CHAPTER XI.
A Scheme that Went Amiss
Paris seemed much as usual. The streets were filled with noisy bandsof turbulent people, but there were fewer cries of "Down with Mazarin!"the mob contenting itself with cheering for Conde and De Retz, thoughseveral times I heard the Prince's name uttered with every sign ofanger and disapproval.
Fortunately my former rooms were still vacant, so, having stabled myhorse at the inn two doors below, I took possession, and soon had thesatisfaction of sitting down to an ample supper.
"Monsieur has been long away," remarked the landlord on coming toremove the things.
"I have been in the country for the benefit of my health," I repliedcarelessly. "Affairs have changed since I was here last."
"Ah, yes! The Cardinal has fled, and Conde will be master now. Thestupid Fronde is done with, monsieur, and we are all brothers together."
"And the Queen?" I asked curiously, "does she approve of all thesechanges?"
"She is delighted, monsieur. There will be no rough places or crookedpaths for her any more; the prince is so powerful that no one dares toattack her," and the honest fellow departed, smiling with pleasure atthe prospect of peace.
Early the next morning I walked across to the Palais Royal, wonderingwhat was best to be done, when, to my lively joy, I found that Bellocstill held a command there. I gave my name to the officer on duty, andwas immediately admitted to the old soldier's quarters. He was sittingin his room, looking harassed and worn, which rather surprised me,because as a rule nothing troubled him. He greeted me kindly, and aswe sat chatting I thought he was trying to make up his mind on someknotty point.
"Were you in the city last night?" he asked presently.
"Yes! The people are wild with delight at the idea of seeing Conde."
Casting an anxious glance round the room, he said in a low voice, "Comenearer, Albert, I am going to reveal a secret. First of all, thePrince is still in prison, and if all goes well this evening he willstay there. You are a brave lad, and honest, and I think you can helpme."
"I will do my best," said I, flushing with pleasure at his praise.
"The adventure is dangerous, and it worries me, not for myself but forothers. If it succeeds, the Cardinal will be stronger than ever; if itfails----" and he finished with a shrug of his shoulders.
"You may count on me."
"Yes, I am sure of it. Well, this is what we intend to do. At presentthe Queen has few friends in Paris, but the country will fight for theKing. Now, the plan is to smuggle them out of the city, when they willjoin the Cardinal, and take up arms for the freedom of the throne.Without Conde, the rest will be able to accomplish nothing."
"A good plan," said I, "and the sooner it is carried out the better."
"If all goes well, to-morrow morning will find us far away from Paris.Everything is ready, but I cannot trust the Queen's coachman. He is anhonest fellow enough, but timid, and likely to lose his head at thefirst sign of danger. Do you think you can drive the coach safely?"
"Let me choose my horses!"
"You can have the pick of the royal stables. But, mind you, Albert,this is no child's play. If the mob gets wind of the affair there willbe a terrible struggle. I shall not think the worse of you if youdecide to leave the business alone."
"I will undertake it, old friend, but you must supply me with acoachman's dress."
"That can be obtained easily; there are plenty for sale in the city,and I will send a trusty fellow to buy one which will fit you."
He left the room, hinting it would be better that I should not showmyself, and leaving me in a high state of excitement to ponder over thecoming venture. It was a risky one, but I was young and hot-headed,and did not fully realise the danger.
The old soldier returned about noon, bringing my fresh clothes withhim, and I put them on. Then he browned my face and hands with somecolouring matter, and I was transformed into a very fair specimen of acoachman.
"_Parbleu!_" cried he, rubbing his hands, "you will do famously. Now Iwill take you to the stables; choose your horses; have them ready, andbring them round to Mazarin's private entrance at six o'clockprecisely. You have your pistols? Right. I don't know about yoursword, but perhaps it will be useful. I will have it placed on theseat of the coach. First of all, though, you must have something toeat, and I will serve you myself; it is doubtful which of the servantscan be trusted."
During the meal he repeated his instructions, and it was plain that theterrible responsibility had made him extremely anxious.
"Mind," said he, as we rose at length to leave the room, "from thismoment your life is no longer your own. You must sacrifice it, if needbe, for the Queen."
