, get the horses ready at once and the valises packed. You can put
them on my spare horse. The mule will scarce keep up with us, for we
shall certainly travel fast, so you had best hand it over to someone who
you think will treat it kindly."

Twenty minutes later Hector, and two officers who had distinguished
themselves especially in the battle, sat mounted before the tent that
had now been raised for d'Enghien. The young prince himself came out.
"Gentlemen," he said, handing the three sealed packets, "you will
present these to the queen, who is now Regent of France, for Louis XIII
died a week ago. They contain the despatches and reports of myself and
General Gassion. Your packet, colonel," he added to Hector, "is General
Gassion's report; it goes more fully into military details than mine.
You, Monsieur de Penthiere, carry my despatches in reference to the
battle of yesterday. You, Monsieur de Caussac, are the bearer of my
plans for our future operations. I think that you will all agree with me
that, after the battle we have won, we shall be able to make ourselves
masters of Flanders with but slight resistance."

The three officers bowed their agreement with the words.

"I know not who is in power or on whom the queen chiefly relies for
counsel, but should any questions be put to you, you will, I hope, be
able to express the urgency of prompt action in this matter before the
Spaniards have time to rally from the terrible blow that this defeat has
inflicted upon them. And now, gentlemen, a rapid and pleasant journey.
Orders were sent on last night that four sets of fresh horses should
be in readiness along the road. They are my own horses, and good ones.
Twelve troopers will accompany you; three of these will remain behind at
each stage where you change, and the horses that you have used will be
brought on at a more leisurely pace after you. They will readily find
out in Paris where you are lodged, and I beg that you will retain the
horses as a slight proof of my goodwill."

Then he waved his hand and went into his tent again. The three lackeys,
each holding a spare horse, were sitting in readiness for a start some
fifty yards away. After a moment's conversation the officers rode up to
them.

"You must follow us quietly," one of them said. "For today you can keep
up with us to the end of the first stage. Three fresh horses have been
provided for us, for we ride without a stop to Paris. Three soldiers
will there tak