RENÉ WAITS
The Marquis's elation was equalled by that of the Carbonari below on beholding the entry of Volpetti and his servant.
"We have him," whispered Giacinto.
"And his confederate, also," answered Louis Pierre, which was the name of the other.
"He seems quite a muscular fellow."
"Leave him to me."
Kate was selecting chambers for the newly arrived. Giacinto, continuing the rude gallantry he had begun at the table, followed her from room to room, whispering love speeches and pinching her round arms. Volpetti and Brosseur were drinking Malaga below.
"Leave me alone!" cried Kate, pretending anger.
"Darling, don't be so hard on me."
"But I have work to do. These rooms must be got ready, and I have not been able to find them yet for the house is as full as an egg."
"Let me walk with you until we find them, then."
She could not resist this gallant offer, and together they promenaded through corridors and apartments. At last she said:
"Well, I must give No. 10 to the master and 39 to the valet. They are not close together, but 'tis not my fault."
"Who is in No. 8?" asked Giacinto, idly.
"'Tis a double apartment, occupied by two Irish people who look like beggars. But a French Monsieur here has his eye on the girl. He spent a long time with them today."
"Let them love each other. So do you and I."
As the pair descended the stairway, Volpetti and his valet were coming up to their chambers. Giacinto kept well in the shade and hastened to join Louis Pierre beside whom a pleasant-faced man stood, dispatching a glass of rum.
This was the captain of the Polipheme.
"Do you wish to leave tonight?" asked the captain.
"Or at dawn," replied Louis Pierre. "Be prepared to draw in anchor and have the sloop in readiness guarded by but one sailor."
The captain hesitated. He drew his fingers through his hair as if about to object.
"Well—" he began.
"Captain Soliviac, do you realize that you cannot refuse?"
"Refuse? Impossible! I was about to say that there are some people in this inn wishing also to go to France. Do you object to their presence?"
"Who are these people for whom you have so high a regard, Captain?"
"Well one of them is the Marquis de Brezé."
The Carbonari started.
"What bond unites you to that sympathizer of the government?"
"No political bond. My father was befriended by the elder Marquis and the young man has been my protector. Important matters urge his return to France."
"Indeed! Well, the son of the Duchess de Rousillon is a strange companion for you, Captain."
"Pshaw!" answered Soliviac. "He does not meddle with politics. His time is occupied in hunting and love making. He is doubtless hurrying to France to be reunited with some fair friend; or more likely still, the lady accompanies him now, for he said that two Irish travelers, an uncle and niece, were with him."
The Carbonari exchanged a look; then Giacinto said:
"Well, tell the Marquis he and his party may come."
"I have received another application for passage," said the captain, "which I have refused."
"From whom?"
"From a gentleman bearing a marvelous resemblance to our countryman, the Viscount Chateaubriand. He has a stout fellow with him who must be his valet."
The Carbonari flashed a look at one another.
"How long since did he ask you?"
"Not five minutes ago; I was jumping from my sloop. He wears a long traveling cloak and a broad winged hat."
"Well, run up to number 10," said Giacinto. "He is there. Call out roughly, saying that two passengers have failed you at the eleventh hour and that you may now carry him and his servant. Demand a high price and simulate avarice. Be cautious. The man is a reader of faces."
"Suppose he asks which is to be the first landing place?"
"Say Dieppe, adding that he may be put off at Calais, Havre or Cherbourg if he prefer and pay well for the privilege. Act as tho your object were to exploit him." And Giacinto's face glowed with hatred. "And if he asks the hour of departure, say midnight and that he must be at the wharf by eleven, where the sloop will await him."
"I shall do as you say. Is that all?"
"I think not, indeed. Is your crew to be trusted?"
"In what sense?" asked the astonished captain.
"Will they keep mum about whatever takes place on board?"
"My men are absolutely to be trusted."
"Very well," said Louis Pierre, "I shall board the sloop at dusk and remain upon her until the gentleman and his servant arrive. You must have a sailor's dress ready for me, for I shall help run the sloop. You must be there also, Captain."
"Very well," said Soliviac.
"Are you ready to go all lengths?" asked Giacinto.
The captain's frank, genial countenance became clouded. Corsair as he was and accustomed to bloody adventures, he hesitated before the executive justice of the Knights of Liberty, for he knew their vengeance to be terrible. But raising his head, he said:
"All lengths."
"Captain," said Giacinto, "the man we track is worse than a wolf. He merits a thousand deaths and we shall give him only one. If you desert us, we shall consider that you cease to be a Knight. Nevertheless, we shall take the matter into our own hands and trust you not to betray us."
"Do you think I have joined the Knights to play the coward at the first test? I unconditionally agree to your proposition. And now, what of the other passengers?"
"Arrange that they board before or after Volpetti."
Soliviac bowed.
Meanwhile, the Marquis's eye was applied to the keyhole of Volpetti's chamber, and watched that gentleman arrange his belongings. His wallet and toilet case lay near. René reflected that his treasure might be in either. Soon he was undeceived for he heard Volpetti say to Brosseur:
"Where is it?"
"Around my neck," and the valet pointed to a cord just visible above his collar. René could scarcely contain himself as a prospect of swift vengeance seemed near and he clutched Amélie's hand as she stood back of him, erect and self-possessed.