CHAPTER VII.
THE NIGHT OF THE 24TH OF AUGUST, 1572.
When La Mole and Coconnas had finished their supper--and it was meagreenough, for the fowls of _La Belle Etoile_ had their pin feathers singedonly on the sign--Coconnas whirled his chair around on one leg,stretched out his feet, leaned one elbow on the table, and drinking alast glass of wine, said:
"Do you mean to go to bed instantly, Monsieur de la Mole?"
"_Ma foi!_ I am very much inclined, for it is possible that I may becalled up in the night."
"And I, too," said Coconnas; "but it appears to me that, under thecircumstances, instead of going to bed and making those wait who are tocome to us, we should do better to call for cards and play a game. Theywould then find us quite ready."
"I would willingly accept your proposal, sir, but I have very littlemoney for play. I have scarce a hundred gold crowns in my valise, for mywhole treasure. I rely on that with which to make my fortune!"
"A hundred gold crowns!" cried Coconnas, "and you complain? By Heaven! Ihave but six!"
"Why," replied La Mole, "I saw you draw from your pocket a purse whichappeared not only full, but I should say bloated."
"Ah," said Coconnas, "that is to defray an old debt which I am compelledto pay to an old friend of my father, whom I suspect to be, likeyourself, somewhat of a Huguenot. Yes, there are here a hundred rosenobles," he added, slapping his pocket, "but these hundred rose noblesbelong to Maitre Mercandon. My personal patrimony, as I tell you, islimited to six crowns."
"How, then, can you play?"
"Why, it is because of that I wished to play. Besides, an idea occurs tome."
"What is it?"
"We both came to Paris on the same errand."
"Yes."
"Each of us has a powerful protector."
"Yes."
"You rely on yours, as I rely on mine."
"Yes."
"Well, then, it occurred to me that we should play first for our money,and afterwards for the first favor which came to us, either from thecourt or from our mistress"--
"Really, a very ingenious idea," said La Mole, with a smile, "but Iconfess I am not such a gamester as to risk my whole life on a card or aturn of the dice; for the first favor which may come either to you or tome will, in all probability, involve our whole life."
"Well, let us drop out of account the first favor from the court andplay for our mistress's first favor."
"I see only one objection to that," said La Mole.
"What objection?"
"I have no mistress!"
"Nor I either. But I expect to have one soon. Thank God! we are not cutout to want one long!"
"Undoubtedly, as you say, you will have your wish, Monsieur de Coconnas,but as I have not the same confidence in my love-star, I feel that itwould be robbery, I to pit my fortune against yours. But, if you will,let us play until your six crowns be lost or doubled, and if lost, andyou desire to continue the game, you are a gentleman, and your word isas good as gold."
"Well and good!" cried Coconnas, "that's the talk! You are right, sir, agentleman's word is as good as gold, especially when he has credit atcourt. Thus, believe me, I did not risk too much when I proposed to playfor the first favor we might receive."
"Doubtless, and you might lose it, but I could not gain it; for, as I amwith the King of Navarre, I could not receive anything from the Duc deGuise."
"Ah, the heretic!" muttered the landlord as he was at work polishing uphis old helmet, "I got on the right scent, did I?" And he stopped hiswork long enough to cross himself piously.
"Well, then," continued Coconnas, shuffling the cards which the waiterhad just brought him, "you are of the"--
"Of the what?"
"Of the new religion."
"I?"
"Yes, you."
"Well, say that I am," said La Mole, with a smile, "have you anythingagainst us?"
"Oh! thank God, no! It is all the same to me. I hate Huguenotry with allmy heart, but I do not hate the Huguenots; besides, they are in fashionjust now."
"Yes," replied La Mole, smiling; "to wit, the shooting at the admiralwith an arquebuse; but supposing we have a game of arquebusades."
"Anything you please," said Coconnas, "provided I get to playing, it isall the same to me."
"Well, let us play, then," said La Mole, picking up his cards andarranging them in his hand.
"Yes, play ahead and with all confidence, for even if I were to lose ahundred crowns of gold against yours I shall have the wherewithal to payyou to-morrow morning."
"Then your fortune will come while you are asleep."
"No; I am going to find it."
"Where? Tell me and I'll go with you."
"At the Louvre."
"Are you going back there to-night?"
"Yes; to-night I have a private audience with the great Duc de Guise."
As soon as Coconnas began to speak about going to seek his fortune atthe Louvre, La Huriere stopped polishing his sallet and went and stoodbehind La Mole's chair, so that Coconnas alone could see him, and madesigns to him, which the Piedmontese, absorbed in his game and theconversation, did not notice.
