Vayenne

  CHAPTER VI

  AT THE CLEARING IN THE FOREST

  As soon as they were alone, Gaspard Lemasle shrugged his greatshoulders and looked at his companion.

  "I've always said that ugly little dwarf was not half such a fool asfolk thought him," he remarked. "You're the first man I've ever knownto get out of the South Tower. How did you manage it?"

  "You would not have me betray the dwarf?"

  "Faith, I'm at a loss to know what I would have you do, and for thematter of that what to do with you. You don't seem to have made muchimpression on Mademoiselle, and it's not often one finds an honest manmasquerading as a priest. How do you call yourself?"

  "Roger Herrick."

  "Well, Monsieur Herrick, for the life of me I know not whether totreat you as friend or foe."

  "Give me the benefit of the doubt and think me a friend. At least befriend enough to give me food and drink, for I have touched neithersince I dined at the Croix Verte last night."

  "Come with me," Lemasle answered. "I wouldn't starve my worst enemy."

  Life without its dangers would have seemed a poor existence to GaspardLemasle, and a man who could make light of danger was a man he wasinclined to take to his heart. Herrick appealed to him. Somehow he hadgot out of the South Tower, and he respected him for that. Last nighthe had carried himself well, and shown no sign of fear, even when aninfuriated mob was bent on hanging him to the first convenient lampbracket. Now he had voluntarily come to Passey to accuse a body of menof being traitors, knowing that he ran the risk of being delivered upto their tender mercies, which might reasonably result in a harderdeath than hanging would be. He was no common man this, and GaspardLemasle watched his companion anxiously as he ate and drank.

  "You will not tell me how you escaped from the castle, will you tellme what you were doing at the Croix Verte last night?"

  "I did nothing but dine, but I intended to sleep there, to stay there,a peaceful traveller, for some days. Going for a short walk afterdinner I was attacked in the street, for the purpose of robbery Isuppose, but finding the task beyond them, one villain shouted out,'Spy!' and I was soon in the hands of an infuriated crowd. I believe Iowe you my life, captain, for had you not been at the end of thestreet I doubt whether I should have escaped hanging."

  "What were the men like who attempted to rob you?"

  Herrick tried to give some idea of their appearance, and succeeded inmaking Lemasle thoughtful for a time.

  "And you heard me get talkative over the wine in the Croix Verte," hesaid presently.

  "There was only a partition between us, and Father Bertrand's voice,even when he speaks low, is penetrating. So long as I overheard theconversation his persuasion did not seem to appeal to you, CaptainLemasle."

  "You left before the end then?"

  "I did not return to the room after we all went into the passage tolearn that the Duke was dead."

  "You noticed the priest and me, did you take no note of the othermen?"

  "No. I judged that in Father Bertrand's eyes you were of mostimportance, and truly I thought little of what I had chanced tooverhear until afterward. Being suddenly locked in the South Towerinstead of sleeping in comfort at the Croix Verte is apt to set onethinking."

  "And your conclusion, Monsieur Herrick?"

  "We seem friends--need I deceive you?" Herrick answered. "I thoughtthat Captain Lemasle's duty held him to Count Felix, but that in hisheart he was desirous of serving the scholar of Passey because ofMademoiselle de Liancourt. His final decision I did not hear, nor do Iknow it now, yet Mademoiselle seems to trust him."

  "And with reason," Lemasle answered. "I care not much whether we haveDuke Maurice or Duke Felix, neither one nor the other can really fillthe old Duke's place, but I would give my life in the defence ofChristine de Liancourt."

  "Then we are comrades, captain. I, too, am willing to die in herdefence."

  "In the name of all the gods, why should you be?" Lemasle exclaimed."You have seen her twice, and she has scorned you twice. Do mensacrifice themselves for women who treat them so?"

  "Some men, captain; some for love, some because it is in their blood.For myself, circumstance has forced me into this service. Long ago,perchance, my fathers were knights-errant, and their spirit lives inme."

  "I'm inclined to think you a friend," said Lemasle slowly.

  "Then treat me somewhat as a prisoner to-morrow, and for greater carekeep me near you and Mademoiselle. You spoke of having men in yourcompany whom you would not have chosen. You shall find me no laggardwhen the time for action comes."

  "Very well, and I will arm you for that purpose; but mark you, if Ifind myself mistaken, if you are a traitor, I shall have no hesitationin running you through the back."

  "Had I found Captain Lemasle a traitor, I should have had as littlecompunction. I go armed, you see." And Herrick drew aside his cassockto show his weapons.

  Lemasle looked at him, measuring him with his eye from head to footand from shoulder to shoulder.

