Twice, three times, and yet again he drank of the secret. That he of
all men should make this discovery! His danger became as nothing; he
forgot even the object of his thieving visit.
"Well, Monsieur?" said a cold, dry voice from the threshold.
The man in the grey cloak leaped to his feet, thrusting the letter into
the pocket along with the cabal. His long rapier snarled from its
scabbard, just in time. The two blades hung in mid air.
"Nicely caught," said the cold, dry voice again. "What have you to
say? It is hanging, Monsieur, hanging by the neck." The speaker was a
man of sixty, white of hair, but wiry and active. "Ha! in a mask, eh?
That looks bad for you. You are not a common thief, then? . . . That
was a good stroke, but not quite high enough. Well?"
"Stand aside, Monsieur le Comte," said the man in the cloak. His tones
were steady; all his fright was gone.
The steel slithered and ground.
"You know me, eh?" said the old man, banteringly. His blade ripped a
hole in the cloak. "You have a voice that sounds strangely familiar to
my ears."
"Your ears will soon be dull and cold, if you do not let me pass."
"Was it gold, or jewels? . . . Jesus!" The old man's gaze, roving a
hair's breadth, saw the yawning drawers. "That paper, Monsieur, or you
shall never leave this place alive! Hallo! Help, men! To me,
Grégoire! Help, Captain!"
"Madame shall become a widow," said the man in the mask.
Back he pressed the old man, back, back, into the corridor, toward the
stairs. They could scarce see each other, and it was by instinct alone
that thrust was met by parry. Up the rear staircase came a dozen
mercenaries, bearing torches. The glare smote the master in the eyes,
and partly dazzled him. He fought valiantly, but he was forced to give
way. A chance thrust, however, severed the cords of his opponent's
mask.
"You?"
There was a gurgling sound, a coughing, and the elder sank to his
knees, rolled upon his side, and became still. The man in the grey
cloak, holding the mask to his face, rushed down the grand staircase,
sweeping aside all those who barred his path. He seemed possessed with
strength and courage Homeric; odds were nothing. With a back
hand-swing of his arm he broke one head; he smashed a face with the
pommel; caught another by the throat and flung him headlong. In a
moment he was out of the door. Down the steps he dashed, through the
gate, thence into the street, a mob yelling at his heels. The light
from the torches splashed him. A sharp gust of wind nearly tore the
mask from his fingers. As he caught it, he ran full into a priest.