vayenne, by percy brebner

7/31/2019 Vayenne, By Percy Brebner

1/197

TheProjectGutenbergEBookofVayenne,byPercyBrebner

ThiseBookisfortheuseofanyoneanywhereatnocostandwithalmostnorestrictionswhatsoever.Youmaycopyit,giveitawayorre-useitunderthetermsoftheProjectGutenbergLicenseincludedwiththiseBookoronlineatwww.gutenberg.org/license

Title:Vayenne

Author:PercyBrebner

Illustrator:ErnestFuhr

ReleaseDate:May8,2012[EBook#39652]

Language:English

***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKVAYENNE***

ProducedbyBruceAlbrecht,MatthewWheatonandtheOnlineDistributedProofreadingTeamathttp://www.pgdp.net

[Illustration:_Christine._]

VAYENNE

BYPERCYBREBNER

_Authorof"PrincessMaritza"_

ILLUSTRATIONSBYE.FUHR

THEJOHNMcBRIDECO.

NEWYORK

COPYRIGHT,1907--1908

BY

THEJOHNMcBRIDECO.


2/197

CONTENTS

I.THETRAVELLERARRIVES,II.THECROIXVERTELOSESITSGUEST,III.THEDWARFOFST.ETIENNE,IV.THEROADTOPASSEY,V.THESCHOLAR,VI.ATTHECLEARINGINTHEFOREST,VII.THEENDOFARACEFORLIFE,VIII.INTODEATH'SJAWSAGAIN,IX.COUNTFELIX,X.THESUPERSTITIONOFCOUNTFELIX,XI.THELAWOFTHELAND,XII.HOWJEANLOSTHISENEMIES,XIII.OBEDIENCEANDTRUST,XIV.THEDUKE'SFOOL,XV.THECOUNTLOSESHISSWORD,XVI.THEORDERSFORRELEASE,XVII.THEDUKEOFMONTVILLIERS,XVIII.THEPRICEOFSUCCESS,XIX.ACHANGEDMAN,

XX.FATHERBERTRANDJUSTIFIESHIMSELF,XXI.THEOLDHAG,XXII.THEDWARF'SAPPEAL,XXIII.THEGATESARESHUT,XXIV.THEFORDBYLARNE,XXV.THECRYPTOFST.ETIENNE,XXVI.THEVENGEANCEOFTHEMOB,XXVII.ONLYTHEFOOL,XXVIII.THESUBMISSIONOFMADEMOISELLEDELIANCOURT,XXIX.THEDUKE'SMESSENGER,XXX.THECROWNINGOFROGERHERRICK,XXXI.DUKEANDSUBJECTS,

ILLUSTRATIONS

Christine"TheSpy!"shesaidHerusheduponHerrickwildlyShesankintoachairHisstrongarmswereabouther

VAYENNE

CHAPTERI

THETRAVELLERARRIVES


3/197

Along,straightroad,nohedgeorditchseparatingitfromthefieldsoneitherside,butatintervalsoffiftyyardsorsotreesinpairs;tall,thintrees,butheavy-headedandwithfoliagespreadoutfussilyneartheground,allbentforwardinonedirection,andlookingforalltheworldlikeancientdameswiththeirpetticoatsheldoutofthemudastheystruggledwearilyhomewardagainstastrongwind.Initsseasonthisroadcouldbemuddy,asmanyatravellerknew,thefiercestormswhichragedacrossthelowcountrymakingitalmostimpassablefordaystogetherinwinter-time.To-daytheancientdiligencewhichtraverseditataneven,jog-trotpaceonlyleftalongcloudofdustinitswake;andthedriver,anoldmanwhohaddrivenalongthisroadatregularintervalsformoreyearsthanhecouldcount,whopossiblyknewtheexactnumberoftreeswhichlinedit,sathuncheduponhisseatandhadnothingtodo.Perhapsheslept,forthehorsesknewthewaywellenoughtohaveperformedthejourneywithouthim.Earlierinthedaytherehadbeenhalfadozenpassengers,butoftheseonlyoneremained,andhehadfoundthedriversotaciturn,andhispatoissodifficulttounderstandwhenhedidspeak,thathehadgivenupallattemptatconversation.Hewaswearyofthelongjourney,anddozedwheneverthejoltingofthesomewhatcrazyvehiclewouldallowhimtodoso.

Fortwodayshehadwaitedinthelittlefrontiertown,forthediligenceonlyperformedthisjourneytwiceintheweek,andhehadbeentravellingsinceearlymorning.Atthelastmoment,indeed,hehadhesitatedwhetherheshouldtakethejourneyatall.ItwasanabsurdfancythathadbroughthimtothisDuchyofMontvilliers,awonderandspeculationwhichhadlainlatentinhimsincechildhood.Asaboyafewchancewords,andanelderlywoman'searnestlookingintohisface,hadstirredhisimagination.Sincethentheworkoflifehadcometofirehimwithotherambitions,somepartiallyrealized,perhaps,somefoundtobeunworthyofpursuit;andthen,suddenlyasitwere,almostasthoughsomecompellingvoicehadspokentohisinnerconsciousness,theoldwonderandspeculationhadsprungagainintolife,andatlasthewasnearingtheendofajourneywhich

asaladhehadpromisedhimselfonedaytotake.

Thesunwasfastsinkingwestwardwhenthejoltingofthevehicleagainwokethetraveller,andhesawthattheaspectofthelandhadchanged.Themonotonouspairsoftreeshadgone,andthediligenceWasascendingastiffinclinebetweentwoswellingdowns,partofalonglineofhillswhichhadrisenmistilyinthedistancebeforethemallday.Itwasalongclimbandthehorsesstoppedatintervalstorestwithoutanysuggestionfromthedriver;ontheirowninitiativetheywentonagain,andfinallypausedonthesummitbeforebeginningthelongdescentontheotherside.

"Vayenne?"askedthetraveller,suddenlyleaningtowardthedriverand

pointingdownintothevalley.Themanlookedathimwithsleepyeyesandnodded.Itseemedafoolishquestiontohim.WhatplacecoulditbebutVayenne?

Itlayinthegatheringtwilightlikethecityofadream,indefinite,unreal,mystical.Thehillsovershadowedit,keepingsilentwatch;andspannedbyastonebridge,ariver,dottedwithgreenislandslikeemeraldsuponitsbosom,sweptarounditssouthernandwesternsides,holdingitinitsarms.Overallwasthediaphanoushazeofeveningandsilence,saveforthethinmusicofbellandchimefrombelfryor


4/197

clocktower,joyouslittlecadenceswhichroseandfellatshortintervals.Indistinctlytheeyecouldtracethedirectionofsomeofthewiderstreets,andtowardthenorthernside,dominatingthecityfromrisingground,fivegaunt,weather-beatentowers,withmassivewallsandbattlementsbetween,frownedoverallbelow.Therewasmenaceinthiscastle,power,andperchancecruelty.Itspokeofdespoticgovernment,ofmightasright,ofsternrepression,offeudallawsandthecrushingofallliberty;andyetclosetoit,thecrowninggloryofagloriouschurch,agreatspirepiercedupwardthroughthehaze,tellingofotherthingsandatimetocome.

Theywerecomplexthoughtswhichfilledthemindofthetravellerasthediligenceswungrapidlydowntowardthetown.Tohim,indeed,Vayennewasadreamcity,anunknowncity;yetsomehowithadalwaysseemedapartofhimself.Inanindefinitewayhehadalwaysknownthatsomedayhewouldcometoit,wouldhaveapartinitslife,beofit;andnow,aseverymomentbroughthimnearertoit,heforgotthathewasacasualtravellermerely,thatonlyafewhoursagohehadhesitatedwhetherheshouldcomeatall.Hewasobligedtocome.Hewasonlyfulfillinghisdestiny.

Lightsbegantoblinkinthehousesastheycrossedtheoldstonebridgeandpassedunderamassivegatewayonthecitysideofit.Lightsswungatstreetcornersasthelumberingvehiclepassedover

thecobblestoneswithmuchrattleandnoiseupwardtowardthecastle.Eventhedriverrousedalittlefromhislethargy,andcrackedhiswhip.Theyhadproceededsomedistancewhenhesuddenlydrewtothesideofthestreet,andthehorsescametoastandstill.Theywereevidentlyusedtosuchpauses;forinthesenarrowthoroughfarestrafficwasdifficult,andthediligencemadenopretenceofkeepingtime.Therewasthesoundofhorses'hoofsbehind,andinafewmomentsawoman,followedbyhalfadozenhorsemen,rodeby.Shecheckedherpaceasshepassed,andturnedtolookatthetraveller,whilethedriverslowlyraisedhiswhipinsalute.Thelightfromalampswingingfromabracketonthewallfelluponher,andthetravellersawthatshewasyoung,twoorthreeandtwenty,herfigureslightandsupple.Herdarkgrayhabitmayhavemadeherlooksmaller

thanshereallywas,andthemare,whichshesatlikeanaccomplishedhorsewoman,wasabigandpowerfulanimal,almosttoomuch,itseemed,forthoselittleglovedhandswhichheldthereinstomanage.Yettherewasstrengthinthoselittlehands.Therewasasuggestionofstrengthaboutheraltogether,strengthofwillandpurpose.Itshoneoutofapairofdarkgrayeyessetundergracefullycurvedbrowsandveiledwithlonglashes.Thefirmlittlemouthshowedit,andtherewasjustenoughsuspicionofsquarenessaboutthechintoemphasizeit.Shehadnut-brownhair,acurlofwhichfelluponherforeheadfromunderneathagrayastrakhancap,andthelittleheadwaspoisedproudlyonhershoulders.Noordinarywomanthis,notonetobeeasilyswayedbyloveoranyotherpassion,awomantoruleratherthanberuled.

"Whoisthat?"askedthetraveller,leaningtowardthedriverasthecavalcadepassedon.

"Abeautifulwoman,"wastheslowanswer.

"Buthername?"

Thedrivercrackedhiswhipandthediligencebegantorattleoverthecobblesagain.


5/197

"SomedayshemaybeDuchess,"hesaid,asthoughhewasfollowinghisowntrainofthoughtratherthanansweringhiscompanion'squestion.

Therewasnotimetotempthimintobeingmoreexplicit,forthehorsesturnedacornersharply,andwithashakeoftheirharnessstoppedbeforealong,lowbuilding,onwhichthetravellercouldjustdecipherthewords,HteldelaCroixVerte.Itwasanoldhouse,redolentofthepast,thelightswithinshiningbutfaintlythroughthesmallwindows.Itsupperstoryprojectedoverthenarrowfootway,anditslowerwallsbulgedoutward,asthoughtheyhadgrowntiredoftheloadtheyhadhadtobearsolong.Itsageseemedtohaveinfecteditsinhabitants,too,forsomemomentselapsedbeforethedooropened,andamancameoutleisurelytoreceivetheparcelswhichthediligencehadbrought.Thatithadbroughtatravelleralsodidnotexcitehim,norwasheinanyhurrytowelcomehim.Perhapsthetravellerwashalfdreaming,forhealmoststartedwhenthemanturnedandspoketohim.

"Yes;it'salongjourney,"heanswered,"andIamreadytodojusticetothebestyouhave."

Hefollowedthelandlordalonganarrowpassageandupatwistingstaircase.

"Thebestroom,"saidthelandlordasheopenedadoorandlitacandle."There'snooneelsestayinginthehouse.StrangersdonotcomemuchtoVayenne."

"No?"saidthetravellerinterrogatively.

"No,"returnedthelandlord."It'snotaneasyjourney,and,besides,whatcanstrangerswantinVayenne?Byyouraccentyou'llbe----"

"Well,towhatextentdoesmyaccentbetrayme?"askedthetraveller,withasmile.

"EnglishorGerman,"wastheanswer.

"Englishman,"saidthetraveller--"RogerHerrickbyname,acasualvisitorwhomaybeinterestedenoughtostayinVayennesometime."

Thelandlordnodded,asthoughhewerenotsurprisedatanythinganEnglishmanmightdo,andwentoutpromisinganexcellentdinnerforthwith.

"SoIaminVayenneatlast!"Herrickexclaimedasheglancedaroundtheoldroom,pleasedwithitspanelledwallsandlow,beamedceiling."InVayenne!Ihardlythoughtwhenthetimecamethatthefactwouldimpressmesomuch."

Hewenttothewindow,openedit,andlookedout.Likeshadowsinthedarknesshecoulddimlydiscernthetowersofthecastleabovetheroofsopposite,andtheslenderspirewithitstoplostinthenight.Thechimesmadelittleburstsofecstaticmusiclikethevoicesandlaughterofspiritsintheair.Somewheretherewasthelowrumbleofacartoverthecobbles,butthestreetbelowhimwasempty.Thediligencehadgone;nopedestrianwasonthenarrowfootway.Italmostseemedasthoughheweredeserted,lefthereforalltime;that,howeveranxioushemightbetoleaveVayenne,hewouldnotbeableto


6/197

doso.Thecityofhisdreamshadhimfast,andalreadythefirstofhersurpriseswaspreparingforhim.Couldhehavelookedbutforaninstantintothenearfuture,hemightpossiblyhavegonetodinnerwithlessappetitethanhedid.

Thelong,lowroomhaditswindowstowardthestreet,andwasbrokenupbypartitions.AwaiterpointedtooneoftheseseparateretreatsasHerrickentered,andhesawthathistablewaslaidthere.Ontheothersideofthepartitionfourmenweresitting,abottleofwineandglassesonthetablebetweenthem.Herrickcasuallynoticedthatonewasinuniformandthatanotherworethecassockofapriest,buttooknofurtherinterestinthem,andhehadcomeintotheroomsoquietlythattheydidnotlookupathisentrance,andwereperhapsunconsciousthatanyonewasdiningontheothersideofthepartition.

