CHAPTER XVIII
VIVI SEES THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GATES
Raoul kicked one leg against the other. He was ill at ease, as any onecould have seen had they taken the trouble to watch him. Soufflot, theseed shopman, seated on an overturned box in the market gardener's room,was holding forth as usual to some of his cronies. Dian sat apart fromthe others, his hands folded on his knees. Raoul came up to him, andstood before him, looking up at him. He had gone with his master to thecountry the day after he had made fun of Humphrey at the West Barricade,more than a fortnight ago now, and so he had not seen Dian since.
"Good day, master shepherd. It's a long time since we've walked outtogether, but now that you're acquainted with the city perhaps you'llnot want my company." He hesitated a moment and then he colored all overhis honest face as he went on, "I'm none too proud of taunting the funnyfat man at the West Barricade."
Dian smiled. "It was not a thing of which to be proud, that I'm bound tosay. One can go far if one has Humphrey Trail for a friend. The bestthing for you to do, if you are sorry, is to tell him so. Mayhap you'llbe able to do something to atone for it one day! As for a walk, I'll beglad to go out with you. There's too much talking here, words that donothing and mean less." As he spoke, Dian rose to his great height andput his cloak about his shoulders. He crossed the room and had his handon the knob of the door when something that Soufflot said made himpause.
"We can take what we want, that's what we can do. There was plenty ofgrab awhile ago, but things are getting soft. I say let's pillage!"
"There's plenty of plunder about. Last week the jewels from a rue Royaleshop were scattered from one end of the street to the other. Thearistocrats and the anti-patriots are filling every jail in the city. Weare taking over the best houses now for official headquarters."
"What houses?" It was Dian who asked the question.
"I've a list." Soufflot's friend, a blacksmith of the Saint Antoinedistrict, drew a paper from his pocket as he replied. He was thoughtwell of in his district as a zealous patriot, and he enjoyed theimportance. "We were each given one of these lists at the meeting of oursection last night. I was sorry not to see you there, farmer," he said,looking across at Dian, who still stood by the door. "Let's see," hewent on, "they still have a number of decisions to make as to houses forofficial headquarters. There are any number whose former occupants havegone--so!" As he spoke the blacksmith dashed his hand across his throat,making a grating click with his tongue against his teeth.
The seed shopman laughed and so did the market gardener. The blacksmithpondered over his list.
"The hotel of the De Roumande family near the corner of the square bythe Pont-Saint Michel. The hotel of the Framandes at 80 Champs Elysees,all the hotels of aristocrats within two blocks of the Place de laConcorde. The hotel of the Marquise du Ganne at 90 rue du Paradis." Theblacksmith chuckled. "The old bird croaked out some little time ago. Ourauthorities took care of the interment; and we've taken care of theniece, too; the proud Comtesse Saint Frere. She's there safe as can be!"
Dian opened the door and went out, followed by Raoul. They walked awayfrom the gates toward the city. Dian was silent, thinking how best totake the direction of the house of the Marquise du Ganne withoutarousing Raoul's suspicions. He felt thankful enough when the boy spoke.
"I would like to see some of these houses of the aristocrats. They sayany citizen may go in. Let's go to the Framande house. I used to keepthe cooks there in stitches of laughter, turning somersaults all up anddown the kitchens when I brought the fresh produce in."
Dian nodded assent. "Well enough then, if you like. I, too, would notmind a glimpse at some of them. You know the way, so I'll follow yourlead," he said.
They walked up the great wide avenue, turning on to it from the rueRoyale. Raoul looked back over his shoulder. At the end of the avenuethe great giant guillotine showed black against a blue spring sky.
"I'll tell you something I saw, Shepherd, if you'll keep a quiet tonguein your head. There is a boy shut up in the bakery shop, the big, smartone on the rue Saint Honore. I saw him quite by accident. I've not toldany one. He's an aristocrat, I'm sure; he had on a velvet suit."
Raoul then told Dian everything he knew as they walked toward theFramande house. It was natural enough that the shepherd should questionhim, and he found out that, as far as Raoul could tell, the prisoner hadlooked well, had been dressed in his usual way, and had had a tray ofmilk and cakes carried up to him by a woman whom Raoul declared to bekind.
"He could have worse than her looking after him, whoever he is. She'sgiven me many a cup of hot coffee and a cake on cold days. She's goodenough; but the boy's in bad hands if he's a prisoner of her husband!He'll have him up before the Tribunal for trial when the time is ripe.You mark my words, he's going to get some sort of plum for himself outof this pudding!" Dian listened to Raoul in silence, making no commentexcept to ask a few questions. Since he had found the note in the cakehe had waited quietly for the next development. He trusted that he wouldbe shown the right way and he had spoken confidently to Humphrey Trailwhen that impetuous soul longed for action.
