The Chevalier d'Auriac

by S. Levett Yeats

  CHAPTER XV

  THE HAND OF BABETTE

  I lay for a time where I had been flung, overwhelmed by the disaster.Then a frenzy came on me, and, but for the gag in my mouth, I couldhave screamed out curses on my folly in allowing myself to be trappedlike a wild cat. Now that I think of it, in the madness of thosemoments I did not pray to the God who had so often and so repeatedlyhelped me; yet in His mercy and goodness I was freed from my straits,as will be shown hereafter.

  In the meantime I was so securely bound that it was all but impossibleto move, and the bandage over my eyes prevented me from seeinganything. I writhed and twisted like a serpent on the wet flags whereI lay, and in the violence of my struggles gradually moved thebandages, so that my eyes were at last set free, and then, exhaustedby my efforts and half-choked by the gag, I became still once more,and looked around me. For all I could see I might have been asbefore--I was in blank, absolute darkness. Into the void I peered, butcould make out nothing, though I could hear my own laboured breathing,and the melancholy drip, drip of water as it oozed from above me andfell in sullen drops on the slime below.

  As I strained into the velvet black of the darkness, it came tome--some fiend must have whispered it--that I was blind. My mindalmost ceased to work at the thought, and I remained in a kind oftorpor, trying in a weak manner to mentally count the drops of waterby the dull splashing sound they made in falling. Ages seemed to passas I lay there, and the first sense of coming to myself was thethought of Claude, whom I had lost, and the quick agony of this mademy other sufferings seem as nothing. There is a misery that words, atleast such words as I am master of, cannot picture, and I willtherefore say no more of this.

  A little thing, however, now happened, and but for this I might havelain where I was until I died, so entirely impressed was I with theidea that I was sightless. In utter weariness I turned my head on oneside and saw two small beads of fire twinkling about a yard or so fromme. They were as small as the far-away stars, and they stared at mefixedly. 'This is some deception of the mind,' I thought to myself,when suddenly another pair of fiery eyes appeared; then there was aslight shuffling, and all was still. But it was the saving of me.Sight and hearing could not both deceive. I knew what they were, and Iknew, too, that I was not blind. From that moment I began to regainpossession of my faculties and to think of means of escape. In my vestpocket was a small clasp knife. If I could but get at that I couldfree myself from my bonds. That, at any rate, had to be the firststep. I began to slowly move my arms up and down with a view toloosening the cords that bound me, but, after some time spent in thisexercise, realised the fact that the ropes might cut through me, butthat they would not loosen. Then it struck me, in my eagerness to befree, that I might get at the knots with my teeth, and by a mightyeffort I raised myself to a sitting posture--only to remember that Iwas gagged, and that it was of no avail to think of this plan. Thereare those who will smile, perhaps, if their eyes meet this, and put medown in their estimation for a fool for my forgetfulness. That may ormay not be, but I have written down exactly what happened.

  Although the new position I had attained did not in any way advance metowards freedom, yet it gave me a sense of personal relief. I was ableto raise my knees a little, and sitting down thus, with my body throwna little forward, to ease the strain of the cords, I began to thinkand go over in my mind the whole scene of the tragedy from thebeginning to its bitter end. I had no doubt as to the personality ofBabette. I was not likely to forget her voice. I had heard it undercircumstances that ought to have stamped it on my memory for all time,and if I had the faintest doubts on the matter, they were set at restby the fact that she was so well known to de Gomeron--she probably hadbeen a camp-follower on our side--and also by the still more damningfact that her house was known as the Toison d'Or. The name had beendistinctly mentioned by her, and its meaning was clear to me when Ithought of the dreadful scene over de Leyva's body.

  As for de Gomeron, I knew him well enough to understand his game. Thewhole affair, as far as he was concerned, was a sudden and rapidresolve--that was clear. I argued it out in this way to myself, and,as I went on thinking, it was almost as if someone was reading out astatement of the case to me. It was evident that the free-lance was tothe last moment in hopes that the King would yield to Biron'sintercession on his behalf. When that was refused he may have had someidea of gaining his end by force, but was compelled to hurry his_coup_ by the knowledge that he had obtained from his confederate orspy, Ravaillac.

