Let those who are eager to try another world make the attempt. Adieu,
Messieurs!"
And with a flourish of my sodden beaver, I turned and left them before they
had recovered from the vehemence of my words.
CHAPTER IV
FAIR RESCUERS
Like the calm of the heavens when pregnant with thunder was the calm of
that crowd. And as brief it was; for scarce had I taken a dozen steps when
my ears were assailed by a rumble of angry voices and a rush of feet. One
glance over my shoulder, one second's hesitation whether I should stay and
beard them, then the thought of Andrea de Mancini and of what would befall
him did this canaille vent its wrath upon me decided my course and sent me
hotfoot down the Rue Monarque. Howling and bellowing that rabble followed
in my wake, stumbling over one another in their indecent haste to reach me.
But I was fleet of foot, and behind me there was that that would lend wings
to the most deliberate, so that when I turned into the open space before
the H?tel Vend?me I had set a good fifty yards betwixt myself and the
foremost of my hunters.
A coach was passing at that moment.
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