CHAPTER XVIII.
The Fight on the Staircase.
About seven o'clock in the evening John Humphreys, who was just offduty, joined me, and shortly afterwards Raoul arrived.
"No news?" cried the latter, noticing my gloomy looks. "Well, there isno need to despair. I have so arranged that Peleton will find itdifficult to slip through the gates, and I have heard something of yourcousin. Young D'Arcy met him last evening in the Rue de Roi."
"Then he has taken up his old quarters in La Boule d'Or and hiddenPeleton there!" I exclaimed; but Raoul shook his head.
"Conde's troopers have searched the house by now, and no doubt a watchis set. Still, we might walk that way."
"Have you told Armand the story?"
"Yes, he can be trusted; and he has a host of acquaintances."
"Very well, let us go down to the Rue de Roi;" then, turning toHumphreys, I remarked, "we may have need of our swords to-night."
We had only just turned the corner of the street, when Raoul exclaimed,"Why, there is D'Arcy! Armand, here is an old friend who will be gladto see you."
"De Lalande! So they have let you out of the Bastille? Conde made amistake. He should have kept you behind the bars till the trouble isat an end. You will soon be running into fresh mischief. Where areyou going now?"
"On a voyage of discovery," said Raoul. "Will you come?"
"Gladly! The times are out of joint, and I have nothing to do."
I introduced him to Humphreys, and we went on together to the Rue deRoi. Leaving us at the corner, to watch, Raoul crossed the road andboldly entered the famous inn. The street was crowded with people,and, lest some chance passer-by might recognise me, I muffled my face,and leaned against the wall, while Armand and John Humphreys stood ashort distance off.
Raoul was absent a long time, and we began to fidget, but presently hecame out and made his way toward us.
"We are on a false scent," he said; "our quarry has not been there,though Henri has. Conde's troopers have searched the house twice inthree days, and the landlord is quite indignant. But I believe therascal knows something about Peleton."
Armand was on the point of answering when I caught sight of a figurewhich induced me to draw my companions back where they would not benoticed. It was Pillot in a tremendous hurry. He had been runningfast: his hair and face were wet with perspiration; he was breathingirregularly, and kept glancing over his shoulder as if expecting todiscover an enemy. Stopping outside the inn, he looked anxiously upthe street, was apparently reassured, and then darted like an eel upthe side entrance.
"The Abbe's man," said D'Arcy; "the poor fellow our friend here halfmurdered."
Raoul became excited. "A messenger either to or from Henri deLalande!" he exclaimed, and was about to dart across the road when Ipulled him back roughly, saying, "Be still! You will spoil everything.Let us stay here and follow when he returns."
"Good advice!" agreed D'Arcy. "We may learn something. Hola! What anuproar! Something serious the matter one would imagine. Here comesD'Artagnan with his musketeers! The fellow rides as if Paris belongsto him. See how he sweeps the _canaille_ out of his path!"
"The crowd is closing up," said Humphreys, "and the musketeers willhave hard work to force a way. Ah! there's one fellow down.D'Artagnan is a fine rider. See how he manages his horse! He wouldhave done good work in our ranks at Naseby. And a sworder, too!There's a stroke!"
"Smother him!" laughed D'Arcy; "we shall have the rabble here in aminute. Be quiet, my dear fellow; I warrant D'Artagnan is no betterfencer than yourself."
"Hang D'Artagnan!" cried Raoul excitedly. "Look, there goes the littleman."
"And a man in a gray cloak behind him! Is that Peleton?"
"No," said I, "it is my cousin. Quick, let us follow and see wherethey go."
While the squabble progressed in the narrow street, and the air wasfilled with threats and cries of terror, while steel rang againststeel, and from more than one quarter came the sounds of firing, we ranswiftly in the wake of my cousin and his henchman. Pillot surprised usby the rapidity of his movements. Though so short of stature he ran ata tremendous pace, and had the man in the gray cloak been able to keeppace with him, we must soon have been thrown off. As it was, we keptthe second of the fugitives well in view; and so the chase continuedalmost without a stop, save when Pillot halted from motives of prudence.
