it, will desire nothing so much as to
be friends with your mother again, and never will they leave each other.
But you must take heed that no man knows of this purpose, or all is
lost.'

The young Count, believing, in his innocence, what his uncle said, made
answer that he would gladly do as he was bidden. Then he rode back to
Orthez, and showed his father all the presents and jewels that had been
given to him in Navarre, except the little purse.

Now it was the custom of the young Count to be much in the company of
his brother by another mother, and, as they played together one day,
this boy, named Yvain, caught hold of the little purse which Gaston
wore about his neck under his coat, and asked him what it was. But
Gaston made no answer. Three days later the lads quarrelled over a
stroke at tennis, and Gaston struck Yvain a blow. Yvain ran weeping to
his father, the Count, who asked what ailed him.

[Illustration: 'The Count leaped up, a knife in his hand']

'Gaston struck me,' said he, 'but it is Gaston, not I, who deserves a
blow.'

'What has he done?' asked the Count.

'Ever since he came from his mother's in Navarre he carries about his
neck a little purse full of a powder. But I only know that he says you
and his mother will soon be good friends once more.'

'Ha!' cried the Count, 'do you be silent.'

That day at dinner, as Gaston served the meats, for this was his duty,
the Count called to him, seized his coat, opened it, and, with his
knife, cut the purse from the boy's neck. Gaston said no word, but grew
pale and trembled. The Count opened the purse, spread the powder on a
piece of bread, and threw it to a dog. No sooner had the dog eaten the
bread than his eyes turned round, and he fell dead.

[Illustration: Gaston in prison]

The Count leaped up, a knife in his hand, and would have slain his son
as a traitor, but the knights and esquires, kneeling, prayed him to hold
his hand.

'Perchance,' said they, 'Gaston knew not the nature of that which was in
the purse, and is guiltless in this matter.'

'So be it,' said the Count. 'Hold him prisoner in the tower at your own
peril.'

Then he seized all the companions and friends of Gaston, for they must
have known, he said, that his son carried a purse secretly. Fifteen of
the fairest and noblest of the boys he put to death with horrible
tortures, but they knew nothing and could tell nothing. Then he called
together all his nobles and bishops, and told