The Black Wolf's Breed

aris came into view, and perhaps some two good hours afte

lace, yet much better than those I

asked for de Greville replied he knew nothing of him. I could get no satisfaction from him, so I det

l, and it did me much comfort to stretch as I listed, after the tedious confinement of the coach. Mine host busied himself about mending the fire, b

him, "dost know anything of this

t. Paris is a great city, and many nob

ges with you, I am told

and the rascal turned his eyes to the ceiling in th

est book, should Monsieur de Greville call I will s

me a pen, watching, as I thought, with some interest, what name I would w

ille would not recall it. See here my good fellow, here is a gold

ing it over and over in hi

will send to other inns and see if such a man b

istrust, it was such an easy matter for them

ming in, I grew restive, and concluded I would stroll about the city. Claude, for so the landlord styled himself, directed me to the principal thoroughfare, and I thought by walking straight along

ay he indicated, and soon passed into a wider and more handsome street, which I came afterward to know. Walking idly on, without thought of distance or direction, I tired after a while, and began to think of getting back to the inn fireside. I retraced my steps perfectly, I thought, and if my ca

r of the King," I replied wit

ect me to the Rue St. Denis

hazard, turned down the best paved of all those dingy streets. I had hardly gone past more than two cross streets, when there stood at a corner, looking timidly this way and that, a slight girl, with blonde hair and eyes of Breton blue. She seemed so brave, yet so out of place and helpless at that h

jaculation, and one foot slipped off the paved way as if she would fall into the muddy street. I passed my arm quickly

y-way leading off to the left, which we were that instant nearest. There was that in her manner, I could not say exactly what, which led me to follow her at a respectful distance, seeing which she tu

great, clumsy clattering I created drowned it entirely. Just at the time I thought I had lost her, I could catch a glimps

mit I was young then; in the ways of women, far younger than my years-I amused myself with many conjectures concerning what manner of errand had taken this young wom

live in, and I, like the knightly heroes of the Crusade

arrow and tortuous byways and alleys, until I realized I was hopelessly lost. With my fair guide in front and my good sword by my side, lig

sibly of five good paces width, in one corner of which was cut a smaller door so low a man

ate. On top, this wall was defended by bits of broken glass and spikes of steel, stuck into the masonry while it was yet soft. More than this the flickering brazier would not permit me to see. All of this I took in at a glance; across the street the murkiness of the n

then stepped inside and stood

complication of which I had never dreamed. What her singular errand was, or wherein she desired my assistance, I could not eve

a moment, when his gaze rested upon the girl, it was as though some spark of her loveliness drove the villainy from his face. He was hardly so tall as she who stood beside him watching me, the semblance of a mocking sneer about her lips. Looking past them both I could see what manner of place it was. A smoky oil-lamp sputtered in the rear, suf

ul, mean laugh, as fired my every nerve to hear. I hesitated no longer. Let come what will, let

e key told me it was securely locked as before. Then came regret, but came too late. What I had so foo

bottles and other refuse scattered about. I liked not the aspect of the place. As the girl was about to enter a door leading inside the buil

he was evidently a young gallant of the better class. He staggered somewhat from wine, and carried a magnifice

; the man came straight at her, and, to my amazement, despite her s

ll, drawing his weapon as he fell. He recovered his feet, my blade met his,

arly between us as sh

lucked me by the sleeve, "do no

," he commanded, "I'll kill your meddl

e sport, for the fellow was a thorough master of his weapon. I was a trifle the taller and had a longer reach;

I pressed him sternly and the bright sparks flew. Backwards, step by step he retreated, until he had almost reached the door out of which he came. I

the door, at the very foot of the stair. Now every advantage was mine, for he was well wit

rd the heavy tread of two men coming down the stairs, a lighter step behind them. My foot touched something which lay in the dense shadow of the doorstep. It fe

his, gentlemen? Pu

d we rested at ease. He leaned heavily against the balustrade; his breath came hard; I could see he was nearly spent, so furio

u, gentlemen?

nch, and this fellow s

seemed to command. "A wanton insult to this lady whom I met unprotected in t

en burst into such peals of incredulous laughter as rouse

, be pleased to take the matte

d the more. The lady

f Paris?" the t

my first ni

e, "permit me to present you to Mademoiselle Florine, waitress and decoy

girl could muster up a smile no

ademoiselle?" I

I'll fight no more

ear you say it; for you fight like a very devi

eved to know I could hold my own against this famous-or infamous-bravo. Another thing gained; I knew my man while yet a s

their merriment, while these thoughts coming so unexpec

Paris?" the spoke

of importance, or possibly the very one I desired? Why not? I resolved to possess it at every hazard. Yet were I to stoop and pick it up now, and they saw me, I knew of no

he city is a st

place, di

d to appear boorish, besides it would not serve my purpose. My father being of Normand

uch a way he did not pur

s lady would not have made so easy

play?" h

," the fact was I kn

ng on behind, but not until the packet, from which I hoped so much, was saf

ces stood inside the room of which Serigny had spoken

sides of the place a row of columns ran some four or five yards from the wall. These pillars formed convenient alcoves for t

t having already heeded Serigny's admonition to provide myself with garments more suited to my characte

wine; mine remained untasted while the others

ard remarked, "is your blood st

forgotten; it is my oath, an oa

to a

, and he

nk. However, they were quite discreet; while they talked much, yet they said nothing which was not common talk on the streets. After a bit they arose to leave, and I was sorely perplexed whether it were better that I depart with them, now that papers which might be valuable rested safely against my breast, or had I better stay and endeavor to learn more from Yvar

prevailed. I bade the gentlemen good night, and remained sitting at table

ked swiftly at me. I gave no sign. The two men were gone. His anxiety convinced me of the importance of the papers. He thought for a moment, then excused himself and went out the way we came. As he passed through the room, I saw him stoop and whisper a word to one of the men at the dice table. In a minut

z the night I left Biloxi. There, standing out boldly above the door, was the same sable wolf, the crest of the d'Artins. For a moment his story filled my mind again but I had no time then for such reflections, and