\"Hereisacockofafinehackle！\"Andsoon，andsoforth，whileheturnedgrinningtohiscompanions，lookingfortheirapplause。
Iwasitchingtochastisehim，andyethesitating，lestthethingshouldhaveitsseriousside，whenanewactorappeared。\"Shame，youbrutes！\"criedashrillvoiceaboveusinthecloudsitseemed。Ilookedup，andsawtwogirls，coarseandhandsome，standingatawindowoverthestable，alightbetweenthem。\"Forshame！Don’tyouseethattheyaremerechildren？Letthembe，\"
criedone。
Themenlaughedlouderthanever;andforme，Icouldnotstandbyandbecalledachild。\"Comehere，\"Isaid，beckoningtothemaninthedoorway。\"Comehere，yourascal，andIwillgiveyouthethrashingyoudeserveforspeakingtoagentleman！\"
Heloungedforward，aheavyfellow，tallerthanmyselfandsixincheswiderattheshoulders。MyheartfailedmealittleasI
measuredhim。Butthethinghadtobedone。IfIwasslight，I
waswiryasahound，andintheexcitementhadforgottenmyfatigue。IsnatchedfromMariealoadedriding—whiphecarried，andsteppedforward。
\"Haveacare，littleman！\"criedthegirlgaily——yethalfinpity，Ithink。\"Orthatfatpigwillkillyou！\"
Myantagonistdidnotjoininthelaughthistime。Indeeditstruckmethathiseyewanderedandthathewasnotsoreadytoentertheringashismatesweretoformit。ButbeforeIcouldtryhismettle，ahandwaslaidonmyshoulder。AmanappearingfromIdonotknowwhere——fromthedarkfringeofthegroup，I
suppose——pushedmeaside，roughly，butnotdiscourteously。
\"Leavethistome！\"hesaid，coollysteppingbeforeme。\"Donotdirtyyourhandswiththeknave，master。Iampiningforworkandthejobwilljustsuitme！IwillfithimforthewormsbeforethenunsabovecansayanAVE！\"
Ilookedatthenewcomer。Hewasastoutfellow;notovertall，noroverbig;swarthy，withprominentfeatures。Theplumeofhisbonnetwasbroken，butheworeitinarakishfashion;andaltogetherheswaggeredwithsodare—devilanair，clinkinghisspursandswingingouthislongswordrecklessly，thatitwasnowonderthreeorfourofthenearestfellowsgavebackafoot。
\"Comeon！\"hecried，boisterously，formingaringbythesimpleprocessofsweepinghisbladefromsidetoside，whilehemadethedaggerinhislefthandflashroundhishead。\"Whoisforthegame？WhowillstrikeablowforthelittleAdmiral？Willyoucomeone，two，threeatonce;oralltogether？Anyway，comeon，you——\"Andheclosedhischallengewithavolleyoffrightfuloaths，directedatthegroupopposite。
\"Itisnoquarrelofyours，\"saidthebigman，sulkily;makingnoshowofdrawinghissword，butratherdrawingbackhimself。
\"Allquarrelsaremyquarrels！andnoquarrelsareyourquarrels。Thatisaboutthetruth，Ifancy！\"wasthesmartretort;whichourchampionrenderedmoreemphaticbyaplayfullungethatcausedthebigbullytoskipagain。
Therewasaloudlaughatthis，evenamongtheenemy’sbackers。
\"Bah，thegreatpig！\"ejaculatedthegirlabove。\"Spithim！\"
andshespatdownonthewhilomHector——whomadenogreatfigurenow。
\"ShallIbringyouasliceofhim，mydear？\"askedmyrakehellyfriend，lookingupandmakinghisswordplayroundtheshrinkingwretch。\"Justatit—bit，mylove？\"headdedpersuasively。\"A
mouthfulofwhiteliverandcapersauce？\"
\"Notforme，thebeast！\"thegirlcried，amidthelaughteroftheyard。
\"Notabit？IfIwarranthimtender？Ladies’meat？\"
\"Bah！no！\"andshestolidlyspatdownagain。
\"Doyouhear？Theladyhasnotasteforyou，\"thetormentorcried。\"PigofaGascon！\"Anddeftlysheathinghisdagger，heseizedthebigcowardbytheear，andturninghimround，gavehimaheavykickwhichsenthimspinningoverabucket，anddownagainstthewall。Therethebullyremained，swearingandrubbinghimselfbyturns;whilethevictorcriedboastfully，\"Enoughofhim。Ifanyonewantstotakeuphisquarrel，BlaiseBureishisman。Ifnot，letushaveanendofit。Letsomeonefindstallsforthegentlemen’shorsesbeforetheycatchachill;andhavedonewithit。Asforme，\"headded，andthenheturnedtousandremovedhishatwithanexaggeratedflourish，\"Iamyourlordship’sservanttocommand。\"
Ithankedhimwithaheartiness，half—earnest，half—assumed。Hiscloakwasragged，histrunkhose，whichhadoncebeenfineenough，werestained，andalmostpointless，Heswaggeredinimitably，andhadled—captainwrittenlargeuponhim。Buthehaddoneusaservice，forJeanhadnofurthertroubleaboutthehorses。Andbesidesonehasanaturallikingforabraveman，andthismanwasbravebeyondquestion。
\"YouarefromOrleans，\"hesaidrespectfullyenough，butasoneassertingafact，notaskingaquestion。
\"Yes，\"Ianswered，somewhatastonished，\"Didyouseeuscomein？\"
\"No，butIlookedatyourboots，gentlemen，\"hereplied。\"Whitedust，north;reddust，south。Doyousee？\"
\"Yes，Isee，\"Isaid，withadmiration。\"Youmusthavebeenbroughtupinasharpschool，M。Bure。\"
\"Sharpmastersmakesharpscholars，\"hereplied，grinning。AndthatanswerIhadoccasiontorememberafterwards。
\"YouarefromOrleans，also？\"Iasked，aswepreparedtogoin。
