‘Liberty, forsooth!’ continued Benoit with increased excitement. ‘Why, I have never been arrested. I am the accuser; and M. de Sainte-Croix knows that Lachaussée is no more——’
At a motion from the captain of the watch, two of the guard seized Benoit whilst he was thus pouring out his anger, and, without allowing him to finish his speech, very unceremoniously turned him out of the guard-house, and half-drove, half-walked him to the end of the street, where they left him to go home to the boat-mill, vowing that he would still be even with all of them.
CHAPTER XX.
TWO GREAT VILLAINS
Meanwhile, things being thus arranged, Sainte-Croix and Lachaussée left the guard, and proceeded to the Rue des Bernardines, where Gaudin still resided. On arriving at his chamber, whither they passed unnoticed, Gaudin complained of cold; and, in effect, the evening was damp and chilly. At his wish, the other fanned the embers of the fireplace into a flame with his hat, and his so-called master then produced a flask of wine, which he placed on the table with some glasses.
‘There is some of the best hock,’ said he, ‘that the Rhine ever produced. Drink—you need some wine after your late adventure. Fear not a long draught—a cask of it would not hurt you.’
‘You will drink with me?’ asked Lachaussée, as Sainte-Croix filled a glass for his companion, and then replaced the bottle on the table.
‘Not now,’ replied Gaudin. ‘I have to play to-night, and must keep my head cool. A little water will quench my thirst.’
‘Here’s to our renewed acquaintanceship, then, mon capitaine,’ said Lachaussée, as he raised the glass. But before touching its contents with his lips, as if struck by some sudden thought, he held the glass between his eyes and the lamp, and then, replacing it on the table, took a small set of tablets from his pocket and pulled from them a leaf of white paper.
‘What are you going to do?’ inquired Sainte-Croix.
‘Nothing,’ replied Lachaussée, ‘beyond using a common precaution in these treacherous times. I do not mistrust you; but you know not who is about you.’