CHAPTER XV.
Under Watch and Ward.
As soon as breakfast ended my arms were bound again, and Francois tookhis departure, leaving me with Pillot, who could not conceal hisamusement at my plight.
"Pardon me, monsieur," said he laughing, "it is comical! You expectedto trap Francois, and behold, you are caught yourself!"
I tried to look at the rascal sternly, but the humour of the thingtickled me so, that I joined in the laugh myself. Truly I had gone outfor 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 gagwere placed in his mouth," and thinking, probably, of the incident atLa 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 tooccupy this apartment for more than a day or two."
"A day or two?" I thought my ears must have played me false. Noticingmy 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 cantell? We are all in the hands of Providence."
"True, my friend, but I am also in the hands of De Retz, which ishardly as pleasant. It seems that I have suddenly become a person ofsome 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 thinkingof personal enemies like M. Peleton and the Baron Maubranne. The Abbeand M. de Lalande will only use you for the good of the Cause; but Idistrust the others."
"The good of the Cause? You speak in riddles, my friend!"
"It is necessary, monsieur; as it is, I have spoken too much."
"But you will answer one other question? Why did that wretchedFrancois prowl about the Rue Crillon?"
Pillot burst into a peal of such merry laughter that I thought he wouldbe choked, and it was long before he could reply.
"Pardon me, monsieur," he exclaimed at length, "but really the joke wasexcellent. Francois acted the spy only when you were about; and simplyto attract your attention. He was the bait, and you--pardon theexpression--were the fish, though I, for one, did not expect to see youlanded so easily."
Pillot's explanation made the affair a trifle plainer, and showed howfoolishly I had acted. Instead of being a stupid dolt, this Francoiswas really a clever fellow, who had tricked me admirably. My cheeksburned as I saw what a dupe I had been. As a matter of fact, he couldhave slipped away at any moment, instead of which he had purposelylured me on. His hesitation at the corner of the _cul-de-sac_, hisapparent attempt to dash past me, his whining answers, all had theirpurpose, and, while I reckoned myself master of the situation, Pillotand the third man were creeping out of their hiding-places. Truly, Ihad myself been a stupid dolt!
Still there was one point which puzzled me, and I asked Pillot why thefellow waited so long before playing his trick.
"Francois obeys orders," he replied. "It would not have suited ourpurpose to have shut you up before last night."
This sounded mysterious, but Pillot would not enlighten me further, andalone I could make nothing of it. Except on one point, the dwarftalked freely enough, and was a very agreeable gaoler. A true child ofParis, he knew the city well, and having been mixed up in all sorts ofadventures, was able to relate numerous startling stories. The timepassed pleasantly enough till about eleven o'clock, when he went away,and his place was taken by the man called Pierre.
At first I was rather glad of the change, imagining this fellow mightbe more simple, as indeed he was; so simple, in fact, that he knewnothing. He was a short man with a massive head, thick neck, broadshoulders, and limbs like those of a gladiator. He sniffedcontemptuously at the pistols which Pillot had left, but handled a hugeiron-shod club lovingly, and on being spoken to, grunted like a pig.Sitting on the straw, he laid the club beside him, and, having cleareda space, produced a dice-box and dice, with which he played left handagainst right.
After watching this monotonous game for half-an-hour, and findingPierre absolutely deaf to my questions, I turned my face to the walland tried to think. Pillot's conversation had explained many things,but unfortunately it threw no light on the reason for my imprisonment.He had not denied that De Retz was the man behind the curtain, but whatwas it the Abbe wished me to do?
The more I puzzled the more mysterious the affair looked. I invented athousand reasons, all more or less fantastic and absurd, till my mindgrew wearied with thinking. Meanwhile, Pierre sat on his heap of strawcalmly playing his ridiculous game, calling out the numbers as the dicefell, but keenly alive to the slightest sound.
Thus miserably the afternoon wore away; the room grew dark; Pierrepacked up his dice, and, walking to the barred window, peered into thedarkness. I wondered whether Raoul or John Humphreys had called at myrooms, and if so, what they would think of my sudden disappearance.
Presently, I heard the sound of approaching footsteps; the door wasunfastened, and Pillot entered with a couple of candles stuck in brokenbottles, which only served to make the place more dreary than before.Then Francois followed with some supper, and after he and Pierre haddeparted, my gaoler did the honours of the table--or rather thefloor--like a generous host bent on pleasing his guest to the utmost.
He was rather excited, and talked so freely that I hoped to worm someinformation out of him, but the rascal guarded his tongue well, onlyletting fall a hint that we might take a long journey on the followingnight. Still I gathered from his air of mystery, and the importance hedisplayed, that the plot--whatever its nature--was rapidly ripening.
"Now, monsieur," he observed, when we had finished supper, "I shallleave you to the care of Francois. Remember my warning, and do notattempt to escape, because it is useless. If all goes well we shall beable to provide you with better accommodation in a day or two.Meanwhile, you have only to enjoy yourself, and to thank the kindfriends who are keeping you out of mischief."