\"Yes，fromOrleanstoo，gentlemen。Butearlierintheday。Withletters——lettersofimportance！\"Andbestowingsomethinglikeawinkofconfidenceonus，hedrewhimselfup，lookedsternlyatthestable—folk，pattedhimselftwiceonthechest，andfinallytwirledhismoustaches，andsmirkedatthegirlabove，whowaschewingstraws。
Ithoughtitlikelyenoughthatwemightfindithardtogetridofhim。Butthiswasnotso。Afterlisteningwithgratificationtoourrepeatedthanks，hebowedwiththesamegrotesqueflourish，andmarchedoffasgraveasaSpaniard，humming——
\"Cepetithommetantjoli！
Quitoujourscauseettoujoursrit，Quitoujoursbaisesamignonne，Dieugard’demalcepetithomme！\"
Onourgoingin，thelandlordmetuspolitely，butwithcuriosity，andasimmeringofexcitementalsoinhismanner。
\"FromParis，mylords？\"heasked，rubbinghishandsandbowinglow。\"Orfromthesouth？\"
\"Fromthesouth，\"Ianswered。\"FromOrleans，andhungryandtired，MasterHost。\"
\"Ah！\"hereplied，disregardingthelatterpartofmyanswer，whilehislittleeyestwinkledwithsatisfaction。\"ThenIdareswear，mylords，youhavenotheardthenews？\"Hehaltedinthenarrowpassage，andliftingthecandlehecarried，scannedourfacesclosely，asifhewishedtolearnsomethingaboutusbeforehespoke。
\"News！\"Iansweredbrusquely，beingbothtired，andasIhadtoldhim，hungry。\"Wehaveheardnone，andthebestyoucangiveuswillbethatoursupperisreadytobeserved。\"
Buteventhissnubdidnotcheckhiseagernesstotellhisnews。
\"TheAdmiraldeColigny，\"hesaid，breathlessly，\"youhavenotheardwhathashappenedtohim？\"
\"Totheadmiral？No，what？\"Iinquiredrapidly。Iwasinterestedatlast。
Foramomentletmedigress。Thefewofmyagewillremember，andthemanyyoungerwillhavebeentold，thatatthistimetheItalianqueen—motherwastherulingpowerinFrance。ItwasCatharinede’Medici’sfirstobjecttomaintainherinfluenceoverCharlestheNinth——herson;who，ricketty，weak，andpassionate，wasalreadydoomedtoanearlygrave。Hersecond，tosupporttheroyalpowerbybalancingtheextremeCatholicsagainsttheHuguenots。Forthelatterpurposeshewouldcoquetfirstwithoneparty，thenwiththeother。AtthepresentmomentshehadcommittedherselfmoredeeplythanwasherwonttotheHuguenots。Theirleaders，theAdmiralGasparddeColigny，theKingofNavarre，andthePrinceofConde，weresupposedtobehighinfavour，whilethechiefsoftheotherparty，theDukeofGuise，andthetwoCardinalsofhishouse，theCardinalofLorraineandtheCardinalofGuise，wereindisgrace;which，asitseemed，eventheirfriendatcourt，thequeen’sfavouriteson，HenryofAnjou，wasunabletoovercome。
SuchwastheoutwardaspectofthingsinAugust，1572，buttherewerenotwantingrumoursthatalreadyColigny，takingadvantageofthefootinggivenhim，hadgainedaninfluenceovertheyoungking，whichthreatenedCatharinede’Mediciherself。Theadmiral，therefore，towhomtheHuguenothalfofFrancehadlonglookedastoitsleader，wasnowtheobjectoftheclosestinteresttoall;theGuisefaction，hatinghim——astheallegedassassinoftheDukeofGuise——withanintensitywhichprobablywasnottobefoundintheaffectionofhisfriends，popularwiththelatterashewas。
Still，manywhowerenotHuguenotshadaregardforhimasagreatFrenchmanandagallantsoldier。We——thoughwewereoftheoldfaith，andtheotherside——hadheardmuchofhim，andmuchgood。TheVicomtehadspokenofhimalwaysasagreatman，amanmistaken，butbrave，honestandcapableinhiserror。Thereforeitwasthatwhenthelandlordmentionedhim，Iforgotevenmyhunger。
\"Hewasshot，mylords，ashepassedthroughtheRuedesFosses，yesterday，\"themandeclaredwithbatedbreath。\"Itisnotknownwhetherhewillliveordie。Parisisinanuproar，andtherearesomewhofeartheworst。\"
\"But，\"Isaiddoubtfully，\"whohasdaredtodothis？Hehadasafeconductfromthekinghimself。\"
Ourhostdidnotanswer;shrugginghisshouldersinstead，heopenedthedoor，andusheredusintotheeating—room。
Somepreparationsforourmealhadalreadybeenmadeatoneendofthelongboard。Attheotherwasseatedamanpastmiddleage;richlybutsimplydressed。Hisgreyhair，cutshortaboutamassivehead，andhisgrave，resoluteface，square—jawed，anddeeply—lined，markedhimasonetowhomrespectwasdueapartfromhisclothes。Webowedtohimaswetookourseats。
Heacknowledgedthesalute，fixingusamomentwithapenetratingglance;andthenresumedhismeal。Inoticedthathisswordandbeltwereproppedagainstachairathiselbow，andadag，apparentlyloaded，layclosetohishandbythecandlestick。Twolackeyswaitedbehindhischair，wearingthebadgewehadremarkedintheinnyard。
Webegantotalk，speakinginlowtonesthatwemightnotdisturbhim。TheattackonColignyhad，iftrue，itsbearingonourownbusiness。ForifaHuguenotsogreatandfamousandenjoyingtheking’sspecialfavourstillwentinParisindangerofhislife，whatmustbetheriskthatsuchanoneasPavannesran？Wehadhopedtofindthecityquiet。IfinsteaditshouldbeinastateofturmoilBezers’chancesweresomuchthebetter;andours——andKit’s，poorKit’s——somuchtheworse。
Ourcompanionhadbythistimefinishedhissupper。Buthestillsatattable，andseemedtoberegardinguswithsomecuriosity。
