s voice. And
cursing his men for their stupidity he ordered two of them to unmoor a
boat.

Apparently the craft had been secured with more care than skill, for to
loosen it seemed to be a work of time. Meanwhile I stood waiting in
the midst of the group, anxious and yet exultant; an object of
curiosity, and yet curious myself. I heard the guards whisper
together, and caught such phrases as "It is the Duc d'Aumale."

"No, it is not D'Aumale. It is nothing like him."

"Well, he has the Duke's ring, fool!"

"The Duke's?"

"Ay."

"Then it is all right, God bless him!" This last was uttered with
extreme fervour.

I was conscious too of being the object of many respectful glances; and
had just bidden the men on the steps below me to be quick, when I
discovered with alarm three figures moving across the open space
towards us, and coming apparently from the same point from which
Pallavicini and his men had emerged.

In a moment I foresaw danger. "Now be quick there!" I cried again.
But scarcely had I spoken before I saw that it was impossible to get
afloat before these others came up, and I prepared to stand my ground
resolutely.

The first words, however, with which Pallavicini saluted the new-comers
scattered my fears. "Well, what the foul fiend do you want?" he
exclaimed rudely; and he rapped out half-a-dozen CORPOS before they
could answer him. "What have you brought him here for, when I left him
in the guard-house? Imbeciles!"

"Captain Pallavicini," interposed the midmost of the three, speaking
with patience--he was a man of about thirty, dressed with some
richness, though his clothes were now disordered as though by a
struggle--"I have induced these good men to bring me down--"

"Then," cried the captain, brutally interrupting him, "you have lost
your labour, Monsieur."

"You do not know me," replied the prisoner with sternness--a prisoner
he seemed to be. "You do not understand that I am a friend of the
Prince of Conde, and that--"

He would have said more, but the Italian again cut him short. "A fig
for the Prince of Conde!" he cried; "I understand my duty. You may as
well take things easily. You cannot cross, and you cannot go home, and
you cannot have any explanation; except that it is the King's will!
Explanation?" he grumbled, in a lower tone, "you will get it soon
enough, I warrant! Before you want it!"

"But there is a boat going to cross," said the other, controlling his
tem