First he took the Record with him, and travelled posthaste to Châlons, where he asked de Léry to take him to their relative, de Villerai.
"You are the man to present this, my dear Villerai," said he. "Being in this distinguished corps, you have an influence to which none of the rest of us can pretend. I leave the papers in your hands. You have merely to hand them to the Prince de Poix or Adjutant Collinot to secure absolutely the obliteration of that _canaille_."
"Certainly, certainly. Leave them with me. They shall be perfectly safe in my possession. Believe me, dear de Lotbinière, I shall do everything excellently for you."
De Lotbinière, reading the easy-going face of the bluff epicurean in uniform, said to himself, "If it required any brains I could not trust you."
The Record was therefore left in de Villerai's charge.
De Lotbinière next went to Paris and wrote to Collinot, stating that de Villerai would be on hand on the day appointed, prepared to present the de Léry side of the case. He furthermore wrote to the Count de Vaudreuil, reminding him of the Canadian connections of his family, and invoking his exalted interest at Court against the intruder upon their social rights. The Prince de Poix was likewise reminded by him, in a letter, of the decision he had expressed against Lecour during their interview some months before.
These precautions taken, he remained in Paris, confidently awaiting the outbreak of his powder mines and the destruction of the _parvenu_. Matters lay in a condition of suspense until the fateful hour.
In the afternoon of the day previous the Châlons diligence brought a stranger who sought out Germain in his quarters. The face was so familiar that Germain's attention was riveted upon him.
"You do not know me, I see," said the man; "but I am come to do you a good turn, a fine turn, a noble turn."
By something erratic in his look Lecour recognised the would-be slayer of de Léry, and his hand crept towards the hilt of his sword.
"Don't be afraid of me," said the maniac; "we are allies."
"I am not afraid," Lecour answered. "What do you wish of me?"
"To give you this," Philibert exclaimed gaily, handing him a packet. "Take it; your battle is won."
With incredulous wonder Lecour looked at the parcel.