The Chevalier d'Auriac

  CHAPTER VIII

  MONSIEUR DE PREAULX

  I kept off the road as far as possible to avoid being tracked. Even ifno further attempt to follow me was made to-night, which wasuncertain, as de Gomeron was not the man to let the barest chance slipthrough his fingers, yet there was no doubt as to what would happen onthe morrow. I congratulated myself on having crippled the last of thesleuthhounds, as my gentlemen would be placed thereby in a difficultyin regard to my route, and if they scoured the country in twos andthrees, I felt confident of being able, with Jacques' aid, to give agood account of myself did we meet, despite my bruised leg, whichreminded me of itself unpleasantly.

  As I patted Couronne's neck I thought of Nicholas, and with the memoryof him the face of Marie came up. I felt myself in a measureresponsible for his death, and was resolved to weigh out in full toMarie the payment I had promised them both. It was a debt I woulddischarge to the end of the measure.

  A sense of relief came to my mind with this resolve, and, as Rouvrescould not be far distant, I slackened pace to let the horses breathe atrifle, and began to hastily plan my future course of action onreaching Paris. I had not only discovered what was evidently a deepand widely-spread plot, but had also stumbled on the dreadful secretof the death of the woman who was to be Queen of France in name, asshe was in reality. It was certain that she had been foully murdered.It was certain that the King's most trusted captain and many of hisgreatest nobles were hilt-deep in treachery--so much I knew. I hadseen with mine own eyes, and heard with mine own ears, but beyond thisI had no proofs--and what would my word weigh against theirs! Besidesthis there was my own trouble. D'Ayen's mocking warning was explicitenough when read with Palin's confidence, and any doubt I may have hadon that point was almost set at rest by what I had overheard. Inshort, I was the rival of the King, and felt my head very loose uponmy neck.

  What was I to do? It was no easy matter to decide; but I came to theconclusion that my best course was to seek out the all-powerful Sully,tell him what I knew, and beg the help of that great man. I did notknow him, except by repute; but my case was strong and my cause good.I would delay not a moment about this on reaching Paris; but it wasRouvres I had to come to first, and many a league lay for reflectionbetween me and the Louvre.

  So I jogged on, not quite certain of my way, and every now and againmaking a cast to find the road, for by riding parallel with it I knewI must reach my destination. Once, however, I lost myself for about anhour, and, on finding the road again, resolved to keep to it for theremainder of my journey, as the moon was rapidly waning, and thatdarkness which touches the edge of the morning was at hand.

  At last I heard the Lauds chime solemnly out into the night, and in afew minutes pulled up the weary beasts before the gates of Rouvres.Here I found a difficulty I might have anticipated. The gates wereshut, and the unpleasant prospect of a dreary wait of some hours laybefore me. This was not to be borne, and I raised a clamour that mighthave awakened the dead. It had the desired effect of rousing the watchat the gate; a wicket was opened, the light of a lanthorn flashedthrough, and a gruff voice bade me begone.

  'Open,' I roared, 'open in the King's name.'

  '_Pardieu!_ Monsieur, the gates are kept shut in the King's name, andhis Majesty does not like his subjects' rest being disturbed,'answered another voice, and from its tone and inflection I guessed itwas that of an officer.

  'In that case, monsieur,' I said, 'let me in so that we may both go toour beds, and a thousand apologies for disturbing you. My servant isalready at the _Grand Cerf_, and one man cannot take Rouvres.'

  'Then you are that M. de Preaulx of the Anjoumois, whose lackeyJacques Bisson arrived last night--for it is morning now?'

  'You keep good watch, monsieur--who else should I be?' I said, with aninward 'thank heaven' at the accident that had discovered to me my newname.

  There was no reply for a moment, though I heard some one laughing, andthe rays of the light were cast to the right and to the left of me tosee that I was really alone. Finally orders were given for myadmission. The gates went open with a creaking, and I was withinRouvres.

  As I rode in I stopped to thank the officer for his courtesy, and thelight being very clear, he observed my condition, and exclaimed,'_Diable!_ But you have ridden far, monsieur, and with a led horsetoo!'

  'I ride in the King's name, monsieur,' I replied a little coldly, and,thanking him once more, was seized with an inspiration, and begged thefavour of his company at dinner at the _Grand Cerf_.

  'With pleasure, monsieur. Permit me to introduce myself. I am theChevalier d'Aubusson, lieutenant of M. de Sancy's company ofordonnance.'

  I raised my hat in response; 'His Majesty has no braver word than M.de Sancy. At twelve then, monsieur, I shall have the pleasure ofmeeting you again; good night, or rather good morning!'

  'Adieu!' he answered, 'I will be punctual. The _Grand Cerf_ is but acouple of hundred toises to your right.'

