ecessary to push on again directly the
gates are opened. You must procure us fresh horses, the best that can
be got."

"And the two in the stables?"

"Can go in exchange."

"You will have to pay heavily."

"Of course we shall, my dear Edouard, but monsieur is prepared to open
his purse. Get them into the stable to-night, and call us at daybreak."

"Can you trust him to procure really good animals?" I asked, when the
man had gone out.

"There are few keener judges of horseflesh than Edouard, monsieur; and
now let us to bed."

Jacques had lost his gloomy fit; there seemed little likelihood of
danger, and I slept soundly till wakened by our host. Dressing hastily
we went straight to the stables, and were more than satisfied with our
new animals. They were beautiful creatures, shaped for both speed and
endurance, and I did not grudge the money the landlord had spent.

"They should carry us to our journey's end," said Jacques in a whisper;
"the sight of them gives me fresh courage. I care not a rap of the
fingers now for our chance acquaintance!"

"The cavalier seems to have turned your brain!" I laughed.

"Maybe 'twas only an idle fancy, but I mistrusted the fellow. Perhaps
you will laugh, but I thought he might be one of those who attacked
Monsieur Devine."

"Well?" I said, startled by this statement, and yet puzzled to
understand how it affected us.

"If so, he must be trying to obtain possession of the papers. He would
follow the wounded man, and suddenly lose him. He failed to get any
information from old Pierre, and he learned little from us; but the
advocate would tell him everything."

"What could Cordel tell?" I asked, still puzzled.

"That your father, monsieur, is the chief person in the district--that
he is of the Religion--that the wounded messenger might have found
shelter in the castle."

"Yes, the advocate would certainly mention that."

"The stranger would speak of us, too, and the lawyer, recognizing the
description, would inform him who we were. That would arouse his
suspicions, for you must admit that we chose a strange hour to ride."

"And you think he would follow us?"

"That is what I feared. He is splendidly mounted, and could easily
overtake us; but now," and Jacques laughed, "the case is different."

"Even should he come up with us," I said, "he is but one against two,
and we can both handle a sword!"

My companion shrugged his shoulders. "What chance should we have in
Sai