span-
iard's prowess; his face lighted up with a soldier's joy.
He planted one foot staunchly across a prostrate
corpse, and right jauntily rang out the hissing music of
their steel. Instinctively I paused to watch, and as in-
stinctively understood that though pressed to his best,
de la Mora desired to be left alone. Verily it was a gen-
tleman's fight, and no odds, for love and glory's sake,
though the Spaniard might have had a whit the better.
As I fought on, I heard the swift hurtle of a flying knife,
and saw the Spaniard drop his sword. De la Mora
glanced round with indignant eyes to the Choctaw who
had made the cast, now looking for approval from this
gendeman who sang like ? oman and fought like ^
fiend. The Chevalier was Uke to have wreaked su;
mary vengeance for striking so foul a blow. Throug'
.:?liK-
i¥^
THE FALL OF PENSACOLA
aov-n, and tenderly Irtef" ' °°'' ''" '"'^''^ "
vithin. I could tlen LTk T^''^"^ gentleman
;he doo. „a.wt Tzzrt rjir-r "
then q„,te evident that the day was ou^ ' ' " ""
-St?c:ar dt^ 't;f - -^-
page catchin.hU„^dtth';o™,:Vt;;/^PP-
- ^i^rziTe s:i " ^' '" "- °' - '-
might have thereby wl^T'""'''^ °' ^'^'^ *'"''h he
•"own a pi.e ai.ed'arry brl:rd;d h '^'l" "^ "^^-^
i° my heart like a lying ^hief,' t "" ' ""' '" ''"'
to imagine his dishonor ' "'''° ""^ -^^^^ enough
Just at the last there was » f,iii: • .
*ch my lads insisted ^11^!? '""'"' '"'""'"
Of this was carried strailht foThf Gov""' '"'"• ""'^^
-fas made thereof Governor, and much
^^^na^^^JtJr'-'"'- ^~ 0°- the
P-n iowered";: trrnVX^ ^^ ^.r '^^'"■■^"
- and iand were we alike succl„;" ' '^"""- °"
•t
238
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
f ' . ;
: , „
i
1
^
total destruction of the Seamew, blown up by a red-hot
shot, which fell in her powder magazine.
At the surrender I caught my old commander's eye.
He motioned me to draw nearer. I obeyed most re-
luctantly, for I expected a stern rebuke from the rugged
soldier who never forgave the slightest deviation from his
orders. Instead, Bienville overwhelmed me with praise.
He grasped my hand, and spoke loud enough for all
the troops to hear :
"Before our assepibled armies I am proud to acknowl-
edge your share in France's triumph this day ; proud
and grateful for your fidelity at Versailles and Paris.
Your example of loyalty and courage is one worthy to
be emulated by all the sons of France. The King shall
have your name for further recognition."
This was a great deal for Bienville to say, especially
at such a time. My own lips were dumb.
"Take your proper place, sir."
And mechanically I walked to the head of my cheer-
ing guards. I was amazed. And Serigny? Had he
made up his mind to overlook my defection? Had the
Governor forgiven my failure to return in le Dauphin?
Surely not. The noble voice of Bienville broke into ray
puzzled thought :
"Captain de Mouret, you will receive the surrender
pf Don Alphonso, our knightly and courteous foe."
"^ It thrilled me with pride that I should receive so fa-
" mous a sword, for knightlier foeman than Alphonso
never trod a deck nor tossed his gauntlet in the lists. I
stepped forward to the Spanish lines where their van=
IRIIilllt!
A ii
THE FALL OF PENSACOLA J33
quished admiral tendered me th. .• • •
mand, when on a sudden t^ '?!'"=«'"« »' Ws com-
fered sword, assuri "g ht so noW a 'V'' '"^ P^'"
to stand disarmed and „T ul^ '°''^"' °"S>'t never
that vaHant biade! % deSed Td'"' f""'" '°''=''
«.mad...BienWneL::f^^^^^^^^^
fidious memory. ^'''"'°^"' '^' commandant of per-
"You, too, Matamora? What n«f ^ , •,. ,
saved thy precious skin .^ZX^'Tf ' f ^'
do you tliinfc to merit fh» P">'- And
-d good fait ° b; ': ;:r ',?"'=" """"'»°<'
boy," and l,e beckoned Vn,r ''°"'"'' "°- "««
his elbow, ''do you .1 Jo! dT '■"' "''° '"^^ «
break it before the troops " """"^ ''^^P"" *"d
'•'under his foot. o'elTt^'B e tme's^^^^^^^^^
the tainted pieces from him. ' **" "=*"«
Sood cheer. :Th-.4pt '„''■■"? "? "^"' ■"= <"■«-
■S^:'
|: y
240
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
III
"Cheer up, lad," he'd say, "What i^U yor' One
would think yoj'd met reverse, instead of winning glory
and promotion. It was a brave day, and bravely you
did bear yourself. Would that Jerome could see."
But the consciousness of dishonor had torn elation
from my soul, though, God knows, it had before been
stainless in thought or deed.
"We'll have many sweet and tranquil hours at Biloxi
when days of peace are come. My cottage can be your
home after the barracks no longer clr .m your care.
Agnes is the sweetest of wives ; her little sister, too, a
child, but fair, and clever too, beyond her years."
Verily I cared nothing for a baby sister. But Agnes?
He repeated his invitation to their cottage many
times, and mentally I prayed, "O God, lead notliiy
children into temptation."
When we had settled ""-^wn agiiin at ^ Iloxi, for days
I remained to myself in th . barracks, and saw no one,
making pretense of being busy amongst my men.
De la Mora rallied aie upon .ny ungall? t conduct, in
denying to the ladies the sight of so famous a soldier.
I had now firmly determined to make it accessary to
be away from the post for a season, < her ■ i campaign
with the Choctsws against the Nat' cz, by taking
part in the cotnmg siege of Havana. Any pretext to
get away. Anything but the truth.
CHAPTER XXII
THE CONTENTS OF THE BOX
ONE day very soon thercaitf^r r«„
me a box. which he a^h J K ''T' ''''''''''^
by an Indian fro. Cololj'^^^^^^^^^ ^^-e
tht it be dehVei. d into m^ . , ' ^ '^^ '^^"^st
to be, I would .a h ^ ^a " ' ^"' '"^^^-•
would permit. ^ ^' '°°" ^s n^y duties
The evening being f advanc^H t t j
night, so contented.; -self ;!h "^ "°' ^° ^^^^
the bay on the morrow ^^^ ^^°«^^^^e I would cross
Later, my company being my own T rr.
to the box, such a metal rLeptade /, ^ '"'"''°"
"sed for articles of value T ^^'^^ f ^^^ commonly
%. and opened w^rolTdifH^' ' ''''' " ^^^
The reasons for d'Orfp^'c r^
fe box, bound together tZt^rZ"'- '^'■""■"
"any writings, some on parchment^n ^'' *"''
lerent dates and degrees n, ^^P"' °' ^if-
«e.. worn .on. ag^a^^ d ^ts .f""^ '^-
"'' in better condition. Some t'h!! '■"™''
Peared quite new an ' fresl, rt ""''" ""^ =*• ^P'
'- 'o«nd a resting Sint^," ''-">»
-■- -i^tidCis. vvni.. .- -J y« I 1
III
VTOLr
[241)
242
THE BLACK .VOLF'S BREED
1i»!' 'v'
■ i. ^..i.
All were arranged in due and systematic order; of
whatever age, each bore a careful superscri[)tion, giving
in brief the co itents of the paper written by his own
exact hand. Beside this, each document was num-
bered and placed in sequence. Verily, it was most me-
thodically done, so any child could read and understand.
It was with much misgiving I approached the task of
making myself familiar with my old friend's secret,
Had he committed some youthful crime which weighed
heavily upon his, trembling age, and had driven him to
these savage shores, where, shut out from all companion-
ship with his kind, he did a lonely penance? If so, I
preferred to remain in ignorance, for his was a friend-
ship so dear, so pure, I desired not to taint it with the
odor of guilt.
He had, however, made his request in such urgent
terms, even pathetic, I could not disregard it, and
putting aside the reluctance I felt, I took up the paper
which lay on top, directed to myself, and began its
perusal. It was as follows :
My dear Placide:
The great feebleness of my worn-out frame warns me again
that time for me is almost past. It may be, when you recross the
seas, I shall have gone to final judgment. • • * remember mj
request, and carry on to the end that work which generations of
cowards have left undone. * • * All is here contained in these
papers, except some recent news I have of the Pasquiers from the
northern colonies.
