"
"Has he done much so far?" was my next question.
"He has reduced half a dozen noblemen and their families. The wealth
he must thereby have amassed should be very considerable, indeed."
"To-morrow, Castelroux, I will see the King in connection with this
pretty gentleman, and not only shall we find him a dungeon deep and
dank, but we shall see that he disgorges his blood-money."
"If you can prove his treason you will be doing blessed work,"
returned Castelroux. "Until tomorrow, then, for here is the Hotel
de l'Epee."
From the broad doorway of an imposing building a warm glow of light
issued out and spread itself fanwise across the ill-paved street.
In this - like bats about a lamp - flitted the black figures of
gaping urchins and other stragglers, and into this I now passed,
having taken leave of my companions.
I mounted the steps and I was about to cross the threshold, when
suddenly above a burst of laughter that greeted my ears I caught the
sound of a singularly familiar voice. This seemed raised at present
to address such company as might be within. One moment of doubt had
I - for it was a month since last I had heard those soft, unctuous
accents. Then I was assured that the voice I heard was, indeed, the
voice of my steward Ganymede. Castelroux's messenger had found him
at last, it seemed, and had brought him to Toulouse.
I was moved to spring into the room and greet that old retainer for
whom, despite the gross and sensuous ways that with advancing years
were claiming him more and more, I had a deep attachment.
Pages:
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222