I'll test the door softly and see what is outside," and he moved as if
to put his thought in action.

"Hold on, not yet; methinks I'll try that door myself." I could see he
had the same idea which had occurred to me, for he demurred.

"No, my fine sir; why you and not I?"

"Because I know you, sir, and fear to trust you."

"Verily, you have honorable intentions yourself to suspect me so
readily." He was bent on engaging me in conversation, so he might
perhaps recognize me from my voice. The mask still hid my features,
and the entire difference in my mode of dress made recognition almost
impossible. The puzzled expression of a half recollection still rested
on his face as I continued:

"I do not merely suspect you, I know you for a traitor--nay do not clap
your hand upon your sword until I have finished. You have now in your
possession certain traitorous dispatches which were given you by one
Carne Yvard in exchange for others which you brought over with you in a
vessel called le Dauphin. Ah, you begin to pale and shrink, and well
you may--"

"You lie!" he shrieked, convincing me I had made a home thrust.

"Softly, softly, have a care, lest you call the Marshal's bloodhounds
down upon us. The dispatches with the purple seals, which you brought
with such care from Biloxi, have been taken from Yvard, and are now in
safe keeping for the King. The lie, ah, well, I'll pardon that for the
while. You can not leave here, and I have ample time for avenging my
honor after I have had the pleasure of your delightful conversation."

He leaned morosely against the wall, staring at me, as I went on.

"Now listen to me quietly. You have those dispatches upon your person.
I want them, and by all the gods I will have them. If I have to kill
you for them, then so much the worse for you. Now listen. Give me
those dispatches. We will then get out of here together, and once
outside, I will give you full four and twenty hours. That time
elapsed, I will turn the dispatches over to the authorities. If you
can escape with your miserable life so be it. Do you agree?"

"I have no dispatches," he sullenly replied, "and who are you to dare
charge me with treason?"

There was no ring of real resentment in his tones, though he strove
manfully to simulate offended and indignant innocence. It was
necessary to keep him in ignorance for a while, because I feared he
might set upon me, and being really an excellent swordsman, th