第1章

UNDERTHEREDROBE

CHAPTERI

ATZATON"S

"Markedcards！"

Therewereascorerounduswhenthefool，littleknowingthemanwithwhomhehadtodeal，andaslittlehowtoloselikeagentleman，flungthewordsinmyteeth。Hethought，I"llbesworn，thatIshouldstormandswearandruffleitlikeanycommoncockofthehackle。ButthatwasneverGildeBerault"sway。ForafewsecondsafterhehadspokenIdidnotevenlookathim。Ipassedmyeyeinstead——smiling，BIENENTENDU——roundtheringofwaitingfaces，sawthattherewasnooneexceptDePombalIhadcausetofear；andthenatlastIroseandlookedatthefoolwiththegrimfaceIhaveknownimposeonolderandwisermen。

"Markedcards，M。l"Anglais？"Isaid，withachillingsneer。

"Theyareused，Iamtold，totrapplayers——notunbirchedschoolboys。"

"YetIsaythattheyaremarked！"herepliedhotly，inhisqueerforeignjargon。"InmylasthandIhadnothing。Youdoubledthestakes。Bah，sir，youknew！Youhaveswindledme！"

"Monsieuriseasytoswindle——whenheplayswithamirrorbehindhim，"Iansweredtartly。

Atthattherewasagreatroaroflaughter，whichmighthavebeenheardinthestreet，andwhichbroughttothetableeveryoneintheeating-housewhomhisvoicehadnotalreadyattracted。ButI

didnotrelaxmyface。Iwaiteduntilallwasquietagain，andthenwavingasidetwoorthreewhostoodbetweenusandtheentrance，Ipointedgravelytothedoor。

"ThereisalittlespacebehindthechurchofStJacques，M。

l"Etranger，"Isaid，puttingonmyhatandtakingmycloakonmyarm。"Doubtlessyouwillaccompanymethither？"

Hesnatcheduphishat，hisfaceburningwithshameandrage。

"Withpleasure！"heblurtedout。"Tothedevil，ifyoulike！"

Ithoughtthematterarranged，whentheMarquislaidhishandontheyoungfellow"sarmandcheckedhim。

"Thismustnotbe，"hesaid，turningfromhimtomewithhisgrand，fine-gentleman"sair。"Youknowme，M。deBerault。Thismatterhasgonefarenough。"

"Toofar！M。dePombal，"Iansweredbitterly。"Still，ifyouwishtotakeyourfriend"splace，Ishallraisenoobjection。"

"Chut，man！"heretorted，shrugginghisshouldersnegligently。

"Iknowyou，andIdonotfightwithmenofyourstamp。Norneedthisgentleman。"

"Undoubtedly，"Ireplied，bowinglow，"ifhepreferstobecanedinthestreets。"

ThatstungtheMarquis。

"Haveacare！haveacare！"hecriedhotly。"Yougotoofar，M。Berault。"

"DeBerault，ifyouplease，"Iobjected，eyeinghimsternly。"MyfamilyhasbornetheDEaslongasyours，M。dePombal。"

Hecouldnotdenythat，andheanswered，"Asyouplease；"atthesametimerestraininghisfriendbyagesture。"Butnonetheless，"hecontinued，"takemyadvice。TheCardinalhasforbiddenduelling，andthistimehemeansit！Youhavebeenintroubleonceandgonefree。Asecondtimeitmayfareworsewithyou。

Letthisgentlemango，therefore，M。deBerault。Besides——why，shameuponyou，man！"heexclaimedhotly；"heisbutalad！"

Twoorthreewhostoodbehindmeapplaudedthat，ButIturnedandtheymetmyeye；andtheywereasmumasmice。

"Hisageishisownconcern，"Isaidgrimly。"Hewasoldenoughawhileagotoinsultme。"

"AndIwillprovemywords！"theladcried，explodingatlast。

Hehadspiritenough，andtheMarquishadhadhardworktorestrainhimsolong。"Youdomenoservice，M。dePombal，"hecontinued，pettishlyshakingoffhisfriend"shand。"Byyourleave，thisgentlemanandIwillsettlethismatter。"

"Thatisbetter，"Isaid，noddingdrily，whiletheMarquisstoodaside，frowningandbaffled。"Permitmetoleadtheway。"

Zaton"seating-housestandsscarcelyahundredpacesfromStJacqueslaBoucherie，andhalfthecompanywentthitherwithus。

Theeveningwaswet，thelightinthestreetswaswaning，thestreetsthemselvesweredirtyandslippery。TherewerefewpassersintheRueStAntoine；andourparty，whichearlierinthedaymusthaveattractednoticeandacrowd，crossedunmarked，andenteredwithoutinterruptionthepavedtrianglewhichliesimmediatelybehindthechurch。IsawinthedistanceoneoftheCardinal"sguardloiteringinfrontofthescaffoldingroundthenewHotelRichelieu；andthesightoftheuniformgavemepauseforamoment。Butitwastoolatetorepent。

TheEnglishmanbeganatoncetostripoffhisclothes。Iclosedminetothethroat，fortheairwaschilly。Atthatmoment，whilewestoodpreparing，andmostofthecompanyseemedalittleinclinedtostandofffromme，Ifeltahandonmyarm，andturning，sawthedwarfishtailoratwhosehouse，intheRueSavonnerie，Ilodgedatthetime。Thefellow"spresencewasunwelcome，tosaytheleastofit；andthoughforwantofbettercompanyIhadsometimesencouragedhimtobefreewithmeathome，ItookthattobenoreasonwhyIshouldbeplaguedwithhimbeforegentlemen。Ishookhimoff，therefore，hopingbyafrowntosilencehim。

Hewasnottobesoeasilyputdown，however，andperforceIhadtospeaktohim。

"Afterwards，afterwards，"Isaidhurriedly。"Iamengagednow。

"ForGod"ssake，don"t，sir！"thepoorfoolcried，clingingtomysleeve。"Don"tdoit！Youwillbringacurseonthehouse。

Heisbutalad，and——"

"You，too！"Iexclaimed，losingpatience。"Besilent，youscum！

Whatdoyouknowaboutgentlemen"squarrels？Leaveme；doyouhear？"

"ButtheCardinal！"hecriedinaquaveringvoice。"TheCardinal，M。deBerault！Thelastmanyoukilledisnotforgottenyet。Thistimehewillbesureto——"

"Leaveme，doyouhear？"Ihissed。Thefellow"simpudencepassedallbounds。Itwasasbadashiscroaking。"Begone！"I

added。"Isupposeyouareafraidthathewillkillme，andyouwillloseyourmoney。"

FrisonfellbackatthatalmostasifIhadstruckhim，andI

turnedtomyadversary，whohadbeenawaitingmymotionswithimpatience。Godknowshedidlookyoungashestoodwithhisheadbareandhisfairhairdroopingoverhissmoothwoman"sforehead——amereladfreshfromthecollegeofBurgundy，iftheyhavesuchathinginEngland。IfeltasuddenchillasIlookedathim：aqualm，atremor，apresentiment。Whatwasitthelittletailorhadsaid？ThatIshould——butthere，hedidnotknow。Whatdidheknowofsuchthings？IfIletthispassI

mustkillamanaday，orleaveParisandtheeating-house，andstarve。

"Athousandpardons，"Isaidgravely，asIdrewandtookmyplace。"Adun。Iamsorrythatthepoordevilcaughtmesoinopportunely。Nowhowever，Iamatyourservice。"

