“That’s well,” said Bamboir to his comrade. “If otherwise, he should
have been struck down by the Avenging Angel.”
We got back to the chateau without more talk, and I was locked in, while
my guards retired. As soon as they had gone I got to work, for my great
enterprise was at hand.
At ten o’clock I was ready for the venture. When the critical moment
came, I was so arrayed that my dearest friend would not have known me.
My object was to come out upon my guards as La Jongleuse, and, in the
fright and confusion which should follow, make my escape through the
corridors and to the entrance doors, past the sentinels, and so on out.
It may be seen now why I got the woman’s garb, the sheet, the horsehair,
the phosphorus, the reeds, and such things; why I secured the knife and
pistol may be guessed likewise. Upon the lid of a small stove in the
room I placed my saltpetre, and I rubbed the horsehair on my head with
phosphorus, also on my hands, and face, and feet, and on many objects
in the room. The knife and pistol were at my hand, and when the clock
struck ten, I set my toys to wailing.
Then I knocked upon the door with solemn taps, hurried back to the
stove, and waited for the door to open before I applied the match. I
heard a fumbling at the lock, then the door was thrown wide open. All
was darkness in the hall without, save for a spluttering candle which
Bamboir held over his head, as he and his fellow, deadly pale, stood
peering forward. Suddenly they gave a cry, for I threw the sheet from my
face and shoulders, and to their excited imagination La Jongleuse stood
before them, all in flames. As I started down on them, the coloured fire
flew up, making the room all blue and scarlet for a moment, in which I
must have looked devilish indeed, with staring eyes, and outstretched
chalky hands, and wailing cries coming from my robe.
I moved swiftly, and Bamboir, without a cry, dropped like a log (poor
fellow, he never rose again! the apoplexy which the surgeon promised had
come), his comrade gave a cry, and sank in a heap in a corner, mumbling
a prayer, and making the sign of the cross, his face stark with terror.
I passed him, came along the corridor and down one staircase, without
seeing any one; then two soldiers appeared in the half-lighted hallway.
Presently also a door opened behind me, and some one came out. By now
the phosphorus light diminished a little, but still I was a villainous
picture, for in one hand I held a small cup from which suddenly sprang
red and blue fires. The men fell back, and I sailed past them, but I had
not gone far down the lower staircase when a shot rang after me, and a
bullet passed by my head. Now I came rapidly to the outer door, where
two more sentinels stood. They shrank back, and suddenly one threw down
his musket and ran; the other, terrified, stood stock-still. I passed
him, opened the door, and came out upon the Intendant, who was just
alighting from his carriage.
The horses sprang away, frightened at sight of me, and nearly threw
Bigot to the ground. I tossed the tin cup with its chemical fires full
in his face, as he made a dash for me. He called out, and drew his
sword. I wished not to fight, and I sprang aside; but he made a pass at
me, and I drew my pistol and was about to fire, when another shot came
from the hallway and struck him. He fell, almost at my feet, and I
dashed away into the darkness. Fifty feet ahead I cast one glance hack,
and saw Monsieur Cournal standing in the doorway. I was sure that his
second shot had not been meant for me, but for the Intendant--a wild
attempt at a revenge, long delayed, for the worst of wrongs.
I ran on, and presently came full upon five soldiers, two of whom drew
their pistols, fired, and missed. Their comrades ran away howling. They
barred my path, and now I fired, too, and brought one down; then came a
shot from behind them, and another fell. The last one took to his heels,
and a moment later I had my hand in that of Mr. Stevens. It was he who
had fired the opportune shot that rid me of one foe. We came quickly
along the river brink, and, skirting the citadel, got clear of it
without discovery, though we could see soldiers hurrying past, roused by
the firing at the chateau.
In about half an hour of steady running, with a few bad stumbles and
falls, we reached the old windmill above the Anse du Foulon at Sillery,
and came plump upon our waiting comrades. I had stripped myself of my
disguise, and rubbed the phosphorus from my person as we came along, but
enough remained to make me an uncanny figure. It had been kept secret
from these people that I was to go with them, and they sullenly kept
their muskets raised and cocked; but when Mr. Stevens told them who
I was, they were agreeably surprised. I at once took command of the
enterprise, saying firmly at the same time that I would shoot the first
man who disobeyed my orders. I was sure that I could bring them to
safety, but my will must be law. They took my terms like men, and swore
to stand by me.