ory. He grasped my hand in both
his own and asked:

"We have won? Tell me, how was it?"

"Aye, sir, and nobly. I have the King's own warrant that our Governor is
not to be disturbed."

Every shade of anxiety vanished, and he laughed as unaffectedly as a girl.

"Thou art a clever lad; but tell me of it, tell me of it!"

I told him then of the audience, neglecting not the minutest detail, not
even the black looks of those who thronged about the King.

"Chamillard's doing, and Crozat. Crozat the parvenu--Marquis du Chatel,
forsooth, with his scissors and yardstick for device."

He questioned me closely concerning the personages present, and what they
said. After having heard on to the end he was quite composed and
broached again the subject of the previous night.

"Well, Captain," he commenced, half banteringly, "if thou hast done thy
conferences with the King, we will talk of your next adventure. Time
presses, and you see from what Louis said, our enemies are already at
work."

I hearkened with many misgivings, for I felt of a truth uncertain of
myself in this new character--and shall I confess it--a trifle ill at
ease concerning this bravo, Carne Yvard, the duelist of the iron hand,
and the gamester with the luck of the devil. However, I put upon myself
a steadfast front and listened.

"We have a fine lad at Paris in our service," said Serigny, "and with him
four as staunch fellows as ever dodged a halter. De Greville--Jerome de
Greville--has his lodgings in Rue St. Denis, at the sign of the Austrian
Arms. The host is a surly, close-mouthed churl who will give you little
information until he knows you well. Then you may rely upon him. Jerome
has been watching our quarry these many weeks; we hold him in easy reach,
as a bait to catch his accomplice. Then we will put them both where they
can spy upon us no longer. I desire them to be taken alive if possible,
and by all the gods, they shall hang."

Verily, this was a pleasant adventure for me to contemplate, taking alive
such a desperado, who handled his sword like a hell-born imp.

"I would not expose you to this," continued Serigny, "but for the stern
necessity that those papers should reach me unopened. They are to be
delivered to you, and I hold you responsible. You understand?"

I bowed my acquiescence.

Then he went on, talking more at ease, though I was far from placid at
the prospect. He told me of the different streets, the lay of th