the house of the wolf(狼之家)-第26章
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I had been told that I should find stairs leading down to the water； and
boats moored at the foot of them； at this point。 Accordingly I walked
quickly across the open space to a spot； where I made out a couple of posts
set up on the brink doubtless to mark the landing place。
I had not gone ten paces； however； out of the shadow； before I chanced
to look round； and discerned with an unpleasant eerie feeling three figures
detach themselves from it； and advance in a row behind me； so as the
better to cut off my retreat。 I was not to succeed in my enterprise too
easily then。 That was clear。 Still I thought it better to act as if I had not
seen my followers； and collecting myself； I walked as quickly as I could
down to the steps。 The three were by that time close upon me within
striking distance almost。 I turned abruptly and confronted them。
〃Who are you； and what do you want？〃 I said； eyeing them warily；
my hand on my sword。
They did not answer； but separated more widely so as to form a half…
circle： and one of them whistled。 On the instant a knot of men started
out of the line of houses； and came quickly across the strip of light
towards us。
The position seemed serious。 If I could have run indeedbut I
glanced round； and found escape in that fashion impossible。 There were
men crouching on the steps behind me； between me and the river。 I had
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fallen into a trap。 Indeed； there was nothing for it now but to do as
Madame had bidden me； and play the man boldly。 I had the words still
ringing in my ears。 I had enough of the excitement I had lately felt still
bounding in my veins to give nerve and daring。 I folded my arms and
drew myself up。
〃Knaves！〃 I said； with as much quiet contempt as I could muster；
〃you mistake me。 You do not know whom you have to deal with。 Get me
a boat； and let two of you row me across。 Hinder me； and your necks
shall answer for itor your backs！〃
A laugh and an oath of derision formed the only response； and before I
could add more； the larger group arrived； and joined the three。
〃Who is it； Pierre？〃 asked one of these in a matter…of…fact way； which
showed I had not fallen amongst mere thieves。
The speaker seemed to be the leader of the band。 He had a feather in
his bonnet； and I saw a steel corslet gleam under his cloak； when some one
held up a lanthorn to examine me the better。 His trunk…hose were striped
with black； white； and greenthe livery as I learned afterwards of
Monsieur the King's brother； the Duke of Anjou； afterwards Henry the
Third； then a close friend of the Duke of Guise； and later his murderer。
The captain spoke with a foreign accent； and his complexion was dark to
swarthiness。 His eyes sparkled and flashed like black beads。 It was
easy to see that he was an Italian。
〃A gallant young cock enough；〃 the soldier who had whistled
answered； 〃and not quite of the breed we expected。〃 He held his lanthorn
towards me and pointed to the white badge on my sleeve。 〃It strikes me we
have caught a crow instead of a pigeon！〃
〃How comes this？〃 the Italian asked harshly； addressing me。 〃Who
are you？ And why do you wish to cross the river at this time of night；
young sir？〃
I acted on the inspiration of the moment。 〃Play the man boldly！〃
Madame had said。 I would： and I did with a vengeance。 I sprang
forward and seizing the captain by the clasp of his cloak； shook him
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violently； and flung him off with all my force； so that he reeled。 〃Dog！〃
I exclaimed； advancing； as if I would seize him again。 〃Learn how to
speak to your betters！ Am I to be stopped by such sweepings as you？
Hark ye； I am on the King's service！〃
He fairly spluttered with rage。 〃More like the devil's！〃 he
exclaimed； pronouncing his words abominably； and fumbling vainly for
his weapon。 〃King's service or no service you do not insult Andrea
Pallavicini！〃
I could only vindicate my daring by greater daring； and I saw this even
as； death staring me in the face； my heart seemed to stop。 The man had
his mouth open and his hand raised to give an order which would certainly
have sent Anne de Caylus from the world； when I cried passionatelyit
was my last chance； and I never wished to live more strongly than at that
momentI cried passionately； 〃Andrea Pallavicini； if such be your name；
look at that！ Look at that！〃 I repeated； shaking my open hand with the
ring on it before his face； 〃and then hinder me if you dare！ To… morrow if
you have quarterings enough； I will see to your quarrel！ Now send me
on my way； or your fate be on your own head！ Disobeyay； do but
hesitateand I will call on these very men of yours to cut you down！〃
It was a bold throw； for I staked all on a talisman of which I did not
know the value！ To me it was the turn of a die； for I had had no leisure to
look at the ring； and knew no more than a babe whose it was。 But the
venture was as happy as desperate。
Andrea Pallavicini's expressionno pleasant one at the best of times
changed on the instant。 His face fell as he seized my hand； and peered at
the ring long and intently。 Then he cast a quick glance of suspicion at his
men； of hatred at me。 But I cared nothing for his glance； or his hatred。
I saw already that he had made up his mind to obey the charm： and that
for me was everything。 〃If you had shown that to me a little earlier；
young sir； it would； maybe； have been better for both of us；〃 he said； a
surly menace in his voice。 And cursing his men for their stupidity he
ordered two of them to unmoor a boat。
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Apparently the craft had been secured with more care than skill； for to
loosen it seemed to be a work of time。 Meanwhile I stood waiting in the
midst of the group； anxious and yet exultant； an object of curiosity； and yet
curious myself。 I heard the guards whisper together； and caught such
phrases as 〃It is the Duc d'Aumale。〃
〃No； it is not D'Aumale。 It is nothing like him。〃
〃Well； he has the Duke's ring； fool！〃
〃The Duke's？〃
〃Ay。〃
〃Then it is all right； God bless him！〃 This last was uttered with
extreme fervour。
I was conscious too of being the object of many respectful glances；
and had just bidden the men on the steps below me to be quick； when I
discovered with alarm three figures moving across the open space towards
us； and coming apparently from the same point from which Pallavicini and
his men had emerged。
