Part 2 (1/2)

the mutual affection of him and his uncle Joseph only made him more of a possible danger. To Monsieur d'Ombre Angelot seemed like a spy in the camp. His son, however, knew better, and so did the other two. Angelot's parentage was not in his favour, certainly, but they tried to take him at his uncle's valuation, and that was a high one. And Monsieur Joseph's judgment, though romantic, was seldom wrong.

Gigot, the dark-faced valet, having kicked off the sabots which covered his felt shoes, but still wearing his large ap.r.o.n, set open the door into the long narrow hall which ran through the back of the house, widening in the middle where the tower and staircase branched from it.

”Monsieur est servi!”

The hungry guests marched willingly to the dining-room, their heavy boots creaking, the noise of tread and voices echoing through the bare boarded house.

”You do not join us, mademoiselle?” said Monsieur des Barres, seeing that Henriette lingered behind in the drawing-room.

”No, monsieur,” the child answered. ”My father thinks I am too young to listen. Besides, I am the _guetteuse_. It is our business to watch--the dogs and I.”

”Indeed! Is that how you spend your life? A curious employment for a young lady!”

”When there is danger abroad, I am more to be trusted than any one else.”

”I quite believe it. You know, then, that our visit to-day is not entirely one of pleasure? Monsieur your father has taken you so far into his confidence, though you are too young to listen?”

”I know everything, monsieur,” said Henriette.

”Then we may eat in peace. We are safe in your care. That is charming, mademoiselle.”

”Yes, monsieur. I will let you know at once, if Monsieur le Prefet and his gendarmes are riding down the lane.”

”Good heavens, what an idea! I have not the smallest wish to meet Monsieur le Prefet. I believe that gentleman keeps a black book, in which I am quite sure my name is written. Yes indeed, mademoiselle, if he should happen to pa.s.s, send him a little farther. Tell him he will find a nest of Chouans at Vaujour, or anywhere else your fancy suggests.”

Henriette laughed and nodded. ”Trust me, monsieur,” she said.

”Your little cousin is charming,” said Monsieur des Barres to Angelot, who was politely waiting for him in the hall.

The six men were soon sitting at Monsieur Joseph's hospitable round table. As they dispatched their plates of steaming soup they saw the slim blue figure of Henriette, with two dogs at her heels, flit past the window in the direction of the steep lane down which Angelot had come not very long before. This lane led not only to the _landes_, but by other lanes to one of the rare high roads of the country, and on to the chief town of the department. It was partly for this reason that Monsieur Joseph, who valued privacy and independence, left it in its present break-neck condition, more like the dry course of a torrent than a civilised road.

A large dish of eggs followed the soup. But only half the guests had been helped, when all the dogs about the place began to bark savagely.

And then, out of the shadow of the wood, darting down past the back of the kitchen, Henriette came flying to the dining-room window, almost upsetting Gigot and his dish as she sprang over the step.

”Papa, papa, there is a party riding down the lane. I believe it is Monsieur le Prefet and an officer with him, and three servants. I ran up the wood. They had only just turned into the lane, and they are coming down very slowly; their horses don't like it.”

Monsieur Joseph rapped out a tremendous oath, and looked round at his guests, whose faces were a study.

”The Prefect and the General!” he said. ”Now is your moment, gentlemen!”

CHAPTER III

”JE SUIS LE GeNeRAL BIM-BAM-BOUM!”

All the men rose to their feet, except the elder d'Ombre, who had taken a very long draught of his host's good wine, and now stared stupidly at the others. Cesar d'Ombre's eyes flamed with excitement. He seized the arm of Angelot, who was next to him, in such a grip that the young fellow flinched and frowned.

”It is our moment!” he cried. ”Six to two”--then savagely, and tightening his grasp--”unless we are betrayed--”