As we stepped out into the street, where the dusk was now thickening,
I turned to Castelroux to inquire how Saint-Eustache came into
Chatellerault's company.
"He is of the family of the Iscariot, I should opine," answered the
Gascon. "As soon as he had news that Chatellerault was come to
Languedoc as the King's Commissioner, he repaired to him to offer
his services in the work of bringing rebels to justice. He urged
that his thorough acquaintance with the province should render him
of value to the King, as also that he had had particular opportunities
of becoming acquainted with many treasonable dealings on the part
of men whom the State was far from suspecting."
"Mort Dieu!" I cried, "I had suspected something of such a nature.
You do well to call him of the family of the Iscariot. He is more
so than you imagine: I have knowledge of this - ample knowledge. He
was until lately a rebel himself, and himself a follower of Gaston
d'Orleans - though of a lukewarm quality. What reasons have driven
him to such work, do you know?"
"The same reason that impelled his forefather, Judas of old. The
desire to enrich himself. For every hitherto unsuspected rebel that
shall be brought to justice and whose treason shall be proven by his
agency, he claims the half of that rebel's confiscated estates."
"Diable!" I exclaimed. "And does the Keeper of the Seals sanction
this?"
"Sanction it? Saint-Eustache holds a commission, has a free hand
and a company of horse to follow him in his rebel-hunting.
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