Chapter XXI
I SEE THREE MEN IN A MIRROR
I awoke very early next morning, and was too excited to sleep again. Assoon as I could, without exciting remark, I saw my host. I told him thatI was going into town that night, and thence to ----, where I had to seesome people on business, and requested him to mention my being there toany friend who might call. That I expected to be back in about a week,and that in the meantime my servant, St. Clair, would keep the key of myroom and look after my things.
Having prepared this mystification for my landlord, I drove into Paris,and there transacted the financial part of the affair. The problem wasto reduce my balance, nearly thirty thousand pounds, to a shape in whichit would be not only easily portable, but available, wherever I mightgo, without involving correspondence, or any other incident which woulddisclose my place of residence for the time being. All these points wereas nearly provided for as, they could be. I need not trouble you aboutmy arrangements for passports. It is enough to say that the point Iselected for our flight was, in the spirit of romance, one of the mostbeautiful and sequestered nooks in Switzerland.
Luggage, I should start with none. The first considerable town wereached next morning, would supply an extemporized wardrobe. It was nowtwo o'clock; _only_ two! How on earth was I to dispose of theremainder of the day?
I had not yet seen the cathedral of Notre Dame, and thither I drove. Ispent an hour or more there; and then to the Conciergerie, the Palais deJustice, and the beautiful Sainte Chapelle. Still there remained sometime to get rid of, and I strolled into the narrow streets adjoining thecathedral. I recollect seeing, in one of them, an old house with a muralinscription stating that it had been the residence of Canon Fulbert, theuncle of Abelard's Eloise. I don't know whether these curious oldstreets, in which I observed fragments of ancient Gothic churches fittedup as warehouses, are still extant. I lighted, among other dingy andeccentric shops, upon one that seemed that of a broker of all sorts ofold decorations, armor, china, furniture. I entered the shop; it wasdark, dusty, and low. The proprietor was busy scouring a piece of inlaidarmor, and allowed me to poke about his shop, and examine the curiousthings accumulated there, just as I pleased. Gradually I made my way tothe farther end of it, where there was but one window with many panes,each with a bull's eye in it, and in the dirtiest Possible state. When Ireached this window, I turned about, and in a recess, standing at rightangles with the side wall of the shop, was a large mirror in anold-fashioned dingy frame. Reflected in this I saw what in old houses Ihave heard termed an "alcove," in which, among lumber and various dustyarticles hanging on the wall, there stood a table, at which threepersons were seated, as it seemed to me, in earnest conversation. Two ofthese persons I instantly recognized; one was Colonel Gaillarde, theother was the Marquis d'Harmonville. The third, who was fiddling with apen, was a lean, pale man, pitted with the small-pox, with lank blackhair, and about as mean-looking a person as I had ever seen in my life.The Marquis looked up, and his glance was instantaneously followed byhis two companions. For a moment I hesitated what to do. But it wasplain that I was not recognized, as indeed I could hardly have been, thelight from the window being behind me, and the portion of the shopimmediately before me being very dark indeed.
Perceiving this, I had presence of mind to affect being entirelyengrossed by the objects before me, and strolled slowly down the shopagain. I paused for a moment to hear whether I was followed, and wasrelieved when I heard no step. You may be sure I did not waste more timein that shop, where I had just made a discovery so curious and sounexpected.
It was no business of mine to inquire what brought Colonel Gaillarde andthe Marquis together, in so shabby and even dirty a place, or who themean person, biting the feather end of his pen, might be. Suchemployments as the Marquis had accepted sometimes make strangebed-fellows.
I was glad to get away, and just as the sun set I had reached the stepsof the Dragon Volant, and dismissed the vehicle in which I arrived,carrying in my hand a strong box, of marvelously small dimensionsconsidering all it contained, strapped in a leather cover whichdisguised its real character.
When I got to my room I summoned St. Clair. I told him nearly the samestory I had already told my host. I gave him fifty pounds, with ordersto expend whatever was necessary on himself, and in payment for my roomstill my return. I then ate a slight and hasty dinner. My eyes were oftenupon the solemn old clock over the chimney-piece, which was my soleaccomplice in keeping tryst in this iniquitous venture. The sky favoredmy design, and darkened all things with a sea of clouds.
The innkeeper met me in the hall, to ask whether I should want a vehicleto Paris? I was prepared for this question, and instantly answered thatI meant to walk to Versailles and take a carriage there. I called St.Clair.
"Go," said I, "and drink a bottle of wine with your friends. I shallcall you if I should want anything; in the meantime, here is the key tomy room; I shall be writing some notes, so don't allow anyone to disturbme for at least half an hour. At the end of that time you will probablyfind that I have left this for Versailles; and should you not find me inthe room, you may take that for granted; and you take charge ofeverything, and lock the door, you understand?"
St. Clair took his leave, wishing me all happiness, and no doubtpromising himself some little amusement with my money. With my candle inmy hand, I hastened upstairs. It wanted now but five minutes to theappointed time. I do not think there is anything of the coward in mynature; but I confess, as the crisis approached, I felt something of thesuspense and awe of a soldier going into action. Would I have receded?Not for all this earth could offer.
I bolted my door, put on my greatcoat, and placed my pistols one in eachpocket. I now applied my key to the secret locks; drew the wainscot doora little open, took my strong box under my arm, extinguished my candle,unbolted my door, listened at it for a few moments to be sure that noone was approaching, and then crossed the floor of my room swiftly,entered the secret door, and closed the spring lock after me. I was uponthe screw-stair in total darkness, the key in my fingers. Thus far theundertaking was successful.