d wish their horse appointments to be fit for troopers in one
of the royal regiments, but without any insignia or cognizance, say
maroon with yellow braiding. I shall also want four valises for the men,
and bags for carrying forage. You can wrap up the housings that came
with the horses; they all bear Enghien's cognizance, and this must be
removed before we can use them. The men can strap them behind their
valises. Were there pistols in the holsters?"

"Yes, master, they were just as when you rode them."

"It was a princely gift," Hector said, "for the horses are all splendid
animals. Have you packed up my things?"

"Yes, master, they are all ready for placing on the sumpter horse. I
bought a dozen of good wine, thinking that you might need it on the way,
for some of these country auberges keep but poor stuff."

"We are getting luxurious all at once," Hector laughed. "How about my
armour?"

"That is also packed up. I thought that you would not care to ride
heavily accoutred."

"Certainly not. Which of the horses do you take to be the best?"

"Certainly the one you rode in upon is the best, master, but all four
are grand animals. The two I picked up on the battlefield are fine
animals also."

"It does not make much matter which I ride now, Paolo; we shall have the
opportunity of seeing which has the most fire and endurance as we ride
along; and at any rate I shall keep Enghien's four horses for my own
riding, keeping two with me and leaving two behind at the castle. I
shall buy four strong and serviceable horses for the troopers when I get
my first rents, for in sooth my purse is beginning to run very low."

"Possibly, master, when you look in the armoire in your room you may
find something to replenish it. One of the cardinal's servants brought a
packet for you. I stowed it away and locked the door of your room."

"Well, there is no time to lose, Paolo, so see at once about the matters
that I have told you. Here is sufficient money to buy the other goods."

"Here is the key of the room, sir."

Having seen Paolo hurry away, Hector went up to his room. In the armoire
he found the packet, which was a heavy one. Opening it, he found a
letter and a bag sealed with wax. The letter was from the intendant
general. It was directed, "A Monsieur le Baron de la Villar."

"It does not look as if it could be for me," Hector said, with a merry
laugh. Breaking the seal he found:

By the order of Monseigneur Cardinal Maz