第36章 THE HOUSE IN THE RUELLE D'ARCY.(3)

So that I was able to give Simon Fleix his last directions with as much coolness as I ever felt in my life.I stationed him with the three horses in the lane--which seemed as quiet and little frequented as in the morning--near the end of it,and about a hundred paces or more from the house.

'Turn their heads towards the ramparts,'I said,wheeling them round myself,'and then they will be ready to start.They are all quiet enough.You can let the Cid loose.And now listen to me,Simon,'I continued.'Wait here until you see me return,or until you see you are going to be attacked.In the first case,stay for me,of course;in the second,save yourself as you please.Lastly,if neither event occurs before half-past five--you will hear the convent-bell yonder ring at the half-hour--begone,and take the horses;they are yours,And one word more,'

I added hurriedly.'If you can only get away with one horse,Simon,take the Cid.It is worth more than most men,and will not fail you at a pinch.'

As I turned away,I gave him one look to see if he understood.

It was not without hesitation that after that look I left him.

The lad's face was flushed,he was breathing hard,his eyes seemed to be almost starting from his head.He sat his horse shaking in every limb,and had all the air of a man in a fit.Iexpected him to call me back;but he did not,and reflecting that I must trust him,or give up the attempt,I went up the lane with my sword under my arm,and my cloak loose on my shoulders.I met a man driving a donkey laden with faggots.I saw no one else.

It was already dusk between the walls,though light enough in the open country;but that was in my favour,my only regret;being that as the town gates closed shortly after half-past five,Icould not defer my attempt until a still later hour.

Pausing in the shadow of the house while a man might count ten,Iimpressed on my memory the position of the particular window which bore the knot;then I passed quickly into the street,which was still full of movement,and for a second,feeling myself safe from observation in the crowd,I stood looking at the front of the house.The door was shut.My heart sank when I saw this,for I had looked to find it still open.

The feeling,however,that I could not wait,though time might present more than one opportunity,spurred me on.What I could do I must do now,at once.The sense that this was so being heavy upon me,I saw nothing for it but to use the knocker and gain admission,by fraud if I could,and if not,by force.

Accordingly I stepped briskly across the kennel,and made for the entrance.

When I was within two paces of the steps,however,someone abruptly threw the door open and stepped out.The man did not notice me,and I stood quickly aside,hoping that at the last minute my chance had come.Two men,who had apparently attended this first person downstairs,stood respectfully behind him,holding lights.He paused a moment on the steps to adjust his cloak,and with more than a little surprise I recognised my acquaintance of the morning,M.de Bruhl.