Jane Feather - Charade, Unknown [great novels to read TXT] 📗

Philip saiddiplomatically. The tension was affecting them all and Danny'scontinual provocation of her husband, while clearly simply reaction tostrain, was not helping.

They all rose with relief. Justin surreptitiously took a firm hold ofDanielle's belt as they strolled back to Les Halles and the cart ofstraw that would be their resting place for the night.

But when they rolled in their cloaks beneath the straw, she creptagainst him as if they were in their own bed in the privacy of home andwhispered her apology with a soft kiss against his ear. He held hertightly as she fell, with all the ease of a cat, into a dreamless sleepwhere she hovered just below the level of. unconsciousness but ready towake, instantly alert, at the slightest hint of danger.

By seven o'clock the next morning the streets were again alive and theApril sun, though still low in the sky, promised a good day. Theybreakfasted on warm bread and the bitter coffee of the working peopleand Danny maintained a steadfast cross silence. Justin had taken a notso playful revenge earlier, when she had made an inappropriately sharpremark, and held her head under the cold water of the pump in

thecenter of the market square with the comment that it was the onlyappropriate treatment for hot-headed hoydens who were ill-tempered inthe morning. Now she nursed her wounded dignity while the five of them,apparently sublimely indifferent to her fit of the sullens, made theirplans.

Her naturally sunny temper could not be held down for long, however,any more than could her bursting need to participate in the discussion."We cannot be too rigid," she broke in. "If strategies are notflexible, then they stand in danger of fragmenting at the point ofimpact."

"How true,

mon general

."Justin gave her a teasing conciliatory smile."Where do you see the danger of rigidity?"

"I think it best to plan one stage at a time and adapt according tocircumstance. We will remove

Citoyenne Gerard without doubt, and wewill gain entrance to the vermin's apartments, without doubt. What wethen decide will depend upon what we find."

Justin regarded her thoughtfully. He knew that secretive, excited gleamin those brown eyes. Danielle

had her own plans. "What is it that youhave in mind?"

Danny pulled a wry face. "It is disconcerting that you can read mymind, Justin."

"Not your mind," he stated. "But I

can

read your eyes."

"Very well. I wish to confront St. Estephe alone . . . No, praylisten," she said urgently, seeing denial on every face. 'Onlyinitially and only if it is possible. If, perhaps, there are two roomsthen you may conceal yourselves in one. I will have my pistol and theadvantage of surprise. I have to see him just ance more alone, when Iam without fear," she explained simply. "Afterward, you may do as youwish."

"If it is possible," said Justin, "then we will act in that manner. Ifit is not, then you must also be flexible."

"D'accord."

Danny shruggedeasily. "Shall we then begin,

mesamis?"

No one remarked on the six sans-culottes mingling with the pedestriansin the street outside St. Estephe's lodgings. They were quiteundistinguishable from the rest except for the sword sticks concealedbeneath their jackets, the pistols hidden beneath their shirts. Theybehaved in no unusual fashion as they hung around the cafes, and no onewas aware that six pairs of eyes watched the comings and goings in thenarrow house on the banks of the Seine, overlooking the crenellatedcathedral of Notre Dame.

St. Estephe came out at nine, unaccompanied, and walked briskly in thedirection of the Right Bank and the Parliament House. Within the nexthour, four others left the building, wearing the red, white, and bluecockade standing in proud declamation against their tricorn hats, itsbrilliance seeming ouriously. at odds with the somber jackets andbritches of respectable citizens.

Tony wiped the sweat from his brow in a flamboyant gesture, the brightcheckered neckcloth flinging its message to Westmore across the street.Westmore did the same and the message passed to Jules who waited on thecorner.

Danny, engaged in idle conversation with a group of youths, heard thesharp report from the street corner.

"Tiens, done! Qu'est-ce qui sepasse?"

She was suddenly alone as her companions hared in thedirectionof Julian's firecrackers now creating a rat-a-tat of noise and smoke. Agreat shout of excitement went up from the excitable crowd. Danny raninto the courtyard of St. Estephe's lodgings and hammered on the doorof the concierge's apartment. Citoyenne Gerard appeared instantly.

"Citoyenne," Danny gasped. "There is much excitement. I think they havecaptured the aristo who escaped the guards this morning. It will be agreat spectacle.

Venez vite!"

"Mais, la maison,"

theconcierge said, even as her bloodshot eyeslusted for the sight so close to the door.

"I will watch for you," Danny said. "I have seen s.uch sights manytimes and can go again to the executions this afternoon.

Depechez-vous,chere citoyenne."

"Ah, but you're a good lad." Citoyenne Gerard made haste to don her

bonnet rouge

and scurried offin search of food for her hungry soul.

Danny shot across the courtyard and through the main door, waiting atthe foot of the stairs, whose littered condition bore ample witness tothe concierge's housekeeping. The others joined her in minutes withJules only a little later.

"It is amazing," he said. "There is nothing to see, but they aredetermined to find something. They are

off on a wild rampage."

"It takes little to stir a mob," Justin said. "Particularly one with aninsatiable appetite. Let us find what

St. Estephe's apartment holds."

The five men shrank against the wall on either side of the door asDanielle pounded with her fists.

"Citoyen,j'ai un message d'urgence deCitoyen St.Estephe."   

The door flew open and a burly manservant in a leather apronappeared.

"Qu'est-ce que c'est,gargon?"

She ducked beneath his arm andwas into the room before he realized it, the . excited words babblingfrom her lips. In the instant of his bewilderment, turning toward thisbouncing urchin and away from the door, the hapless manservant foundhimself