Part 49 (1/2)
The next moment Heron and Chauvelin were once more face to face with their prisoner
Whether by accident or design the laht fell full upon their faces, while that of the prisoner re forith both elbows on the table, his thin, tapering fingers toying with the pen and ink-horn which had been placed close to his hand
”I trust that everything has been arranged for your comfort, Sir Percy?”
Chauvelin asked with a sarcastic little smile
”I thank you, sir,” replied Blakeney politely
”You feel refreshed, I hope?”
”Greatly so, I assure you But I am still demmed sleepy; and if you would kindly be brief--”
”You have not changed your mind, sir?” queried Chauvelin, and a note of anxiety, which he vainly tried to conceal, quivered in his voice
”No, ood M Chambertin,” replied Blakeney with the sah of relief escaped the lips of both the men The prisoner certainly had spoken in a clearer and firth wine and food had imparted to him he apparently did not mean to employ in renewed obstinacy Chauvelin, after a moment's pause, resumed more calmly:
”You are prepared to direct us to the place where little Capet lies hidden?”
”I aet out of this d--d hole”
”Very well My colleague, citizen Heron, has arranged for an escort of twenty iment of the Garde de Paris to accompany us--yourself, him and me--to wherever you will direct us Is that clear?”
”Perfectly, sir”
”You uarantee to give you your life and freedom even if this expedition prove unsuccessful”
”I would not venture on suggesting such a wild proposition, sir,” said Blakeney placidly
Chauvelin looked keenly on hi in the tone of that voice that he did not altogether like--soain of a day at Boulogne He could not read the expression in the eyes, so with a quick gesture he pulled the laht now fell full on the face of the prisoner
”Ah! that is certainly better, is it not,on his adversary with a pleasant sh still of the same ashen hue, looked serene if hopelessly wearied; the eyes seemed to mock But this Chauvelin decided in hiht fancy After a brief moment's pause he resumed dryly:
”If, however, the expedition turns out successful in every way--if little Capet, without much trouble to our escort, falls safe and sound into our hands--if certain contingencies which I am about to tell you all fall out as ish--then, Sir Percy, I see no reason why the Governative of mercy towards you after all”
”An exercise, h frequent repetition,” retorted Blakeney with the saency at present is somewhat remote; when the time comes we'll talk this matter over I will make no promise and, anyhoe can discuss it later”
”At present we are but wasting our valuable ti a ued--”