Thelandlordhadbeentruetohisword,andhadprovidedanexcellentdinner.Itwasgoodwine,too,thatwassetuponthetable,andHerrickbegantodiscoverhowhungryhereallywas.Foralongtimehisattentionwasconfinedtothebusinessinhand,andthenhesuddenlybecameconsciousoftheconversationontheothersideofthepartition.Itseemedtohavetakenamoreseriousturn,thevoicesweredroppedalittle,anditwasthisfact,nodoubt,whichmadeHerricklistenunconsciously.

"Suchmenasheisdiehard,"saidoneman."TheoldDukemayholddeathatarm'slengthforyearsyet."

"Notso,myson.Iknowsomethingofhisdisease,andnaughtbutamiraclecanhelphim.Afewweeksperhaps,andthen----"

Itwasevidentlythepriestwhospoke.Hisvoicewassoftandpersuasive,andHerrickthoughtthatsomesuggestivegesture,explainingwhatmustensue,hadprobablyfinishedthesentence.

Therewassilenceforafewmoments,andthentheringofaglassasitwasplacedonthetable.

"Whenthereinsfallfromastronghandthereisalwaystrouble,"saidanotherman.

"Andopportunity,don'tforgetthat,"saidthepriest."Youhaveyourambitions;havewenottalkedofthembeforethis?Theyarewithinafewshortweeksofrealization,ifyouwillbeguidedbyme."

"Ay,orIamwithinmeasurabledistanceoflosingmyhead,ifthingsgoawry,"wastheanswer."Therearealwaystwosidestosuchaschemeasthis."

"Ihadn'tthoughttofindacowardinGaspardLemasle,"saidthe

priest.

Therewasasuddenmovementandquickshuffleoffeet,thenalaugh,thelaughofastrongman,deep-chestedandresonant.

"Bah!Iforgot.Onecannotfightwithacassock.Seehere,FatherBertrand,grantedIhaveambitions,whereitnotbettertostandbythestrongerside?CountFelixisstrong,evenashisuncle.TheoldDukelooksuponhimashissuccessor.Stronghandsarereadytocatchthereinsastheyfall.InthefaceofsuchamanwillVayenneshout


7/197

forapale-facedscholarithaslittleknowledgeof,thinkyou?"

"AndwhatrewardisGaspardLemasletowinfromCountFelix?"askedthepriest."IsGaspardLemasle'ssupportnecessarytohim?Rewardscomeonlytothosewhostruggleforthem.ForyoutheylieinthehandsofthatpalescholaratPassey.Therewillbemanytoshoutforhim,and,withadeterminedleadertofightforhim,IcanseeenthusiasticcrowdsinthestreetsofVayenne."

"FatherBertrandspeaksnothingbutthetruth,"saidanotherman,anditseemedcertainthatonlyLemasle'sconsentwaswantingtocompleteaschemewhichhadlongoccupiedthepriest'sattention.

"Maybe,"Lemaslereturned,"Icarenotovermuchwhichwayitgoes."

"AndyouhaveforgottenMademoiselledeLiancourt,"saidthepriest.

"Asecondtimeyourcassockprotectsyou,father,"laughedtheother."Itwereasin,indeed,toforgether.Passthebottle,andletushavebrimmingglassestodrinkherhealth.ChristinedeLiancourt,themostbeautifulwomaninMontvilliers."

"Intheworld,"correctedthepriestquietly."Sheisheartandsoulforthispalescholar,andshehasmentionedGaspardLemasletome."

"Bythefaith,youshalltellmewhatshesaid,"theothercried,strikingthetableuntiltheglassesrattled.

"Nay,nay,itwasfornoearsbutmine;yet,markyou,sheknowsabravemanwhensheseeshim,and----"

Theprieststoppedsuddenly.Thesilentstreethadsuddenlyawoke.Therewerehurryingfeetandmenshoutingtoeachotherastheyran,thenthesoundofagunwhichboomedindeepvibrationanddiedslowlyawayinthedistance.

Withinarticulateandfragmentaryexclamationsthefourmensprangup

andhurriedtothedoor.Herrickfollowedthemmoreleisurely.

"TheDukeisdead!"amancriedtothemastheystoodinthedoorway,andasheranheshoutedthenewstootherswhohadbeenbroughtfromtheirhousesbythesoundofthegun."TheDukeisdead!"

"Dead!"saidthepriestslowly,crossinghimself,morebyhabitthanintentionitseemed,forotherthoughtsthanofdeathwerereflectedinhisface.Helookedathiscompanionsoneaftertheother,deepmeaninginhislook,andlastofallhiseyesrestedonRogerHerrick,standingalittleintherear,hisfacelitupbythelightofalamphanginginthepassage.ForamomentthepriestdidnotappeartorealizethatHerrickwasastranger,andthenhiseyes

openedwiderandremainedfixeduponhim.

"Asuddendeath,"saidHerrick."Iheardyousayjustnowthathemightliveforweeks."

FatherBertrandglancedbackintotheroomtheyhadleft,totheplacewhereheandhiscompanionshadbeensitting.

"Verysudden,"heanswered,andthenafterapauseheadded,"Verystrange."


8/197

CHAPTERII

THECROIXVERTELOSESITSGUEST

"Doesthedeathofamanpreventthelivingfromfinishingthebottle?It'sasintowastegoodwine,"saidLemasle,stridingbackintotheroom.

Hespokeratherasamanwhowasperplexedthanasonewhowascallous.WhateverschemeFatherBertrandwaspersuadinghimto,hadbeeninthefutureafewmomentsago;therewasplentyoftimetoweighitanddigestit,toplaywithitandcalculatethechances;thatcannonboomingoutintothenighthadmadeaquickdecisionimperative,andGaspardLemaslewastroubled.

"Leavehimtome,"saidthepriesttotheothertwomen,andthenasHerrickturnedandwentdownthepassagetowardthestairs,FatherBertranddrewhiscompanionsclosertohim,andtalkedeagerlytothemforafewmoments.

WhenHerrickdescendedthestairsafewminuteslaterthepassagewasempty,andonlyawaiterwasinthelongroom.Theconversationhehadchancedtooverhearhadmadelittleimpressionuponhim.Wasthereeverastateyetinwhicheverycitizenwascontentedwithhisrulers?HereinMontvillierstherewerecontentions,andthecomingdemiseoftheDukepromptedmentotalk.Howdangeroussuchtalkmightbe,Herrickhadnomeansofjudging.Hehadheardafewnameswhichhadlittlemeaningforhim--acount,abeautifulwoman,andascholar.EvidentlytheywereofimportintheDuchy,butofwhatinterestcouldtheybetohim?Norhadheparticularlynoticedthepriest'sclosescrutinyofhisface.FatherBertrandhadbeenastonishedtoseeastrangerthere,onewhohadcertainlyoverheardsomethingofwhat

hadbeensaid,and,beingapoliticianaswellasachurchman,moreloyalasthelatterpossiblythanastheformer,hehadnaturallysoughttounderstandwhatmannerofmanthisstrangermightbe.Thatwasall.

SoHerricksoughttodismisstheoccurrencefromhismindashepassedoutoftheinn,and,afterstandingonthenarrowfootwayforamomentlookingupanddownthestreet,turnedinthedirectionofthecastle,bentonashortwalkbeforebed.

Thereiseverasenseofmysteryinanunknowncitywhenitistraversedforthefirsttimeafternightfall.Seenovertheinterveningroofs,sometowerorbattlementededifice,risinggrayand

ghost-likeinthedimlightofthemoonasitdidto-night,seemsfullofmystery;thereisasecretineverystreetturningtorightandleft,leadingweknownotwhither;ineverynarrowalley,lookingdangerousbetwixtfrowningwalls;ineverydarkwindow,fromwhenceevilmightpeepoutunseen.InVayennethissenseofmysterywasintensifiedsinceforlongcenturieshistoryhadbeenbusywithit.Itsinterestlayinthefoldedmantleofthepastratherthanintheopenlapofthepresent.ItsfoundationswereinthedaysofCharlemagne,andinwarandpeaceithadplayedaforemostpartsincethen.Hateandambitionhadfoughtouttheirdeadlyfeudsaroundit


9/197

andinitsstreets.Thriceithadcloseditsgatesagainsttheinvaderandstoodasiege.Chivalryhadheldswayinit,andincruelagesdeedsunspeakablehadbeenperpetratedwithinitswalls.Ithadhaditsperiodsofgreatgloryandofevengreaterneglect,ofvictoryanddefeat,yetitstoodto-dayasiteverhadstood,thecapitaloftheDuchyofMontvilliers,thecentreofanindependentstate,thedukesofwhichcouldstilllinkthemselveswiththoseFrankishpirateswhohadconqueredandmadetheirhomehere.

Butto-dayVayennehadfallenbehindinthemarchofmoderncivilization.Forthemostpartitsstreetswereoldandill-lighted.Menstillinhabitedhouseswhichhadstoodforcenturies,thecastlestillfrownedoverthecityasithaddoneintheMiddleAges,andtherulinghandhadstillanirongripinit.PerhapsnowhereinEuropehadthewaysoftheforeignermadelessprogress.TravellershadnotyetmarkedVayenneasaplacetovisit.Itwasnoteasyofaccess,andnoonehadwritteneulogiesconcerningit.Thatithadfallenbehindthetimesinthismannermayhavebeenapotentfactorinkeepingitinviolateandindependent.Whatwonderthenifitsrulers,anditspeople,too,weresatisfiedwiththingsastheywere?

Wellmightatravellerfeelstrangelyaloneandoutoftheworldinthiscity,whosemonumentsofchiselledstoneandsturdyoakhaddefiedtheravagesoftheconquerorandoftime.Yetnosuch

strangenesstookpossessionofRogerHerrick.Vayennehadbeentohimadreamcity.Hehadknownofitfromearliestchildhood,whyandhowhehardlyunderstood;asaboyhehadvowedonedaytoseeandknowitinreality;andto-nightthesuddenrushesofbellandchimemusic,theverycadencesofthecarillon,whichcamefromthebelfryofthegreatchurchwhosespirerosehightowardheaven,seemedfamiliar.Theywerenotnew,hehadonlyforgottenthemforawhile.Heseemedtohaveknownthesedarkstreetswiththeiroverhanginghousesinsomeotherlife,andinthispresentexistencethedeathoftheDuketo-nightseemedtoholdsomemeaningforhim.

Thissenseoffamiliaritywithhissurroundingswasparticularlystrongashestoppedatacornerwiththeintentionofturningand

retracinghisstepstotheinn.Somedistancedown,thestreetwasspannedbyadeeparchway,intheupperpartofwhichwasagreatclock.Bythelightofalampswingingatthecorner,HerricksawthatitwascalledtheRuedelaGrosseHorloge.Itsupperend,atleast,wasbetterlightedthanmostofthestreetshehadpassedthrough,andhewalkedtowardthearchway,whichwasoldandweather-worn,andmusthavebeenafamiliarobjectinVayennelongbeforeanyclockwasplacedthere.Thereweresmallshops,partofthestructureoneithersideoftheroad,andinthedeeparchitself,aboveandonthesides,wereboldreliefs,somepasthistoryofthecitycarvedintopermanenceinstone.Herrickpausedtolookupatthem,hisactionmarkinghimforaforeigner,forwhoamongstthosewhopasseddailythroughthatfamiliararchwaywouldgivethemathought?Twomen

walkingadozenyardsbehindhimstoppedtowatchhim,andwhenhewenton,theywenton,too,quickeningtheirpacealittleanddrawingclosertohim.Thestreetbeyondthearchwasdarker,mostoftheshopstherebeingclosedforthenight,andthefactremindedHerrickthatitwastimetoreturntotheCroixVerte.Heturnedsosuddenlythathealmostcollidedwiththetwomenwhofollowedhim,andhadwalkedsolightlythathewasquiteunconsciousoftheirpresence.Onesteppedasideandpassedon,theothersteppedbackandbeganavolubleapology.


10/197

"Pardon,monsieur,Ididnotsee.Iwaswalkingwithmyeyesontheground.Itisabadhabit."

Raisinghishatandbowingevenastheotherdid,Herrickwasexplainingthatiftherewereanyfaultitwashis,andthatnoapologywasnecessary,whenanarmwasthrownsuddenlyacrosshisthroatfrombehind,andhewasdraggedviolentlybackward.Immediatelythemaninfrontclosedwithhim,endeavoringtopreventhisusinghishands;andtheattackwassounexpectedthatforsomemomentsitwasallHerrickcoulddotokeephisfeet.Hewas,however,astrongman,awrestlerandafighterofnomeanskill.Withthehandthathehadsucceededinkeepingfreehegrippedthearmabouthisthroat,andwithonegreatheaveofhisbodythrewthemanoverhisheadontotheroadway,wherehelaymotionless,asthoughalllifewerebeatenoutofhim.Inanothermomentitwouldhavegonehardwithhisotherassailanthadthemannotslippedtotheground,keepinghisarmstightlyclaspedroundHerrick'slegs,however.

"Aspy!Help!Aspy!"heshouted.Theeffectofthatcrywaswonderful.BeforeHerrickcouldkickhimselffree,ascoreofmenwereuponhim.Heattemptedtoshoutanexplanation,buttonopurpose.Thiswayandthatwashethrown,hisarmswereseizedandtwistedbehindhim,andthenanoosewasslippedoverhiswrists,renderinghimhelpless.

Hatlessandwithtornclotheshewashustleddownthestreet,thecrowdabouthimbecominglargereverymoment,thoseontheouterfringeofitloudlyquestioningwhohewasandwhathehaddone.

"Aspy!"someoneshouted.

"Aquickdeathtoallspies,"camethereadyanswer.

