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"If you do not take to your heels at once," said the artist, becoming purple with rage, "I will cut your face in two." "Apples are sometimes cut in two," said Lambernier, sneeringly advancing his face with an air of bravado. "My face is not afraid of your whip; you can not frighten me because you are a gentleman and I am a workman! I snap my fingers at bourgeois like "
The three men were standing upon a plot of ground where charcoal had been burned the year before. The ground was black and slippery, but being rather level, it was a very favorable place for a duel with fists or any other weapons. When Lambernier saw the lackey's warlike preparations, he placed his cap and coat upon an old stump and stationed himself in front of his adversary.
"It is that poor devil of a Lambernier, is it not, Bergenheim?" "It is true!" stammered Christian, who, in spite of his boldness, could not help turning away his eyes. "The carpenter! drowned! this is frightful! I never should have recognized him how disfigured he is!" exclaimed the others, as they pressed forward to gaze at this horrible spectacle.
The hunting-party were coming in his direction, and Lambernier knew that to continue in the path he had first chosen would take him directly among the hunters; and, in spite of his insolence, he feared the Baron too much to wish to expose himself to the danger of another chastisement.
Bergenheim shivered as if he were taken with a chill, and his gun dropped from his hand to the ground. As quick as thought Lambernier stooped over to seize the gun, but he did not have time to carry out his intention, for he was seized by the throat and half choked by an iron hand.
"Ten francs to-day, and ten napoleons Monday," said Lambernier as, with an eye in which there was a mixture of scorn and hatred, he watched the traveller disappear. "I should be a double idiot to refuse. But this does not pay for the blows from your whip, you puppy; when we have settled this affair of the fine lady, I shall attend to you."
Lambernier, at sight of them, turned to enter the woods again, but he was stopped in his retreat by a threatening shout. "Stop, you vagabond!" exclaimed the coachman; "halt! If you take a trot, I shall take a gallop." "What do you want? I have no business with you," replied the workman, in a surly tone.
At first, he stooped and concealed himself in the thickets, ready to appear for the denouement. As Lambernier saw the giant's fist coming down upon him, be darted to one side and the blow only struck the air, making the coachman stumble from the force of his impetuosity.
His eyebrows contracted in a manner that betokened a coming storm, but Lambernier was not disturbed by this symptom; he continued in a more and more assured voice: "When I said that this letter was worth ten louis, I meant that it was worth that much to a mere stranger, and I am very sure I should not have to go very far to find one; but Monsieur le Baron is too sensible not to know the value of this secret.
Lambernier, for it was he who showed himself so prompt at keeping his promise, directed his steps through the thickets toward the corner of the Corne woods which he had designated to Marillac; but, after walking for some time, he was forced to slacken his steps.
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