Hesalutedandwecrossedswordsandbegan。ButfromthefirstI

hadnodoubtwhattheresultwouldbe。Theslipperystonesandfadinglightgavehim，itistrue，somechance，someadvantage，morethanhedeserved；butIhadnosoonerfelthisbladethanI

knewthathewasnoswordsman。Possiblyhehadtakenhalf-a-

dozenlessonsinrapierart，andpractisedwhathelearnedwithanEnglishmanasheavyandawkwardashimself。Butthatwasall。

Hemadeafewwildclumsyrushes，parryingwidely。WhenIhadfoiledthese，thedangerwasover，andIheldhimatmymercy。

Iplayedwithhimalittlewhile，watchingthesweatgatheronhisbrowandtheshadowofthechurchtowerfalldeeperanddarker，liketheshadowofdoom，onhisface。Notoutofcruelty——GodknowsIhavenevererredinthatdirection！——butbecause，forthefirsttimeinmylife，Ifeltastrangereluctancetostriketheblow。Thecurlsclungtohisforehead；hisbreathcameandwentingasps；Iheardthemenbehindmeandoneortwoofthemdropanoath；andthenIslipped——slipped，andwasdowninamomentonmyrightside，myelbowstrikingthepavementsosharplythatthearmgrewnumbtothewrist。

Heheldoff。Iheardadozenvoicescry，"Now！nowyouhavehim！"Butheheldoff。Hestoodbackandwaitedwithhisbreastheavingandhispointlowered，untilIhadrisenandstoodagain。

onmyguard。

"Enough！enough！"aroughvoicebehindmecried。"Don"thurtthemanafterthat。"

"Onguard，sir！"Iansweredcoldly——forheseemedtowaver，andbeindoubt。"Itwasanaccident。Itshallnotavailyouagain。"

Severalvoicescried"Shame！"andone，"Youcoward！"ButtheEnglishmansteppedforward，afixedlookinhisblueeyes。Hetookhisplacewithoutaword。Ireadinhisdrawnwhitefacethathehadmadeuphismindtotheworst，andhiscouragesowonmyadmirationthatIwouldgladlyandthankfullyhavesetoneofthelookers-on——anyofthelookers-on——inhisplace；butthatcouldnotbe。SoIthoughtofZaton"sclosedtome，ofPombal"sinsult，ofthesneersandslightsIhadlongkeptatthesword"spoint；and，pressinghimsuddenlyinaheatofaffectedanger，I

thruststronglyoverhisguard，whichhadgrownfeeble，andranhimthroughthechest。

WhenIsawhimlying，laidoutonthestoneswithhiseyeshalfshut，andhisfaceglimmeringwhiteinthedusk——notthatIsawhimthuslong，fortherewereadozenkneelingroundhiminatwinkling——Ifeltanunwontedpang。Itpassed，however，inamoment。ForIfoundmyselfconfrontedbyaringofangryfaces——ofmenwho，keepingatadistance，hissedandcursedandthreatenedme，callingmeBlackDeathandthelike。

Theyweremostlycanaille，whohadgatheredduringthefight，andhadviewedallthatpassedfromthefarthersideoftherailings。

Whilesomesnarledandragedatmelikewolves，callingme"Butcher！"and"Cut-throat！"orcriedoutthatBeraultwasathistradeagain，othersthreatenedmewiththevengeanceoftheCardinal，flungtheedictinmyteeth，andsaidwithgleethattheguardwerecoming——theywouldseemehangedyet。

"Hisbloodisonyourhead！"onecriedfuriously。"Hewillbedeadinanhour。Andyouwillswingforhim！Hurrah！"

"Begone，"Isaid。

"Ay，toMontfaucon，"heanswered，mockingme。

"No；toyourkennel！"Ireplied，withalookwhichsenthimayardbackwards，thoughtherailingswerebetweenus。AndIwipedmybladecarefully，standingalittleapart。For——well，Icouldunderstandit——itwasoneofthosemomentswhenamanisnotpopular。Thosewhohadcomewithmefromtheeating-houseeyedmeaskance，andturnedtheirbackswhenIdrewnearer；andthosewhohadjoinedusandobtainedadmissionwerescarcelymorepolite。

ButIwasnottobeoutdoneinSANGFROID。Icockedmyhat，anddrawingmycloakovermyshoulders，wentoutwithaswaggerwhichdrovethecursfromthegatebeforeIcamewithinadozenpacesofit。Therascalsoutsidefellbackasquickly，andinamomentIwasinthestreet。AnothermomentandIshouldhavebeenclearoftheplaceandfreetoliebyforawhile——when，withoutwarning，ascurrytookplaceroundme。Thecrowdfledeverywayintothegloom，andinahand-turnadozenoftheCardinal"sguardsclosedroundme。

Ihadsomeacquaintancewiththeofficerincommand，andhesalutedmecivilly。

"Thisisabadbusiness，M。deBerault，"hesaid。"Themanisdeadtheytellme。"

"Neitherdyingnordead，"Iansweredlightly。"Ifthatbeallyoumaygohomeagain。"

"Withyou，"hereplied，withagrin，"certainly。Andasitrains，thesoonerthebetter。Imustaskyouforyoursword，I

amafraid。"

"Takeit，"Isaid，withthephilosophywhichneverdesertsme。

"Butthemanwillnotdie。"

"Ihopethatmayavailyou，"heansweredinatoneIdidnotlike。"Leftwheel，myfriends！TotheChatelet！March！"

"Thereareworseplaces，"Isaid，andresignedmyselftofate。

Afterall，Ihadbeeninaprisonbefore，andlearnedthatonlyonejailletsnoprisonerescape。

ButwhenIfoundthatmyfriend"sordersweretohandmeovertothewatch，andthatIwastobeconfinedlikeanycommonjail-

birdcaughtcuttingapurseorslittingathroat，Iconfessmyheartsank。IfIcouldgetspeechwiththeCardinal，allwouldprobablybewell；butifIfailedinthis，orifthecasecamebeforehiminstrangeguise，orifhewereinahardmoodhimself，thenitmightgoillwithme。Theedictsaid，death！

AndthelieutenantattheChateletdidnotputhimselftomuchtroubletoheartenme。"What！againM。deBerault？"hesaid，raisinghiseyebrowsashereceivedmeatthegate，andrecognisedmebythelightofthebrazierwhichhismenwerejustkindlingoutside。"Youareaveryboldman，oraveryfoolhardyone，tocomehereagain。Theoldbusiness，Isuppose？"

"Yes，butheisnotdead，"Iansweredcoolly。"Hehasatrifle——amerescratch。ItwasbehindthechurchofStJacques。"