  As I rode up the narrow and ill-paved street I heard d'Aubussonwhistling a catch as he turned into the guard-room, and congratulatedmyself on my stratagem and the luck that had befriended it. I knewenough of court intrigue to be aware that de Sancy and the Marshalwere at each other's throats, and that I could therefore always getprotection here by declaring myself against Biron. Then came a shortturn to the right, and Monsieur de Preaulx of the Anjoumois was at thedoor of the _Grand Cerf_. It opened to my knock, and Jacques, faithfulknave, was in waiting. After this there followed the usual littledelay and bustle consequent on a new arrival.

  As I dismounted Jacques whispered in my ear, 'You are M. de Preaulx ofSaumur in the Anjoumois, monsieur.'

  'So M. d'Aubusson tells me,' I replied in the same tone, and thenlouder, 'but you might have made a mess of it, Jacques--however, youmeant well, and I owe you five crowns for your good intentions. Nowcall mine host, and tell him to show me to my rooms whilst you see tothe horses.'

  Mine host was already there, in slippered feet, with a long candle inone hand and a cup of warmed Romanee in the other. He led the way withmany bows, and I limped after him to a room which was large andcomfortable enough.

  'Here is some mulled Romanee for monsieur le baron,' he said, as hehanded me the goblet; 'his lordship the count will observe that thebest room has been kept for him, and later on I will have the pleasureof setting the finest dinner in France before the most noble marquis;good night, monseigneur, good night and good dreams,' and he totteredoff, leaving me to drink the mulled wine, which was superb, and tosleep the sleep of the utterly weary.

  It was late when I awoke and found Jacques in my room, attending to mythings. The rest had done my leg good, although it was still stiff,and the wearing of a long boot painful. As I finished my toilet Iasked my man,

  'Horses ready?'

  'They will be by the time Monsieur has dined. I shall put the valiseson the nag we got at Evreux for you.'

  'Right. _Morbleu!_ I hear M. d'Aubusson below. It is very late.'

  'It has just gone the dinner hour.'

  I hurried downstairs, leaving Jacques to pack, and was only just intime to receive my guest.

  'A hundred pardons, monsieur; but I overslept myself.'

  ''Tis a sleepy place,' he answered, 'there is nothing to do but tosleep.'

  'Surely there is something to love.'

  'Not a decent ankle under a petticoat.'

  'At any rate we can eat. Come, sit you down. My ride has made mehungry as a wolf, and I have far to go.'

  The dinner was excellent, the Armagnac of the finest vintage, andd'Aubusson to all appearances a gay frank-hearted fellow, and webecame very friendly as the wine cup passed.

  'Tell me what induced M. de Sancy to quarter his company here?' Iasked towards the close of the meal, as the lieutenant was cursing hisluck at being stationed at Rouvres.

  He burst out laughing; 'Oh! M. de Sancy has a government and fivethousand livres a year to maintain his company, and being a pious s
oulhas enlisted all the saints, and keeps them as far as possible fromthe temptations of Paris.'

  'Enlisted the saints!'

  'Yes--this Armagnac is excellent--yes, the saints. Our gentlemen areall from heaven--there is St. Andre, St. Vincent, St. Martin, St.Blaise, St. Loy, St. Pol, and half the calendar besides!'

  'Ha! ha! the heavenly host.'

  'Oh! I am proud, I assure you. I command the company from Paradise.'

  'Or the gendarmes of the Kyrielle.'

  '_Noel_! _Noel!_' he called out gaily, and as he did so we heard aclatter of hoofs in the courtyard, and a few moments afterwards thelandlord ushered in two gentlemen. It took me but a glance torecognise in one the Italian Zamet, and in the other the ChevalierLafin. It cost me an effort to compose myself, so much was I startled;but I comforted myself with the assurance that I was unknown to them,and that an arrest would be no easy matter with Sancy's company athand. Beyond bowing to us, however, as they passed, they took nofurther notice of me for the present, and contented themselves withordering some wine, and conversing in low tones at the table at whichthey sat.

  Nevertheless, it was a piece of ill luck. These men were evidentlyback on their way to Paris, and by coming through Rouvres had stumbledupon me in such a manner as to hold me at serious disadvantage. My oneconsolation was that Zamet did not look like a fighting man, and asfor the other, there was an equal chance for each of us; but I had noidea what their force might be outside. It turned out that it was verysmall, and it was owing to this that the incident I am about todescribe ended so peacefully. A look or two in our direction appearedto indicate that the new arrivals were discussing us, and my doubtswere soon set at rest by a lackey entering and holding a briefwhispered talk with Zamet. He dismissed the man quietly, and thenbending forward said something to Lafin, and both, rising, approachedus.

  'Monsieur will pardon me,' said Zamet, addressing me with his lispingItalian accent, 'but I understand that you entered Rouvres late lastnight.'