Possibly if you went to Quebec and sought out the Cure of St
Martin's (who wrote this last letter, No. 32) you may right it all,
and give to my soul its eternal peace. • * • Wit the strong
THE CONTENTS OF THE BOX
243
affection which mv bodily infirmiM ..
I am, ^ '"^ '"«'•'"'"" have In no wise diminished.
Vour old friend.
Raoui. Armand Xavier o'Ortm.
ofCariiiJon.Normandjr.
Having carefully read this letter I th.
peruse the various document l;!, ." ^'^'^^^^^ to
ranged them. . °'"'"^"t^ '" the order he had ar-
The first, written by the hanH ^* .u ,,
Laurent 0, Lorraine, /bb „ Vaui ^f ff ""•
">'3s,on to the monastery 0/ I"h,L °' "'" '''-
d'Arlm, to whom the cood ml I ' '°" °' "=""
thoiomew Pasquier This Tm f '' ""^ """= Bar-
orders, left the monaslrl t t h ,'"'' '"''^"'' '"
King Of Navarre and b^;, ' """"'" «"'* Ae
^o»eho,d Of Kin, H:titeTou:th^^^" '"'''' '" '"^
seance of a certain teat ^ ^ /"* ''"P" "'^ ^=-
^--l. This was he wtol r' : e7t 7 \'''^ '" ^
™ battle, and to have kltJ^^ ^""^ ^^'" """^d
whom I afterward found to be ""'■ """' ""'^ '"^^ "e
, There was also o ained an"'' °"" '"'"' '^""^•
Of Pedro d'Orte^ who nrnl "~""' °' *" '"'^'^ '»«
^abs, threw h.^;: Vh ° "Vr'-"' "" ""'"^-^o"-
oW well whereon he hart. i"""""' '"'° "'^ ^^"^
(d'Artin, *' ''^^ ^^"S^^ h" brother, Henri
iRati^vr*;;""'" tj"' ^-^ '">bot to.d of .„»
I . - «.onu son of Pedro slew his own brothe'r,'
fiiii
i I
:
211
k
. : i
f
,'Hil
i\n
244
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
before their father's eyes, in order that he, Raoul, might
be Count of Cartilion. And this same Raoul, some
years later, did have the locket made and forced his own
son to swear that he would restore the real sons of
d'Artin, the true children of the Black Wolfs Breed, to
their own again. All of these accounts are of surpass-
ing interest, old and quaint, to a perusal of which I
recommend my children.*
For the first time, in reading these manuscripts, did
I begin clearly to associate the name d'Ortez with the
name used by the madman in his story at the old Nor-
man ruin. With this new light, link by link did the
whole knotted chain untangle. Curiously enough, the
tale I had heard at the ruined castle tallied in the main
with the monkish documents here preserved. Indeed
it supplied me with J owledge of much which otherwise
I would not have comprehended so completely. The
horrible reality of that weird recital was still fresh and
distinct before mr, undimmed by time and unforgotten
through all my troubles.
I had sought refuge many times from brooding over
my own affairs by turning to this for interest and occu-
pation. Every further detail was supplied by a number
of quaint documents, which Colonel d'Ortez had di-
gested into this :
•These documents have been included in an appendix to this volume.
endix to this volume.
THE CONTENTS OF THE BOX
TABtB SHOWma THE M..B DESCENDANTS OK
245
HENRI d'ARTIN
"SiaS'' ''^''''' d'Artin, died
BartholemewPlacidePasquien
killed in wars of the Fronds
Henri Louis John (hZhLI"^^^ ^'
AND OF
PEDRO ORTEZ.
Sons of
above,
iDove), died 1654 auuve.
rrancols Rene Xavipr ,»« 6
.,(ennobled). |<illed 1830 ^ ^^squier
Irancois Rene Alois dePasauier fl,^
to America. SuDDQ<i«.r» ♦:, S '^V"^^
killed about m V uJ""^ been
scendants. Well kno»n i'°fl*'V,'^e-
of St. Martin's, Quebec *° ""^ ^"^
pdiedvvith'oStiss^u'e'."' f^O" o/ Raoul).
Pedro d'Ortez (brother to above), died
SpKe!Tc&''r^^^ in battle.
Felix died in infancy "^- 1
born .'«"J?"? Xavief d'Ortez Isonsof
—I m" J.^Lyself;. Died' ( above.
ChT~L No children.
It appeared that the only thins tr. u ^
visit the good Cure of St Ma/, °l ^ "" '"''' '"
in the search find what. T ' ^"''' '^"""'"g him
beenleftb^tM^FlntrRTneA^r^^^ ""'"'' "^^
task need not be a rfiffi, .! ^° Pasqu.er. The
should s.i„ be iWngwhlt^r'^f ■"="•" °'<' People
I now bethought me or,h "°"" "' ">^ "'^'' *
;;erebMc„u5Lret;::rra":;r't^^r
therefore, call upon my old fnVnrf J u "°"''''
leave, matte,, now bdng ^f!f \f " ''r^g """^'"ed
journey to Quebec ^ '^'"'"'y' '"^''e the
'o'"" full tilttto r °' '^'»P'"'°"'= way was
— s Of spread,„g before mT fong 1^:/ Ha' '""'
IIP
»f"l#a*w»«w^iii«»fc,
246
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
i^'T
and honor. After a hard battle with my weaker self I
lost the fight.
Just as on the day I departed from Versailles, I deter-
mined, cost what it would, to see Agnes once again. So
I wrote her a note. Such a blunt and clumsy billet as
only a love-sick soldier or a country clown could have
written. It craved pardon for the heat and the haste
displayed by me when we parted at Sceaux ; it implored
one last interview before I left the colonies forever, I
had not the art to conceal or veil my meaning, but told
it out and plainly.' Such a note as an idiotic boy might
pen, or a simpering school lass be set fluttering to re-
ceive.
I bade my man deliver this to Madame de la Mora
on the morrow, charging him minutely and repeatedly
to see it safe in her own hands. So careful was I, I did
not doubt that even so stupid a lout as Jacques under-
stood me perfectly.
His further instructions were to meet me at the Bay
when I should return in the evening from my visit to
Colonel d'Ortez, and there beside its rippling waters—
or so I had arranged— I was to receive her answer.
It had now turned late of the night, and I sought re-
pose. Sleep evaded my bed. What with my own rest-
less desires, my chiding sense of ill-doing, and the
d'Ortez story I had read, I tossed and tumbled through
the remaining hours of darkness. Tumbled and tossed,
whilst the sins and suffeiings of men long dead passed
and repassed with their spectral admonitions.
£r\t»l\p j-i.*^ 4-I'\i-k *y\r\ti*»'r\\t* ti^Mflja ^Vija j-Iotf viroc ^f***" /*f\t^\ I
I my weaker self I
'^t9 \%fna %r£*¥ priQi !
THE CONTENTS OF TKE BOX
— ^47
'ate than I had ever seen , "tT '"^"^'' ^"^ ''"O"
dea.h dung as a pall about . he pla^l"'""; °! ^"'"-^
Ind,an servant, sat heside the gate a n,„f f '"'' "'^
post against which he leaned "not'onless as the
,;'Ho.v is the .aster. PachacoP-., inquired, passing
The shadows were at the lonM.;^ •■ l,
dicatingbya eesture tl,. "Sest, he answered, in-
I h.rrr;./?"'^"'^'''' horizon
J hurried into the master', ,„ ,
Pos.tion he had occupied wL ' ^" *= «^«'«
"-J-ed ™e to rem^a^'h^f t": T' ''^ ""
^ha'V, His clothing hun^ aL ! J ' ''""'' '" •"'s
-g"lar fashion mlhich'g.t: ,3"'";. ■" *^' ^''-P'^
Long, thin locks we.e 'Ttl^ '"^ '° « ^-^P^e.
awesomely disarranged fi" t f '" '"'^ '^"-.
drooped a little forward. sugfeldJT ".' "''' ''^^<^-
nothing more. "guested a melancholy reverie,
The golden locket whirl, i,. u j ,
remembered night iTed -1 . *"'"" '"' *at well-
"oted that the sId ' wis ot L" '." ''"""''^ P^"™- I
"■ought, there sat the mastir 1 '^"'j"""' ""pleasant
-"- "is story. How V wdly the' 1"'' "' ' ^'°-
«"^back,- how it oppressed me "^'^ ^°™>^
'bent ,,„„„ ;„ ^^_^^^^ ^^_^ .
' '"srea features, and kne^i,-„„' "' ?" "^"^ "P""
hie *.
