ommunicate to me?"

I had ripped the lining of my doublet, and now handed him the packet.
"My story can wait, my lord," I said, "this is the more pressing
matter."

He broke the seal and read the letter, slowly, as if committing each
word to heart. Then he said in his grave manner, "This is from La
Rochelle, and should have reached me by the hand of Ambroise Devine.
Where is he?"

"There are those who desired that you should not receive this
communication, my lord, and the original messenger lies in my father's
house, grievously wounded. As there was none other to bring it, the
packet was even entrusted to my keeping."

"You are of the Religion?"

"The son of the Sieur Le Blanc could not well be otherwise, my lord."

"The Sieur Le Blanc has proved his devotion on more than one
battlefield. So you are his son! And you have risked your life to help
me! I am grateful, my young friend, and others will be grateful also;
but I will speak with you again. For the present I must place you under
the care of my gentlemen. There is much here," touching the packet, "to
be considered, and that without delay. But you have deserved well of the
Cause, boy, and the Sieur Le Blanc can be justly proud of his son."

I was thoroughly tired by my long, hazardous journey, but I lay awake
for hours that night, my cheeks burning at the remembrance of the
Admiral's words. He had praised me--Edmond Le Blanc--this hero whom I
regarded as the highest, the bravest, the noblest gentleman in the whole
world! It seemed incredible that I should have obtained such honour!

CHAPTER IV

How We Kept the Ford

Early next morning I was summoned to attend the Admiral, who received me
very graciously.

"I trust you have rested well," he said, "as I am about to send you on
another journey. There is, however, no danger in it," he added, smiling.
"I wish you to go to the Prince of Conde at Noyers, to tell him your
story, and to answer any questions he may put to you. I am setting out
myself in an hour or two, but my preparations are not complete. Monsieur
Bellievre will accompany you as guide; he has received my instructions."

The Admiral could not have chosen for me a more suitable comrade than
Felix Bellievre. He was quite young, barely more than eighteen, tall,
slim, and good-looking. He had large, expressive, dark eyes, thick,
curling hair, and beautiful white teeth. His smile was sweet and
winning, and he had an air of candour very enga