"I am willing to do that, monsieur, though I hope there will be nooccasion."
Passing along the corridor, and descending a flight of steps, wereached a part of the palace which I had not visited before, and weremet by M. Corveau, who was really in command of the stables, thoughmost of the fees went to a much more distinguished person.
M. Belloc introduced us to each other, and with a last whispered wordof advice returned to his duties. I accompanied my new acquaintance tothe stables, and after some delay chose two animals for the work inhand.
"You evidently know something of horseflesh," said Corveau, smiling,"but these are rather difficult to drive; they are too spirited."
"They will make it the more awkward for any one who happens to get intheir way."
"True; but are you strong enough in the wrists to hold them?"
"I believe I can manage it."
"Well," he said, "I wish you good luck," but his tone clearly showedthat he did not expect it.
However, it was useless being alarmed; so, putting a bold face on thematter, I made friends with the horses, fed and watered them myself,and spent all the afternoon with them. A quarter before six I had themput to, and, mounting the box, drove the carriage--a private oneborrowed for the occasion--slowly round to the appointed place. Itstill wanted a few minutes to six when the bells of the city churchesclanged forth in thunderous peals, and, though ignorant of the cause, Ifelt somewhat alarmed.
"That will be awkward for our plan," I muttered. "There is a tumult ofsome sort going on, and the streets will be crowded. So much the worsefor us."
Five minutes passed, but no one had opened the door of the Palace;another five minutes slipped away and the animals were growingrestless, when suddenly Belloc himself appeared. One glance at hisface was sufficient to tell me that something had gone amiss.
"Get your weapons," he cried, "send the horses back to the stables, andcome inside."
As soon as I had joined him, he fastened the door, and led the wayupstairs.
"What has happened?" I asked, feeling strangely bewildered.
"Treachery," said he sternly; "we have been betrayed. Orleans hasseized the gates, and the streets are filled with a shouting mob.Change your dress quickly, we shall need every sword."
"But the mob will not dare----"
"_Peste!_ the mob will dare anything! De Retz has called the people toarms, and presently they will attack the Palace. Paris will swim inblood before morning."
"But De Retz will prevent the _canaille_ from going too far."
"Bah! you speak like a boy! Once they are roused, De Retz can no morehold them back than he can fondle a starving tigress without beingbitten. Make haste and come to me."
By the time I had cleansed the stain from my hands and face, andresumed my ordinary apparel, every one in the Palace was aware of theterrible danger. Trembling servants went about with white faces;high-born cavaliers lined the corridors leading to the royalapartments; officers silently posted their men; everything was madeready for a fierce struggle.
"No surrender!" was the cry from every fighting man. "Let us die wherewe stand."
Gradually the noise and tumult outside came nearer; we could hear thetramp of marching feet and the savage shouts of the populace clamouringto
see the King. Choosing the post of danger, M. Belloc had stationedhimself with a few trusty soldiers near the main entrance, where Ijoined him. The veteran was fuming with impatience; he only awaited anorder from the Palace to sally forth upon the advancing multitude.
"The King!" roared the excited mob; "where is the King? show us theKing!" and our leader glanced at me as if to say, "I told you the plothad been betrayed."
Meanwhile the Queen and her attendants, working hard, had restored thePalace to its usual appearance; Louis was in bed, sleeping soundly, andall traces of the intended flight had been removed.
Presently a note was brought from the Queen to Belloc, who, reading ithastily, told the messenger to inform her Majesty that her commandsshould be obeyed; then turning to us, he added that no one was to firea shot until he himself gave the signal.
"Her Majesty," he explained, "hopes no blood will be shed, but that themob having discovered its mistake will disperse quietly."
"A fig for the mob!" said a grim-looking trooper to a comrade; "let ourleader give the word and we will soon clear the courtyard."
"Here comes an officer," said another; "he is wearing the Orleanscolours. What does he want?"
"Bah!" cried a third trooper, who spoke with a strange accent, "thisisn't the way to quell a riot. My old master lost his head through notknowing how to deal with rebels. The block for the leaders and awhipping for the others would soon teach them their manners."
