CHAPTER XIX.
I Lose all Trace of Henri.
By this time the flames had attracted a number of people, who ran fromall directions to gaze at the spectacle. Armand brought me back to mysenses by saying, "We must make sure of Peleton, Albert, or he willescape."
"Humphreys will guard him while you fetch a coach," I said, "then drivehim straight to Conde."
"And you?"
"I shall stay here till--till----"
"I understand. We will escort this fellow to the Hotel de Conde, andthen return."
My passion had exhausted itself by now; I could only stand bewailingthe loss of my trusty friend. Meanwhile the crowd increased; soldiersappeared on the scene; men dashed buckets of water on the fire; someseized burning pieces of wood and flung them into the street where theycould do no more mischief.
I toiled with the rest, and gradually we got the flames under, butthere was no sign of Raoul's body. One man we found was quite dead,and no one recognised him. What had become of the others? Some haddashed down the stairway in front of me, but I had left Raoul andHenri, Pillot and his companion, nearly at the top. Where were they,if not buried beneath the smouldering debris of the fallen staircase?
Presently a roar of excitement came from the people behind me, andglancing towards the astrologer's house I beheld a man, hatless,bleeding, and scorched by the hungry flames, rush into the street.
A hubbub of voices at once arose.
"Bravo, monsieur!"
"That's one who was in the house!"
"He has saved one man's life!"
"See, his face is cut!"
At sight of him my heart for a moment stood still; then I called aloud"Raoul!" and, scattering the people right and left, ran, frantic withjoy, toward the friend I had never again expected to meet alive.
"Raoul!" I cried, "Raoul! Where have you been? I thought you were inthe burning house!"
"There was your cousin to save," he answered simply, flushing like agirl.
"You risked your life to save his?"
"Pshaw! I could not leave him to die like a rat. Then Pillot camewith one of his fellows and we carried him through the secret passageinto the next house."
"Is he seriously hurt?"
"I am afraid so; though Pillot calls his wound a scratch. But what ofPeleton? Has he escaped?"
"No! He is safe in the Hotel de Conde by now. D'Arcy and Humphreystook him there in a coach. But come, let us get away from this crowd,and visit the surgeon in the Rue Pierre. It is quite time your woundswere attended to."
"It is scarcely worth the trouble; I can have that done at theLuxembourg."
However, I managed to persuade him, and the surgeon, a man whom I hadmet more than once at the Palais Royal, bathed his wounds, applied someointment, and lent him a hat. He was a wise man and asked noquestions, though no doubt he learned in the morning all that he wishedto know.
Leaving the house we walked to the end of the street, when Raoulstopped, saying, "You had better not go any farther with me; Conde willbe expecting you."
"To-morrow will do," I replied, and we were still discussing the pointwhen Armand and the Englishman suddenly made their appearance.
I need not describe their joyful surprise on perceiving Raoul, whomboth believed to be dead. John Humphreys did not make a great displayof his feelings--he rarely did--but Armand clapped Raoul on theshoulder and executed a lively dance.
"Where is Peleton?" I asked, when he had sobered down.
"In the Bastille by now, I expect. Conde is delighted; he will learnall about the plot within twenty-four hours. I never saw such a cowardas Peleton!"
"The fellow isn't worth powder!" exclaimed Humphreys in disgust.
"Anyhow there is an end to De Retz's scheming," I remarked cheerfully,but Raoul shook his head.
"The Abbe can take care of himself," said he; "you will find thatPeleton has no proof against him. It is your cousin who will suffer."
"I thought Henri was killed on the staircase'" cried Armand.
"No, he was wounded, but we managed to convey him along a secretpassage, of which Pillot knew, into Martin's house. He is a boldrascal! I shall feel quite sorry if he falls into Conde's clutches.Did the prince question you, Armand?"
"No, he was too much occupied with Peleton, but he intends sending forAlbert in a day or two. You will be wearing his livery soon, myfriend!" said he, turning to me.
"Not likely!" I replied laughing. "Remember I am still a _Mazarin_!"
