第65章
"This terrible disappointment will certainly kill the Duke de Champdoce.It seemed to him that after having so bitterly expiated the crimes and follies of his youth, he might hope to have his old age in peace and quiet, with a son who might cheer the loneliness of his desolate fireside.His countenance, as soon as he appeared before the Duchess, who had been expecting his return in an agony of anguish and suspense, told her at once that all hope had fled.In a few days, however, the Duke had perfectly recovered from the shock, and had decided that to give up the search would be an act of madness.The world is wide, and a friendless boy, without a name, difficult to trace; but, with ample funds, almost anything can be done, and he was willing to sacrifice both life and fortune to attain his object.So immense were his resources, that it was easy for him to employ the most skilful detectives; and whatever the result might be, he had come to look upon this task as a sacred duty to which he ought to devote all the remaining years of his life.He swore that he would never rest or cease from his search until he had been furnished with the indisputable proofs of the existence or the death of his son.He did not confide all this project to the Duchess; for he feared--and he had by this time learned to have some consideration for her enfeebled frame--her health had given way so completely that any extra degree of excitement might prove fatal to her.He, therefore, as a preliminary, applied to that element which in the Rue de Jerusalem acts as the terrestrial guardians of society.But the police could do nothing for the Duke.They heard what he had to say gravely, took notes, told him to call again later on, and there was an end to their proceedings.It can easily be understood that the rank and position of the Duke prevented him from making his name known in his inquiries; and as he dared not divulge the whole truth, he gave such a bald version of the case, that it excited no deep feelings of interest.At last he was sent to a certain M.Lecoq."To Paul's utter astonishment, the name produced a sudden and terrible effect upon Doctor Hortebise, who started to his feet as if propelled from his chair by the unexpected application of some hidden motive power, and, fingering the locket that hung from his chain, gazed round upon his associates with wild and excited eyes.
"Stop!" cried he."If that fellow Lecoq is to put his nose into your case, I withdraw; I will have nothing to do with it, for it is certain to be a failure."He appeared to be so thoroughly frightened, that Catenac condescended to smile.
"Yes, yes," said he, "I can understand your alarm; but be at ease;Lecoq has nothing to do with us."
But Hortebise was not satisfied with Catenac's assurance, and looked for confirmation from Mascarin.
"Lecoq has nothing to do with us," repeated his friend."The fool said that his position prevented him from giving his time to any investigation of a private nature, which, by the way, is quite true.
The Duke offered him a heavy sum to throw up his appointment, but he refused, saying he did not work for money, but from love for his profession.""Which is quite true," interrupted Catenac.
"However," continued Mascarin, "to cut short my narrative, the Duke, on the refusal of Lecoq to act, applied to Catenac.""Yes," answered the lawyer, "and the Duke has placed the conduct of the search in my hands.""Have you formed any plan of action?"
"Not at present.The Duke said, 'Ask every living soul in the world, if you can succeed in no other way'; this is all the instruction he has given me; and," added he, with a slight shrug of his shoulders, "Iam almost of Perpignan's opinion, that the search will be a fruitless one.""Lecoq did not think so."
"He only said that he believed he should succeed if he were to take it in hand.""Well," answered Mascarin coldly, "I have been certain of success from the very commencement.""Have you been to Vendome?" asked Catenac.
"Never mind, I have been somewhere, and at this very moment could place my hand upon the shoulder of the heir to the dukedom of Champdoce.""Are you in earnest?"
"I was never more in earnest in my life.I have found him; only as it is impossible for me to appear in the matter, I shall delegate to you and Perpignan the happiness of restoring the lost son to his father's arms."Catenac glanced from Mascarin to Hortebise, and from them to Paul, and seemed to wish to be certain that he was not being made an object of ridicule.
"And why do you not wish to appear in the matter?" asked he at last, in a suspicious tone of voice."Do you foresee some risk, and want me to bear the brunt?"Mascarin shrugged his shoulders.
"First," said he, "I am not a traitor, as you know well enough; and then the interests of all of us depend on your safety.Can one of us be compromised without endangering his associates? You know that this is impossible.All you have to do is to point out where the traces commence; others will follow them at their own risk, and all you will have to do will be to look calmly on.""But--"
Mascarin lost his patience, and with a deep frown, replied,--"That is enough.We require no more argument, I am the master, and it is for you to obey."When Mascarin adopted this tone, resistance was out of the question;and as he invariably made all yield to him, it was best to obey with a good grace, and Catenac relapsed into silence, completely subjugated and very much puzzled.
"Sit down at my desk," continued Mascarin, "and take careful notes of what I now say.Success is, as I have told you, inevitable, but I must be ably backed.All now depends upon your exactitude in obeying my orders; one false step may ruin us all.You have heard this, and cannot say that you are not fully warned."