Part 36 (1/2)
”Of everything, sir; the poor woman is ignorant of everything. Surprised by Colonel Rutler, while she was asleep, I left word in quitting Devil's Cliff, that my absence would extend over but a day or two. But circ.u.mstances have suddenly changed. There are no more dangers that I am going to run. I know my wife, sir; glory and danger, she would partake all. In going to seek her, to carry her away with me, I am furthering her dearest wish.”
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE ARREST.
Monsieur de Chemerant and Croustillac walked on in silence for some little time toward Devil's Cliff. Meanwhile the guard reached the heights of the rocks. From this spot were discerned at a distance the platform and the wall of the park surrounding Blue Beard's home.
At the sight of this species of fortification De Chemerant said to the chevalier, ”This retreat is well chosen, your highness, to keep at a distance curious persons; to say nothing of the fact that the reports that you have caused to be made by the three fellows in your service, are not such as to encourage many visitors.”
”You allude, I presume, to the buccaneer, the filibuster and the Caribbean?”
”Yes, your highness, it is said that they are devoted to you, for life and death.”
”They are singularly attached to me. Nevertheless,” said Croustillac to himself, ”I do not yet know what right these three miscreants have to an intimacy with the d.u.c.h.ess, nor how, in fact, her husband, the Duke of Monmouth, can permit such bandits to be so very familiar with his wife--speaking tenderly to her and embracing her. The Caribbean, above all, with his grave air like a donkey that one has curried--he has above all the faculty of setting my nerves on edge. And then, how can the duke permit these familiarities? Doubtless it is to mislead people. It saves appearances. But, zounds! it seems to me that this misleads a little too much. Ah, Croustillac, Croustillac! you are becoming more and more in love, my friend; it is jealousy you feel for these bandits. Ah, well, I shall unravel this mystery shortly. Meanwhile, I must endeavor to learn how it was discovered that the prince was hidden at Devil's Cliff.”
”Sir,” continued Croustillac aloud, ”I desire to ask you a very important question.”
”I am all attention, your highness.”
”If you are permitted to answer this, tell me how it became known at Versailles that I was hidden in Martinique?”
After a moment's silence De Chemerant replied, ”In telling you what you wish to know, your highness, I do not in any way betray a state secret.
Neither the king nor his ministers have confided to me anything on this point. It is entirely due to a circ.u.mstance which it would take too long to tell you now, that I had discovered that of which they thought I was in ignorance. I can, however, count upon your silence on this subject, your highness.”
”You may be sure of that, sir.”
”Then, I believe, your highness, that the late Governor of Martinique, the late Chevalier de Crussol, had known you in Holland, where he owed his life to you. At the battle of Saint Denis, where you commanded a Scotch regiment in the army of the stadtholder, while the Chevalier de Crussol served in the army of the Marshal Luxembourg----”
”This is true in every particular,” said Croustillac imperturbably.
”Proceed.”
”I believe, also, your highness, that the late Chevalier de Crussol having been, by a combination of events, chosen governor of this colony, and, having believed it his duty to inquire into the mysterious existence of a young widow called Blue Beard, went to Devil's Cliff, entirely ignorant of the fact that you had found refuge there.”
”That also is true, sir; you see I am frank,” said Croustillac, charmed at penetrating, little by little, this mystery.
”Finally, it appears certain that Chevalier de Crussol, recognizing in you the prince who had saved his life, swore to you that he would guard your secret----”
”He swore it, sir, and if anything surprises me on the part of so gallant a man, it is that he failed to keep his word,” said the Gascon severely.
”Do not be too hasty in accusing Chevalier de Crussol, your highness.”
”I will reserve my judgment, then.”
”You know, your highness, there were few men more religiously inclined than De Crussol?”
”His piety was proverbial; it is that fact which so surprises me at his failure to keep his word.”
”When dying, your highness, Chevalier de Crussol felt it a point of conscience that he had not made known to his master, the king, a state secret of such importance. He therefore confessed the truth to Father Griffen.”