The Cardinal's Blades

3

Arriving by way of rue Beauregard, the marquis de Gagniere dismounted in front of Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Nouvelle church and hitched his horse to a ring. It was still very early in the morning and not many people were up and about. But the elegant gentleman still found it prudent to entrust his mount to the watchful eye of one of the vendors of eau-de-vie who, in the early hours of the day, went around Paris-crying “Vi! Vi! Drink! Drink!”-selling little cups of alcohol which were bought and eagerly drunk on the spot by people of the lower classes before their hard day of labour.

The church was silent, dark, damp, and empty. As was usual in churches there were no pews, but chairs were stored in a corner ready to be rented out during services by the porter, who was also charged with ensuring the tranquillity of the premises, chasing away any beggars or stray dogs who attempted to enter with equal zeal. Gagniere advanced between the columns and placed himself in front of the high altar, near a thin young man with smooth cheeks and crystalline blue eyes. The young man did not react until they stood almost shoulder to shoulder. He wore an ochre doublet that matched his breeches, boots, and was carrying a sword at his side. If he was not praying then he seemed at least meditative, with his eyes shut and his hat in his hand.

“I am rather surprised to see you here this morning,” said the marquis after a moment.

“Have I ever missed one of our appointments?” Arnaud de Laincourt replied, opening his eyes.

“No, to be sure. But, until now, you had never been arrested.”

For a few seconds, the former ensign of His Eminence’s Guards did not respond.

“So you know,” he said at last.

“Naturally. Did you believe that such news would escape our attention?”

“No, I didn’t. But so quickly-”

“We are everywhere, Laincourt. Even at the Palais-Cardinal. You, better than anyone, should know that.”

“And at Le Chatelet, marquis? Are you present there, too?”

Gagniere pulled a face.

“The walls there are, shall we say… thicker.”

They remained silent for a moment in the sinister refuge of this deserted church where their secret meetings took place, always at dawn.

Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Nouvelle had begun its life as a chapel, which was destroyed by soldiers of the Catholic League when the king of Navarre-and future Henri IV of France-laid siege to Paris in 1591. The existing church had been built in its place, with the first stone laid by Queen Anne d’Autriche. As the city absorbed its faubourgs, so the church now found itself at the extreme limit of the Saint-Denis district, right by the new city wall; only the narrow width of a newly laid street lined with building sites separated it from the bastions between the Poissonniere and Saint-Denis gates. This was the very edge of Paris.

“I am still a faithful servant of the Black Claw,” announced Laincourt in a calm voice. “My loyalty remains unchanged.”

“Permit me to doubt that. Your liberation scarcely argues in your favour. By all rights, at this moment you should be locked away in Vincennes castle waiting to be put to the question. But here you are, having been found guilty of treason, free to come and go as you please. You must admit that the extraordinary clemency the cardinal has shown you offers ample grounds for suspicion…”

With a conciliatory shrug, Laincourt indicated that he understood. He explained: “I possess a document which protects me; it contains a secret the cardinal fears will be divulged.”

Perplexed, Gagniere frowned. Then, almost amused, he said: “A document that you have therefore taken pains not to transmit to us. A shining example of loyalty!”

“I am loyal, but also cautious,” Laincourt replied unmoved. “I knew that a day like today would come.”

This time it was the turn of the marquis to accept the other’s argument: he was forced to recognise that a “day like today” had indeed come.

“Very well. What is this document?”

“It’s a list naming France’s secret correspondents in the Spanish royal court. It is in reliable hands and will be released if ever I delay too long in giving signs of life. The cardinal had no choice. He and I agreed that I should remain alive and free as long as this list remained secret.”

“You are very naive if you imagine Richelieu will be satisfied with such an arrangement for long. He will deceive you at the very first opportunity. He may already be working to do so as we speak. He will find your list and have you murdered.”

“That is precisely why I am turning to you rather than galloping toward the nearest border.”

“Where is this list?”

“In reliable hands, as I told you. And they will remain anonymous.”

Gagniere’s tone became menacing.

“It is a secret which we could tear out of you.”

“Not before the list would be brought to the knowledge of all.”

“So? We do not share the cardinal’s fears. On the contrary, we would be delighted to see relations between France and Spain deteriorate even further.”

“To be sure,” allowed Laincourt. “However, information concerning the Black Claw itself would be revealed at the same time. And believe me, this information could be most damaging.”

Gagniere greeted this news calmly, measuring what Laincourt knew about the Black Claw and the danger it might pose.

“Another list?” he suggested.

“Another list.”

“You are playing a very dangerous game, monsieur de Laincourt…”

“I have been employed as a professional spy for some time now, Gagniere. Long enough to know that servants of my type are sacrificed just as easily as the foot soldiers on a field of battle.”

The marquis sighed, no doubt annoyed not to have the upper hand.

“Let us cut to the chase. You would not be here if you had nothing to offer me. Speak.”

“I offer to deliver both lists to you as a token of my loyalty. You will destroy the one and do as you see fit with the other.”

“These papers protect you and yet you would separate yourself from them? Doesn’t that run contrary to your interests?”

“I will separate myself from them, even though I’ll risk incurring the cardinal’s wrath. But, in return, I want to be assured of the Black Claw’s protection.”

Gagniere was beginning to understand where this was leading, but nevertheless asked: “How?”

“I want to join the circle of initiates to which you belong. Besides, I believe I have already earned that right on merit alone.”

“It is not up to you to be the judge of that.”

“I know. So take this proposal to the person who is.”