Happy Easter Saturday to you all! Thank you to all the readers yesterday and for the. comments.
So many things happening either simultaneously now or in quick succession.
CHAPTER 87
I
"So, if I understand you correctly," Allaire said lightly as he handed L'Hernault a large brandy, "you have just shot dead one of his Majesty's Musketeers."
L'Hernault was sitting on a hard, upright chair, the impact of what he had done beginning to have an adverse effect upon him. As he recounted the events to Allaire, he paled and there was a distinct tremor in his hands. He nodded affirmatively.
"Why on earth would you do that? You were at the hunt. Was the odd pheasant not enough for you? You thought it would be more of a sport to cut down one of the King's men instead?" The corners of his lips twitched in poorly disguised amusement.
"This is no laughing matter," L'Hernault complained.
"You're right," and Allaire composed his expression, "but I'm still intrigued as to why you deemed it necessary. To act against one of the King's soldiers is guaranteed to bring the wrath of the entire regiment down upon you."
"I really needed to know that."
"Sorry but it is a well-known fact that Musketeers will not rest until they have their man. Again, what possessed you?"
L'Hernault was unwilling to divulge any of his family history but he did admit to recognising Athos as a Musketeer who had successfully infiltrated the meeting under an assumed name and who had, in all probability, reported everything he had heard to those who needed to know; namely his Captain, the Cardinal and the King.
Suddenly Allaire was no longer amused. "They know of the plot?"
"They must do," L'Hernault asserted. "I sent my best three men after him to intercept him. I have not seen or heard from them since, but then he turned up here at Versailles, alive and well."
"You think he killed all of them?"
"Undoubtedly. He must be highly trained to be a Musketeer. Anyway, I was obeying Gaston's orders. He was so angry when I told him the plot had potentially been compromised, he wanted the man killed as a matter of principle."
"He'll be happy about that at least," Allaire said, remembering Gaston's mercurial nature; in that, he was similar to his older brother, Louis. "So we need a story," he continued, "an alibi for when the investigation gets under way."
L'Hernault nodded eagerly. It was such a relief to be passing some of the decision-making to someone else for a change.
"It's much better to keep to the truth as much as we can; we don't want to muddy the waters any more than necessary. I confess to imbibing too much of His Majesty's brandy after last night's feast and subsequently did not want to bounce around on horseback this morning. That much is true. Then you, my dear friend, realised that I was not at the hunt and so, after your picnic lunch, you opted to return here to find me and ask after my health. When you discovered that I was still feeling a little delicate, you resolved to remain with me to elevate my spirits. We have been in each other's company ever since."
"So when I left my horse with the stable boy, it would not be considered unusual for me to make use of the side entrance. He and the Cardinal's men who were sitting out there would remember seeing me and could identify me."
"Oh, I don't know. I've heard it said more than once that the Cardinal's men are selected more for their brawn than brain and they probably hold the view that one nobleman looks very much like another one anyway."
"But they will associate me with the missing pistol," L'Hernault reminded him. He had spilled out his story in a rush and did not want Allaire to overlook that part.
"You had better give it to me," Allaire instructed him, "and I will dispose of it for you." He held out his hand and L'Hernault obediently handed over the weapon.
"You'd better do it quickly."
"I will when the opportunity arises but, for now, I know exactly where I will conceal it."
From under the bed, Allaire took out a beautiful marquetry box and set it on the bedside table. From around his neck, he took a chain with a key and unlocked it. Taking out an upper layer and setting it aside, he placed the soldier's pistol in the bottom and put everything back.
"That box is a beautiful piece," L'Hernault commented as Allaire stowed it beneath the bed again and resumed his seat.
He picked up the glass and raised it, studying its amber contents against the late afternoon light streaming in through the window.
"Yes, it is, isn't it? I picked it up in Antwerp last year. They're masters of that work there. I keep my own pistol in it."
"But you will get rid of the stolen one as soon as possible, won't you?" L'Hernault persisted.
"Of course I will. Now relax and give this divine brandy your full attention," Allaire said, smiling.
As he sipped his own drink, he reflected on the fact that he had no intention whatsoever of disposing of the pistol, for he was convinced the time would present itself when he might be able to use it against L'Hernault.
II
Cardinal Richelieu was at the scene when Athos and Grenouille arrived.
"Your version of events," Richelieu demanded as soon as he saw the Musketeer.
Claude was standing a little behind the Cardinal, so Athos knew that the First Minister already had the pertinent details, but he gave his own succinct account anyway. As Richelieu stood listening, stroking his goatee thoughtfully, Athos knew his words corroborated what Claude had said.
The Cardinal took a deep breath "Have you sorted the trouble in the camps? I gather it deteriorated into a fight."
"It did but all is resolved now," Athos assured him, avoiding eye contact with Grenouille. "When I left them, the men were working together to clear the mess."
Richelieu raised an eyebrow. "On your orders?" he asked Grenouille.
The big man did not hesitate. "No, his," and he indicated Athos.
"I see," the Cardinal said thoughtfully. "I will expect to know the identity of those involved; they will all be held responsible for having disobeyed my express orders."
Grenouille mumbled an indistinct response for he knew there could be no avoiding the trouble he was in.
Richelieu ignored the Red Guard as if he knew what the man had been doing and addressed Athos. " What do you intend doing next?"
Athos was taken aback. "Me?"
"Of course. Your man here," and the Cardinal nodded towards Claude, "tells me you immediately took control and sent men of both regiments to search for the person or persons responsible."
"I did," Athos admitted warily.
"Good. I like someone to demonstrate a little initiative. In the absence of your Captain Tréville, I'm placing you in charge of the investigation into the murder of the Captain of my guard with immediate effect. There is little I can do here so carry on." Richelieu turned, his black cloak billowing out in the breeze. He was already walking back towards his office when he called back over his shoulder. "Oh and have Planque's body removed from here into the lodge so that he can receive the diligence he is due at this time. A vigil must be mounted, it is only fitting."
Athos watched the departing figure in amazement.
"Well!" Claude said, his amusement evident. "You 'eard the Cardinal," and he snorted. "You'd best carry on!"