V
"•es. and kneeling, gazed
into his
wid
iitii
248
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
open eyes. The calm of promised peace upon his
brow was distorted by the unsatisfied expression of one
who has left his work undone.
So are the sins of the fathers visited upon their chil-
dren, for I was no longer in doubt but that the mur-
derer, Pedro Ortez, was the sinning ancestor of my old-
time friend. Even in his presence my thoughts flew to
Agnes '. had she not spoken of her grandsire as being
such a aian? The stiffening body at my side was speed-
ily forgotten in the music of this meditation.
I gained my feet again and looked down upon him,
fascinated by the changeless features of the dead. It
was probably natural that standing there I should re-
volve the whole matter over and over again, from the
first I knew of it until the last. A young man's plans,
though, work ever with the living; the dead he places
in their tomb, covers them with earth, bids them "God-
speed," and banishes the recollection. I was already
busy with my contemplated search for the last d'Artln,
and stood there leaning against the oaken table ponder-
ing over the question, "Where is the last d'Artin?"
My mind wandered, returning with a dogged persist-
ence to that one thought, "Where is the last d'Artln?"
"Where could / find him?" My restless eyes roamed
round the cheerless room, coming always back to rest
upon a long dust-covered mirror set in the wall across
the way.
As wind-driven clouds gather and group themselves
in fantastic shapes, so, deep in that mirror's shadowy
ElEED
d peace upon his
expression of one
id upon their chil-
3ut that the mur-
mcestor of my old-
ly thoughts flew to
grandsire as being
ny side was speed-
litation.
d down upon him,
s of the dead. It
there I should re-
/er again, from the
'oung man's plans,
the dead he places
L, bids them "God-
n. I was already
)r the last d'Artin,
aken table ponder-
; last d'Artin?"
1 a dogged persist-
the last d'Artin?"
:stless eyes roamed
ilways back to rest
: in the wall across
I group themselves
: mirror's shadowy
11
THE CONTENTS OF THE BOX
With the vacant g-Iance
tensely preoccupied, I studfe/ "?'" '''^°'' '"'"^ ^'^ '"-
-y own bearing^ „,; IZ'^^ "^'""^^^^ the reflection,
a button off my coatf and tried d "?'""• ' ^^^" "^^^^
I had lost it, until^g^eatGo/Tj^'r^^'^^^-h^-
and revelation had tuLd .ytTa '' ^'^"^^^ ^^ ^leath
What face was that I saw? M
so like another. ^^ °^"' assuredly, but
-'Aghast, powerless fr» «,^
'-.y into The g,l:^ '°C; "h? °"' ' "='^^'' "^'p-
now before this new-born tJr l' ^«"s«ion vanished
»l-ed. I Cosed my°Z'Z . '"' "^ ^°'" »-
My body seem.H • ' ^'^'' ""' '°ok.
*^re was to call attentL to th ' d, "°'- ^^="" "«"
W whole soul shrank Jrom tl. f "•,'"""= P-'^ence;
*^ g'ass. For there ^he"e tlf ^^"^ "'' '^""'^^ i^
f-ance, death-distorted d Iln Tt "="'■■" ~''"-
i^ed up in many a frightened T' ' ''''' '=°"-
-Mered Countithere tlHenr df^; *^' °' '"^
How long I stood transfiv^rf • "'
' ""ow not. As men th,nk »; T,' ''"'° *^ "■"-.
d«dly fear, so did my hrsfl! " '"'" ''" ''■"« <"
'he last question I had In minrfTr"' '"" °''='- 'e^in
"e, "Where is the last "'11/°",,^' ""^^ '°"°ok
d'Artin? Where-?" "'"^ Where is the last
And in answer to my question H,,» i
X question, that long, rigid finger
if I
.11 r*
ft:
II- *
H
'i
.1111
250
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
pointed directly at me from out the dusty glass. It was
as if the hand of the dead had told me who I was.
It had been no blind chance, then, which led me to
the Paris house of the "Black Wolf's Head;" the girl's
ring with the same device, and the grewsome narrative
beneath the shadow of the Wolf at the Norman ruin —
nothing less than fate had brought these lights to me.
Verily some more logical power than unreasoning ac-
cident must direct the steps of men. A God of justice
perhaps had placed these tokens in my path. And
soldiers call this "fortune.'
>»
I dispatched Pachaco to Biloxi with the news of
death, and long before the afternoon our few simple ar-
rangements for his funeral had been made.
"Bury me here, Placide, beneath this great oak," he
had said to me one day. "The Infinite Mercy will con-
secrate the grave of penitence, wherever it may be."
He had his wish.
If
w
CHAPTER XXIII. .
A NOTE WHICH WENT ASTRAY
And .his is ho„ .h: ;;w did'i"" '"' =""" '"■«-'■•-•
.-den .es,-d; ZtZTT%'''^T' '" "■^""''
^stance off, busied somewav I ^'^"''^"'^"tood some
"« with his face turned awrri""" '"" ""' """^
«"e up. Jacques handedTh. " ^ ™«^enger as he
*e fence, and she tookt i' ' T '° ""^'^"^ «'™"gl'
•° ^o« it. She held t B r; ^ ' ~"^^' '^-'"S
"Pon it, and seeing VwaThtr'^ ^f ""= »^»- written
»"°usly at the wiw She H 7' °°'''' ^S^"" "■<"■-
"•-ive'to'rrwirTndT'' "^ ""^^ ' "-= ■•'■•-
" '° ■»- % hands a"e^so-?° ""^rTL""^ '""'' -="1
^.te hands dabbled in the dirt. "^ '""> '"""
(25J>
252
THE BLACK WOLF S BREED
i
'i
^^Hi
"Perhaps some invitation to a court ball. We'll go,
eh, Agnes?"
He came like the fine, strong gentleman he was,
across the garden, taking the note from her and tearing
it open. He began straightway to read, my lady on
tip-toe behind him reading over his shoulder, and hold-
ing her contaminated hands away from his coat. His
face grew puzzled at the first, then as he seemed to
finish, he stood a pace apart from my lady and read
again. There was murder in his face^yet so white and
quiet.
He threw down the note and ground it into the soft
earth beneath his he i! , Then he caught my lady firmly
by both her shou? I', sa and held her fast, at full arm's
length, gazing steadUy into her face.
"God in heaven," as Jacques said to me; "Master,
what eyes has that Chevalier de la Mora ! No man could
lie to him with those eyes reading what a fellow thought. ' '
Jacques could not make himself to leave ; he stood rigid
and watched.
"Well, Madame?"
"She tried to laugh, but her husband's face forbade
that this could be a spark of lover's play.
"Well, Madame?"
"Why, Charles, what is the matter with you, you
behave so strangely?"
The Chevalier had grown an older man, his face stern
and resolute, eyes a-glitter, and mouth drawn in tense,
determined lines, A most dangerous man.
"Why, Charles, what is the matter?"
A NOTE WHICH WENT ASTRAY
er with you, you
253
^^■;When did you „,et him at Sceaux? What did you
"Meet who?"
tcril?" ••' "' '° ""• '"°"''"- ' ="» '-n no mood for sub-
'orfjd'r "ht a'' « T °" '"•^'""•^'^ '-■'• -e ^'ep
'Hen she ioo.:: a^ ;,^r::r "'"^ "^ ""'"''''
"Neither do you weep '"' '^'8'" ^ep.
like this have you reclved?" "" '"^ "''"^ "»'"
higv":hetbLd' ""'" "" '^^^ "■ ^0" Oe'd it so
handed it to her; ;tre"ardeThe ? " "^ "^ *-
read it. fegarded her face intently as she
^ Jead this, Madame, and see how careless you have
^-SntTum^-t: ^ r- -^ '^ again, the
looked at her husband w'thgeal^?"'- '''""' ^"^
«s now calm, and as quiet afhe °^™ ^^"' ^"^
Truly, Charles, I know nothing of this "
It was always said, Madame t i
talce the stage and olav A» ^^''"''' y"" <=<>"ld
tuousdamosels "he, ^':''°' '^'^''-^^^'^d ^nd vir-
"Ten me LdaL"!?;:""; """^™^""^ ■"•^"•p-
«>13 Captain de Mo^ret'^o^ ™ " ^°" ""'' ^"^^ ^
and tJdlJ",:i,.r;';:' "I '^^^ — <> -•"• direct
y. --..mg .tra,ght mto his eye, her own
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354
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
Iflf
Ifll
hands folded across her heaving breast. "As I value
my soul, Charles, I know nothing of him."
