“At least,” I said, “I shall die an honest man, and neither a spy, a traitor, nor an abductor of women!”
D’Aurilly started from his seat with an oath, and in an instant I should have had my fingers at his throat, but that Roquefort held him back.
“No, no,” he laughed. “Restrain yourself, d’Aurilly. That were too swift a way. One blow of a sword and it is over—but the rack is different. I wonder at you, my friend!”
“True!” muttered d’Aurilly, and sank back into his seat with livid face.
“I see you have not yet forgotten that blow of my hand across your mouth, Monsieur,” I sneered, resolved to provoke him to the uttermost. Pray Heaven I might yet get my hands on this devil and have a moment in which to settle my account with him! Then almost could I die content.
His hands were trembling on the arms of his chair, but he glared at me without replying.
“Ho, what is this tale, d’Aurilly?” questioned Roquefort. “Do you tell me that this rascal struck you in the face and lives to boast of it? I thought you a man of spirit!”
“He lies!” cried d’Aurilly. “He lies! It was nothing.”
I looked at him, smiling. Roquefort, I think, could guess where the truth lay, but he passed it by.
“Come, M. de Marsan,” he said more sternly, “we are wasting time, and I have much to do this day. You will remember the reward I promised you should you betray me at Cadillac,” and he made a little gesture towards the horrors in the corner. “Well, the reward is ready; but since then I have learned certain things which may perhaps alter matters. In the first place, I learned from the Vicomte d’Aurilly that you carried to your master at Montauban a message which told of my little expedition against Cadillac. This message, it seems, was brought to you at Marsan by some member of my household. In the second place, I learned from Drouet, as you know, that some one in the night had come to your aid, had cut the ropes which bound you to him, and that you were within an ace of escaping.”