el dorado-第27章

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Chauvelin　with　a　laugh。

〃H'm！〃　growled　Simon　laconically。　　〃He　will　find　out　soon　enough
how　well　off　he　was　under　our　care。〃

〃Have　the　other　commissaries　come　yet？〃

〃No。　　But　they　will　be　here　directly。　　Citizen　Cochefer　is
upstairs　mounting　guard　over　Capet。〃

〃Well；　good…bye；　Papa　Simon；〃　concluded　Chauvelin　jovially。
〃Citizeness；　your　servant！

He　bowed　with　unconcealed　irony　to　the　cobbler's　wife；　and　nodded
to　Simon；　who　expressed　by　a　volley　of　motley　oaths　his　exact
feelings　with　regard　to　all　the　agents　of　the　Committee　of　General
Security。

〃Six　months　of　this　penal　servitude　have　we　had；〃　he　said　roughly；
〃and　no　thanks　or　pension。　　I　would　as　soon　serve　a　ci…devant
aristo　as　your　accursed　Committee。〃

The　man　Dupont　had　returned。　　Stolidly；　after　the　fashion　of　his
kind；　he　commenced　the　removal　of　citizen　Simon's　goods。　　He
seemed　a　clumsy　enough　creature；　and　Simon　and　his　wife　had　to　do
most　of　the　work　themselves。

Chauvelin　watched　the　moving　forms　for　a　while；　then　he　shrugged
his　shoulders　with　a　laugh　of　indifference；　and　turned　on　his
heel。



CHAPTER　XIX
IT　IS　ABOUT　THE　DAUPHIN

Heron　was　not　at　his　lodgings　when；　at　last；　after　vigorous　pulls
at　the　bell；　a　great　deal　of　waiting　and　much　cursing；　Chauvelin；
closely　followed　by　Armand；　was　introduced　in　the　chief　agent's
office。

The　soldier　who　acted　as　servant　said　that　citizen　Heron　had　gone
out　to　sup；　but　would　surely　be　home　again　by　eight　o'clock。
Armand　by　this　time　was　so　dazed　with　fatigue　that　he　sank　on　a
chair　like　a　log；　and　remained　there　staring　into　the　fire；
unconscious　of　the　flight　of　time。

Anon　Heron　came　home。　　He　nodded　to　Chauvelin；　and　threw　but　a
cursory　glance　on　Armand。

〃Five　minutes；　citizen；〃　he　said；　with　a　rough　attempt　at　an
apology。　　〃I　am　sorry　to　keep　you　waiting；　but　the　new
commissaries　have　arrived　who　are　to　take　charge　of　Capet。　　The
Simons　have　just　gone；　and　I　want　to　assure　myself　that　everything
is　all　right　in　the　Tower。　　Cochefer　has　been　in　charge；　but　I
like　to　cast　an　eye　over　the　brat　every　day　myself。〃

He　went　out　again；　slamming　the　door　behind　him。　　His　heavy
footsteps　were　heard　treading　the　flagstones　of　the　corridor；　and
gradually　dying　away　in　the　distance。　Armand　had　paid　no　heed
either　to　his　entrance　or　to　his　exit。　　He　was　only　conscious　of
an　intense　weariness；　and　would　at　this　moment　gladly　have　laid
his　head　on　the　scaffold　if　on　it　he　could　find　rest。

A　white…faced　clock　on　the　wall　ticked　off　the　seconds　one　by　one。
From　the　street　below　came　the　muffled　sounds　of　wheeled　traffic
on　the　soft　mud　of　the　road；　it　was　raining　more　heavily　now；　and
from　time　to　time　a　gust　of　wind　rattled　the　small　windows　in
their　dilapidated　frames；　or　hurled　a　shower　of　heavy　drops
against　the　panes。

The　heat　from　the　stove　had　made　Armand　drowsy；　his　head　fell
forward　on　his　chest。　　Chauvelin；　with　his　hands　held　behind　his
back；　paced　ceaselessly　up　and　down　the　narrow　room。

Suddenly　Armand　startedwide　awake　now。　　Hurried　footsteps　on　the
flagstones　outside；　a　hoarse　shout；　a　banging　of　heavy　doors；　and
the　next　moment　Heron　stood　once　more　on　the　threshold　of　the
room。　　Armand；　with　wide…opened　eyes；　gazed　on　him　in　wonder。　　The
whole　appearance　of　the　man　had　changed。　　He　looked　ten　years
older；　with　lank；　dishevelled　hair　hanging　matted　over　a　moist
forehead；　the　cheeks　ashen…white；　the　full　lips　bloodless　and
hanging；　flabby　and　parted；　displaying　both　rows　of　yellow　teeth
that　shook　against　each　other。　　The　whole　figure　looked　bowed；　as
if　shrunk　within　itself。

Chauvelin　had　paused　in　his　restless　walk；　　He　gazed　on　his
colleague；　a　frown　of　puzzlement　on　his　pale；　set　face。