"Helookeddeadenough，myfriend，"theguardsmaninterposed。Hehadnotyetleftus。

"Bah！"Iansweredscornfully。"HaveyoueverknownmemakeamistakeWhenIkillamanIkillhim。Iputmyselftopains，I

tellyou，nottokillthisEnglishman。Thereforehewilllive。"

"Ihopeso，"thelieutenantsaid，withadrysmile。"Andyouhadbetterhopeso，too，M。deBerault，Forifnot——"

"Well？"Isaid，somewhattroubled。"Ifnot，what，myfriend？"

"Ifearhewillbethelastmanyouwillfight，"heanswered。

"Andevenifhelives，Iwouldnotbetoosure，myfriend。ThistimetheCardinalisdeterminedtoputitdown。"

"HeandIareoldfriends，"Isaidconfidently。

"SoIhaveheard，"heanwered，withashortlaugh。"IthinkthatthesamewassaidofChalais。Idonotrememberthatitsavedhishead。"

Thiswasnotreassuring。Butworsewastocome。EarlyinthemorningorderswerereceivedthatIshouldbetreatedwithespecialstrictness，andIwasgiventhechoicebetweenironsandoneofthecellsbelowthelevel。Choosingthelatter，Iwaslefttoreflectuponmanythings；amongothers，onthequeeranduncertainnatureoftheCardinal，wholoved，Iknew，toplaywithamanasacatwithamouse；andontheilleffectswhichsometimesattendahighchest-thrusthowevercarefullydelivered。

Ionlyrescuedmyselfatlastfromtheseandotherunpleasantreflectionsbyobtainingtheloanofapairofdice；andthelightbeingjustenoughtoenablemetoreckonthethrows，I

amusedmyselfforhoursbycastingthemoncertainprinciplesofmyown。Butalongrunagainandagainupsetmycalculations；

andatlastbroughtmetotheconclusionthatarunofbadluckmaybesopersistentastoseeoutthemostsagaciousplayer。

Thiswasnotareflectionverywelcometomeatthemoment。

Nevertheless，forthreedaysitwasallthecompanyIhad。Attheendofthattime，theknaveofajailorwhoattendedme，andwhohadnevergrowntiredoftellingme，afterthefashionofhiskind，thatIshouldbehanged，cametomewithalessassuredair。

"Perhapsyouwouldlikealittlewater？"hesaidcivilly。

"Why，rascal？"Iasked。

"Towashwith，"heanswered。

"Iaskedforsomeyesterday，andyouwouldnotbringit，"I

grumbled。"However，betterlatethannever。Bringitnow。IfI

musthang，Iwillhanglikeagentleman。Butdependuponit，theCardinalwillnotserveanoldfriendsoscurvyatrick。"

"Youaretogotohim，"heannounced，whenhecamebackwiththewater。

"What？TotheCardinal？"Icried。

"Yes，"heanswered。

"Good！"Iexclaimed；andinmyjoyandreliefIsprangupatonce，andbegantorefreshmydress。"SoallthistimeIhavebeendoinghimaninjustice，"Icontinued。"VIVEMONSEIGNEUR！

LonglivethelittleBishopofLuchon！Imighthaveknownit，too。"

"Don"tmaketoosure！"themanansweredspitefully。Thenhewenton，"Ihavesomethingelseforyou。Afriendofyoursleftitatthegate，"andhehandedmeapacket。

"Quiteso！"Isaid，leadinghisrascallyfacearight。"Andyoukeptitaslongasyoudared——aslongasyouthoughtIshouldhang，youknave！Wasnotthatso？Butthere，donotlietome。

Tellmeinsteadwhichofmyfriendsleftit。"For，toconfessthetruth，Ihadnotsomanyfriendsatthistimeandtengoodcrowns——thepacketcontainednolessasum——arguedaprettystaunchfriend，andoneofwhomamanmightreasonablybeproud。

Theknavesniggeredmaliciously。"Acrookeddwarfishmanleftit，"hesaid。"IdoubtImightcallhimatailorandnotbefarout。"

"Chut！"Ianswered——butIwasalittleoutofcountenance，nevertheless。"Iunderstand。Anhonestfellowenough，andindebttome！Iamgladheremembered。ButwhenamItogo，friend？"

"Inanhour，"heansweredsullenly。Doubtlesshehadlookedtogetoneofthecrowns；butIwastoooldahandforthat。IfI

camebackIcouldbuyhisservices；andifIdidnotIshouldhavewastedmymoney。

Nevertheless，alittlelater，whenIfoundmyselfonmywaytotheHotelRichelieuundersocloseaguardthatIcouldseenothinginthestreetexceptthefiguresthatimmediatelysurroundedme，IwishedthatIhadgivenhimthemoney。Atsuchtimes，whenallhangsinthebalanceandtheskyisovercast，themindrunsonluckandoldsuperstitions，andispronetothinkacrowngivenheremayavailthere——thoughTHEREbeahundredleaguesaway。

ThePalaisRichelieuwasatthistimeinbuilding，andwewererequiredtowaitinalong，baregallery，wherethemasonswereatwork。Iwaskeptafullhourhere，ponderinguncomfortablyonthestrangewhimsandfanciesofthegreatmanwhothenruledFranceastheKing"sLieutenant-General，withalltheKing"spowers，andwhoselifeIhadoncebeenthemeansofsavingbyalittletimelyinformation。Onoccasionhehaddonesomethingtowipeoutthedebt；andatothertimeshehadpermittedmetobefreewithhim，andsofarwewerenotunknowntooneanother。

Nevertheless，whenthedoorswereatlastthrownopen，andIwasledintohispresence，myconfidenceunderwentashock。Hiscoldglance，that，rovingoverme，regardedmenotasamanbutanitem，thesteelyglitterofhissoutherneyes，chilledmetothebone。Theroomwasbare，thefloorwithoutcarpetorcovering。

Someofthewoodworklayabout，unfinishedandinpieces。Buttheman——thisman，needednosurroundings。Hiskeenpaleface，hisbrillianteyes，evenhispresence——thoughhewasofnogreatheight，andbeganalreadytostoopattheshoulders——wereenoughtoawetheboldest。Irecalled，asIlookedathim，ahundredtalesofhisironwill，hiscoldheart，hisunerringcraft。HehadhumbledtheKing"sbrother，thesplendidDukeofOrleans，inthedust。HehadcurbedtheQueen-mother。Adozenheads，thenoblestinFrance，hadcometotheblockthroughhim。OnlytwoyearsbeforehehadquelledRochelle；onlyafewmonthsbeforehehadcrushedthegreatinsurrectioninLanguedoc：andthoughthesouth，strippedofitsoldprivileges，stillseethedwithdiscontent，nooneinthisyear1630daredliftahandagainsthim——openly，atanyrate。Underthesurfaceahundredplots，athousandintrigues，soughthislifeorhispower；butthese，I

suppose，arethehapofeverygreatman。

Nowonder，then，thatthecourageonwhichIplumedmyselfsanklowatsightofhim；orthatitwasasmuchasIcoulddotominglewiththehumilityofmysalutesometouchoftheSANG

