I SEE THREE MEN IN A MIRROR.
I awoke very early next morning, and was too excited to sleep
again. As soon as I could, without exciting remark, I saw my
host. I told him that I was going into town that night, and
thence to ----, where I had to see some people on business, and
requested him to mention my being there to any friend who might
call. That I expected to be back in about a week, and that in the
meantime my servant, St. Clair, would keep the key of my room,
and look after my things.
Having prepared this mystification for my landlord, I drove into
Paris, and there transacted the financial part of the affair. The
problem was to reduce my balance, nearly thirty thousand pounds,
to a shape in which it would be not only easily portable, but
available, wherever I might go, without involving correspondence,
or any other incident which would disclose my place of residence,
for the time being. All these points were as nearly provided for
as they could be. I need not trouble you about my arrangements
for passports. It is enough to say that the point I selected for
our flight was, in the spirit of romance, one of the most
beautiful and sequestered nooks in Switzerland.
Luggage, I should start with none. The first considerable town we
reached next morning, would supply an extemporized wardrobe. It
was now two o'clock; _only_ two! How on earth was I to dispose of
the remainder of the day?
I had not yet seen the cathedral of Notre Dame; and thither I drove. I
spent an hour or more there; and then to the Conciergerie, the Palais de
Justice, and the beautiful Sainte Chapelle. Still there remained some
time to get rid of, and I strolled into the narrow streets adjoining the
cathedral. I recollect seeing, in one of them, an old house with a mural
inscription stating that it had been the residence of Canon Fulbert, the
uncle of Abelard's Eloise. I don't know whether these curious old
streets, in which I observed fragments of ancient gothic churches fitted
up as warehouses, are still extant. I lighted, among other dingy and
eccentric shops, upon one that seemed that of a broker of all sorts of
old decorations, armour, china, furniture. I entered the shop; it was
dark, dusty, and low. The proprietor was busy scouring a piece of inlaid
armour, and allowed me to poke about his shop, and examine the curious
things accumulated there, just as I pleased. Gradually I made my way to
the farther end of it, where there was but one window with many panes,
each with a bull's-eye in it, and in the dirtiest possible state. When I
reached this window, I turned about, and in a recess, standing at right
angles with the side wall of the shop, was a large mirror in an
old-fashioned dingy frame. Reflected in this I saw, what in old houses I
have heard termed an "alcove," in which, among lumber, and various dusty
articles hanging on the wall, there stood a table, at which three
persons were seated, as it seemed to me, in earnest conversation. Two of
these persons I instantly recognized; one was Colonel Gaillarde, the
other was the Marquis d'Harmonville. The third, who was fiddling with a
pen, was a lean, pale man, pitted with the small-pox, with lank black
hair, and about as mean-looking a person as I had ever seen in my life.
The Marquis looked up, and his glance was instantaneously followed by
his two companions. For a moment I hesitated what to do. But it was
plain that I was not recognized, as indeed I could hardly have been, the
light from the window being behind me, and the portion of the shop
immediately before me, being very dark indeed.
Perceiving this, I had presence of mind to affect being entirely
engrossed by the objects before me, and strolled slowly down the
shop again. I paused for a moment to hear whether I was followed,
and was relieved when I heard no step. You may be sure I did not
waste more time in that shop, where I had just made a discovery
so curious and so unexpected.
It was no business of mine to inquire what brought Colonel
Gaillarde and the Marquis together, in so shabby, and even dirty
a place, or who the mean person, biting the feather end of his
pen, might be. Such employments as the Marquis had accepted
sometimes make strange bed-fellows.
I was glad to get away, and just as the sun set, I had reached the steps
of the Dragon Volant, and dismissed the vehicle in which I arrived,
carrying in my hand a strong box, of marvellously small dimensions
considering all it contained, strapped in a leather cover, which
disguised its real character.
When I got to my room, I summoned St. Clair. I told him nearly
the same story, I had already told my host. I gave him fifty
pounds, with orders to expend whatever was necessary on himself,
and in payment for my rooms till my return. I then eat a slight
and hasty dinner. My eyes were often upon the solemn old clock
over the chimney-piece, which was my sole accomplice in keeping
tryste in this iniquitous venture. The sky favoured my design,
and darkened all things with a sea of clouds.
The innkeeper met me in the hall, to ask whether I should want a
vehicle to Paris? I was prepared for this question, and instantly
answered that I meant to walk to Versailles, and take a carriage
there. I called St. Clair.
"Go," said I, "and drink a bottle of wine with your friends. I
shall call you if I should want anything; in the meantime, here
is the key of my room; I shall be writing some notes, so don't
allow any one to disturb me, for at least half an hour. At the
end of that time you will probably find that I have left this for
Versailles; and should you not find me in the room, you may take
that for granted; and you take charge of everything, and lock the
door, you understand?"
St. Clair took his leave, wishing me all happiness and no doubt
promising himself some little amusement with my money. With my
candle in my hand, I hastened upstairs. It wanted now but five
minutes to the appointed time. I do not think there is anything
of the coward in my nature; but I confess, as the crisis
approached, I felt something of the suspense and awe of a soldier
going into action. Would I have receded? Not for all this earth
could offer.
I bolted my door, put on my great coat, and placed my pistols,
one in each pocket. I now applied my key to the secret locks;
drew the wainscot-door a little open, took my strong box under my
arm, extinguished my candle, unbolted my door, listened at it
for a few moments to be sure that no one was approaching, and
then crossed the floor of my room swiftly, entered the secret
door, and closed the spring lock after me. I was upon the
screw-stair in total darkness, the key in my fingers. Thus far
the undertaking was successful.