Atlengthhespoke。\"AreyougoingtoParis，younggentlemen？\"
heasked，histoneharshandhigh—pitched。
Weansweredintheaffirmative。\"To—morrow？\"hequestioned。
\"Yes，\"weanswered;andexpectedhimtocontinuetheconversation。Butinsteadhebecamesilent，gazingabstractedlyatthetable;andwhatwithourmeal，andourowntalkwehadalmostforgottenhimagain，whenlookingup，Ifoundhimatmyelbow，holdingoutinsilenceasmallpieceofpaper。
Istartedhisfacewassograve。Butseeingthattherewerehalf—a—dozenguestsofameanersortatanothertablecloseby，I
guessedthathemerelywishedtomakeaprivatecommunicationtous;andhastenedtotakethepaperandreadit。Itcontainedascrawloffourwordsonly——
\"Vachasserl’Idole。\"
Nomore。Ilookedathimpuzzled;abletomakenothingoutofit。St。Croixwrinkledhisbrowoveritwiththesameresult。
ItwasnogoodhandingittoMarie，therefore。
\"Youdonotunderstand？\"thestrangercontinued，asheputthescrapofpaperbackinhispouch。
\"No，\"Ianswered，shakingmyhead。Wehadallrisenoutofrespecttohim，andwerestandingalittlegroupabouthim。
\"Justso;itisallrightthen，\"heanswered，lookingatusasitseemedtomewithgravegood—nature。\"Itisnothing。Goyourway。But——Ihaveasonyondernotmuchyoungerthanyou，younggentlemen。Andifyouhadunderstood，Ishouldhavesaidtoyou，’Donotgo！Thereareenoughsheepfortheshearer！’\"
HewasturningawaywiththisoracularsayingwhenCroisettetouchedhissleeve。\"Praycanyoutellusifitbetrue，\"theladsaideagerly，\"thattheAdmiraldeColignywaswoundedyesterday？\"
\"Itistrue，\"theotheranswered，turninghisgraveeyesonhisquestioner，whileforamomenthissternlookfailedhim，\"Itistrue，myboy，\"headdedwithanairofstrangesolemnity。\"WhomtheLordloveth，Hechasteneth。And，Godforgivemeforsayingit，whomHewoulddestroy，Hefirstmakethmad。\"
HehadgazedwithpeculiarfavouratCroisette’sgirlishface，I
thought：MarieandIweredarkanduglybythesideoftheboy。
Butheturnedfromhimnowwithaqueer，excitedgesture，thumpinghisgold—headedcaneonthefloor。Hecalledhisservantsinaloud，raspingvoice，andlefttheroominseeminganger，drivingthembeforehim，theonecarryinghisdag，andtheother，twocandles。
WhenIcamedownearlynextmorning，thefirstpersonImetwasBlaiseBure。Helookedratherfiercerandmoreshabbybydaylightthancandlelight。Buthesalutedmerespectfully;andthis，sinceitwasclearthathedidnotrespectmanypeople，inclinedmetoregardhimwithfavour。Itisalwaysso，themoresavagethedog，themorehighlyweprizeitsattentions。IaskedhimwhotheHuguenotnoblewaswhohadsuppedwithus。ForaHuguenotweknewhemustbe。
\"TheBarondeRosny，\"heanswered;addingwithasneer，\"Heisacarefulman！Iftheywerealllikehim，witheyesonbothsidesofhisheadandadagbyhiscandle——well，mylord，therewouldbeonemorekinginFrance——oroneless！Buttheyareablindlot：asblindasbats。\"HemutteredsomethingfartherinwhichIcaughttheword\"to—night。\"ButIdidnothearitall;orunderstandanyofit。
\"YourlordshipsaregoingtoParis？\"heresumedinadifferenttone。WhenIsaidthatwewere，helookedatmeinashamefacedway，halftimid，halfarrogant。\"Ihaveasmallfavourtoaskofyouthen，\"hesaid。\"IamgoingtoParismyself。Iamnotafraidofodds，asyouhaveseen。Buttheroadswillbeinaqueerstateiftherebeanythingonfootinthecity，and——well，Iwouldratherridewasyougentlementhanalone。\"
\"Youarewelcometojoinus，\"Isaid。\"Butwestartinhalf—an—
hour。DoyouknowPariswell？\"
\"Aswellasmysword—hilt，\"herepliedbriskly，relievedI
thoughtbymyacquiescence，\"AndIhaveknownthatfrommybreeching。IfyouwantagameatPAUME，oraprettygirltokiss，Icanputyouinthewayfortheoneortheother。\"
ThehalfrusticshrinkingfromthegreatcitywhichIfelt，suggestedtomethatourswashbucklingfriendmighthelpusifhewould。\"DoyouknowM。dePavannes？\"Iaskedimpulsively，\"WherehelivesinParis，Imean？\"
\"M。LouisdePavannes？\"quothhe。
\"Yes。\"
\"Iknow——\"herepliedslowly，rubbinghischinandlookingatthegroundinthought——\"wherehehadhislodgingsintownawhileago，before——Ah！Idoknow！Iremember，\"headded，slappinghisthigh，\"whenIwasinParisafortnightagoIwastoldthathisstewardhadtakenlodgingsforhimintheRueSt。Antoine。\"
\"Good！\"Iansweredoverjoyed。\"Thenwewanttodismountthere，ifyoucanguideusstraighttothehouse。\"
\"Ican，\"herepliedsimply。\"Andyouwillnotbetheworseformycompany。Parisisaqueerplacewhenthereistroubletothefore，butyourlordshipshavegottherightmantopilotyouthroughit。\"
Ididnotaskhimwhattroublehemeant，butranindoorstobuckleonmysword，andtellMarieandCroisetteoftheallyI
hadsecured。Theyweremuchpleased，aswasnatural;sothatwetooktheroadinexcellentspiritsintendingtoreachthecityintheafternoon。ButMarie’shorsecastashoe，anditwassometimebeforewecouldfindasmith。ThenatEtampes，wherewestoppedtolunch，wewerekeptanunconscionabletimewaitingforit。AndsoweapproachedParisforthefirsttimeatsunset。A
