The Cavalier of the Apocalypse

14

  Saturday, 14 January

  A messenger arrived with a letter for Derville in the middle of the morning. Derville cracked the seal, glanced through its contents, and cocked an eyebrow. "It's for you, actually."

  "Me?" said Aristide. "From Brasseur?"

  "No, from Sophie Saint-Landry. She's asking me to forward this on to you, since she doesn't know your address." He tossed a second sealed letter, which had been enclosed inside the first, over to Aristide. He opened it to find a note in a neat feminine hand.

  Dear M. Ravel,

  You asked us yesterday about the visits that M. de Beaupr?au paid my brother, and their conversation. Something has occurred to me, which I hope will be of some use to you. Would it be possible for us to meet in the garden of the Luxembourg, by the central fountain, today at noon?

  I remain your servant,

  S. Saint-Landry.

  "I have to go out shortly," Aristide said, hoping he did not look too pleased. Whatever Sophie had to tell him could have just as easily been written down in her letter. And the Luxembourg palace gardens, with their trees, lawns, and formal flowerbeds, were an agreeable spot, even in winter, for courting couples to meet under the watchful eyes of mothers and chaperones. "Could Renauld give me a shave before I leave?"

  "Want to look your best, do you?" Derville said, eyeing him.