United States or Bosnia and Herzegovina ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Gaydon the cautious Gaydon would sleep in this town and in its most populous quarter. Gaydon would put up at the busiest inn. Charles Wogan will follow Gaydon's example." Wogan rode slowly through the narrow streets of gabled houses until he came to the market square.
The story was a familiar one at Bologna, whither they were hurrying; it was sufficiently known that Charles Wogan was its hero. All this was Wogan's business, not Gaydon's. Nor had Gaydon anything to do with any city of dreams or with any lady that might ride into it, or with any black horse that chanced to carry her. Poets no doubt talked that way. It was their business.
When they had gone Captain Spade stood up, and his men rejoined him. Had they not better profit by the chance thus unexpectedly afforded them to enter the room and secure Roch, who was in a semi-comatose condition, and then await Gaydon's return, and seize the warder as he entered? This would have involved considerable risk.
Wogan laughed again as though Gaydon's examination of the cupboard was a very good joke. "There will be nobody in it," he cried. "Gaydon will never feel a hand gripping the life out of his throat because he forgot to search a cupboard." The cupboard was empty, as it happened.
"I had last night, but I made a spill of it to light my pipe. There were six men against me. Had that been found on my dead body, why, there was proof positive of our attempt, and the attempt foiled by sure safeguards. As it is, if we lie still a little while, their fears will cease and the rumour become discredited." Misset leaned across Gaydon's arm and scanned the letter.
Misset broke into the room with a face as discomposed as Gaydon's had been. "Here's another who has heard the same rumour," said Wogan. "It is more than a rumour," said Misset. "It is an order, and most peremptory, from the Court of France, forbidding any officer of Dillon's regiment to be absent for more than twenty-four hours from his duties on pain of being broke. Our secret's out.
Now Gaydon should have slept in this room. Gaydon's a great man. Gaydon has a great deal of observation and common sense, and was never plagued with a flim-flam of fancies. To be sure, I need Gaydon, but since I have not Gaydon, I'll light a candle." With that Wogan got out of bed.
The King said very graciously that he would hold the major and his friends in no less esteem if by any misfortune they came back empty-handed. That was most kind of him, but it was none of Gaydon's business. The King was ill at ease and looked as though he had not slept a wink the livelong night.
But it is strange," and he laughed a little to himself and looked about the room, assuring himself that this indeed was Gaydon's lodging. "You received a slip of paper?" said he. "Four days back," said Gaydon. "And understood?" "That we were to be ready." "Good." "Then it's not a lottery," murmured O'Toole, "and we've drawn no prizes." "Ah, but we are going to," cried Wogan. "We are safe here.
Edgar walked forward to the end of the passage with Gaydon at his heels. The two men came to a flight of stone steps, which they descended. The steps led to a dark and dripping cellar with no pavement but the mud, and that depressed into puddles. The air was cold and noisome; the walls to the touch of Gaydon's hand were greasy with slime. He followed Edgar across the cellar into a sort of tunnel.
Word Of The Day