The greater part of the half-hour they spent in examining the curious objects in the church, and what the boys did not understand the priest explained to them. He was an invaluable guide and a pleasant companion, and they were sorry when he said that they had better go out again to see whether the ascenseurs were yet running.
They were surprised to find that it was pitch dark when they went out into the air, for the church was lighted with gas. And the wind had increased and was blowing even a worse gale than before. They groped their way down the steps as far as the entrance to the fort, and the priest held a short conversation with the guard.
“He says the break has proved more serious than was thought,” their guide said, “and the ascenseurs will not be able to move for several hours. But workmen are busy making repairs, and they will be in running order again some time during the evening. So under the circumstances I think it will be safer for us to wait. Of course there is a path down the hill, as I know to my cost, for I walked down it a few days ago, lost my way, and had to do more climbing than I have done since I was about your age. But it would be extremely difficult and dangerous in this darkness, and on such a night. We cannot well wait so long in the church; but if you will come with me, I will see whether I cannot induce the authorities to give us more comfortable quarters.”
“You must not put yourself to any trouble on our account, sir,” Kit answered, though he was rather pleased at the idea of spending a few hours more with so agreeable a companion, as well as with having another little adventure on his second night in Marseilles. “We can get along very well in any sheltered place; and as you are a stranger here it might put you to some inconvenience.”
“I am not a stranger in any church dedicated to the Holy Mother of God,” the priest answered; and from the movement of his hands the boys imagined that he was crossing himself, though it was too dark for them to see. And he spoke as if he felt as sure of finding a welcome there as though he were about to open the door of his own house.
The priest led the way up the steps again to the church door, and said a few words in French to the attendant, which of course the boys did not understand. But as he drew a silver card-case from an inner pocket and handed a card to the man, they rightly judged that he was inquiring for the clergyman in charge, and sending his card to him.
“I did not intend to introduce myself in Marseilles,” he said, after the man had disappeared with the card; “but my poor old throat is too weak to risk long exposure on such a night, and I must find shelter. And you shall share it with me, for I am your guide, philosopher, and friend on this occasion. You need not be surprised at anything you may see. You are in the house of God, and in company of one of the humblest of his servants.”
Kit would have given a great deal for a chance to exchange a few words with Harry. But as that was impossible he had to do his own thinking unassisted. He began to feel somehow as if he was on the brink of another adventure, perhaps stranger even than the night in Louis-Philippe’s cell. This was no ordinary priest, he was sure. Instead of acting like a man asking for shelter, he seemed rather to be waiting for something that he was entitled to.
And what could he mean by telling them not to be surprised at anything they might see? Surprised! the boys were surprised enough already. Their weird surroundings thrilled them. The hill of Notre-Dame, with all its strange accessories, is thrilling under the broad noonday sun; but on this night of inky darkness, with the lights of Marseilles twinkling far beneath them, and the church walls, though solid as the fort itself, trembling under the thundering blasts of the gale, it was enough to stir the blood of older men than Kit or Harry, without the addition of a mysterious priest warning them against surprise.
In a few minutes they heard footsteps coming down one of the long, gloomy aisles, and the attendant returned, accompanied by a priest dressed precisely like their companion, except that he carried no hat. He looked around for a moment in the semi-darkness, this second priest, approached the little group, and immediately dropped upon his knees before the stranger. As he did so, the latter put out both hands as if to help him rise, and the boys noticed that their companion had removed his gloves, that his hands were beautifully small and white, and that upon one of his fingers was a large and sparkling seal ring. The kneeling priest took the hands in his and either kissed one of them or kissed the ring, it was impossible to tell which.