CHAPTER VIII
A NEW FRIEND
I rapped on the table, called a waitress, and ordered a bottle of lightwine, which I knew would not hurt me.
"Send for Mademoiselle Florine," and before many seconds were gone thatlady presented herself, and perched upon the edge of the table where Isat. Her humor was gay, her laugh was keen; she smiled and asked, "HasMonsieur forgiven?" with such a penitent little look I bade her be atease.
"Mademoiselle, sit down, I pray you," and she saw by my serious face Iwas in no mood for chaffing, so she seated herself with a pretty air ofattention. I could see the fellow at the dice watching, but now heappeared quite satisfied I intended to stay and drink with the girl.She was evidently a great favorite with the habitues of the place. Helooked at me less frequently than at the door, and I guessed heexpected Yvard's return.
Now I grew certain. Yvard had merely gone down the stair to see if hehad dropped the papers in the fight. As soon as he found they were notthere I felt morally certain he would come and demand them of me. Ihad begun the game, and must play out the hand. So I reached acrossthe table, filled the glasses for myself and Florine, raising mine highas if I would propose a toast. I tapped her banteringly on the cheek,for the benefit of him who watched, and said in a low tone, trying tomaintain my nonchalant manner.
"Listen to me a minute, and I beseech you smile, do not look soserious. You brought me here, and now I trust you to get me out alive.Is there any other way than that I came?"
She looked about her apprehensively, so I cautioned her again.
"For heaven's sake smile; I am closely watched, and you must laugh andbe merry as if I drank with you and made love."
She comprehended, and well did she play her part. The tones of hervoice were light and playful; she lifted the glass to her lips, tastingas a connoisseur, and said between her sips:
"Yes, Monsieur, there is--another way leading out--on an alley--in therear."
"How do you reach it?"
"The door behind the table--where they play for highest stakes--leadsto the passage. Do but cast--your eyes that way--and you will see."
"Then let us--"
"Wait, Monsieur, not yet. If Monsieur would go and seat himself atthat table, as if he desired to play, I will slip around and make readythe door for him. Monsieur was kind to me, and Florine is grateful.Even we women here respect a gentleman."
I pitied the woman from the bottom of my heart. I took out my purse,paid the reckoning, and together we wandered aimlessly toward thattable, laughing and looking on at the various games. The fellowwatched us as we went, but was pleased, and seemed satisfied the womanbut carried out the purposes of her employment.
I took a seat at the table, laid a wager or two and made myself intentupon the game. Florine stood behind my chair for awhile, watched myplay, then disappeared. After a little she returned and again took herplace behind me. Directly she laughed out merrily, and in a tone loudenough to be heard by the man who listened as well as watched, cried:
"Monsieur plays the stakes too low. Fortune favors the brave," andreaching over she took several gold pieces from my store, laid them outand leaned close beside me to watch the throw. In this position shewhispered:
"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 thepassage. Arise, and when you lay your hand upon the door I will openit from the other side." I lost the throw.
"Double the wager, and better luck next time," she laughed as she movedoff, and joking lightly to different men she knew, made her way beyondmy range of vision. During the play I saw Yvard come in hurriedly andquestion the man at the door. He shrugged his shoulders and shook hishead. Yvard evidently asked who had passed out or in.
The doorkeeper then recollected, and I imagined he was telling of thetwo gentlemen who had just gone down the stair. Yvard stood an instantas if uncertain what to do. He was much agitated and perfectly sober.He glanced toward the table where he had left me. I was gone. Hestrode over to his confederate, yet engaged in play, and made nopretense of concealing the abruptness of his question. The man, inreply, indicated my position at the other table. Yvard appearedsomewhat relieved. Again he spoke, and this time the man at the tablegathered up the money in front of him and replaced it in his purse.Then he cried loud enough for me to hear:
"What?"
And sprang up instantly. They both looked at me and held a hurriedconsultation, then separated, and one going one way, one the other,came over toward where I sat. By this time my second throw was made,and I felt if Florine played me false the game was lost. Yet hopingfor everything I rose quietly, and thrusting my winnings in awallet--for I had been fortunate--stepped back and laid my hand uponthe knob. It was locked.
I had no time to think, but saw the whole trick; lured to mydestruction, hemmed in beyond hope of escape. Bitterly I repented myfolly.
I have heard men say they faced death without a tremor, and so for thatmatter have I, yea, many times, but it was upon an honest field inlawful fight for honor's sake or duty's. My cheek paled in spite ofme, at sight of the men who now came on. Three others with blades halfdrawn pressed close behind Yvard. How many more there were I had noknowledge.
It was a sore test to my courage thus to meet the ugly chill of deathin a Parisian gambling hell--in a place of such ill-repute. But therewas no escape, and even if I fell in fight, they would brand me as athief. Should the papers be found on my body, then honorable men wouldexecrate my memory as a traitor to country and to King, for had notSerigny told me he could not avow my connection with him? The lust oflife still surging strong within me, I drew my sword. Its pointeffectually guarded the narrow space in front from post to post. Theyparleyed a time, and I rested firm against the door.
