el dorado-第41章

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gaiety。　　〃He　had　to　ask　me　where　to　find　Jeanne；　for　I　alone　knew
where　she　was。　As　for　Armand；　they'll　not　worry　about　him　whilst　I
am　here。　Another　reason　why　I　must　bide　a　while　longer。　　But　in
the　meanwhile；　dear；　I　pray　you　find　Mademoiselle　Lange；　she　lives
at　No。　5　Square　du　Roule。　　Through　her　I　know　that　you　can　get　to
see　Armand。　　This　second　letter；〃　he　added；　pressing　a　smaller
packet　into　her　hand；　〃is　for　him。　　Give　it　to　him；　dear　heart；　it
will；　I　hope；　tend　to　cheer　him。　　I　fear　me　the　poor　lad　frets；
yet　he　only　sinned　because　he　loved；　and　to　me　he　will　always　be
your　brotherthe　man　who　held　your　affection　for　all　the　years
before　I　came　into　your　life。　　Give　him　this　letter；　dear；　they
are　my　instructions　to　him；　as　the　others　are　for　Ffoulkes；　but
tell　him　to　read　them　when　he　is　all　alone。　You　will　do　that；　dear
heart；　will　you　not？〃

〃Yes；　Percy；〃　she　said　simply。　　〃I　promise。〃

Great　joy；　and　the　expression　of　intense　relief；　lit　up　his　face；
whilst　his　eyes　spoke　the　gratitude　which　he　felt。

〃Then　there　is　one　thing　more；〃　he　said。　　〃There　are　others　in
this　cruel　city；　dear　heart；　who　have　trusted　me；　and　whom　I　must
not　failMarie　de　Marmontel　and　her　brother；　faithful　servants　of
the　late　queen；　they　were　on　the　eve　of　arrest　when　I　succeeded　in
getting　them　to　a　place　of　comparative　safety；　and　there　are
others　there；　too　all　of　these　poor　victims　have　trusted　me
implicitly。　They　are　waiting　for　me　there；　trusting　in　my　promise
to　convey　them　safely　to　England。　　Sweetheart；　you　must　redeem　my
promise　to　them。　　You　will？you　will？　Promise　me　that　you　will〃

〃I　promise；　Percy；〃　she　said　once　more。

〃Then　go；　dear；　to…morrow；　in　the　late　afternoon；　to　No。　98；　Rue
de　Charonne。　　It　is　a　narrow　house　at　the　extreme　end　of　that　long
street　which　abuts　on　the　fortifications。　　The　lower　part　of　the
house　is　occupied　by　a　dealer　in　rags　and　old　clothes。　　He　and　his
wife　and　family　are　wretchedly　poor；　but　they　are　kind；　good
souls；　and　for　a　consideration　and　a　minimum　of　risk　to　themselves
they　will　always　render　service　to　the　English　milors；　whom　they
believe　to　be　a　band　of　inveterate　smugglers。　　Ffoulkes　and　all
the　others　know　these　people　and　know　the　house；　Armand　by　the
same　token　knows　it　too。　　Marie　de　Marmontel　and　her　brother　are
there；　and　several　others；　the　old　Comte　de　Lezardiere；　the　Abbe
de　Firmont；　their　names　spell　suffering；　loyalty；　and　hopelessness。
I　was　lucky　enough　to　convey　them　safely　to　that　hidden　shelter。
They　trust　me　implicitly；　dear　heart。　　They　are　waiting　for　me
there；　trusting　in　my　promise　to　them。　　Dear　heart；　you　will　go；
will　you　not？〃

〃Yes；　Percy；〃　she　replied。　　〃I　will　go；　I　have　promised。〃

〃Ffoulkes　has　some　certificates　of　safety　by　him；　and　the　old
clothes　dealer　will　supply　the　necessary　disguises；　he　has　a
covered　cart　which　he　uses　for　his　business；　and　which　you　can
borrow　from　him。　　Ffoulkes　will　drive　the　little　party　to　Achard's
farm　in　St。　Germain；　where　other　members　of　the　League　should　be
in　waiting　for　the　final　journey　to　England。　　Ffoulkes　will　know
how　to　arrange　for　everything；　he　was　always　my　most　able
lieutenant。　Once　everything　is　organised　he　can　appoint　Hastings
to　lead　the　party。　　But　you；　dear　heart；　must　do　as　you　wish。
Achard's　farm　would　be　a　safe　retreat　for　you　and　for　Ffoulkes：
if　。。。　I　knowI　know；　dear；〃　he　added　with　infinite　tenderness。
〃See　I　do　not　even　suggest　that　you　should　leave　me。　　Ffoulkes
will　be　with　you；　and　I　know　that　neither　he　nor　you　would　go　even
if　I　commanded。　　Either　Achard's　farm；　or　even　the　house　in　the
Rue　de　Charonne；　would　he　quite　safe　for　you；　dear；　under
Ffoulkes's　protection；　until　the　time　when　I　myself　can　carry　you
backyou；　my　precious　burdento　England　in　mine　own　arms；　or
until　。。。　　Hush…sh…sh；　dear　heart；〃　he　entreated；　smothering　with
a　passionate　kiss　the　low　moan　of　pain　which　had　escaped　her　lips；
〃it　is　all　in　God's　hands　now；　I　am　in　a　tight　cornertighter
than　ever　I　have　been　before；　but　I　am　not　dead　yet；　and　those
brutes　have　not　yet　paid　the　full　price　for　my　life。　　Tell　me；
dear　heart；　that　you　have　understoodthat　you　will　do　all　that　I
asked。　　Tell　me　again；　my　dear；　dear　love；　it　is　the　very　essence
of　life　to　hear　your　sweet　lips　murmur　this　promise　now。〃