Herrickhadbeenseverelyhandled,andforafewmomentswashardlyconsciousofwhatwashappeningabouthim.Thereiteratedcryof"Spy"servedtorousehim.Forthesepeoplethewordappearedtohaveaspecialinterpretation.Theyexpectedandfearedspies,andwere

inclinedtobemerciless.Revengewasintheirmindsratherthanjustice.Thatthetwomenwhohadattackedhimtookhimforaspy,Herrickdidnotbelieve;themanclaspinghislegshadonlyraisedthecrytosavehimself,knowingfullwellhowpromptlyassistancewouldcometosuchashout.Aquickdeathseemedlikelytofollowcapture,and,onemanashewasagainstamultitude,Herricknervedhimselfforalaststruggle.Thecordthatboundhiswristswasnotfastenedintooworkman-likeafashion,hecouldworkhishandsfree,anditshouldgohardwithsomebeforetheysucceededinstringinghimtosomelampatacorner,whichheimaginedwastheirintention.

Thecry,however,hadgonefartherthanthestreetofthegreatclock.TherewasaspiritofexcitementabroadinVayenneto-nightconsequent

onthedeathoftheDuke,andtheclosingoftheshopshadonlysentmoremenintothetavernsandstreetstotalkandperchancetoplot.Thecryof"Spy"hadleapedfromliptolipfarbeyondthemanwhohadbeenthecauseofit,andnowastheexcitedcrowdpouredoutofthestreetintoawide,opensquare,andHerrickwasabouttomakealaststruggleforhislife,therecameasharpwordofcommand,aringofsteeldrawnfromthescabbard,andthecrowdhaltedinconfusionbeforeabodyofsoldiers.

"Whathavewehere?"saidavoicewhichsoundedfamiliartoHerrick.


11/197

"Aspy,captain,"shoutedadozenvoices.

"Youmayeasilycallamanthat,buttheproof?"

Therewassilence,eachmanexpectinghisneighbortospeak.

"Youmaywellaskfortheproof,sincethereisnone,"saidHerrick."Somescoundrels----"

"Ay,andtheaccusationisaseasilydenied,"interruptedthesoldier,turningtowardHerrick."Therewasneveraspyyetbuthadplentyofliesreadytohistongue."

"IamastrangerinVayenne--shallIseekjusticeinitinvain,CaptainLamasle?"ForHerrickrecognizedhimasthesoldierwhohadbeenwiththepriestattheCroixVertethatevening.

Anexpressionofastonishmentcrossedthecaptain'sfaceatbeingknownbythisstranger.ItwasevidentthathedidnotrecognizeHerrick,butperhapsherememberedwhatcompanyhehadbeeninnotlongsinceandwhathadbeensaidoverthewine.

"Beingsoreadywithmynameisnotmuchinyourfavor,"hesaid;

"you'llgetjustice,Iwarrant."Andtheninobediencetoaquickcommand,Herrickfoundhimselfaprisoneramongstsoldiersinsteadofinthemidstofacrowd.Itwouldbeuselessnowtoattempttoescape,andatthewordofcommandhemarchedforward.

UntilthismomentHerrickhadtakenlittlenoteofhissurroundings.Nowasuddenrushofmusicintheairabovemadehimlookaroundhim.Thesquarewasofgreatsize,mistyandghost-likeinthepale,uncertainmoonlight,but,infrontofhimthereloomedagreatgatewayflankedbytowers,andbehindandonhigherground,therewereothertowersandfrowningwalls.Itwasthecastle,andnearitrosethestatelypileofagreatchurch,itsspirepiercingfarintothenight.

Astheyapproachedthecastlethegreatgateswereflungopen,andHerricksawthatthecourt-yardwithinwasfullofmenhurryingtoandfro.Horses'hoofsimpatientlybeatthestones,whichwereroughanduneven.Therewasmuchjinglingofharnessandringofspurandsteel.Lightsshoneinnarrowdoorways,andtherewastheflameofatorchhereandthere.Allwashurryandexcitement;andinsomesilentchambernear,theDukelaydead.Herrickrememberedthis,foundhimselfspeculatinguponit,yetevenashepassedthroughthegatehehardlyfeltstrangeinplayingapartinthisdrama.

Theword"Spy"seemedtohaverunbeforehimevenhere.Thatgrimgatewayhadnotkeptitout.Menpausedamomenttolookathim:some

weresilent,someutteredasoundofhatredandcontempt,butallseemedconvincedthattheaccusationwasajustone.

Thesoldiershaltedbythewallsometwentyfeetinheight.Herrickconcludedthattherewasaterraceorgardenabove,becauseseveralpersons,womenandpagesamongthem,wereleaningoverthewalllookingintothecourt-yardbelow.Aflightofstonesteps,placedsidewaystothewall,leddownfromthisterrace,andatthefootofthesestepswasawomanmounteduponabeautifulbaymare,whichpawedtheground,impatienttobegone.Atalittledistanceagroupof


12/197

horsemenwaitedforhersignal,whichshewasintheactofgivingwhenthesoldiers,withtheirprisonerintheirmidst,cametoahaltnotadozenyardsfromher.Thelightfromtwoorthreetorchesheldbyservantswhostoodonthelowerstepslitupherface,andHerricksawagainthewomanwhohadriddenpastthediligenceafewhoursago,thewomanwhowasdestinedtoplaysogreatapartinhislife.

CaptainLemaslesteppedtohersideandsaluted.

"Areyounottoridewithus?"sheasked."Wearewaiting."

"Pardon,mademoiselle.Ihavejustbeenrescuingaspy.Thecrowdhadcaughthim,anditwouldhavegonehardwithhimhadwenottakenhim."

"Ifheisaspy,wouldthathavemattered?"shesaid,loudenoughforHerricktohear.

"Thereisjusticeinprovingamanguiltybeforeheishanged,"Lemasleanswered.

"Sincewhenhaveyoubeensofastidious?IhaveheardotherthingsofGaspardLemasle.Letmelookatthisspy."

"IseembetterknownthanIimagined,"thesoldiermutteredashestoodaside.

SherodetowardHerrick,themenabouthimfallingback,untilshewascloseuponhim.

"Lookup,"shecommanded,"andletmeseethefaceofaspy."

"Notofaspy,mademoiselle,butofanhonestman,"heanswered,lookingherstraightintheeyes.

"Spy,spy,"shecontradictedsharply,"orwhatdoyouinVayenneatsuchatimeasthis?"

"Iamatraveller."

"Soaretheyall,"shecried."Thereisaguest-roomwithinthesewallsforyou.Vayenneknowshowtowelcomesuchtravellers.Ah!Icouldhonoranenemy,butaspy----"AndtherewassuchuttercontemptinherfacethatHerrickcouldfindnowordstoanswerher.

Asshetightenedherreins,herridingwhipslippedfromherfingersandfellathisfeet,andbeforeanyonecouldpreventhimhehadshakentheloosenedcordfromhiswrists,andhadstoopedandpickeditup.Inaninstanthalfadozensoldierssprangforwardtopreventhisattackingher.Shedidnotflinch,butwavingthemback,heldout

herhandforthewhip.

"Thankyou,mademoiselle,"saidHerrick."AtleastyouhavegenerosityenoughtoknowthatIamincapableofsuchathingasthat."

Shelookedathimforaninstantasshetookthewhip,anewinterestinhereyes,andaslightloweringofherproudheadthankedhim.Thensheturnedthemareroundsharply.

"CaptainLemasle,Iamready,"shesaid,andasthesoldiersclosed


13/197

roundHerrickagain,sherodeoutthroughthegrimgateway,followedbythetroopofhorsemen.

CHAPTERIII

THEDWARFOFST.ETIENNE

Alongdarkstonepassages,throughmanyadoorway,andacrosstwoorthreeroughcourt-yards,halfadozensoldiersconductedHerricktohis"guest-room."Thewoman'spleasantryhadcaughttheirfancy,andtheylaughedboisterouslyastheywent,hoping,perhaps,toputfearintotheheartoftheirprisoner.

Theyhaltedbeforealowdoor,whichonemanunlockedwithagreatkey.Theimmensethicknessofthewallformedanarrowpassage,attheendofwhichsomestepsdescendedintoasemicircularcellofnogreatsize,butofconsiderableheight.

"There'sstrawforabed,"saidthejailer,pointingtoacorner,"thoughhowitcamehereIdon'tunderstand,andyou'vegotheaven's

lightitselfforacandle."Andhenoddedtowardapatchofmoonlight."Therearehonestsoldierswhoareworselodged,Iwarrant."

"Itillbecomesaguesttocomplainofhistreatment,"Herrickanswered.

"Ay;thatideaofaguest-roomwassmartlythoughtof,"themanreturned,"butmaybeyouhardlyseethefullhumorofit.ThisistheSouthTower,andit'susuallythelastlodgingamanneedsthissidethegrave."

"Isthatso?"AndHerrick'sattitudehadinterestinit,butlittlepersonalconcern.

"Yes;andit'sashortwalkfromheretothelastyardwecrossed.Itusuallyhappensthere."Andthejailermadeasuggestivedownwardsweepwithhisarm.

"Axeorsword?"askedHerrick.

"Sword.Unlesstheydecidetomakeanespecialexampleinyourcase,thenthey'relikelytohangyouoverthegreatgateway."

"AmIsufficientlyimportantforthat,thinkyou?"

"I'veknownadeadsparrowonastringscareawaymuchfinerbirds,"

thejaileranswered;"butatanyrateyou'renowhite-liveredman,andIshouldn'tgrievetoseeyoucheatbothswordandrope."

"Thanksforyourgoodwill,"saidHerrick."Whoknows,Imaylivetospeakacomfortingwordtoyou.Iwillbehonestwithyou,Ihadnotappreciatedthefullextentofthelady'shumor."

Withsomethinglikeasalute,deferencetotheprisoner'scourage,thejailerdeparted,andthekeygratedharshlyinthelockastheboltsshothome.


14/197

Highupneartherooftherewasadeep-setwindowthroughwhichthemoonlightcame.Thetowercouldnotbeshutinbyhighwalls,therefore,andprobablywasoneoftheoutertowersofthecastle.Fromthatwindowpossiblyaprisonermightlookintoafreeworld,reachit,perhaps,ifagehadwornthebarslooseintheirstonesockets.AmomentlaterHerrickfeltcertainthatonlythissinglewallheldhimfromfreedom,forthemusicofthecarillonburstuponhisears.Hisfancymadethemoonbeamsthepathalongwhichthemusictravelled.Butthewindowwasunattainable.Theroundedwallswerealmostassmoothasifthesurfacehadbeenpolished,andthecellwasbareofeverythingbuttheheapofstrawinthecomer.

"MyfirstnightinVayenne,"hemuttered,andsomeofthebraverywithwhichhehadaddressedthejailerwaswanting.Themoonlightwasuponhisfaceashespoke,aseriousfacejustnow,althoughneitherhopelessnessnordespairwasinit.Itcouldhardlybecalledahandsomeface,yetitwasonetoremember.Theyweregood,steadyeyes,andifthenoseandmouthwerenotanartist'sidealsofbeauty,inthewholefacetheartistwouldhavefoundattraction.Itwasstrong,forceful,fashionedinanuncommonmould;itwasafaceapartratherthanoneofatype,astrongfamilypossessionwhichtostrangershadoftenmarkedhimforaHerrick.

"MyfirstnightinVayenne,"herepeatedashebegantopacehisnarrowcellslowly.Howlongagoitseemedsincehehadfirstseenthecityfromthebrowofthehills.Howmuchhadhappenedinthefewshorthourssincethen,andyetoneincidentstoodoutmoreclearlythanalltherest,thewomanleaningfromherhorsetolookintothefaceofaspy.Evennowhercontempthurthim.Itwashatefultoappearmeaninhereyes.Allelsethathadhappenedtohimseemedoflittleaccountbesidethis.Themomenthiseyeshadresteduponhertherehadsprungadesireinhissoultoserveher.Inthatservicehefelthimselfcapableofmuch,yetshedespisedhim.Alittletouchofsympathyhadshowninherfaceforamomentwhenhehandedherthewhip,butithadnopowertoobliteratethecontempt.Thatwashertruefeelingtowardhim,theotherwasbutthepassingpitywhicha

womanmayhaveevenforacoward.

Thecarillonhadsoundedseveraltimes,andthedirectionofthemoonrayhadchanged,leavingthefloorofthecellindarkness;butburiedinthoughtHerricktooknonoticeofthelittlerushesofmusic,norwasheconsciousofthedeepeninggloomaroundhimuntilasuddenshadowseemedtoflitthroughthechamber,andanewstealthysoundstartledhim.Instinctivelyhedrewbacktothewall,thatwhateverenemymightbenearshouldhavetofacehimandnotbeabletotakehimunawares.Onceto-nightalreadyhehadbeenseizedfrombehind.

Standingontheoutsideledgeofthewindow,holdingontothebarsandpeeringintothecell,wasafigurethatmightwellstartlethe

bravest.Theopeningcouldnotbemorethanfourfeetinheight,yetitwassufficienttoallowthisfiguretostandupright.Head,feet,andhandswereatleastnormalinsize,thoseofafull-grownandpowerfulman,thebodywasthatofachild,thoughitscuriouslytwistedformmighthaveabnormalstrengthinit.Hishairwaslong,andathick,stubblybeardandwhiskerscompletelysurroundedhisface.Hewasuglyintheextreme,andevenHerrickwaspleasedtothinkthatsolidbarswerebetweenthem.

