Pierre Pevel - By The Alchemist in the Shadows Page 0,116

behaving better than he did on that famous night when the comte de Rochefort arrested me. After all, he fled while you stayed behind to free me. But I imagine that was just to safeguard your mission, wasn't it? And to win my trust.'

When Leprat failed, again, to reply, Mirebeau let out a desolate sigh.

'Fortunately, the friendship that I felt for you did not completely blind me. And that brings us to this . . . What am

I to do with you, monsieur le chevalier d'Orgueil? Rauvin would shoot you down.'

'You won't do that. You're a gentleman.'

'So are you. Let us settle this affair as gentlemen, then.'

The musketeer shook his head.

'I feel both friendship and esteem for you, Mirebeau. Don't make me cross swords with you . . .

Besides, it would be futile.'

'Futile?'

'Tomorrow, at the break of dawn, the marquis de Chateau-neuf will be arrested for treason, among other things. So will the duchesse de Chevreuse and all those who have plotted the downfall of the cardinal, or against the king. Everything is ready. The orders have already been signed and Treville's musketeers are masters of Dampierre. His Majesty has already won the match. But you are guilty of nothing but loyally serving a master who proved unworthy.'

"What do you know about that?'

'I know you to be a man of honour, Mirebeau. Nothing obliges you to pay the price for the crimes of Chateauneuf. Nothing.'

'One is not always free to choose.'

'Chateauneuf fancied that he might one day replace the cardinal. Forgetting all that he owed Richelieu, he schemed against him. His ambition has made him lose everything. Don't accompany him in his downfall.'

Mirebeau hesitated.

'It's . . . It's too late,' he finally said.

'No!'

Leprat felt that he could persuade — and save — this gentle-man.

'Leave,' he said. 'This very night. Take a horse and go without further delay. Don't let the king's justice catch up with you. And before long you'll be forgotten . . .'

Mirebeau reflected for a moment. The arm holding the pistol was no longer quite as steady as before when the point of a blade suddenly punched through his chest. He stiffened and gazed down with eyes widened in shock at the length of

bloody steel which then vanished almost as quickly as it had appeared. He hiccupped, coughed up blood and gave Leprat a last incredulous look before falling to his knees, then face down against the hard marble floor.

Rapier in his fist, Rauvin stepped over the dead body and advanced, followed by five hired swordsmen.

'I do believe he would have accepted your offer,' he said, 'but I grew tired of waiting . . .'

Having opened the ball with the queen and paid her a much remarked-upon compliment, the king retired to his apartments. He had announced his intention to make the most of the game-filled forests of the Chevreuse valley, and go hunting early the following morning. He had promised, however, to watch the fireworks display that would be the high point of the evening from his window. The gentlemen who were his closest attendants, including the comte de Treville, had followed him. And since the castle could not be taken by assault, the musketeers now reduced their watch over the area outside to mount an extremely vigilant guard at the doors, along the corridors and in the antechambers.

Arnaud de Laincourt discreetly stole a mask that he saw lying on a bench, put it on and began to mingle with the courtiers who chattered, drank and nibbled as they watched the dancers — two by two - execute a graceful choreography to the sound of the music played by the orchestra. Everyone had disguised the upper portion of their face behind a mask. But if those worn by the men were relatively sober, those of the women — matching their dresses — boasted a profusion of gold and silver brocade, plumes and ribbons, pearls and jewels. Wearing their finest attire, the royal court provided a superb spectacle that evening, beneath the gilt of Dampierre. In their display of elegant luxury and playful insouciance, the courtiers seemed completely unaware of the danger threatening them.

Laincourt tried to find Agnes.

He caught sight of her near the dais reserved for Their Majesties. Now only the queen occupied her armchair. It was impossible to approach her. She was surrounded by madame de Chevreuse and by her ladies-in-waiting, who were seated according to their rank on chairs, stools or cushions. They gossiped and laughed behind their fans, the youngest and least dignified