de
Montr?sor was to be found at the H?tel des Cloches, whither he had gone to
sup a few minutes before. Straightway I set out, bidding him attend me,
and, muffled in my cloak, I proceeded at a brisk pace to the Rue des Fosses
St. Germain, where the lieutenant's auberge was situated.
I left Michelot in the common-room, and, preceded by the plump little woman
who owned the house, I ascended to Montr?sor's chamber. I found the young
soldier at table, and, fortunately, alone. He rose as I entered, and as
the hostess, retreating, closed the door, I doffed my hat, and letting fall
my cloak revealed myself. His lips parted, and I heard the hiss of an
indrawn breath as his astonished eyes fell upon my countenance. My laugh
dispelled his doubts that I might be other than flesh and blood--yet not
his doubts touching my identity. He caught up a taper and, coming forward,
he cast the light on my face for a moment, then setting the candle back
upon the table, he vented his surprise in an oath or two, which was natural
enough in one of his calling.
"'T is clear, Lieutenant," quoth I, as I detached my sword from the
baldrick, "that you believed me dead.
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