Forfullfiveminutesthedwarfstoodthere,utteringnosound,but


15/197

movinghisheadfromsidetoside,tryingtopiercethedarkness,andonceortwiceheleantbackwardatarm'slengthtolookdownontheoutsidebelowhim.Thenhetookholdofonebarwithbothhands,and,liftingitoutofitssocket,laiditcarefullyalongthewindow-ledge.Fromthebreastoftheloosesmock-likegarmentheworehetookalengthofrope,knottedoneendroundoneofthebars,andlettheotherendfallintothecell.Foramomenthewaitedandlistened;then,withtheagilityofagorilla,heswunghimselfdown,andstoodonthefloorofthecell,theropestillinhishand,asthoughhewerepreparedtospringupwardtosafetyagainatthefirstsignofdanger.

"Whoareyou,andwhatdoyouwant?"saidHerricksuddenly.

Thedwarfturnedquicklytowardhim.

"Hush!It'sonlyfriendJean."

"Ihavenosuchfriend."

"Youdonotknowit,butyes,fromthismomentyouhave.Seehere,myknife;watch,Iflingitacrossthefloor!Takeit,itisforyourprotection--toshowmygoodfaith.Ihavenootherweapon.Now,let'scomecloseandlookateachother."

Theknife,aformidableblade,cameskimmingacrossthestoneflagstoHerrick'sfeet.Hepickeditup,andwalkedintothecentreofthecelltomeethisstrangevisitor.

"Youmustbenddowntoletmebesurethatyouaretheman,"saidthedwarf.

"Youhaveseenmebefore,then?"

"To-nightwhensherodeacrossthecourt-yardtolookatyou.Ah,yes,youaretheman.YouweresoquietIthoughttheyhadputyouelsewhere.DidIfrightenyou?"

"Well,youstartledme,friendJean."

Thedwarflaughedalittle,lowchuckle,and,silentlyclappinghishands,stoodononefootandscratchedthecalfofhislegwiththeother.

"Ah!SoIstartledyou,friendSpy."

"Stop!Notthatword."

"Imustneedscallyoubysomename.Givemeanother."

"RogerHerrick."

"FriendRoger,good.Itcomestomytongueeasily.Let'ssit,andI'lltellyouwhoIam."Anddoublinghislegsunderhimhesankcross-leggedontothefloor.

"Iwillleanbythewall,Jean,Ifinditeasier,"saidHerrick.

"Ah,therearecompensations,afterall,foramanlikeme.ToknowVayenneistoknowme;youcan'thelpit.Theycallmeaninnocent;


16/197

youknowwhatthatmeans?"

"Yes."

"Butnotallitmeans,Iwarrant,"chuckledthedwarf."Igetpity;Iamnotsupposedtodothingslikeothermen.WhocareswhereIgo?Inthecastle,inthechurch,inahousewherethere'sfeasting--anywhere--Idon'tcount.WhocaresifIlisten?It'sonlyJean;inatoneear,outattheother.Noonelookstomeforwork,they'dsoonerpaymeforplayingthefool,andIlet'em,Ilet'em."Andsomewhereinhisstrange,loosegarmentshemadethecoinsjingle."SoIgoinandoutasIwill.IfIcurleduptosleepontherugattheDuke'sdoorthey'dhardlytroubletodisturbme,Icountforsuchalittle.GenerallyIsleepinthechurch."

"Inthechurch?"

"Ay;intheporch.TheycallmethedwarfofSt.Etienne.Listen!there'sitsmusic."Andheremainedsilentwithupliftedfingeruntiltherippleofthecarillonhaddiedawayintothenight."I'malittlefellowtohavesolargeachurchtomyself,asIoftendoatnights;and,friendRoger,IseethingsinSt.Etiennewhenthemoonlightsendsfaint,coloredbeamsthroughthepaintedwindows.TherearelegendsandsuperstitionsaboutSt.Etienne,andpeopleare

superstitiousaboutme,too.TheybelieveIknowthings,andsoIdo,butnotofthesorttheyfancy."

Astrangelittlemadman,Herrickthought,yetonewithamethodsurely,astheunbarredwindowshowed.

"Aninnocent,that'swhattheycallme,"thedwarfwenton,asthoughheansweredhiscompanion'sthought,"andthoughIamnomoreonethanyouare,itsuitsmypurpose.Mywisdomwouldgetanyothermanintotrouble."

"Thatloosebar,forinstance,"saidHerrick,pointingtothewindow.

"Yes;butIneverthoughtoftheuseIshouldonedayputitto.Itiswelltohavemorethanoneholetocreepinto,andfewwouldexpecttofindamanlodgingintheSouthTowerofhisownfreewill."

"Ihearithasanevilreputation,"saidHerrick.

"Ay;thegrave'santeroom.SoIchoseitasahiding-place.TherearetimeswhenIliketosleephere,tobealoneandthinkofallIhearandsee.Iwasmanynightslooseningthatbar."

"Andwhyhaveyoucometo-night--tosleephere?"

"No;toplotwithfriendRoger,"thedwarfansweredpromptly."The

Dukediedto-night;youknowthat?Outofhisdeathwillcometroubleformany--forthewomanyousawinthecourt-yardalittlewhilesince.Ah!Thatmovesyou.Sheisbeautiful,friendRoger."

"Whoisshe?"

"MademoiselleChristinedeLiancourt,andmightberulerinMontvilliers,butthatthelawdeniesittoawoman.Therearemanywhowouldoverthrowthatlawifshewouldletthem,butshewillmakenosign.TheDukeisdead;hissonmustreigninhisstead.Thisson


17/197

isapoorsortoffellow,aloverofbooksinsteadofamanofaffairs."

"ThepalescholarofPassey,"saidHerrick.

"Howlearntyouthatcatchphrase?"askedthedwarfsharply.

"Ioverhearditto-night."

"Yes;theycallhimthat,"Jeanwentonslowly,"andintruthhemaymakeusapoorDuke,butMademoiselledeLiancourtthinksotherwise.CountFelix--maybeyouoverheardhimmentionedto-night?"

"Idid.HewouldbeDuke,andtheoldDukewisheditso."

"YouhavegreatknowledgeforacasualtravellerinVayenne,friendRoger,"saidthedwarfwithsomesuspicion,"butyoushallexplainittomepresently.CountFelixwouldbeDuke;more,wouldwedwithChristinedeLiancourt,andshelovesnoteitheroftheseideas.To-nightsheridestoPasseytocarrynewsoftheDuke'sdeathtohisson,andtobringhimtoVayenne."

"Astrangeofficeforawomantoperform;strangerstillthatCountFelixshouldlethergoandjeopardizehisschemes,"Herricksaid.

"Shehasinfluencewiththescholar,whohasnodesiretobeaDuke,thatiswhyshewasdeterminedtogo.CountFelixthoughtitwisenottothwarther,sincehewouldstandwellinherfavor,buthehasarrangedthatanaccidentshallpreventthescholareverreachingVayenne.Theescortwillbeattacked,anditisarrangedshallbebeaten,andnoeffortwillsufficetosavethelifeofthescholar.Itiscleverlyconceived,eh,friendRoger?Amanwhocanplotsoprettilywillgofartowardsuccess."

"Butyoucouldhavewarnedher,"Herrickexclaimed."Whydidn'tyou?"

"Iamaninnocent.Whowouldbelieveme?"

Herrickglancedatthewindow.

"Ofwhatthinkyou,friendRoger?"

"ThatMademoisellesorelyneedsaswiftmessengerto-night."

Thedwarfsprangtohisfeet.

"Truly,bythewayonemangetsinanothermaywellleave.Butstay."AndheputhishandonHerrick'sarm."ItookyounotforaspywhenIsawyouinthecourt-yardto-night,buthowcameyoubyyourknowledgeofthescholarofPassey?"

"AsIdinedto-nightattheCroixVerteIheardapriesttalkofhim."

"Anarrow,hatchet-facedpriest,withneverasmile,andeyesthatlookintoyouwithoutblinking?"

"Thesame."

"Ah,FatherBertrandhashisplot,too.Whenhetalks,friendRoger,rememberhoweasyitisforamantolie.Come,youshallbetheswift


18/197

messengerMademoiselleneeds.ThatiswhyIcameto-night.See,Ihavebroughtwhatshallpassyoueasilythroughthestreets."Andheproducedapriest'scassockandcloakwithahood,whichhehaddeftlyfastenedroundhimunderthefoldsofhissmock."IborrowedthemfromSt.Etienne."Andthen,asHerrickarrayedhimselfinthegarments,hesilentlyclappedhishands."YouaremorelikeapriestthanmostoftherealonesIknow,"hechuckled.

"IdonotknowhowIamtotraveltoPassey,but,atleast,Itrustyou,andthere'stheproofofit,"saidHerrick,handingthedwarfhisknife.

"Alittlewhileagoyoudidn'tknowthatthebarwaslooseinthatwindow,"saidJean,takingtheweapon,"andyoudidn'tknowme.To-morrowisasfaroffasnextyearforallamanknowsofit."

"That'strue."

"Therearethosewhowouldwedto-morrow,yetdieto-night,"thedwarfwenton."It'saworldofminutesforusall.YoucometounderstandthesethingswhenyouroamthroughSt.Etienneatnights.I'llsetyouonyourwaytoPasseywithinanhourunless'twixtnowandthentimeendsforme.Ifso,youmustneedsshiftforyourself."

Hecaughtholdoftheropeashespoke,andswunghimselftothewindow-ledgewiththeagilityofanape.Impededbyhisunaccustomedgarments,Herrickfounditamoredifficultmatter;buthewasstrongandathletic,andinafewmomentswascrouchingonhiskneesbesidethedwarf.

Thebarswereplacedmidwayinthethicknessofthewall,sothatoneithersidetherewasroomforthemboth.

"We'llshutourdoor,"whisperedthedwarfwhentheyhadcrawledthroughtheopening,andhereplacedthemovablebaranddrewuptherope.Thenextinstanthehadgrippedhiscompanion'sarmtocompelhimtosilenceandtokeephimmotionless.Belowwasthesoundofa

heavystep,whichcametoahaltimmediatelybeneaththem,andfromwithinthecellcameagratingnoise.Itwasthegreatkeybeingthrustintothelock.

CHAPTERIV

THEROADTOPASSEY

ThatintricatecalculationsoccupiedFatherBertrand'smindashe

slowlypacedhisroomfromendtoendwasapparentinhisface.Asceticinappearance,wonttopresentacalmexteriorunderthemosttryingcircumstances,thefactofhisrestlessnessprovedthathehadreachedsomecrisis,thatsomepartofhisschemewasonthepointofsettlement.FatherBertrandwasapowerinVayenne.Notgreatlybeloved,perhaps--hewastoosternandunbendingforthat--hispriestlyoffice,nevertheless,appealedstronglytoapeoplenaturallysuperstitious,whilehislearningandpoliticalacumenmadehimforcefulwiththosewhoruled.Heheldnooffice;buteventhelateDuke,strongashewas,hadsometimesbeenguidedbyhisopinion,and


19/197

CountFelixrecognizedlongago,that,inhisclaimtotheDukedom,thesupportofFatherBertrandwouldbeofveryrealvalue.

Ifheisaweakmanwhocannotrefrainfromspeakinghisthoughts,thepriestwasaverystrongman,fortonoonehadhebetrayedhimself.CountFelixfeltconfidentofhissupport;MademoiselledeLiancourtbelievedthatheheartilysharedherideasofrightandjustice;while,asapriest,hespokewithauthoritytothegreatmassofthepeople,whobelievedhispolicybasedentirelyuponhisreligion.Afewwhofondlybelievedthemselvesinhisconfidence,butwereinrealitylittlemorethanhistools,knewatleastthatotherschemeswereworkinginhismind,andthat,asamemberofasecretorder,hisinformationwasinvariablycorrectandreachedhimlongbeforeitwasknowninthecastle.Inapeculiarsensehewasallthingstoallmen,yetreallyknownbynone.Suchamanmustneedswalkwarily,forhispathisbesetwithsnares.

FatherBertrand,moreover,wasamanofwealth.HischaritywasknowninVayenne,yethefaredsimplyhimself,itwaswhispered;andtherewerethosewhocouldtellofthemean,poorroomheoccupiedinhishouseintheRueSt.Romain,aroomlittleremovedasregardscomfortfromthatoftheordinarytoilerofthecity.ButtherewereotherroomsinthehouseintheRueSt.Romain,andtherewasnolackofluxuryinthelargechamberontheupperfloorwhichthepriestpaced

slowlyfromendtoendto-night.Itwasevidencenotonlyofwealth,butoftaste,too,andhadtheyknownofit,manyinVayennewouldprobablyhaveformedadifferentestimateofFatherBertrand'scharacter.

Absorbedashewasinhiscalculations,thepriestwaskeenlyalivetoeverynewsoundinthestreetorinthehouse.Severaltimeshepausedtolisten,andoncedrewasidetheheavywindowcurtainstolookdownintothestreetbelow.TheRueSt.RomainlayalongthenorthsideoftheChurchofSt.Etienne,andwaslittlefrequentedafternightfall.AnyexcitementresultingfromthedeathoftheDukewouldhardlypenetratehere.

Therewasaknockingatthedooratlast,andFatherBertrandimmediatelytookhisseatatalargewriting-table,and,drawingsomeofthepaperswithwhichitwascoveredtowardhim,begantostudythemcarefully.Nomatterhowagitatedhemightbeinthought,hisvisitorwouldonlyseehimcalmandself-possessed,anddoubtlessbemoreimpressedthaneverwiththepriest'sstrengthofcharacter.

Amanenteredandclosedthedoorbehindhim.

"Wehavefailed,father."

"Onlyaweakmanadmitsthat,MonsieurMercier.WhereisNicolasPigou?"

"Atdeath'sdoor.Heisstillunconscious,andthesurgeonIgottohimdeclaresthathalfofhisribsatleastmustbebroken."

Thepriestdidnotspeak,butbyagestureaskedthereasonofthiscatastrophe.

