|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 29
"Picard, have you any weapon?"
Picard drew a heavy automatic revolver from the pocket of his jacket.
"Before I started I provided myself with this, knowing the dangers of
the journey," he replied.
"Good, but don't use it, except in the last resort. Remember how near
you came to execution as a _franc-tireur_."
"Does Monsieur apprehend an attack?"
"I scarcely know, Antoine. But things have come about too easily. We
find here a furnished hotel waiting for us. I've no doubt that the
kitchens of the H�tel de l'Europe are well stocked, and we have all the
comforts, even the luxuries sufficient for a hundred guests. So far as
we know there is not a soul in all this town save our four selves. It
doesn't look natural, my good Antoine. It's positively uncanny."
"But, sir, if what we want is here waiting for us, why shouldn't we take
it?"
"That's true, wise Antoine. 'Take the goods the gods provide thee whilst
the lovely Tha�s sits beside thee,' as Mr. Dryden said."
"Who is Mr. Dryden? Must I infer, sir, from his name, that he is one of
our brave English allies?"
"Doubtless he would be if he were living, but he has been dead some
time, Antoine."
"Alas, sir, the way of all flesh!"
"So it is, Antoine, but I refuse to grieve about it or get morbid over
it. I like to live and living I mean to live. What do you think of this
big room, Antoine? It has two beds in it, one for you and one for me,
and it's near enough to hear any call from the suite, occupied by
Mademoiselle Julie and your daughter."
"A wise precaution. Monsieur Scott thinks of everything."
"No, not of everything, Antoine, but the presence of Mademoiselle Lannes
is bound to sharpen the wits of anyone who is trying to take care of
her."
"Will you make your toilet here, sir? I will call Suzanne and we will
prepare dinner. When it is ready we will serve Mademoiselle Lannes and
you."
The stalwart Picard had become all at once the discreet and thoughtful
servant, and John felt a sudden sense of restfulness. Intense democrat
that he was, he realized in his moment of weariness that all could not
be masters.
"Thank you, Picard," he said gratefully. "The afternoon is wearing on
and I do need to shake myself up."
"You'll find plenty of water in the pitchers, sir, and there are clean
towels on the rack. One would think, sir, that the manager of the H�tel
de l'Europe before taking his departure, made careful preparation for
our coming."
"It looks like it, Picard, and it certainly will be true, if you and
Suzanne find the well-filled kitchen that you predict."
"Never a doubt of it, sir. The perfect condition in which we find
everything above-stairs indicates that we shall find the same below."
He went out, leaving the door open, according to John's wish, and the
young American heard his firm step pass down the hall and to the
stairway. He drew a deep sigh of content, and lying down on a red plush
sofa rested for a little while. It was luck, most wonderful luck, that
he had come into Chastel, and had found Julie and her servants, and it
was luck, most marvelous luck, that this well-equipped hotel was here
waiting for them.
He rose and looped back the heavy lace curtains from the windows which
looked over the river. But the snow was falling so fast that he could
not see far into the dense, white cataract. The stream was completely
hidden, and so, of course, was the hospital camp beyond. Yet through all
the driving storm came a faint moan, a light pulsing of the air, which
he knew to be the far throb of the great guns.
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|