Whither went Master Canaples at such a rate, and in a haste that caused him
to travel day and night? To a goal he little looked for--or rather, which,
in the madness of his headlong rush, he could not see. So I was to learn
ere long.
Next day I awoke betimes, and setting my window wide to let in the fresh,
clean-smelling air of that May morning I made shift to dress. Save for the
cackle of the poultry which had strayed into the courtyard, and the noisy
yawns and sleep-laden ejaculations of the stable-boy, who was drawing water
for the horses, all was still, for it had not yet gone five o'clock.
But of a sudden a door opened somewhere, and a step rang out, accompanied
by the jangle of spurs, and with it came a sharp, unpleasant voice calling
for its owner's horse. There was a familiar sound in those shrill accents
that caused me to thrust my head through the casement. But I was quick to
withdraw it, as I recognised in the gaily dressed little fellow below my
old friend Malpertuis.
I know not what impulse made me draw back so suddenly. The action was as
much the child of instinct as of the lately acquired habit of concealing my
face from the gaze of all who were likely to spread abroad the news that I
still lived.
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