"What does he mean when he says here 'I was hasty
and too impulsive when we parted in the chapel at
Sceaux' ? "
"Upon my honor, Charles, I do not know. I never
saw the man in all my life — to know him."
"Upon your honor,'" the Chevalier repeated.
And my lady's cheek flushed fire. But her form
straightened up, and her eyes met his unflinching, with-
out guilt or fear. The Chevalier turned and caught
sight of Jacques, for the lout, according to his story,
had grown to the spot as firm as one of the oaks.
"Here, you fellow, come here, come here/''
And Jacques dared not disobey him.
"Here, fellow, how many notes like this have you
brought to my wife?"
' • Only that one, my lord . ' ' Jacques started in by tell-
ing the truth, and he followed it up religiously. Ac-
cording to his account of it, the Chevalier looked him
straight through and through until he dared not tell
a lie.
"Mind that you tell me the truth. Who gave you
this note?"
'*Captain de Mouret."
"When?"
"Last night."
"Where?"
"At his quarters."
"To whom did he say you should deliver it?"
Who gave you
A NOTE WHICH WENT ASTRAY
who took it unseeing ^^ " °"'' '° "^^ ^^^^^
''Did he expect a reply?"
"Yes, my lord."
"And where did he sav f« k •
Bay thXrr ?c tt^'-r '-"' -- *«
"At what hour?" "'^" """^ "P"" '"e shore.'
perchaZ"" "'"^''' "^ ^"'' ^ "« -"d .-twould be ,ate.
*eXM f:,l„?r;.'°" " ■"'• "^ "-' "ave drained
n.J'^uX';''"''"" '""' '° '">' "'"'^ -•* the „t.
"What say you, Madame shaH T K
«>« gentle captain? Par bvj. i " ''°'" ""'P'^ '°
q-ire a more Careful Jb.L^ T^' ^"^""'' >">" de-
creet and less glib oftn^r^" "'" ""^' ""'= ""'- '^-
He looked as «rd,?„rhett"": ,
Arryorrda^j:---;'^---
% lady neither screamed 1. ' ""^ ^^"^'•^d."
--"i-.ouac,ues;rioTa:r;^„''r-j::
ti:
mi
m
256
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
fj-f-
dazed, or who but dimly understood. The Chevalier
strode out sword in hand.
"For shame, Charles," she called to him calmly
enough, though she was deadly pale, "here is some
wretched mistake — "
"Yes, there does appear to have been a mistake — in
the delivery of this precious billet. I will speedily make
that right."
"Charles, Charles I"
He turned. Her bearing was full as proud as his.
He looked from the woman to the paper in his hand.
"Well, if you know not this man, then he has wan-
tonly insulted you. I shall await this Captain de Mruret
by the water, and there I shall know the truth. He
shall explain what means this pretty letter to my wife."
Jacques watched her proudly erect figure enter the
door. He saw her sway a moment in indecision, tV
sink beside the bed to pray. She came shortly to ,.
door again and called him. The fellow's brain worked
slowly, and he had not yet comprehended the extent of
mischief he had done. That he had done something
amiss, though, he began to understand.
"You had that note from Monsieur le Capitaine de
Mouret?"
"Yes, Madame."
"And he said deliver it to me?"
"To Madame Agnes de la Mora. Am I not right?"
"Yes, I am Madame Agnes de la Mora, but that note
was not intended for me."
A NOTE WHICH WENT ASTRAY
one came closer tn l?./^
Captain de Mo.re. a love a«lXrr T""' "" ""'
s-ver :„e truly, has he a love all „ " ""^- •'""-
Her innocence anrl ^ ! ' °''-°'- a mistress?-
--'y and set h^r w ;derl"r'7 ''"-'^'' ''^^'^'"^^
'^■^X't'^!;'^"--'^^^^^^^^^
""d here I disturb n.yse7,h '"'"'"'" '"^■'- No;
while two hVes are inTLn "'" ^ °*" "•'P""-'""
act-but how?" '"P"^"^- ' ■»"« think, I „„,;
And she broke down to ween arr„-„ u .
raan m her that was behmH f . ^*'"' ^''°»'">g the wo-
wcre,.ot 'orlo„r Jacouestit f"™'- "«'«»-
«y something, so h- bZ!. ^ "^^ *"' "'™ ""-^ to
-.-.hen ot wht better h^ °'" ""'' "' ''°^"-
Governorforyou," ^ "'^"*' "-^ *«' see the
The good fellow had in th^f
«ah«d that hecoud stop hTT' '"*'''"'''•"■«
~"'d if he had to q„it Z f '"■■ """^ "0 ■"* he
X^'ady.sogenSthetoT ^"^ ^''--'' ^
•■No/;:dT4'i::rs"M'''''"°'^''^''-*is?'.
'Oey leave that fo; hr^eL^s .""^ '" ""' '^ "'"^
-"ht^jy^ar'"'"^''^'''"'-"""'^ Governor.
J 7— Black Woi,p
And
m
liijil,
25s
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
llfi
i
^ f
t
i
1
i
It was ever Bienville's wont to act with quick decision.
"Order Major Boisbriant to leport to me at once."
And off posted Jacques upon his errand.
That officer attended with military promptitude.
"Major Boisbriant, do you seek on the instant the
Chevalier de la Mora, and bear him company wherever
he may go until you are relieved. Put upon him no re-
straint, and say nothing of your having such orders
from me if you can avoid it. There is trouble brewing
here, which I want to prevent; an affair of honor, you
understand. He has gone toward the landing on the
Bay. Be discreet and delicate."
Boisbriant nodded his comprehension, saluted, and
was gone. Bienville turned to Jacques.
"Saddle my horse at once and bring him here."
It was much later than I had hoped before I could
with decency return to Biloxi. Impatient, childish and
excited I recrossed the bay, leaving a little detail of
soldiers to watch beside the body of my friend. As soon
as I saw Jacques on the other shore I knew something
had gone wrong. That senseless knave was pacing un-
certainly about the beach, stopping here and there to
dig great holes in the sand with his toe, and carefully
filling them up again. The fellow, ever on the watch
for me, was at the same time watching the path from
Biloxi, and seemed to dread my coming. Instead of
meeting me at the water, he waited for me to approach
him, thus leaving the two boatmen out of hearing.
"Well, give me the note; why stand there like a driv-
* "O'fE WHICH WENT ASTRAV
,;Thereis„o„ote.sir."
■Wo reply?"
::The^'ad,.e„t„o„e...
'hen tw^de'^lT ■'"'''"" """«' '«< and pafe
^^•^^s digging in the^sald.^ "'''^''^ "^°" ^"^^^^^ ^ole he
"TJie — Chevalier?" t i
"-r before .„,,,,,, j^^^^-^f - "a- o, ,; ,„„ ,,,
" was now mv own f ^" errand. "
;:t^r--- - caned c;ra^-;:r^^^^^^^
■"^"^r, you mu« not „' I ^ f°'"'' «"" "ol; but
^lu he male/* n^ •
J«% -y what he ™ed?a ' , ^-J-eronecouId
*'"' '"•m look at n,e like tto " """"" "« «« «<>
ft!
26o
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
I was paralyzed by the suddenness of the ill-fortune
which had befallen, but I was to be allowed no day of
grace in which to plan a line of conduct. My face had
been turned all this while toward the sea, there being
something soothing to me about the long, even sweep
of those brigh*-, blue waters in the south.
Jacques faced the town. I noted a deprecatory gest-
ure, and following his gaze saw the Chevalier himself
coming our way at a good round pace. My knees did
quake, and the veriest poltroon might have well been
ashamed of the overweening fear which possessed me.
In defense of which I may say, I believe it was due in
large part to my great respect and fondness for de la
Mora, as well as a deep consciousness of the justice of
his cause. From long habit I looked first to my weap-
ons, but for once felt no joy in them.
"Captain de Mouret," he greeted me with a soldier's
formal courtesy.
' ' Chevalier de la Mora . "
"Captain, I have the honor to return to you a note
which I believe bears your name," and he handed me
the unfortunate billet.
"Am I right? Is that your hand?"
I scorned to lie, and answered him evenly:
"It is."
"Is that note properly directed? To Madame de la
Mora?"
"It is, but—"
"Have you any explanation, sir, to offer?"