"Well, it is miraculous," remarked La Mole; "and you were right when yousaid that we were born under the same star. I have also an appointmentat the Louvre to-night, but not with the Duc de Guise; mine is with theKing of Navarre."
"Have you a pass-word?"
"Yes."
"A rallying sign?"
"No."
"Well, I have one, and my pass-word is"--
As the Piedmontese was saying these words, La Huriere made such anexpressive gesture that the indiscreet gentleman, who happened at thatinstant to raise his head, paused petrified more by the action than bythe turn of the cards which had just caused him to lose three crowns.
La Mole looked around, but saw only his landlord standing behind himwith folded arms and wearing on his head the sallet which he had seenhim polishing the moment before.
"What is the matter, pray?" inquired La Mole of Coconnas.
Coconnas looked at the landlord and at his companion without answering,for he could make nothing out of Maitre La Huriere's redoubled gestures.
La Huriere saw that he must go to his aid:
"It is only that I am very fond of cards myself," said he, speakingrapidly, "and I came closer to see the trick which made you gain, andthe gentleman saw me with my war helmet on, and as I am only a poorbourgeois, it surprised him."
"You make a fine figure, indeed you do!" cried La Mole, with a burst oflaughter.
"Oh, sir," replied La Huriere with admirably pretended good nature and ashrug of the shoulders expressive of his inferiority, "we poor fellowsare not very valiant and our appearance is not elegant. It is all rightfor you fine gentlemen to wear glittering helmets and carry keenrapiers, and provided we mount guard strictly"--
"Aha!" said La Mole, taking his turn at shuffling the cards. "So youmount guard, do you?"
"_Eh, mon Dieu, oui, Monsieur le Comte!_ I am sergeant in a company ofcitizen militia."
After having said this while La Mole was engaged in dealing the cards,La Huriere withdrew, putting his finger on his lips as a sign ofdiscretion for Coconnas, who was more amazed than ever.
This signal for caution was doubtless the reason that he lost almost asrapidly the second time as the first.
"Well," observed La Mole, "this makes exactly your six crowns. Will youhave your revenge on your future fortune?"
"Willingly," replied Coconnas.
"But before you begin, did you not say you had an appointment with theDuc de Guise?"
Coconnas looked toward the kitchen, and saw the great eyes of LaHuriere, who was repeating his warning.
"Yes," he replied, "but it is not yet time. But now let us talk a littleabout yourself, Monsieur de la Mole."
"We should do better, I think, by talking of the game, my dear Monsieurde Coconnas; for unless I am very much mistaken, I am in a fair way ofgaining si
x more crowns."
"By Heaven! that is true! I always heard that the Huguenots had goodluck at cards. Devil take me if I haven't a good mind to turn Huguenot!"
La Huriere's eyes sparkled like two coals; but Coconnas, absorbed in hisgame, did not notice them. "Do so, count, do so," said La Mole, "andthough the way in which the change came about is odd, you will be wellreceived among us."
Coconnas scratched his ear.
"If I were sure that your good luck came from that," he said, "I would;for I really do not stickle so overwhelmingly for the mass, and as theKing does not think so much of it either"--
"Then it is such a beautiful religion," said La Mole; "so simple, sopure"--
"And, moreover, it is in fashion," said Coconnas; "and, moreover, itbrings good luck at cards; for the devil take me if you do not hold allthe aces, and yet I have watched you closely, and you play very fairly;you do not cheat; it must be the religion"--
"You owe me six crowns more," said La Mole, quietly.
"Ah, how you tempt me!" said Coconnas; "and if I am not satisfied withMonsieur de Guise to-night"--
"Well?"
"Well, to-morrow I will ask you to present me to the King of Navarreand, be assured, if once I become a Huguenot, I will out-HuguenotLuther, Calvin, Melanchthon, and all the reformers on earth!"
"Hush!" said La Mole, "you will get into a quarrel with our host."
"Ah, that is true," said Coconnas, looking toward the kitchen; "but--no,he is not listening; he is too much occupied at this moment."
"What is he doing, pray?" inquired La Mole, who could not see him fromwhere he was.
"He is talking with--devil take me! it is he!"
"Who?"
"Why, that night-bird with whom he was discoursing when we arrived. Theman in the yellow doublet and drab-colored cloak. By Heaven! howearnestly he talks. Say, Maitre La Huriere, are you engaged inpolitics?"
