was some one in Grenoble
who needed two such men as they.

"Word has been brought me," he said mysteriously. "You must not ask me
how."

"But how the devil are we to reach Grenoble? The Captain will never let
us go," said Arsenio, in an ill-humour.

"On the night that you are of the watch, Arsenio, we will depart
together without asking the Captain's leave. You shall open the postern
when I come to join you here in the courtyard."

"But what of the man at the door yonder?" And he jerked his thumb
towards the tower where mademoiselle was a captive, and where at night
"Battista" was locked in with her. At the door leading to the courtyard
a sentry was always posted for greater security. That door and that
sentry were obstacles which Garnache saw the futility of attempting
to overcome without aid. That was why he had been forced to enlist
Arsenio's assistance.

"You must account for him, Arsenio," said he.

"Thus?" inquired Arsenio coolly, and he passed the edge of his hand
significantly across his throat. Garnache shook his head.

"No," said he; "there will be no need for that. A blow over the head
will suffice. Besides, it may be quieter. You will find the key of the
tower in his belt. When you have felled him, get it and unlock the door;
then whistle for me. The rest will be easy."

"You are sure he has the key?"

"I have it from madame herself. They were forced to leave it with him to
provide for emergencies. Mademoiselle's attempted escape by the window
showed them the necessity for it." He did not add that it was the
implicit confidence they reposed in "Battista" himself that had overcome
their reluctance to leave the key with the sentry.

To seal the bargain, and in earnest of all the gold to come, Garnache
gave Arsenio a couple of gold louis as a loan to be repaid him when
their nameless employer should pay him his fifty pistoles in Grenoble.

The sight and touch of the gold convinced Arsenio that the thing was no
dream. He told Garnache that he believed he would be on guard-duty
on the night of the following Wednesday--this was Friday--and so for
Wednesday next they left the execution of their plans unless, meantime,
a change should be effected in the disposition of the sentries.

CHAPTER XIII. THE COURIER

Monsieur de Garnache was pleased with the issue of his little affair
with Arsenio.

"Mademoiselle," he told Valerie that evening, "I was right to have faith
in my luck, right to belie