  "There would be a satisfaction in meeting you face to face and tryingstrength with you," he said. "For aught I know you may lack my skill,but I do not doubt your courage; and if your story be true we'll seewhat we can accomplish side by side to-morrow. You shall seem like aprisoner until then."

  So that night the key was again turned upon Roger Herrick.

  "For form's sake," Lemasle said by way of apology; "to the man who canescape from the South Tower in Vayenne there is no chamber in theChateau of Passey that can really be a prison."

  Did ever man find himself in stranger circumstances, Herrick wondered,as silence fell upon the chateau. A few hours since he had been freeto direct his steps whither he would, even to-day he might have riddentoward safety, and yet he was here a prisoner, pledged if need be todraw sword to-morrow in defence of a youth he had never seen, and agirl who had treated him with contempt. That he, a man of peace, whohad practised sword play merely as a healthy pastime, should draw inearnest, staking his own life against another's, was strange enough,yet this aspect of the case he hardly thought of; the reason for theaction was uppermost in his mind, not the action itself. Would he haveentered upon this perilous enterprise for any pale scholar in theworld? What was it to him who ruled in Vayenne? He knew it was becauseof the woman that his whole heart and soul were in this venture. Shehad looked into his eyes, and in that moment had entered into his lifeas no other woman had ever done. It was more than the spirit of theknight-errant which prompted him, and he knew it, even when he thusanswered Gaspard Lemasle. At some turning in Life's road, Fate waitsfor every man. Herrick had reached that turning, and had found hisfate in a beautiful woman who despised him. As he lay down to sleepher face seemed to watch him out of the darkness, and in his dreamsshe seemed to smile.

  The woman stood long at her window that night, looking across thesilent, moonlit land which lay below and stretched peacefully away tothe dim haziness of the horizon. She, too, had her dreams. Deep in herheart, dominating all the other impulses of her life, was the love ofthis fair land which lay at her feet. It had suffered invasion, bloodhad watered its fields, the wail of misery had been heard in it, butit had never been wholly conquered. If for a time the invader hadtriumphed, some strong hero had risen and brought salvation. Its dukesto-day were independent rulers. What did it matter if in certain waysthat rule was harsh? What did it matter if something were lacking intheir civilization and manners when compared with other countries andcourts she had visited? Was it not the very lack of certain luxurythat fostered a warlike spirit in the people? To-day the country wasin danger of civil strife, and that would be the opportunity itsenemies waited for. Christine believed that only in the succession ofthe rightful duke was real trouble to be averted. In some ways Mauricewas weak, she did not attempt to hide the fact from herself, but thelove of his country was in him; while to Count Felix, love of countryseemed second to his love of power. He was cruel, and had manyenemies, not least among them the Church, and it was easy to believethat s
uch a rule as his would be might drive the people to rebellionand to a petition for help from one or other of those states which,through the centuries, had looked upon Montvilliers with greedy eyes.To prevent this, should Felix become Duke, she was prepared to marryhim so that the people's love might be strengthened. Of herself shethought not at all, and little of the prisoner whose dreams shefilled. Had he come honestly to warn her, or was he but a unit in somegreat scheme against her hopes and ambitions? If he were an honestman, he was a brave one, but was he honest? This doubt was her lastthought before she slept.

  Morning came with a thin mist hanging over Passey and the low countryaround it, which the sun would scatter presently. There had been noiseand clatter in the court-yard from an early hour, for Captain Lemaslehad decided to start sooner than he had at first intended. But it wasa morning of mishaps, first one man and then another finding somethingwrong with his horse or its harness, now a shoe loose which the smithmust needs see to, or a saddle-girth which had worn to breaking-pointand must be repaired before a start was made. At first Gaspard Lemaslecursed these ill chances as he cursed some such small matter everyday, but presently he became suspicious, so piecemeal were thedifficulties sprung upon him, nor did they cease until close upon thehour originally arranged for the start. This was surely more than merecoincidence, and Lemasle determined not to bring Herrick into theircompany until the last moment. When Christine de Liancourt came fromthe chateau ready for the journey Lemasle made an opportunity to speakto her apart for a moment.

  "I fear, mademoiselle, that our friend brought us news which is onlytoo true," he said.

  "Our friend!"

  "Indeed, I believe he has earned the name," Lemasle answered. "As Itold you last night, I had intended to make an earlier start."

  "True, and have kept us waiting, captain."

  "So many little misfortunes have happened to delay us, that I cannotthink they have chanced honestly," he answered. "The men did notintend to move until the time first named. Have you told the Duke ofMonsieur Herrick's coming and his message?"

  "Herrick, is that his name? Yes; I have told him, and, if possible, heis more incredulous than I am," she answered. "This masquerader goeswith us--where is he?"

