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Updated: May 23, 2025
As he reached it, he turned again and spoke significantly: "Remember if you fail, no pay." Cocardasse grinned impudently at him. "Sleep in peace, Monsieur Peyrolles." Peyrolles made a wry face and went out. As soon as he had gone the bravos gathered about Cocardasse and patted him enthusiastically on the back. Only Æsop remained in his corner, apparently indifferent to the whole proceedings.
This Lagardere of yours was the only one whom I had any difficulty in overcoming." Cocardasse gave an ironic snort. It was evident that he did not in the least believe the latter part of Faenza's narrative. Joel de Jurgan took up the thread of reminiscence. "If your Lagardere be the same as the man I am thinking of," he said, "I came across him a couple of years ago at the fair of Neuilly.
Cocardasse deprecated this display of interest with a gentle wave of the hand, and, leaning back in his chair, eyed Peyrolles coolly, sure that he plied him with a vise. And Cocardasse was right. Peyrolles hesitated, but also Peyrolles reflected.
"Who is the man, anyhow?" said Cocardasse, cheerfully, making the wine swing in the vessel; and Staupitz answered him, slowly: "Louis, Duke of Nevers." The effect of this simple speech upon the new-comers was exceedingly remarkable. Cocardasse seemed suddenly to forget his thirst, for he set down his untasted mug upon the table. Passepoil did the like. "Oh!" said Cocardasse, solemnly.
I challenged him, though I was more at home with a toasting-fork than a sword. I caught up an unfamiliar weapon, but he nicked the steel from my hand at a pass and banged me with the flat of his blade. The girl laughed. The bully grinned. I swore to learn swordcraft." "And you did," said Passepoil. "In six months you were our best pupil." Cocardasse continued: "In twelve you were our master."
The idea seemed to please Lagardere, for he again began to laugh softly to himself after he had finished speaking. But Cocardasse did not seem to think it was a laughing matter, for his voice was almost solemn as he asked: "Did you speak of the lady in your letter to Nevers?" Lagardere interrupted his mirth to reply: "Of course. The situation is so humorous.
"I take you at your words. Gonzague is at the fair yonder in attendance upon the king. You may get a chance to approach him. He can hardly refuse you his favor." "Hardly," said Cocardasse, grimly, and "hardly," echoed Passepoil, with a wry smile. Lagardere rose to his feet. "Go now. I shall find means to let you know of my whereabouts and my purposes later. Till then "
"The best swordsman in Paris!" Passepoil cried, enthusiastically. "The best swordsman in France!" Cocardasse shouted. Passepoil commented again: "The best swordsman in Europe." Cocardasse, not to be outdone, put the final touch to the picture: "The best swordsman in the world." The name of Lagardere seemed to make a marked impression upon the company.
In a frightful silence Chavernay crossed the room, entered the alcove, and came forth holding the sword of Louis de Nevers in his hand the sword that Louis de Nevers had used so valiantly on the night of Caylus. Silently he offered it to Lagardere, and silently Lagardere, giving the weapon he held to Cocardasse, took the sword of Nevers from the hands of Chavernay.
So many people had crossed the bridge that morning that it really seemed little less than probable that the appearance of a fresh pedestrian upon its arch could have any serious effect upon the satisfactory reflections of the two bravos. Yet at that moment a man did appear upon the bridge, who paused and surveyed Cocardasse and Passepoil, whose backs were towards him, with a significant smile.
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