e issue
of conflict would be doubtful. But the weightier reason lay in the
fact that the clash of steel might draw down upon us the occupants of
the house. Here I was in a much worse plight than he, though he knew
it not. For whether those occupants were the friends of Broussard or
the Marshal's men, the result would be equally fatal to me. A man must
think quickly under such straits, and I was sorely put to it for some
device. No stratagem would be too base to use against such a villain,
for he would not hesitate to knife me in the back.

"Broussard, let us understand each other here and now. You know me. I
am Placide de Mouret," removing my mask and looking him sternly in the
eye.

"Great God, de Mouret!"

"The same. I am your master at the swords, and you know it. Now turn
out those papers." I had been quietly drawing my blade during this
speech, as the dazed man tried to collect his senses, so I was ready
while he still stood unprepared.

"Throw up your hands."

He mechanically obeyed; the discovery of his villainy had completely
unmanned him.

"Now unbuckle your belt, and drop it to the ground." He did as he was
bid.

"Kick it across the floor." The weapon was tossed out of his reach.

I walked up closer to him, and forced him to loose his coat that I
might find the papers, and was rewarded by the discovery of a packet,
much similar to that dropped by Yvard. It was sealed in such a manner
it could not be opened, and bore no address. I removed the dagger from
his hip, and having, as I thought, completely disarmed him, felt no
further uneasiness. The man was thoroughly cowed, and never once
raised his eyes to mine. Verily treason doth rob the stoutest heart of
half its courage.

"Now do as I bid you, and I will keep my promise to let you go. And
mind that you make not the slightest sound which may attract the
soldiers."

"Ah, you fear the soldiers too?" he asked, vaguely trying to puzzle out
why I should be afraid of those in whose service I was.

"It is not to our purpose to talk. I simply want the credit myself,
and do not want to share it with those fellows out there. We must work
to leave this place at once. Do you stand where you are."

I gathered up the scattered weapons and piled them all in one corner,
farthest from the door, where I now proposed to set about getting free.
With the fearful blight of uncovered treason in his soul, Broussard
obeyed me cringingly as a servant