There was a flicker of suspicion in the man’s eyes. For a moment she thought he would refuse. But just as quickly, the look disappeared, and he handed the paper to her. The thrill of success washed over her as she bowed and left the room.
Outside the carriage was waiting. She entered without hesitation and gave the order, “Allez!” The horses sprang into motion as the leather hit their backs and the carriage began to move through the deserted streets. She removed the hat that only moments before had given the illusion of a young soldier, and her long black hair fell down her back. Only then did she glance at the prize she had just risked her life to earn – the small piece of paper that would lead to the hidden treasures of the Marquis de Mansart. It was quite likely that the jewels and other valuables the Marquis had hidden away before his execution were worth hundreds of thousands of francs. But that was not her concern.
As the carriage made its way to the arranged rendez-vous, she managed to shed the uniform she had been wearing and dress herself more or less as a lady. It wasn’t too difficult, since the days of corsets and elaborate fashions were over. Anyone daring to dress in such a manner now was liable to be under suspicion of the worst sin of the moment – aristocracy.
Finally the carriage came to a halt outside a small house in a run-down street on the left bank of Paris. She tucked the paper into her dress, instructed the driver to wait for her, and entered the house. There were three men seated at the table, and a fourth standing near the window. They had been waiting for her. The one standing approached her as she entered and the others leaned forward in their chairs. “Do you have it?”
She walked carefully around the first man and sat on an empty chair against the wall, a small distance from the table. After just the right length of silence, when she had felt their apprehension grow, she replied, “Do you have my payment?”
The men looked at each other, and finally a large man at the table reached down and placed a bag of coins in front of him. She stood to reach for it, but the man from the door blocked her way. “Not until we see it,” he warned.
She smiled, and reached into the folds of her dress and removed the paper. Holding it up, she asked, “Is this what you’re looking for?”
The man lunged for the paper, almost knocking her over as he grabbed it from her hand. He quickly read it, and began to laugh, a disturbing laugh of impure satisfaction.
“Give her the money,” he ordered the others, who tossed the bag to her. “It’s the old man’s hand. We will all be rich!”
Turning to her once more, he grabbed her hand and kissed it. “I don’t know how you did it, ma chère. I am impressed.”
She removed her hand from his and forced a smile. She only wanted to leave now that the work was completed. These men disgusted her.
She closed the door behind her as the men continued to congratulate each other. She did not move more than half a step though – her carriage was gone. She looked down the street. It was empty.
“Wonderful,” she muttered, and began to walk, hiding the money beneath her skirt. She had just reached the corner when a carriage pulled up and the door opened.
“Might I offer you a ride, citizen?” a deep voice asked from within. She began to turn away, but suddenly there were soldiers on either side of her. “I insist,” the voice said, as the men lifted her into the carriage.