Part 30 (2/2)

”Your proof is incontestable,” he said briefly.

”The difficulty is but the completion of my proofs. I have to go to Canada for that. But a.s.sure the company of my return.”

”We shall appeal in a body to the Prince.”

”I pray you not.”

”What can we do for you, then?”

”Thank the others. Invite all my friends in Troyes to a banquet in my name this day week, at which you will preside for me. Spare no expense.

You shall be witness for me while I am absent in Canada.”

”If to serve you is the programme, I shall live happy.”

The Baron returned to Troyes and, duly presiding at the dinner given to the Guards in Germain's name, related excitedly what he had seen.

The young men heard the story with outbursts of delight, drank Lecour's health standing on their chairs, heaped his place with roses, sang over and over a chorus in his honour, and parted swearing vehemently that the dismissal of such a good fellow was a wrong to the company of Noailles concocted as an insult to the whole of them by the rival company of Villeroy.

CHAPTER x.x.xIII

THE REGISTER OF ST. GERMAIN-DES-PReS

A hazy hope concerning his descent had haunted Lecour for some months past. That the Chevalier de Lincy was really in some manner his relative became his belief. He argued that his own fitness for aristocratic society must have a hereditary explanation and that, were he able to trace his lineage a short distance backward he would discover some higher status fallen from by his family through misfortune. On the day of de Grancey's departure, he began to place together the straws of information which might guide him. He had once heard his father speak of having left France at the age of twelve years. Was he a kidnapped and deported heir? Was he a cadet of some reduced family?

Again, on one of the rare occasions when Lecour senior referred to the past--a winter's evening chat by the fire-side with the cure of the parish--he had described his boyish recollection of the interior of the Paris church of St. Germain-des-Pres, then the family church of his family. Was his own name taken from its patron saint? Would its registers contain records of the Lecours?

He knew at least his father's age--born in 1736, it would make him--yes, and also his birth month, June. Here were straws to start by.

He lost no time in crossing the Seine and seeking the church. As he pa.s.sed the middle of the Pont Neuf--near the equestrian statue of Henry IV., a small man, meanly dressed, glided out of the shadow of a vehicle, and moved stealthily after him, his motions wary as a cat's. This man was Jude.

Germain arrived at the edifice, which adjoined the great abbey of the same name, and scanned its ancient spire and dilapidated facade for some moments before he entered, full of thought--”for here,” said he ”is the temple of my forefathers--the visible link that binds my origin to France.” He pa.s.sed in, regarding every pillar and ornament of its quaint, dark, Norman interior with the same fascination, and traversing its length, came to the sacristy behind the high altar. A young priest was standing there overlooking the operations of some workmen, and muttering his breviary.

”Messire, I am seeking information for which I wish to examine your parish registers,” said Germain.

”It is an honour, sir,” replied the priest. ”What is the year?”

”1736.”

”The books are here, sir,” opening a cupboard in which various large volumes leaned against each other on the shelves. ”This is 1736. May I a.s.sist you in finding the entry?”

”I am not sure what I need.”

”I fear Monsieur will not find some of the entries easy reading.”

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