"In a moment, Pantin," cut in dame Annette"s voice, and the good woman came up to me with a flagon of warmed wine in her hand.
"Take this first, chevalier, "tis Maitre Pantin"s nightcap; but I do not think he will need it this night. G.o.d be thanked you have come back safe."
I wrung her hand, and drained the wine at a draught, and then, with Pantin ahead holding his lantern aloft, we ascended the stair that led to my apartments. As we went up I asked Jacques--
"Did you manage the business?"
"Yes, monsieur, and Marie and her father are both safe at Auriac. I rode back almost without drawing rein, and reached here but this afternoon; and then, monsieur, I heard what had happened, and gave you up for lost."
At this juncture we reached the small landing near the sitting-room I had occupied, and Pantin without further ceremony flung open the door, and announced me by name. I stepped in with some surprise, the others crowding after me, and at the first glance recognised, to my astonishment, de Belin, who had half risen from his seat, his hand on his sword-hilt, as the door was flung open; and in the other figure, seated in an armchair, and staring moodily into the fire, saw Palin, who, however, made no movement beyond turning his head and looking coldly at me. Not so Belin, for he sprang forwards to meet me in his impulsive way, calling out--
"_Arnidieu!_ You are back! Palin, take heart, man! He would never have come back alone."
The last words. .h.i.t me like a blow, and my confusion was increased by the demeanour of Palin, who gave no sign of recognition; and there I stood in the midst of them, fumbling with the hilt of my sword, and facing the still, motionless figure before me, the light of the candles falling on the stern, drawn features of the Huguenot.
My forehead grew hot with shame and anger, as I looked from one to another, and then, like a criminal before a judge, I faced the old man and told him exactly what had happened--all except one thing; that I kept back. At the mention of Ravaillac"s name, and of his ident.i.ty with the Capuchin, the Vicompte de Belin swore bitterly under his moustache; and but for that exclamation my story was heard in stillness to its bitter end. For a moment one might have heard a pin fall, and then Palin said, "And you left her--there!" The dry contempt of his manner stung me; but I could say nothing, save mutter--
"I did what I could."
"The one ewe-lamb of the fold--the last and the best beloved," he said, as if speaking to himself; and then in a sudden fury he sprang to his feet. "But why do we stand prating here? There are five of us, and we know where she is--come."
But Belin put his hand on his shoulder. "Patience, Maitre Palin--patience."
"I have had enough of patience and enough of trusting others," and the Huguenot shook off his hand and looked at me with a scowl. "Come, Monsieur d"Auriac; if you would make amends, lead me to this Toison d"Or and we will see what an old arm can do."
"I am ready," I answered.
But Belin again interfered.
"Messieurs, this is madness. From what I have gathered d"Auriac will prove but a blind guide back. We are not, moreover, sure that Madame is there. Sit still here, you Palin; neither you nor d"Auriac are fit to think. Fore Gad! it was lucky I thought of this for our meeting-place tonight, Palin. Sit still and let me think."
"I can think well enough," I cut in, "and I have my plan; but I should like to ask a question or two before I speak."
"And these questions are?"
"I presume I am suspected of this abduction?"
"And of more. _Nom de dieu!_ Man! your mare was found dead, and beside her one of the Marshal"s guards, run through the heart," answered de Belin.
"Then of course if I am seen I am in danger?"
"A miracle only could save you. The King is enraged beyond measure, and swears he will let the Edict go in its full force against you. The Camarguer has made a fine story of it, saying how he tried to stop the abduction, but failed in the attempt."
"In short, then, it would ruin all chances if we adopt Maitre Palin"s suggestion?"
"You are saving me the trouble of thinking."
"Again," I went on, "it is not certain if Madame is still at the Toison d"Or, and apart from that I doubt if I could find my way back there to-night, unless anyone could guide me," and I looked at the Pantins, who shook their heads sorrowfully.
"This settles our going out to-night," I went on; "there is but one thing to do to-morrow--to find the house. It will be easy to discover if Madame is within. After that I propose a rescue by the ordinary means of the law."
"Would it not be as simple to have recourse to Villeroi the first thing to-morrow?" asked Belin.
"Simple enough; but the law has its delays, and if once the house is raided and Madame is not there we may whistle for our prize."
"But the wheel?" put in Pantin.
"Will break Babette, who will not know. M. de Gomeron is no fool to trust her more than the length of his hand. No--I will leave nothing to chance. I propose then to seek out the house tomorrow, with Pantin"s help, if he will give it."
"Most willingly," put in the notary.
"Thanks, my good friend. That we will find it I am certain, and then we can act. In the meantime I must ask you by all means in your power to get the search of the law after me delayed."
"Then M. de Villeroi must hear some certain news to-morrow," said Annette.
"There speaks a woman"s wit," exclaimed Belin; "well, after all, perhaps your plan is the best."
"And in this search of to-morrow I will share," Palin suddenly exclaimed. But my heart was sore against him for what he had said.
"Pardon me, Maitre Palin; this is my right--I do this alone."
"Your right," he sneered.
"Yes, Maitre Palin, my right; I go to rescue my promised wife."
"And besides, Monsieur le Chevalier will want no help, for I am here,"
Jacques must needs thrust in; "and when Monsieur is married," he blundered on, "we will rebuild Auriac, mount a brace of bombards on the keep, and erect a new gallows for ill-doers."
"Silence, sir!" I thundered, half beside myself at the idiot"s folly, for I saw the gleam in the eyes of Pantin and his wife, and despite the gravity of the occasion de Belin had hard to do to repress an open laugh.
As for Palin, he said nothing for a moment, his features twitching nervously. At last he turned to me, "It is what I have hoped and prayed for," he said, holding out his hand; "forgive me--I take back the words so hastily spoken--it is an old man who seeks your pardon."
I took his hand in all frankness, and he embraced me as a son, and then in a while Belin said--
"We must be up and doing early to-morrow, and d"Auriac is in need of rest. He will share my bed here to-night; and harkee, Pantin! rouse us with the dawn."
We then parted, the Pantins showing the Huguenot to his chamber, and Jacques but waiting for a moment or so to help me off with my dripping things. My valises were still lying in the room, and I was thus enabled to get the change of apparel I so much needed.
When at last we were abed I found it impossible to sleep, and Belin was at first equally wakeful. For this I was thankful, as I began to grow despondent, and felt that after all I had lost the game utterly.
But the Vicompte"s courage never faltered, and in spite of myself I began to be cheered by his hopefulness. He explained to me fully how it came that he was at the Rue des Deux Mondes. He wished to discuss with Palin some means for discovering me, and as the Huguenot, fearing to return to the Rue Varenne after what had happened, and yet was unwilling to leave Paris, had sought Pantin"s home, de Belin had determined to pa.s.s the night here to consult with him, giving out to his people that he had gone on a business to Monceaux.
"I will see Sully the first thing to-morrow," he said, as we discussed our plans, "and if I mistake not it is more than Madame we will find at the Toison d"Or. Be of good cheer, d"Auriac, your lady will come to no harm. The Camarguer is playing too great a game to kill a goose that is likely to lay him golden eggs. I"m afraid though he has spoilt a greater game for his master."
"How do you mean?" I asked, interested in spite of myself.
"Only this, that unless you are extremely unfortunate I regard the rescue of Madame de Bidache as certain. I am as certain that this will lead to the arrest of de Gomeron and his confederates. They will taste the wheel, and that makes loose tongues, and it may lead to details concerning M. de Biron that we sadly need."
"It seems to me that the wheel is perilously near to me as well."