ended in triumph and success."

"What!" cried the King fiercely. "You speak in riddles. Tell me what
you mean."

He seemed to tower over his follower, who, apparently humbled, crouched
before him with lowered head and outstretched deprecating hands, with
which he covered his face as if asking mercy. But the next moment he
sprang up once more, just as the King angrily repeated himself:

"Not failed!" he cried. "Tell me what you mean?"

For answer Leoni threw back his head and held one hand on high full in
the light of the moon, which flashed and scintillated from the many
facets of a brilliant gem.

"Hah!" cried the King excitedly. "What have you there?"

"That which we came to seek, Sire. The Balas ruby--the fateful gem of
France!"

CHAPTER FORTY SIX.

IN BORROWED PLUMES.

Denis stood for a few moments panting heavily, not daring to take his
eyes from those of the King, who stood there speechless with
astonishment. Then by an effort the boy wrenched his gaze from where it
was held, as he thought of his own sword; but the weapon was on the
other side of the bed, and as he realised it the thought came that this
was a King--one who had but to utter a word to bring in his guards.

"Tricked again," said the King at last; "and by you, boy! Francis's
esquire! Where is your King?"

"Beyond your reach, Sire, by this time," said the boy boldly, nerved as
he was by the feeling that he had gained much time, and that his words
were true.

"Escaped?"

"Yes, Sire."

"Ah!" ejaculated the King. "And I see now this was another ruse. How
like a Frenchman! He was not wounded after all."

"He was, Sire," cried the boy indignantly, "and dangerously too."

"But that jewel--where is it now? On its way to France?"

"No, Sire; I can answer for that."

"Then you have it."

"No, Sire, I have it not; and I am sure--my life on it--it never passed
into his Majesty's hands."

"You lie, boy!" cried the King fiercely.

"I am a gentleman of France, Sire," said the boy haughtily.

"A gentleman of France!" cried the King scornfully. "A member of a gang
of thieves!"

"I am your prisoner, Sire," said the boy boldly, "and I know what is
bound to be my fate. I am no member of a gang of thieves, but one of my
King's esquires, bound to do his duty as his Majesty's servant; and I
have done mine--no more."

"Ah!" cried the King, making a quick advance towards the boy, who made
an involuntary movement towards his