ruddyglowwasatthemomentwarmingtheeasternheights，andpickingoutwithflamethetwintowersofNotreDame，andtheonetalltowerofSt。JacqueslaBoucherie。Adozenroofshigherthantheirneighboursshonehotly;andagreatbankofcloud，whichlaynorthandsouth，andlookedlikeaman’shandstretchedoverthecity，changedgraduallyfromblood—redtoviolet，andfromviolettoblack，aseveningfell。
Passingwithinthegatesandacrossfirstonebridgeandthenanother，wewereastonishedandutterlyconfusedbythenoiseandhubbubthroughwhichwerode。Hundredsseemedtobemovingthiswayandthatinthenarrowstreets。Womenscreamedtooneanotherfromwindowtowindow。Thebellsofhalf—a—dozenchurchesrangthecurfew。Ourcountryearsweredeafened。Stilloureyeshadleisuretotakeinthetallhouseswiththeirhigh—
pitchedroofs，andhereandthereatowerbuiltintothewall;
thequaintchurches，andthegroupsoftownsfolk——sullenfellowssomeofthemwithafiercegleamintheireyes———who，standinginthemouthsofreekingalleys，watchedusgoby。
Butpresentlywehadtostop。Acrowdhadgatheredtowatchalittlecavalcadeofsixgentlemenpassacrossourpath。Theywereridingtwoandtwo，loungingintheirsaddlesandchatteringtooneanother，distainfullyunconsciousofthepeopleaboutthem，ortheremarkstheyexcited。TheirgracefulbearingandtherichnessoftheirdressandequipmentsurpassedanythingI
hadeverseen。Adozenpagesandlackeyswereattendingthemonfoot，andthesoundoftheirjestsandlaughtercametousovertheheadsofthecrowd。
WhileIwasgazingatthem，somemovementofthethrongdrovebackBure’shorseagainstmine。Burehimselfutteredasavageoath;uncalledforsofarasIcouldsee。ButmyattentionwasarrestedthenextmomentbyCroisette，whotappedmyarmwithhisridingwhip。\"Look！\"hecriedinsomeexcitement，\"isnotthathe？\"
Ifollowedthedirectionofthelad’sfinger——aswellasIcouldfortheplungingofmyhorsewhichBure’shadfrightened——andscrutinizedthelastpairofthetroop。Theywerecrossingthestreetinwhichwestood，andIhadonlyasideviewofthem;orratherofthenearerrider。Hewasasingularlyhandsomeman，inageabouttwenty—twoortwenty—threewithlonglovelocksfallingonhislacecollarandcloakoforangesilk。Hisfacewassweetandkindlyandgracioustoamarvel。Buthewasastrangertome。
\"Icouldhavesworn，\"exclaimedCroisette，\"thatthatwasLouishimself——M。dePavannes！\"
\"That？\"Ianswered，aswebegantomoveagain，thecrowdmeltingbeforeus。\"Oh，dear，no！\"
\"No！no！Thefartherman！\"heexplained。
ButIhadnotbeenabletogetagoodlookatthefartherofthetwo。Weturnedinoursaddlesandpeeredafterhim。HisbackintheduskcertainlyremindedmeofLouis。Bure，however，whosaidheknewM。dePavannesbysight，laughedattheidea。\"Yourfriend，\"hesaid，\"isawidermanthanthat！\"AndIthoughthewasrightthere——butthenitmightbethecutoftheclothes。
\"TheyhavebeenattheLouvreplayingpaume，I’llbesworn！\"hewenton。\"SotheAdmiralmustbebetter。TheonenextuswasM。
deTeligny，theAdmiral’sson—in—law。Andtheother，whomyoumean，wastheComtedelaRochefoucault。\"
Weturnedashespokeintoanarrowstreetneartheriver，andcouldseenotfarfromusamassofdarkbuildingswhichBuretolduswastheLouvre——theking’sresidence。Outofthisstreetweturnedintoashortone;andhereBuredrewreinandrappedloudlyatsomeheavygates。Itwassodarkthatwhen，thesebeingopened，heledthewayintoacourtyard，wecouldseelittlemorethanatall，sharp—gabledhouse，projectingoverusagainstapalesky;andagroupofmenandhorsesinonecorner。
Burespoketooneofthemen，andbeggingustodismount，saidthefootmanwouldshowustoM。dePavannes。
Thethoughtthatwewereattheendofourlongjourney，andintimetowarnLouisofhisdanger，madeusforgetallourexertions，ourfatigueandstiffness。GladlythrowingthebridlestoJeanweranupthestepsaftertheservant。Thethingwasdone。Hurrah！thethingwasdone！
Thehouse——aswepassedthroughalongpassageandupsomesteps——seemedfullofpeople。Weheardvoicesandtheringofarmsmorethanonce。Butourguide，withoutpausing，ledustoasmallroomlightedbyahanginglamp。\"IwillinformM。dePavannesofyourarrival，\"hesaidrespectfully，andpassedbehindacurtain，whichseemedtohidethedoorofaninnerapartment。Ashedidsotheclinkofglassesandthehumofconversationreachedus。
\"Hehascompanysuppingwithhim，\"Isaidnervously。Itriedtoflipsomeofthedustfrommybootswithmywhip。IrememberedthatthiswasParis。
\"Hewillbesurprisedtoseeus，\"quothCroisette，laughing——alittleshyly，too，Ithink。Andsowestoodwaiting。
Ibegantowonderasminutespassedby——thegaycompanywehadseenputtingitinmymind，Isuppose——whetherM。dePavannes，ofParis，mightnotturnouttobeaverydifferentpersonfromLouisdePavannes，ofCaylus;whethertheking’scourtierwouldbeasfriendlyasKit’slover。AndIwasstillthinkingofthiswithouthavingsettledthepointtomysatisfaction，whenthecurtainwasthrustasideagain。Averytallman，wearingasplendidsuitofblackandsilverandastifftrencher—likeruff，camequicklyin，andstoodsmilingatus，alittledoginhisarms。Thelittledogsatupandsnarled：andCroisettegasped。
