so sorely wounded, but
he would not risk his own life to shelter him; while any woman
would do it, without hesitation. It may be a lady of noble family,
or a poor kitchen wench, but that it is a woman I would wager my
life."

"It seems hopeless to try to find out who it is," Philip said
despondently.

"Not hopeless, sir, though doubtless difficult. With your
permission, I will undertake this part of the task. I will get
myself up as a workman out of employment--and there are many
such--and will hang about near that little gate. It is the
servants' entrance, and I shall be able to watch every woman that
comes out."

"But what good will watching do?"

"It may do no good, sir, but yet it may help. A woman, with such a
secret as that on her mind, will surely show some signs of it upon
her face. She will either have a scared look, or an anxious look.
She will not walk with an easy step."

"Well, there is something in what you say, Pierre. At any rate, I
can think of nothing better."

The next morning Pierre took up his position opposite the gate, but
had no news that night to report to his master; nor had he on the
second or third; but on the fourth, he returned radiant.

"Good news, master. The count is alive, and I have found him."

Philip sprung from his settle, and grasped his faithful follower by
the hand.

"Thank God for the news, Pierre. I had almost given up hope. How
did you discover him?"

"Just as I expected, sir. I have seen, in the last three days,
scores of women come out; but none of them needed a second look.
Some were intent on their own finery, others were clearly bent on
shopping. Some looked up and down the street, for a lover who ought
to have been waiting for them. Not one of these had a secret of
life and death on her mind.

"But this afternoon there came out a young woman with a pale face,
and an anxious look. She glanced nervously up and down the street,
not as one expecting to meet a friend, but as if she feared an
enemy. After a moment's hesitation, she crossed the road and walked
along with an indecisive air; more than once glancing behind her,
as if afraid of being followed.

"'This is my lady,' I said to myself and, keeping some distance
behind and on the opposite side of the road, I followed her.

"She soon turned off into a side street. Once or twice she paused,
looked into a shop, hesitated, and then went on again. You may be
sure I marked the spots, and was not surprised