The False Chevalier

  CHAPTER XL

  AN UNEXPECTED ALLIANCE

  Fortified with the glimpse into the camp of his adversaries which hisbold call upon de Lotbiniere gave, Germain lost no time in making hispreparations for the approaching battle. Grancey, at Troyes, received ahasty line from him--

  "Complete proofs now ready; am coming."

  The Baron was among a group of comrades in his chambers when the notearrived. He immediately ordered wine, over which they discussed inheated terms of sympathy the persecution of their friend and comrade.

  When Germain appeared at the gates it seemed as if sunshine had returnedto the company. To him their happy faces were an exhilaration, and hefelt as if he were living once more. His fellow-officers rushed towardshim, and the Guardsmen crowded around. He was besieged with questions,refreshments were brought to him, and they carried him in triumph to hisformer chambers, which they had decorated with flowers. As soon as hecould he made his way to Collinot, and asked that a time be fixed forthe hearing of his case.

  "This day fortnight at ten of the clock before noon," Collinot said inhis decisive, military manner.

  Lecour saluted and retired, and the Adjutant wrote a notice for de Leryto prepare his counter-proof.

  Both sides entered into the contest with the utmost activity.

  Germain's party gave him a banquet, whereat he, crowned with honours andelated by the surrounding enthusiasm, made an oration which sent allthose present forth after the festivity to spread again the burningconviction of his stainless honour and of the shameful conduct of hisenemies. It was all a desperate game, as he knew perfectly well. But thestake was high--the object of his life--Cyrene.

  Louis de Lery immediately sent to de Lotbiniere the notice he receivedfrom Collinot. The measures of the Marquis were varied and vigorous.

  First he took the Record with him, and travelled posthaste to Chalons,where he asked de Lery to take him to their relative, de Villerai.

  "You are the man to present this, my dear Villerai," said he. "Being inthis distinguished corps, you have an influence to which none of therest of us can pretend. I leave the papers in your hands. You havemerely to hand them to the Prince de Poix or Adjutant Collinot to secureabsolutely the obliteration of that _canaille_."

  "Certainly, certainly. Leave them with me. They shall be perfectly safein my possession. Believe me, dear de Lotbiniere, I shall do everythingexcellently for you."

  De Lotbiniere, reading the easy-going face of the bluff epicurean inuniform, said to himself, "If it required any brains I could not trustyou."

  The Record was therefore left in de Villerai's charge.

  De Lotbiniere next went to Paris and wrote to Collinot, stating that deVillerai would be on hand on the day appointed, prepared to present thede Lery side of the case. He furthermore wrote to the Count deVaudreuil, reminding him of the Canadian connections of his family, andinvoking his exalted interest at Court against the intruder upon theirsocial rights. The Prince de Poix was likewise reminded by him, in aletter, of the decision he had expressed against Lecour during theirinterview some months before.

  These precautions taken, he remained in Paris, confidently awaiting theoutbreak of his powder mines and the destruction of the _parvenu_.Matters lay in a condition of suspense until the fateful hour.

  In the afternoon of the day previous the Chalons diligence brought astranger who sought out Germain in his quarters. The face was sofamiliar that Germain's attention was riveted upon him.

  "You do not know me, I see," said the man; "but I am come to do you agood turn, a fine turn, a noble turn."

  By something erratic in his look Lecour recognised the would-be slayerof de Lery, and his hand crept towards the hilt of his sword.

  "Don't be afraid of me," said the maniac; "we are allies."

  "I am not afraid," Lecour answered. "What do you wish of me?"

  "To give you this," Philibert exclaimed gaily, handing him a packet."Take it; your battle is won."

  With incredulous wonder Lecour looked at the parcel.

  "Do you know who I am?" the stranger cried.

  "You are Philibert," replied Lecour.

  "I am The Instrument of Vengeance," the other corrected, and departedwithout a bow.

  On opening the packet Germain, to his utter astonishment, found deLotbiniere's Record, the precious armoury collected with so much labourby his enemies and so necessary to their case.

  As he looked over the documents it contained and felt the sharpness ofthe different thrusts, he turned hot and dizzy; but the fact that thisgreat find was in his possession, and lost to his opponents, gave himinexpressible satisfaction. He pored over them till far past midnight,when at last his feeling of exultation gave way to overwhelming remorse.His aspect suddenly became that of haggard misery itself; his headdropped, and he murmured in a low, agonised voice, "Is poor GermainLecour really a liar, a pretender, a forger, a----" Aghast, his lipsrefused to pronounce the word.

  His head dropped still lower; at the movement something fell out of hisbreast upon the floor. For some moments he did not perceive it. "Yetthese things--liar, pretender, forger--what are they more than wordscontrived by the powerful to condemn the doings of the weak? Whom have Iwronged? Have not I only defended myself? Why should the contrivances ofsociety--not mine--stand between me and all that is worth living for?"His glance at length lighted upon the object which had fallen from hisbosom--a large locket. The fall had sprung open its lid, and he was faceto face with the miniature image of Cyrene. The light of his consumingpassion flamed in his strangely transformed eyes.

  "For you, everything," he murmured, sobbing.