to counterfeit men's voices. I
know the man. Run, Father Francois, run!"

"You are distraught with very grief," said the good father, the tears
running down his own cheeks; "that is Brother Thomas, the best
artilleryman in France, and Flavy's chief trust with the couleuvrine. He
came in but four days agone, and there was great joy of his coming."

Thus was the Maid taken, by art and device of the devil and Brother
Thomas, and in no otherwise. They who tell that Flavy sold her, closing
the gates in her face, do him wrong; he was an ill man, but loyal to
France, as was seen by the very defence he made at Compiegne, for there
was none like it in this war. But of what avail was that to us who loved
the Maid? Rather, many times, would I have died in that hour than have
seen what I saw. For our enemies made no more tarrying, nor any
onslaught on the boulevard, but rode swiftly back with the prize they had
taken, with her whom they feared more than any knight or captain of
France. This page whereon I work, in a hand feeble and old, and weary
with much writing, is blotted with tears that will not be held in. But
we must bow humbly to the will of God and of His Saints. "Dominus dedit,
et Dominus abstulit; benedictum sit nomen Domini."

Wherefore should I say more? They carried me back in litter over the
bridge, through the growing darkness. Every church was full of women
weeping and praying for her that was the friend of them, and the playmate
of their children, for all children she dearly loved.

Concerning Flavy, it was said, by them who loved him not, that he showed
no sign of sorrow. But when his own brother Louis fell, later in the
siege, a brother whom he dearly loved, none saw him weep, or alter the
fashion of his countenance; nay, he bade musicians play music before him.

I besought the Prior, when I was borne home, that I might be carried to
Flavy, and tell him that I knew. But he forbade me, saying that, in very
truth, I knew nought, or nothing that could be brought against a
Churchman, and one in a place of trust. For I had not seen the lips of
the cordelier move when that command was given--nay, at the moment I saw
him not at all. Nor could I even prove to others that he had this
devilish art, there being but my oath against his, and assuredly he would
deny the thing. And though I might be assured and certain within myself,
yet other witness I had none at all, nor were any of my friends there who