rn how Monsieur de Pepicot
got away," said I, guessing that he had come back to watch me, doubtless
considering that, after the evident duplicity of one guest, the other
might require some looking after.

"And so you thought yourself free to post yourself over there and make
eyes at that window?" said the Captain with a smile that half jeered at
me, half threatened me with annihilation.

"I do not quite understand your little jest," said I, boldly enough.

"You may find it one of those jests in which the laugh is only on one
side, and that side not yours, young gentleman. Your friend with the
long nose, it appears, had his secret motives for paying a visit to this
chateau. We smelt some such thing when the letter came asking for a set
of chessmen, and so the Count admitted you, thinking you just as safe
inside the chateau as outside. It was not the intention to let you out
again in too great haste."

"In that case," I put in, feigning to treat the matter gaily, "Monsieur
de Pepicot was wise in leaving as he did."

"I was about to say that if Monsieur de Pepicot had his secret purposes,
it is but fair to suppose you may have yours. If it turns out to be so,
and if your object has anything to do with what you may imagine is
behind that window,--why, then, I warn you in time it would be much
better for you to have been that dog which opposed me a while ago,--very
much better, my pert young gentleman, I assure you."

He turned and walked into the house, leaving me without any fit answer
on my tongue, or indeed in my mind either.

It appeared to me that the sooner I had my explanation with the Count,
the better for both the Countess and myself. So I returned into the
hall, which the Captain was leaving by the court-yard door, and waited
for the Count's reappearance. When he did come, it was clear from his
face that the manner of Monsieur de Pepicot's escape--for escape it must
now be called--was still a mystery. It was plain, too, when his eyes
alighted on me, that he had heard from the Captain, who followed him, of
my conduct beneath the window. As he came toward me, he scowled and
looked very wicked and crafty. Before he could speak, I said:

"Monsieur, there is something I wish to tell you, if you will allow me
to speak to you alone."

"Regarding Monsieur de Pepicot?"

"No; regarding myself and the reason of my coming to Lavardin."

"That is interesting. Let us hear."

"It is for you alone."

"Oh, to be su