our
suspicions are right. This French visitor is no paltry Comte. There is
the look of the Valois in his countenance. What if the great object of
his visit here was to steal that gem taken from his land by conquest?
Hurst, I should like to take this man redhanded myself. We are two, and
possibly he is alone, for he would not trust such a task as this to
other hands. We heard just now that his page, esquire, or whatever he
is, had been sent away."

"Yes, Sire. But he will be desperate. Your Majesty's safety must not
be risked. I implore you, let me call the guard."

"Well, as you will," said the King.--"No, it would only be to reveal
that secret place to the common herd. No one shall know it but
ourselves. But stop; there is some one close at hand whom I dare trust.
Old Sir John Carrbroke's son. He will be trusty as his father was to
me, and to my father in his time. Fetch him here."

The chamberlain hurried off, while the King followed slowly, sword in
hand, till he was opposite to the concealed door, where he stood fast to
wait; but an ejaculation uttered by Lord Hurst took him to the latter's
side.

"Traitor!" cried the King angrily. "No, sleeper." And in his rage he
drew back his arm as if to thrust at the youth who was lying upon the
heavy couch.

"No sleeper, your Majesty," cried the chamberlain, bending over
Carrbroke, to raise his eyelids one by one. "Pah!" he ejaculated. "The
odour is quite strong. The poor lad has been drugged by some pungent
medicament." And then as he drew back his hand he took a kerchief from
his pouch to wipe his hands. "The noisome poison is still wet upon his
face."

"Thank Heaven!" said the King. "It was a mercy I did not strike and
slay a faithful soul. Come, then, Hurst; but draw and defend me if
there is need. Now then, back to the arras, and let us see."

"The passage is all black darkness, Sire," whispered the chamberlain;
and the King pointed with his sword to the nearest sconce.

"Bring a light," he said laconically.

The next minute they were opposite the secret door, which the King
unfastened, and was about to raise the arras when the chamberlain
pressed forward.

"I will go first, your Majesty," he said.

"After your King, sir. Yours the task to light me on the way."

A word of opposition was upon his follower's lips, but the King stooped
hastily, raised the arras well on high, and signed to the chamberlain to
hold it up and cast the light