"What use is your sword then, monsieur?"
"That does not matter to you. Ah, zounds! I hear him."
In fact, Urbain had discovered Chaudoreille's retreat. He knocked at the door and ordered him to open.
"Answer that there is nobody here," said Chaudoreille to the dowager, "you will save the life of the most amiable man in Europe."
The old woman answered on the contrary,—
"He is here, but he has locked himself up with me and he has taken the key."
"Oh, well, one can break in the door," said Urbain, "if this wretch refuses to open it."
Chaudoreille looked round in search of a hiding-place, but feared the dowager would betray him. Finally his glance rested on the chimney, and seeing no other means of escape, he ran and climbed into it with the agility of a squirrel. At that moment someone forced the door, and Urbain entered, followed by some of the village people. They did not see Chaudoreille, but the dowager indicated the way by which he had fled. Going down into the court they perceived the chevalier on the roof, creeping along a gutter and endeavoring to reach the neighboring house. The way was dangerous, but the fear of fighting seemed to have blinded Chaudoreille to all other perils. Already his foot touched the next roof, and, using Rolande to feel his way, he turned his head to see if Urbain was behind him; this movement made him lose his equilibrium, he slipped, then disappeared. They ran to the place where he had fallen; the descendant of Delilah had fallen on some cabbages, but not having loosened his hold of Rolande, the long sword had passed through the middle of his body. Thus perished the prudent Chaudoreille, while trying to avoid a combat.
CHAPTER XV
Julia's Story. What Was Contained in the Portfolio
THE barber left Urbain in full pursuit of the luckless chevalier and putting his horse at full gallop tore back to the Château de Sarcus, in order that he might immediately apprise the marquis of that which had taken place. He arrived in short order at the château and hastened to present himself to Villebelle, whom he informed of the meeting of Urbain and Chaudoreille and the disclosures that had been made.