  'Yes,' I answered, whilst d'Aubusson raised his eyebrows and leanedback in his chair, twirling his moustache.

  'Then would you be so kind as to inform me, if you came by the roadfrom Anet, whether you met a wounded horseman riding this way?'

  'Before I answer any questions, will you be good enough to tell me whoyou are, gentlemen?'

  'I am Zamet, Comptroller of the King's household,' replied theItalian.

  'And I the Chevalier de Lafin, nephew and heir to the Vidame deChartres.'

  'I see no reason to reply to your question, messieurs, even if you arethe persons you name.'

  Zamet smiled slightly, with a meaning look towards Lafin, who burstout:

  'Have a care, monsieur, remember I follow the Marshal duc de Biron.'

  'Of Burgundy and La Bresse,' I added with a sneer, rising from myseat, my hand on my sword hilt.

  'It is he,' exclaimed the Italian, and Lafin, who saw my movement,stepped back half a pace, not from fear, but to gain room to draw hisweapon.

  'My dear lieutenant,' and I turned to d'Aubusson, 'you complain thatthis is a dull place. We shall now have some relaxation. Thesegentlemen want a question answered, and I say certainly--I suggest thegarden as a suitable place for our conference. Will you do me thefavour to look on?'

  'That will be slower than ever for me. If you will allow me to joinyou?'

  'Delighted. You are my guest, and it will make us exactly two to two.Now, gentlemen,' I will answer your question on the lawn.' Whilst wewere speaking, some hurried words passed between Lafin and Zamet, andas I turned to them with my invitation the Italian answered:

  'There was no offence meant, monsieur. We had business with the manfrom Anet,' he looked hard at me as he spoke, 'and at present we havenot leisure to attend to you. We will, therefore, not intrude on youfurther. We but stay for a glass of wine, and then press onwards.'

  'Hum!' exclaimed d'Aubusson, surveying him from head to bootheel, andthen turning an equally contemptuous look at Lafin, 'you are verydisobliging gentlemen.'

  'This is not to be borne,' burst out Lafin. 'Come, sir----'

  But Zamet again interposed.

  '_Diavolo!_ Chevalier, your courage is known. We will settle withthese gentlemen another day--you forget. Will you risk all now? 'Hiscompanion put back his half-drawn sword with a curse and a snap, and,turning on his heel, went to the other end of the room, followed byZamet. There they drank their wine and departed, and an hour later Ialso started. D'Aubusson insisted on accompanying me part of the waywith a couple of his saints, and, as we approached the Paris gate, weobserved a man riding slowly, a little ahead of us. 'I recognise thegrey,' said Jacques, coming to my side. 'Monsieur, that is one of thethree servants the two gentlemen who have gone before had with them.'

  This small force accounted, as I have said, for the moderation Zamethad shown; but it flashed upon me that the lackey had been left behindfor no other purpose than that of observing our route. Even if I waswrong in this surmise it was well to be prudent, and turning tod'Aubusson I said:

  'Monsieur, I wish to be frank with you. It is true that I am bearingnews to Paris which will be of the greatest service to the King; butmy name is not de Preaulx.'

  'I know that,' he said quietly, 'I am of the Anjoumois, and there isno such name there.'

  'And you did not arrest me?'

  'Why the devil should I? The land is at peace, and I have beenMonsieur "I-Don't-Know-What" before now myself. Besides, you were inmy hands at the _Grand Cerf_. You are in my hands now. But I wanted toknow more, and when I saw that you were an object of M. Zamet'sattentions I knew you were on our side.'

  'Exactly so, and I owe you much for this. There is another favour Iwould ask.'

  'And it is?'

  'That you stop the man riding ahead of us until this evening.'

  'As it will annoy Zamet, I shall do so with pleasure. I had half amind to stop the shoemaker himself.'

  With this allusion to Zamet's ignoble origin he turned and gave ashort order to his men. As we came up to the gate the man before usslackened pace so as to let us pass, with the obvious intention, so Ithought, of following me at his convenience. He had hardly pulled reinwhen the two saints closed in, one on each side of him, and in a tricehe was in their hands. He protested violently, as might have beenexpected, but in vain, and we waited until he was well out of sight onhis way to the guard-room.

  At the gate we asked which way Zamet and his party had gone.

  'By Tacoignieres, messieurs,' answered the sentinel.

  'Then my way is by Septeuil,' I said. 'I owe you a long debt, M.d'Aubusson, and will repay. We shall meet again.'

  '_Pardieu!_ I hope so--and you dine with me at More's.'

  'Or where you will--adieu.'

  'A good journey.'

  And with a parting wave of my hand I turned Couronne's head, andgalloped off, followed by Jacques.