  It had worked out well enough for him. My disappearance, my deadhorse--poor Couronne!--all these would point to me as the author ofthe abduction, and give de Gomeron the time he wanted to perfect hisplans. The man I had run through would never tell tales, and, so far,the game lay in the Camarguer's hands.

  And then about Madame. As I became calmer I saw that for his own sakede Gomeron would take care that her life was safe--at any rate for thepresent, and whilst there was this contingency there was hope for her,if none for me, as I felt sure that, what with the King and Madame'srelatives of the Tremouille on one hand, and Sully and de Belin on theother, things would go hard, sooner or later, with de Gomeron,whatever happened to me.

  By the time my thoughts had reached this point I was myself again, andthe certainty with which I was possessed that Claude was in noimmediate danger of her life gave me strength to cast about for my ownliberation as the first step towards freeing her.

  But my despair almost returned as I thought and thought, until mybrain seemed on fire, without my efforts bringing me a ray of hope. Ishuddered as I reflected that it was part of de Gomeron's scheme tolet me die here. It could easily be done, and a few bricks against thewall would remove all traces of the living grave of d'Auriac. In mymental excitement I seemed to be able to project my soul outside myprison, and to see and hear all that my enemy was plotting.

  I do not for a moment say I was right in every detail, but eventsshowed that I was not far wrong; and it is a wonder to me that thelearned men of our day have not dealt with this question of the mind,though, to be sure, it savours no little of those secrets which theAlmighty in His wisdom has concealed from us, an inquiry into which isperhaps a sin--perhaps in some future time these things may bedisclosed to us! Whether I am right or wrong, I know not. I have,however, set down faithfully what passed through my mind in thosehours of agony.

  Was I never to see the light again? Never to hear another human voice?Was I to come to my death in a long-drawn-out agony? Dear God, then,in mercy, strike me dead! So I prayed in my utter desolation; butdeath did not come, though its mantle of darkness was around me.

  Hour after hour passed. I shifted my position, and, strange to say,slept. How long I slept I know not; but I woke stinging with pain, andfound this was due to my being bound as I was, and in a little theagony became almost insupportable; and I was on the verge of goinginto a delirium, only righting my failing senses by a mighty effort ofwill.

  I had lost all count of the time, but guessed it was advanced in theday by this; and my eyes had become so accustomed to the darkness thatI could manage to see the faint outlines of the cell in which I wasimprisoned. I tried to make out its extent with an idle and uselesscuriosity, and then, giving it up and utterly hopeless, leaned my headon my upraised knees, and sat thus waiting for the end.

  I longed for death to come now--it would be a happy release from mypain.

  Suddenly there came a grating noise as the bolts outside were moved.Then the door of the cell swung open with a groaning, and there was ablinding flash of light that, for the time being, deprived me of thepowers of sight, though, with a natural instinct, I shut my eyes tothe flash as it came.

  Then I heard de Gomeron's voice saying, 'Remove the gag--I havesomething to ask Monsieur.'

  As I felt two cold, hard hands fumbling with the knots of the gag, Imanaged to open my eyes, though the light still pained me, and saw thetall figure of the free-lance, his drawn sword in his han
d, standingin the open doorway, and kneeling beside me was Babette. The hagcaught the loathing in my glance, and laughed to herself as shewrenched at the knots, and de Gomeron, who was evidently in no mood todelay, hurried her efforts with a sharp 'Quick!'

  'It is done,' she answered, and rose to her feet, swinging the silkenbands of the gag she held in her hand.

  'Then have the goodness to step back whilst Monsieur d'Auriac and Idiscuss the position.'

  Babette did as she was bidden, muttering something, and de Gomeron,advancing a pace, addressed me--

  'Monsieur, I have come to make you an offer, and I will not wastewords. I am playing to win a desperate game, and I shall not hesitateto play any card to win. My offer is this. I ask you to sign a formaldocument, which I shall bring to you, holding me guiltless of anydesign against either you or Madame de la Bidache. In return I willset you free in ten days after you sign this paper. During that timeyou must consider yourself my prisoner; but you will be better lodgedthan now. Should you refuse to accept this offer, there is nothingleft for me but to leave you here to die.'