But this time Maitre La Huriere's answer was a gesture so energetic andimperious that in spite of his love for the picture card Coconnas got upand went to him.
"What is the matter with you?" asked La Mole.
"You wish wine, sir?" said La Huriere, seizing Coconnas' hand eagerly."You shall have it. Gregoire, wine for these gentlemen!"
Then he whispered in his ear:
"Silence, if you value your life, silence! And get rid of yourcompanion."
La Huriere was so pale, the sallow man so lugubrious, that Coconnas felta shiver run over him, and turning to La Mole said:
"My dear sir, I must beg you to excuse me. I have lost fifty crowns inthe turn of a hand. I am in bad luck to-night, and I fear I may get intodifficulties."
"Well, sir, as you please," replied La Mole; "besides, I shall not besorry to lie down for a time. Maitre la Huriere!"
"Monsieur le Comte?"
"If any one comes for me from the King of Navarre, wake me; I shall bedressed, and consequently ready."
"So shall I," said Coconnas; "and that I may not keep his highnesswaiting, I will prepare the sign. Maitre la Huriere, some white paperand scissors!"
"Gregoire!" cried La Huriere, "white paper to write a letter on andscissors to cut the envelope with."
"Ah!" said the Piedmontese to himself. "Something extraordinary is goingon here!"
"Good-night, Monsieur de Coconnas," said La Mole; "and you, landlord, beso good as to light me to my room. Good luck, my friend!" and La Moledisappeared up the winding staircase, followed by La Huriere.
Then the mysterious man, taking Coconnas by the arm, said to him,speaking very rapidly:
"Sir, you have very nearly betrayed a secret on which depends the fateof a kingdom. God saw fit to have you close your mouth in time. One wordmore, and I should have brought you down with my arquebuse. Now we arealone, fortunately; listen!"
"But who are you that you address me with this tone of authority?"
"Did you ever hear talk of the Sire de Maurevel?"
"The assassin of the admiral?"
"And of Captain de Mouy."
"Yes."
"Well, I am the Sire de Maurevel."
"Oho!" said Coconnas.
"Now listen to me!"
"By Heaven! I assure you I will listen!"
"Hush!" said Maurevel, putting his finger on his mouth.
Coconnas listened.
At that moment he heard the landlord close the door of a chamber, thenthe door of a corridor, and bolt it. Then he rushed down the stairs tojoin the two speakers.
He offered a chair to Coconnas, a chair to Maurevel, and took one forhimself.
"All is safe now, Monsieur de Maurevel," said he; "you may speak."
It was striking eleven o'clock at Saint Germain l'Auxerrois. Maurevelcounted each of the hammer-strokes as they sounded clear and melancholythrough the night, and when the last echo had died away in space heturned to Coconnas, who was greatly mystified at seeing the precautionstaken by the two men. "Sir," he asked, "are you a good Catholic?"
"Why, I think I am," replied Coconnas.
"Sir," continued Maurevel, "are you devoted to the King?"
"Heart and soul! I even feel that you insult me, sir, in asking such aquestion."
"We will not quarrel over that; only you are going to follow us."
"Whither?"
"That is of little consequence--put yourself in our hands; your fortune,and perhaps your life, is at stake."
"I tell you, sir, that at midnight I have an appointment at the Louvre."
"That is where we are going."
"Monsieur de Guise is expecting me there."
"And us also."
"But I have a private pass-word," continued Coconnas, somewhat mortifiedat sharing with the Sire de Maurevel and Maitre La Huriere the honor ofhis audience.
"So have we."
"But I have a sign of recognition."
Maurevel smiled.
Then he drew from beneath his doublet a handful of crosses in whitestuff, gave one to La Huriere, one to Coconnas, and took another forhimself. La Huriere fastened his to his helmet. Maurevel attached his tothe side of his hat.
"Ah," said Coconnas, amazed, "the appointment and the rallying pass-wordwere for every one?"
"Yes, sir,--that is to say, for all good Catholics."
"Then there is a festival at the Louvre--some royal banquet, is therenot?" said Coconnas; "and it is desired to exclude those hounds ofHuguenots,--good, capital, excellent! They have been showing off toolong."
"Yes, there is to be a festival at the Louvre--a royal banquet; and theHuguenots are invited; and moreover, they will be the heroes of thefestival, and will pay for the banquet, and if you will be one of us, wewill begin by going to invite their principal champion--their Gideon, asthey call him."
"The admiral!" cried Coconnas.
