介绍:
The coachman led the way across the yard to the carriage and let Têtu in.
“If you don’t mind, I ’d like the boy to ride with me and keep an eye out for thieves. When we’re near Paris, I ’ll lock you both into the carriage. Don’t want the riffraff trying to hitch a ride, do we?”
He handed Yann a heavy coat to wear. It nearly drowned him. It was a small carriage with two young horses to pull it, both of whom seemed high-strung and reluctant to leave the warmth of the stable. Finally, with much urging, they made their way down the avenue of trees whose branches were full of little lights that twinkled like stars. Beyond the estate lay a vast black abyss, waiting to swallow them up.
“I hate driving at night,” said Dufort miserably, his breath coming out of him in a foggy mist. “It gives me the creeps.”
The darkness had never bothered Yann, especially not tonight. There was safety in a starless sky.
“Ah, what’s that?”The flinched as the sky above the château erupted with the sound of fireworks. They exploded into the darkness, painting patterns of light in the shape of stars, serpents, comets, and chrysanthemums. It was an astounding sight in this landscape of ice and snow. Terrified by the noise, the horses reared up. Dufort, lost control of the reins, grabbing at the sides of the carriage to stop himself from being thrown to the ground. The horses, now wild with fear, were galloping. Up ahead the road turned, and Yann could see that at this speed the coach would skid on the ice. With difficulty he scrambled down from the coachman’s seat.
“You’re mad!” yelled Dufort, as with one measured leap Yann managed to mount the first horse. Holding on to its neck for all he was worth, he leaned forward and whispered into its pinned-back ears. At the sound of his soft voice both horses became calmer and slowed down until they finally came to a halt, steam rising from their glossy coats. Yann climbed down and
stroked their muzzles, talking to them.
“You’re a brave one and no mistake,” said Dufort, wiping the sweat from his forehead. “I thought I was a goner back there! What did you say to them?”
Yann shrugged, looking back to see the last of the fireworks.
“The only other person I ’ve seen talk to horses like that was a Gypsy man. I had a feeling you two had Gypsy blood.”
Yann wasn’t listening. He was wondering if Sido had been allowed to see the fireworks, or if she was still locked in her chamber. He smiled as he stared at the road in front of him. The thought of how angry the count would be to discover that the purse and the red necklace were missing warmed him.
Dufort shivered. “I always think them forests are full of eyes, all watching and waiting.” He laughed. “Tell you this, boy, I ’ll be glad when I see the lights of Paris.”
Count Kalliovski, returning to his chamber in the early hours of the morning, looked into the heart of the fire. It had been a good night at the gaming tables. The little black leather-bound notebook that he privately called the Book of Tears was full of IOUs with the trembling signatures of desperate souls longing to borrow more, sure that their luck would change. He had bought himself more foolish-minded men and women, who would soon be asked to pay him back with interest.He put the Book of Tears on the desk. It was only then that he noticed the absence of the red necklace. A cold fury overtook him. He went over to the bed, felt in the drapes for the purse, and cursed out loud when he found it gone. With rising anger he summoned Milkeye.
“Where are they?”
“We’re still looking, master.”
“Why haven’t you found them?”
“They could be anywhere in the passages behind the walls.”
“Show me,” said the count coldly.Milkeye opened the hidden door. The count turned icy gaze upon his servant, and pinned him up against the wall.
“I made you and I can destroy you, and I will. I want
both of them. Do you understand?”
“Alive, master?”
“No, dead.”
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