“You need fear no trouble from that quarter,” he said grimly. “I know my work too well.”
“Aye, but none of your devil’s tricks here!” I retorted sharply. “We are not in Tangiers!”
For a moment his swarthy face wore an ugly look and his fingers sought his hilt. But he thought better of it.
“Leave me to do my own business in my own way!” he muttered sullenly. “Give me the village and the tavern—and slit me if I interfere with you in the matter of the dainty doves yonder!” And he nodded in the direction of the house.
His tone was one of such studied insolence that at any other time I should have called him to account. As it was, I shrugged my shoulders contemptuously and turned to Cornet Graham. On my life, he had pulled a little comb from his pocket and with this he was endeavouring to smooth his matted periwig.
“Remember,” I said warningly, “M. de Launay is to be taken alive.”
“If he is there at all,” he answered, “and this does not prove a fool’s errand!”
“It is like enough to be that,” I said carelessly, “since it is a king’s. But be consoled. At least, you will see this Venus!”
He cried out something at that, but I did not stay to hear. I gathered up my reins and, with a wave of the hand, rode after the troopers.
They had halted at the edge of the road awaiting my orders, and I saw that the sergeant had made a careful selection for the arduous work they had before them. As they sat there in their saddles, their fierce, swarthy faces bronzed to a coppery hue by the scorching suns of Tangiers, their coats, once red—worn and faded to a mottled purple, they were as ill-favoured a set of rogues as one could meet, not even excepting Kirk’s Lambs. I placed myself at their head, therefore, and leaving the road behind us, we plunged at once into the woods. So dense were these that ere we had proceeded more than a quarter of a mile I was compelled to dismount the men and to send back our horses in charge of two of their number. With the remaining troopers at my heels, I essayed to make the ascent on foot. Nor was it an easy task even then. From every branch the raindrops dripped upon us, so that, wet before, we were doubly so ere we had advanced but a short distance. Tripping over roots, torn by brambles, a dozen times we came down upon our faces, rendering us in a truly pitiable condition when at length we reached the summit. Nor did luck befriend us even then.