The Mystery of the Lost Dauphin Part 15

"Cast away your fears," she cried. "Rene will save us. Defenders will spring out of the earth. Courage, my father; calmness, my husband," and she gave a hand to each of the men. "We are a council of war. Let us plan our course of action."

Naundorff kissed her forehead, saying: "I follow you," fascinated by her spirit.

"Our two aims," she proceeded, "are to recover the papers and enter France secretly."

"Regarding the first," said Rene, "trust to me. The spy shall not return to France enriched by his spoils."

"Beware of the spilling of blood!" said Naundorff. "Our cause is else lost."

Rene and Amelie made no rejoinder.

"Concerning the voyage to France," continued the Marquis, "we must first dispose of Volpetti. Were he to precede us, our fate should be imprisonment. In the meanwhile, Mr. and Miss O'Ranleigh," and he made his companions a mock bow, "must not forget their role of musicians journeying across the channel in search of employment. A happy circ.u.mstance favors our project. A French merchant vessel, the Polipheme, lies in the harbor. The captain is indebted to me for favors.

I met him on the wharf this morning and observed that I might have need of him later. I can count upon his loyalty."

"Father, the sky grows clear!" cried Amelie.

"G.o.d grant it may!" said Naundorff.

"See!" exclaimed Rene. "There is the Polipheme."

He drew his companions toward the window, and as they looked out, his face grew dark and he stammered:

"There--he--comes!"

Volpetti, alias the Count de Keller, in elegant traveling dress which accentuated his aristocratic Chateaubriand air, approached the Red Fish, followed by Brosseur.

"They are coming here!" exclaimed Rene, and he dragged Amelie and Naundorff into concealment, returning himself to continue his scrutiny.

"The devil turns him over to me at last."

Chapter III

RENe WAITS

The Marquis's elation was equalled by that of the Carbonari below on beholding the entry of Volpetti and his servant.

"We have him," whispered Giacinto.

"And his confederate, also," answered Louis Pierre, which was the name of the other.

"He seems quite a muscular fellow."

"Leave him to me."

Kate was selecting chambers for the newly arrived. Giacinto, continuing the rude gallantry he had begun at the table, followed her from room to room, whispering love speeches and pinching her round arms. Volpetti and Brosseur were drinking Malaga below.

"Leave me alone!" cried Kate, pretending anger.

"Darling, don't be so hard on me."

"But I have work to do. These rooms must be got ready, and I have not been able to find them yet for the house is as full as an egg."

"Let me walk with you until we find them, then."

She could not resist this gallant offer, and together they promenaded through corridors and apartments. At last she said:

"Well, I must give No. 10 to the master and 39 to the valet. They are not close together, but 'tis not my fault."

"Who is in No. 8?" asked Giacinto, idly.

"'Tis a double apartment, occupied by two Irish people who look like beggars. But a French Monsieur here has his eye on the girl. He spent a long time with them today."

"Let them love each other. So do you and I."

As the pair descended the stairway, Volpetti and his valet were coming up to their chambers. Giacinto kept well in the shade and hastened to join Louis Pierre beside whom a pleasant-faced man stood, dispatching a gla.s.s of rum.

This was the captain of the Polipheme.

"Do you wish to leave tonight?" asked the captain.

"Or at dawn," replied Louis Pierre. "Be prepared to draw in anchor and have the sloop in readiness guarded by but one sailor."

The captain hesitated. He drew his fingers through his hair as if about to object.

"Well--" he began.

"Captain Soliviac, do you realize that you _cannot_ refuse?"

"Refuse? Impossible! I was about to say that there are some people in this inn wis.h.i.+ng also to go to France. Do you object to their presence?"

"Who are these people for whom you have so high a regard, Captain?"

"Well one of them is the Marquis de Breze."

The Carbonari started.

"What bond unites you to that sympathizer of the government?"

"No political bond. My father was befriended by the elder Marquis and the young man has been my protector. Important matters urge his return to France."

"Indeed! Well, the son of the d.u.c.h.ess de Rousillon is a strange companion for you, Captain."

"Pshaw!" answered Soliviac. "He does not meddle with politics. His time is occupied in hunting and love making. He is doubtless hurrying to France to be reunited with some fair friend; or more likely still, the lady accompanies him now, for he said that two Irish travelers, an uncle and niece, were with him."

The Carbonari exchanged a look; then Giacinto said: