United States or Svalbard and Jan Mayen ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
However, I persuaded the little Frenchman to let me into the courtyard, by which way I knew the captain would return if he was able. We went downstairs, accompanied by Baptiste, and Monsieur Ragoul unbarred and opened the side door. . When I stepped into the court I was relieved to discover that the immediate neighborhood was comparatively quiet.
"I have left my old lodging," he went on, "and Monsieur Ragoul has given me a room next to yours." "I rejoice to hear it," I said politely. "And have you learned anything to-day?" "Mr. Mackenzie will demand satisfaction for that blow," the captain answered coolly. "He shall have it," said I. "He is a skilled swordsman and a deadly shot, Mr. Carew."
It was a novel thing that I, who had scarce spoken ten words to a woman before in my life, should be playing the gallant to as pretty a girl as could be found in Quebec. But she had put me quite at my ease, and mightily proud I felt when I gave her into the care of Madame Ragoul, though the thought that she was the promised bride of old Griffith Hawke seemed to bring a lump to my throat.
He had been there when I entered, and I could not recall having seen him before about the hotel; but of this I was not certain, since his face was in shadow and half-covered by his hat. In the adjoining bar, to judge from the clinking of glasses and bottles and the hum of conversation, Madame Ragoul was busy with a few customers.
I'm going to do a little spying about the town on my own account; but, first it is important that I should see Miss Hatherton." I did not relish the idea of disturbing the girl so soon after her arrival, and I was about to say as much. But just then appeared Madame Ragoul with a request that my companion would accord an interview to Miss Hatherton.
Just then the door was flung open, and Jules Ragoul burst excitedly into the room. "Bonne nouvelles!" he cried. "News, Monsieur Carew! Good news! The Good Hope is in the river, and she will land her passengers early to-morrow!" All else was forgotten, and I eagerly questioned the little Frenchman. When I was done with him I looked about for Captain Rudstone and the law clerk.
Miss Hatherton had by this time put on a dressing-gown and slippers, and seemed to have entirely recovered from her fright. She blushed prettily as she saw me. "You have not killed him. Mr. Carew?" she asked. "I fear not," I replied; "but Captain Rudstone hopes to take him." "It will be a shame if he escapes," cried Madame Ragoul. "Oh, the pig the wicked robber!
It was nine o'clock on a Monday evening in the fourth week of June, and I was sitting, as was my nightly custom, in the cozy coffee room of the modest hostelry where I had taken lodgings when I first came to Quebec. This was the Hotel Silver Lily, kept by Monsieur Jules Ragoul and madame, his wife.
She was due in the early summer, being a passenger on the ship Good Hope. I was to put her in care of Madame Ragoul, and we were both to sail for Hudson's Bay at the first opportunity in one of the company's vessels. The factor had not been able to leave his post for so long a time, and he had sent me on this errand with evident reluctance.
He might have strangled the pretty English mademoiselle!" The servants were rolling their eyes and shivering with fear, and Monsieur Ragoul was dancing about, with his red nightcap hanging to one ear. "I am ruined!" he wailed. "The good name of my house is gone! Never never did such a thing happen before!
Word Of The Day