"But one more parry, Montignac!"
There was now a thunder of tramping in the hall outside the door.
"Ay, one more--the last!" It was I who spoke, and the speech was truth. I
leaped upon my enemy, between his dagger and his sword, and buried my
dagger in his neck. When I drew it out, he whirled around, clutched
wildly at the air, caught the curtain at the window, and fell, with the
quick, sharp cry:
"God have mercy on me!"
"Amen to that!" said I, wiping the blood from my dagger.
A terrible pounding shook the door, and from without came cries of
"Open." Mademoiselle ran to my side, her dagger ready for her breast. I
put my left arm around her.
"And now, God have mercy on _you_!" shouted La Chatre, triumphantly; for
the door flew from its place, and armed men surged into the chamber,
crowding the open doorway.
"Are we in time, my captain?" roared their leader, looking from the
governor to me.
And La Chatre tottered back to the fireplace, dumbfounded, for the leader
was Blaise and the men were my own.
Julie gave a glad little cry, and, dropping her dagger, sank to her knees
exhausted.
"Good-night, monsieur!" I said to La Chatre. "We thank you for your
hospitality!"
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE RIDE TOWARDS GUIENNE
I ordered the men to return to the courtyard, and, supporting Julie, I
followed them from the chamber, leaving M. de la Chatre alone with his
chagrin and the dead body of his secretary.
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