〃Capet！〃　he　exclaimed；　as　soon　as　he　had　taken　in　every　detail　of
Heron's　altered　appearance；　and　seen　the　look　of　wild　terror　that
literally　distorted　his　face。

Heron　could　not　speak；　his　teeth　were　chattering　in　his　mouth；　and
his　tongue　seemed　paralysed。　　Chauvelin　went　up　to　him。　　He　was
several　inches　shorter　than　his　colleague；　but　at　this　moment　he
seemed　to　be　towering　over　him　like　an　avenging　spirit。　　He　placed
a　firm　hand　on　the　other's　bowed　shoulders。

〃Capet　has　goneis　that　it？〃　he　queried　peremptorily。

The　look　of　terror　increased　in　Heron's　eyes；　giving　its　mute　reply。

〃How？　When？〃

But　for　the　moment　the　man　was　speechless。　　An　almost　maniacal
fear　seemed　to　hold　him　in　its　grip。　　With　an　impatient　oath
Chauvelin　turned　away　from　him。

〃Brandy！〃　he　said　curtly；　speaking　to　Armand。

A　bottle　and　glass　were　found　in　the　cupboard。　　It　was　St。　Just
who　poured　out　the　brandy　and　held　it　to　Heron's　lips。　　Chauvelin
was　once　more　pacing　up　and　down　the　room　in　angry　impatience。

〃Pull　yourself　together；　man；〃　he　said　roughly　after　a　while；　〃and
try　and　tell　me　what　has　occurred。〃

Heron　had　sunk　into　a　chair。　　He　passed　a　trembling　hand　once　or
twice　over　his　forehead。

〃Capet　has　disappeared；〃　he　murmured；　〃he　must　have　been　spirited
away　while　the　Simons　were　moving　their　furniture。　　That　accursed
Cochefer　was　completely　taken　in。〃

Heron　spoke　in　a　toneless　voice；　hardly　above　a　whisper；　and　like
one　whose　throat　is　dry　and　mouth　parched。　　But　the　brandy　had
revived　him　somewhat；　and　his　eyes　lost　their　former　glassy　look。

〃How？〃　asked　Chauvelin　curtly。

〃I　was　just　leaving　the　Tower　when　he　arrived。　　I　spoke　to　him　at
the　door。　　I　had　seen　Capet　safely　installed　in　the　room；　and　gave
orders　to　the　woman　Simon　to　let　citizen　Cochefer　have　a　look　at
him；　too；　and　then　to　lock　up　the　brat　in　the　inner　room　and
install　Cochefer　in　the　antechamber　on　guard。　　I　stood　talking　to
Cochefer　for　a　few　moments　in　the　antechamber。　　The　woman　Simon
and　the　man…of…all…work；　Dupontwhom　I　know　wellwere　busy　with
the　furniture。　　There　could　not　have　been　any　one　else　concealed
about　the　placethat　I'll　swear。　　Cochefer；　after　he　took　leave
of　me；　went　straight　into　the　room；　he　found　the　woman　Simon　in
the　act　of　turning　the　key　in　the　door　of　the　inner　chamber。　　I
have　locked　Capet　in　there；'　she　said；　giving　the　key　to　Cochefer；
'he　will　be　quite　safe　until　to…night；　when　the　other　commissaries
come。'

〃Didn't　Cochefer　go　into　the　room　and　ascertain　whether　the　woman
was　lying？〃

〃Yes；　he　did！　　He　made　the　woman　re…open　the　door　and　peeped　in
over　her　shoulder。　　She　said　the　child　was　asleep。　　He　vows　that
he　saw　the　child　lying　fully　dressed　on　a　rug　in　the　further
corner　of　the　room。　　The　room；　of　course；　was　quite　empty　of
furniture　and　only　lighted　by　one　candle；　but　there　was　the　rug
and　the　child　asleep　on　it。　　Cochefer　swears　he　saw　him；　and
nowwhen　I　went　up〃

〃Well？〃

〃The　commissaries　were　all　thereCochefer　and　Lasniere；　Lorinet
and　Legrand。　　We　went　into　the　inner　room；　and　I　had　a　candle　in
my　hand。　　We　saw　the　child　lying　on　the　rug；　just　as　Cochefer　had
seen　him；　and　for　a　while　we　took　no　notice　of　it。　　Then　some
oneI　think　it　was　Lorinetwent　to　have　a　closer　look　at　the
brat。　　He　took　up　the　candle　and　went　up　to　the　rug。　　Then　he　gave
a　cry；　and　we　all　gathered　round　him。　　The　sleeping　child　was　only
a　bundle　of　hair　and　of　clothes；　a　dummywhat？〃

There　was　silence　now　in　the　narrow　room；　while　the　white…faced
clock　continued　to　tick　off　each　succeeding　second　of　time。　　Heron
had　once　more　buried　his　head　in　his　hands；　a　tremblinglike　an
attack　of　agueshook　his　wide；　bony　shoulders。　　Armand　had
listened　to　the　narrative　with　glowing　eyes　and　a　beating　heart。
The　details　which　the　two　Terrorists　here　could　not　probably
understand　he　had　already　added　to　the　picture　which　his　mind　had
conjured　up。