ItwasnotouroldfriendLouiscertainly！ItwasnotLouisdePavannesatall。Itwasnooldfriendatall，ItwastheVidamedeBezers！
\"Welcome，gentlemen！\"hesaid，smilingatus——andneverhadthecastbeensoapparentinhiseyes。\"WelcometoParis，M。Anne！\"
CHAPTERIV。
ENTRAPPED！
Therewasalongsilence。Westoodglaringathim，andhesmileduponus——asacatsmiles。Croisettetoldmeafterwardsthathecouldhavediedofmortification——ofshameandangerthatwehadbeensooutwitted。FormyselfIdidnotatoncegrasptheposition。Ididnotunderstand。IcouldnotdisentanglemyselfinamomentfromthebeliefinwhichIhadenteredthehouse——
thatitwasLouisdePavannes’house。ButIseemedvaguelytosuspectthatBezershadswepthimasideandtakenhisplace。Myfirstimpulsetherefore——obeyedontheinstant——wastostridetotheVidame’ssideandgrasphisarm。\"Whathaveyoudone？\"I
cried，myvoicesoundinghoarselyeveninmyownears。\"WhathaveyoudonewithM。dePavannes？Answerme！\"
Heshowedjustalittlemoreofhissharpwhiteteethashelookeddownatmyface——aflushedandtroubledfacedoubtless。
\"Nothing——yet，\"herepliedverymildly。Andheshookmeoff。
\"Then，\"Iretorted，\"howdoyoucomehere？\"
HeglancedatCroisetteandshruggedhisshoulders，asifIhadbeenaspoiledchild。\"M。Annedoesnotseemtounderstand，\"hesaidwithmockcourtesy，\"thatIhavethehonourtowelcomehimtomyhousetheHotelBezers，RuedePlatriere。\"
\"TheHotelBezers！RuedePlatriere！\"Icriedconfusedly。\"ButBlaiseBuretoldusthatthiswastheRueSt。Antoine！\"
\"Ah！\"herepliedasifslowlyenlightened——thehypocrite！\"Ah！
Isee！\"andhesmiledgrimly。\"SoyouhavemadetheacquaintanceofBlaiseBure，myexcellentmasterofthehorse！
WorthyBlaise！Indeed，indeed，nowIunderstand。Andyouthought，youwhelps，\"hecontinued，andashespokehistonechangedstrangely，andhefixedussuddenlywithangryeyes，\"toplayarubberwithme！Withme，youimbeciles！YouthoughtthewolfofBezerscouldbehunteddownlikeanyhare！Thenlisten，andIwilltellyoutheendofit。Youarenowinmyhouseandabsolutelyatmymercy。Ihavetwoscoremenwithincallwhowouldcutthethroatsofthreebabesatthebreast，ifIbadethem！Ay，\"he，added，awickedexultationshininginhiseyes，\"theywould，andlikethejob！\"
Hewasgoingontosaymore，butIinterruptedhim。TherageI
felt，causedasmuchbythethoughtofourfollyasbyhisarrogance，wouldletmebesilentnolonger。\"First，M。deBezers，first，\"Ibrokeoutfiercely，mywordsleapingoveroneanotherinmyhaste，\"awordwithyou！LetmetellyouwhatI
thinkofyou！Youareatreacheroushound，Vidame！Acur！abeast！AndIspituponyou！Traitorandassassin！\"Ishouted，\"isthatnotenough？Willnothingprovokeyou？Ifyoucallyourselfagentleman，draw！\"
Heshookhishead;hewasstillsmiling，stillunmoved。\"Idonotdomyowndirtywork，\"hesaidquietly，\"norstintmyfootmenoftheirsport，boy。\"
\"Verywell！\"Iretorted。AndwiththewordsIdrewmysword，andsprangasquickaslightningtothecurtainbywhichhehadentered。\"Verywell，wewillkillyoufirst！\"Icriedwrathfully，myeyeonhiseye，andeverysavagepassioninmybreastaroused，\"andtakeourchancewiththelackeysafterwards！
Marie！Croisette！\"Icriedshrilly，\"onhim，lads！\"
Buttheydidnotanswer！Theydidnotmoveordraw。Forthemomentindeedthemanwasinmypower。Mywristwasraised，andIhadmypointathisbreast，Icouldhaverunhimthroughbyasinglethrust。AndIhatedhim。Oh，howIhatedhim！Buthedidnotstir。Hadhespoken，hadhemovedsomuchasaneyelid，ordrawnbackhisfoot，orlaidhishandonhishilt，Ishouldhavekilledhimthere。ButhedidnotstirandIcouldnotdoit。Myhanddropped。\"Cowards！\"Icried，glancingbitterlyfromhimtothem——theyhadneverfailedmebefore。\"Cowards！\"I
muttered，seemingtoshrinkintomyselfasIsaidtheword。AndIflungmyswordclatteringonthefloor。
\"Thatisbetter！\"hedrawledquiteunmoved，asifnothingmorethanwordshadpassed，asifhehadnotbeeninperilatall。
\"ItwaswhatIwasgoingtoaskyoutodo。Iftheotheryounggentlemenwillfollowyourexample，Ishallbeobliged。Thankyou。Thankyou。\"
Croisette，andaminutelaterMarie，obeyedhimtotheletter！I
couldnotunderstandit。Ifoldedmyarmsandgaveupthegameindespair，andbutforveryshameIcouldhaveputmyhandstomyfaceandcried。Hestoodinthemiddleunderthelamp，aheadtallerthanthetallestofus;ourmaster。Andwestoodroundhimtrapped，beaten，foralltheworldlikechildren。Oh，I
couldhavecried！Thiswastheendofourlongride，ouraspirations，ourknight—errantry！
\"Nowperhapsyouwilllistentome，\"hewentonsmoothly，\"andhearwhatIamgoingtodo。Ishallkeepyouhere，younggentlemen，untilyoucanservemebycarryingtomademoiselle，yourcousin，somenewsofherbetrothed。Oh，Ishallnotdetainyoulong，\"headdedwithanevilsmile。\"YouhavearrivedinParisatafortunatemoment。Thereisgoingtobea——well，thereisalittleschemeonfootappointedforto—night——singularlyluckyyouare！——forremovingsomeobjectionablepeople，somefriendsofoursperhapsamongthem，M。Anne。Thatisall。Youwillhearshots，cries，perhapsscreams。Takenonotice。Youwillbeinnodanger。ForM。dePavannes，\"hecontinued，hisvoicesinking，\"IthinkthatbymorningIshallbeabletogiveyoua——amoreparticularaccountofhimtotaketoCaylus——toMademoiselle，youunderstand。\"