  "I have thought it best not to let him join us until the last moment,"said Lemasle. "Some of these fellows will grumble at having a priestin the company unless I mistake not. I pray, mademoiselle, that youwill let me set the order of this march in my own way, and that youwill pretend a regard for this same priest even if you do not feel it.I would have him beside me if the worst comes, as I fear it will."

  "So be it, Captain Lemasle; you are responsible for our safety. I willtell the Duke."

  "I shall do my best to bring you to Vayenne in safety," he said,saluting her.

  The word to mount was given, and then Lemasle waited with his armthrough his horse's bridle until the Duke and Christine were in theirsaddles, waited until they had bid farewell to old Viscount Dupre, whostood bareheaded upon the steps by the main door, and then he turnedsharply.

  "Where is this laggard priest?" he shouted.

  "What priest?" said one man.

  "We want none in our company," said another.

  "That's true, comrades," Lemasle returned, with a pretence ofgrumbling with them, but speaking loud enough for Christine to hear."Mademoiselle must needs carry a priest with us to Vayenne since wehave not enough there already."

  The sudden appearance of Herrick from an inner court-yard, mounted ona strong horse, prevented further words. His hood was drawn close overhis head, and just raising one hand in a benediction, to emphasize hisoffice, he rode to the side of Mademoiselle de Liancourt.

  At a sign from Lemasle, Christine rode forward, the Duke and Herrickon either side of her, then vaulting to his saddle he placed himselfat the head of the cavalcade, and followed them through the gates.

  The old Viscount cried feebly "Long live the Duke!" and the cry wastaken up by the few serving-men who were in the court-yard.

  "Long live the Duke!" cried Lemasle in stentorian tones, and thecompany of horseman shouted in so genuine a fashion that Christineglanced at Herrick to see if this burst of loyalty had any effectupon him. He did not meet her glance and was apparently unconscious ofit.

  Most of the villagers, men and women, had already gone to their dailywork in the fields, but the few who were in the streets also criedlong life to the Duke, and bowed before him as he passed.

  "It is a faint promise of what shall soon thunder out through thestreets of Vayenne," Christine said, turning to him.

  "It may be, yet my imagination does not seem to catch the sound ofit," he answered. "In Passey they have learned to love me, that is whythey shout, not because I am a Duke."

  Once free of the village the pace was quickened, but the same orderwas maintained. Christine rode between the Duke and Roger Herrick,some little distance behind them rode Lemasle alone, the body ofhorsemen riding as many paces in the rear. However grave hissuspicions might be, he showed nothing of it to his men.

  "I ride 'twixt Church and State, comrades--a perilous position," hesaid to them, and he laughed as a man will laugh in a tavern when thewine flows freely and ribaldry is in the jests. He feigned a carelessattitude that none might think him over-cautious.

  It was Christine who really set the pace, and some miles had beentraversed before the sun finally dispersed the mist. They went by thehighroad, not by the way Herrick had travelled, but neither horsemannor pedestrian had been met. There were few who had business withPassey, and the road was ever a lonely one. At first it ran a straightand direct course across low, flat country, where there was no placefor a lurking enemy to hide; then it wound round the foot of low hillsto avoid steep ascents, and here were scattered trees, andundergrowths which descended to the roadway. Here it was that Lemaslelessened the distance between himself and the three leaders; and hiseyes glanced sharply from side to side, while his ears were sharp setto catch any sound above the jingle of the harness of those who rodewith him. Had he trusted a single man of his company, he would havesent him in front, but there was none he dared to send, nor could hego himself, since he alone was between the Duke and his companions andthose whom Herrick had declared were traitors. If in truth the deathof the Duke had been determined upon, it might most easily come fromone of the traitors who rode behind him. Lemasle, indeed, feared hisown men more than the robbers who were to attack them.

  From underneath his hood, Roger Herrick's eyes kept sharp watch, too.The road dipped gently for half a mile or so, and then ran darkly intoa deep forest which stretched away on either hand. Herrick glancedback at Lemasle, and noted that he rode as one ready for emergency. Itwas evident that he was prepared to find danger lurking in the forest,and Herrick made sure that the revolver was ready to his hand and hissword loose in its scabbard.

  Christine saw that backward glance, and noted every movement of hercompanion.

  "Is this where you would have us believe danger lies?" she asked,turning to Herrick.

  "I know not, but it is a likely place," he answered. "It is well to beprepared."

  It was twilight in the forest, so closely were the branches lacedoverhead. Here and there a ray of sunlight struck downward into thegloomy aisles carpeted with the successive leaves of many winters,but it only served to make darker the distance beyond. Silencereigned, too, save for the jingling harness; even the sound of thehorses' hoofs was deadened almost to nothingness at times, so deep wasthe road in leaves in many places.

