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Updated: June 17, 2025
Followed by Le Brusquet I passed the archway, and there in the dark, vaulted passage, with his back to the door of De Mouchy's house, stood Simon of Orrain, at bay at last! De Lorgnac had been too quick for him, and had forced him to fight at the very entrance of his lair.
She made no answer, but, gravely wishing us good-night, followed De Lorgnac up the stone steps, and, passing through the archway, the two were lost to our view. When they had gone I turned to Le Brusquet. "I too am in the dark. What did De Lorgnac mean?" "He meant that his Majesty, by some means or other, discovered that the Queen was at the masque and who remained behind in the cabinet.
My God! I did not think earth held so foul a villain." But Lorgnac took no notice of his last words, only the hand holding the packet began to shake a little as he said slowly: "As it happens, I know the writing well. It is a woman's hand " Both Le Brusquet and I turned on him, the same thought in our hearts. "She!"
Late that evening Le Brusquet sat alone in his room in the Louvre, my ring on the table before him. On leaving me that afternoon near the Ladies' Terrace his first thought had been, according to his promise, to return the letters we found to De Ganache; but he was not to be seen.
"I know not how to thank M. de Lorgnac or you " I began, but Le Brusquet cut in: "As yet the thanks are due from me, and Lorgnac is helping me to pay my debts. And now listen, mon ami. One half the world consists of fools who give advice, and the other half of idiots who refuse to benefit by it; let me for once see an exception to the rule." "I hardly follow you." "I will explain.
There was another word of encouragement from Le Brusquet, and she took the plunge. "A moment," she said, and vanished into the inner room. "Eh bien, monsieur," and Le Brusquet turned towards De Lorges, "you have a great trust to-night; guard it carefully." "Monsieur," replied the boy, "with my life," and he touched the hilt of his little sword.
I looked at the ring on my finger, and Le Brusquet saw the look. "I fear," he said, "that little talisman has lost its power for the present; but, to go on, I had other business in the morning which I could not avoid. Towards eleven o'clock I hastened to the Rue des Lavandières to return your sword and to warn you. To my relief you were not there.
I, therefore, judged it prudent to write to Le Brusquet, begging him to inform the Queen how far I had come; and, as difficulties might arise in regard to my entry into Paris, I suggested that mademoiselle should be met by an escort either at Etampes or Montlhéry; and, commending myself to his friendship, begged the favour of his losing no time in aiding me in this matter.
"They belong to De Ganache," I said; "he was reading them as I came up." "In that case I will return them to monsieur with my own hands." And Le Brusquet slipped the packet into his pocket. Then turning he took me by the arm and led me off, telling me some absurd story, and laughing loudly, until we had passed out of sight of the windows. Then he stopped.
At the head stood Le Brusquet, and huddled in a corner near a door was De Mouchy, with a white, fear-stricken face and chattering teeth, and De Lorgnac's sword at his heart. Numbers had followed me, and at the sight of De Mouchy a roar went forth that was taken up by those below. "Give us the judge! Give us De Mouchy!"
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