h if there were time; but there is not, and there is only
one way left."

"And that is?"

"I will tell you. Close to the Sorbonne, in a little street called the
Rue des Mathurins, which leads into the Rue St. Jacques, is a house
where my people meet to pray, and to-night all, if not, most of them,
will be there. This much I know. But where the house is exactly I do
not know, for I have never been to it. If we could get there we would
be in time to warn them."

"From whom did you hear this? It is necessary for me to know."

"From Montgomery de Lorges."

"The captain of the Archer Guard?"

"Yes; he is of us, and always has been."

"Then, mademoiselle, there is light in the black sky. I will warn your
friends; more we cannot do. And, since there are so many, I feel
confident that the plotters will not strike for a day or so. Our
warning will give those who can time to escape, and you and I will have
done all that can be done. In the meantime our original plan must be
carried out; but it is to a friend that I must trust you for a few
hours until I have given the warning and can join you----"

She stayed me with a gesture of her hands.

"Monsieur, why should I not go with you?"

For a moment I hesitated, and then it flashed upon me that it was the
best possible thing. After giving the warning there was nothing to
prevent our escaping at once.

"Very well, mademoiselle. Then meet me here at dusk. And now perhaps
it is time to go back."

We did not return as we came, but making for the Lime Walk, went along
it slowly, talking and planning many things. In the shade, on a seat
under one of the lime-trees, was a merry party of five or six people,
and as we came opposite them young De Lorges the page, who was of their
number, called out to us to join them; but, pointing at the Louvre, I
shook my head, and as we passed on I heard Mademoiselle Davila's voice
singing:

"J'aime mieux m'amie
O gai!
J'aime mieux m'aime
O gai!"

and a girlish voice, I know not whose it was, broke into a merry peal
of laughter. In spite of what was in my mind I could not help glancing
at my companion; but she was walking by my side as though she had not
seen or heard, and, perhaps, this was the case.

At the Ladies' Terrace we parted, and I hastened at once to seek Le
Brusquet. As luck would have it, I met both him and De Lorgnac face to
face as I was crossing the inner courtyard, and drawing them aside