THE ESCAPE
“Ye have read the man aright, Mornay,” said Cornbury.
“Mille diables! We must go by the roof. It is our only chance. Listen, Vigot. Do you go up those stairs and out upon the leads. Curse the fellow! if you cannot get into his house at the bottom you must get in at the top.”
Vigot was off again as the landlord entered.
“Monsieur Mornay, Captain Ferrers awaits you below.”
A quick glance passed between the two men. Mornay paused a moment before replying.
“Tell him, Papworth,” he said, coolly, “that Monsieur Mornay has a quiet room upstairs where matters can be privately discussed. I will await him here.”
The man departed.
Cornbury drained his bowl.
“The man’s an arrant coward. Ten guineas that he doesn’t come. Why, monsieur, he couldn’t have entrapped us better himself. Ye’ve made the bait too tempting. He’ll smell a rat.”
91