"Ouropportunitycamewhenthestrangerhadpassedthroughthearchofthegreatclockintothedarkstreetbeyond,"saidMercier."Wehadapproachedclosebehindhimwhenhesuddenlyturned,cominginto


20/197

collisionwithus.Wehadplannedtotakehimquickly,placehiminacarriagewhichhadfollowedus,andbringhimhere,buthisunexpectedactionthwartedthis.Pigoupassedon,andtogaintimeIbegantoapologize.ThenPigouseizedhimfrombehind,andIimmediatelyclosedwiththeman.Pigouisstrong,asyouareaware,buthewasababeinthehandsofthisstranger,who,withaheaveofhisbodythrewhimoverhisheadintotheroadway.IshouldhavefarednobetterhadInotslippedtothegroundand,holdinghislegs,shouted'Spy!'Thestreetwasaliveinaminute;butIhavebruisesaboutmewhichwilllastformanyadaytocome."

"Andthen?"saidthepriestquietly.

"Thecrowdhustledhimtotheendofthestreet,andwouldhavehangedhimthere,probably,butitseemstheyweremetbyacompanyofsoldiers,andthestrangerisnowaprisonerinthecastle."

"Yousawthesoldierstakehim?"

"No;Iheardthatlater,"Mercieranswered."Islippedfromthecrowd,andwenttolookafterpoorPigou.Theremighthavebeenawkwardquestionsaskedhadhebeenfoundinthestreet."

"IamsorryforNicolasPigou,"saidFatherBertrand,"butifabroken

ribortwoisallthepayment,ourenterpriseischeaplywon.Whydoyoutalkoffailure,MonsieurMercier?"

"Isitnotfailurethen?"

"Surelynot.Therearemorewaysofreachingaplacethanbythehighroad.Thisstrangerisnospy.IshallprovethattoCountFelix,andwegainourend.Indeed,circumstanceshavefavoredus.Thestrangerwilllookuponmeashisdeliverer,andwillbethemorereadytobeadvised.Idoubtnotweshallhavehiminthishousewithinafewhours.Wereyourecognizedbythecrowdto-night?"

"No.IamknowntofewinVayenne."

"Then,mydearMonsieurMercier,twodesperatevillainssetuponthispoorstrangerinthestreets;oneisliketodie,itissaid--theotherhassucceededinescaping.Thisismystory--agoodandplausibleone,eh?"saidFatherBertrand,withasmile;"andsincejusticedonequicklyhasthegreatermercyinit,Iwillgotothecastleatonce."

"AndGaspardLemasle?"saidMercierasthepriestrose.

"Hewilldancetoourpiping,butweshallkeephimalwaysonthechain.Untrammelledhemightbedangerous."

"Isthechainforgedthatwillholdhim?"

"Myson,IneverconfideinamanofwhomIamignorant.MyfriendsmayrestassuredthatItreasuresomeknowledgeofthem,someepisode,perhaps,whichtheyhaveforgotten,butwhichinanemergencywillcompelthemtoremainmyfriends."Andwhilehelaidonehandonhiscompanion'sarm,hetouchedhisownforeheadsignificantlywiththeother."Comewithmeintoanotherroom.Myservantshallsetbeforeyouwineofsuchavintagethatyoushallforgetyourbruises.Anddonotleave,MonsieurMercier,untilyouarerested.Indeed,ifIfind


21/197

youasleepinyourchairwhenIreturn,Iwillnotquarrelwithyou."

Ashefollowedthepriest,Mercier'sestimateofhiscompanionpossiblytookawiderscopethanithaddonebefore,andhewonderedwhichofthemanyepisodesinhislifewhichhewasunlikelytotalkofthepriestknewmostabout.

ItwasconclusiveproofofFatherBertrand'spowerwiththelateDukeandCountFelixthathewasadmittedtothecastlewithoutquestionatsolateanhour;andthatthesoldiersbowedtohisauthoritywasapparentwhenhissuggestionthatheshouldseethespybeforehesawtheCountmetwithnoopposition.

"LodgedintheSouthTower?"hesaidashefollowedthejailer.

"Ay,father;it'sthesafestcagewehave."

"Toosafeforaninnocentbird,masterjailer."

"Well,Iknownaughtofhisinnocence,"saidthejailerashethrustthegreatkeyintothelock,"butI'mnotregrettingthatheshouldcheatdeath.There'snofearabouthim,andthere'snonetoomanybravemenintheworldthatweshouldwanttohurrythemoutofit."

Thejailerhadatorch,andheprecededthepriestdownthenarrowpassageinthethicknessofthewalls.

"Asleep,prisoner?"hecalledout."Here'sareverendfathertoseeyou,andhecomesasafriend."

Therewasnoanswer,andpriestandjailerlookedslowlyroundthecell,thenateachother,andthenatthebarredwindow.Norayofmoonlightcamethroughitnow,butthemoonlitskywasclearwithout,andtherewasnoonecrouchingontheledge!

Themeasuredtreadhaltingsuddenlybelow,andthesoundofthegratingkeywithin,hadhadaparalyzingeffectuponbothfugitiveand

guideforamoment.Althoughpreparedtomakeafightforit,thepositionappearedhopelesstoHerrick;butthedwarf,whohadperhapsforeseenthattheywouldhavethesentrytodealwith,wasquicktograspthesituationandseethewayoutofthedifficulty.Theterrace,whichwasconsiderablyabovethelevelofthefloorofthecell,wasonlysometwelveorfourteenfeetbelowthem.Itwascomparativelynarrowandboundedbyalow,battlementedwall.

"That'sourroad,"whisperedthedwarf,pointingtoacertainpointinthiswallalittletotheirright."Jump,andmakeforit."

Ashespokehewhippedouthisknife,andtuckinghislegsunderhimsuddenlylethimselfdropuponthesentry.Thethudofthefallanda

feeble,stifledgroanwereallHerrickheardashe,too,jumpedfromtheledge,and,trustingimplicitlytohiscompanion,rantothespothehadindicated.Ashelookedback,thedwarfroseandcamequicklyafterhim,butthesentrylayunderthewindowanddidnotmove.

"Youhavekilledhim!"Herrickexclaimed.

"Sharp,afterme,"thedwarfsaid,springingontothewall,andthen,asHerrickfollowedhim,hethrewhimselfonhisstomach,twistedhimselfround,andholdingontotheroughstoneworklethislegshang


22/197

downontheoutsideofthewall."That'sit,dothesame.There'saropehere.Gosteady!I'llgofirst.Nowletmecatchholdofyourfeet,andgettheropebetweenthem.Thestonesareroughenoughtoloweryourselfbyuntilyougetagraspontheropewithyourhands."

Thiswastheouterwallofthecastle,andintheangleformedbyabuttressastoutropehadbeenfixed.

Herrickfounditnoeasymattertofollowthedwarf'sinstructions,andhadhepausedtoconsider,mighthavedeclinedtomaketheperilousdescentatall.ButwithJean'shelpfrombelowhemanagedtogettheropebetweenhisknees,andtherestwascomparativelyeasy.

Somedistancebelowwastheroofofahousewhichclungtothecastlewalllikeamusseltoarock.ThedwarfcaughtHerricktosteadyhimashelandedontheroof,foritslopedatasharpangle,andwasdilapidated.

"Sit,andputyourhandonmyshoulder,andshuffledownafterme,"hesaid."Nowcarefully.Catchholdofthisrafter.Letyourselfswing,anddroplightly.It'sbarelyfourfeetfallforyourlengthofbody."

Herrickdidashewastold,anddroppedintoadarkattic,followedbythedwarf.

"Youpleaseme,friendRoger,"saidJean,chucklingquietly."Myprivateroadisnotaneasyonetotravelinahurry,andthemanwhotakesitisnotlikelytowearascaredfaceandfeelhiskneestremblewhendangercomes."

"Ilikenotmurder,friendJean."

"You'dlikebeingmurderedless,Iwarrant,"wasthepromptanswer."Besidesitwasn'tmurder,fortworeasons.Killingamaninself-defenceisnotmurder,andyou'relikelytodoityourselfbeforemanyhourshavepassedifyouwouldserveMademoiselle;andsecondly,thesentryyonderisn'tdead.Ihadtolethisstrengthoutofan

artificialholelestitshouldcomethroughhismouthinashoutwhichwouldhavebetrayedus.Hewillbewellonhiswaytorecoverybeforeanewmoon,and,ifnot,thereareplentymoresentriesinthecastletotakehisplace.Come,youarenotoutofVayenneyet,andyoumustbeonyourwaytoPasseybeforethedawn."

Thedwarfledthewaydowntwoflightsofbrokenstairs,andthroughthedoorofthehouse,andpassedintoanarrow,desertedstreet.

"We'llgoquickly,"hewhispered."Noonewillsuspectyouinthosegarments.Weshallmeetfew,andtheywillthinkthatsomeonedyinghasneedofapriest,andthatIhavefetchedyou.Ihavedoneitoftenbefore."

Theypassedthroughaperfectlabyrinthofnarrowstreetsinsilence,andthetwoorthreenightwandererstheymettooknonoticeofthem.

Vayennewasasleepunderthepalemoon;thattemporarydeathcalledsleepwasineveryhabitation.ThedeadDukeinhischamberinthecastlewashardlylesssilentthanthesleepingthousandshehadruled.

Presentlythedwarfstoppedbeforethedoorofahouseattheendofa


23/197

blindalley.

"Wegoinhere,friendRoger,"hesaid,"butbyawindow.Thedoorislocked,becausetheywhoowntheplacestillhopeforatenant,whichisaforlornhope.Thehousegrowsmorerotteneveryday,waterratsmakearetreatofit,andsomemischievouspersonhassaiditishauntedbyahorribleghost."

"Youarethatmischievousperson,Isuppose."

"Whythinksoillofme?"chuckledthedwarf."WhenIdon'twishtoleavethecitybythegates,thisisthewayIgo."

Heledthewaytoaroomatthetopofthehouse.

"Fromtheroofwescrambleontothecitywall,whichislowhere,andrough,fortheriverwashesitsbase.Sometimes,Ijustdropintothewater,andswim,butunderalowarchthereisanoldboat,whichwewilluseto-night.Haveyoumoneyinyourpurse,friendRoger?"

"Alittle."

"Youmaywantmore.Icameprovided.Hereisgold,"hesaid,takingasmallleathernbagfromthefoldsofhisblouse."Putitaway

carefully.Youcanrepaymeanothertime.Remainapriest,itmayserveyoutogetaudiencewithMademoisellemoreeasily,butalthoughpriestwithout,youmustbesoldierwithin."

Thedwarfwenttoacorneroftheroom,and,wrenchingupaboard,kneltdown,andthrusthislongarmintotheopening,fromwhichhedrewoutaswordandarevolver.

"Strapthisunderyourrobe,"hesaid,handingHerrickthesword,"andputtherevolverwhereyoumaycomeatiteasily.Andlisten,friendRoger.YoumustcomeatMademoiselledeLiancourtasyourwitsserveyou;tellherwhatIhavetoldyou.Shewillnoteasilybelievethetale,butyoumustconvinceher;andfortherest,circumstancesmust

guideyou."

"Doyounotcomewithmethen?"

"Alittlewaytoshowyoutheroad,thenIreturntoplotinthecity.WereIastraightmanasyouare,Imightnothavecomeforyouto-night.That'sadarksaying--Iwonderifyoucanreaditsmeaning?"

"Icannot,friendJean."

"Well,you'llwantallyourwitsforyourenterprise;it'sapitytowastethemonriddles.Butrememberthis,friendRoger:whenIwasmadeinthisqueershape,anordinaryheartwasputintome,and

therewasnostrangetwistgiventomyfeelings.Wearenotsoverydifferent,youandI,afterall.Come,wewasteprecioustime."

Therewasnogreatdifficultyinscramblingontothewallfromtheroofofthehouse,and,biddingHerrickwait,thedwarfclimbeddownthefaceofthewallalmostaseasilyastheroughstonesofithadbeensteps.Workinghiswayalonganarrowstonecourse,orledge,whichwasnearthebottom,hereachedanironringletintothewall,and,supportinghimselfbythis,managedtodragoutasmall,flat-bottomedboatfrombeneathanearlysubmergedarchway.


24/197

Havingcarefullywatchedthedescentofhiscompanion,Herrickattemptedtomakeaslittleofthematterashehaddone.Thedescentendedinasuddenandratherunsteadyjump,whichalmostsankthericketyoldcraft,andHerrickwouldcertainlyhavefallensidewaysintothewaterhadnothiscompanioncaughthim.

Afairlystrongstreamwasrunning,andtheywerecarrieddownsometwohundredyardsintheprocessofcrossing.Abeltoftreesinathickundergrowthscreenedthelanding-place.

"Ihaveafriendhere,"saidthedwarf."Wewillnotwakehimto-night,butwewillborrowhishorse.Iwillexplainto-morrow."

Therewasasmallhousenestlingunderaclumpoftrees,andontheoppositesideofaroadwayashedatthecornerofafield.Tothisthedwarfwent,anditwasevidentthathekneweverycornerofitintimately,forinafewmomentshehadsaddledthehorsethereandleditout.

"Wedon'twanttowakethegoodman,sowe'llwalktheanimalalongthegrassforalittleway,"hesaid."Thereisagatehigherup.Youfollowthisroad,friendRoger;itrunswithoutinterruptionformanymiles.AtawaysideCalvaryitforks;taketheright-handroad.Five

mileswillbringyoutoadeepwood,andIhaveheardofthievesthere,soitwouldbewelltohaveyourrevolverready.Onceoutofthewoodkeepthelefthandroad,andtoyourleftyouwillpresentlyseetheChteauofPasseyonhighground.Perhapsitwouldbewelltoletyourhorsegofreethen,andenterthevillageonfoot.Amountedpriestmightcausewonder,andthehorsemayfindhiswayhome.Hereisthegate.Mount,friendRoger.Useyourhorsewell,andyouwillbeinPasseybeforenoon."