He was thinking of Humphrey and of Rosanne as he walked with Raoul alongthe Champs Elysees. He saw Humphrey every day and he knew that Rosannewas safe with Vivi, but he realized, as did also the Yorkshire man, thatRosanne must not remain longer in the alley. Vivi was out now playingabout the gates and plying her father's trade of selling licorice water.She was the best little soul in the world, and she loved Rosanne, butshe was very young and she had never learned to keep things to herself.She might, without meaning to, say something which would cause suspicionand bring an investigating body of citizen soldiers to the alley. Therewas only one place where Rosanne could be safe until the opportunitycame to take her out of Paris, and that was in the hidden cellar.
They found a noisy mob about the Framande house and sights that were badto see, for the crowds were out looting and robbing and killing. Theyturned away, glad to be on a quiet street, and walked on in silence afew minutes. Then Dian said:
"There were other houses. There was one on the rue du Paradis, the DuGanne place, was it not? Let us see what is going on there."
Raoul nodded. "I know that one well, too. The old lady used to givegreat parties. She's dead now, and her niece is prisoner there. I'd liketo have a look at her!"
The house of the Marquise du Ganne was gloomy and big and forbidding. Atthe wide entrance door they were challenged by a soldier in the uniformof the Republic, who called:
"Who goes there? Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, or Death!"
Dian and Raoul answered: "Friends. Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, orDeath!" and went inside.
In the center of a long hall some men in uniform sat writing at a table.Citizens of Paris, some rough and ragged, walked about, but, for themost part, the place was quiet. One of the men glanced up from hiswriting and, when he saw Dian, nodded and beckoned to him. Dian wentover to the table, recognizing him as one of the men who had attendedSoufflot's supper.
"Could you do me the favor of glancing at this, Shepherd? They say youknow how to write and read well, and that"--the man peered up at Dian ashe spoke--"that seems a passing strange thing for a shepherd."
"The evenings are long in the country districts, citizen. I have workedthrough them until late into the night to glean the little knowledge Ipossess. But what is it I can do for you?" Dian replied.
"Just take a look at this notice I've written out and see if it'sreadable to your eyes. Marat can't do much more than write his name, sowhy should I care about doing any better?" As he spoke the officialhanded the sheet to Dian, who bent over it.
"There are some words I could change for you, and with your permissionI'll do it," Dian said. The man consented and Dian sat down at the tableand, painstakingly and slowly, corrected the garbled writing. Then heread it out to the official, who nodded with approval.
"You've done that well. You are clever, I
see," he commented, taking thepaper from Dian and leaning back in his chair and yawning.
Dian was silent for a minute. He wanted to ask if there was anypossibility of going through the house, hoping to get a word with thecomtesse as he went through. He did not know just how to word hisrequest without arousing suspicion. Raoul helped him out. He ran up tothe table just then.
"Oh, citizen Parnette, do let us see the prisoner. Just one look is allI want," he begged.
Citizen Parnette frowned. What an impudent youngster this messenger boyof his friend, the market gardener, was, to be sure!
"It's not done, as a rule. They'd be up there, every last one of them,if they knew we had an aristocrat in keeping. Well, it won't be for longnow. She will go to La Force I daresay. You can have a look forfriendship's sake, but keep a quiet tongue about it. Go up the backstairway and straight down a hall. She's in a room at the left and youcan see her because the upper corner of the door is broken through. Themob did that when we first took the house over. She was in the west wingthen, but we moved her to the other side." The official bent over hiswriting, and Dian and Raoul went on through the long hall to the back ofthe house.
"Go on ahead of me, my lad. I'll warrant you'll take the steps three ata time, and I would take my leisure," Dian said to Raoul as they came tothe foot of a long flight of stairs. How often had the old comte spokento him of this house of his aunt's where he had spent so many days ofhis youth!
Raoul ran on up the steps three at a time, just as Dian had said hewould. When he was well on in front, Dian took a small notebook and apiece of charcoal from the inner pocket of his cloak and, placing thebook against the tapestry wall at the side of the stairs, wrote thesewords:
"Tear this after reading. Lisle is imprisoned in the bakery shop at rueSaint Honore. I shall find a way to save him and to save you.Mademoiselle de Soigne is safe with friends. Keep up your courage.Dian."
Then he went on up the stairs and down the hall. Raoul was alreadylooking through the small, shattered paling at the side of the heavy,nail-studded door. There was a red brocaded curtain in front of thedoor. Raoul looked back over his shoulder.
"My, she's grand and solemn looking. She's sitting by the window!" Hemoved away so that Dian could peer through. The shepherd hesitated. Itwas not to his liking, this looking in on a woman, but he wanted to seewhat the room was like and to pass his note to the comtesse. He put hiseyes to the opening and saw the comtesse sitting, as Raoul had said, bythe narrow window, dressed in her black frock, her hands folded in herlap.
Raoul had roamed on down the hall, peering in at doors and shuffling hisfeet along the velvet carpet as he went.
Dian said softly, "Come to the door, Madame."
The comtesse heard him, gave a start, and then came quickly across theroom, both hands at her heart. She saw his face and recognized him atonce. There was no time for more than a word. He dropped the note at herfeet, whispering, "Be ready when I come." Then he turned away and joinedRaoul, who was already shuffling toward him.