The noise of the strife behind us died away; we were in a labyrinth ofnarrow streets, and had need of caution, though Humphreys suggestedovertaking my cousin, and forcing him at the point of the sword tospeak.
"No, no," I exclaimed, panting, "that will never do. A fight herewould bring the people out in hundreds. Besides, my cousin is nocoward, and we should obtain nothing from him by force."
So we ran on, maintaining the interval between us and the gray mantle,till at length Pillot stopped for his master, while Armand d'Arcy,plucking my sleeve, whispered, "Do you know where we are?"
"Yes," I answered quietly, "I recognise the street. Higher up on theother side is the house of Martin the astrologer. We shall discoversomething now. Unless I am very greatly mistaken we are close toPeleton's hiding-place."
"Your cousin is an artful rascal, Albert. Just notice howunconcernedly he walks along. No one would imagine he was in anydanger. Ah! They are crossing the road! _Corbleu!_ you wereright--they are going to Martin's."
"Follow me one at a time, and without making a sound," I said, softly."Keep close to the wall, and well out of sight. What an old fox Martinis! I thought Mazarin had taught him a lesson."
Hiding in a doorway below the astrologer's house we awaited events. Itwas evident that Pillot had not fetched his master for nothing, andRaoul, who stood next to me, whispered, "They have scented danger ofsome sort, either to Henri or to Peleton."
"Peleton is shut up in that house somewhere, take my word for it," Ianswered quietly. "Look!"
Drawing a whistle from beneath his mantle, Henri blew sharply, andalmost immediately the window was thrown up. We could not hear theconversation, but presently the man inside closed the window, and a fewminutes later the door was opened. Then Henri said something in awhisper to Pillot and entered. The little man waited till his masterhad disappeared, gave a last glance at the house, and turned, as wesupposed, to come down the street.
"Let him pass," whispered Raoul, "then spring on him from behind andclap a mantle over his head. We must not let him call for help."
"Be as gentle as possible; he is a plucky fellow, and I am a long wayin his debt. Don't forget that he saved my life."
To our surprise, however, Pillot did not get farther than the nexthouse, when he stopped, and began to unlock the door. This unexpectedmanoeuvre held us in amazement, but Raoul, who had no intention to bethus baulked of his prey, acted promptly. Bounding from hishiding-place, he reached the door almost at one leap, and his handsclosed like a vice round Pillot's neck. The next instant we were allin the passage, and D'Arcy closed the door.
"Now," exclaimed Raoul, loosening his grip, "if you raise your voiceyou are a dead man. Do you understand?"
"'Tredame!" spluttered the dwarf, rubbing his neck, "monsieur explainshimself well. He speaks to the point and leaves no room for mistakes.But perhaps monsieur will tell me the reason for this unexpected visit.My poor house is not often honoured by such company!"
"The wheel has turned again, Pillot; nothing more," I laughed. "Wewant to see M. Peleton, who is a very dear friend of ours."
"Is it you, monsieur? It would have been better for us had I left youto Maubranne's mercy. As to M. Peleton, how should I know anything ofhim? He disappeared after that affair with Conde."
"Be sensible, Pillot, the game is against you. We are four; you areone, and in our power. Accept your defeat like a man, and wait tillthe wheel brings you on top again. Peleton is in this house or thenext, and we intend to find him. Come, there is no time to waste."
"Monsieur is so pressing o
ne cannot refuse him," said he, and led theway along the passage, with Raoul's pistol at his head by way ofreminder.
"We must have a light," D'Arcy declared; "there is no fun in visitingour friends in the dark."
"There is a lighted candle in the room on our left," remarked Pillot,and, with Raoul still guarding him, he went to fetch it.
We were now at the bottom of the stairs, and I suggested that Armandand Humphreys should stay there as a kind of rear-guard.
"A good plan!" said Raoul. "Should this fellow attempt to escape runyour sword through him. Now, my man, lead on, and remember you willpay dearly for mistakes."
I had rarely known my comrade so firm, so energetic and determined:this was a phase of his character not often shown. Pillot shrugged hisshoulders carelessly and led the way. Up we went through the silenthouse, past many empty rooms, till our guide came to a halt on thetopmost storey.
