all the
villagers drawn up outside, and made them a grand speech. Had it not
been for his soldiers, I think he would not have left the village
alive."

"Then he made the good folk angry?"

"Monsieur, it was terrible. He said the Sieur Le Blanc was a traitor to
the king, that he had harboured one of the king's enemies, and that his
life was forfeit to the law. Any man was to shoot him like a dog. He
said all this, monsieur, and more, much more. Then he called in the
leading men one by one, and questioned them closely, but they knew
nothing."

"He should have asked you, Pierre."

"He did, monsieur, but he said I was a stupid dolt, with no more sense
than one of my own casks!" and the old man broke into a hearty laugh.

"You had a guest the night I went away; he left early in the morning.
Who was he?"

"I do not know, monsieur. He was a stranger who wished to learn all he
could about the chief folk in the district; but he was an enemy to the
Cause, and he did not carry away much information. Old Pierre was too
dense to understand his questions," and the old man chuckled again.

"Well," I said after a pause, "since it is useless going to the castle,
I must put up here for the night. I am tired and hungry. Get me some
supper and a bed; meanwhile I must attend to my horse; the poor beast
has carried me far."

Pierre's information was very disquieting, but, as my father had
evidently received timely warning, I trusted he had effected his escape,
and that by this time he was safely sheltered behind the strong walls of
La Rochelle.

When Pierre brought in the supper I asked after Jacques, and, hearing he
had not returned, told the landlord to inform him of what had happened.
Whether he would endeavour to get into Rochelle or not I left to
himself.

I ate my supper slowly, my mind fully occupied with this extraordinary
occurrence. Why had my father thus suddenly been marked down for
vengeance? He was a noted Huguenot, 'twas true, but he was not a leader
such as Conde or the Admiral. He had sheltered the wounded messenger,
and had allowed me to carry the warning to Tanlay.

This, of course, was sufficient to incur the Queen-Mother's displeasure;
but how had the knowledge reached her? Who was there at Le Blanc able
and willing to betray our secrets? Not a soul, unless----! Ah, the name
leaped of itself into my mind. Who was the maker of mischief but Etienne
Cordel?

I put together all that I had heard of this man w