Page 73 of The Count’s Charade

The mutter came from Sir James, warming Grace’s heart. But she did not think Henri had heard it. Lost in his narrative, free of carrying it alone at last, he appeared deaf and blind to his hearers.

“Alors, Jean-Marc tells to me he learns I am investigated. He advises I must prepare my trial. You see the paper there. I name my three compatriots, royalist all, in belief they will bear witness to my faithfulness to the revolution. Yet I wonder who has betrayed me. We are careful extremely, so that none knows beyond the network.”

A change entered his voice, a faintly husky note that gave evidence of inner disquiet.

“But now one of our people, Edouard, tells to me it is Jean-Marc whom I have to thank. I refuse to believe. Impossible! He is my friend. But Edouard tells to me that Jean-Marc goes one by one to members of our network. He forces them, under pain of indictment, that they will bear witness against me.”

“Why you particularly?” asked Sir James.

Henri’s mirthless laugh rang out across the library. “For that he knows I never can change!” His lip curled again, distressing Grace. This was a Henri she had not seen before. “You do not comprehend the character of Jean-Marc Loriot. He began a soldier, for to him there is life in danger. When I have decided to return to Paris — from Brussels, where is the centre of the cause and to where we have escaped — to practise again law in hope that I may pass information, Jean-Marc becomes on fire with excitement. It is Jean-Marc who persuades Etienne and Augustin to join with us, just as now he persuades them away from their hearts. But not this time with friendship.”

“Very well,” put in the magistrate. “Let us return to your story.”

A shadow crossed Henri’s face, and he glanced briefly at Grace. She smiled encouragingly. “It is the only way, Henri. You had reached the point where the man Edouard —”

“Edouard, who within two days that he tells me this, is murdered in his bed!”

Grace’s gasp was echoed in other throats. Even Mayberry, stolid as he was, shifted in his seat. Glancing about, Grace found the excise officer’s hawk-like features set in stern lines, while Sir James’s colour was heightened.

“It gives me to think,” continued Henri, low-voiced. “Here is a truth I have refused to see. I go to the apartment of Jean-Marc. I go often there, so that the concierge thinks nothing to allow me entry. I search through all. I find the order from Robespierre. I take it, even that I know not what I will do. I find also that letter regarding the family de la Cour. Now I am forced to know Jean-Marc has betrayed us, for this letter I have never seen. Jean-Marc has withheld it. This I take also.”

“Don’t see as it’s evidence in your hands, sir,” came from Wooferton.

“But you will see. Wait! The story grows. I have now a dilemma. How far is the organisation destroyed? Who can I trust? I write that list you have there. Also I make a map to show where dwell the members who live in Paris. Still I do not act.”

“Ain’t surprised to hear that,” muttered Wooferton.

Grace thought Henri barely acknowledged anyone had spoken, so lost in the story was he.

“While I wait, there is change,” he said. “Robespierre is taken.”

“Ah!” came from Sir James. “Wondered when that was coming.”

Henri turned to look at him. “Thus have we all wondered. To be his aide is to know he must fall. He grows too strong. With his fall, I see myself in danger. What to do? In Paris the network royalist is disarranged. Do I serve better to stay, if it is possible, or to try for Brussels? I seek to know from Etienne. He has the ear of the Tribunal, who have ordered the arrest of Robespierre.”

“He advised you to go?” guessed Grace.

Henri nodded. “Also he says that Jean-Marc must go. Here I have made my big mistake.”

“Why so?” Sir James again.

“When Etienne talks of saving also Jean-Marc, I have shown him these papers. I am angered, what would you? I have not a desire to save Jean-Marc from madame la guillotine, where by his hand so many have come who need not.”

“The papers? So that’s what the fellow was after!”

“That, and my life, m’sieur.”

“You have yet to establish that, my young friend.”

“We arrive there now. Before I can fly from France, Jean-Marc comes to my lodging. Etienne has spoken to him, for he says he is in agreement that I must leave France. You perceive the trend, m’sieur?”

But Sir James was frowning. “I’m hanged if I do! You, Grace?”

Her eyes were on Henri. Indignation warred with distress in her bosom. She answered without hesitation. “He wanted Henri to escape.”

“Don’t see that either, miss,” said Wooferton in puzzlement.

Grace turned to him. “Think! Would you arrest a man who could point the finger at you? But if he escapes, you may go after him and ensure his silence.”