"Certainly, certainly. Leave them with me. They shall be perfectly safe in my possession. Believe me, dear de Lotbinière, I shall do everything excellently for you."
De Lotbinière, reading the easy-going face of the bluff epicurean in uniform, said to himself, "If it required any brains I could not trust you."
The Record was therefore left in de Villerai's charge.
De Lotbinière next went to Paris and wrote to Collinot, stating that de Villerai would be on hand on the day appointed, prepared to present the de Léry side of the case. He furthermore wrote to the Count de Vaudreuil, reminding him of the Canadian connections of his family, and invoking his exalted interest at Court against the intruder upon their social rights. The Prince de Poix was likewise reminded by him, in a letter, of the decision he had expressed against Lecour during their interview some months before.
These precautions taken, he remained in Paris, confidently awaiting the outbreak of his powder mines and the destruction of the parvenu. Matters lay in a condition of suspense until the fateful hour.
In the afternoon of the day previous the Châlons diligence brought a stranger who sought out Germain in his quarters. The face was so familiar that Germain's attention was riveted upon him.
"You do not know me, I see," said the man; "but I am come to do you a good turn, a fine turn, a noble turn."
By something erratic in his look Lecour recognised the would-be slayer of de Léry, and his hand crept towards the hilt of his sword.
"Don't be afraid of me," said the maniac; "we are allies."
"I am not afraid," Lecour answered. "What do you wish of me?"