""In the first place," replied he "there has been no shot fired, and besides, there is no mark of a bullet on your clothes."
""Then," I replied, "it must be my brother who is killed."
""Ah, indeed," he replied, "that is a different thing." I opened my coat and I found a mark, only at first it was quite red and not blue as I showed you just now.
"For an instant I was tempted to return to Sullacaro, feeling so upset both mentally and bodily, but I thought of my mother, who did not expect me before supper time, and I should be obliged to give her a reason for my return, and I had no reason to give.
"On the other hand, I did not wish to announce my brother"s death to her until I was absolutely certain of it. So I continued my way, and returned home about six o"clock in the evening.
"My poor mother received me as usual. She evidently had no suspicion that anything was wrong.
"Immediately after supper, I went upstairs, and as I pa.s.sed through the corridor the wind blew my candle out.
"I was going downstairs to get a light when, pa.s.sing my brother"s room, I noticed a gleam within.
"I thought that Griffo had been there and left a lamp burning.
"I pushed open the door; I saw a taper burning near my brother"s bed, and on the bed my brother lay extended, naked and bleeding.
"I remained for an instant, I confess, motionless with terror, then I approached.
"I touched the body, he was already dead.
"He had received a ball through the body, which had struck in the same place where I had felt the blow, and some drops of blood were still falling from the wound.
"It was evident to me that my brother had been shot.
"I fell on my knees, and leaning my head against the bed, I prayed fervently.
"When I opened my eyes again the room was in total darkness, the taper had been extinguished, the vision had disappeared.
"I felt all over the bed, it was empty.
"Now I believe I am as brave as most people, but when I tottered out of that room I declare to you my hair was standing on end and the perspiration pouring from my forehead.
"I went downstairs for another candle. My mother noticed me, and uttered a cry of surprise.
""What is the matter with you," she said, "and why are you so pale?"
""There is nothing the matter," I replied, as I returned upstairs.
"This time the candle was not extinguished. I looked into my brother"s room; it was empty.
"The taper had completely disappeared, nor was there any trace of the body on the bed.
"On the ground was my first candle, which I now relighted.
"Notwithstanding this absence of proof, I had seen enough to be convinced that at ten minutes past nine that morning my brother had been killed. I went to bed in a very agitated frame of mind.
"As you may imagine, I did not sleep very well, but at length fatigue conquered my agitation and I got a little rest.
"Then all the circ.u.mstances came before me in the form of a dream. I saw the scene as it had pa.s.sed. I saw the man who had killed him. I heard his name. He is called M. de Chateau Renaud."
"Alas! that is all too true," I replied; "but what have you come to Paris for?"
"I have come to kill the man who has killed my brother."
"To kill him?"
"Oh, you may rest a.s.sured, not in the Corsican fashion from behind a wall or through a hedge, but in the French manner, with white gloves on, a frilled shirt, and white cuffs."
"And does Madame de Franchi know you have come to Paris with this intention?"
"She does."
"And she has let you come?"
"She kissed me, and said, "Go." My mother is a true Corsican."
"And so you came."
"Here I am."
"But your brother would not wish to be avenged were he alive."
"Well, then," replied Lucien, smiling bitterly, "he must have changed his mind since he died."
At this moment the valet entered, carrying the supper tray.
Lucien ate like a man without a care in the world.
After supper I showed him to his room. He thanked me, shook me by the hand, and wished me good-night.
Next morning he came into my room as soon as the servant told him I was up.
"Will you accompany me to Vincennes?" he said. "If you are engaged I will go alone."
"Alone!" I replied. "How will you be able to find the spot?"
"Oh, I shall easily recognize it. Do you not remember that I saw it in my dream?"
I was curious to know how far he was correct in this. "Very well," I said, "I will go with you."
"Get ready, then, while I write to Giordano. You will let Victor take the note for me, will you not?"
"He is at your disposal."
"Thank you."