  He spoke in slow, measured accents, and the vault of the roof above megave back the man's words in a solemn echo. The light of the lanternstretched in a long yellow shaft up the spiral stairway beyond thedoor, and, half in this light and half in shadow, stood the witch-likefigure of Babette, leaning a little forward as if striving to catcheach word that was spoken.

  In the silence that followed the free-lance's speech I could almosthear the blood throbbing in my temples; and for the moment I wasdeprived of all power of words. It was not from fear, nor from anyidea of accepting the offer, but a thought had come to my mind. Iwould oppose craft with craft, and meet the fox in the skin of a fox.

  'Give me twenty-four hours to decide,' I answered, 'and free me fromthese cords. I cannot think for the pain of them.'

  '_Pardieu!_' he laughed. 'The knots have been well tied; buttwenty-four hours is a long time.'

  'Yet you are willing to accommodate me for ten days, better lodged._Ventrebleu!_ M. de Gomeron! Do you think I can scratch my way out ofthis?'

  He did not answer me, but stood for a while biting at the ends of histhick moustache. Then he suddenly called to Babette, 'Cut the cords.'

  She came forward and obeyed. Words cannot convey the sensation ofrelief as the cords fell from me, but for the time being so numbed wasI that I was powerless to move.

  'You have your desire, monsieur,' said de Gomeron, 'and I await yourdecision. It will save me trouble if you inform Babette whether youagree or not. In the former event we shall have the pleasure ofmeeting again; in the latter case I take the opportunity of wishingyou as happy a time as a man may have--in the future life. In themeantime I will see that some refreshments are sent to you. _Adieu!_'

  He turned and stepped out of the cell and stood for a moment whilstBabette picked up the lantern and followed him.

  'Monsieur will not want the light to aid him to think,' she laughed,and then the door was shut. I heard the sullen clank of the chain, theturning of the great keys, and I was alone and in darkness once more.

  Dark it may have been, but, thank God! I was no longer like a trussedfowl, and betook myself to rubbing my numbed limbs until finally thechilled blood was warmed and I was able to stand, and then, in alittle, I gained strength to grope my way backwards and forwards inthe cell as an exercise. No thought of ever agreeing to de Gomeron'sterms ever crossed me. I had, however, resolved to make a dash forfreedom when he came to me again. I should pretend to agree, and thenwin or lose all in the rush. Anyway, I would not die here like a ratin a trap. I almost chuckled to myself as I thought I was in a fairway to outwit the free-lance. He was a fool after all, though, at thesame time, I could not but admit that his move to get me to admit hisinnocence was a skilful one. Still, it was a plot that might overreachitself. My captors had eased me of my belt, which was so well stuffedwith pistoles. They had not, however, had time or opportunity tosearch me further, and had left my clasp-knife, which lay in mypocket, as I have said, together with a dozen or so of gold pieces Ihad kept there to be at hand. I pulled out the knife and, opening it,ran my fingers along the blade. It was three inches or so in length,but sharp as a razor, and with it one might inflict an ugly wound in astruggle. I mapped out my plan mentally. When de Gomeron came again Ishould fell him as he entered, arm myself, if possible, by snatchinghis sword, and then cut my way out or be cut down. I had no doubt thatI might be able to effect the first part of the programme. In thosedays I was as strong as a bull, and there were few men, especially ifthey were unprepared, who could have stood a blow from me. It was inact two that I might come to grief. At any rate, it would be a finaland quick ending to the business, not the long-drawn-out agony I wouldotherwise have to endure. Now that I think of it, it was a poor enoughplan, and it was lucky that, under Providence, another way was shownto me. Such as it was, however, it was the only thing that occurred tome at that time, and it would not be for want of effort on my partthat it would fail. The more I thought over it, then the more I wasconvinced that it was my sole chance, and I grew impatient for themoment when I should put my design into execution. Twenty-four hourswas long to wait, and I raved at myself for having fixed such a time._Morbleu!_ I might have had the sense to make it five, or three, ortwo hours! I little guessed, as I paced the cell impatiently, how manyhours had passed since de Gomeron left me, and that it was impossibleto measure time in that loathsome dungeon. As I sat brooding, theprofound silence was once more suddenly disturbed by the suddenjarring of a bolt. It was not, however, the door of my cell that wasopened, but a little wicket about a foot square, and through thisthere flashed again a blinding light, and the face of Babette peeredin. So malign was its aspect that I shuddered in spite of myself, andthen, in a fury I could not control, shouted out:

