Part 25 (1/2)
The landlord was in bed, but he came down quickly, and, having shown us into his best room, proceeded to draw the wine which Felix ordered.
”You are in bed early,” I remarked on his return. ”Have you no guests in the house?”
”None, monsieur.”
”We expected to meet with some of the king's troops here: have they pa.s.sed through already?”
”There have been no soldiers in the village, monsieur.”
”But surely they are close at hand!”
”If monsieur means Marshal Cosse's army, it is ten miles off. At least Philippe said so when he came home this evening.”
”Who is Philippe?”
”He lives in the village, monsieur; he could guide you to the soldiers.
Shall I fetch him?”
”Yes,” I replied, ”and waste no time. Jacques,” and I glanced at my servant meaningly, ”you might go with the worthy host.”
They returned in less than half an hour, bringing with them a short, thin man, spare in build, but tough and wiry. His eyes were sharp and bright, and his face was shrewd and full of intelligence.
”Are you a good Catholic, Philippe?” I asked.
His glance pa.s.sed from me to Felix and back again so swiftly that he might never have taken his gaze from my face. Then he said with the most natural hesitation in the world, and as if fully expecting to suffer for his confession, ”I hope monsieur will not be offended, but I belong to the Religion.”
”Faith, Philippe,” I said, ”I guessed you were shrewd; you are the very fellow for our purpose. Since you belong to the Religion”--the rascal's lips twitched ever so slightly--”you will have no scruple in helping us.
We are of the Religion, too.”
”Is it possible, monsieur?” he said, with a start of well-feigned surprise.
”Now listen to me,” I continued; ”you know where the marshal's army is.
Don't contradict; it will be useless.”
”I am attending, monsieur.”
”We want to see this army, but we do not wish to introduce ourselves to the soldiers. Now a sharp guide, thoroughly acquainted with the district, can easily lead us to a place from which we can learn all we want to know. Is not that a good scheme?”
”It has one serious drawback, monsieur.”
”Speak on; we are listening.”
”If the guide should be caught by the king's troops, he would be hanged.”
”That is awkward, certainly. On the other hand, if he refuses to go he will die by the sword. You are a sensible man, Philippe, and will see the force of my remarks. Now, which is it to be? Will you earn a few crowns by taking the risk, or will you lose your life at once?”
”Truly, monsieur,” said he, after a pause, ”you place me in an unpleasant position; but since there is no way out of it, I will do as you wish.”
”A sensible answer, and there is but one thing more to add. If you are thinking to play us false, we count three swords and six loaded pistols, and you cannot reasonably expect to escape them all.”