Foramomentthemaskwasoff。Hisfacetookasombrebrightness。Hemoistenedhislipswithhistongueasthoughhesawhisvengeanceworkedoutthenandtherebeforehim，andweregloatingoverthepicture。TheideathatthiswassotooksuchaholduponmethatIshrankback，shuddering;readingtooinCroisette’sfacethesamethought——andalaterepentance。Nay，themalignityofBezers’tone，thesavagegleamofjoyinhiseyesappalledmetosuchanextentthatIfanciedforamomentI
sawinhimthedevilincarnate！
Herecoveredhiscomposureveryquickly，however;andturnedcarelesslytowardsthedoor。\"Ifyouwillfollowme，\"hesaid，\"Iwillseeyoudisposedof。Youmayhavetocomplainofyourlodging——Ihaveotherthingstothinkofto—nightthanhospitality，Butyoushallnotneedtocomplainofyoursupper。\"
Hedrewasidethecurtainashespoke，andpassedintothenextroombeforeus，notgivingathoughtapparentlytothepossibilitythatwemightstrikehimfrombehind。Therecertainlywasanoddqualityapparentinhimattimeswhichseemedtocontradictwhatweknewofhim。
Theroomweenteredwasratherlongthanwide，hungwithtapestry，andlightedbysilverlamps。Richplate，embossed，I
afterwardslearned，byCellinitheFlorentine——whodiedthatyearIremember——andricherglassfromVenice，withacrowdofmeanervesselsfilledwithmeatsanddrinkscoveredthetable;
disorderedasbytheattacksofanumerousparty。Butsaveaservantortwobythedistantdresser，andanecclesiasticatthefarendofthetable，theroomwasempty。
Thepriestroseasweentered，theVidamesalutinghimasiftheyhadnotmetthatday。\"YouarewelcomeM。leCoadjuteur，\"hesaid;sayingitcoldly，however，Ithought。Andthetwoeyedoneanotherwithlittlefavour;ratherasbirdsofpreyabouttoquarreloverthespoil，thanashostandguest。PerhapstheCoadjutor’sglitteringeyesandgreatbeak—likenosemademethinkofthis。
\"Ho！ho！\"hesaid，lookingpiercinglyatus——andnodoubtwemusthaveseemedamiserableanddejectedcrewenough。\"Whoarethese？Notthefirst—fruitsofthenight，eh？\"
TheVidamelookeddarklyathim。\"No，\"heansweredbrusquely。
\"Theyarenot。Iamnotparticularoutofdoors，Coadjutor，asyouknow，butthisismyhouse，andwearegoingtosupper。
Perhapsyoudonotcomprehendthedistinction。Stillitexists——forme，\"withasneer。
ThiswasasgoodasGreektous。ButIsoshrankfromthepriest’smalignanteyes，whichwouldnotquitus，andfeltsomuchdisgustmingledwithmyangerthatwhenBezersbyagestureinvitedmetositdown，Idrewback。\"Iwillnoteatwithyou，\"
Isaidsullenly;speakingoutofakindofdullobstinacy，orperhapsachildishpetulance。
ItdidnotoccurtomethatthiswouldpiercetheVidame’sarmour。Yetadullredshowedforaninstantinhischeek，andheeyedmewithalook，thatwasnotallferocity，thoughtheveinsinhisgreattemplesswelled。Amoment，nevertheless，andhewashimselfagain。\"Armand，\"hesaidquietlytotheservant，\"thesegentlemenwillnotsupwithme。Layforthemattheotherend。\"
Menareodd。ThemomenthegavewaytomeIrepentedofmywords。ItwasalmostwithreluctancethatIfollowedtheservanttothelowerpartofthetable。Morethanthis，mingledwiththehatredIfeltfortheVidame，therewasnowastrangesentimenttowardshim——almostofadmiration;thathaditsbirthIthinkinthemoment，whenIheldhislifeinmyhand，andhehadnotflinched。
Weateinsilence;evenafterCroisettebygraspingmyhandunderthetablehadbeggedmenottojudgehimhastily。Thetwoattheupperendtalkedfast，andfromthelittlethatreachedus，I
judgedthatthepriestwaspressingsomecourseonhishost，whichthelatterdeclinedtotake。
OnceBezersraisedhisvoice。\"Ihavemyownendstoserve！\"hebrokeoutangrily，addingafierceoathwhichthepriestdidnotrebuke，\"andIshallservethem。ButthereIstop。Youhaveyourown。Well，servethem，butdonottalktomeofthecause！
Thecause？Tohellwiththecause！Ihavemycause，andyouhaveyours，andmylordofGuisehashis！Andyouwillnotmakemebelievethatthereisanyother！\"
\"Theking’s？\"suggestedthepriest，smilingsourly。
\"SayrathertheItalianwoman’s！\"theVidameansweredrecklessly——meaningthequeen—mother，Catherinede’Medici，I
supposed。
\"Well，then，thecauseoftheChurch？\"thepriestpersisted。
\"Bah！TheChurch？Itisyou，myfriend！\"Bezersrejoined，rudelytappinghiscompanion——atthatmomentintheactofcrossinghimself——onthechest。\"TheChurch？\"hecontinued;
\"no，no，myfriend。Iwilltellyouwhatyouaredoing。Youwantmetohelpyoutogetridofyourbranch，andyouofferinreturntoaidmewithmine——andthen，sayyou，therewillbenosticklefttobeateitherofus。Butyoumayunderstandonceforall\"——andtheVidamestruckhishandheavilydownamongtheglasses——\"thatIwillhavenointerferencewithmywork，masterClerk！None！Doyouhear？Andasforyours，itisnobusinessofmine。Thatisplainspeaking，isitnot？\"
