peated with
dry lips.

'You slept there,' he continued, holding his ground, but shuddering
slightly, either from cold or because he perceived my movement and read
my design in my eyes.

'This morning you remained here in attendance on M. de Rambouillet.'

For the moment I breathed freely again, perceiving that though he knew
much, the one thing on which M. de Rosny's design turned had escaped
him. The secret interview with the king, which compromised alike Henry
himself and M. de Rambouillet, had apparently passed unnoticed and
unsuspected. With a sigh of intense relief I slid back the dagger, which
I had fully made up my mind to use had he known all, and drew my cloak
round me with a shrug of feigned indifference. I sweated to think what
he did know, but our interview with the king having escaped him, I
breathed again.

'Well, sir,' I said curtly, 'I have listened. And now, what is the
purpose of all this?'

'My purpose?' he answered, his eyes glittering. 'To show you that you
are in my power. You are the agent of M. de Rosny. I, the agent, however
humble, of the Holy Catholic League. Of your movements I know all. What
do you know of mine?'

'Knowledge,' I made grim answer, 'is not everything, sir priest.'

'It is more than it was,' he said, smiling his thin-lipped smile. 'It is
going to be more than it is. And I know much--about you, M. de Marsac.'

'You know too much!' I retorted, feeling his covert threats close round
me like the folds of some great serpent. 'But you are imprudent, I
think. Will you tell me what is to prevent me striking you through where
you stand, and ridding myself at a blow of so much knowledge?'

'The presence of three men, M. de Marsac,' he answered lightly, waving
his hand towards M. Francois and the others, 'every one of whom would
give you up to justice. You forget that you are north of the Loire,
and that priests are not to be massacred here with impunity, as in your
lawless south-country. However, enough. The night is cold, and M. d'Agen
grows suspicious as well as impatient. We have, perhaps, spoken too
long already. Permit me--he bowed and drew back a step--'to resume this
discussion to-morrow.'

Despite his politeness and the hollow civility with which he thus
sought; to close the interview, the light of triumph which shone in
his eyes, as the glare of the torch fell athwart them, no less than the
assured tone of his voice, told me clearly that he knew his power.
He seemed