ust come of it--and faithful to his Majesty. Such a
man, M. de Biron, will in such a post be Master of the Kingdom; for he
will hold the doors of Janus, and as he bridles his sea-dogs, or unchains
them, there will be peace or war in France."

"Is all that from the King's mouth?" Biron asked with sarcasm. But his
passion had died down. He was grown thoughtful, suspicious; he eyed the
other intently as if he would read his heart.

"The offer is his, and the reflections are mine," Tavannes answered
dryly. "Let me add one more. The Admiral is dead. The King of Navarre
and the Prince of Conde are prisoners. Who is now to balance the
Italians and the Guises? The Grand Master--if he be wise and content to
give the law to France from the citadel of Rochelle."

Biron stared at the speaker in astonishment at his frankness.

"You are a bold man," he cried at last. "But _timeo Danaos et dona
ferentes_," he continued bitterly. "You offer, sir, too much."

"The offer is the King's."

"And the conditions? The price?"

"That you remain quiet, M. de Biron."

"In the Arsenal?"

"In the Arsenal. And do not too openly counteract the King's will. That
is all."

The Grand Master looked puzzled. "I will give up no one," he said. "No
one! Let that be understood."

"The King requires no one."

A pause. Then, "Does M. de Guise know of the offer?" Biron inquired; and
his eye grew bright. He hated the Guises and was hated by them. It was
_there_ he was a Huguenot.

"He has gone far to-day," Count Hannibal answered dryly. "And if no
worse come of it should be content. Madame Catherine knows of it."

The Grand Master was aware that Marshal Tavannes depended on the Queen-
mother; and he shrugged his shoulders.

"Ay, 'tis like her policy," he muttered. "'Tis like her!" And pointing
his guest to a cushioned chest which stood against the wall, he sat down
in a chair beside the table and thought awhile, his brow wrinkled, his
eyes dreaming. By-and-by he laughed sourly. "You have lighted the
fire," he said, "and would fain I put it out."

"We would have you hinder it spreading."

"You have done the deed and are loth to pay the blood-money. That is it,
is it?

"We prefer to pay it to M. de Biron," Count Hannibal answered civilly.

Again the Grand Master was silent awhile. At length he looked up and
fixed Tavannes with eyes keen as steel.

"What is behind?" he growled. "Say, man, what is it? What is behi