Humphreys and I accompanied our friends some distance on their way, andthen turned off in the direction of the Palais Royal. We did not talkmuch, for I was tired and sleepy, but I thanked the Englishman for thegallant part he had played in Peleton's capture. Indeed, without hisassistance I question if the adventure would have ended so successfully.
Remembering Armand's remarks, I remained in the house the whole of thenext day, in case Conde should send a message; but it was not until thethird evening after the fight that one of his gentlemen appeared with arequest that I would go immediately to the Hotel de Conde. The princereceived me graciously, and, indeed, he displayed a very winning mannerwhen it suited his purpose.
"Well, M. de Lalande," he exclaimed, "you have kept your promise, andMonsieur Peleton is occupying your old cell in the Bastille. Do youknow, I fancy he is rather pleased at leaving his late quarters?"
"I can well believe that, your Highness! He does not like being on thelosing side. But I hope he has made it quite plain that I had nothingto do with the conspiracy?"
"He has told me everything in his power. By the way, De Lalande, thatcousin of yours must be a very daring fellow!"
"My cousin Henri, your Highness?" said I, with a start of surprise.
"Yes, the man who carried the plot through! De Retz has an ablelieutenant in him. Oh, come, do not look so astonished. You must haveguessed the truth, and now there is no need for concealment. Peleton'sevidence is sufficient to bring your cousin's head to the block. But Ibear him no ill-will, and he can still save himself."
"How, your Highness?"
"You are a clever lad," said the prince, "and honest, as far as honestygoes in these days. You are from the country, I believe?"
"Yes, your Highness," I answered, really surprised now.
"And have enjoyed many a good day's fishing, I warrant? Ah, I see youhave. Have you ever gone out with the determination to hook oneparticularly big fish?"
"Why, yes," I replied, laughing, and quite at my ease. "I remember anold trout, a regular monster, that I could never catch, though I triedoften enough. He was a wily fellow and would not take the bait."
"But you landed others?"
"A good many, your Highness, though they did not make up for the one Imissed."
"Then you can understand my feelings, De Lalande. I have been anglinga long time for a very wily fish, but I cannot get him on my hook; andthe lesser ones are not worth catching. They are useful only as bait."
Now I began to perceive the prince's drift. The big fish was, ofcourse, De Retz, who so skilfully avoided capture; Peleton only rankedas one of the smaller fry.
After a time, Conde, who had been watching my face closely, spoke moreplainly.
"M. de Lalande," he began, "I am going to ask you a question. Will youtake service with me?"
"You do me great honour, your Highness, but it is impossible. I havepledged my word to Cardinal Mazarin."
"His power is gone."
"Which seems to me all the more reason why I should stand by him, yourHighness. A fallen man has the most need of friends."
"And obtains few. However, I will not attempt to persuade you, butthere is one matter in which it may suit your interest to serve us.Would you like to see your cousin led out to execution?"
"By no means, your Highness! He played me a nasty trick, 'tis true,but I am sure he had no hand in Maubranne's scheme."
"Very well. I will speak plainly to you. This Peleton has told me all
he knows. His confession is sufficient to bring your cousin to theblock, but it is not enough for my purpose. It strikes at the secondman and leaves the first untouched. Now, I would much prefer that itshould be the other way, and in this you can assist me."
"I will enter into no schemes to entrap my cousin, your Highness."
"No, no!" answered the prince pettishly; "you mistake my meaning. Iwant you to go to him from me, privately. Make him aware that Peletonhas confessed and his own head is in danger. Do you understand?"
"So far, your Highness."
"The rest is simple. He can save his life if he chooses, by adding toPeleton's confession. If he will not do this he must take theconsequences."
"Your Highness has made a mistake," I answered coldly. "Henri deLalande is not another Peleton. He will not purchase his life on theseterms."
Conde laughed and exclaimed, "At least you can offer him the chance.Find out where he is hiding and deliver my message. Then he can pleasehimself."
Although feeling sure that Henri would refuse to avail himself ofConde's offer, I allowed myself to be persuaded, and, before leavingthe house, agreed to report to my cousin what the prince had said.
I soon discovered that the promise was easier to make than to fulfil.Henri had vanished, and on all hands I heard rumour of his death. Sosteady and persistent was the report that even Marie and her aunt, onwhom I called the next day, believed it.