"Yes, the old Gaspard, whom I missed, like a fool, though I aimed athim with the King's arquebuse."
"And this, my gentleman, is why I was polishing my sallet, sharpening mysword, and putting an edge on my knives," said La Huriere, in a harshvoice consonant with war.
At these words Coconnas shuddered and turned very pale, for he began tounderstand.
"What, really," he exclaimed, "this festival--this banquet is a--you aregoing"--
"You have been a long time guessing, sir," said Maurevel, "and it iseasy to see that you are not so weary of these insolent heretics as weare."
"And you take on yourself," he said, "to go to the admiral's and to"--
Maurevel smiled, and drawing Coconnas to the window he said:
"Look there!--do you see, in the small square at the end of the street,behind the church, a troop drawn up noiselessly in the shadow?"
"Yes."
"The men forming that troop have, like Maitre la Huriere, and myself,and yourself, a cross in their hats."
"Well?"
"Well, these men are a company of Swiss, from the smaller cantons,commanded by Toquenot,--you know the men from the smaller cantons arethe King's cronies."
"Oho!" sa
id Coconnas.
"Now look at that troop of horse passing along the Quay--do yourecognize their leader?"
"How can I recognize him?" asked Coconnas, with a shudder; "I reachedParis only this evening."
"Well, then, he is the one with whom you have a rendezvous at the Louvreat midnight. See, he is going to wait for you!"
"The Duc de Guise?"
"Himself! His escorts are Marcel, the ex-provost of the tradesmen, andJean Choron, the present provost. These two are going to summon theircompanies, and here, down this street comes the captain of the quarter.See what he will do!"
"He knocks at each door; but what is there on the doors at which heknocks?"
"A white cross, young man, such as that which we have in our hats. Indays gone by they let God bear the burden of distinguishing his own;now we have grown more civilized and we save him the bother."
"But at each house at which he knocks the door opens and from each housearmed citizens come out."
"He will knock here in turn, and we shall in turn go out."
"What," said Coconnas, "every one called out to go and kill one oldHuguenot? By Heaven! it is shameful! It is an affair of cut-throats, andnot of soldiers."
"Young man," replied Maurevel, "if the old are objectionable to you, youmay choose young ones--you will find plenty for all tastes. If youdespise daggers, use your sword, for the Huguenots are not the men toallow their throats to be cut without defending themselves, and you knowthat Huguenots, young or old, are tough."
"But are they all going to be killed, then?" cried Coconnas.
"All!"
"By the King's order?"
"By order of the King and Monsieur de Guise."
"And when?"
"When you hear the bell of Saint Germain l'Auxerrois."
"Oh! so that was why that amiable German attached to the Duc deGuise--what is his name?"
"Monsieur de Besme."
"That is it. That is why Monsieur de Besme told me to hasten at thefirst sound of the tocsin."
"So then you have seen Monsieur de Besme?"
"I have seen him and spoken to him."
"Where?"
"At the Louvre. He admitted me, gave me the pass-word, gave me"--
"Look there!"
"By Heaven!--there he is himself."
"Would you speak with him?"
"Why, really, I should not object."
Maurevel carefully opened the window; Besme was passing at the momentwith twenty soldiers.
"_Guise and Lorraine!_" said Maurevel.
Besme turned round, and perceiving that he himself was addressed, cameunder the window.
"Oh, is it you, Monsir de Maurefel?"
"Yes, 'tis I; what are you looking for?"
"I am looking for de hostelry of de _Belle Etoile_, to find a MonsirGogonnas."
"Here I am, Monsieur de Besme," said the young man.
"Goot, goot; are you ready?"
"Yes--to do what?"
"Vatefer Monsieur de Maurefel may dell you, for he is a goot Gatolic."
"Do you hear?" inquired Maurevel.
"Yes," replied Coconnas, "but, Monsieur de Besme, where are you going?"
"I?" asked Monsieur de Besme, with a laugh.
"Yes, you."
"I am going to fire off a leedle wort at the admiral."
"Fire off two, if need be," said Maurevel, "and this time, if he gets upat the first, do not let him get up at the second."
"Haf no vear, Monsir de Maurefel, haf no vear, und meanvile get disyoong mahn on de right drack."
"Don't worry about me: the Coconnas are regular bloodhounds, and I am achip off the old block."[2]
"Atieu."
"Go on!"
"Unt you?"
"Begin the hunt; we shall be at the death."
De Besme went on, and Maurevel closed the window.