FROIDofoldacquaintanceship。

Andperhapsthathadhadbeenbetterleftout。Foritseemedthatthismanwaswithoutbowels。Foramoment，whilehestoodlookingatme，andbeforehespoketome，Igavemyselfupforlost。Therewasaglintofcruelsatisfactioninhiseyesthatwarnedme，beforeheopenedhismouth，whathewasgoingtosaytome。

"Icouldnothavemadeabettercatch，M。deBerault，"hesaid，smilingvillainously，whilehegentlysmoothedthefurofacatthathadsprungonthetablebesidehim。"Anoldoffender，andanexcellentexample。Idoubtitwillnotstopwithyou。Butlater，wewillmakeyouthewarrantforflyingathighergame。"

"Monseigneurhashandledaswordhimself，"Iblurtedout。Theveryroomseemedtobegrowingdarker，theaircolder。Iwasnevernearerfearinmylife。

"Yes？"hesaid，smilingdelicately。"Andso——？"

"Willnotbetoohardonthefailingsofapoorgentleman。"

"Heshallsuffernomorethanarichone，"herepliedsuavelyashestrokedthecat。"Enjoythatsatisfaction，M。deBerault。Isthatall？"

"OnceIwasofservicetoyourEminence，"Isaiddesperately。

"Paymenthasbeenmade，"heanswered，"morethanonce。ButforthatIshouldnothaveseenyou。"

"TheKing"sface！"Icried，snatchingatthestrawheseemedtoholdout。

Helaughedcynically，smoothly。Histhinface，hisdarkmoustache，andwhiteninghair，gavehimanairofindescribablekeenness。

"IamnottheKing，"hesaid。"Besides，Iamtoldthatyouhavekilledasmanyassixmeninduels。YouowetheKing，therefore，onelifeatleast。Youmustpayit。Thereisnomoretobesaid，M。deBerault，"hecontinuedcoldly，turningawayandbeginningtocollectsomepapers。"Thelawmusttakeitscourse。"

Ithoughtthathewasabouttonodtothelieutenanttowithdrawme，andachillingsweatbrokeoutdownmyback。Isawthescaffold，Ifeltthecords。Amoment，anditwouldbetoolate！

"Ihaveafavourtoask，"Istammereddesperately，"ifyourEminencewillgivemeamomentalone。"

"Towhatend？"heanswered，turningandeyeingmewithcolddisfavour。"Iknowyou——yourpast——all。Itcandonogood，myfriend。"

"Noharm！"Icried。"AndIamadyingman，Monseigneur！"

"Thatistrue，"hesaidthoughtfully。Stillheseemedtohesitate；andmyheartbeatfast。Atlasthelookedatthelieutenant。"Youmayleaveus，"hesaidshortly。"Now，"hecontinued，whentheofficerhadwithdrawnandleftusalone，"whatisit？Saywhatyouhavetosayquickly。And，aboveall，donottrytofoolme，M。deBerault。"

ButhispiercingeyessodisconcertedmenowthatIhadmychance，andwasalonewithhim，thatIcouldnotfindawordtosay，andstoodbeforehimmute。Ithinkthispleasedhim，forhisfacerelaxed。

"Well？"hesaidatlast。"Isthatall？"

"Themanisnotdead，"Imuttered。

Heshruggedhisshoulderscontemptuously。

"Whatofthat？"hesaid。"Thatwasnotwhatyouwantedtosaytome。"

"OnceIsavedyourEminence"slife，"Ifalteredmiserably。

"Admitted，"heanswered，inhisthin，incisivevoice。"Youmentionedthefactbefore。Ontheotherhand，youhavetakensixtomyknowledge，M。deBerault。Youhavelivedthelifeofabully，acommonbravo，agamester。You，amanoffamily！Forshame！Doyouwonderthatithasbroughtyoutothis！YetonthatonepointIamwillingtohearmore，"headdedabruptly。

"ImightsaveyourEminence"slifeagain，"Icried。Itwasasuddeninspiration。

"Youknowsomething？"hesaidquickly，fixingmewithhiseyes。

"Butno，"hecontinued，shakinghisheadgently。"Pshaw！Thetrickisold。Ihavebetterspiesthanyou，M。deBerault。"

"Butnobettersword，"Icriedhoarsely。"No，notinallyourguard！"

"Thatistrue，"hesaidslowly。"Thatistrue。"

Tomysurprise，hespokeinatoneofconsideration；andhelookeddownatthefloor。"Letmethink，myfriend，"hecontinued。

Hewalkedtwoorthreetimesupanddowntheroom，whileIstoodtrembling。Iconfessit，trembling。Themanwhosepulsesdangerhasnopowertoquicken，isseldomproofagainstsuspense；andthesuddenhopehiswordsawakenedinmesoshookmethathisfigureashetrodlightlytoandfrowiththecatrubbingagainsthisrobeandturningtimefortimewithhim，waveredbeforemyeyes。Igraspedthetabletosteadymyself。IhadnotadmittedeveninmyownmindhowdarklytheshadowofMontfauconandthegallowshadfallenacrossme。

Ihadleisuretorecovermyself，foritwassometimebeforehespoke。Whenhedid，itwasinavoiceharsh，changed，imperative。"Youhavethereputationofamanfaithful，atleast，tohisemployer，"hesaid。"Donotanswerme。Isayitisso。Well，Iwilltrustyou。Iwillgiveyouonemorechance——thoughitisadesperateone。Woetoyouifyoufailme！DoyouknowCocheforetinBearn？ItisnotfarfromAuch。"

"No，yourEminence。"

"NorM。deCocheforet？"

"No，yourEminence。"

"Somuchthebetter，"hereplied。"Butyouhaveheardofhim。

HehasbeenengagedineveryGasconplotsincethelateKing"sdeath，andgavemoretroublelastyearintheVivaraisthananymantwicehisyears。AtpresentheisatBosostinSpain，withotherrefugees，butIhavelearnedthatatfrequentintervalshevisitshiswifeatCocheforetwhichissixleagueswithintheborder。Ononeofthesevisitshemustbearrested。"

"Thatshouldbeeasy，"Isaid。

TheCardinallookedatme。"Chut，man！whatdoyouknowaboutit？"heansweredbluntly。"ItiswhisperedatCocheforetifasoldiercrossesthestreetatAuch。Inthehouseareonlytwoorthreeservants，buttheyhavethecountrysidewiththemtoaman，andtheyareadangerousbreed。Asparkmightkindleafreshrising。Thearrest，therefore，mustbemadesecretly。"

Ibowed。

"Oneresolutemaninsidethehouse，"theCardinalcontinued，thoughtfullyglancingatapaperwhichlayonthetable，"withthehelpoftwoorthreeservantswhomhecouldsummontohisaidatwill，mighteffectit。Thequestionis，Willyoubetheman，myfriend？"

Ihesitated；thenIbowed。WhatchoicehadI？

"Nay，nay，speakout！"hesaidsharply。"Yesorno，M。deBerault？"

"Yes，yourEminence，"Isaidreluctantly。Again，Isay，whatchoicehadI？

"YouwillbringhimtoParis，andalive。Heknowsthings，andthatiswhyIwanthim。Youunderstand？"