"ImayovertakeMademoiselleandherescort."

"Youwillbecleverifyoudo,sincetheyhavegonebyadifferentandashorterroad,onewhichmightnotbesafeforyoutotravel.They

willbeinPasseybydawn."

"AndhowshallIletyouknowhowIfareandwherefortunemaytakeme?"

"Successorfailure,Ishallhearsoonenough,"thedwarfanswered."RememberonlythatyouserveMademoiselledeLiancourt,andthatallprisonwindowshavenotbarswhichmaybeliftedout.Farewell!"Andwithoutanotherword,heturned,andhurriedbacktotheriver-bank,wherehisboatlay.

SoithappenedthatasFatherBertrandwentbacktotheRueSt.Romain,andthealarmgivenbythejailerpresentlyresultedinthe

findingofthewoundedsentry,RogerHerrickwasgallopingthroughthenighttowardPasseyandthewomanhewasdestinedtoserve.

CHAPTERV

THESCHOLAR


25/197

ThevillageofPassey,nestlingintheshadowofitschteau,lookedsecure,hadindeedbeenwellprotectedinpasttimes,butto-daylittlerealresistancecouldhavebeenofferedtoadeterminedenemy.Theouterwallofthechteauhadcrumbledandfalleninpieces,novigilanteyeskeptwardandwatchfromitsbattlements,andtheserving-meninitsoldguard-roomsandcourtswerenotofthekindoutofwhichstoutsoldiersaremade.IthadbeeninthehandsoftheDuprsforthreecenturiesormore,givenoriginallytoanancestorinreturnforgoodservice,forthefamilyhadbredmanyagallantwarriorinthepast;butinrecentyearsmisfortuneandpovertyhadcome,andtheDuprsweretooproudtomakepetitionsintheCastleofVayenne.Nothingiseasiertoforgetthanpastserviceifthereisnopresentneedoffavors,andtheDukesofMontvilliershadpracticallyforgottentheironcepowerfulsubjectofPassey.Moreandmorethefamilyhadlivedaretiredlife,andthelasttwoheadsofithadbeenconfirmedinvalids.Thepresentownerwasamanofweakphysiquealso,barredfromalifeintheopenandallmanlysports.Throwninuponhimselfhehadfoundconsolationinbooksandinstudy,andhadlittlecarehowtheworldwentsoitlefthiminpeace.ThelateDuke,amanofwarlikecharacterandironwill,hadthoroughlydespisedtheoldmanatPassey,andwhenhissonevincedalovefordreamingoverbooks,hisfathersenthimtoViscountDupr.Thechteauwouldserveasaconvenientplaceofisolation,theDukeargued,andtheoldfool

mightwellbemadeusefulasajailertotheyoungone.

"Iholdyouresponsibleforhim,"theDukehadsaidtoDupr."TeachhimtohatethebooksyouloveandIwillfindmeanstothankyou;lethimbecomesuchaoneasyourself,andrestassuredthereinsofgovernmentwillneverfallintohishandswhentheydropfrommine.ThegoodofMontvilliersisfarmoretomethananyson."

TheDukerodeaway,hopingperhapsthatbanishmentfromVayennewouldcurehisson,buttheladhadbeenatPasseyeversince.HowfartheoldViscountattemptedtoturntheboyfromhisstudies,whocansay?Thefactremainedthathedidnotsucceed,andMauricedeBroux--nowayouthofeighteen--hadfoundpeaceandcontentmentinthecrumbling

oldchteauandwasaslittleconcernedabouttheworldasoldDuprhimself.

To-daythequietlifehadsuddenlybeenbrokeninupon.Withearlydawnacompanyofhorsemen,awomanridingintheirmidst,hadclatteredthroughthevillagestreetandinatthechteaugates."TheDukeisdead,"oneserving-manpresentlytoldanother,andthenewsspreadrapidlythroughthevillage,andoutintothefieldsbeyond,wherebent-backedmenandwomenhoed.Oneoldmantherelookedtowardthechteau,andpullingoffaraggedcapcriedfeebly,"LonglivetheDuke!"

Inaroominthechteau,aroomofbooksandstudents'comforts,such

aroomascouldnothavebeenfoundinthelengthandbreadthoftheCastleofVayenne,MauriceandMademoiselledeLiancourthadbeenclosetedforhours.TherewasnomoreimportantpersoninMontvilliersthatdaythanthepalescholarofPassey,yettherewasnoexcitementinhisface.Thatheshouldmournforafatherwhohadbeenlittlemorethanastrangertohimwashardlytobeexpected.Fromtimetotimehemovedrestlesslyabouttheroom,lettinghiscompaniontalk,andnowandagainherwordsbroughtaflushtohischeek.Tonoonewouldhehavelistenedasquietlyashedidtoher,for,scholarthoughhewasbynature,hehadyetsomethingofhisfatherinhim,a


26/197

temperthatmightburstintofurywereitpressedtoofar.NooneknewthisbetterthanChristinedeLiancourt,andifanywordsofherswouldstinghimintoactionshewouldcertainlyspeakthem.ForthisverypurposehadshecomeinhastetoPassey.InolddaysshehadoftenstoodbetweenMauriceandhisfather'swrath.ShehadprophesiedthatwhenthehourcameMauricewouldrisetotheoccasionandmakeawiseruler.Hewas,besides,theheir,nothingcouldalterthat,andjustice,coupledwithherhalf-formedfearofCountFelix,drovehertoespousetheyoungDuke'scausewithallthestrengththatwasinher.

"MydearChristine,youeasilygetangrywithme,"hesaidpresently."Tryandseethewholematterthroughmyeyes.Iameighteen,andIhaveneverdoneasinglethingtofitmyselfforrulingMontvilliers;moreshametome,youmaysay,butwearenotallbornwithadesiretorule.EversinceIcametoPasseyIhavepracticallybeenaprisoner--ahappyprisoner.IhaveeasilyforgottenhownearIstoodtoadukedom,and,Iwarrant,havebeenaseasilyforgotten.WhyremembermenowwhenIonlydesiretobeleftinpeace?Believeme,asadukeIshouldbeanutterfailure,abreederofdissensionandrevolution,noblessingtotheland,butacurse.Letthepowerfallasmyfatherwishedit.CousinFelixwillmakeamuchbetterdukethanI."

"Haveyounosenseofduty?"sheasked.

"TrulyIthinkmydutytoMontvilliersistoletsomeoneelseruleit,"hesaid,withasmile.

"Dutyisnotacloakamancanputoffandonashewills,"Christineanswered;"itispartofthemanhimself.Heiscalledtofulfilcertainconditionsofhislife,ofhisbirth,andhecannotthrowdutyasidebysayingheisunfittedtoperformit.Areyouacoward,Maurice,aswellasascholar?"

"No;IdonotthinkIamacoward."

"ItisonlyacowardwhowouldnotridetoVayenneandclaimhisbirthright."

"Ifwecometosuchcloseargumentasthat,thissamebirthrightmaybefoundtohavelittlejusticeinit,"hesaidquickly."DidmyfatherbecomeDukebyrightofbirth?Youknowhedidn't.Hewasastrongman,whilethosewhoshouldhaveruledwereweak.Montvillierswantedastronghandtoguideher,andabloodlessrevolutionraisedmyfathertopower."

"HasFelixanygreaterrightthanyou?"sheasked.

"Bybirth,no;bycapacity,yes.LethimbeDuke.Iwillbethefirst

toshoutforhim."

"Coward!"shesaid.

"Christine,thereareboundswhichevenyoumustnotpass,"hesaid,turningasternfacetoher.

Sheclappedherhandsathissuddenanger,andsteppedquicklytohisside.


27/197

"TherespokeaworthyDuke.Ihaveseenthesameangerrushblood-redintoyourfather'sface,andhavetrembledforhisenemies.Youcannothideyourrealself;youcannotdenyyourrealpersonality,eventhoughyouwould."

"Itliesinpeaceamongthesebooksofmine,"heanswered."Wehavetalkedofthisenough."

"Notyet.Listen,Maurice.Felixishatedbymany,andifheseizesthecrown,therewillbebloodshedinthestreetsofVayenne."

"Hewillbestrongenoughtosuppressrebellion,"wastheanswer.

"AndwiseenoughperchancetoshedbloodinthispeacefulChteauofPassey,"shewentonquickly.

"Whyhere?Passeydoesnottroubleitselfwithpolitics.TheharvestofthefieldsisPassey'sconcern,anditisofsmallconsequencewhorulesinVayenne."

Christinelaidherhandonhisarm."Thinkyouthegoldencircleofsovereigntywillresteasilyonyourcousin'sbrowwhileyoulive?Denyyourbirthright,Maurice,andthen,likeacoward,fleeyourcountryforsafety,forIwarrantyouwilldieaviolentdeathifyou

stayinit."

"Icannotthinkso--somuchevilofFelix,"heanswered.

"Iknowhimfarbetterthanyoupossiblycando,"shesaid."HeletmecometoyouonlybecauseheisconvincedthatyouwillnotcometoVayenne.Hedespisesyou,Maurice.Hewilluseyourrefusalforhisownpurposes,andinhisownmanner.Hewilleasilyconvincemanythatyouareadangertothestateandthatthereisrighteousnessinjudicialmurder."

"Willnotakingdomsatisfyhim,buthemusthavemypoorlifeaswell?"Mauricemuttered.

"Hasiteversatisfied,inanyage,inanyhistory?Felixwillseektomakehimselfsecureineverypossibleway.Sincetherearemanywholoveme,hewishestowedme."

"Perhapshelovesyou?"

"Itmaybe,"sheanswered,"butnotasheloveshimself."

"Andyouwouldmarryhim?"

"ForthegoodofMontvilliersImightbepersuaded."

Shewatchedhimashewalkedslowlyacrosstheroom.Perhapstherewasavague,half-formeddesireinhisheartthatsheshouldnotmarryhiscousin.ShewouldbelesshisfriendifshewereFelix'swife.

"PerhapssuchamarriagemightbegoodforMontvilliers,"hesaidafterapause.

"Ishallservemycountrymoredirectlybypersuadingyoutodoyourduty,Maurice,"sheanswered."Itisnotonlyinternalstrifewhichistobefeared,butdangerfromwithout.InthepastMontvilliershas


28/197

foughtfor,andmaintained,herindependence,butourneighborshavenotceasedtolongforthepossessionofourfruitfulsoil,andourdissensionsaretheiropportunity.Onlylastnightaspywascaughtinthestreetsandbroughttothecastle."

Mauricewenttothewindow,andforsometimestoodlookingdownatthepeacefulvillagehehadlovedsowell.Herehehadfoundhappinessandthelifehelongedfor.Butbeyondwerethefruitfulfieldsandgreenpasturesofhisnativeland,dearertohimthananyotherland,thoughhehadnodesiretoruleit.Diditnotrestwithhimtosavethislandfromtheenemieswhohadsolongsoughttolayaconqueringhanduponit?Immediatelybelowhim,lounginginthecourtyard,weresomeofthesoldiersofChristinedeLiancourt'sescort,proofthatthereweremenarmedandreadytofightfortheirfreedomastheirfathershaddone.DutyseemedtopresentitselfwithanewmeaningtoMaurice,and,asthoughHeavenitselfwouldsendhimamessengerinthiscrisisofhislife,justthenacassockedandhoodedpriestcameslowlyinatthegates.

"Atleastwewillseewhatplotsexist,"hesaidpresently,turningtoChristine,"andalsoproveyourcousinFelix.To-morrowIwillridewithyoutoVayenne.Leavemealoneuntilthen.Amandoesnotbreakwithsopeacefulalifeasminehasbeenwithoutsorrow."

Inaninstanthermannerchanged.Steppingbackshemadealowcurtsey."LonglivetheDuke,"shesaidquietly,andthenlefttheroomquickly.

Shehadconquered.HehadpromisedtocometoVayenne.Shecouldnottellwhichparticularargumenthadforcedhimtothisdecision,sheonlyknewthatithadbeenfarmoredifficulttopersuadehimthanevenshehadexpected.WhatwouldhisanswerhavebeenhadshetoldhimthatthefactofgoingtoVayennewasonlyonesteptowardsuccess,andonlyasmallone--ifshehadexplainedthathespokenomorethanthetruthwhenhehadsaidthathehadbeenforgotten?Vayennewasnotgoingtoopenherarmsandshoutawelcometohimuntilhehadprovedhimselfaman.Shewasthrustinguponhimagreat

task,wouldhebeabletoperformit?Shecouldhavewishedhimdifferenttowhathewas,butatleastrightwashis,andoppositionmightstirhimtogreatthings.Ofherselfshethoughtlittle.ForFelixshehadlittlelove,yet,wereitforthegoodofhercountry,shewouldmarryhim.Shewasreadytomakeanysacrificeforthelandsheloved.

Atthefootofthestairsasoldiersaluted,andsaidthatapriestcravedanaudiencewithher.

"Whatshouldhewantwithme?"

"Hewouldsaynomorethanthathehadamessageofimportance.Heis

notofPassey,andcarriesthedustofalongjourneyuponhim."

"Iwillseehim.Bringhimtothesmallroomyonder,andseethatwearenotdisturbed."

Christineturnedfromthewindowasthepriestentered.Muchdustwasuponhiscassockandcloak,andthehood,whichhedidnotremove,partiallyconcealedhisface.

"Youhavetravelledfar,"shesaid.


29/197

"FromVayenne,"heanswered.

"FromFatherBertrand?"

"No,mademoiselle;fromonefarhumblerthanFatherBertrand,yetonewhoiswiser,perhaps,inyourinterests."

"Hechoosesastrangemessenger."

