Rochelle than beyond its
walls, let me tell you!"

"What is Anjou doing now, monsieur?" asked a man at one of the other
tables.

"Killing," said the stranger briefly. "Rochelle will soon be able to
hold all those left of the Religion."

"I vow," exclaimed an iron-featured trooper, "it makes one wonder our
leaders should keep us cooped up here."

"You had better offer your opinion to the Admiral, or to Conde," said
the stranger with a laugh, and he turned his attention to the food that
had been set before him.

He ate and drank quickly, taking no further part in the conversation,
but apparently as much at ease as if sitting at Anjou's table.

"You will require a room, monsieur?" said the host presently.

"I will pay for one, though I may not use it."

"And your horse, monsieur?"

"Will remain in the stables."

He had nearly finished his meal now, and, acting on a sudden impulse, I
crossed the room and sat down opposite him. He looked up at me in a
casual way, and the next instant understood he was discovered. But the
man had nerves of iron; not a muscle of his face moved; only by the
sudden light in his eyes did I know that he recognized me.

"The game is to me, monsieur," I said simply.

"Yes," he agreed, "the game is yours, but do not claim the stakes until
I have spoken with you."

"The game is altogether finished, monsieur, and you have lost; you
cannot throw again."

"A fig for the game!" he said; "you have but to raise your voice, and
these bloodhounds will bury their fangs in my heart. I know that, and do
not complain. I ask only a few hours' freedom."

"Surely, monsieur, in the circumstance, that is a strange request!"

"A riddle is always strange when one does not possess the key. For
instance, you believe I have entered Rochelle as a spy."

"Exactly."

"And yet you are mistaken. I suppose you will laugh at my story, but I
must tell it you. You know me only as an opponent."

"A clever and a daring one."

"And yet you foiled me! But that is not to the point. My name is Renaud
L'Estang. My father was a gentleman, poor and without influence; I had
good blood in my veins but no money in my purse. My only chance of
wealth lay in my sword. I sold it to the highest bidder. In short,
monsieur, I am an adventurer, no better and no worse than thousands of
others."

"And in the pay of the League!"

"At present," he corrected, with a courteous inclination of the head,
"in the service of the Duk