Thepriest’shandshookasheraisedafullglasstohislips，buthemadenorejoinder，andtheVidame，seeingwehadfinished，rose。\"Armand！\"hecried，hisfacestilldark，\"takethesegentlementotheirchamber。Youunderstand？\"
Westifflyacknowledgedhissalute——thepriesttakingnonoticeofus——andfollowedtheservantfromtheroom;goingalongacorridorandupasteepflightofstairs，andseeingenoughbythewaytobesurethatresistancewashopeless。Doorsopenedsilentlyaswepassed，andgrimfellows，incorsletsandpaddedcoats，peeredout。Theclankofarmsandmurmurofvoicessoundedcontinuouslyaboutus;andaswepassedawindowthejingleofbits，andthehollowclangofarestlesshoofontheflagsbelow，toldusthatthegreathousewasforthetimeafortress。Iwonderedmuch。ForthiswasParis，acitywithgatesandguards;thenightashortAugustnight。YettheloneliestmanorinQuercycouldscarcelyhavebristledwithmorepikesandmusquetoons，onawinter’snightandintimeofwar。
Nodoubtthesesignsimpressedusall;andCroisettenotleast。
ForsuddenlyIheardhimstop，ashefollowedusupthenarrowstaircase，andbeginwithoutwarningtostumbledownagainasfastashecould。Ididnotknowwhathewasabout;butmutteringsomethingtoMarie，Ifollowedtheladtosee。AtthefootoftheflightofstairsIlookedback，Marieandtheservantwerestandinginsuspense，whereIhadleftthem。Iheardthelatterbidusangrilytoreturn。
ButbythistimeCroisettewasattheendofthecorridor;andreassuringthefellowbyagestureIhurriedon，untilbroughttoastandstillbyamanopeningadoorinmyface。Hehadheardourreturningfootsteps，andeyedmesuspiciously;butgavewayafteramomentwithagruntofdoubtIhastenedon，reachingthedooroftheroominwhichwehadsuppedintimetoseesomethingwhichfilledmewithgrimastonishment;somuchsothatIstoodrootedwhereIwas，tooproudatanyratetointerfere。
Bezerswasstanding，theleeringpriestathiselbow。AndCroisettewasstoopingforward，hishandsstretchedoutinanattitudeofsupplication。
\"Nay，butM。leVidame，\"theladcried，asIstood，thedoorinmyhand，\"itwerebettertostabheratoncethanbreakherheart！Havepityonher！Ifyoukillhim，youkillher！\"
TheVidamewassilent，seemingtoglowerontheboy。Thepriestsneered。\"Heartsaresoonmended——especiallywomen’s，\"hesaid。
\"ButnotKit’s！\"Croisettesaidpassionately——otherwiseignoringhim。\"NotKit’s！Youdonotknowher，Vidame！Indeedyoudonot！\"
Theremarkwasill—timed。IsawaspasmofangerdistortBezers’
face。\"Getup，boy！\"hesnarled，\"IwrotetoMademoisellewhatIwoulddo，andthatIshalldo！ABezerskeepshisword。BytheGodaboveus——iftherebeaGod，andinthedevil’snameI
doubtitto—night！——Ishallkeepmine！Go！\"
Hisgreatfacewasfullofrage。HelookedoverCroisette’sheadashespoke，asifappealingtotheGreatRegistrarofhisvow，intheverymomentinwhichheallbutdeniedHim。IturnedandstolebackthewayIhadcome;andheardCroisettefollow。
Thatlittlescenecompletedmymisery。AfterthatIseemedtotakenoheedofanythingoranybodyuntilIwasarousedbythegratingofourgaoler’skeyinthelock，andbecameawarethathewasgone，andthatwewerealoneinasmallroomunderthetiles。
Hehadleftthecandleonthefloor，andwethreestoodroundit。
Saveforthelongshadowswecastonthewallsandtwopalletshastilythrowndowninonecorner，theplacewasempty。Ididnotlookmuchatit，andIwouldnotlookattheothers。Iflungmyselfononeofthepalletsandturnedmyfacetothewall，despairing。Ithoughtbitterlyofthefailurewehadmadeofit，andoftheVidame’striumph。IcursedSt。Croixespeciallyforthatlasttouchofhumiliationhehadsettoit。Then，forgettingmyselfasmyangerabated，IthoughtofKitsofarawayatCaylus——ofKit’spale，gentleface，andhersorrow。AndlittlebylittleIforgaveCroisette。Afterallhehadnotbeggedforus——hehadnotstoopedforoursakes，butforhers。
IdonotknowhowlongIlayatsee—sawbetweenthesetwomoods。
Orwhetherduringthattimetheotherstalkedorweresilent，movedabouttheroomorlaystill。ButitwasCroisette’shandonmyshoulder，touchingmewithaquiveringeagernessthatinstantlycommunicateditselftomylimbs，whichrecalledmetotheroomanditsshadows。\"Anne！\"hecried。\"Anne！Areyouawake？\"
\"Whatisit？\"Isaid，sittingupandlookingathim。
\"Marie，\"hebegan，\"has——\"
Buttherewasnoneedforhimtofinish。IsawthatMariewasstandingatthefarsideoftheroombytheunglazedwindow;
which，beinginaslopingpartoftheroof，inclinedslightlyalso。Hehadraisedtheshutterwhichclosedit，andonhistip—
toes——forthesillwasalmosthisownheightfromthefloor——waspeeringout。IlookedsharplyatCroisette。\"Isthereagutteroutside？\"Iwhispered，beginningtotinglealloverasthethoughtofescapeforthefirsttimeoccurredtome。
\"No，\"heansweredinthesametone。\"ButMariesayshecanseeabeambelow，whichhethinkswecanreach。\"
Isprangup，promptlydisplacedMarie，andlookedout。WhenmyeyesgrewaccustomedtothegloomIdiscernedadarkchaosofroofsandgablesstretchingasfarasIcouldseebeforeme。
Nearer，immediatelyunderthewindow，yawnedachasm——anarrowstreet。Beyondthiswasahouseratherlowerthanthatinwhichwewere，thetopofitsroofnotquitereachingthelevelofmyeyes。