"Come, fellow, thou art trapped; give me up my purse."
"Spit the thief, run him through," came from one of those behind--forthe rear guard, beyond the reach of steel, was ever loud and brave.But Yvard, being in front, was more cautious. He well knew the firstman who came against me would be badly hurt. And, I rather fancied, herespected my blade.
As they took counsel together, dozens of voices from the hall swelledthe din, yet above it all I caught a light step without. My heartbounded to my throat; I felt the door give way at my back, and beforethey understood what had happened, I was safe on the other side, withthe stout oaken boards well locked between.
I heard Yvard yell: "To the great gate, my bullies, and I will followhere," and at once a great pressure was cast against the door, but itbravely bore the strain.
"Come," Florine said; and taking me by the hand together we spedthrough many dark and devious windings, until I stood once more in theopen street.
"Hurry, Monsieur, take that street; it leads to Rue St. Antoine, whenceMonsieur can find his way."
I would have paused a moment to thank the girl, but she bade me haste.I pressed a piece of gold into her hand; she would not have it.
"No, Monsieur, not for your gold," and the woman of the wine shopshamed my thought. "Good-night, Monsieur." She kissed my hand, anddrew back into the darkness.
I turned hastily down the street, but had not made more than thedistance of three rods when I heard a scream, and looking back saw twomen dragging Florine back into the street.
"Which way did he go?" Yvard demanded fiercely.
She made no reply.
"Speak quick or I'll kill you as I would a hare."
Still she kept her tongue.
"She makes time for her lover, Carne," the other man suggested, and asI feared he would strike, I called out loudly to them:
"Here he is," to draw them off from the girl.
They dropped her at once and started in my direction. I ran on ahead,yet at a disadvantage, for I knew not where to go, knowing, too, that Icould not fight them both. Yet more than all I dreaded falling intothe hands of the city guard with the papers I had upon me. I ran under
a street lamp, and taking up a position some twenty feet beyond in thedark, waited. The knife for one, the sword for the other, was mythought. Holding my long sword in my left hand, I swung my right free,and catching my knife by its point, stood my ground. The younger manwas swifter, yet seemed afraid to lead Yvard. So they passed under thelamp side by side.
Selecting Yvard as my mark, I made a quick cast, and had thesatisfaction of seeing my knife glitter as it struck him full in theshoulder, and bury itself well to the hilt. It was a trick I hadlearned from the Indians, and it had not been lost.
"A million devils, who was that?" screamed the stricken man, tugging tofree the knife. Out it came, followed by a widening dark stain uponhis doublet.
"He had others with him--hidden in the dark," and at his companion'ssuggestion, they stood back to back, in readiness for their imaginaryfoes.
This gave me an opportunity to slip away, they pursuing no further. Idodged round the next corner and took my way up a street runningparallel to the one I left.
When they no longer came I slackened my pace to a walk, trying in vainto recall how I came and how to reach Rue St. Denis. There was nothingfor it but to keep straight on. The streets grew broader and travelerswere not so few. I questioned several, and for a coin secured anhonest-looking idler to guide me. It was not so very far after all tomy inn, yet right joyful I was to see the place again and to find acheerful fire blazing on the hearth. I stood before the homelikewarmth and chuckled to myself at the success of my adventure.
The host and some crony of his sat at table with their cards and ale.I overlooked the game. They exchanged glances and prepared to leaveoff, whereat I apologized and begged them not to let me disturb them.Claude declared he had only waited for me, and being tired he wouldshut the house. He went on up to bed and his friend took a seat besideme at the fire.
He was a simple-looking young fellow, dressed after the fashion of apeasant farmer, with mild blue eyes, and straggling yellow whiskers onhis 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 city; of what place, then?"
"Of Languedoc, in the south, where the skies are bluer and the winddoes 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 iswith us in our parts beyond the seas. Beneath our southern sun ice isa thing almost unknown, and the snow never comes."
"And where do you live, my lord?" his eyes wide open and shallow.
I felt somewhat flattered at his artless recognition of the differenceIn our stations.
"In Biloxi; the Southern Provinces, Louisiana," I explained, "whereofBienville is governor."
Afterward I thought I could remember a knowing twinkle in the fellow'seye, which passed unnoticed at the moment.
"Ah, I hear much of the colonies; it must be a goodly land to dwell in,but for the savages and the cannibals."
I laughed outright.
"Verily, friend, we have no cannibals worse than the barbarousSpaniards who wait but the chance to slaughter our garrison," andbefore I was aware, I had told him of my voyage from Biloxi, and ofgoing to Versailles, stopping short only of giving the purpose of myvisit to Paris. I was sore ashamed of the indiscretion. When I lookedI found him laughing silently to himself, laughing at me.
"Then you are Captain de Mouret?" he asked with purest Parisianintonation, and the courtesy of a gentleman.