For the life of me I could think of nothing to say; I
me with a soldier's
To Madame de la
A NOTE WHICH WENT asTRav
could not tell him the truth n.vi,
-;;> grace. So I si^l^id ''" ""^' ' '^ '^ ^™
"It was not her f-mli- " ^ l . .
could have made ' "^''''"^ ""^ ^°^t remark I
"Then, this note is true? v^, jj
appointment in the ruined ch.oZTt """ ^^ ""' '>>'
"No, by my honor, there wi, "'"^^
q=,."PO" "- by Chance, and .hr:;hrrsrt'-o|
plac^tSe'SoTto meTr f 't '■" "^ '°"^'^
"0>v swear; you were there"hor • '',"': ''""or. as you
which this />o,„raiU missi/. , "npu'^'ve and hasty>
No-v you seek anot LT; ate r"""" ""'"" '°'-
you can not live without"'' "" """''='' y°" ^^Y
knows, is bad enough " ^''^ <«''«'•. God
I winced, but held my tongue.
«"e°;?tr;:s'e« "■ '^ "■="■" ""o"^" ■• -« *»,« . „»
^-e-tcit:;:rbifthr ^-'^ ■'^-— ■■ ".-^
"'X supple and dextLus m ta'nTf "' '"^^™ °'
soon stripped for action ^ ^"" ""= *«« both
was ahf'arir, . ...^ . ^ "^^^y campaign bhH^ t
--d.., a Jcad man, orso I '-'■ - ^
if
felt, for there was
no
m^
203
'I -■
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
spirit in me for the fight. Our blades crossed, and im-
mediately he noted the disparity of arms.
"Captain," he remarked, composedly, drawing back
a pace. "This is a bad business; I shall surely kill
you, but wish to do so as a gentleman. Permit me to
exchange our weapons, so you fence not at such great
disadvantage."
And he offered me the hilt of his own reversed sword.
"Chevalier de la Mora, you are a gallant gentleman,
will you believe a man who has not yet lied to you, and
who feels a word is your due?"
"Be quick," he replied, "we maybe interrupted."
"I have wronged you and will render full atone-
ment. But it has only been a wrong of the heart ; one
of which I had no control, no choice. Your sweet wife
has never, by word or deed, dishonored the noble name
she bears."
"Of course. Captain, it is a gentleman's part to make
such protestations. It is fruitless for us to discuss this
matter further, except as we had so well begun."
So intent were we both that neither had seen Jacques
leave us, nor had either heard the swift hoof beats of a
horse upon the deadening sand, until the rider was full
upon us."
Bienville. Behind him, on foot, just emerging from
the brush some distance away, Boisbriant and Jacques,
"Gentlemen, gentlemen, put by your weapons. What
does this mean?" He had flung himself from his horse
and stood between.
De la Mora sullenly dropped his point.
* ""^ w„,c„ „^„ ^3^^^^
'■"« during the nlgUt, and he w^ ""^'^ '° '«■"»'■■'
'o-n'orro^. P,, J j/' J*J_^' '?ort to me a. ten
H. gave up his h^rse to ?,' "'"' ""■ "
f^arm led me in the direct,W?K """ '^"'"S ■»« by
' was in no better plight for , ^" ^^'"'°"- Truly
Governor more th.„ fhe'3 iV T^ --^P^o' from tl^e
"' '"is time 1 said no td °' "■■■ '^ "ora. During
Absolute siience. Bienvi e' Z T"'" '° ^iioxi if
"'""• '«ogni.ed the delicacy? ' S'=""^""'n's in-
The Governor took ,„e !, "^ P°''"'^'^
«t me down at the tab"e °"" '" "'^ °>^" --"om, and
••^''ciynoT'Lnrvet"?'^^^
^- -' <o put upon m a co";„i ?" -'• ' beg „,
Ti.;3 wretched matter is „ot ,ZT,^i, ■""« ^-bey.
A woman ?" ^° ^^"' even to you. "
f held my peace.
Pla'S..' "'°"^'« - -ch. Is it your fauU or his
"Mne,'
t
264
TFIE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
■"^f^ !■,
11
ili
He drummed on the tabic with his fingers a while be-
fore he spoke again.
"Then, my lad, there is but one thing I can do, that
is to send you away from here at once. You can leave
this place to-night, seek out Tuskahoma, make yo'ir
way to Pensacola, thence to Havana, where I warrant
you will find other occupation. Or, if you so desire, I
will accredit you to Governor Frontenac in the north."
I chose Havana, there being the greater prospect of
active service there. It took the methodical Governor
but brief space to give me such letters as would insure
me fitting reception from our brave fellows at Pensa-
cola. He placed them in my hand, and I quietly rose
to bid him good-night, and good-bye. I would not
have ventured upon anything more than a formal word
of parting, for I had the consciousness of having done
much to forfeit his regard. But the old man came over
and put his arms about me as he might a beloved son.
"Placide," he said, "it grieves me to the soul for you
to leave me. I love you, boy, as I do my own flesh.
You have served me truly, always with affection and
honor. I respect your silence now, and ask you for no
confidences not your own. Serigny has told me how
faithful you were in Paris, and what he heard from oth-
ers of your interview with the King. Placide, my lad,
even now it fires my blood to think of a boy of mine
standing before the mighty Louis, surrounded by our
enemies, and daring to tell the truth. It was glorious,
glorious, and it saved your Governor. I had minded
me in an idle day to hear it all from your own lips.
A NOTE WHICH WENT ASTRAY ,55
word to engage in no encounter?'' ^ ^^""^ ^'^^^^
•'Aye sire, you have my word."
Oood-by. PlacJdc "
•he doo, and 'eft ™e af et t : ,:.T°r'"MT' '""
straightway to my own o,J,. """"''' "'«"«
o'the^o^stand^I^lSr^Mtt^^^^^^^
elaborate, and a shorf l,.u , ^^- ^^ to''et was not
equipped for th^ tZLl """" '"""' ""= "™P'«eIy
ni.S"':!.!:rLdTaw:r t'."^^ ^ '^'•^' ■•" '^«
horn until Pachaco heard L"^'' '"* ''^^ "''"''<' »
1.;. boat. ''• "■*" '^' ■»« down to wait for
m\
l»
r! I i
mi
n
1 t
i
CHAPTER XXIV
THE CHILDREN .OF THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
ACCORDING to the Governor's recollection, I had
been gone only a short space when a peremptory
knock came upon his door. He opened it, and there
stood the Chevalier de la Mora, dishevelled and with
evidences of haste, but courteous as was his wont.
"I desire to speak with Captain de Mouret, at once,
at once."
"That you can not do; he has gone. Chevalier, I
am astonished. Had I not a gentleman's parole that
you should remain in your house this night?"
"You had, sire, but the conditions were urgent, and
see, I have sought Captain de Mouret without arms, so
no breach could occur between us."
"Fortunately, M. le Chevalier, Captain de Mouret has
consented to leave this colony to-night, and before the
day dawns he will doubtless be many miles away.
The Chevalier heard like one dumb and undecided, a |
great doubt tugging at his heart. He departed unstead-
ily in the direction of the barracks.
"Here, my good fellow, hast seen Captain de|
Mouret?" he inquired of a straggler.
The man saluted.
(266)
:k wolf's breed
™. CHaOK.. OP .„. 3..CK W0„. 3«..„ ,,,
3.;.^ "■"'"^"""^'^'^-nMhe pa* towards th,
"How long since?"
"A bare quarter of an hour tr
forest and went alone. ' ' ^^^ ^*"^^s^^ 'or the
During this while I Pio.-^ ,
-d outcast, sat upon a „f^f;','^, "f "<"-'■ ^'^nger
with his boat. The fhoTs " ^''"f'"^ P^"""
a-vay fn the night, and soon Ir'r '' f°™ "^ "''^
™nning feet, and heard a In ! ^^ "" '°"'"' »'
^ he ran. To ™y „„„ ^01^ '°'^^.^«"'"g -ny name
«-, breathless from h^speed '"™' " ''^'"eCheva-
•;is,tyou_CaptaindeMouret?"
**""~>^hevah"er " r i*
"ho the man could be ' '""'"^''' «' *« fi«t
when he recks lightly of con J!!""' '" ^""^ """"'^ '"«
-y night for caring jT?"'."^"^^'- «"d this was not
ttus far from him, and he no!" ' ""''"*• ''"■' ^"'V
P--d me past the limit o'fforbrr"'"'* '''''■ "^^
'"? W3 own action, I bZnl^"^""'- ^'> ^""''^'•pat-
"". and rememb red ^- hT '' '° '^'=°« "y"-"
"ight rapier which now T "^ f' "'" " ^^^^ ""t a
. "No, Captain o" tit fr"'""^"^'"^ ^'-d-
'" P^ace. See, ha ' nn ^"' '""e^t you this time
Suiting th weapons."
