explained matters to them in a few brief words. My chagrin may be
imagined when I heard that Montgomery de Lorges, from whom I hoped to
get further particulars of the house in the Mathurins, had left the
Louvre that afternoon for Fontainebleau to help in the arrangements for
a hunt there for the King. But Le Brusquet put heart into me.

"_Eh bien_," said he, "you cannot miss finding the house, as the
Mathurins is not a bowshot in length; but, in any case, whilst you go
and prepare for your departure I will try and find the secret of the
house out, and warn some who, I know, are of the new faith. To think
of a _preche_ in the very shadow of the Sorbonne!" And he laughed to
himself.

"Le Brusquet is right," said De Lorgnac. "I too have some friends whom
I must warn. Have no fear that Mademoiselle de Paradis will have any
difficulty in keeping her tryst; I will see to that. Go now at once to
the Rue Tire Boudin and make you ready; we will stand by you to the
end."

I thanked these brave friends, and was about to turn away, when Le
Brusquet called out:

"Stay! I have one thing to ask you, Orrain."

"And that is?"

"You have still with you, I hope, a certain ring?"

"Vendome's ring, or rather the ring of the King of Navarre, as we must
call him now. Yes; it is beneath this glove." And I held out my left
hand.

"May I see it for a moment?"

"Certainly!" And removing the glove I slipped off the ring and handed
it to him. He looked at it curiously, and said:

"I think its time has come."

"Is there anything you are holding back from me?"

"No; but I have a warning in my heart that you will need it. I am
superstitious enough never to neglect such a warning. Lend it to me
for to-day."

"With pleasure! But is the ring of any avail? Vendome has forgotten
me. He hardly ever returns my salute when we meet----"

"The King of Navarre will at any rate pay this debt of the Duc de
Vendome--I swear it," said Le Brusquet solemnly as he slipped the ring
on to his finger, and with that I left them.

On arrival at the Rue Tire Boudin I summoned Pierrebon, and informing
him of the state of affairs told him to have all in readiness for our
departure that night. This being over, and finding that I had still
over two hours before me, I retraced my steps to the Louvre. I went to
the tennis courts, where the King was playing a match against Monsieur
d'Aumale, and mingling amongst the onlookers sought to pick