"NostrangersurelythanthemessengerchosentoridetoPasseyandbidtheyoungDuketoVayenne.Besides,apriestmayenterwhereasoldierwouldberefused.Theseareperiloustimes,mademoiselle,andIcometotellyouso."

"InthismatteryoucantellmelittleIdonotknow,"sheanswered.

"ThenyoudonotridetoVayenneto-morrow?"

"Yes--withtheDuke."Andshewatchedthepriestcloselytoseeifhewereastonishedatthisinformation.

"WiththesameescortascamewithyoutoPassey?"

"IthinkIhavesufficientlyansweredyou,"shesaid.

"Mademoiselle,Ihavetravelledallnighttoserveyou.YoumustnotridetoVayenneto-morrow.Ithasbeenarrangedthatyourpartyistobeattackedbyastronglyarmedpartyofrobbers,anddefeated.Yoursoldierswillmakeashowoffight,butforthemostparttheyareboughtmen.Youwillescape,thereisnodesiretohurtyou,buttheDukewillbeslain."

"Youshalltellthistothecaptainofourescort."

"Onemoment,mademoiselle,"hesaidasshemovedtothedoor.

"Ah!youareafraidtoletthecaptainandhismenhearyourstory,"shesaidcontemptuously.

"Theywouldprobablykillme,andthatwouldhardlyhelpyou,"answeredthepriestquietly."CountFelixhasdeterminedthattheyoungDukeshallnotenterVayenne.Ihadthestoryfromonewhoiswellknowntoyou,mademoiselle--fromJean,thedwarfofSt.Etienne."

"Afittingstoryfromsuchamadman,"shelaughed."Howcamehetopersuadeapriesttobehisambassador?"

"Iamnotapriest."AndHerrickthrewbackthehoodfromhishead.

Christinetookonesteptowardhim,andgazedintohisface.

"Thespy!"shesaid.

"Mademoiselle,doIlooklikeaspy?DoIactlikeone?LastnightIwaslockedintheSouthTower,aplaceofillomen,asyouknow.Tobehismessengerthedwarfreleasedmebyawayknowntohimalone.Ihaveriddenhardallnighttobringthiswarningtoyou.Allroadswereopentome;IneednothavetakenthattoPasseywereInotdesirousofservingyou."


30/197

"Youshalltellthisstorytothecaptain,"sheanswered."Itisforhimtoweighitsmerit."

"Asyouwill,mademoiselle.Heavengrantheisanhonestman."

Shewenttothedoor,and,callingaservant,bidhimfetchthecaptainoftheescort;nordidshespeaktoHerrickuntilthecaptainenteredtheroom.

"Doyouknowthisman,CaptainLemasle?"sheasked.

[Illustration:_"TheSpy!"shesaid._]

GaspardLemaslewasnotaveryobservantman,andthepriest'sdressdeceivedhim.

"No,mademoiselle,"heanswered.

"HecomestoPasseywithastrangestory."

"Ihavenogreatloveforpriests,"returnedthecaptain,"andsavingyourpresence,mademoiselle,haveoftenknownthemtotellstrangestories."

Inasfewwordsaspossible,Herrickrepeatedhistale.

"DoyousaythatIandthemenIcommandaretraitors?"LemasleburstoutangrilywhenHerrickhadfinished.

"IsaynothingagainstCaptainLemasle,"saidHerrick."NotmanyhourssincehetoastedMademoiselledeLiancourtwithsuchenthusiasmattheCroixVerte,Icouldnotbelievehimanythingbutanhonestman."

"Youarenopriest,andthereissomethinginyourvoicethatIremember."

"No,Iamnotapriest;youtookmeforaspylastnight."

"IthoughtyousafelycagedintheSouthTower."

"Iwas,captain.IamheretotryandsavetheDuke."

"Buthowcouldyouescape?"saidLemasleinastonishment.

"ThatIcantellyouatanothertime."

Lemaslewassilentforafewmoments.

"Itisindeedastrangestory,mademoiselle,"hesaidpresently,"and

truthtotelltherearesomeinourcompanywhowouldnotbeinithadIhadthechoosing."

"Ifthereisanyworthinthestory,youmustjudge,"Christinesaid."Formyself,Idonotbelievesuchtaleseasily,andatallhazardsweridetoVayenneto-morrow.Itmightbewelltotakethismanwithus.Unlesshecanprovehishonesty,thecastlecansurelyholdhimthoughhehasescapedonce."

"AndfromtheSouthTower,"mutteredLemasle.


31/197

"Iasknothingbetterthantostrikeablowinyourdefence,mademoiselle,"saidHerrick.

Shelookedathimcuriouslyforamoment,asevenshehadlookedathimlastnightwhenhehadpickedupthefallenwhip.

"Ihavenomercyforspiesandtraitors,"shesaidslowly,"butproveyourselfhonest,andImayfindawaytorewardyou."

Herrickdidnotanswer,butstoodwithbowedheadasshepassedoutoftheroom.

CHAPTERVI

ATTHECLEARINGINTHEFOREST

Assoonastheywerealone,GaspardLemasleshruggedhisgreatshouldersandlookedathiscompanion.

"I'vealwayssaidthatuglylittledwarfwasnothalfsuchafoolasfolkthoughthim,"heremarked."You'rethefirstmanI'veeverknowntogetoutoftheSouthTower.Howdidyoumanageit?"

"Youwouldnothavemebetraythedwarf?"

"Faith,I'matalosstoknowwhatIwouldhaveyoudo,andforthematterofthatwhattodowithyou.Youdon'tseemtohavemademuchimpressiononMademoiselle,andit'snotoftenonefindsanhonestmanmasqueradingasapriest.Howdoyoucallyourself?"

"RogerHerrick."

"Well,MonsieurHerrick,forthelifeofmeIknownotwhethertotreatyouasfriendorfoe."

"Givemethebenefitofthedoubtandthinkmeafriend.Atleastbefriendenoughtogivemefoodanddrink,forIhavetouchedneithersinceIdinedattheCroixVertelastnight."

"Comewithme,"Lemasleanswered."Iwouldn'tstarvemyworstenemy."

LifewithoutitsdangerswouldhaveseemedapoorexistencetoGaspardLemasle,andamanwhocouldmakelightofdangerwasamanhewasinclinedtotaketohisheart.Herrickappealedtohim.SomehowhehadgotoutoftheSouthTower,andherespectedhimforthat.Lastnight

hehadcarriedhimselfwell,andshownnosignoffear,evenwhenaninfuriatedmobwasbentonhanginghimtothefirstconvenientlampbracket.NowhehadvoluntarilycometoPasseytoaccuseabodyofmenofbeingtraitors,knowingthatherantheriskofbeingdelivereduptotheirtendermercies,whichmightreasonablyresultinaharderdeaththanhangingwouldbe.Hewasnocommonmanthis,andGaspardLemaslewatchedhiscompanionanxiouslyasheateanddrank.

"Youwillnottellmehowyouescapedfromthecastle,willyoutellmewhatyouweredoingattheCroixVertelastnight?"


32/197

"Ididnothingbutdine,butIintendedtosleepthere,tostaythere,apeacefultraveller,forsomedays.GoingforashortwalkafterdinnerIwasattackedinthestreet,forthepurposeofrobberyIsuppose,butfindingthetaskbeyondthem,onevillainshoutedout,'Spy!'andIwassooninthehandsofaninfuriatedcrowd.IbelieveIoweyoumylife,captain,forhadyounotbeenattheendofthestreetIdoubtwhetherIshouldhaveescapedhanging."

"Whatwerethemenlikewhoattemptedtorobyou?"

Herricktriedtogivesomeideaoftheirappearance,andsucceededinmakingLemaslethoughtfulforatime.

"AndyouheardmegettalkativeoverthewineintheCroixVerte,"hesaidpresently.

"Therewasonlyapartitionbetweenus,andFatherBertrand'svoice,evenwhenhespeakslow,ispenetrating.SolongasIoverheardtheconversationhispersuasiondidnotseemtoappealtoyou,CaptainLemasle."

"Youleftbeforetheendthen?"

"IdidnotreturntotheroomafterweallwentintothepassagetolearnthattheDukewasdead."

"Younoticedthepriestandme,didyoutakenonoteoftheothermen?"

"No.IjudgedthatinFatherBertrand'seyesyouwereofmostimportance,andtrulyIthoughtlittleofwhatIhadchancedtooverhearuntilafterward.BeingsuddenlylockedintheSouthTowerinsteadofsleepingincomfortattheCroixVerteisapttosetonethinking."

"Andyourconclusion,MonsieurHerrick?"

"Weseemfriends--needIdeceiveyou?"Herrickanswered."IthoughtthatCaptainLemasle'sdutyheldhimtoCountFelix,butthatinhishearthewasdesirousofservingthescholarofPasseybecauseofMademoiselledeLiancourt.HisfinaldecisionIdidnothear,nordoIknowitnow,yetMademoiselleseemstotrusthim."

"Andwithreason,"Lemasleanswered."IcarenotmuchwhetherwehaveDukeMauriceorDukeFelix,neitheronenortheothercanreallyfilltheoldDuke'splace,butIwouldgivemylifeinthedefenceofChristinedeLiancourt."

"Thenwearecomrades,captain.I,too,amwillingtodieinher

defence."

"Inthenameofallthegods,whyshouldyoube?"Lemasleexclaimed."Youhaveseenhertwice,andshehasscornedyoutwice.Domensacrificethemselvesforwomenwhotreatthemso?"

"Somemen,captain;someforlove,somebecauseitisintheirblood.Formyself,circumstancehasforcedmeintothisservice.Longago,perchance,myfatherswereknights-errant,andtheirspiritlivesinme."


33/197

"I'minclinedtothinkyouafriend,"saidLemasleslowly.

"Thentreatmesomewhatasaprisonerto-morrow,andforgreatercarekeepmenearyouandMademoiselle.Youspokeofhavingmeninyourcompanywhomyouwouldnothavechosen.Youshallfindmenolaggardwhenthetimeforactioncomes."

"Verywell,andIwillarmyouforthatpurpose;butmarkyou,ifIfindmyselfmistaken,ifyouareatraitor,Ishallhavenohesitationinrunningyouthroughtheback."

"HadIfoundCaptainLemasleatraitor,Ishouldhavehadaslittlecompunction.Igoarmed,yousee."AndHerrickdrewasidehiscassocktoshowhisweapons.

Lemaslelookedathim,measuringhimwithhiseyefromheadtofootandfromshouldertoshoulder.

"Therewouldbeasatisfactioninmeetingyoufacetofaceandtryingstrengthwithyou,"hesaid."ForaughtIknowyoumaylackmyskill,butIdonotdoubtyourcourage;andifyourstorybetruewe'llseewhatwecanaccomplishsidebysideto-morrow.Youshallseemlikeaprisoneruntilthen."

SothatnightthekeywasagainturneduponRogerHerrick.

"Forform'ssake,"Lemaslesaidbywayofapology;"tothemanwhocanescapefromtheSouthTowerinVayennethereisnochamberintheChteauofPasseythatcanreallybeaprison."

Didevermanfindhimselfinstrangercircumstances,Herrickwondered,assilencefelluponthechteau.Afewhourssincehehadbeenfreetodirecthisstepswhitherhewould,evento-dayhemighthaveriddentowardsafety,andyethewashereaprisoner,pledgedifneedbetodrawswordto-morrowindefenceofayouthhehadneverseen,andagirlwhohadtreatedhimwithcontempt.Thathe,amanofpeace,who

hadpractisedswordplaymerelyasahealthypastime,shoulddrawinearnest,stakinghisownlifeagainstanother's,wasstrangeenough,yetthisaspectofthecasehehardlythoughtof;thereasonfortheactionwasuppermostinhismind,nottheactionitself.Wouldhehaveentereduponthisperilousenterpriseforanypalescholarintheworld?WhatwasittohimwhoruledinVayenne?Heknewitwasbecauseofthewomanthathiswholeheartandsoulwereinthisventure.Shehadlookedintohiseyes,andinthatmomenthadenteredintohislifeasnootherwomanhadeverdone.Itwasmorethanthespiritoftheknight-errantwhichpromptedhim,andheknewit,evenwhenhethusansweredGaspardLemasle.AtsometurninginLife'sroad,Fatewaitsforeveryman.Herrickhadreachedthatturning,andhadfoundhisfateinabeautifulwomanwhodespisedhim.Ashelaydowntosleep

herfaceseemedtowatchhimoutofthedarkness,andinhisdreamssheseemedtosmile.

Thewomanstoodlongatherwindowthatnight,lookingacrossthesilent,moonlitlandwhichlaybelowandstretchedpeacefullyawaytothedimhazinessofthehorizon.She,too,hadherdreams.Deepinherheart,dominatingalltheotherimpulsesofherlife,wastheloveofthisfairlandwhichlayatherfeet.Ithadsufferedinvasion,bloodhadwatereditsfields,thewailofmiseryhadbeenheardinit,butithadneverbeenwhollyconquered.Ifforatimetheinvaderhad


34/197

triumphed,somestrongherohadrisenandbroughtsalvation.Itsdukesto-daywereindependentrulers.Whatdiditmatterifincertainwaysthatrulewasharsh?Whatdiditmatterifsomethingwerelackingintheircivilizationandmannerswhencomparedwithothercountriesandcourtsshehadvisited?Wasitnottheverylackofcertainluxurythatfosteredawarlikespiritinthepeople?To-daythecountrywasindangerofcivilstrife,andthatwouldbetheopportunityitsenemieswaitedfor.Christinebelievedthatonlyinthesuccessionoftherightfuldukewasrealtroubletobeaverted.InsomewaysMauricewasweak,shedidnotattempttohidethefactfromherself,buttheloveofhiscountrywasinhim;whiletoCountFelix,loveofcountryseemedsecondtohisloveofpower.Hewascruel,andhadmanyenemies,notleastamongthemtheChurch,anditwaseasytobelievethatsucharuleashiswouldbemightdrivethepeopletorebellionandtoapetitionforhelpfromoneorotherofthosestateswhich,throughthecenturies,hadlookeduponMontvillierswithgreedyeyes.Topreventthis,shouldFelixbecomeDuke,shewaspreparedtomarryhimsothatthepeople'slovemightbestrengthened.Ofherselfshethoughtnotatall,andlittleoftheprisonerwhosedreamsshefilled.Hadhecomehonestlytowarnher,orwashebutaunitinsomegreatschemeagainstherhopesandambitions?Ifhewereanhonestman,hewasabraveone,butwashehonest?Thisdoubtwasherlastthoughtbeforesheslept.

