Part 26 (2/2)
”Then all the circ.u.mstances came before me in the form of a dream. I saw the scene as it had pa.s.sed. I saw the man who had killed him. I heard his name. He is called M. de Chateau Renaud.”
”Alas! that is all too true,” I replied; ”but what have you come to Paris for?”
”I have come to kill the man who has killed my brother.”
”To kill him?”
”Oh, you may rest a.s.sured, not in the Corsican fas.h.i.+on from behind a wall or through a hedge, but in the French manner, with white gloves on, a frilled s.h.i.+rt, and white cuffs.”
”And does Madame de Franchi know you have come to Paris with this intention?”
”She does.”
”And she has let you come?”
”She kissed me, and said, 'Go.' My mother is a true Corsican.”
”And so you came.”
”Here I am.”
”But your brother would not wish to be avenged were he alive.”
”Well, then,” replied Lucien, smiling bitterly, ”he must have changed his mind since he died.”
At this moment the valet entered, carrying the supper tray.
Lucien ate like a man without a care in the world.
After supper I showed him to his room. He thanked me, shook me by the hand, and wished me good-night.
Next morning he came into my room as soon as the servant told him I was up.
”Will you accompany me to Vincennes?” he said. ”If you are engaged I will go alone.”
”Alone!” I replied. ”How will you be able to find the spot?”
”Oh, I shall easily recognize it. Do you not remember that I saw it in my dream?”
I was curious to know how far he was correct in this. ”Very well,” I said, ”I will go with you.”
”Get ready, then, while I write to Giordano. You will let Victor take the note for me, will you not?”
”He is at your disposal.”
”Thank you.”
<script>