r naked swords in their hands, entered and ranged
themselves on the side of Lagardere.

"We shall be three!" said Cocardasse.

"We shall be four!" said Passepoil.

The situation was changed, but the situation was still perilous. On the
one side of the splendid room stood Lagardere, with Chavernay,
Cocardasse, and Passepoil, their gleaming weapons ready for attack. On
the other side, with a great gap of space between the two parties, stood
Gonzague and his cluster of light friends, every man of whom had bared
his rapier and was ready to obey the summons of his chief. Behind these
the women huddled together, some screaming, but the most part too
frightened to scream. Flora, overstrained, had fainted.

Lagardere taunted Gonzague. "Come, monseigneur," he said, "are you
afraid? The odds are not so favorable as they were at Caylus."

With a writhing face Gonzague screamed to his friends: "Charge!"

And Lagardere answered with a ringing cry: "I am here!"

In another moment the two parties would have met and blended in battle;
but before Gonzague's followers could obey his command and follow his
lead, they were stiffened into immobility by a sudden knocking at the
golden doors. At that unexpected sound every sword was lowered, and then
from beyond a stern voice came, commanding: "Open, in the king's name!"

XXIX

THE DEAD SPEAKS

Immediately the golden doors were flung open, and Bonnivet entered from
the supper-room, followed by a company of soldiers.

Gonzague turned to Bonnivet, indignant and bewildered. "What does this
mean?" he gasped.

Bonnivet's answer was to salute with his sword, as he announced: "His
majesty the king!" And through the double line of soldiers Louis of
France entered the room with the Princess de Gonzague on his arm.

The king looked with astonishment at the strange scene before him--the
fainting women, the two camps of armed men, the scattered furniture. The
Princess de Gonzague looked only at the girl, who now hung so lovingly
upon the arm of Lagardere.

"Why have I been sent for?" the king asked.

And instantly Lagardere answered him: "To witness my restoration of
Mademoiselle Gabrielle de Nevers to her mother." As he spoke he moved
towards the princess, and gave Gabrielle to her out-stretched arms.

The Princess gave a cry of joy. "She has the face of Louis! She is my
child!"

Gonzague tried to speak, and failed; tried to speak again, and succeeded:
"Your highness, I agai