MorningcamewithathinmisthangingoverPasseyandthelowcountryaroundit,whichthesunwouldscatterpresently.Therehadbeennoiseandclatterinthecourt-yardfromanearlyhour,forCaptainLemaslehaddecidedtostartsoonerthanhehadatfirstintended.Butitwasamorningofmishaps,firstonemanandthenanotherfindingsomethingwrongwithhishorseoritsharness,nowashoeloosewhichthesmithmustneedsseeto,orasaddle-girthwhichhadworntobreaking-pointandmustberepairedbeforeastartwasmade.AtfirstGaspardLemaslecursedtheseillchancesashecursedsomesuchsmallmattereveryday,butpresentlyhebecamesuspicious,sopiecemealwerethedifficultiessprunguponhim,nordidtheyceaseuntilcloseuponthehouroriginallyarrangedforthestart.Thiswassurelymorethanmerecoincidence,andLemasledeterminednottobringHerrickintotheir

companyuntilthelastmoment.WhenChristinedeLiancourtcamefromthechteaureadyforthejourneyLemaslemadeanopportunitytospeaktoherapartforamoment.

"Ifear,mademoiselle,thatourfriendbroughtusnewswhichisonlytootrue,"hesaid.

"Ourfriend!"

"Indeed,Ibelievehehasearnedthename,"Lemasleanswered."AsItoldyoulastnight,Ihadintendedtomakeanearlierstart."

"True,andhavekeptuswaiting,captain."

"Somanylittlemisfortuneshavehappenedtodelayus,thatIcannotthinktheyhavechancedhonestly,"heanswered."Themendidnotintendtomoveuntilthetimefirstnamed.HaveyoutoldtheDukeofMonsieurHerrick'scomingandhismessage?"

"Herrick,isthathisname?Yes;Ihavetoldhim,and,ifpossible,heismoreincredulousthanIam,"sheanswered."Thismasqueradergoeswithus--whereishe?"


35/197

"Ihavethoughtitbestnottolethimjoinusuntilthelastmoment,"saidLemasle."SomeofthesefellowswillgrumbleathavingapriestinthecompanyunlessImistakenot.Ipray,mademoiselle,thatyouwillletmesettheorderofthismarchinmyownway,andthatyouwillpretendaregardforthissamepriestevenifyoudonotfeelit.Iwouldhavehimbesidemeiftheworstcomes,asIfearitwill."

"Sobeit,CaptainLemasle;youareresponsibleforoursafety.IwilltelltheDuke."

"IshalldomybesttobringyoutoVayenneinsafety,"hesaid,salutingher.

Thewordtomountwasgiven,andthenLemaslewaitedwithhisarmthroughhishorse'sbridleuntiltheDukeandChristinewereintheirsaddles,waiteduntiltheyhadbidfarewelltooldViscountDupr,whostoodbareheadeduponthestepsbythemaindoor,andthenheturnedsharply.

"Whereisthislaggardpriest?"heshouted.

"Whatpriest?"saidoneman.

"Wewantnoneinourcompany,"saidanother.

"That'strue,comrades,"Lemaslereturned,withapretenceofgrumblingwiththem,butspeakingloudenoughforChristinetohear."MademoisellemustneedscarryapriestwithustoVayennesincewehavenotenoughtherealready."

ThesuddenappearanceofHerrickfromaninnercourt-yard,mountedonastronghorse,preventedfurtherwords.Hishoodwasdrawncloseoverhishead,andjustraisingonehandinabenediction,toemphasizehisoffice,herodetothesideofMademoiselledeLiancourt.

AtasignfromLemasle,Christinerodeforward,theDukeandHerrickoneithersideofher,thenvaultingtohissaddleheplacedhimself

attheheadofthecavalcade,andfollowedthemthroughthegates.

TheoldViscountcriedfeebly"LonglivetheDuke!"andthecrywastakenupbythefewserving-menwhowereinthecourt-yard.

"LonglivetheDuke!"criedLemasleinstentoriantones,andthecompanyofhorsemanshoutedinsogenuineafashionthatChristineglancedatHerricktoseeifthisburstofloyaltyhadanyeffectuponhim.Hedidnotmeetherglanceandwasapparentlyunconsciousofit.

Mostofthevillagers,menandwomen,hadalreadygonetotheirdailyworkinthefields,butthefewwhowereinthestreetsalsocried

longlifetotheDuke,andbowedbeforehimashepassed.

"ItisafaintpromiseofwhatshallsoonthunderoutthroughthestreetsofVayenne,"Christinesaid,turningtohim.

"Itmaybe,yetmyimaginationdoesnotseemtocatchthesoundofit,"heanswered."InPasseytheyhavelearnedtoloveme,thatiswhytheyshout,notbecauseIamaDuke."

Oncefreeofthevillagethepacewasquickened,butthesameorder


36/197

wasmaintained.ChristinerodebetweentheDukeandRogerHerrick,somelittledistancebehindthemrodeLemaslealone,thebodyofhorsemenridingasmanypacesintherear.Howevergravehissuspicionsmightbe,heshowednothingofittohismen.

"Iride'twixtChurchandState,comrades--aperilousposition,"hesaidtothem,andhelaughedasamanwilllaughinatavernwhenthewineflowsfreelyandribaldryisinthejests.Hefeignedacarelessattitudethatnonemightthinkhimover-cautious.

ItwasChristinewhoreallysetthepace,andsomemileshadbeentraversedbeforethesunfinallydispersedthemist.Theywentbythehighroad,notbythewayHerrickhadtravelled,butneitherhorsemannorpedestrianhadbeenmet.TherewerefewwhohadbusinesswithPassey,andtheroadwaseveralonelyone.Atfirstitranastraightanddirectcourseacrosslow,flatcountry,wheretherewasnoplaceforalurkingenemytohide;thenitwoundroundthefootoflowhillstoavoidsteepascents,andherewerescatteredtrees,andundergrowthswhichdescendedtotheroadway.HereitwasthatLemaslelessenedthedistancebetweenhimselfandthethreeleaders;andhiseyesglancedsharplyfromsidetoside,whilehisearsweresharpsettocatchanysoundabovethejingleoftheharnessofthosewhorodewithhim.Hadhetrustedasinglemanofhiscompany,hewouldhavesenthiminfront,buttherewasnonehedaredtosend,norcouldhe

gohimself,sincehealonewasbetweentheDukeandhiscompanionsandthosewhomHerrickhaddeclaredweretraitors.IfintruththedeathoftheDukehadbeendeterminedupon,itmightmosteasilycomefromoneofthetraitorswhorodebehindhim.Lemasle,indeed,fearedhisownmenmorethantherobberswhoweretoattackthem.

Fromunderneathhishood,RogerHerrick'seyeskeptsharpwatch,too.Theroaddippedgentlyforhalfamileorso,andthenrandarklyintoadeepforestwhichstretchedawayoneitherhand.HerrickglancedbackatLemasle,andnotedthatherodeasonereadyforemergency.Itwasevidentthathewaspreparedtofinddangerlurkingintheforest,andHerrickmadesurethattherevolverwasreadytohishandandhisswordlooseinitsscabbard.

Christinesawthatbackwardglance,andnotedeverymovementofhercompanion.

"Isthiswhereyouwouldhaveusbelievedangerlies?"sheasked,turningtoHerrick.

"Iknownot,butitisalikelyplace,"heanswered."Itiswelltobeprepared."

Itwastwilightintheforest,socloselywerethebrancheslacedoverhead.Hereandtherearayofsunlightstruckdownwardintothegloomyaislescarpetedwiththesuccessiveleavesofmanywinters,

butitonlyservedtomakedarkerthedistancebeyond.Silencereigned,too,saveforthejinglingharness;eventhesoundofthehorses'hoofswasdeadenedalmosttonothingnessattimes,sodeepwastheroadinleavesinmanyplaces.

Christinepulledinherhorsetoawalkingpace.ShehadputherquestiontoHerrickinacontemptuoustone.Shemeanthimtounderstandthatshedidnottrusthisstory,andyethersuddenactionseemedtoindicatethatshewasnotsoincredulousassheappearedtobe.


37/197

Forsometimetheywentforwardinsilence,andthen,asthoughitwereattheendofalongtunnel,therewasapatchofsunlightbeforethem--nottheendoftheforest,butawideclearinginitsmidst.Whentheywerewithinadozenyardsoftheopening,Herricksuddenlymadehishorseboundforwardthathemightbethefirsttocomeoutintothatopenspace.Hecouldnothaveexplainedwhyhedidso.Hesawnomoreindicationofdangerherethanhehadseenatanyotherpointofthejourney,butanovermasteringimpulseseemedtocompelhisaction,evenwhilehewasconsciousthatitmightbemisconstruedbythosehehadpromisedtoserve.Hehadjusttimetonotethatseveralroadsmetatthisclearing,whenabulletsangpasthisear,cuttingapieceofclothfromhishood.InaninstantChristineturnedherhorsesharplyasideasthoughtothrowherselfbeforetheDuke,whileLemaslewithagreatshouttohismenchargedintotheopen.

"Forward!"hecried,fortheclearingwasnowalivewithmen,someonhorseandsomeonfoot;andthenasthetroopersthunderedafterhim,hespurredhishorsedexterouslytoonesideandletthemrushpasthim.ThenextmomentheandHerrickwerebesidetheDukeandChristine,whiletherobbersandtheescortmetinthecentreoftheclearing.

"Beready!"Lemaslewhisperedamomentlater."Youwereright,

Herrick.Thesescoundrelsonlymakeapretenceoffighting,andthesearenorobbers.Thisisranktreachery,and,byHeaven,someofthemshallpaythepriceinfull."

Noshotswerefired;insucha_mle_thatwouldhavebeendangerousamongmenwhohadnodesiretoharmoneanother,andneverablowwasstruckuntilhewhowasstruckatwasreadytoparryit.Lemaslecursedunderneathhisbreath,andHerrickwaited,hisnakedswordinhishand.

"ItistheDuke'slifeyoudefend,"whisperedavoicebehindhim.

"Iknow,mademoiselle,"heanswered,withoutturninghishead.

"Ready!"shoutedLemasle.

Thetrooperswerebeatendown,somesorelyhurttoallseeming,whileothersfledintothewoods.TherobberssprangforwardtowardtheDukeandhiscompanions,yetstilltheydidnotfire.

"Back,Christine--behindus!"theDukecried."Wethreemayyetteachthesescoundrelsalesson."Andhestruckthefirstearnestblowthathadbeendealtthatday,andtheforemostmanwhorusheduponthemfellwithscarceagroan.

"Howlonghaveyouturnedathiefonthehighway?"shoutedLemasleas

ahorsemancameathim."YoulookedmorehonestwhenIlastsawyouinyoursoldiers'dressintheCastleofVayennethaninthisdisguise,and,faith!Ididn'tloveyoueventhen."

ThejoyoffightingwasuponGaspardLemasle,andhelaughedashefuriouslystruckthismanfromhissaddle.

ForoneinstantHerrickhesitatedastherushcame.Thefirstmanwhojumpedathimtodraghimfromhishorse,hestruckatwithhisswordhilt,evenasthoughhishandheldnosword--struck,asanEnglishman


38/197

willstrike,withhisfist.Foramomenttherewasareluctancetoshedblood,butonlyforamoment.Notfarbelowthesurfaceliesthefightinginstinctineveryman,thegreedylustforit,oncethebloodisup.Thisfirstadversaryfellbackstunned,butwouldriseagain;thenextfellwithhisheadnearlyseveredfromhisbody.Howlonghestruck,nowtoright,nowtoleft,hearingLemasle'spantinglaughashegotbreathlesswithhiswork,andansweringwithlaughterjustassavage,hedidnotknow;butsuddenlytherewasacrybehindhim--acry,ashot,andanoathcutshortinitsutterance.

Someoftheirenemieshadcreptroundtotakethemintherear.Onemanhadfallenonhisknee,takingdeliberateaimattheDuke,andevenashisfingermovedtopullthetrigger,Christinesawhim,andfiredathim.Thesmokingrevolverinherhandtoldthestory.

"Adashforitandwemayyetwinthrough,"saidLemasleinahoarsewhisper."It'souronechance,"andseizingChristine'sbridlehespurredtowardtheroadwhichlayoppositehim.

TheDukeandRogerHerrickspurredforwardtoo,butamomentlater,andinthatmomenttherobbersmanagedtocutthemoff.

"Theroadtotheright,"Herrickwhispered,wheelinghishorseroundsharply.

Theman[oe]uvrewasunexpectedbytherobbers,andHerrickandtheDukefoundtheroadclearbeforethem,anddashedalongit.Thenashotrangout,andtheDuke'sswordfellfromhishand.

"Areyouhit,sir?"Herricksaid.

"Yes.It'snothing,"butevenashespokeheswayedinhissaddle.

Herrickhadcaughthisarmtoholdhimsteady,whentherewasasecondshotandtheDuke'shorsestumbled.

"Goon,an

vayenne, by percy brebner

Documents