-. and sh:wed'himsl; 'uLT'^'' ''^ """^ -^e his
"Can^am """beif unprepared '- ' -
'-'dpCain, Vnil a«^ T !._
arms
iofe a
you and I have fou-ht .JH k f'
conr.„. „_. .: ^^^ '^^'-' by Side.
man Of courage, and if youMve
You
injured me you
,t I
ifii.'
Ill
) I-
i ■■ m
,'\
26S
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
will render me due account upon my demand. I do
demand this of you now, that you return with me to
B.loxi at once, upon my assurance as a soldier that no
harm will there befall you. This, sir, upon a soldier's
honor. ' '
It was a most unexpected outcome to such an inter-
view. I hesitated warily at his request, and then think-
mg It could make matters no worse, inquired :
"How long will you require me, and for what pur-
pose?"
"The time will be most brief, a moment should suf-
fice. The purpose I can not give, but it will bring you
mto no danger. I repeat, upon the word of a man of
honor, that you will be permitted to return safely as you
came, and no one will follow."
I must say, in spite of these protests, I did not waiu
to go. But he pressed his wish so earnestly that I fol-
lowed the Chevalier down the winding path back to
Biloxi, not without great trepidation, however He
walked rapidly in front, and not a word was exchancred
between us. We passed the barracks and the Gov-
ernor's house, where I thought to stop, but he led me on
Leaving the thicker portions of the little town, he soon
paused before his own gate and swung it open. The
wild thought now entered my brain that perhaps he had
planned some terrible revenge upon his wife, and de-
sired to torture me by forcing me to witness it. I hung
back at the gate. My own good sword re-assured me!
and he mounted the step to throw open the door.
S BREED
•I'HE CHILDREN OF THE In .^
_ ™^ ""-^CK WOLE-S BREED ,eg
^o'"'-' '«, Captain. I rerrr^f m . .
••' more sincere welcome." ^ ""'«'«" "ot giveyoa
Truly, there was nothin,^ ;„ .i.
"-e alarm. Two ladLfv " ^^ T'' °' "^^ 'O"" 'o
° » --mple working ;ti;i^'"-''=. ""« at either end
about her own fig„,e whom r^^,""' ""^ ^"°"'er lady
»ooian looked st!aigi,tt " , "°"'''°"'- ^he elde
^ The Chevalier did' noTm 7 "'■"" ^" ^-•°- ->
drooped her head somewhlt "n^ """"' "■«■ ^gnes
M my entrance. It ,,., ' ' '""' ■"="" "-aised her eyes
'» *hat de la Mora col T' '*'^'™^'' ^""^'on. As
;;!'de«g„ess;c:::,L;:r^:f'""'''r'^™'"-*^
"".s other lady who looked^ , '" ""^ P"-^""" oj
"Captain de Mou et ^ ;o;r """^ ^" ^° P="--
™"on. I conjure you to teir ?' '°'^°"' ^""''^ ^al-
»'^»n'y Pron,ise7„,'°;^l'„'": '".^^-hole truth. I do
very worst which may iome I . ''°"°^- " '"e
-r. and Will not inj J.e anT^. e" °"'^ '^^^^ ""^ --
^ had seen de la \r
'-. 'ook stronger or^^Z^: 'f' ""'--rdid
"O'ce sounded full and clea de v , ""^ "'S'"- His
suffering. ^''^ Respite the intensity of his
"Captain de Mouret, you are , ',.•
as my own eyes have wCssej ' " ""^-^^ °--'^-
'a™.shed honor. Will 'oT. 1' "'""'"^ " "^n of un
'-"Pon the sacred B,X'^,::r"--'J"-
H's earnestness appealed f„
-y nature, SOI, eplirdth.r:""^ better instinct o,
'I Will.
'Have I
your oath?"
!,''
(' i'l
Ir? I
I -^
270
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
"You have."
"Then, sir. to which of these ladies, if either, did you
intend th.s note should be delivered; and which, if
Sn.!L' ^V^';"^^^^^^ the ruined chapel at Sceaux?
bpeak. I God s name, and do not spare me! Suspl-
cion IS more terrible than truth "
The very worst had come, and I felt my resolution
waver. I knew not what story Agnes had told her hus-
band, nor did I know who that other lady was. She
ooked enough like Agnes to have afforded shallow pre-
text for an evasion. Verily here was a strong temptation
tor a he. and I was almost minded to tell it and relieve
Agnes Agnes, though, would give me no cue; never
once did she lift her eyes to mine. I might even then
have told the lie. but for the reflection it w'ould compro"
mise an mnocent woman.
"Captain, in God's name, speak! do you not see
tnat 1 am quiet and self-controlled?"
"Chevalier de la Mora. I shall tell you the exact
truth, and hold you to your promise that there shall be
alone, nor did your lady give me the slightest encour-
agement-she is blameless. It is a sore strait you have
placed me m. but t/as is the lady who has all a soldier's
love, and a soldier's respect, which she has done noth-
ing to forfeit."
As I spoke. I indicated the shrinking figure of Agnes,
and turned to meet the storm. Verily ^he storm did
come, but from a different source.
The elder lady rose with a iervent "Thank God!"
! do you not see
THE CHItDREN OF THr »,
OF THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED j,,
"^h'oh I could find no re so,, f ,
"ervously twisted at the tlbt ' T ''^''"^- ^gnes
^'th the shame. I co„ d 1'"' ^" "'''"^ "''"^"n
"Pon her, and do what I LiX Tf " '""^ '""^ <'°-"
"■•ong in „,y fa,^ ^^^ ^'.™'ght. n.y love showed full and
De la Mora keenly watched us all T.
'"■^ whom I had no thought m ^''^' "«'«'• bdy.
moved toward him *ith h ^ "^ ""^' ^•"P'ise
"Charles." '""' '"^"^ ""tstretched, and cried;
"Oh''Ar"'^''^"''«=^'«>=n:
-"ot'com;":;,^^;:-,:;;^;«-:3 We and service
--e d 5t I bore m'y C I'^l ™ "^''^ ^- -fer
-'•-S:sri?sr;--:r"--^^''-^^^^
;-oward me with the glld7e?t of , ?'' "'«' "^en sprang
•■.^d at me, and came net to ^ ', '""'"• "'™^' hif
vigor of his grasp „■, "* '"■^*"e mine by the
nothing. ^ ''"• "■' ">"« -holced up. and he slid
--draX[d':r'""'--°*-'Herwi.h
Agnes looked ud ai- «,^
then lowered her eyes agai„°"''' "'""' ^"^ ~»'"sed.
The Chevalier broke » ?',
■•«o'erable, to me at least iTHr'"" "" """-"g
^ "Captain de Mouret you ,f T' "'"^'•"^'"' '•' »"
h"- done me no wrol'^ t. , /'" *'" ^""^ ^-d
••Thank God!" I "^^^ ''- credulously. whietha^Jadr'' ' ''
S "'*'^ gracious woman
looked
took
I:
4i
m
' ''f^
272
THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED
one hand from her husband long enough to extend to
me her greeting.
Thoroughly perplexed by this most unlooked for de-
nouement, I asked :
. "Who, then, is t/iis?"
"This chit," he replied, walking round the table,
happy as a boy, and almost lifting her bodily, "this is
Madame's little sister, Charlotte. She confessed this
evening to having spoken with you once in the Chapel at
Sceaux — and I, may God forgive me, doubted but she
had done it to shield her sister I knew the little minx
had warned you in the Park, but thought noi ling of it.
Charlotte, come here!"
And Charlotte de Verges laid her warm little hand in
mine. For thirty years it has rested there in peace.
• •••••««
Thus, through many strrnge perils and purifying sor-
rows came the abiding happiness which blessed these last
two children of the "Black Wolf's Breed."
FINIS
!IEED
ough to extend to
t unlocked for de-
,1
round the table,
2r bodily, "this is
5he confessed this
ice in the Chapel at
;, doubted but she
lew the little minx
jght noi ling of it.
varm little hand in
there in peace.
» « •
and purifying sor-
h blessed these last
eed."
APPENDIX
IS-Blaok Wol» (27s)
hm ;ll
in
■
if
i'l
Note By ' ^^^e included h*.r« *x. ,
The Author, jj^^ts contained in the iron h *"* °^ '^^ docu.