He　was　back　in　thought　now　in　the　small　lodging　in　the　rear　of　St。
Germain　l'Auxerrois；　Sir　Andrew　Ffoulkes　was　there；　and　my　Lord
Tony　and　Hastings；　and　a　man　was　striding　up　and　down　the　room；
looking　out　into　the　great　space　beyond　the　river　with　the　eyes　of
a　seer；　and　a　firm　voice　said　abruptly：

〃It　is　about　the　Dauphin！〃

〃Have　you　any　suspicions？〃　asked　Chauvelin　now；　pausing　in　his
walk　beside　Heron；　and　once　more　placing　a　firm；　peremptory　hand
on　his　colleague's　shoulder。

〃Suspicions！〃　exclaimed　the　chief　agent　with　a　loud　oath。
〃Suspicions！　　Certainties；　you　mean。　　The　man　sat　here　but　two
days　ago；　in　that　very　chair；　and　bragged　of　what　he　would　do。　　I
told　him　then　that　if　he　interfered　with　Capet　I　would　wring　his
neck　with　my　own　hands。〃

And　his　long；　talon…like　fingers；　with　their　sharp；　grimy　nails；
closed　and　unclosed　like　those　of　feline　creatures　when　they　hold
the　coveted　prey。

〃Of　whom　do　you　speak？〃　queried　Chauvelin　curtly。

〃Of　whom？　　Of　whom　but　that　accursed　de　Batz？　　His　pockets　are
bulging　with　Austrian　money；　with　which；　no　doubt；　he　has　bribed
the　Simons　and　Cochefer　and　the　sentinels〃

〃And　Lorinet　and　Lasniere　and　you；〃　interposed　Chauvelin　dryly。

〃It　is　false！〃　roared　Heron；　who　already　at　the　suggestion　was
foaming　at　the　mouth；　and　had　jumped　up　from　his　chair；　standing
at　bay　as　if　prepared　to　fight　for　his　life。

〃False；　is　it？〃　retorted　Chauvelin　calmly；　〃then　be　not　so　quick；
friend　Heron；　in　slashing　out　with　senseless　denunciations　right
and　left。　　You'll　gain　nothing　by　denouncing　any　one　just　now。
This　is　too　intricate　a　matter　to　be　dealt　with　a　sledge…hammer。
Is　any　one　up　in　the　Tower　at　this　moment？〃　he　asked　in　quiet；
business…like　tones。

〃Yes。　　Cochefer　and　the　others　are　still　there。　　They　are　making
wild　schemes　to　cover　their　treachery。　　Cochefer　is　aware　of　his
own　danger；　and　Lasniere　and　the　others　know　that　they　arrived　at
the　Tower　several　hours　too　late。　　They　are　all　at　fault；　and　they
know　it。　As　for　that　de　Batz；〃　he　continued　with　a　voice　rendered
raucous　with　bitter　passion；　〃I　swore　to　him　two　days　ago　that　he
should　not　escape　me　if　he　meddled　with　Capet。　　I'm　on　his　track
already。　　I'll　have　him　before　the　hour　of　midnight；　and　I'll
torture　himyes！　　I'll　torture　himthe　Tribunal　shall　give　me
leave。　　We　have　a　dark　cell　down　below　here　where　my　men　know　how
to　apply　tortures　worse　than　the　rackwhere　they　know　just　how　to
prolong　life　long　enough　to　make　it　unendurable。　　I'll　torture
him！　　I'll　torture　him！〃

But　Chauvelin　abruptly　silenced　the　wretch　with　a　curt　command；
then；　without　another　word；　he　walked　straight　out　of　the　room。

In　thought　Armand　followed　him。　　The　wild　desire　was　suddenly　born
in　him　to　run　away　at　this　moment；　while　Heron；　wrapped　in　his　own
meditations；　was　paying　no　heed　to　him。　　Chauvelin's　footsteps　had
long　ago　died　away　in　the　distance；　it　was　a　long　way　to　the　upper
floor　of　the　Tower；　and　some　time　would　be　spent；　too；　in
interrogating　the　commissaries。　　This　was　Armand's　opportunity。
After　all；　if　he　were　free　himself　he　might　more　effectually　help
to　rescue　Jeanne。　　He　knew；　too；　now　where　to　join　his　leader。
The　corner　of　the　street　by　the　canal；　where　Sir　Andrew　Ffoulkes
would　be　waiting　with　the　coal…cart；　then　there　was　the　spinney　on
the　road　to　St。　Germain。　　Armand　hoped　that；　with　good　luck；　he
might　yet　overtake　his　comrades；　tell　them　of　Jeanne's　plight；　and
entreat　them　to　work　for　her　rescue。

He　had　forgotten　that　now　he　had　no　certificate　of　safety；　that
undoubted