The words and the accent made me look at the speaker more closely. Hewas a young fellow with fair hair and blue eyes like D'Arcy, but he wasbuilt more stoutly and looked stronger altogether. His name, I learnedafterwards, was John Humphreys, and he was the son of an Englishgentleman who had lost his estates through fighting for his King,Charles I. At the moment, however, I could not think much of thisyoung exile, my attention being engrossed by the Orleanist officer, whorode across the courtyard towards us.
"Raoul!" I exclaimed to myself, and drew back into the shadow, notcaring that he should notice me. He did not seem very happy, andapproached our leader as if thoroughly ashamed of his errand.
"I am Captain of the Guard to the Duke of Orleans," he explained, "andam desired by the Duke to seek an audience with her Majesty theQueen-Mother."
"Are those your followers?" asked Belloc scornfully, pointing to thehowling mob outside.
Raoul returned no answer, but bit his lip deeply, while the othercontinued, "It is no fault of mine, M. Raoul Beauchamp, that you gainadmittance to the Palace. But for the Queen's orders I would gladlysend you back to your friends who make war so bravely--on a woman and aboy."
"Your speech is a trifle unjust, M. Belloc," said Raoul; "I am asoldier, and cannot question the commands of my chief. As to my ownfeelings--well that is another matter," and with a studied bow hepassed into the building.
Meanwhile the mob was increasing in numbers and violence every moment,and, as the soldiers had received orders not to fire, the courtyard wassoon filled with excited people who howled, and danced, and shouted forthe King to be produced. Two or three times I glanced anxiously atBelloc, wondering how much longer his patience would last.
"Open the doors," cried the foremost rioters; "we will enter and seefor ourselves where the King is."
"The King is in bed!" cried M. Belloc angrily.
"Ah! at St. Germain!" shouted a fellow dressed like a street hawker,but whose voice I recognised, "We are betrayed!"
It was very stupid to interfere, but I could not resist the chance.
"Ha! ha! friend Peleton, then for once you are on the wrong side!" Ilaughed. "Generally it is you who do the betraying."
The fellow rushed at me savagely, but the young Englishman drove himback, saying, "Down, dog! Keep with your kind! You are not wantedwith honest men."
"Peace!" cried M. Belloc angrily, for he saw, what I did not, that thecrowd was gradually working itself into a fit of passion.
Fortunately, just then the door was opened, and Raoul, coming outside,was immediately recognised as the messenger of the Duke of Orleans.
"The King!" they yelled; "Where is he?" "Have you seen him?" "Speakor we will pull the place down."
Raoul stood on the topmost step, and raised his hand for silence. Hisface was pale, but he looked very handsome, and was evidently not inthe least afraid.
"You have been deceived," he said. "The King is within the Palace. Ihave seen him; he is sound asleep. Go away quietly, or you will wakenhim."
They would probably have taken his advice but for Peleton, who criedlustily, "We are betrayed! How can we tell what is true, unless we seefor ourselves."
"Yes, yes," shouted the mob; "that is the best way; we will see theKing with our own eyes!"
Again Raoul raised his hand and spoke, telling them the King wasasleep; they would not be satisfied, but demanded loudly that theyshould be admitted to the Palace. The situation was growing critical;we stood, as it were, upon a mine, which a spark might explode at anymoment. M. Belloc's face was pale but determined; his brows wereknitted; he gazed at the mob with angry scorn.
"Give us the word, sir," said the young Englishman, "and we willscatter them like chaff!"
This, I knew well, was mere reckless bravery; we were but a handfulcompared with the multitude, and would quickly have been lost in thehuman sea. Still, I liked the speaker none the less for his daring,and more than one trooper grimly growled approval.
Raoul was white now, and the perspiration stood in beads on hisforehead. At first I did not understand why he should be afraid, buthis hurried words to our leader made the reason plain.
"Unless something is done quickly," he exclaimed, "there will be afrightful tragedy. I will write a note to the Duke, and you shall sendit by a private way. He is the only man who can induce these people todisperse."
"He, or De Retz," said Belloc with a sneer.
