THE MARQUIS AT LA CAILLE-BOTTÉE'S
"Have no fear, my friends," said the marquis, interrupting their tête-à-tête. "We have a secret together, and I simply wish to say a word to you." "Present, captain!" replied Jean le Clope, coming out from under the table where he had taken refuge.
"Have no fear, my friends," said the marquis, interrupting their tête-à-tête. "We have a secret together, and I simply wish to say a word to you."
"Present, captain!" replied Jean le Clope, coming out from under the table where he had taken refuge; "I beg you to forgive me, but I didn't know who was coming to the house, and people make so much talk about me!"
"Very unjustly, I doubt not," said the marquis with a smile. "But look you, my friend; I have not seen you since a certain occurrence. I sent you a slight acknowledgment by Adamas, to whom you swore that you had faithfully carried out my orders. Having an opportunity to-night to speak to you a moment alone, I wish to learn from you some of the details as to the manner in which you did the business."
"What's that, captain? there's no two ways of burying a dead man, and I did a Christian's duty as Christianly as the prior of my community could have done it."
"I do not doubt it, comrade; but were you prudent?"
"Does my captain doubt me?" cried the veteran, with a sensitiveness which was particularly noticeable in him after supper.
"I do not doubt your discretion, Jean, but I have a little doubt of your skill in concealing this interment; for Monsieur d'Alvimar's death is known to my enemies to-day, and yet I can no more doubt the trustworthiness of my servants than I can doubt yours."