His black eyes sparkled, and his
moustaches bristled with excitement. Clearly he had news of import.
I turned to the landlord.
"Leave us, Monsieur l'Hote," said I shortly; and when he had
departed, "What of the Lavedan family, Castelroux?" I inquired as
calmly as I might.
"The Chevalier de Saint-Eustache left Toulouse at six o'clock this
morning for Lavedan."
Swift the suspicion of his errand broke upon my mind.
"He has betrayed the Vicomte?" I half inquired, half asserted.
Castelroux nodded. "He has obtained a warrant for his apprehension
from the Keeper of the Seals, and is gone to execute it. In the
course of a few days Lavedan will be in danger of being no more
than a name. This Saint-Eustache is driving a brisk trade, by God,
and some fine prizes have already fallen to his lot. But if you
add them all together, they are not likely to yield as much as this
his latest expedition. Unless you intervene, Bardelys, the Vicomte
de Lavedan is doomed and his family houseless."
"I will intervene," I cried. "By God, I will! And as for
Saint-Eustache - he was born under a propitious star, indeed, if
he escapes the gallows. He little dreams that I am still to be
reckoned with. There, Castelroux, I will start for Lavedan at once."
Already I was striding to the door, when the Gascon called me back.
"What good will that do?" he asked. "Were it not better first to
return to Toulouse and obtain a counter-warrant from the King?"
There was wisdom in his words - much wisdom.
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