October 1630

[gaston]

The End of September at the Apothecary's Shop on the Pont St.Michel...

First Voice: Maman! Have you heard the news???

Second Voice: What news, Dear ?

First Voice: Both Edmond and Dominic have been killed at the front !

Second Voice: But how? Dominic isn't even a soldier ?

First Voice: The Colonel of the Picardy Musketeers volunteered four companies to the Spanish front. One of them was commanded by Edmond and the newly appointed Regimental Chaplain was Dominic. The Spaniards gave them a such a bad mauling that both were killed in their attack.

Second Voice: Excellent! Losing both his sons must be God's Judgement upon Philippe for the shabby treatment we received at his hands - and I can't wait to tell him so !!!

First Voice: It's true that losing both his sons like that must be a terrible punishment for Uncle Philippe to bear - but would telling him he deserved it make it any more terrible for him? This may be an opportunity to get back what's ours if we play him along...

Second Voice: How so ?

First Voice: Well, as we know, Philippe's dream was to propel one of his sons into the Nobility. As a Priest, Dominic was always a no-hoper for this, so he pinned all his ambitions on Edmond being knighted for bravery at the front and then going on to be elevated to a Barony. Now those dreams are shattered and he'll never have grandchildren to leave his estate to.

Second Voice: So how does that help us?

First Voice: Well...rather than taunt him over his sons' deaths why don't you attend the funeral, tell him how sorry you are for his loss and say that this tragedy far overshadows the wrongs he did to you (for which you have long forgiven him anyway). You could then remind him that he has a niece who could well marry into the Nobility with the right support - a suitable allowance and eventual dowry. He's never going to see a son become a Baron, but at the wedding of an adopted daughter he could well give her away to one...

[Talk among soldiers , Flanders]

1^st soldier: once again in full defeat. ho chooses our generals? it seems a contest of incompetence

2^dn soldier: a Habsburg agent, I guess. If they want to defeat France they cannot do it better

1^st soldier: maybe you're right... The Habsburg don't need to make much an effort to defeat us, our own Generals do it quite well

3^rd soldier: shut up, boys, or the Sarge would hear us... We're reaching our fortifications now, and our only hope is to defend them well.

2^nd soldier: if this Brigadier is sent to a Court for his incompetence, I hipe to be alive to witness against him

Sergent: stop chatting and take you positions to defend the wall. We're not here to rant.

[Guest]

"So what are you telling me Sergeant?  That in addition to being caught in the act while attempting to rob the brave Guardsman de Miremont and being suspected of arranging for the assassination of Monsieur Demerat, this Dastardly Doctor had previously robbed the late Subaltern Massif Orne Cheval and was also spying for the perfidious English ?"

"So our investigations would suggest, Commissioner."

"Incredible! Did the nefarious misdeeds of this charlatan have no end?  It appears that he did us a service by saving the state the costs of a lengthy trial when he obligingly hanged himself."

"If he did hang himself, Sir.  There are strong indications that he may have had help..."

"Well, under the circumstances Sergeant, I don't feel that such suspicions should be looked into too closely, do you...?"