"It is quite true," Madame Coutance declared. "De Retz has offered upprayers for the repose of his soul, which he would hardly venture to doif he believed your cousin was still alive. I met Madame de Chevreuselast night and she informed me that the Abbe is disconsolate."
I did not argue the point, though in my own mind I concluded that DeRetz was a very clever schemer, and that these reports of Henri's deathwere circulated in order to deceive Conde.
In the afternoon I paid a visit to the astrologer's house, and by dintof bribing the porter gained admittance. Fortunately for the learnedMartin the fire had not reached his rooms, though some parts of thebuildings were damaged. The philosopher received me very affably, andspoke in feeling terms of my cousin's illness, but when I asked ifHenri would see me the wily old fellow regarded me with the utmostastonishment.
"M. de Lalande is not here!" he observed. "Did you not know? Howstrange! Why, he had left before D'Artagnan arrived with hismusketeers to search the house. It appears that your cousin hasoffended Conde, or the Duke of Orleans, or some powerful person, and isin danger of being imprisoned."
"It is said in the city that he is dead."
"Dead? I hope not, but in his weak state the hurried flight may easilyhave proved fatal. The soldiers were sent to arrest him, but hisfaithful servant, by some means, heard of their coming, and smuggledhis master out just in time."
"Pillot?"
"Yes, he is a trusty fellow."
"Where was my cousin taken?"
"Pillot did not trust me with his secret," said the astrologer, smilingblandly, "and I have not seen him since."
"But you can guess where he is to be found?"
"Indeed, I have not the least notion, monsieur," and the bland smilebecame still more bland, "but as to the rumour of your cousin's death Iwould fain hope that it is not true."
Remembering the nature of my last visit with Mazarin to this house, Iplaced small faith in Martin's remarks, but as it was clearlyimpossible to obtain any further information I took my leave, resolvingto discover for myself what really had become of Henri. Raoul joinedme in the search, but for a long time our efforts were fruitless. Itbecame, indeed, difficult not to believe in my cousin's death. Manyeven of Conde's friends accepted the report as true, while the Abbe'shenchmen openly mourned the loss of their brilliant leader. Still Iwas not entirely satisfied, especially as no trace could be found ofPillot.
During one of our expeditions we came across Pierre and Francois, theone grim and hostile, the other smiling and communicative.
"Monsieur is right," replied Francois in answer to my questioning, "M.de Lalande did leave the astrologer's house; I helped to carry him. Hewas ill--dying, I think. We took him to a safe place. Pillot stayedto nurse him and I left them. He instructed me to go because thesoldiers were watching."
"Could you show us this house?" I asked.
"Monsieur would have his journey in vain. M. de Lalande is not therenow. Pillot took him, or his dead body, away in a carriage."
"Where is Pillot now?"
"Ah! monsieur asks a question! Perhaps he is dead too! I have notseen him since."
For a moderate consideration Francois agreed to point out the hauntswhich his former ally had been in the habit of frequenting. Such densof vice and misery, where crime, starvation, and disease went hand inhand, I had never beheld. I wondered how any one could live in suchnoisome places even for a day. The sufferings of the people wereterrible; a dreadful pestilence mowed them down in scores. Smallmarvel that a clever agitator like De Retz could obtain hundreds ofwilling tools ready for any act of bloodshed and violence.
Always hungry, always in filth and rags, scarred and disfigured bydisease, their numbers decimated many times over by an ever-presentplague, what could they know of the sanctity of life? Death walked andtalked with them continually; a familiar guest, eating and drinking bytheir side like a trusty comrade--feared by none, welcomed by many.But for Francois we should never have left these dens alive.
With all our care and trouble we could obtain no information. Mycousin had vanished so completely that I gradually became convinced ofhis death, and an accidental meeting with De Retz confirmed me in thisbelief.
Coming one day from the neighbourhood of Notre Dame, I met the Abbeface to face. He stopped involuntarily and his face became white.
"De Lalande?" he gasped. "De Lalande? Is it possible?"
"Albert de Lalande," I said.