  'Out of my presence, hag! Begone!'

  'Oh! ho!' she laughed. 'A time will come when Monsieur will go on histwo knees and pray to Babette--to good Babette--to kind Babette! In aday or so it will be thus,' and she laughed shrilly. 'But I go as youwish, to carry your refusal to the Captain.'

  She made a movement as if to go, but, cursing myself at very nearlyhaving spoilt all, I burst out, 'Stay!' and she looked back.

  'Monsieur!' She grinned through the wicket.

  'See here,' and in my eagerness my voice was hoarse and thick; 'fivehundred crowns if you free me from this, and a thousand more if youwill do the same for Madame.'

  'Will Monsieur add a palace in the moon to this?'

  'I give you the word of d'Auriac. Fifteen hundred crowns is a fortune.They will be yours in six hours from the time you free us. Think ofit--fifteen hundred crowns!'

  Never have I seen avarice blaze so in a face as in hers. As I droppedout the last words, she shook her head from side to side with aswaying motion of a serpent. Her eyes glittered like those of an asp,and between her half-parted lips she hissed rather than spoke toherself:

  'Fif-teen hun-dred crowns! It is the price of a barony! I, who havetaken life for a half-pistole!'

  'You will save two lives for this,' I pleaded.

  But the she-devil, though sorely tempted, was faithful. What deGomeron's power over her was I know not. I could add nothing to myoffer; I had laid my all on the hazard, and it was not to be done.

  '_Pouf!_' she mocked, 'you do not go high enough. You do not promisethe palace in the moon. But I waste my time. Is it "Yes," or "No," forthe Captain?'

  There was another chance, and I would risk that. I made a step nearerthe opening.

  'Give me something to drink, and I will answer at once.'

  'Ah! ha! Monsieur requires some courage. Here is a flask ofFrontignac, but it is expensive, and Monsieur, I am afraid, has lefthis belt outside his room. The Frontignac is five crowns.'

  'You forgot my pockets,' I answered. 'Here are two pistoles; hand methe wine.'

  'The money first,' and she stretched out her hand.

  Like a flash I closed my fingers on her wrist, and drew
in her hand tothe full length of the arm.

  'If you scream, if you utter a sound, I will tear your arm from itssocket.'

  The answer was a shriek that might have been heard a half-mile away,and then a foul oath and a howl of pain. It was hardly a knightlydeed, but there was too much at stake to mince matters; and on herscream I gave the prisoner arm I held a wrench strong enough to showthat I could keep my word. As the shrill echoes of her cry died away,I could hear her breathing heavily on the opposite side of the door,and she struggled mutely and with surprising strength to free herself.There was no answer to her call for help. There must have been many ashriek for help that had rung through that terrible dungeon, and diedaway answerless but for the mocking echoes! And Babette knew this, forshe ceased to utter a sound after that one long scream, and fought insilence like a she-wolf at bay. At last she leaned exhausted againstthe door, and I felt that half my game was won. It had been anunexpected thought, and I had jumped at the opportunity Providence hadthrown in my way.

  'Do you hear?' I said; 'open the door, or--' and I gave anotherhalf-turn to her arm.

  She who could inflict such suffering on others was of those who wereunable to bear the slightest pain herself. She moaned in agony andcalled out:

  'Free me, and I promise--I promise anything.'

