story went, when I was
at Dunkerque some years ago, that Count Victor Jean, if all his other
natural gifts had failed him, might have made a noble fortune as a
_maitre d'escrime_. Sir, I am an indifferent hand with the rapier
myself, but I aye liked to see a man that was its master."

"You are very good," said Montaiglon, "and yet such a reputation,
exaggerated as I fear it may be, is not, by my faith! the one I should
desire under the circumstances that, as you have doubtless further
heard, bring me here."

"About that, M. Montaiglon, it is perhaps as well that the Duke of
Argyll's Chamberlain should know nothing at all. You are a wild lot, my
gallant Jacobites"--he laughed softly as he spoke. "Between ourselves
I have been more than bottle friends with some lovable persons on
your side of the house, and you will be good enough to consider Simon
MacTaggart no politician, though the Duke's Chamberlain _ex officio_ is
bound to be enemy to every man who will not swear King George the best
of monarchs."

"From what I know of affairs in Europe now, and for all our heroics
of invasion," said Count Victor, "his Majesty is like to remain in
undisputed possession, and you may take my word for it, no affair of
high politics is responsible for my being here. Monsieur himself has
doubtless had affairs. I am seeking but for one man--"

"Drimdarroch," said the Chamberlain. "So the lady told me. Our
Drimdarroch will not provide very much interest for a _maitre
d'escrime_," and he laughed as he pictured Petullo the writer shivering
before a flash of steel.

"Ah! you speak of the lawyer: Doom told me of him, and as he was good
enough to interest himself in my lodging in this place, I must make
him my compliments at the earliest and tell him I have settled down for
myself in the _auberge_."

"To that much at least I can help you, though in the other affair
I'm neutral in spite of my interest in any ploy of the kind. There's
Petullo's house across the way; I'm on certain terms with him; if you
care, we could see him now."

"_Le plus tot sera le mieux!_" said Count Victor.

The Chamberlain led the way.

CHAPTER XXII -- THE LONELY LADY

When Petullo's work was done of an evening it was his practice to sit
with his wife in their huge and draughty parlour, practising the good
husband and the domestic virtues in an upright zealous manner, such as
one may read of in the books. A noble thing to do, but what's the good
of it