And　for　the　third　time　she　reiterated　firmly：

〃I　have　understood　every　word　that　you　said　to　me；　Percy；　and　I
promise　on　your　precious　life　to　do　what　you　ask。〃

He　sighed　a　deep　sigh　of　satisfaction；　and　even　at　that　moment
there　came　from　the　guard…room　beyond　the　sound　of　a　harsh　voice；
saying　peremptorily：

〃That　half…hour　is　nearly　over；　sergeant；　'tis　time　you
interfered。〃

〃Three　minutes　more；　citizen；〃　was　the　curt　reply。

〃Three　minutes；　you　devils；〃　murmured　Blakeney　between　set　teeth；
whilst　a　sudden　light　which　even　Marguerite's　keen　gaze　failed　to
interpret　leapt　into　his　eyes。　　Then　he　pressed　the　third　letter
into　her　hand。

Once　more　his　close；　intent　gaze　compelled　hers；　their　faces　were
close　one　to　the　other；　so　near　to　him　did　he　draw　her；　so　tightly
did　he　hold　her　to　him。　　The　paper　was　in　her　hand　and　his　fingers
were　pressed　firmly　on　hers。

〃Put　this　in　your　kerchief；　my　beloved；〃　he　whispered。　〃Let　it
rest　on　your　exquisite　bosom　where　I　so　love　to　pillow　my　head。
Keep　it　there　until　the　last　hour　when　it　seems　to　you　that
nothing　more　can　come　between　me　and　shame　。。。。　　Hush…sh…sh；
dear；〃　he　added　with　passionate　tenderness；　checking　the　hot
protest　that　at　the　word　〃shame〃　had　sprung　to　her　lips；　〃I　cannot
explain　more　fully　now。　　I　do　not　know　what　may　happen。　　I　am　only
a　man；　and　who　knows　what　subtle　devilry　those　brutes　might　not
devise　for　bringing　the　untamed　adventurer　to　his　knees。　　For　the
next　ten　days　the　Dauphin　will　be　on　the　high　roads　of　France；　on
his　way　to　safety。　　Every　stage　of　his　journey　will　be　known　to
me。　　I　can　from　between　these　four　walls　follow　him　and　his　escort
step　by　step。　　Well；　dear；　I　am　but　a　man；　already　brought　to
shameful　weakness　by　mere　physical　discomfortthe　want　of
sleepsuch　a　trifle　after　all；　but　in　case　my　reason　tottered
God　knows　what　I　might　dothen　give　this　packet　to　Ffoulkesit
contains　my　final　instructionsand　he　will　know　how　to　act。
Promise　me；　dear　heart；　that　you　will　not　open　the　packet　unless
unless　mine　own　dishonour　seems　to　you　imminentunless　I　have
yielded　to　these　brutes　in　this　prison；　and　sent　Ffoulkes　or　one
of　the　others　orders　to　exchange　the　Dauphin's　life　for　mine；　then；
when　mine　own　handwriting　hath　proclaimed　me　a　coward；　then　and　then
only；　give　this　packet　to　Ffoulkes。　　Promise　me　that；　and　also　that
when　you　and　he　have　mastered　its　contents　you　will　act　exactly　as
I　have　commanded。　　Promise　me　that；　dear；　in　your　own　sweet　name；
which　may　God　bless；　and　in　that　of　Ffoulkes；　our　loyal　friend。〃

Through　the　sobs　that　well…nigh　choked　her　she　murmured　the
promise　he　desired。

His　voice　had　grown　hoarser　and　more　spent　with　the　inevitable
reaction　after　the　long　and　sustained　effort；　but　the　vigour　of
the　spirit　was　untouched；　the　fervour；　the　enthusiasm。

〃Dear　heart；〃　he　murmured；　〃do　not　look　on　me　with　those　dear；
scared　eyes　of　yours。　　If　there　is　aught　that　puzzles　you　in　what
I　said；　try　and　trust　me　a　while　longer。　Remember；　I　must　save　the
Dauphin　at　all　costs；　mine　honour　is　bound　with　his　safety。　　What
happens　to　me　after　that　matters　but　little；　yet　I　wish　to　live
for　your　dear　sake。〃

