way, she bade them wait, and said: "I would speak to
your leader."

The tall man asked: "And what would you say? We have no time to talk."

"It is not to you, I know you both; I would speak to my lord by your
side."

With that, the other, who had remained rather in the background, came
forward, and she took him aside where none could hear, save myself a
word or two. The lady spoke to him in a low, quiet tone, and raised
her mask a little. The man started back, then removed his cap
deferentially. I was close enough to hear his exclamation:

"Mademoiselle la Princesse."

"Hush," she placed her finger on her lips, "he does not know,"
indicating me by a gesture.

I was as astonished as he, but had no further anxiety. No officer
would dare arrest a Princess of the Blood in such a place.

"What does Mademoiselle do in Bertrand's gaming house?"

"It is not for you to question, my lord," she drew herself up coldly,
"I chose it. Now I would go. Provide an escort for me and the
gentleman who has the honor to accompany me."

She came back to me smiling. "We will go in peace; It is Vauban. It
must be no trifling matter to fetch him out to-night. I wonder who it
is he seeks?"

I thought I could enlighten her, perhaps, but kept a still tongue.

Vauban gave a quiet order to the tall man, who, it appears, was in
command of the squad, which order he in turn communicated to them.

"We have made a mistake. Permit these gentlemen to pass out, and none
else."

Vauban then interrupted:

"De Verrue, do you take ten men and escort these, these--gentlemen
where they will."

A young officer stepped forward at the word, but seemed not pleased to
leave in face of more exciting events.

"Nay, nay, boy do not look so glum; take my word, it is an honor a
marshal of France would assume did not sterner duties bid him stay."

My lady tossed her purse to the sergeant as she passed:

"Divide this with your men, and drink a health to--well--the Princess
Unknown."

CHAPTER X

IN THE HOUSE OF BERTRAND

It would now have been a most simple matter for me to go out unmolested
beside the princess. And this is what I should have done had it not been
for an accident. While Vauban was talking to the princess, I glanced
round the room to see if Yvard was there, or any other person likely to
know of this business. There was one figure strolling about in the rear
which wore a familiar look, yet I could not say I had seen