"Ah," he exclaimed with a sigh of relief, "Henri's cousin! I hadforgotten you, and it is a shock to one's nerves to meet a dead man inthe flesh."
"Is my cousin really dead, monsieur?"
"_Ma foi!_ What a question! Why do you ask?"
"Because I imagined the report had been spread about to deceive Conde."
"No," he replied, showing no offence at my remark, "I would it were so,but M. Beauchamp's sword bit deeply. Pillot should have informed you,but he has had much to do. He has taken his master's body home forburial. I feel his loss greatly. Your cousin was an admirable man,and I shall never find his equal. But what of yourself? Have youtaken service with Conde?"
"No, monsieur, I still fight for the Throne."
"And for Albert de Lalande! Well, well, as long as you steer clear ofme I wish you no harm."
"Monsieur is pleased to be gracious," I returned with a mocking bow."I am indeed grateful."
The little rogue's eyes twinkled brightly, and he went away laughing.
So Henri was really dead and laid to rest in the family vault! I couldno longer question the truth of the rumour after seeing the Abbe's facewhen he met me. It was certain that he, at least, believed my cousinwas dead and buried. Even Raoul could not shake me on this point,though he rather scoffed at the story.
"It is a trick to deceive Conde," he said. "If Henri is dead, where isPillot?"
"He has taken the body home."
"Chut! The tale is a pack of lies. The Abbe is keeping your cousin inhiding till Conde has lost his power. Have you heard that he is goingto accuse the prince of high treason?"
"De Retz?"
"Yes, to-morrow in open court at the Palais de Justice. There arelikely to be warm doings, and it is my belief if De Retz wins yourcousin Henri will soon come to life."
That night I wandered about the city by myself. Raoul and Armand werewith the troops in the Luxembourg; John Humphreys was at his post inthe Palais Royal; the gates of both palaces were closed and barred, forno one knew what an hour would bring forth. The night passed quietly,but, as soon as the dawn broke, bands
of armed men, in the pay of DeRetz, moved down on the Palais de Justice, swarming into the halls andgalleries and seizing the best positions. The crowd outside rapidlyincreased to enormous numbers, and very soon cries of "Down with Conde"were heard.
About an hour after De Retz put in an appearance loud shouts announcedthe coming of the prince. He rode haughtily at the head of some twothousand fighting men, who marched afoot with their hands on theirswords, and apparently quite ready to use them. I was standing nearthe gate as Conde passed, and to my surprise he beckoned me toward him.
"Has your search failed?" he asked.
"Yes, your Highness. According to all accounts my cousin is dead, andI am sure De Retz thinks so."
"Why do you say that?" he asked quickly. "Come with me; it isimportant that I should have the latest news."
Accordingly we walked together along the corridor, which was filledwith armed men, and so into the Parliament Hall, Conde listening withdeep attention to the story of my chance meeting with De Retz.
"Ah!" he exclaimed thoughtfully, "that will account for more than onestrange incident," and leaving me he took his seat in the assembly.
I was too far off to hear the speeches, but there was tremendousexcitement, and I think everyone was expecting the meeting to end inbloodshed. Better sense, however, prevailed; Conde sent a nobleman toask his friends to withdraw, and De Retz went with a similar message tohis own retainers. Then something happened which threatened to undoall the good. Conde's messenger getting back first shut the door, andwhen the Abbe knocked, opened it only a little way. As De Retzendeavoured to squeeze through, the nobleman caught and fixed himbetween the two halves, at the same time calling to his friends to killthe Abbe.
"The nobleman caught and fixed him."]
It was a critical moment, as the first blow would have been the signalfor a fierce fight, yet I could hardly refrain from laughing at thespectacle. The little man's head and shoulders were within the hall,and the rest of his body was outside, while he could not stir an inch.Happily no blow was struck, as one of Conde's captains, crying "Shame!"ran forward, and two or three of us nearest the door managed toextricate the Abbe from his awkward situation.
"Thank you, gentlemen," he exclaimed; "I am glad there are some men ofhonour in the prince's train," and he passed to his seat as if nothingunusual had happened.
"There will be no more trouble to-day," said a man close to me; and hewas right, but Paris had only just missed another revolution.