Having finished this pretty speech he took his departure, the door wasfastened, and Francois began his watch for the night. Afraid, perhaps,of falling asleep, he stalked up and down the room, stoppingoccasionally beside my bed to hope that monsieur found himself well.Francois was more polished than Pierre, and certainly replied to myquestions. Only, whatever I asked, he answered, "I am truly sorry,monsieur, but I do not know."
The fellow might have been a talking bird that had been taught torepeat but one sentence. As a last effort I offered him a heavy bribefor his information, but he was too honest to betray his trust, or,which was just as probable, he had no wares of any marketable value.
I slept that night by fits and starts, but whether asleep or awake mymind was filled with omens of evil. What was happening in the outsideworld? Again and again I asked the question without finding any answer.
Spurred on by my fears, I began to dream of escape, but the adventurewas so absolutely impossible that I had to abandon the idea. My armswere tightly bound; Francois walked up and down, ever watchful andalert, carrying his half pike; outside the door lay Pierre with hishuge club, while Pillot was within call; and I had a suspicion that hewas not the least capable of my gaolers. No, it was evident that Imust wait till a more favourable opportunity presented itself.
I watched the earliest streaks of light streaming through the barredwindow, and, though it was summer time, I shivered with cold. The dawnbroadened, became morning; a few wandering sunbeams that had lost theirway came peeping through the bars and cheered me, though their stay wasbrief. Later, sounds of life arose outside; I heard Pierre's deeptones, followed by Pillot's milder ones, and presently the door wasopened.
>
Now, had my arms been free at this moment I would have made a dash forliberty, in spite of Pierre's club and Pillot's pistols, but, in thecircumstances, it was madness to think of such a venture; so I laystill. Francois by now was almost too sleepy to walk straight, andPillot, bright, fresh, alert as a bird, entered on the duties of gaoler.
The prisoner who feeds with his keeper is not likely to starve, and Icertainly cannot accuse my captors of being niggardly in the matter offood. On this particular morning Pillot was too agitated to eat; twicehe jumped up and walked to the window; indeed, but for my exertions,the breakfast would have been removed untasted. As it chanced, myappetite remained good, and, in view of the possible journey, I ate forboth.
Only once during the day did Pillot leave the room, and then his placewas taken by Pierre, who, in less than three minutes, was deep in hisusual game of throwing the dice, left hand against right. To do thevillain justice, however, he did not neglect his duty. His eyes wereupon me frequently, while at the slightest stir, he turned quick aslightning, one hand grasping his ponderous club.
Toward the middle of the afternoon Pillot returned, and kept me companyfor the remainder of the day. He was deeply excited, and as theevening approached began to bubble over. He would break off in themiddle of a sentence, and, running to the window, listen intently,holding up his hand meanwhile for silence. Francois, too, who came inonce or twice, seemed equally agitated, but Pierre, I have no doubt,was calmly playing, interested chiefly in the result of his game.Perhaps he did not understand why the others were so anxious, or whythey spoke to each other in low whispers!
As for me, I soon became as deeply interested as Pillot. Why did helisten at the window? Did he expect to hear some pre-arranged signal,or the rattle of the carriage which was to bear me away?
Once I nearly tricked him into betraying the secret. He had dispatchedFrancois on some errand, and was pacing the room restlessly, when Isaid at a venture, and in a careless tone, "So the grand coup is to bemade to-night?"
"This very evening, monsieur!" and he rubbed his hands briskly.
"It will cause an immense sensation?"
"A sensation? _Corbleu!_ There will be----" He checked himself,looked at me slily, and finished by saying, "Ah, yes, monsieur, perhapsso." Then he returned to the window to listen; so my attempt to catchhim by surprise had failed.
Another hour passed, Francois had returned, and the two stood talkingrapidly but in such low tones that I could not catch a word. To judgeby their gestures, Francois was the bearer of fresh news, but whethergood or evil I could not determine. It was, however, evidently ofconsiderable significance, and such as to astonish the dwarf.
This secrecy and show of excitement played on my nerves. I becamerestless and irritable, and chafed more and more at my confinement.Whatever was about to happen, I wished it was over and done with.
The evening wore on, it became dusk, in an hour or two night wouldfall; but still, as far as I was concerned, there was no change. Thetwo men maintained their position at the window; but they no longertalked; it seemed as if they could only wait. The silence becamepainful; there was not a sound in the half darkened room; I wondered ifmy gaolers had forgotten how to breathe. I rustled the straw: theyturned swiftly, and Pillot shook his head as if to reprove the action,but he did not speak.
Presently Francois said something in a low whisper to his companion,and the dwarf in a sort of hoarse scream cried, "Be still. It must benow, I tell you; it was all arranged this afternoon."
