Part 39 (1/2)

The Baron was among a group of comrades in his chambers when the note arrived. He immediately ordered wine, over which they discussed in heated terms of sympathy the persecution of their friend and comrade.

When Germain appeared at the gates it seemed as if suns.h.i.+ne had returned to the company. To him their happy faces were an exhilaration, and he felt as if he were living once more. His fellow-officers rushed towards him, and the Guardsmen crowded around. He was besieged with questions, refreshments were brought to him, and they carried him in triumph to his former chambers, which they had decorated with flowers. As soon as he could he made his way to Collinot, and asked that a time be fixed for the hearing of his case.

”This day fortnight at ten of the clock before noon,” Collinot said in his decisive, military manner.

Lecour saluted and retired, and the Adjutant wrote a notice for de Lery to prepare his counter-proof.

Both sides entered into the contest with the utmost activity.

Germain's party gave him a banquet, whereat he, crowned with honours and elated by the surrounding enthusiasm, made an oration which sent all those present forth after the festivity to spread again the burning conviction of his stainless honour and of the shameful conduct of his enemies. It was all a desperate game, as he knew perfectly well. But the stake was high--the object of his life--Cyrene.

Louis de Lery immediately sent to de Lotbiniere the notice he received from Collinot. The measures of the Marquis were varied and vigorous.

First he took the Record with him, and travelled posthaste to Chalons, where he asked de Lery to take him to their relative, de Villerai.

”You are the man to present this, my dear Villerai,” said he. ”Being in this distinguished corps, you have an influence to which none of the rest of us can pretend. I leave the papers in your hands. You have merely to hand them to the Prince de Poix or Adjutant Collinot to secure absolutely the obliteration of that _canaille_.”

”Certainly, certainly. Leave them with me. They shall be perfectly safe in my possession. Believe me, dear de Lotbiniere, I shall do everything excellently for you.”

De Lotbiniere, reading the easy-going face of the bluff epicurean in uniform, said to himself, ”If it required any brains I could not trust you.”

The Record was therefore left in de Villerai's charge.

De Lotbiniere next went to Paris and wrote to Collinot, stating that de Villerai would be on hand on the day appointed, prepared to present the de Lery side of the case. He furthermore wrote to the Count de Vaudreuil, reminding him of the Canadian connections of his family, and invoking his exalted interest at Court against the intruder upon their social rights. The Prince de Poix was likewise reminded by him, in a letter, of the decision he had expressed against Lecour during their interview some months before.

These precautions taken, he remained in Paris, confidently awaiting the outbreak of his powder mines and the destruction of the _parvenu_.

Matters lay in a condition of suspense until the fateful hour.

In the afternoon of the day previous the Chalons diligence brought a stranger who sought out Germain in his quarters. The face was so familiar that Germain's attention was riveted upon him.

”You do not know me, I see,” said the man; ”but I am come to do you a good turn, a fine turn, a n.o.ble turn.”

By something erratic in his look Lecour recognised the would-be slayer of de Lery, and his hand crept towards the hilt of his sword.

”Don't be afraid of me,” said the maniac; ”we are allies.”

”I am not afraid,” Lecour answered. ”What do you wish of me?”

”To give you this,” Philibert exclaimed gaily, handing him a packet.

”Take it; your battle is won.”

With incredulous wonder Lecour looked at the parcel.

”Do you know who I am?” the stranger cried.

”You are Philibert,” replied Lecour.

”I am The Instrument of Vengeance,” the other corrected, and departed without a bow.