"Our dear Peleton likes to be high up," said he with a grin; "it is soquiet and pleasant. By this time most likely he has gone to bed; hekeeps good hours. Perhaps monsieur will unlock the door while I holdthe candle," and he handed Raoul a key.
Stooping down, my comrade endeavoured to insert the key, but there wasevidently something amiss.
"Monsieur has not the knack," said Pillot. "Shall I try?"
"I believe you have given me the wrong key, you rascal."
"Oh, surely not, monsieur! I could not have been so stupid. Let mesee it. No, it is the proper key, monsieur. See," and taking the keyfrom Raoul, he asked him to hold the light.
In passing from one to the other the candle by some means dropped tothe ground and the light was extinguished, leaving us in darkness.
"Do not move, monsieur; it is close to your foot. Now I have it! Ah,you have kicked it away. What a misfortune!"
We could hear the rascal groping about for a time; then all was still,and he made no reply to our calling. Raoul was furious, and threatenedto kill the fellow, when he caught him, a clause very needful to add.
"He has tricked us!" said Raoul, searching for the candle, though withsmall hope of finding it.
To my astonishment, for I thought Pillot too sharp to leave it behind,the candle lay unbroken not a yard from my feet, and a light soonshowed that our guide had disappeared. It was very annoying to beduped in this way, but I could not help laughing at Pillot's craftiness.
"He won't try to get past Armand and Humphreys," said Raoul; "he willhide away in one of the empty rooms."
Suddenly some words spoken by Mazarin months before came into my mind,and I began to rail at my folly.
"Raoul," I cried, "unless we get Peleton out quickly it will be toolate. There is a means of communication between the two houses, andPillot has gone for assistance."
"Peleton isn't likely to be in here," growled Raoul.
"Why not? Pillot would have given you the right key if the room wasempty. Anyway we will find out," and taking a run I dashed myselfagainst the door.
Raoul followed, and then we went at it together. Once, twice, thrice.The last time it showed signs of yielding--presently with a crash itburst open.
"Come on," I cried, seizing the candle which I had placed uprightagainst the wall. "Can you see anyone?"
"No," answered Raoul, "but there is a bed in the corner. Bring thecandle."
We ran across the room quickly, and there, fully dressed, but with hisarms bound, lay Peleton. His face was ghastly white, and he shook withfear.
"Get up," I cried sharply--there was no leisure for ceremony--"do youhear?"
"What do you want with me?" he whined, for, with all his bluster, thefellow had no more pluck than a pigeon.
"To carry you to Conde--dead or alive--you can take your choice. Ifyou listen to my advice, you will come peaceably. I will go first,Raoul; you come behind and keep a sharp eye on our friend."
"And I will use a sharp sword if he doesn't mind himself," said Raoul.
Now I shall always believe that as soon as his first fright had passed,Peleton was rather pleased than otherwise to accompany us. Hisinformation would be worth much to Conde, and I have no doubt heexpected to drive a very good bargain. He did not attempt the leastresistance, nor did he endeavour to lag behind as I hurried him fromthe room.
We had reached the head of the stairs when I drew a sharp breath, andRaoul uttered a cry of anger. The scene was lit up by the flare oftorches, and Pillot's shrill laugh came floating up to us. At the samemoment we heard Henri's mocking voice, and there, sword in hand, stoodmy cousin, barring our path. Below him were several brawny ruffians,bearing pikes and clubs, and, last of all, Pillot, who shouted withgood-humoured banter, "Aha! the wheel has turned again, monsieur!"
Henri affected to treat the matter as a joke, saying, "Chut! Albert,did you not know Peleton was my guest? I cannot allow him to leave atthis hour! The night air is not good for him. Return to your room, M.Peleton, my cousin will accept your excuses."
"A truce to this farce," I cried. "Will you let us pass peacefully?"
"Certainly. You can come down, but I cannot part with M. Peleton justyet. I enjoy his society too much."
"We shall not leave without Peleton," I cried.
"Then you will not go at all. I am sorry, there is no help for it."