^«e of these pJ^TX ^>^ ^°'onel D'OnTz w' ''"' ^° ^'^^^'^e ^e
d'Artin and of p^' ^* '''°^'"ff the mltT P''^' *° ^^'^ death
^'o'Sde Plqt-f;^- Orte. w,^, p" dthr/;"^ °^ «-rf*
thatthe wifeof the rK ^^^J^^^^^of PJacidean^ ^'^""^'"^ ^ene
grandchildren of Co? ^^f''erde la Mora and u -"^ '"""^'''''^
narrative and wHI h J*"" ^'^''^'' ^vas setot^ • u ''"'' ^"^ the
^^ documentsTwhkh ""'.'■" ^^^P^er XX rir'^^ ^^dy of the
the story related bvrn.'.^"'°"^«'^y accurat.T V"PP'^'"«nt-
story told by madX^ h'^ ^'^"ez to PiS k T"^'"'"' ^o* only
C270
r If]
1
jl
!
DOCUMENT No. i
^n Nomine Pat r is *./ jpv
^ I. Laurent of Cai^e i ' V'"'''''' ^P'^^^us Am.
bot of Vaux do m, u ? ' ^^nedictine. by Divin! *"•
Item the first— /Ra*
"Pon the registeTof fi«^ ^ """^^ °^ «"*n*M made bv m
{277) ^""^^^ *>'
Frani
sigQac,
t;l
APPENDIX
tiful .„„ o( Church. H.„rl due IcJ^^"'" "'"""'• '"" "" ■"-
..»lJe'"d^';ror„r.ror.t':Srr
omew Pasquier. ° *"° baptized Barthol-
aefi^t'.ora.r^E^'.tiu^.ta^be'ir'" ■"'•?"'" ^'"«
upon the murder ot our ,^ K „!^ ?-^'",''''"'' "" "^V
Beame, ,t,l,tyM King o£ France and NaJarle " °'
untrnrtTectrrh'. "dt-rthr"'"* "' "" "^' -
,^jjHnh.,uard,,h.;^rcrc:!r:raK.^^^^^^^^^^^^^
' r •
I' ' >
i
DOCUMENT No ,
(Abbot Laurenfa writing,
statement of Broth
Anselmo di Napolt
I^Jo„.'„, p ^^ JEHAN BE Tours. *
P-'^a, .-nV^^r?""': ?«■"« Info's ta t^l""' •" =PW.
(2;g) ""' -""""^^ constant
i> i
280
APPENDIX
urging and imprecations of the men at arms, as caused us to be
sorely shaken and disturbed, both in mind and body.
Arrived at Cartillon, we made great speed to repair to bis bed-
side, where, of a truth, the man lay flat of his back, weak in flesh,
but stout and rebellious of soul, contrary to the doctrines of our
most blessed religion.
Before he caught sight of us, he moaned and heaved, pointing
his fingers ever out of the window, and uttering strange heathen
blasphemies — whereat we crossed ourselves piously.
Following the direction of his gaze we saw naught save ihe
starlit dome of heaven.
The eyes of the demon gave him power to see diabolical and
unclean forms.
Sorely distracted ^hereat, he cried out in direst fear:
"Hence I Hence ! Seek my mother in Hell, for it was her doing.
I would have spared the women."
The man being clearly possessed of an evil demon, we immedi-
ately made ready the sacred offices of the church for the casting
out of such.
Believing from the demon voice issuing through the possessed
man's lips that it was the woman fiend, Lilith, who in female
guise doth walk the earth in darkness, we resorted with much
speed to the office specially prepared for that evil and depraved
being.
The holy ritual was being devoutly read by Brother Anselmo,
when the man, turning in his couch, caught sight of us at our sa-
cred labors. He thereupon, with many profane and blasphemous
oaths, bade us cease and begone.
"Out! Out upon you, thou shaveling hypocrites! Thinkest thou
I am become a helpless v;oman to profit of thy mummeries? No,
by the body of Jupiter. Get out! get out!"
"Oh, weak and rebellious son of Holy Church, calm thy troubled
spirit and take unto thyself the most blessed peace of God. Re-
pent thine errors, and prepare thy mind for the Paradise of the
just."
Verily, it was an evil and malignant demon which controlled
him, for the words but struck a pagan madness to his heart, and
he sprang from his couch.
"Hush! Hush youf priestly lies, which sink a new terror in
irer to see diabolical and
cb sink a new terror in
APPENDIX
my soul. It can not
to ba„k and h„„„<i,. '"'' '» 'ha g.bbe. and fling ,hy „ "artt^
We crossed ourselves i„ i, ,
cross, fearing hi^pS^^^a'^rr^^^^^^^^ '\= P'=« »' -o .r„.
boll from Heaven. Bat there hi «1^ blasphemy would dra wa
weakness on his rr '' "" ='-^'' <>= "■.<■ again in monal
We watched him Ions h. ,,. j
ftmngh the open window SSf '' T "«" by an evil eve
the court.yard. " ""'l^' toward an ancient welUcroa
Herl-s^e^^XXn'^'"?'- ""'« only gnes, the in.
the well: "'■ ""^ «-«-• "notted at the ioU^a^'dtSi;-
*Jo you hear it ? r\i, ,
»ow. Dosthear.l?c™tn"H:r'5'''"''^''"''°tas' Listen
plwnnve cries. '""«' his face, uttering the most
r'P^''-'^'^''c^i:.Ztt^^'^^^^^ «-"■>■•'■? out hi,
long dry of water. ''' "°""°K ^ut the court and old well
-ttbe dLrZ^lrs^rS' "!;=' ^ ^Oi-atmn,, he passed
"io. palsied by craven (1 """*"« "°"o. through th,T
'taring before him S ■^'' "" ""' '"»*• their hands o r™
«'^o through ^hlTlnrthrvrnrco""^" - "-. dS
««e^Lt"dS:;- -f9^^^ the well
282
APPENDIX
fn T>,?^J"l'~" ?! '°"' '^''"°" ^"''^' '^^ P'""g«d himself bodily
Irtspacf " "• "'"''"" '^"^ °'^'^'^'"* ^~-' f- a
Thus died Pedro d'Ortez. Lord of Cartillon.
Leaving the task of getting out his body to those vassals who
fwa'Jh'orSj' '-l ^P;"\^^^^-«<i at the spot, we hastened
away horrified at such abominations of Beelzebub as we had wit-
nessed, being for our fear and little faith made culpable before
God. and hoping to repurchase peace by great penitence.
Report made and rendered to the Most Reverend and Illustri-
ous Father m God. Laurent. Abbot of the Monastery of Vaux Ss
dre'dTnd ''r'^"'' " ^'^ '''' °^ ^^^" one thousand five hu^
dred and nmety-six. «^ "uu
(Signed) Anselmo di Napoli.
Jehan de Tours.
he plunged himself bodily
ne only faint groans for a
tillon.
t>ody to those vassals who,
at the spot, we hastened
Beelzebub as we had wit-
lith made culpable before
y great penitence.
ost Reverend and Illustri-
le Monastery of Vaux, this
ce one thousand, five hun-
Anselmo di Napoli,
Jehan de Tours.
DOCUMENT No. 3
(Concerning Raouj d'Ortez)
In.^'>fsed on back ^••p^.r*u
gloriously iKra?,"!.^""'''''' »"<> eightyn;!" ""'; *^ ''"■•of
=»<i P"P=.ua,ed forTJ ?"" """"" «>a, t" ff ="■ "bo ha,e
Therefore: '"'^ "'^' '"'"« «'n"a«ons may ta"= "' "<>"
Be ft held in everlastta, "■"""•
Pedro havin;;". .1 '/, ,^5= J-'^afion of' S^d': ^Jj" =^!».
accordinff to cp^.,1 . ^ ^^^^^ sons, desir^H ♦!, "^*^"-^The said
a'so.that't:;rng:r^;''"?^"^^-t^^^^^^
«"' Raoul, no7h?n|Toath7J;™l^'^^"^-the^t^^^^
cerned. lusted yet for f hi ?i° '^'' ^« t^e fighting th« ^'°^'
Pedro, the elder brmhK^^''^ ""^ ^^''^s whfch t.r I' ^"' ^°n-
sfgned more for the h'-'* ^'^^ "^« "^''d and amrah " ' ^^'^'''''
at him alwav for V "^^'" "'«" the camp R.^ ^ '^'"P^''' ^e-
All of S^.f"/'"''^ disposition and me "J '''^'^ ^"^ i'bed
''•an. who wen/K ?• "^ '^^'^^ ^"^ refated^f 'f °^ «P'"'^-
^an^e we7f;equemr • ?, ^'^ ^^^»'« ^^ alln^ aTd I'.^''''''' ■^-
0"r iust dues. ' "' '^"'^^ ^^^ -'thheld. toThe grea '??r-hich
One day. after . ^^"^^^^ detriment of
Pedro andVou UheTjLt''" "^"^''>^ ^'^'^nt quarrel h .