"Iunderstand，Monseigneur，"Ianswered。

"Youwillgetintothehouseasyoucan，"hecontinuedwithenergy。"Forthatyouwillneedstrategy，andgoodstrategy。

Theysuspecteverybody。Youmustdeceivethem。Ifyoufailtodeceivethem，or，deceivingthem，arefoundoutlater，Idonotthinkthatyouwilltroublemeagain，orbreaktheedictasecondtime。Ontheotherhand，shouldyoudeceiveme"——hesmiledstillmoresubtly，buthisvoicesanktoapurringnote——"Iwillbreakyouonthewheelliketheruinedgamesteryouare！"

Imethislookwithoutquailing。"Sobeit！"Isaidrecklessly。

"IfIdonotbringM。deCocheforettoParis，youmaydothattome，andmorealso！"

"Itisabargain！"heansweredslowly。"Ithinkthatyouwillbefaithful。Formoney，hereareahundredcrowns。Thatsumshouldsuffice；butifyousucceedyoushallhavetwiceasmuchmore。Thatisall，Ithink。Youunderstand？"

"Yes，Monseigneur。"

"Thenwhydoyouwait？"

"Thelieutenant？"Isaidmodestly。

TheCardinallaughedtohimself，andsittingdownwroteawordortwoonaslipofpaper。"Givehimthat，"hesaidinhighgood-

humour。"Ifear，M。deBerault，youwillnevergetyourdeserts——inthisworld！"

CHAPTERII。

ATTHEGREENPILLAR

Cocheforetliesinabillowylandofoakandbeechandchestnuts——alandofdeep，leafybottomsandhillsclothedwithforest。

Ridgeandvalley，glenandknoll，thewoodland，sparselypeopledandmoresparselytilled，stretchesawaytothegreatsnowmountainsthatherelimitFrance。Itswarmswithgame——withwolvesandbears，deerandboars。TotheendofhislifeIhaveheardthatthegreatkinglovedthisdistrict，andwouldsigh，whenyearsandStatefellheavilyonhim，forthebeechgrovesandbox-coveredhillsofSouthBearn。FromtheterracedstepsofAuchyoucanseetheforestrollawayinlightandshadow，valeandupland，tothebaseofthesnowpeaks；and，thoughIcomefromBrittanyandlovethesmellofthesaltwind，Ihaveseenfewsightsthatoutdothis。

ItwasthesecondweekofOctober，whenIcametoCocheforet，and，droppingdownfromthelastwoodedbrow，rodequietlyintotheplaceatevening。Iwasalone，andhadriddenalldayinagloryofruddybeechleaves，throughthesilenceofforestroads，acrossclearbrooksandgladesstillgreen。Ihadseenmoreofthequietandpeaceofthecountrythanhadbeenmysharesinceboyhood，andforthatreason，orbecauseIhadnogreattasteforthetaskbeforeme——thetasknowsoimminent——Ifeltalittlehipped。Ingoodfaith，itwasnotagentleman"sworkthatIwascometodo，lookatithowyoumight。

Butbeggarsmustnotbechoosers，andIknewthatthisfeelingwouldnotlast。Attheinn，inthepresenceofothers，underthespurofnecessity，orintheexcitementofthechase，werethatoncebegun，Ishouldlosethefeeling。Whenamanisyoungheseekssolitude，whenheismiddle-aged，hefliesitandhisthoughts。Imadethereforeforthe"GreenPillar，"alittleinninthevillagestreet，towhichIhadbeendirectedatAuch，and，thunderingonthedoorwiththeknobofmyridingswitch，railedatthemanforkeepingmewaiting。

Hereandthereathoveldoorsinthestreet——whichwasamean，poorplace，notworthyofthename——menandwomenlookedoutatmesuspiciously。ButIaffectedtoignorethem；andatlastthehostcame。Hewasafair-hairedman，half-Basque，half-

Frenchman，andhadscannedmewell，Iwassure，throughsomewindoworpeephole；forwhenhecameouthebetrayednosurpriseatthesightofawell-dressedstranger——aportentinthatout-

of-the-wayvillage——buteyedmewithakindofsullenreserve。

"Icanliehereto-night，Isuppose？"Isaid，droppingthereinsonthesorrel"sneck。Thehorsehungitshead。

"Idon"tknow，"heansweredstupidly。

Ipointedtothegreenboughwhichtoppedapostthatstoodoppositethedoor。

"Thisisaninn，isitnot？"Isaid。

"Yes，"heansweredslowly。"Itisaninn。But——"

"Butyouarefull，oryouareoutoffood，oryourwifeisill，orsomethingelseisamiss，"Iansweredpeevishly。"Allthesame，Iamgoingtoliehere。Soyoumustmakethebestofit，andyourwifetoo——ifyouhaveone。"

Hescratchedhishead，lookingatmewithanuglyglitterinhiseyes。Buthesaidnothing，andIdismounted。

"WherecanIstablemyhorse？"Iasked。

"I"llputitup，"heansweredsullenly，steppingforwardandtakingthereinsinhishand。

"Verywell，"Isaid。"ButIgowithyou。Amercifulmanismercifultohisbeast，andwhereverIgoIseemyhorsefed。"

"Itwillbefed，"hesaidshortly。Andthenhewaitedformetogointothehouse。"Thewifeisinthere，"hecontinued，lookingatmestubbornly。

"IMPRIMIS——ifyouunderstandLatin，myfriend，"Ianswered。"thehorseinthestall。"

Hesawthatitwasnogood，turnedthesorrelslowlyround，andbegantoleaditacrossthevillagestreet。Therewasashedbehindtheinn，whichIhadalreadymarked，andtakenforthestable，IwassurprisedwhenIfoundthathewasnotgoingthere，butImadenoremark，andinafewminutessawthehorsemadecomfortableinahovelwhichseemedtobelongtoaneighbour。

Thisdone，themanledthewaybacktotheinn，carryingmyvalise。

"Youhavenootherguests？"Isaid，withacasualair。Iknewthathewaswatchingmeclosely。

"No，"heanswered。

"Thisisnotmuchinthewaytoanywhere，Isuppose？"

"No。"

Thatwassoevident，thatIneversawamoreretiredplace。Thehangingwoods，risingsteeplytoagreatheight，soshutthevalleyinthatIwaspuzzledtothinkhowamancouldleaveitsavebytheroadIhadcome。Thecottages，whichwerenomorethanmean，smallhuts，raninastragglingdoubleline，withmanygaps——throughfallentreesandill-clearedmeadows。Amongthemanoisybrookraninandout，andtheinhabitants——charcoal-

burners，orswine-herds，orpoordevilsofthelikeclass，werenobetterthantheirdwellings。IlookedinvainfortheChateau。Itwasnottobeseen，andIdarednotaskforit。

Themanledmeintothecommonroomofthetavern——alow-roofed，poorplace，lackingachimneyorglazedwindows，andgrimywithsmokeanduse。Thefire——agreathalf-burnedtree——smoulderedonastonehearth，raisedafootfromthefloor。Ahugeblackpotsimmeredoverit，andbesideonewindowloungedacountryfellowtalkingwiththegoodwife。IntheduskIcouldnotseehisface，butIgavethewomanaword，andsatdowntowaitformysupper。

