Weary? No! Not when the journey led to Claire! When I should be alone with her, as I had dreamed, with only the stars for company and none to interfere!
“I shall be glad to go, M. le Comte,” I said, and took the ring.
“There is need of haste,” he added, glancing at the figure on the bed. “Do you wish a companion?”
“A companion? No, Monsieur. They might fire if they saw two men approaching. One they will not fear.”
“True,” he assented. “Hasten, then; we will await you here.”
I hurried out into the night, across the camp, and around the cliff to the road that mounted to the castle gate. The moon was higher now, and I could see the road stretching, a white ribbon, ahead of me. I knew that others, looking down, could see me mounting, and as I went I held my hands high above my head to prove my peaceful errand. So I was permitted to pass without challenge until I stood before the great gate.
“A message from M. le Duc de Roquefort!” I cried.
There was a moment’s pause, then I heard the rattle of bolts and a little postern opened.
“Enter!” said a gruff voice.
I stooped and stepped through. The gate was clanged shut behind me in an instant. A mob of men-at-arms crowded threateningly about me.