It was high noon of the morrow. Our horses stood saddled; indeed, some of my men were already mounted - for I was not minded to disband them until Beaugency was reached - and my two coaches were both ready for the journey. The habits of a lifetime are not so easy to abandon even when Necessity raises her compelling voice.
I was in the act of settling my score with the landlord when of a sudden there were quick steps in the passage, the clank of a rapier against the wall, and a voice - the voice of Castelroux - calling excitedly "Bardelys! Monsieur de Bardelys!""What brings you here?" I cried in greeting, as he stepped into the room.
"Are you still for Beaugency?" he asked sharply, throwing back his head.
"Why, yes," I answered, wondering at this excitement.
"Then you have seen nothing of Saint-Eustache and his men?""Nothing."
"Yet they must have passed this way not many hours ago." Then tossing his hat on the table and speaking with sudden vehemence:
"If you have any interest in the family of Lavedan, you will return upon the instant to Toulouse."The mention of Lavedan was enough to quicken my pulses. Yet in the past two days I had mastered resignation, and in doing that we school ourselves to much restraint. I turned slowly, and surveyed the little Captain attentively. His black eyes sparkled, and his moustaches bristled with excitement. Clearly he had news of import.
I turned to the landlord.
"Leave us, Monsieur l'Hote," said I shortly; and when he had departed, "What of the Lavedan family, Castelroux?" I inquired as calmly as I might.
"The Chevalier de Saint-Eustache left Toulouse at six o'clock this morning for Lavedan."Swift the suspicion of his errand broke upon my mind.
"He has betrayed the Vicomte?" I half inquired, half asserted.
Castelroux nodded. "He has obtained a warrant for his apprehension from the Keeper of the Seals, and is gone to execute it. In the course of a few days Lavedan will be in danger of being no more than a name. This Saint-Eustache is driving a brisk trade, by God, and some fine prizes have already fallen to his lot. But if you add them all together, they are not likely to yield as much as this his latest expedition. Unless you intervene, Bardelys, the Vicomte de Lavedan is doomed and his family houseless.""I will intervene," I cried. "By God, I will! And as for Saint-Eustache - he was born under a propitious star, indeed, if he escapes the gallows. He little dreams that I am still to be reckoned with. There, Castelroux, I will start for Lavedan at once."Already I was striding to the door, when the Gascon called me back.
"What good will that do?" he asked. "Were it not better first to return to Toulouse and obtain a counter-warrant from the King?"There was wisdom in his words - much wisdom. But my blood was afire, and I was in too hot a haste to reason.
"Return to Toulouse?" I echoed scornfully. "A waste of time, Captain. No, I will go straight to Lavedan. I need no counter-warrant. I know too much of this Chevalier's affairs, and my very presence should be enough to stay his hand. He is as foul a traitor as you'll find in France; but for the moment God bless him for a very opportune knave. Gilles!" I called, throwing wide the door. "Gilles!""Monseigneur," he answered, hastening to me.
"Put back the carriages and saddle me a horse," I commanded. "And bid your fellows mount at once and await me in the courtyard. We are not going to Beaugency, Gilles. We ride north - to Lavedan."