Sheseemedmoresilentthanthecommonrunofherkind；butthismightbebecauseherhusbandwaspresent。Whileshemovedaboutgettingmymeal，hetookhisplaceagainstthedoor-postandfelltostaringatmesopersistentlythatIfeltbynomeansatmyease。Hewasatall，strongfellow，withashaggymoustacheandbrownbeard，cutinthemodeHenriQuatre；andonthesubjectofthatking——asafeone，Iknew，withaBearnais——andonthatalone，Ifounditpossibletomakehimtalk。Eventhentherewasasuspiciousgleaminhiseyesthatbademeabstainfromquestions；sothatasthedarknessdeepenedbehindhim，andthefirelightplayedmoreandmorestronglyonhisfeatures，andI

thoughtoftheleaguesofwoodlandthatlaybetweenthisremotevalleyandAuch，IrecalledtheCardinal"swarningthatifI

failedinmyattemptIshouldbelittlelikelytotroubleParisagain。

Theloutbythewindowpaidnoattentiontome；norItohim，whenIhadoncesatisfiedmyselfthathewasreallywhatheseemedtobe。Butby-and-bytwoorthreemen——rough，uncouthfellows——droppedintoreinforcethelandlord，andthey，tooseemedtohavenootherbusinessthantositinsilencelookingatme，ornowandagaintoexchangeawordinaPATOISoftheirown。Bythetimemysupperwasready，theknavesnumberedsixinall；and，astheywerearmedtoamanwithhugeSpanishknives，andmadeitclearthattheyresentedmypresenceintheirdullrusticfashion——everyrusticissuspicious——Ibegantothinkthat，unwittingly，Ihadputmyheadintoawasps"nest。

Nevertheless，Iateanddrankwithapparentappetite；butlittlethatpassedwithinthecircleoflightcastbythesmokylampescapedme。Iwatchedthemen"slooksandgesturesatleastassharplyastheywatchedmine；andallthetimeIwasrackingmywitsforsomemodeofdisarmingtheirsuspicions，orfailingthat，oflearningsomethingmoreoftheposition，whichfarexceededindifficultyanddangeranythingthatIhadexpected。

Thewholevalley，itwouldseem，wasonthelook-outtoprotectmyman！

IhadpurposelybroughtwithmefromAuchacoupleofbottlesofchoiceArmagnac；andthesehadbeencarriedintothehousewithmysaddlebags。Itookoneoutnowandopeneditandcarelesslyofferedadramofthespirittothelandlord。Hetookit。Ashedrankit，Isawhisfaceflush；hehandedbackthecupreluctantly，andonthathintIofferedhimanother，Thestrongspiritwasalreadybeginningtowork，andheaccepted，andinafewminutesbegantotalkmorefreelyandwithlessoftheconstraintwhichhadbeforemarkedusall。Still，histongueranchieflyonquestions——hewouldknowthis，hewouldlearnthat；

buteventhiswasawelcomechange。ItoldhimopenlywhenceI

hadcome，bywhatroad，howlongIhadstayedinAuch，andwhere；

andsofarIsatisfiedhiscuriosity。Only，whenIcametothesubjectofmyvisittoCocheforetIkeptamysterioussilence，hintingdarklyatbusinessinSpainandfriendsacrosstheborder，andthisandthat；inthiswaygivingthepeasantstounderstand，iftheypleased，thatIwasinthesameinterestastheirexiledmaster。

Theytookthebait，winkedatoneanother，andbegantolookatmeinamorefriendlyway——thelandlordforemost。ButwhenIhadledthemsofar，Idaredgonofarther，lestIshouldcommitmyselfandbefoundout。Istopped，therefore，and，harkingbacktogeneralsubjects，chancedtocomparemyprovincewiththeirs。

Thelandlord，nowbecomealmosttalkative，wasnotslowtotakeupthischallenge；anditpresentlyledtomyacquiringacuriouspieceofknowledge。Hewasboastingofhisgreatsnowmountains，theforeststhatproppedthem，thebearsthatroamedinthem，theizardsthatlovedtheice，andtheboarsthatfedontheoakmast。

"Well，"Isaid，quitebychance，"wehavenotthesethings，itistrue。Butwehavethingsinthenorthyouhavenot。Wehavetensofthousandsofgoodhorses——notsuchponiesasyoubreedhere。AtthehorsefairatFecampmysorrelwouldbelostinthecrowd。Hereinthesouthyouwillnotmeethismatchinalongday"sjourney。"

"Donotmaketoosureofthat，"themanreplied，hiseyesbrightwithtriumphandthedram。"WhatwouldyousayifIshowedyouabetter——inmyownstable？"

Isawthathiswordssentakindofthrillthroughhisotherhearers，andthatsuchofthemasunderstoodfortwoorthreeofthemtalkedtheirPATOISonly——lookedathimangrily；andinatwinklingIbegantocomprehend。ButIaffecteddullness，andlaughedinscorn。

"Seeingisbelieving，"Isaid。"Idoubtifyouknowsgoodhorsewhenyouseeone，myfriend。"

"Oh，don"tI？"hesaid，winking。"Indeed！"

"Idoubtit，"Iansweredstubbornly。

"Thencomewithme，andIwillshowyouone，"heretorted，discretiongivingwaytovain-glory。Hiswifeandtheothers，I

saw，lookedathimdumbfounded；but，withoutpayinganyheedtothem，herose，tookupalanthorn，and，assuminganairofpeculiarwisdom，openedthedoor。"Comewithme，"hecontinued。

"Idon"tknowagoodhorsewhenIseeone，don"tI？Iknowabetterthanyours，atanyrate！"

Ishouldnothavebeensurprisediftheothermenhadinterfered；

butIsupposehewasaleaderamongthem，theydidnot，andinamomentwewereoutside。Threepacesthroughthedarknesstookustothestable，anoffsetatthebackoftheinn。Mymantwirledthepin，and，leadingthewayin，raisedhislanthorn。Ahorsewhinniedsoftly，andturneditsbright，mildeyesonus——abaldfacedchestnut，withwhitehairsinitstailandonewhitestocking。

"There！"myguideexclaimed，wavingthelanthorntoandfroboastfully，thatImightseeitspoints。"Whatdoyousaytothat？Isthatanundersizedpony？"

"No，"Ianswered，purposelystintingmypraise。"Itisprettyfair——forthiscountry。"

"Oranycountry，"heansweredwrathfully。"Oranycountry，I

say——Idon"tcarewhereitis！AndIhavereasontoknow！Why，man，thathorseis——Butthere，thatisagoodhorse，ifeveryousawone！"Andwiththatheended——abruptlyandlamely；loweredthelanthornwithasuddengesture，andturnedtothedoor。Hewasontheinstantinsuchhurrytoleavethathealmostshoulderedmeout。

ButIunderstood。Iknewthathehadneatlybetrayedall——thathehadbeenonthepointofblurtingoutthatthatwasM。deCocheforet"shorse！M。Cocheforet"sCOMPRENEZBIEN！AndwhileI

turnedawaymyfaceinthedarknessthathemightnotseemesmile，Iwasnotsurprisedtofindthemaninamomentchanged，andbecome，intheclosingofthedoor，assoberandsuspiciousasbefore，ashamedofhimselfandenragedwithme，andinamoodtocutmythroatforatrifle。

Itwasnotmycuetoquarrel，however。Imadetherefore，asifI

hadseennothing，andwhenwewerebackintheinnpraisedthehorsegrudgingly，andlikeamanbuthalfconvinced。TheuglylooksanduglyweaponsIsawroundmewerefineincentivestocaution；andnoItalian，Iflattermyself，couldhaveplayedhispartmorenicelythanIdid。ButIwasheartilygladwhenitwasover，andIfoundmyself，atlast，leftaloneforthenightinalittlegarret——amerefowl-house——upstairs，formedbytheroofandgablewalls，andhungwithstringsofapplesandchestnuts。

Itwasapoorsleeping-place——rough，chilly，andunclean。I

ascendedtoitbyaladder；mycloakandalittlefernformedmyonlybed。ButIwasgladtoacceptit，foritenabledmetohealoneandtothinkoutthepositionunwatched。

OfcourseM。deCocheforetwasattheChateau。Hehadlefthishorsehere，andgoneuponfoot；probablythatwashisusualplan。Hewasthereforewithinmyreach，inonesense——Icouldnothavecomeatabettertime——butinanotherhewasasmuchbeyonditasifIwerestillinParis。ForsofarwasIfrombeingabletoseizehimthatIdarednotaskaquestion，orletfallarashword，orevenlookaboutmefreely。IsawIdarednot。Theslightesthintofmymission，thefaintestbreathofdistrust，wouldleadtothroat-cutting——andthethroatwouldbemine；whilethelongerIlayinthevillage，thegreatersuspicionIshouldincur，andthecloserwouldbethewatchkeptuponme。

Insuchapositionsomemenmighthavegivenuptheattemptindespair，andsavedthemselvesacrosstheborder。ButIhavealwaysvaluedmyselfonmyfidelity，andIdidnotshrink。Ifnotto-day，to-morrow；ifnotthistime，nexttime。Thedicedonotalwaysturnupaces。Bracingmyself，therefore，totheoccasion，Icrept，assoonasthehousewasquiet，tothewindow，asmall，square，openlattice，muchcobwebbed，andpartlystuffedwithhay。Ilookedout。Thevillageseemedtobeasleep。Thedarkbranchesoftreeshungafewfeetaway，andalmostobscuredagrey，cloudysky，throughwhichawetmoonsaileddrearily。

Lookingdownwards，Icouldatfirstseenothing；butasmyeyesgrewusedtothedarkness——Ihadonlyjustputoutmyrushlight——

Imadeoutthestabledoorandtheshadowyoutlinesofthelean-toroof。

Ihadhopedforthis，forIcouldnowkeepwatch，andlearnatleastwhetherCocheforetleftbeforemorning。Ifhedidnot，I

shouldknowhewasstillhere。Ifhedid，Ishouldbethebetterforseeinghisfeatures，andlearning，perhaps，otherthingsthatmightbeofusetomeinthefuture。

Makingupmymindtotheuncomfortable，Isatdownonthefloorbythelattice，andbeganavigilthatmightlast，Iknew，untilmorning。Itdidlastaboutanhour，attheendofwhichtimeI

heardwhisperingbelow，thenfootsteps；then，assomepersonsturnedacorner，avoicespeakingaloudandcarelessly。Icouldnotcatchthewordsormeaning，butthevoicewasagentleman"s，anditsboldaccentsandmasterfultoneleftmeinnodoubtthatthespeakerwasM。deCocheforethimself。Hopingtolearnmore，Ipressedmyfacenearertotheopening，andhadjustmadeoutthroughthegloomtwofigures——onethatofatall，slightman，wearingacloak，theother，Ifancied，awoman"s，inasheenywhitedress——whenathunderingraponthedoorofmygarretmademespringbackayardfromthelattice，andliedownhurriedlyonmycouch。Thesummonswasrepeated。

"Well？"Icried，risingonmyelbow，andcursingtheuntimelyinterruption。Iwasburningwithanxietytoseemore。"Whatisit？Whatisthematter？"

Thetrap-doorwasliftedafootormore。Thelandlordthrustuphishead。

"Youcalled，didyounot？"hesaid。

Hehelduparushlight，whichilluminedhalftheroomandlituphisgrinningface。

"Called——atthishourofthenight，youfool？"Iansweredangrily。"No！Ididnotcall。Gotobed，man！"

Butheremainedontheladder，gapingstupidly。"Iheardyou，"

hesaid。

"Gotobed！Youaredrunk，"Ianswered，sittingup。"ItellyouIdidnotcall。"

"Oh，verywell，"heansweredslowly。"Andyoudonotwantanything？"

"Nothing——excepttobeleftalone，"Irepliedsourly。

"Umph！"hesaid。"Good-night！"

"Good-night！Good-night！"IansweredwithwhatpatienceI

might。Thetrampofthehorse"shoofsasitwasledoutofthestablewasinmyearsatthemoment。"Good-night！"Icontinuedfeverishly，hopingthathewouldstillretireintime，andIhaveachancetolookout。"Iwanttosleep。"

"Good，"hesaid，withabroadgrin。"Butitisearlyyet，andyouhaveplentyoftime。"

Andthen，atlast，heslowlyletdownthetrap-door，andIheardhimchuckleashewentdowntheladder。

BeforehereachedthebottomIwasatthewindow。Thewoman，whomIhadseen，stillstoodbelowinthesameplace，andbesideherwasamaninapeasant"sdress，holdingalanthorn。Buttheman，themanIwantedtosee，wasnolongerthere。Hewasgone，anditwasevidentthattheothersnolongerfearedme；forwhileIgazedthelandlordcameouttothemwithanotherlanthornswinginginhishand，andsaidsomethingtothelady，andshelookedupatmywindowandlaughed。

Itwasawarmnight，andsheworenothingoverherwhitedress。

Icouldseehertall，shapelyfigureandshiningeyes，andthefirmcontourofherbeautifulface，which，ifanyfaultmightbefoundwithit，erredinbeingtooregular。Shelookedlikeawomanformedbynaturetomeetdangersanddifficulties，andtoplayagreatpart；evenhere，atmidnight，inthemidstofthesedesperatemen，shedidnotseemoutofplace。Icouldfancy——I

didnotfinditimpossibletofancy——thatunderherqueenlyexterior，andbehindthecontemptuouslaughwithwhichsheheardthelandlord"sstory，therelurkedawoman"ssoul，asoulcapableoffollyandtenderness。Butnooutwardsignbetrayeditspresence——asIsawherthen。