  Christine pulled in her horse to a walking pace. She had put herquestion to Herrick in a contemptuous tone. She meant him tounderstand that she did not trust his story, and yet her sudden actionseemed to indicate that she was not so incredulous as she appeared tobe.

  For some time they went forward in silence, and then, as though itwere at the end of a long tunnel, there was a patch of sunlight beforethem--not the end of the forest, but a wide clearing in its midst.When they were within a dozen yards of the opening, Her
rick suddenlymade his horse bound forward that he might be the first to come outinto that open space. He could not have explained why he did so. Hesaw no more indication of danger here than he had seen at any otherpoint of the journey, but an overmastering impulse seemed to compelhis action, even while he was conscious that it might be misconstruedby those he had promised to serve. He had just time to note thatseveral roads met at this clearing, when a bullet sang past his ear,cutting a piece of cloth from his hood. In an instant Christine turnedher horse sharply aside as though to throw herself before the Duke,while Lemasle with a great shout to his men charged into the open.

  "Forward!" he cried, for the clearing was now alive with men, some onhorse and some on foot; and then as the troopers thundered after him,he spurred his horse dexterously to one side and let them rush pasthim. The next moment he and Herrick were beside the Duke andChristine, while the robbers and the escort met in the centre of theclearing.

  "Be ready!" Lemasle whispered a moment later. "You were right,Herrick. These scoundrels only make a pretence of fighting, and theseare no robbers. This is rank treachery, and, by Heaven, some of themshall pay the price in full."

  No shots were fired; in such a _melee_ that would have been dangerousamong men who had no desire to harm one another, and never a blow wasstruck until he who was struck at was ready to parry it. Lemaslecursed underneath his breath, and Herrick waited, his naked sword inhis hand.

  "It is the Duke's life you defend," whispered a voice behind him.

  "I know, mademoiselle," he answered, without turning his head.

  "Ready!" shouted Lemasle.

  The troopers were beaten down, some sorely hurt to all seeming, whileothers fled into the woods. The robbers sprang forward toward the Dukeand his companions, yet still they did not fire.

  "Back, Christine--behind us!" the Duke cried. "We three may yet teachthese scoundrels a lesson." And he struck the first earnest blow thathad been dealt that day, and the foremost man who rushed upon themfell with scarce a groan.

  "How long have you turned a thief on the highway?" shouted Lemasle asa horseman came at him. "You looked more honest when I last saw you inyour soldiers' dress in the Castle of Vayenne than in this disguise,and, faith! I didn't love you even then."

  The joy of fighting was upon Gaspard Lemasle, and he laughed as hefuriously struck this man from his saddle.

  For one instant Herrick hesitated as the rush came. The first man whojumped at him to drag him from his horse, he struck at with his swordhilt, even as though his hand held no sword--struck, as an Englishmanwill strike, with his fist. For a moment there was a reluctance toshed blood, but only for a moment. Not far below the surface lies thefighting instinct in every man, the greedy lust for it, once the bloodis up. This first adversary fell back stunned, but would rise again;the next fell with his head nearly severed from his body. How long hestruck, now to right, now to left, hearing Lemasle's panting laugh ashe got breathless with his work, and answering with laughter just assavage, he did not know; but suddenly there was a cry behind him--acry, a shot, and an oath cut short in its utterance.

  Some of their enemies had crept round to take them in the rear. Oneman had fallen on his knee, taking deliberate aim at the Duke, andeven as his finger moved to pull the trigger, Christine saw him, andfired at him. The smoking revolver in her hand told the story.

  "A dash for it and we may yet win through," said Lemasle in a hoarsewhisper. "It's our one chance," and seizing Christine's bridle hespurred toward the road which lay opposite him.

  The Duke and Roger Herrick spurred forward too, but a moment later,and in that moment the robbers managed to cut them off.

  "The road to the right," Herrick whispered, wheeling his horse roundsharply.

  The man[oe]uvre was unexpected by the robbers, and Herrick and theDuke found the road clear before them, and dashed along it. Then ashot rang out, and the Duke's sword fell from his hand.

  "Are you hit, sir?" Herrick said.

  "Yes. It's nothing," but even as he spoke he swayed in his saddle.

  Herrick had caught his arm to hold him steady, when there was a secondshot and the Duke's horse stumbled.

  "Go on, and save yourself," Maurice said faintly.

  The sound of galloping horses was now on the road behind them, theDuke's horse stumbled again, nearly to its knees. It was evident thatit could go no farther. There was not a moment to lose. Slipping hisarm round the wounded man, Herrick drew him from his saddle, andmanaged to lift him in front of him onto his own.

  "We'll cheat them yet!" he cried as, in spite of its double burden,the good horse galloped forward.