He　drew　a　long　breath　which　had　naught　of　weariness　in　it。　　The
haggard　look　had　completely　vanished　from　his　face；　the　eyes　were
lighted　up　from　within；　the　very　soul　of　reckless　daring　and
immortal　gaiety　illumined　his　whole　personality。

〃Do　not　look　so　sad；　little　woman；〃　he　said　with　a　strange　and
sudden　recrudescence　of　power；　〃those　dd　murderers　have　not　got
me　yeteven　now。〃

Then　he　went　down　like　a　log。

The　effort　had　been　too　prolongedweakened　nature　reasserted　her
rights　　and　he　lost　consciousness。　Marguerite；　helpless　and　almost
distraught　with　grief；　had　yet　the　strength　of　mind　not　to　call
for　assistance。　　She　pillowed　the　loved　one's　head　upon　her
breast；　she　kissed　the　dear；　tired　eyes；　the　poor　throbbing
temples。　The　unutterable　pathos　of　seeing　this　man；　who　was　always
the　personification　of　extreme　vitality；　energy；　and　boundless
endurance　and　pluck；　lying　thus　helpless；　like　a　tired　child；　in
her　arms；　was　perhaps　the　saddest　moment　of　this　day　of　sorrow。
But　in　her　trust　she　never　wavered　for　one　instant。　　Much　that　he
had　said　had　puzzled　her；　but　the　word　〃shame〃　coming　from　his　own
lips　as　a　comment　on　himself　never　caused　her　the　slightest　pang
of　fear。　She　had　quickly　hidden　the　tiny　packet　in　her　kerchief。
She　would　act　point　by　point　exactly　as　he　had　ordered　her　to　do；
and　she　knew　that　Ffoulkes　would　never　waver　either。

Her　heart　ached　well…nigh　to　breaking　point。　　That　which　she　could
not　understand　had　increased　her　anguish　tenfold。　　If　she　could
only　have　given　way　to　tears　she　could　have　borne　this　final　agony
more　easily。　　But　the　solace　of　tears　was　not　for　her；　when　those
loved　eyes　once　more　opened　to　consciousness　they　should　see　hers
glowing　with　courage　and　determination。

There　had　been　silence　for　a　few　minutes　in　the　little　cell。　The
soldiery　outside；　inured　to　their　hideous　duty；　thought　no　doubt
that　the　time　had　come　for　them　to　interfere。　The　iron　bar　was
raised　and　thrown　back　with　a　loud　crash；　the　butt…ends　of　muskets
were　grounded　against　the　floor；　and　two　soldiers　made　noisy
irruption　into　the　cell。

〃Hola；　citizen！　　Wake　up；〃　shouted　one　of　the　men；　〃you　have　not
told　us　yet　what　you　have　done　with　Capet！〃

Marguerite　uttered　a　cry　of　horror。　　Instinctively　her　arms　were
interposed　between　the　unconscious　man　and　these　inhuman
creatures；　with　a　beautiful　gesture　of　protecting　motherhood。

〃He　has　fainted；〃　she　said；　her　voice　quivering　with　indignation。
〃My　God！　are　you　devils　that　you　have　not　one　spark　of　manhood　in
you？〃

The　men　shrugged　their　shoulders；　and　both　laughed　brutally。　　They
had　seen　worse　sights　than　these；　since　they　served　a　Republic
that　ruled　by　bloodshed　and　by　terror。　They　were　own　brothers　in
callousness　and　cruelty　to　those　men　who　on　this　self…same　spot　a
few　months　ago　had　watched　the　daily　agony　of　a　martyred　Queen；　or
to　those　who　had　rushed　into　the　Abbaye　prison　on　that　awful　day
in　September；　and　at　a　word　from　their　infamous　leaders　had　put
eighty　defenceless　prisonersmen；　women；　and　childrento　the
sword。

〃Tell　him　to　say　what　he　has　done　with　Capet；〃　said　one　of　the
soldiers　now；　and　this　rough　command　was　accompanied　with　a　coarse
jest　that　sent　the　blood　flaring　up　into　Marguerite's　pale　cheeks。

The　brutal　laugh；　the　coarse　words　which　accompanied　it；　the
insult　flung　at　Marguerite；　had　penetrated　to　Blakeney's　slowly
returning　　consciousness。　　With　　sudden　strength；　that　appeared
almost　supernatural；　he　jumped　to　his　feet；　and　before　any　of　the
others　could　interfere　he　had　with　clenched　fist　struck　the
soldier　a　full　blow　on　the　mouth。

The　man　staggered　back　with　a　curse；　the　other　shouted　for　help；
in　a　moment　the　narrow　place　swarmed　with　sold