nys, M. de Marsac? Well, go down it, keeping the
"Bleeding Heart" on your left. Take the second turning on the same side
after passing the inn. The third house from the corner, on the left
again, consists of a gateway leading to the Hospital of the Holy Cross.
Above the gateway are two windows in the lower story, and above them
two more. The knot lay below the first window you come to. Do you
understand?'

'Perfectly,' I said. 'It is something to be a clerk, Simon.'

He looked at me thoughtfully, but added nothing; and I was busy
tightening my sword-hilt, and disposing my cloak about the lower part
of my face. When I had arranged this to my satisfaction, I took out
and counted over the sum of thirty-five crowns, which I gave to him,
impressing on him the necessity of staying beside my mother should I not
return; for though I proposed to reconnoitre only, and learn if possible
whether mademoiselle was still in Blois, the future was uncertain, and
whereas I was known to my enemies, they were strangers to me.

Having enjoined this duty upon him, I bade my mother a silent farewell,
and, leaving the room, went slowly down the stairs, the picture of her
worn and patient face going with me, and seeming, I remember, to hallow
the purpose I had in my mind.

The clocks were striking the hour before noon as I stepped from the
doorway, and, standing a moment in the lane, looked this way and that
for any sign of espionage. I could detect none, however. The lane was
deserted; and feeling assured that any attempt to mislead my opponents,
who probably knew Blois better than I did, must fail, I made none, but
deliberately took my way towards the 'Bleeding Heart,' in the Rue St.
Denys. The streets presented the same appearance of gloomy suspense
which I had noticed on the previous day. The same groups stood about in
the same corners, the same suspicious glances met me in common with
all other strangers who showed themselves; the same listless inaction
characterised the townsfolk, the same anxious hurry those who came and
went with news. I saw that even here, under the walls of the palace, the
bonds of law and order were strained almost to bursting, and judged that
if there ever was a time in France when right counted for little, and
the strong hand for much, it was this. Such a state of things was not
unfavourable to my present design, and caring little for suspicious
looks, I went resolutely on my way.

I had no difficulty in findi