Part 32 (1/2)
”We have no orders,” answered the sentry.
”I go everywhere under a general order,” said Jean. ”You should know that, blockhead; it has been shouted loud enough in every corner of the castle.”
”It does not apply to-day, Jean.”
”Who has been telling you fairy tales, that c.o.c.ksparrow Barbier?”
The sentry smiled. The new Captain of the Guard was no great friend of his.
”We shall have to cut his feathers,” said the dwarf. ”Did he tell you that all prisoners were likely to be released to-morrow in honor of the Duke's coronation?”
”No; he did not tell us that.”
”And I'm a fool,” said the dwarf, ”for I was told to keep it secret when I was ordered to bring this release to one of the prisoners to-day.” And Jean held out to the sentry a paper, an order of release forthwith, signed and sealed by Count Felix. ”You see the name, Pierre Briant, the jailer who let the spy escape. Now, blockheads, are you going to let me pa.s.s?”
There was no disputing that order, the sentries stood aside, and one of them proceeded to unlock the cell door.
Pierre Briant looked at the paper and then at the dwarf.
”You are free, jailer Briant,” said Jean, ”but you are dismissed the Duke's service. You'll have to turn 'prentice to some pedler in the town.”
”I'm sorry for that,” said the sentry.
”I'll see you on your way to the gate,” said the dwarf, and then, when they were out of hearing of the sentries, he went on quickly: ”All goes well. Those in the square to-night will follow you. You know what you have to do. Here, put this order of your release in your pocket, walk boldly to the gate, you will not be questioned. Say 'Obedience and trust,' that's your pa.s.sword, and make all speed you can to the Cheval Noir in the Rue de la Grosse Horloge. You will find friends there.”
He stood watching the retreating figure across the court-yard, and saw the jailer pa.s.s safely through the postern by the great gates.
”That's one deed that would serve to hang me,” he muttered. ”Barbier is no fool; it is well I had the papers.”
He entered the castle again, taking a different direction this time, but again before the door of Gaspard Lemasle's cell two sentries barred his way. Not until he had produced another order of release would they let him pa.s.s.
Lemasle walked away with the dwarf in silence.
”What now, Jean?” he whispered when they had pa.s.sed out of earshot of the sentries.
”Lie low until dark. Then make for guard-room C. They will be all friends there, stout men, captain, that wait their stout leader.
'Obedience and trust' is our pa.s.sword to-night. You understand what you have to do?”
”Never fear, Jean; and grant there's a skirmish of some sort, for I have several scores outstanding.”
”We had better both hasten to cover then.”
”I know a likely hole,” Lemasle answered, and he turned quickly into a side pa.s.sage, and was gone.
”I'll hide, too,” muttered the dwarf. ”I have no great desire to meet Barbier until I see him to-night in the great hall.” And he, too, turned into a dark corridor and silently disappeared.
CHAPTER XVII
THE DUKE OF MONTVILLIERS