  I only laughed and repeated my order, relieving the strain on her arm,however, so that she could slip back a half-pace or so from thewicket. Then I heard the great lock open and the chain put down, andBabette's voice trembling with anger and pain.

  'It is open.'

  The door swung outwards, so that all I had to do was to fold myprisoner's arm from the elbow along its face as I pushed it open. Itkept her perfectly secure, and enabled me to take a precaution that,it turned out, was needed, for as I pushed the door I drove thedeath-hunter back with it, and the moment it was sufficiently open tolet me pass, I sprang out and seized her left arm. Quick as I was,however, I was not quite quick enough to avoid the blow of her dagger,and received a flesh wound, which, however, was after all but slight.Then there was another struggle, and affairs were adjusted betweenBabette and myself without any special harm being done to her.

  'Now listen to me,' I said. 'Whatever happens, I will kill you firstif there is any treachery. Take me straight to Madame.'

  'She is not here,' was the sullen reply.

  'Then I take you with me to the Hotel de Ville. Come--to your senses.'

  She broke into the most terrible imprecations; but time was precious,and I quenched this readily enough, and at last it was clear she wasutterly cowed. Again I repeat that no harm was done, and it was onlydire necessity that compelled me to use the violence I did.

  'Come,' and I shook her up. 'Where is Madame?'

  She looked from right to left with a quick, uneasy motion of her eyes.

  'I do not know. She is not here.'

  I was compelled to believe her--or to accept her statement, which youwill.

  'Very well, then I waste time no longer,' and suiting actions to mywords, and exerting my strength to its utmost, I took her with me upthe stairway, forcing her to open each of the doors that closed on it.At the last door I took the precaution of gagging Babette, andfastened her arms securely, but lightly, behind her back with her owngirdle. Then holding her against the wall, I ran rapidly over thewhole position. If Madame was in the house, which was uncertain, Icould effect her rescue better from without than within. If, on theother hand, she was not there, I would be wasting most valuable time,and perhaps ruin all chance of saving her, by searching the rooms ofthe Toison d'Or, unarmed as I was. Once free, I could force de Gomeronto give up his victim. He would not, after the charges I should layagainst him in an hour, dare to leave Paris, whatever else he mightdo. That would in itself be a confession of guilt. As for Babette, Ifelt it was impossible to drag her with me through the streets ofParis.

  'Look here!' and I gave my prisoner a shake. 'I fully believe thatMadame is here, and if you wish to save yourself from the rack--ithurts more than what I have done to you--you will see that no harmcomes to her. You follow?'

  She was speechless, but her eyes were blazing with wrath as she made asullen movement of her head.

  'You had also better tell Monsieur de Gomeron, your master, that Irefuse his terms. It will save him the trouble of knowing that I haveescaped--you understand?'

  This time she nodded eagerly enough.

  'Now,' I went on, 'we will open the last door.'

  I took the bunch of keys, and, after a try or two, succeeded inhitting on the right one. After this I pushed Babette before me intothe small flagged yard, and saw to my surprise that it was night, andthat the moon was out. Then I gave the fact no further thought beyondan inward 'Thank God!' for the uncertain moonlight that would cover myescape. As I pushed my captive along the shadow of the wall until wecame to the entrance gate, I looked around and above me carefully, butthere was nothing to indicate where Madame was. A hundred times was Itempted to turn back and risk all in searching the house for her, andit was only because I was convinced that the sole chance of saving herwas to be free first myself that I did not give in to my desire. Onreaching the gate I discovered that there was a wicket in it largeenough to squeeze a man's body through, and that this was closed by aheavy pair of iron cross-bars, a secure enough defence from theoutside. Holding Babette at arm's-length from me, I put down the barand opened the wicket. Then, still keeping my hold on her, I freed herhands, and, bending slightly forwards and looking her straight in theface, said:

  'Remember! And adieu, Madame de--Mau-ginot!'

  At these words, which brought back to her memory her crime on thebattle-field of La Fere, she shrank back, her eyes seemed to sink intotheir sockets, and as I loosed my hold of her shoulder she fell in ahuddled heap on the flags of the yard.