ere is a gentleman below who desir

entleman call hi

," answered the landlord, s

t of St. Auban's arrival at Blois, and I was on the poin

s that from your enemy's speech you may sometimes learn where to look

tirring the burning logs, I put

read of my visitor, accompanied by the jingle of spurs and the clank of his scabbard as it struck th

ds, and whilst I waited for him to speak, I noted that hi

Luynes, aga

eking, M. l

e not p

not opp

ed dang

you are a daily visitor a

ir, what

hat you will learn anon, from that old dotard, what passed

o conceal

ar de St. Auban-have been ordered from the house of a provincial

! Was that

es was fast rising to the surface. "I warned you at Choisy of what would befall. Your opposition and your alliance with M. de Mancini are futile. You th

put in calmly. "You see, M. de St. Auban, I

ivid with

ler! You shall be taught to keep that long nose

aug

s!" I answer

you learn it. By God, sir! do you think that I am to suffer a Sicilia

kept m

esigns. Good! But what says the lady, eh? I am told that she i

his hand sought his sword.

!" he

. Auban, or I'll find you a s

h a snarl. "What price a

n! You shall answe

hly. "You are mad, my master. When did a St.

h high-sounding talk of principles that opposed you to the proposed alliance, twixt the houses of Mancini and Cana

nsi

urs has never yet bred aught but profligates and debauchees. You are little better than I am, Marquis; indeed, you do many things that I would not do, that I have never done. For instance, whilst refusing to cross blades with me, who am a soldier and a man of the sword, you seek to pick a fight with a

close up to him and tapped his breast as i

is distorted countenance wa

my arms akimbo and laughing bruta

and surely meseemed tha

do dishonour to my sword." And turning

lk fast behind you. Liar and craven will

h the lintel, an

By this time to-morrow you'll be arrested. In three days you will be

I laughed, hoping by t

ficer of the guards is on his way to Blois. He is at Meung by now. He bears a warrant for your arrest and delivery to the governor of th

what to him was but a stinging threat was to me a timely warning. I saw the necessity for immediate action. Two things must I do; kill St. Auban first, then fly the Cardinal's warrant as best I could. I cast about me for means to carry

moment was tolerably full. As I entered by one door, the Marqui

he rush of my onslaught, turned, then uttered a cry of pa

" I shouted, "will t

hose about flung themselves upon us, and held us apart-I, passive and un

ou, Marquis," I said coolly. "Send yo

speakable. "At eight to-morrow morning I shall aw

swered. "And now, gentlemen, if you will

k, for in their eyes I was no more than a coarse ag