Page:A courier of fortune (1904).djvu/271

Rh "Ah, you do not know. He used to think I—I would marry him, monsieur."

"Oh, those bright eyes of yours, mademoiselle," laughed Pascal.

"But he is hateful, this Antoine. It was he who with M. d'Estelle tried to kill Denys St. Jean when—when M. Gerard met Gabrielle."

"The devil he is! and you fooled him, so that he lets you go where you will?"

"He made me promise not to leave the Castle, and he keeps watch in the courtyard by the gate. I was going to him for news—the Duchess is almost dead with anxiety."

"Tell me what he has told you."

"They think the prisoners have got out of the city. They have searched Malincourt and found no one there, but have left a guard in possession of the house. They do not think that even Gabrielle will return there, and believe either that the prisoners have escaped from Morvaix with her or that they are hiding in the city."

"Long may they hold that belief!" exclaimed Pascal.

"There have been many arrests, monsieur. You see Gabrielle is known to almost every one, but M. Gerard and the monk to very few; so every one who cannot be recognized is arrested to be identified. At first they were brought here, but now they are taken somewhere in the city. Where are they, monsieur?"

"At Malincourt," he replied readily.

"Oh, and I cannot go to Gabrielle!" cried Lucette distressfully.

"We will see about that. You are doing splendid service here, but you must not stay lest this Tiger should seek to carry out his threat. Besides, Mademoiselle de Malincourt would gladly have you with her. Could you get this lover of yours to leave the Castle with you for a walk, say in the grove on the way to Malincourt?"