"Did you hear, young man?" said Maurevel; "if you have any privateenemy, even if he is not altogether a Huguenot, you can put him on yourlist, and he will pass with the others."
Coconnas, more bewildered than ever with what he saw and heard, lookedfirst at his landlord, who was assuming formidable attitudes, and thenat Maurevel, who quietly drew a paper from his pocket.
"Here's my list," said he; "three hundred. Let each good Catholic dothis night one-tenth part of the business I shall do, and to-morrowthere will not remain one single heretic in the kingdom."
"Hush!" said La Huriere.
"What is it?" inquired Coconnas and Maurevel together.
They heard the first pulsation from the bell in Saint Germainl'Auxerrois.
"The signal!" exclaimed Maurevel. "The time is set forward! I was toldit was appointed at midnight--so much the better. When it concerns theinterest of God and the King, it is better for clocks to be fast thanslow!"
In reality they heard the church bell mournfully tolling.
Then a shot was fired, and almost instantly the light of several torchesblazed up like flashes of lightning in the Rue de l'Arbre Sec.
Coconnas passed his hand over his brow, which was damp withperspiration.
"It has begun!" cried Maurevel. "Now to work--away!"
"One moment, one moment!" said the landlord. "Before we begin, let usprotect the camp, as we say in the army. I do not wish to have my wifeand children's throats cut while I am out. There is a Huguenot here."
"Monsieur de la Mole!" said Coconnas, starting.
"Yes, the heretic has thrown himself into the wolf's throat."
"What!" said Coconnas, "would you attack your guest?"
"I gave an extra edge to my rapier for his special benefit."
"Oho!" said the Piedmontese, frowning.
"I never yet killed anything but my rabbits, ducks, and chickens,"replied the worthy inn-keeper, "and I do not know very well how to go towork to kill a man; well, I will practise on him, and if I am clumsy, noone will be there to laugh at me."
"By Heaven! it is hard," said Coconnas. "Monsieur de la Mole is mycompanion; Monsieur de la Mole has supped with me; Monsieur de la Molehas played with me"--
"Yes; but Monsieur de la Mole is a heretic," said Maurevel. "Monsieur dela Mole is doomed; and if we do not kill him, others will."
"Not to say," added the host, "that he has won fifty crowns from you."
"True," said Coconnas; "but fairly, I am sure."
"Fairly or not, you must pay them, while, if I kill him, you are quits."
"Come, come!" cried Maurevel; "make haste, gentlemen, an arquebuse-shot,a rapier-thrust, a blow with a mallet, a stroke with any weapon youplease; but get done with it if you wish to reach the admiral's in timeto help Monsieur de Guise as we promised."
Coconnas sighed.
"I'll make haste!" cried La Huriere, "wait for me."
"By Heaven!" cried Coconnas, "he will put the poor fellow to greatpain, and, perhaps, rob him. I must be present to finish him, ifrequisite, and to prevent any one from touching his money."
And impelled by this happy thought, Coconnas followed La Huriereupstairs, and soon overtook him, for according as the landlord went up,doubtless as the effect of reflection, he slackened his pace.
As he reached the door, Coconnas still following, many gunshots weredischarged in the street. Instantly La Mole was heard to leap out of bedand the flooring creaked under his feet.
"_Diable!_" muttered La Huriere, somewhat disconcerted; "that hasawakened him, I think."
"It looks like it," observed Coconnas.
"And he will defend himself."
"He is capable of it. Suppose, now, Maitre la Huriere, he were to killyou; that would be droll!"
"Hum, hum!" responded the landlord, but knowing himself to be armed witha good arquebuse, he took courage and dashed the door in with a vigorouskick.
La Mole, without his hat, but dressed, was entrenched behind his bed,his sword between his teeth, and his pistols in his hands.
"Oho!" said Coconnas, his nostrils expanding as if he had been a wildbeast smelling blood, "this grows inte
resting, Maitre la Huriere.Forward!"
"Ah, you would assassinate me, it seems!" cried La Mole, with glaringeyes; "and it is you, wretch!"
Maitre la Huriere's reply to this was to take aim at the young man withhis arquebuse; but La Mole was on his guard, and as he fired, fell onhis knees, and the ball flew over his head.
"Help!" cried La Mole; "help, Monsieur de Coconnas!"
"Help, Monsieur de Maurevel!--help!" cried La Huriere.
"_Ma foi!_ Monsieur de la Mole," replied Coconnas, "all I can do in thisaffair is not to join the attack against you. It seems all the Huguenotsare to be put to death to-night, in the King's name. Get out of it aswell as you can."