After this neither of them spoke, but both stood still and motionless,till suddenly there came to our ears the sounds of hurrying footstepsin the street. It was a relief to hear them, even if the runner hadnothing to do with me. They came nearer and nearer; the paceslackened; finally some one stopped beneath the window. Evidently thiswas the man for whom my captors watched. What news did he bring?Pillot himself could not have waited more anxiously than I did to hearthe tidings. I felt sure that in some mysterious way my fate hinged onthe words of this unknown messenger.
Very quietly I raised my head from the straw and listened with strainedears. No sound save the heavy breathing of its occupants broke thestillness of the room. At last I seemed likely to hear something whichwould afford a clue to the mystery; but here again I met withdisappointment. Only one word came from the man in the street, and Iwas scarcely wiser than before.
"Failed!" he said, and immediately began to whistle the air of apopular song, which probably conveyed some information to the dwarf.
Muttering savagely, Pillot ordered the messenger to bring the carriageround, and, turning to me, said more calmly, "Monsieur, the plot hasmiscarried, and you must leave Paris. I cannot explain further, butyou have no choice. Come with me quietly, or----" and he raised hispistol.
My head began to swim again. The plot had failed! What plot? Whathad I to do with it? Why should these people wish to carry me off?Afterwards, when the truth came out, the affair seemed simple, sosimple, that I was ready to laugh at my own stupidity. I tried toobtain some information, but Pillot stopped me promptly. I had neverseen him so thoroughly roused; he dug his nails viciously into thepalms of his hands; his eyes looked like those of a hunted animal.
"Quick! There is no time to argue. It is a case of life and death foryou and me, and perhaps for many besides. I wish you no harm,monsieur! I will save your life if you will let me."
"Set me free," said I, "and I will save my own."
"I cannot do that--for the sake of others."
Francois had disappeared, but Pierre was in the room, and he toyednervously with his club. I do not know how the dwarf would have acted,but there was no mistaking his companion's purpose.
"An end to this," he exclaimed. "Come, monsieur--or stay!" and heflourished his huge weapon threateningly.
"It is best, monsieur; it is really best," cried the dwarf. "Ah,_corbleu_, it is too late! Listen! There are the soldiers! Oh,monsieur, what can I do?"
"Bah!" said Pierre, raising his club, "it is his life or ours."
At that moment Francois, whose face was livid with fear and passion,burst into the room.
"Fly!" cried he, "fly, while you have the chance!"
"Is it the soldiers?" asked Pillot.
"No, worse! Conde's ragamuffins, and they are yelling for M. deLalande."
At these words I was speechless with amazement, but Pillot cried, "Thepeople? Conde's mob, did you say, Francois? Then there has beentreachery. This is Peleton's work; he wishes to find revenge andsafety at one time. Unbind the prisoner, Pierre. Quick, you dolt! Iam no murderer, as M. Peleton will find. Monsieur, I give you a chanceof your life let what will come of it. Francois, a sword! Here,monsieur, this way, and the saints preserve us!"
I was free and armed: the door was open; yet I had never stood so neardeath since my first coming to Paris. From the terrible uproar onewould have concluded that the inhabitants of every alley in the cityhad gathered outside. The street door was being smashed by heavyblows, and, as I ran out on the landing, a fierce mob swarmed up thestairs, screaming, yelling, and shouting for De Lalande.
There was no time to ask questions or even to think. Carried away bypassion, the people were thirsting for my blood, though why, I couldnot imagine. Was this a part of the plot too? What did it all mean?No one had ever called me a coward, but at that moment my limbstrembled, and perspiration oozed from every pore. The cries of the mobwere more awful than the roar of some savage beast.
"Quick!" cried Pillot, "it is an affair of seconds," and then everysound was drowned in a fierce shout of "Where is he? Death to theassassin! Kill them all!"
"No, no," exclaimed one voice, louder than the rest, "the others may behonest folk! Only one came in. I saw him! I shall know him! You cantell him by his gay dress!"
"That is Peleton, the scoundrel!" said Pillot "If you are killed now,he will be safe," and the dwarf hurried me along.
With bull-dog courage Pierre
and Francois stood at the head of thestairs, demanding to know why their house was invaded, and denying thatany one had recently entered.
"A lie! A lie!" shouted Peleton from lower down. "I chased him allthe way, and saw him enter here!"
"Stand aside," commanded a second man, "and let us search the house, orit will be the worse for you!"
Pierre and Francois were both sturdy fellows, but they could not haveheld the stairway long, and besides, why should they sacrifice theirlives for me?
From where we were the mob was out of sight, and we could not perceivewhat was going on, but it seemed as if they hesitated, when suddenlythe cry of "The soldiers" was raised. Then, making his final effort,Peleton urged the mob on with renewed shouts of "Kill the assassin!"
At the end of the passage three steps led down to a room, the door ofwhich was locked, but Pillot possessed the key. We could hear thecrowd rushing up the stairs and on to the landing; another moment andwe should be too late, but my companion, who had recovered from hisnervousness, succeeded in opening the door.
"The window!" he exclaimed, pushing me forward. "Quick! I will put upthe bars and follow."