They walked back toward the West Barricade together, and, as theywalked, Raoul asked inquisitively: "Why do you not take us to yourlodgings? Where is it that you stay?"
"I am lodging with friends. It is a dark, cold place, and there are ratsabout; but, because it is my friend's house I am well pleased at beingthere. Listen to me well, Raoul! Would you like to prove yourself a ladto be trusted? You say you are sorry for hurting the honest farmer,Humphrey Trail. Would you like to do him a service?"
"Maybe," answered Raoul in his teasing way; but Dian knew that he wasteasing.
"See, Raoul, I am treating you as a man. I am trusting you. Does thatmean something to you?"
Raoul nodded. "Yes, Master Shepherd, I like you. I would serve you," heanswered simply.
"Then listen well. I would ask you to take a letter to Champar, thecross-eyed coach driver on the Amiens road. The crossroad where he turnstoward Melon is only a few miles from your master's farm. You are simplyto hand him the letter and say nothing." Dian looked down earnestly atRaoul's simple, round face.
"You may trust me right well, Shepherd," Raoul said. "I'll see thatChampar gets the letter safe enough."
They had reached the gates, and they stood for a while watching thecarts go through. Suddenly they saw Vivi. She carried a tray from whichdangled a row of tin cups, and on the top of which was balanced a tallpewter jug.
"Licorice water, licorice water! Who's thirsty?" she called out atintervals, and she did quite a thriving trade as she went about amongthe people.
"Hi there, girl, another cup for me. Sacre, it's a poor drink, but Idon't see any wine kegs about, and it's thirsty work seeing that noaristocrats get through the gates," said a soldier coming up to her.
Vivi grinned at him from under her straggling black locks as she pouredsome of the sweet grey mixture into one of the cups. She liked to haveadventures so that she could tell Rosanne about them at night. She meantto stop at a little shop she knew on the rue Saint Antoine and buy a bitof sweet cake as a treat for Rosanne's supper. Now that she had a fewpennies to spend she liked to buy some little thing to cheer her friend,for whom the days dragged slowly.
"Let me go through the gates, Georges Fardou, just for fun," shepleaded.
The soldier in charge gave a good-natured laugh and looked down at her.
"That's so, you're poor old one-legged Ranboeau's brat. That was a baddeal your father got when the lumber fell. Let you through the gates, isit? What would you do on the other side?" he asked.
"Pick some flowers and come right back," answered Vivi, hitching up thetray which was held about her neck by a leather strap.
The soldier in charge laughed and turned to another.
"She wants to pick some flowers on the other side of the gates. Well, gothrough and see how many you'll find!" He held open the gate far enoughfor Vivi to step through, and they all laughed at her as she lookedabout curiously.
"It's a great sight, isn't it? No one was curious until they had to staythis side, but since the gates have been locked you'd think they thoughtthe fields of paradise were just near by," laughed Georges Fardou.
There were no flowers, only a long stretch of road, the vanishing bulkof a market cart in the distance, and the vivid spring sky above. Vivilooked about her and then, putting her tray down, began to dance andsing:
"Dansons la Carmagnole, Vive le son du canon!"
The soldiers looked on, calling out approvingly:
"That's good. She might be a sans-culotte herself! Give us the 'Ca Ira,'too!"
Vivi danced and sang with all her might, enjoying the attention she gotvery much. When Fardou called her, she picked up her tray and cameinside the gates, making a bow to the guard, who bowed mockingly inreturn.
"Thank you, citizeness, for the entertainment. We shall see you one dayat the Comedie Francaise, I daresay," he remarked.
"Thank you, Georges Fardou, for letting me outside the gates. It is notso nice there as I thought." She swung her leather strap over hershoulder and went on crying her wares: "Licorice water, who wantslicorice water!"
Dian left Raoul and went to Humphrey Trail's room in the alley. He hadnot expected to find Humphrey in, but was only too glad to see his broadkindly face looking around the corner of the door as he came up thestairs.
"I've seen Madame Saint Frere," Dian said as soon as he came into theroom. Then he proceeded to tell Humphrey all about the morning.Humphrey's face shone.
"Tha has done well and there's now a bit o' light ahead. Th' young lad,to think, he is in the bakery shop. How shall we save th' lad?" Humphreywrung his fat hands together as he spoke.
"We shall do it, Humphrey Trail, and, if I have done well, you have donebetter, for though I have dreams and the hope that they will come true,you have already saved a little girl." Dian smiled his slow smile andHumphrey Trail answered him:
"Tha has something more than I ha'! Tha has trust!" As he spoke Humphreysighed, longin
g for the confidence which made Dian so sure that Lislewould be rescued. He thought of the letter which Dian was holding untilhe found the right messenger to deliver it to Champar, the trusted coachdriver, who would, in turn, give it into the hands of Grigge, who livedat the gates of the Saint Frere demesne.