My Sword's My Fortune Part 30

"Oh, ho, not so fast, my good fellow!" I cried, barring his path.

"Where are you going in such a hurry?"

"I have lost my way, monsieur," he answered in a whining voice.

"How strange! So have I! We may as well keep each other company.

Don't look like that, I am not going to hurt you."

"I feared monsieur meant to kill me," he whimpered.

"Bah! I only want a little information, which will be well paid for.

Are you willing to earn ten crowns?"

"Ten crowns, monsieur? Certainly."

"Then tell me what you do in the Rue Crillon and who pays you? Answer these questions and here are the ten crowns."

"And if not, monsieur?" said he, still whining like a beggar.

"If not it will be the worse for you. Quick, make your choice, I cannot stay here for ever."

It was the rascal's turn now to laugh, as some one, throwing a heavy mantle over my head, tripped me up violently.

"His sword, quick! Take it away! Tie his arms firmly; he is a mad bull for fighting. Now his pistols, Francois, you fat pig! Softly monsieur! Tap him on the head if he struggles. Are you ready, Pierre?

What a time! are your fingers in knots? Now, monsieur, your choice--will you come quietly or must we use force?"

I lay on the ground half dazed and only partly understanding the fellow's meaning, so, to awaken my interest he repeated his questions, pressing one of my own pistols to my head.

"Take that thing away," I said, "and help me to my feet. You have the upper hand at present."

Laughing mischievously, he withdrew the weapon, and his companions, pushing me upright, half led, half dragged me into one of the dilapidated houses. We ascended a flight of stairs, went along a narrow pa.s.sage, and so into a room which had been prepared for my reception.

At least, that was the conclusion I arrived at when two of the men having gone out, the third said, "Monsieur, there is a bed of straw in the corner, the door is bolted, the window barred, and I am going to keep watch inside all night, while Pierre and Francois relieve each other outside the door."

I could not see the speaker, as the room was in darkness, but his voice sounded familiar, and I tried, but in vain, to remember where I had heard it before. However, this did not matter, so I lay down on the straw, and wondered what the adventure meant.

Who were my gaolers, and what did they intend to do with me? Presently Maubranne's words flashed into my mind, and set me thinking that this might be a move in the plot at which the mysterious note hinted. Just how De Retz could make use of me I had not the faintest notion, but he was a clever schemer, and had, presumably, laid his plans carefully.

However, as no amount of speculation on this head would improve matters, I began to reflect on the best way of escape. My arms were tightly bound, the door was well secured, the window barred, and a gaoler, wide-awake and armed, sat between me and it. Altogether the prospect was far from cheering.

"Sleep will perhaps bring counsel," I muttered, and, turning on my side, I dozed off into a light, restless slumber.

With the coming of day I was able to make an inspection of my new abode. The room was small, dirty, out of repair, and dest.i.tute of furniture. In the corner opposite to mine was another heap of straw, and on it sat the man whom long ago I had gagged and bound in the chamber at La Boule d'Or, and who afterwards was my companion from Aunay to Paris. Perceiving that I recognised him, the rascal showed his teeth in a broad grin, and exclaimed, "The wheel has turned, monsieur! It seems that we have changed parts."

"And you are uppermost this time," I answered, striving to speak good-humouredly, for it is a bad plan to quarrel with one's gaoler.

Rising and taking a turn round the room, Pillot stood still at my side.

"Listen to me, monsieur," said he. "Some months ago I lost the game to you and you acted like a lad of honour. When your own life was in danger you remembered me, and I am still grateful. Now let me give you a friendly warning. Of course, you are planning to get away. Abandon the idea, as you cannot escape alive. There is an armed man beneath the window, while Pierre or Francois will knock you on the head without the least hesitation. We all have our orders."

"_Merci!_ It is just as well to know what one has to expect. Do the orders include starving your prisoner?"

"Here comes Francois in reply to the question; but you must pa.s.s your word not to take advantage if I unbind you."

After a moment's reflection I gave the required promise, upon which Pillot untied my arms, and then, opening the door, admitted Francois, who carried the food.

"Here is breakfast, monsieur," said the dwarf, making an elaborate bow.

"It is not as good as the supper we enjoyed together in the village inn, but Francois has not had much experience in the character of host.

Later on he will doubtless acquit himself better."

CHAPTER XV.

Under Watch and Ward.

As soon as breakfast ended my arms were bound again, and Francois took his departure, leaving me with Pillot, who could not conceal his amus.e.m.e.nt at my plight.

"Pardon me, monsieur," said he laughing, "it is comical! You expected to trap Francois, and behold, you are caught yourself!"

I tried to look at the rascal sternly, but the humour of the thing tickled me so, that I joined in the laugh myself. Truly I had gone out for wool, and should return shorn!

"Tell me," said I presently, "am I forbidden to ask questions?"

"Why, no! Indeed it would be impossible to stop monsieur, unless a gag were placed in his mouth," and thinking, probably, of the incident at La Boule d'Or, he showed his teeth in a broad grin.

"A truce to your mummery," I cried; "will you answer my questions?"

"I do not remember that monsieur has asked any?"

"Well, here is one. How long am I to be kept in this den?"

"It is impossible to say precisely, but monsieur will not continue to occupy this apartment for more than a day or two."

"A day or two?" I thought my ears must have played me false. Noticing my surprise, he added, "Monsieur will have done his part by that time."

"What will happen then?"

"Ah!" said he, shrugging his shoulders and raising his eyes, "who can tell? We are all in the hands of Providence."

"True, my friend, but I am also in the hands of De Retz, which is hardly as pleasant. It seems that I have suddenly become a person of some consequence!"

"Sufficiently important to have made many enemies, monsieur!"

"De Retz among them?"

"Chut! no; he would be pleased to call you his friend. I was thinking of personal enemies like M. Peleton and the Baron Maubranne. The Abbe and M. de Lalande will only use you for the good of the Cause; but I distrust the others."

"The good of the Cause? You speak in riddles, my friend!"