CHAPTER EIGHT
Gaspar Recule did not know the man who had employed him. He had been working at the Chatelet for over a year when the offer came. He was to watch a new prisoner, a female, who would be placed in the Chatelet for an unknown time. The man who met him with this proposition was to be a go between. He was to meet with this man every fortnight and report on the prisoner. That man would then relay his report to the man in England.
Recule would receive a retaining fee whilst she was incarcerated. Should it appear that she was to be released, he was to find a way to dispose of her. If he failed in that, he would be exposed. Recule had thought the proposition through and had then agreed, as the final payment he would receive should that happen was too good to miss. He would not soil his own hands, but he had no scruples and for the right price, he could find someone who would do the deed. The go between had named the right price.
However, now it seemed, he had been thwarted. She was gone, as was his income on both counts; his retaining fee, and his employment. He had not had the opportunity to dispose of her, but there were still means by which he could capitalise on her disappearance. Over the six weeks of her imprisonment, he had become very interested in this strange arrangement. He knew that she had not been convicted, and it seemed, her presence in the Chatelet was to be kept secret. Something of great importance was happening under his nose.
At first, he had been mildly curious about the new prisoner, but it had soon become apparent that, although she looked a lowly sort, she did not carry herself as such and she had powerful friends. Or perhaps, powerful enemies. They were told by the Governor that she was to be guarded with the minimum of interaction.
In light of her disappearance, he had considered his options.
Gaspar Recule was used to organising people. He was used to giving orders. He could be violent when provoked. Before his year in the Chatelet, he had been the landlord of one of the toughest taverns on the dockside. A former dockhand, handling drunken sailors and low-lifes of any nationality became the norm and people soon behaved themselves in his establishment.
As such, he could call upon any number of eager ne'er do wells who needed extra coin in their pockets with no questions asked.
This was precisely what he had done, and he was now looking them over critically.
But sometimes, they did ask questions.
"So what's the story?" one of the four men he had brought here asked as soon as they had all sat down in the back room of the hostelry Gaspar had chosen for this meeting. They were the only ones in the room; three men crowded around a table, one choosing to stand at the back of the room, Basile Verdier standing by the window, watching, and Recule himself by the fireplace.
"It's simple," Gaspar answered, "A prisoner has escaped; I want her back."
"Bit careless," another said, and they all laughed. Gaspar let it go, this time.
"Who is she?" another said.
"I have no idea," he replied, "she is a mystery and that's why she is worth somethin'" Gaspar said, in a low voice. "We were told to steer clear of her. She's got powerful enemies."
"So why take the risk?" the first man said harshly, spitting on the floor.
"For that very reason. She is worth something to these people. They'll pay to get her back."
"We find her and we find them that'll pay," he finished, moving to sit at the table.
The men all looked interested at the prospect of a good payout.
"How are we supposed to find her?" the man at the back shouted.
Recule told them about the Musketeer Captain.
"Treville's not at the Garrison. It's my guess he's got the Englishwoman with him. Where do you take an Englishwoman who's not welcome in France?"
"England," several voices said at once.
Someone cackled.
"We split up," Gaspar said. "Some of us go ahead after Treville and the girl. The others wait and follow the Musketeers. They've been snooping around; Basile here saw them at the Blue Boar. So we've been watching the Garrison; those three that usually trail after Treville are gettin' ready to go. With any luck, they'll take us right to him."
After further discussion, it was decided; two would go ahead to Dieppe, two to Calais and Gaspar and Verdier would head to Boulogne sur Mer.
Traps were to be set, and so Recule despatched his gang, and added a day and time to rendezvous on the coast road and regroup if necessary.
oOo
The Garrison
Day Three: Preparing to leave
Preparations were underway to find Treville and Elizabeth.
Aramis was busy packing what he needed. Porthos watched him tying spare leathers to the back of his saddle.
"Sure you've got enough?" he asked, pushing his own provisions into his saddle bags. For a big man, he travelled light.
"I like to be prepared," Aramis smiled. "You never know, my friend," he added quietly.
Athos strode toward them, pulling his hat low over his eyes.
"So where is Treville headin'?" Porthos pushed Athos once more. He wanted more information now.
"As I have told you, Porthos, he would not say," Athos repeated. "He has sworn himself to secrecy, for all our sakes."
"Makes sense," Aramis said.
"What we have done; what we are doing is tantamount to treason, Gentlemen" Athos said, darkly.
Porthos looked at him; still not satisfied.
"He did let one thing slip." Athos said, feeling Porthos's steady gaze on him and deciding to tell them. "He will not land in Dover."
"Why not?"Aramis asked, briefly stopping what he was doing and casting a look over his shoulder.
"It is too well known as the main port from France. " Athos replied. "Also, Treville is a Frenchman, who is not proficient in English, in the company of a young English woman. He will have to rely on her to communicate with others once they reach English soil."
"They would draw too much attention," Porthos nodded, understanding.
"And Elizabeth is very attractive," Aramis mused.
He looked up from finalising the tying of his kit and securing it to his satisfaction and found them looking steadily at him.
"What?" he said, innocently.
oOo
They left the stables and moved to the table under Treville's balcony to make final plans.
Athos opened up a map and spread it on the table.
"We will need to split up," Athos said as they all sat together, talking quietly. "In all probability, we will have company," he added.
"So with Calais not an option, it is a choice of Bolougne-sur-Mer or Dieppe," Aramis said, as he weighed Athos's words.
Athos traced his finger between the two.
"Paris to Bolougne is some forty five leagues," he murmured. "Paris to Dieppe, somewhat shorter; I'd say around thirty five."
"Bolougne and Dieppe are both close to each other," Porthos replied, leaning over. "I reckon about twenty five leagues.
"I'll take Dieppe," Aramis said.
"I'm not happy to send you alone," Athos said. "If our work in the Blue Boar bears fruit, Gaspar Recule may follow us."
"We are three, Athos, covering two ports. Whichever way we do this, one of us will ride alone.
"Very well," Athos eventually capitulated, to a point. "We will ride together until we reach the crossroad on the coast road and then decide. If there are no sailings from Dieppe, Aramis, you will leave and rendezvous with us in Boulogne. In all probability, we will arrive ahead of you and will set watch at the Harbourmasters. When Treville and Elizabeth arrive, we will see them."
"If they arrive," Porthos said, voicing what they were all thinking. This was a thin plan at best, with no guarantee that they would not miss Treville entirely. But their options were limited in light of the new revelations that Richelieu's letter had brought.
"Perhaps we should pray for bad weather," Aramis said, as they all stood.
A short while later, the Musketeers set off on the trail of their Captain.
oOo
Treville did not know that he and Elizabeth were being trailed by the thwarted jailer and his accomplices; all of whom had orders to capture or kill Elizabeth Cromwell, and her own accomplices.
He was also unaware that his Musketeers were desperate to locate him, wanting to prevent it and bring him important information.
Treville did not ride direct to the coast. He wanted to lie low for a few days, to allow things to calm down.
But Treville was a trained soldier. He would, through experience and natural caution, make it difficult for both parties to reach them.
To be continued ...
oOo
A/N: I have taken liberties with the number of French ports offering passage to England. I wanted to simplify matters and concentrate on just three of them.