I had never seen the old warrior so angry. He was playing a part forwhich he had no liking. It was not in his nature to stand quietly bywhile his sovereign was insulted; his fingers strayed nervously towardsthe hilt of his sword; he would have leaped for joy had his Queen senthim permission to charge headlong at the rabble. But he realised, aswe did, that the safety of the Royal Family depended more on tact thanon brute courage, and he had just agreed to Raoul's proposal when anote was handed him from the Palace.
"_Parbleu!_" he exclaimed savagely, having mastered its contents, "thisgoes against the grain, but the Queen's commands must be obeyed. Hereis an order, monsieur, to admit a part of the _canaille_ into thePalace! Perhaps, monsieur, you will select the sturdiest of yourruffians for the honour."
Raoul did not resent the insult, though his face burned like fire, butfacing the angry people he spoke to them boldly.
"Citizens," cried he, in a clear ringing voice, "I have a message foryou from Her Majesty. I have told you the King is in bed and asleep,but you are not satisfied. That you may be quite sure, theQueen-Mother desires that a deputation shall visit the royalapartments. Will you be content with the report of your own friends?"
"Yes, yes," shouted the mob; "let us see the King!"
"One word more," continued Raoul sternly, when the hubbub had subsided."I am, as you are aware, for the Duke of Orleans, and he, mind you, isloyal to the crown."
"So are we! _Vive le roi!_"
"And I will run my sword through the first man who insults theQueen-Mother by word or look."
I was proud of Raoul at that moment, and Belloc gripped his hand,saying heartily, "Forgive my rough words, Beauchamp; you are made ofthe right stuff after all!"
Directly the door was opened the mob pressed forward, and I calledmockingly to Peleton to come inside the Palace, but that worthy, havingfinished his work, slunk away.
To relieve the pressure other doors were opened, and soon we had amotley throng of carters, hawkers, and shopkeepers, waiting to be ledto the King's room. At a sign from Belloc I accompanied them, and forthe first time Raoul perceived me. He dared not sp
eak just then, buthis face showed how completely he detested his errand.
After a short delay the procession was marshalled into something likeorder, and I must say, in justice to our uninvited visitors, that, nowtheir point was gained, no one could grumble with their behaviour.They walked softly, and spoke in whispers, and as we approached theroyal apartments every man bared his head. The soldiers were out ofsight, and the Queen-Mother was attended only by the ladies of herhousehold. The Lady Anne's face betrayed no sign of fear. From hermanner one would have thought she was receiving a deputation from thecrowned heads of Europe.
The King, as Raoul had declared, was in bed, and sleeping so soundlythat the tumult and confusion failed to awaken him. Very softly themen stole past on tip-toe, and, as they gazed at the handsome boy, morethan one grimy unkempt fellow murmured, "God bless him!"
All danger was at an end, the raging tigers who had stormed in thecourtyard were changed into lambs, and the only cry to reach thesoldiers on guard at the gates was, "_Vive le roi!_" As soon as thelast man had departed, the doors of the Palace were securely fastened,and then M. Belloc despatched me by a private way to discover what washappening in the city. In order to avoid undue attention I threw aplain cloak over my gaudy apparel, but there was no danger. A fewhired agitators endeavoured to stir up the tumult afresh, but the menwho had beheld the sleeping King would not give them hearing.
"The Duke has been deceived," shouted one burly ruffian. "I have beento the Palace and seen the King asleep. The Queen does not wish toleave Paris, I tell you!"
In this, of course, he was wrong, but his words had effect, and the mobat that point breaking up dispersed to their homes. For two hours Iroamed about, and then, finding the streets rapidly clearing, returnedto the Palais Royal with the assurance that, for the time at least, DeRetz and his friends had failed.
"Had I my way," exclaimed Belloc wrathfully, "both De Retz and Orleansshould find lodgings in the Bastille. However, we have done our best,and must wait events. This night's work means that Conde must be setat liberty. A plague on it!"
"Then we may bid a long adieu to the Cardinal!"
"Don't be so sure of that, my boy. Mazarin may have a fall or two, buthe generally wins at the finish. And now, go to my room and rest; wewill have a further talk in the morning."