He kept his temper admirably, but none the less I felt that if we wereto get past, it would be by force of arms, so, raising my voice, Icalled to Armand and Humphreys who were still keeping guard at the footof the stairs. In an instant they came bounding up, and Henri, politeto the last, exclaimed, "As you will, cousin, but remember I am not toblame."
The next instant we were in the thick of the fight. By the accident ofposition Raoul was opposed to Henri; Pillot, with three companions,disputed the way with our friends below, while three others rushedfiercely at me. One, advancing too hurriedly, ran himself on the pointof my sword, but the others pressed their assault so savagely that Ihad much ado to preserve my head from being battered in.
Once during the melee my foot slipped, and I was brought to my knees.A short, thick-set man, whom I dimly recognised as Pierre, stood overme with his club raised for striking. I saw him swing the weapon roundso as to deliver a sturdier blow, when, with a howl of pain he let theclub fall.
"Jump up, De Lalande! Where's our man? Ah, there he is! Get himbetween us and we will make a rush for it."
The speaker was John Humphreys, who had gallantly fought his way to myside, and was now keeping a clear space with his sword. Peleton stoodjust above us, shivering with fear, and I must admit that his positionwas far from pleasant. His arms were still bound, so that he could notward off a blow, and one brawny ruffian was making desperate efforts toreach him.
Suddenly there arose a terrible cry, sending a thrill of fear to ourhearts. The staircase was on fire! Armand called to us to descendquickly; Pillot screamed to his master. My assailants, thoroughlycowed, beat a hasty retreat, Raoul and Henri alone, undisturbed by thecries, continued the deadly fight.
"Run, Humphreys," I cried, "and do not let this fellow slip away whenhe reaches the bottom."
The Englishman nodded, and dashed off, while I turned to Peleton.
"Come," I said, "or you will be burned to death," but he stood like astatue. He seemed numbed by fear and unable to move a step, until Ishook him roughly. Then he roused himself and let me lead him.
As we came abreast of my cousin, I saw him fall, wounded, but could notgo to his help. Peleton's nerves had broken down, and without me tolean on he must have stumbled. The flames took a firmer hold, the heatbecame intense, the smoke was suffocating. I called Raoul by name; heanswered cheerily, bidding me not to lose Peleton.
One man, quickly followed by a second, sprang past me and hurried tothe top of the staircase. It was Pillot with a trusty comrade, and thedwarf, recognising me, shouted some directions, which, unfortunately, Ifailed to understand. The smoke filled my nostrils, I began tosuffocate, but staggered on blindly, dragging Peleton with me.
Belowus the stairs had begun to burn--soon they would fall with a crash.
And where was Raoul? Why was my gallant friend not by my side? HadPillot slain his master's enemy in the confusion? I endeavoured tocall again, but only a dull, choking sound came from my throat. Thehorror of the situation gave me superhuman strength. I dragged Peletonfrom step to step, caring nothing for smoke or flames; if the firescorched my feet I felt no pain.
Suddenly two figures sprang toward me; they were Armand and JohnHumphreys, and together we hurried Peleton into one of the lower roomswhich the flames had not reached.
"Attend to him," I cried, "don't let him escape," and ran swiftly tothe staircase, but Armand was as quick as I, and as I mounted the firststep he pulled me back.
"Where are you going?" he demanded, and his tone was stern andperemptory.
"To seek for Raoul. Quick, let me go, or I shall be too late."
In reply he tightened his hold on my arm, exclaiming, "It is utterlyuseless, Albert, the staircase will be down in a few seconds, you willonly throw your life away."
I begged and prayed him to release me, but he clung the morestrenuously for my appeals, till at last I struggled like a madman toget loose. The steadfast fellow, however, kept his grip, and I couldnot fling him off.
In the very midst of the struggle came the sound of a terrific crash,and a broad tongue of flame leaped up to the roof of the building.Then Armand freed my arms; against my will he had saved me from aterrible death--the staircase had fallen in bodily.
"Poor Raoul!" exclaimed my companion sorrowfully, but the lump in mythroat prevented me from making any reply. I could only stand andstare at the burning debris which formed the funeral pile of my gallantcomrade.