"Yes, monseigneur; but may we count on your aid?"
"Doubtless, if this plan be approved by my brother and myself."
"We believe it will."
"Let me hear it, then."
The leaguers looked at each other, then Marteau advanced.
"Monseigneur," said he, "we think the success of our plan certain.
There are particular points where all the strength of the city lies--the great and the little Chatelet, the Hotel de Ville, the a.r.s.enal and the Louvre."
"It is true."
"All these are guarded, but could easily be surprised."
"I admit this also."
"The town itself, however, is defended outside, firstly, by the chevalier of the watch with his archers. We thought of seizing him in his house, which could be easily done, as it is a lonely place."
Mayenne shook his head. "However lonely," said he, "you cannot force a door and fire twenty shots without attracting attention."
"We have foreseen this objection, but one of the archers of the watch is on our side. In the middle of the night, two or three of us will go and knock at the door; the archer will open, and tell his chief that the king wishes to speak to him, which would not appear strange, as he is often sent for in this manner. Once the door is open, we will introduce ten men--sailors who lodge near--who will soon finish him."
"Murder him?"
"Yes, monseigneur. At the same time we will force the doors of the other functionaries who might take his place, such as M. d"O, M. de Chiverny, and M. le Procureur Laguesle. St. Bartholomew has taught us how to manage."
"This is all well, gentlemen; but you have not told me if you mean, at the same time, to force the doors of the Louvre--that strong and well-guarded fortress. Believe me, the king is not so easily taken as the chevalier of the watch."
"We have chosen four thousand men, who hate the king, for this undertaking."
"And you think that enough?"
"Doubtless; we shall be ten to one."
"Why, the Swiss are four thousand strong."
"Yes, but they are at Lagny, and that is eight leagues from Paris, and supposing they were to send for them, it would take two hours for the messenger to go on horseback, and eight for them to return on foot, so that they would just arrive in time to be stopped at the gates, and in a few hours we should be masters of Paris."
"Very good; but supposing all this accomplished, the watch disarmed, the authorities disappeared, and all obstacles removed, what do you mean to do?"
"Form a new government of honest people. As for ourselves, so long as our commerce is successful, and we have enough for our wives and children, we care for little else. Some among us might desire a command, and they should have it. We are not difficult to satisfy."
"I know you are all honest, and would not suffer a mixture in your ranks."
"No, no!" cried several voices.
"Now, M. Poulain," said the duke, "are there many idlers and bad people in the Ile de France?"
Nicholas Poulain, who had hitherto kept in the background, was now forced to advance. "Certainly, monseigneur, there are a great many," he replied.
"Could you guess at their number?"
"About four thousand thieves, three thousand or more beggars, and four or five hundred a.s.sa.s.sins."
"Well, there are at least eight thousand good-for-nothings; of what religion are they?"
Poulain laughed. "Of all, monseigneur; or, rather, of none; gold is their G.o.d, and blood their prophet."
"Yes; but their politics? Are they Valois, Leaguers, Navarrais, or what?"
"Robbers only."
"Monseigneur," said Cruce, "do not suppose that we mean to take these people for allies!"
"No, I do not suppose so; and that is what disturbs me."
"And why so, monseigneur?" they asked with surprise.
"Because as soon as there are no longer magistrates in Paris, as soon as there is no longer royalty, or public force, or anything to restrain them, they will begin to pillage your shops while you fight, and your houses while you occupy the Louvre. Sometimes they will join the Swiss against you, and sometimes you against the Swiss, so that they will always be the strongest."
"Diable!" cried the deputies, looking at each other.
"I think this is a question for grave consideration, gentlemen," said the duke. "I will think it over, and endeavor to find the means of overcoming the difficulty; your interests, before our own, has ever been our maxim."
The deputies gave a murmur of approbation.
"Now, gentlemen, permit a man who has traveled twenty-four leagues on horseback in forty-eight hours to seek a little sleep."
"We humbly take our leave, monseigneur," said Brigard; "what day shall you fix for our next meeting?"
"As soon as possible, gentlemen; to-morrow, or the day after. Au revoir."
No sooner had he disappeared than a door opened, and a woman rushed in.
"The d.u.c.h.esse!" they cried.
"Yes, gentlemen; who comes to save you from your embarra.s.sments. What the Hebrews could not do, Judith did; hope, then, gentlemen, for I also have my plan;" and she disappeared through the same door as her brother.
"Tudieu!" cried Bussy Leclerc; "I believe that is the man of the family."
"Oh!" murmured Nicholas Poulain, "I wish I were out of all this."
CHAPTER x.x.xII.