I grasped the table to steady myself. I had not admitted
even in my own mind how darkly the shadow of Montfaucon and the
gallows had fallen across me.
I had leisure to recover myself, for it was some time before he
spoke. When he did, it was in a voice harsh, changed,
imperative. 'You have the reputation of a man faithful, at
least, to his employer,' he said. 'Do not answer me. I say it
is so. Well, I will trust you. I will give you one more chance
--though it is a desperate one. Woe to you if you fail me! Do
you know Cocheforet in Bearn? It is not far from Auch.'
'No, your Eminence.'
'Nor M. de Cocheforet?'
'No, your Eminence.'
'So much the better,' he replied. 'But you have heard of him.
He has been engaged in every Gascon plot since the late King's
death, and gave more trouble last year in the Vivarais than any
man twice his years. At present he is at Bosost in Spain, with
other refugees, but I have learned that at frequent intervals he
visits his wife at Cocheforet which is six leagues within the
border. On one of these visits he must be arrested.
Pages:
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43