Iscannedherverycarefully；andsecretly，ifthetruthbetold，IwasgladtofindthatMadamedeCocheforetwassuchawoman。I

wasgladthatshehadlaughedasshehad——witharingofdisdainanddefiance；gladthatshewasnotalittle，tender，child-likewoman，tobecrushedbythefirstpinchoftrouble。ForifI

succeededinmytask，ifIcontrivedto——but，pish！Women，I

toldmyself，wereallalike。Shewouldfindconsolationquicklyenough。

Iwatcheduntilthegroupbrokeup，andMadame，withoneofthemen，wentherwayroundthecorneroftheinn，andoutofmysight。ThenIretiredtobedagain，feelingmorethaneverperplexedwhatcourseIshouldadopt。ItwasclearthattosucceedImustobtainadmissiontothehouse，whichwasgarrisoned，accordingtomyinstructions，bytwoorthreeoldmen-servantsonly，andasmanywomen；sinceMadame，todisguiseherhusband"svisitsthemoreeasily，lived，andgaveoutthatshelived，ingreatretirement。Toseizeherhusbandathome，therefore，mightbenoimpossibletask；thoughhere，intheheartofthevillage，atroopofhorsemightmaketheattempt，andfail。

ButhowwasItogainadmissiontothehouse——ahouseguardedbyquick-wittedwomen，andfencedwithalltheprecautionslovecoulddevise？Thatwasthequestion；anddawnfoundmestilldebatingit，stillasfaraseverfromananswer。Anxiousandfeverish，Iwasgladwhenthelightcame，andIcouldgetup。I

thoughtthatthefreshairmightinspireme，andIwastiredofmystuffycloset。Icreptstealthilydowntheladder，andmanagedtopassunseenthroughthelowerroom，inwhichseveralpersonsweresnoringheavily。Theouterdoorwasnotfastened，andinahand-turnIwasinthestreet。

Itwasstillsoearlythatthetreesstoodupblackagainstthereddeningsky，buttheboughuponthepostbeforethedoorwasgrowinggreen，andinafewminutesthegreylightwouldbeeverywhere。Already，evenintheroadway，therewasaglimmeringofit；andasIstoodatthecornerofthehouse——whereIcouldcommandboththefrontandthesideonwhichthestableopened——sniffingthefreshair，andlookingforanytraceofthemidnightdeparture，myeyesdetectedsomethinglight-colouredlyingontheground。Itwasnotmorethantwoorthreepacesfromme，andIsteppedtoitandpickeditupcuriously，hopingthatitmightbeanote。Itwasnotanote，however，butatinyorange-colouredsachetsuchaswomencarryinthebosom。Itwasfullofsomefaintly-scentedpowder，andboreononesidetheinitial"E，"workedinwhitesilk；andwasaltogetheradaintylittletoy，suchaswomenlove。

DoubtlessMadamedeCocheforethaddroppeditinthenight。I

turneditoverandover；andthenIputitinmypouchwithasmile，thinkingthatitmightbeusefulsometime，andinsomeway。Ihadscarcelydonethis，andturnedwiththeintentionofexploringthestreet，whenthedoorbehindmecreakedonitsleatherhinges，andinamomentthehoststoodatmyelbow，andgavemeasurlygreeting。

Evidentlyhissuspicionswereagainaroused，forfromthistimehemanagedtobewithme，ononepretenceoranotheruntilnoon。

Moreover，hismannergreweachmomentmorechurlish，hishintsplainer；untilIcouldscarcelyavoidnoticingtheoneortheother。Aboutmid-day，havingfollowedmeforthetwentiethtimeintothestreet，hecametothepointbyaskingmerudelyifI

didnotneedmyhorse。

"No，"Isaid。"Whydoyouask？"

"Because，"heanswered，withanuglysmile，"thisisnotaveryhealthyplaceforstrangers。"

"Ah！"Iretorted。"Buttheborderairsuitsme，yousee，"

Itwasaluckyanswer，for，takenwithmytalkthenightbefore，itpuzzledhim，bysuggestingthatIwasonthelosingside，andhadmyreasonsforlyingnearSpain。Beforehehaddonescratchinghisheadoverit，theclatterofhoofsbrokethesleepyquietofthevillagestreet，andtheladyIhadseenthenightbeforerodequicklyroundthecorner，anddrewherhorseontoitshaunches。Withoutlookingatme，shecalledtotheinnkeepertocometoherstirrup。

Hewent。Themomenthisbackwasturned，Islippedaway，andinatwinklingwashiddenbyahouse。Twoorthreeglum-lookingfellowsstaredatmeasIpasseddownthestreet，butnoonemoved；andintwominutesIwasclearofthevillage，andinahalf-worntrackwhichranthroughthewood，andled——ifmyideaswereright——totheChateau。Todiscoverthehouseandlearnallthatwastobelearnedaboutitssituationweremymostpressingneeds；andthese，evenattheriskofaknifethrust，Iwasdeterminedtosatisfy。

Ihadnotgonetwohundredpacesalongthepath，however，beforeIheardthetreadofahorsebehindme，andIhadjusttimetohidemyselfbeforeMadamecameupandrodebyme，sittingherhorsegracefully，andwithallthecourageofanorthernwoman。

Iwatchedherpass，andthen，assuredbyherpresencethatIwasintherightroad，Ihurriedafterher。Twominuteswalkingatspeedbroughtmetoalightwoodenbridgespanningastream。I

crossedthis，and，asthewoodopened，sawbeforemefirstawide，pleasantmeadow，andbeyondthisaterrace。Ontheterrace，pressedupononthreesidesbythickwoods，stoodagreymansion，withthecornertourelles，steep，highroofs，androundbalconies，thatmenlovedandbuiltinthedaysofthefirstFrancis。

Itwasofgoodsize，butworeagloomyaspect。Agreatyewhedge，whichseemedtoencloseawalkorbowling-green，hidthegroundflooroftheeastwingfromview，whileaformalrosegarden，stiffeveninneglect，layinfrontofthemainbuilding。

Thewestwing，ofwhichthelowerroofsfellgraduallyawaytothewoods，probablycontainedthestablesandgranaries。

Istoodamomentonly，butImarkedall，andnotedhowtheroadreachedthehouse，andwhichwindowswereopentoattack；thenI

turnedandhastenedback。Fortunately，Imetnoonebetweenthehouseandthevillage，andwasabletoentermyhost"swithanairofthemostcompleteinnocence。

Shortashadbeenmyabsence，however，Ifoundthingsalteredthere。Roundthedoorloungedthreestrangers——stout，well-armedfellows，whosebearing，astheyloiteredandchattered，suggestedacuriousmixtureofsmugnessandindependence。Halfadozenpack-horsesstoodtetheredtothepostinfrontofthehouse；andthelandlord"smanner，frombeingrudeandchurlishonly，hadgrownperplexedandalmosttimid。Oneofthestrangers，Isoonfound，suppliedhimwithwine；theothersweretravellingmerchants，whorodeinthefirstone"scompanyforthesakeofsafety。AllweresubstantialmenfromTarbes——solidburgesses；

andIwasnotlonginguessingthatmyhost，fearingwhatmightleakoutbeforethem，and，particularly，thatImightrefertothepreviousnight"sdisturbance，wasontenter-hookswhiletheyremained。