x in the morning."

Willet suddenly dropped the buttoned point of his rapier and raised his
left hand.

"Enough, Robert," he said, "I can't allow you to tire yourself tonight,
and run the risk of stiffening in the wrist tomorrow. In strength you
are superior to de Mezy, and in wind far better. You should have no
trouble with him. Watch his eye and stand for a while on the defensive.
One of his habits, will soon wear himself down, and then he will be at
your mercy."

"You are a wonderful swordsman, Mr. Willet," said de Galisonniere, frank
in his admiration. "I did not think such skill, such power and such a
variety in attack and defense could be learned outside of Paris."

"Perhaps not!" said Willet, smiling. "The greatest masters of the sword
in the world teach in Paris, and it was there that I learned what I
know."

"What, you have been in Paris?"

"Aye, Captain de Galisonniere, I know my Paris well."

But he volunteered nothing further and Louis de Galisonniere's delicacy
kept him from asking any more questions. Nevertheless he had an
intensified conviction that three most extraordinary people had come to
Quebec, and he was glad to know them. Jean de Mezy, count of France, and
powerful man though he might be, was going to receive a punishment
richly deserved. He detested Bigot, Cadet, Pean and all their corrupt
crowd, while recognizing the fact that they were almost supreme in
Quebec. It would be pleasing to the gods for de Mezy to be humiliated,
and it did not matter if the humiliation came from the hands of a
Bostonnais.

"Would you mind trying a round or two at the foils with me?" he said to
Willet. "Since you don't have to fight in the morning you needn't fear
any stiffening of the wrist, and I should like to learn something about
that low thrust of yours, the one well beneath your opponent's guard,
and which only a movement like lightning can reach. You used it five
times, unless my eye missed a sixth."

"And so you noticed it!" said Willet, looking pleased. "I made six such
thrusts, but Robert met them every time. I've trained him to be on the
watch for it, because in a real combat it's sure to be fatal, unless
it's parried with the swiftness of thought."

"Then teach me," said de Galisonniere eagerly. "We're a fighting lot
here in Quebec, and it may save my life some day."

Willet was not at all averse, and for nearly an hour he taught the young
Frenchman. Then de Galisonniere departed, cautioning