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。