I saw the necessity for immediate action. Two things must I do;
kill St. Auban first, then fly the Cardinal's warrant as best I could. I
cast about me for means to carry out the first of these intentions. My eye
fell upon my riding-whip, lying on a chair close to my hand, and the sight
of it brought me the idea I sought. Seizing it, I bounded out of the room
and down the stairs, three steps at a stride.
Along the corridor I sped and into the common-room, which at the moment was
tolerably full. As I entered by one door, the Marquis was within three
paces of the other, leading to the courtyard.
My whip in the air, I sprang after him; and he, hearing the rush of my
onslaught, turned, then uttered a cry of pain as I brought the lash
caressingly about his shoulders.
"Now, master craven," I shouted, "will that change your mind?"
With an almost inarticulate cry, he sought to draw there and then, but
those about flung themselves upon us, and held us apart--I, passive and
unresisting; the Marquis, bellowing, struggling, and foaming at the mouth.
"To meet you now would be to murder you, Marquis," I said coolly.
Pages:
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130