Rafael Sabatini

“ I said, taking the weapon, which, at a sign from the Cardinal, Quéniart surrendered to me.
“your Eminence has wielded a rapier yourself if Fame speak truly, and you are well acquainted with the points and virtues of the weapon.”
He smiled, evidently pleased by the memories I had aroused in his priestly heart.
“It was my good fortune,” I went on, “to take this sword to an armorer’s a week ago, so that a new blade might be fitted to it. Will your Eminence be good enough to look closely at the edge, and see what it has to say concerning last night’s doings.” ”

“ For some moments he examined it attentively, then, turning, he bent his dark, penetrating eye upon the Spaniard.
“You have been over-zealous in the cause of justice. Monsieur de Molina,” he said coldly. “This sword has not been used since this blade was fitted to it.”
Had a thunderbolt fallen at his feet Molina could not have been more taken aback. He turned pale to the lips, and darted a furious glance at the Cardinal. There was a moment’s silence, then Richelieu spoke:
“Monsieur de Bret, you are released. Quéniart, we must look elsewhere for the culprit; you may go. ”

“ With a proud glance at De Molina I lifted the baldric unconsciously over my head, nor did I understand the officer’s puzzled stare until I saw that from it hung an empty scabbard.
The officer looked about him, whilst the swelling crowd set up a curious murmur, and some callous ones laughed, even in the presence of the dead, at my embarrassment.
Then noting that De Navéry’s sword lay under him, the officer stooped, and lifting my naked rapier from the ground returned it to its sheath.
“The evidence is complete," he muttered, and again he shook his head. “Monsieur de Bret, I pity you. ”

“ Warn him. Take care of my sister, she is——”
He stopped abruptly, and a shudder convulsed his body for a moment; then, with a long-drawn sigh, he became still.
I was at length aroused by the tramp of feet and the jangle of accoutrements, and presently saw a body of men approaching across the square.
At a glance I recognized the uniforms of Richelieu’s guards. Some one carried a lantern swinging on a pike, and, by the scant rays it shed, I discerned with glad astonishment—for I imagined that he was under arrest—the swart face and pointed beard of Rafael de Molina. ”

“ So cautious had he been that not one of those who stood there so much as suspected his foul play, and when they saw him fall ’neath my murderous stroke, a dozen swords leapt from their scabbards, and with angry cries of “Shame!” and “Murder!” they flung themselves upon me. ”

“ THE EVIDENCE OF THE SWORD
BY RAFAEL SABATINI
I.
WHEN two men chance to love the same woman, they seldom love each other.
Don Rafael de Molina and I contented ourselves with mutual scorn, all the more bitter on my part since I was the less favored suitor; all the more lofty and disdainful on his, since his wooing prospered passing well.
There were dark rumors abroad concerning the presence in Paris of this sleek and courtly Spaniard. ”

“ Scarce had I finished when Quéniart returned, and after a hasty toilet I announced myself ready to accompany him to the Hotel Richelieu.
A coach was hired at my expense, for Quéniart was too well known in Paris to render it pleasant for a gentleman to walk swordless beside him.
“Hi, Master Quéniart,” I exclaimed as we were leaving, “will you be good enough to bring my sword? I am indeed mistaken if his Eminence does not order it to be returned to me within the hour.” ”

“ I continued, “when I raised Navéry from the ground, and the blood that flowed from his wound must have stained it where it lay. But we are wasting words. Since my sword has been mentioned as evidence, let it be produced. At my request Captain Quéniart has brought it with him. He waits now in the ante-chamber. If your Eminence will order it to be brought in, I imagine it will tell us something that will surprise Monsieur de Molina.” ”

“ His left hand dropped as on the previous night, but I saw not the glitter I looked for, and yet I knew that he had drawn his dagger. But there were many eyes upon him, and even in the darkness a lack of caution might betray his motive. He must be wary lest they should interrupt the fight in the very moment of his victory. Possibly he did not care whether he was discovered or not, if only he had time to kill me before the interruption came.
I pressed him hard, and whilst I did so I loosened the fastenings of my cloak with my other hand as though I desired to cast the garment from me. ”