"Ah, traitors! assassins!--is it so? Well, then, take this!" and LaMole, aiming in his turn, fired one of his pistols. La Huriere, who hadkept his eye on him, dodged to one side; but Coconnas, not anticipatingsuch a reply, stayed where he was, and the bullet grazed his shoulder.
"By Heaven!" he exclaimed, grinding his teeth; "I have it. Well, then,let it be we two, since you will have it so!"
And drawing his rapier, he rushed on La Mole.
Had he been alone La Mole would, doubtless, have awaited his attack; butCoconnas had La Huriere to aid him, who was reloading his gun, andMaurevel, who, responding to the innkeeper's invitation, was rushingup-stairs four steps at a time.
La Mole, therefore, dashed into a small closet, which he bolted inside.
"Ah, coward!" cried Coconnas, furious, and striking at the door with thepommel of his sword; "wait! wait! and I will make as many holes in yourbody as you have gained crowns of me to-night. I came up to prevent youfrom suffering! Oh, I came up to prevent you from being robbed and youpay me back by putting a bullet into my shoulder! Wait for me, coward,wait!"
While this was going on, Maitre la Huriere came up and with one blowwith the butt-end of his arquebuse smashed in the door.
Coconnas darted into the closet, but only bare walls met him. The closetwas empty and the window was open.
"He must have jumped out," said the landlord, "and as we are on thefourth story, he is surely dead."
"Or he has escaped by the roof of the next house," said Coconnas,putting his leg on the window-sill and preparing to follow him over thisnarrow and slippery route; but Maurevel and La Huriere seized him anddrew him back into the room.
"Are you mad?" they both exclaimed at once; "you will kill yourself!"
"Bah!" said Coconnas, "I am a mountaineer, and used to climbingglaciers; besides, when a man has once offended me, I would go up toheaven or descend to hell with him, by whatever route he pleases. Let medo as I wish."
"Well," said Maurevel, "he is either dead or a long way off by thistime. Come with us; and if he escape you, you will find a thousandothers to take his place."
"You are right," cried Coconnas. "Death to the Huguenots! I wantrevenge, and the sooner the better."
And the three rushed down the staircase, like an avalanche.
"To the admiral's!" shouted Maurevel.
"To the admiral's!" echoed La Huriere.
"To the admiral's, then, if it must be so!" cried Coconnas in his turn.
And all three, leaving the _Belle Etoile_ in charge of Gregoire and theother waiters, hastened toward the admiral's hotel in the Rue deBethizy; a bright light and the report of fire-arms guided them in thatdirection.
"Ah, who comes here?" cried Coconnas. "A man without his doublet orscarf!"
"It is some one escaping," said Maurevel.
"Fire! fire!" said Coconnas; "you who have arquebuses."
"Faith, not I," replied Maurevel. "I keep my powder for better game."
"You, then, La Huriere!"
"Wait, wait!" said the innkeeper, taking aim.
"Oh, yes, wait," cried Coconnas, "and meantime he will escape."
And he rushed after the unhappy wretch, whom he soon overtook, as he waswounded; but at the moment when, in order that he might not strike himbehind, he exclaimed, "Turn, will you! turn!" the report of an arquebusewas heard, a bullet whistled by Coconnas's ears, and the fugitive rolledover, like a hare in its swiftest flight struck by the shot of thesportsman.
A cry of triumph was heard behind Coconnas. The Piedmontese turned roundand saw La Huriere brandishing his weapon.
"Ah," he exclaimed, "I have handselled this time at any rate."
"And only just missed making a hole quite through me."
"Be on your guard!--be on your guard!" cried La Huriere.
Coconnas sprung back. The wounded man had risen on his knee, and, eagerfor revenge, was just on the point of stabbing him with his poniard,when the landlord's warning put the Piedmontese on his guard.
"Ah, viper!" shouted Coconnas; and rushing at the wounded man, he thrusthis sword through him three times up to the hilt.
"And now," cried he, leaving the Huguenot in the agonies of death, "tothe admiral's!--to the admiral's!"
"Aha! my gentlemen," said Maurevel, "it seems to work."
"Faith! yes," replied Coconnas. "I do not know if it is the smell ofgunpowder makes me drunk, or the sight of blood excites me, but byHeaven! I am thirsty for slaughter. It is like a battue of men. I haveas yet only had battues of bears and wolves, and on my honor, a battueof men seems more amusing."
And the three went on their way.
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