"How do you know?" I attempted to be stern, but somehow my effort fellflat. "How do you know?"
"Well, I've been expecting you," and he brushed his hand across hischin, wiping the yellow whiskers away before my astonished eyes.
"I am Jerome de Greville. Claude told me of your coming, but I wishedto make sure. We have examined your baggage," he went on frankly,unmindful of my ill-concealed disapproval, "but found nothing in theway of identification. You see," he apologized, "these things arenecessary here, in affairs of this nature, if a fellow would preservethe proper connection between his head and his body."
He rolled up his whiskers, laid aside a yellow wig, and I could see hewas as Serigny had described. He was not as tall as I, but stronglybuilt, and some two good years my senior.
"Captain, if you will allow me I will take these traps of yours to ourapartments. You lodge with me."
I was nettled that I should have spoken so freely to a stranger, andfelt ill-disposed to be pleasant, but he soon drove away any lingeringanimosity.
When we had settled in our rooms, which adjoined, de Greville threwhimself across his couch and said:
"Look here, de Mouret, we have a hard task before us, and you may aswell know it. M. de Serigny tells me he has instructed you himself,but details he 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, and men engaged inbusiness like ours have no time for extra manners."
His _bon camaraderie_ was contagious, and I gladly caught it. "Agreed,Jerome; so be it. Go on."
"First we must locate our friend Carne Yvard, the very fiend of afellow, who stops at nothing. Then to catch him with the papers, takethem, cost what it will. For that work we have strong lads enough andtrue. Above all we must make no mistake when we strike, for if hescents our suspicions of him he'll whisk them off to Spain before youcould bat your eye."
I listened to him intently, yet enjoying to the utmost my prospectivetriumph. He went on:
"Then there is that other fellow; we don't know who he is, the one thatcame over with you. He will probably exchange dispatches with Yvard,then off to the colonies again. There is not so much trouble abouthim, for he can be captured aboard ship. It is Yvard we want, and hisdispatches."
I said very quietly, still looking into the fire:
"That much is already done."
Jerome raised up on his elbow and stared at me as if he thought me mad.
"I have taken those dispatches from your friend. Here they are."
"The devil you have," he cried out, reaching the middle of the floor ata single bound. "How and when?"
He would not leave off until I had related the whole of my adventurebeginning with meeting the girl, and ending when I found him, at theinn. He was as happy as a school-boy, and laughed heartily at my beingso readily made a victim of by the girl Florine.
"Such tender doves to pluck she does not often find, and I warrant youshe lets not many go so easily."
I thought it unnecessary to tell him of my encounter with Yvard, onlythat I had found the packet where he dropped it.
"You lucky dog; it's well he did not see you, or you might not now betalking to me with a whole skin."
It was better though to let him know of Yvard's wound, for that wouldperhaps assist us in a measure to determine upon our future course. Sothat part of the affair I detailed in full.
"Verily, lad, your savage accomplishment stood you in good stead."
He recognized the description I gave of the fellow with Yvard, but saidhe was a bully, hired merely to fight, and perhaps knew nothing ofconsequence. Then we examined very closely the envelope containing thepapers. It had, from all appearance, come over from the colonies, andbore traces of having long been carried about a man's person. Thissettled one matter. The go-betweens had met, and the traitor on leDauphin was most likely in possession of the instructions from Spain.This made his capture the more important.
De Greville well merited all Serigny had said of his shrewdness, andmore. Now see what a simple scheme he laid.
We were first to find where Yvard was hidden. He would certainly gointo hiding until his wound was healed; the finding of the papers uponhim making it necessary he should not be seen in Paris.
Where would he be likely to secrete himself? Ah, trust a woman forthat; so reasoned Jerome. What woman?
L'Astrea, of course. Of herintrigue with Yvard, de Greville, who was a handsome gallant with asmooth tongue, had learned from a waitress at Bertrand's. This was themore probable because, Bertrand's being a public place, the confederatecould seek him there without suspicion. This confederate being unknownand unsuspected could come and go unchallenged. Jerome's deductionswere 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 wouldenable us to find Yvard, or his accomplice whom we most wished todiscover.
Who would do this? Why I, of course, for no one knew me, or would knowme when I had wrought the miracle of shining boots, blue coat, curlywig, laces at throat, in all which small matters Jerome was aconnoisseur, and so it was laid out with much care; run the quarry toearth, then continue the chase as needs demanded.
Yet folly of follies; how lightly are such well arranged plans brokeninto. Through a woman came all this scheming, by a woman's hand it wasall swept into naught. Both innocent of intention, both ignorant ofeffect. Yet it was true. Jerome and I, as we then thought, disposedour pieces with great care and circumspection, advanced the pawns,guarded the king, and made ready for the final checkmate. Yet awoman's caprice overturned the board, scattered our puppets far andwide, and by the tyranny of an accident recast our game on other lines,without rule or rhyme or reason.
The Black Wolf's Breed Page 9