-night"--

"Well?"

"Well, to-morrow I will ask you to present me to the King of Navarre
and, be assured, if once I become a Huguenot, I will out-Huguenot
Luther, Calvin, Melanchthon, and all the reformers on earth!"

"Hush!" said La Mole, "you will get into a quarrel with our host."

"Ah, that is true," said Coconnas, looking toward the kitchen; "but--no,
he is not listening; he is too much occupied at this moment."

"What is he doing, pray?" inquired La Mole, who could not see him from
where he was.

"He is talking with--devil take me! it is he!"

"Who?"

"Why, that night-bird with whom he was discoursing when we arrived. The
man in the yellow doublet and drab-colored cloak. By Heaven! how
earnestly he talks. Say, Maitre La Huriere, are you engaged in
politics?"

But this time Maitre La Huriere's answer was a gesture so energetic and
imperious that in spite of his love for the picture card Coconnas got up
and went to him.

"What is the matter with you?" asked La Mole.

"You wish wine, sir?" said La Huriere, seizing Coconnas' hand eagerly.
"You shall have it. Gregoire, wine for these gentlemen!"

Then he whispered in his ear:

"Silence, if you value your life, silence! And get rid of your
companion."

La Huriere was so pale, the sallow man so lugubrious, that Coconnas felt
a shiver run over him, and turning to La Mole said:

"My dear sir, I must beg you to excuse me. I have lost fifty crowns in
the turn of a hand. I am in bad luck to-night, and I fear I may get into
difficulties."

"Well, sir, as you please," replied La Mole; "besides, I shall not be
sorry to lie down for a time. Maitre la Huriere!"

"Monsieur le Comte?"

"If any one comes for me from the King of Navarre, wake me; I shall be
dressed, and consequently ready."

"So shall I," said Coconnas; "and that I may not keep his highness
waiting, I will prepare the sign. Maitre la Huriere, some white paper
and scissors!"

"Gregoire!" cried La Huriere, "white paper to write a letter on and
scissors to cut the envelope with."

"Ah!" said the Piedmontese to himself. "Something extraordinary is going
on here!"

"Good-night, Monsieur de Coconnas," said La Mole; "and you, landlord, be
so good as to light me to my room. Good luck, my friend!" and La Mole
disappeared up the winding staircase, followed by La Huriere.

Then the mysterious man, taking Coconnas by the arm, said to him,
speaking very rapidly:

"Sir, you have very nearly betraye