Chapter 7
“Tell me from the beginning, Alain, tell me what you remember?�
Alain du Monde was sitting in a hard chair next to the bed. He looked first at the King then at Laurent, who had asked him the question. It was Alain who had requested this meeting, now he was sorry that he had.
“I told you, Captain, two of them bound my hands and my feet together and threw me into the water to drown. They were not bound tightly enough, however, especially my feet and I was able to break free. I made sure that they had both disappeared before rising to the surface.�
Did you see them?�
Alain nodded. “Yes, one was Albert le Fleur, Rene’s cousin and the other was Paul du Loc of our regiment.�
“Yes,� Laurent said, “I had heard that he left our service and joined with traitors, I just didn’t believe that story for some reason.�
“Do they have any hostages, do you know?� the King asked, concerned.
“Why yes, Your Majesty, they had two people when they threw Emil and I into the lake.�
“Who are they?� the King asked waiting.
Alain looked at the King a little puzzled. “Didn’t I mention who they were earlier to you?�
“I don’t believe so,� the King answered, “or else I would’ve remembered their names. “ He stood up. “Quick, man, make haste.�
“Your Majesty,� Laurent said, standing up, obviously a little angry. “Please speak lightly. The man is still not well.�
“No, Captain,� Alain answered. “I am fine. I was the one who called this meeting.� He turned back to the King. “Two men were brought in while I was being lead out. One was the Baron Jean de Ghent and the other was Auguste de Barbarac. The Baroness recognized her husband after all these many months. Everyone knows Baron de Barbarac.�
The King looked over at Laurent who had just resumed his seat. He shook his head and looked down. What a fool he had been to let something like this happen, but it was too late.
“Tell me,� Laurent said, frowning, “what of Emil? We did find him dead and you alive. How do you explain that?�
“They dealt with him a little differently than they did me, Captain. Albert crept up on him from behind and stuck a knife in his back. Then they threw him in the river first. I didn’t see it, but Albert was boasting about it at their hideout.�
“Have you any idea where that is?� Francis said, picking his head up.
“Yes, it is in Gustave de Barbarac’s artist studio, downstairs in the basement. Another careless observation and it just wasn’t…�
The King groaned loudly and stood up, shaking his head. He walked over to the window and stared out at the courtyard.
“Your Majesty?� Laurent asked, standing up as well, “is something wrong?�
The King did not look away from the window and nodded his head. “Yes, Laurent, there is something wrong. I sent Francois and Henry over there to pick up those paintings.