^-^ portion Of the^ir^^-r-^b^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
(283) ^ "^'^^ ^«ough to
284
APPENDIX
startle even a man so used to shedding human blood as had been
the Lord of Cartillon.
Pedro was slowly sinking to the ground, easing himself down
somewhat upon his knees and elbows. Hisbrothei stood near watch-
mg, end calmly wiping the red drippings from his sword upon
the grass. Not a semblance of regret did he show for the deed
of blood.
The father gazed transfixed with horror from one son to the
other, until the slow comprehension came to him.
"How now, Raoul, what hast thou done?" thi older man de-
manded of Raoul.
"Canst thou not see? He stood between me and the lordship
of this fair domain." the younger replied full as sturdily, hot and
scornful, with levering brow and unrepenting glare.
"Thou foul and unnatural murderer, and thinkest thou to profit
by thy brother's death? No; I swear—"
"Hold, old man; swear not and taint not thy soul with perjury.
Have a care for thine own safety. It is now but the feeble barrier
of thy tottering age which prevents all these acres, these fighting
men, these towers from being my own. Have a care, I say, that
thou dost not lie as low as he, and by my hand."
The old man fell back a pace afifrighted, feeling for the first time
m his life a fear, fear of his own son. Yet the scornful and defi-
ant face before him was that of his true child. Therein he saw re-
flected his own turbulent and reckless youth. The wretched old
man covered his face from the sight of Pedro, his first born, who
had settled down upon his back in the repose of death, and moaned
aloud in his agony.
"Nay, sorrow not, my father," Raoul commanded harshly, "it was
but a weakling who stood next thy seat of power. Behold ! I, too,
am thy son; I am stronger, of a stouter heart, abler and more cour-
ageous than he, and will make thee a fitter heir. Didst thou not
slay thy brother to sit in his hall? Didst not thou hang him to
drmk his wine, to command his servants?" Have I done aukht
but follow thy example?"
Heedless of his father's sobs Raoul pursued his unrelenting pur-
pose.
"What the sword did for thee it has done for me, all glory to the
human blood as had been
und, easing himself down
is brother stood near watch-
ings from his sword upon
did he show for the deed
rror from one son to the
le to him.
lone?" thi older man de-
een me and the lordship
[ full as sturdily, hot and
mting glare.
nd thinkest thou to profit
not thy soul with perjury,
low but the feeble barrier
hese acres, these fighting
Have a care, I say, that
hand."
d, feeling for the first time
if et the scornful and deii-
hild. Therein he saw re-
outh. The wretched old
Pedro, his first born, who
>seof death, and moaned
imanded harshly, "it was
power. Behold ! I, too,
art, abler and more cour-
erheir. Didst thou not
It not thou hang him to
?" Have I done aught
lued his unrelenting pur-
le for me, all glory to the
APPENDIX
285
^^^^r':::z:^^^^^^^^ -^^^ "psto ^is. The
"Nay, as I tell theedrlT u*^ ^® approached.
or by the blood of Chrlrbv,^'^' '''^' ^"^>^' ^^^ -» '-m me
beside thy woman^n 'L punyThrer^ '.""'''" '^y'^^^
scarce paler than his blood was thin M^"? ''^°'' ^^'"^ «o^ is
ye. swear 'twill be given ouT!, K ?' °'^' ^^ ^^^ ^od who made
ever know from theTt^'Zb"' ' '" ''''''''''' '^^ "° -an wu!
I swear, I swear " tha ^u
And so it came to be that P^ari'^r'^"^ P'*^""^'^ ^^^er his son
father as Lord of Cartfllon ' '' '''°'^' ^°°' ^"cceeded h?s
Andthusisthepromise'oftheLordGodmadetrue.
DOCUMENT No. 4
(Concerning the making o( the locket)
San'San'rc^r/rrenln*''''''' ''"«"• '''"*"■"*• ^
solemn,-, "wornTplnTelme olTT °',"^"''- ""'"^ «■«
pa.™, to speak truth, drd«y.,.^*° °' Compostella, hi,
si/ r„ar'e°/a\r,o„^;.r"n;o.;''tirr,°^,^"^= -^ "°-"''
having known me upon thTSLfthen'r °' '" '""'•'"
man, well skilled in rarelrr^ • 1° "'■°'°''" "'"='"'>'°A.
precious stones!" F^rTo-tt^rAT.'Ji' ii TnT 'r
co:mVaea°rSancr;t\t*'-'----^<''-^^^^
•wtr^ "" i"«"r' '" ""*"»"« a commL-on.
rare nruUn^^deWc-^'n^^'^'^"'" »"- «- "e'ore, „,
to. upon theoSf st: he tZ°lSu^T.'I'J°""r"'^-
terings, in fairest inlaid work Unon thell, ^"'": '"<• I"""
let it appear the black wnlp.i, /J, other and hidden side,
•he baf Lister You ktl^^Vletlr^'""' "'?''"«'^ «"
cretlyahiddenspring.no hand hit- """"-'al^'i bysose-
.shespokeon.hrs.o^g™rth^^-:-;:-.^^^^^^^^^
(286)
APPENDIX
xed and much disturbed,
287
, 2o'
'eared in his „„„ h,,,.''"'''''"^ courage wa, an amy, 65.11,1;
I ;^ «u°id Ze^S '■"'^ '"*"• "« 'P«ech g,ew .ore „i,d. and
Deckons me to him. But »,« k ? "^"' ^"^ there he Java anH
craven fool to give u Dm '^^ *^^ ^^"^ of Mars I -J k^
-a*".Crd\r rirj- -. »=e;ng ., igno^nce. Ve, a<,„e
are .00 dange™, mo„e,° to'a f^^ r^''^ "™=' »' '^e gTat
£^»-o...,„,J,~n^..o„..^^^J .
th^m - ".r i^^^^ense of seeing a d-oM u ^'^^^ s*°"t varh
them without suspecting aug^?^ 4u[ "" ^'■'"''* ^'^'^^h I showed
8 'Pped gyves upon my wrfsts hn ^°' "^^ ^^^'^ ^e" turned thJ
at the wa,^t. and made alTfa ^^^ , ^ ^y a great ba^d of 'on
^^ard^ were alway TZ':Z\V::' ^^'^ P-^--d, but .he
-^ -y oeaten gold wa, fashLed °" '° **^" '« '''»« quaint
288
APPENDIX
mehtag p„, and „,, labU tco^^e'ceT "'" "'"""" '° ""
Darkness, o7spe«eLt'r;„°H ^T"""""?' "!"" .heWnceof
dese„ed c„„ ^aTaKL^ts «;«: cStt/ i'oT" '•'=
banquet chamber. '^ "^ *"^ "O'sy
hf ini^u^'it^-tori"^^^^^^^^ -»"■ '-
hall AyTbn! ^Z'bZT l^r' °" "■» «'"'■ ■•■' "■=
lands aLdeedsS;SL^:-r„CrSs?j'°"-
It is of these dealings with the evil ]r^rA o j i *
with one possessed. llek clelnL,' i"*' 'i' rZ^tTlt^
pass the names of Rusbel. Ashtaroth. Beelzebub SaL and nt'.
tnppmgly upon my tongue-mav the Sainfrn i J ^ °^^^'^
lord's temper smooth, for I ZuyLl^eTht 7'°^^^""'
when my task was doie ^ ^^ "^*''* *° «^^y »"«
b.rn''irb:tifi;fi??^^^^^
thousand.,, hundred and (ony*-^ '^" °' «"«""'
Ml«UBL SlLICIO.
ig workmanship and de-
jIous wrought intertwin-
one they returned to the
i.
gaged, I saw the Count
feverish life seemed in-
I was busy interlacing
ntenance, and he mum-
lings with the Prince of
that glided through the
chair even in the noisy
doubt.
urged me on as a lazy
I.
of the men who stood
P, on the field, in the
" and the fellow's eye
ightot his lord's well-
iered much in foreign
ers to his door.
*-**♦*
and close association
♦ Too often did I
ibub, Satan and others
i defend—to keep my
he meant to slay me
tedious, that the acid
ue season to eat them
tion, and slipped off
* ♦ * *
hers Jehanand Hu-
»e year of grace one
MiCUEL SiLICKO.