\"Iseenobeam，\"Isaid。
\"Lookbelow！\"quothMarie，stolidly，Ididso，andthensawthatfifteenorsixteenfeetbelowourwindowtherewasanarrowbeamwhichranfromourhousetotheoppositeone——forthesupportofboth，asiscommonintowns。Intheshadownearthefarendofthis——itwassodirectlyunderourwindowthatIcouldonlyseetheotherendofit——Imadeoutacasement，faintlyilluminatedfromwithin。
Ishookmyhead。
\"Wecannotgetdowntoit，\"Isaid，measuringthedistancetothebeamandthedepthbelowit，andshivering。
\"Mariesayswecan，withashortrope，\"Croisettereplied。Hiseyeswereglisteningwithexcitement。
\"Butwehavenorope！\"Iretorted。Iwasdull——asusual。Mariemadenoanswer。Surelyhewasthemoststolidandsilentofbrothers。Iturnedtohim。Hewastakingoffhiswaistcoatandneckerchief。
\"Good！\"Icried。Ibegantoseenow。Offcameourscarvesandkerchiefsalso，andfortunatelytheywereofhomemake，longandstrong。AndMariehadahankoffour—plyyarninhispocketasitturnedout，andIhadsomestoutnewgarters，andtwoorthreeyardsofthincord，whichIhadbroughttomendthegirths，ifneedshouldarise。Infiveminuteswehadfastenedthemcunninglytogether。
\"Iamthelightest，\"saidCroisette。
\"ButMariehasthesteadiesthead，\"Iobjected。Wehadlearnedthatlongago——thatMariecouldwalkthecoping—stonesofthebattlementswithaslittleconcernaswepacedaplanksetontheground。
\"True，\"Croisettehadtoadmit。\"Buthemustcomelast，becausewhoeverdoessowillhavetolethimselfdown。\"
Ihadnotthoughtofthat，andInodded。ItseemedthattheleadwaspassingoutofmyhandsandImightresignmyself。StillonethingIwouldhave。AsMariewastocomelast，Iwouldgofirst。
Myweightwouldbesttesttherope。Andaccordinglyitwassodecided。
Therewasnotimetobelost。Atanymomentwemightbeinterrupted。Sotheplanwasnosoonerconceivedthancarriedout。Theropewasmadefasttomyleftwrist。ThenImountedonMarie’sshoulders，andclimbed——notwithoutquavering——throughthewindow，takingaslittletimeoveritaspossible，forabellwasalreadyproclaimingmidnight。
AllthisIhaddoneonthespurofthemoment。Butoutside，hangingbymyhandsinthedarkness，thestrokesofthegreatbellinmyears，Ihadamomentinwhichtothink。Thesenseofthevibratingdepthbelowme，theairiness，thespaceandgloomaround，frightenedme。\"Areyouready？\"mutteredMarie，perhapswithalittleimpatience。Hehadnotascrapofimagination，hadMarie。
\"No！waitaminute！\"Iblurtedout，clingingtothesill，andtakingalastlookatthebareroom，andthetwodarkfiguresbetweenmeandthelight。\"No！\"Iadded，hurriedly。
\"Croisette——boys，Icalledyoucowardsjustnow。Itakeitback！
Ididnotmeanit！Thatisall！\"Igasped。\"Letgo！\"
Awarmtouchonmyhand。Somethinglikeasob。
ThenextmomentIfeltmyselfslidingdownthefaceofthehouse，downintothedepth。Thelightshotup。Myheadturnedgiddily。
Iclung，oh，howIclungtothatrope！Halfwaydownthethoughtstruckmethatincaseofaccidentthoseabovemightnotbestrongenoughtopullmeupagain。Butitwastoolatetothinkofthat，andinanothersecondmyfeettouchedthebeam。I
breathedagain。Softly，verygingerly，Imadegoodmyfootingontheslenderbridge，and，disengagingtherope，letitgo。Then，notwithoutanotherqualm，Isatdownastrideofthebeam，andwhistledintokenofsuccess。Successsofar！
Itwasastrangeposition，andIhaveoftendreamedofitsince。
InthedarknessaboutmeParislaytoallseemingasleep。A
veil，andnottheveilofnightonly，wasstretchedbetweenitandme;betweenme，amerelad，andthestrangesecretsofagreatcity;stranger，grimmer，moredeadlythatnightthaneverbeforeorsince。Howmanymenwerewatchingunderthosedimly—
seenroofs，witharmsintheirhands？Howmanysatwithmurderatheart？Howmanywerewaking，whoatdawnwouldsleepforever，orsleepingwhowouldwakeonlyattheknife’sedge？ThesethingsIcouldnotknow，anymorethanIcouldpicturehowmanyboon—companionswerepartingatthatinstant，justrisenfromthedice，onetogoblindly——theotherwatchinghim——tohisdeath？I
couldnotimagine，thankHeavenforit，thesesecrets，orahundredthpartofthetreacheryandcrueltyandgreedthatlurkedatmyfeet，readytoburstallboundsatapistol—shot。Ithadnosignificanceformethatthepastdaywasthe23rdofAugust，orthatthemorrowwasSt。Bartholomew’sfeast！
No。Yetmingledwiththejubilationwhichthepossibilityoftriumphoverourenemyraisedinmybreast，therewascertainlyaforeboding。TheVidame’shints，nolessthanhisopenboasts，hadpointedtosomethingtohappenbeforemorning——somethingwiderthanthemeremurderofasingleman。ThewarningalsowhichtheBarondeRosnyhadgivenusattheinnoccurredtomewithnewmeaning。AndIcouldnotshakethefeelingoff。I
fancied，asIsatinthedarknessastrideofmybeam，thatI
couldsee，closingthenarrowvistaofthestreet，theheavymassoftheLouvre;andthatthemurmurofvoicesandthetrampofmenassemblingcamefromitscourts，withnowandagainthestealthychallengeofasentry，therestrainedvoiceofanofficer。
