Cocardasse's air of distaste was suddenly transmuted into a raging,
blazing air of hatred. He swore a great oath and sprang forward. "Then,
by the powers, I will kill you!"
"So will I!" cried Passepoil, no less furious than his friend, and
advanced with him. But when the pair were close upon the hunchback he
suddenly drew himself up, flung back the hair from his face, and faced
them, crying, "I am here!"
Cocardasse and Passepoil paused, gasping. Both had one name on their
lips, and the name was the name of Lagardere. In another moment Lagardere
was stooping again, the long hair was falling about his face, and the two
men could scarcely believe that Æsop was not standing before them. "Hush!
To you both, as to all the world, I am Æsop, Gonzague's attendant devil.
Now I have work for you. Go to-night at eleven to No. 7, Rue de Chantre."
As he spoke he drew a letter from his coat and gave it to Cocardasse.
"Give this letter to the young lady who lives there. I have warned her of
your coming. I have told her what she is to do. She will accompany you
unquestioningly. I have to trust to you in this, friends, for I have my
own part to play, and, by my faith, it is the hardest part I have ever
played in my life." He laughed as he spoke; then he drew from his breast
another packet and handed it to Passepoil. "Here," he said, "are three
invitations for the king's ball to-night--one for the girl you will
escort, one for each of you. When you go to the house you will wait till
the girl is ready, and then you will escort her to the king's ball in the
Palais Royal at midnight, and bring her into the presence of the king by
the royal tent near the round pond of Diana."
"I will do that same," said Cocardasse, cheerfully.
"Never let her out of your sight at the ball," Lagardere insisted.
"Devil a minute," Passepoil affirmed.
"Let no one speak to her," Lagardere continued.
"Devil a word," said Cocardasse.
As the hunchback seemed to have no further instructions for them, the
pair made to depart, but Lagardere restrained them, saying: "Ah, wait a
moment. We are all the toys of fate. If any unlucky chance should arise,
come to me in the presence of the king and fling down your glove."
"I understand," said Cocardasse.