ay. Abandon
the idea, as you cannot escape alive. There is an armed man beneath
the window, while Pierre or Francois will knock you on the head without
the least hesitation. We all have our orders."

"_Merci!_ It is just as well to know what one has to expect. Do the
orders include starving your prisoner?"

"Here comes Francois in reply to the question; but you must pass your
word not to take advantage if I unbind you."

After a moment's reflection I gave the required promise, upon which
Pillot untied my arms, and then, opening the door, admitted Francois,
who carried the food.

"Here is breakfast, monsieur," said the dwarf, making an elaborate bow.
"It is not as good as the supper we enjoyed together in the village
inn, but Francois has not had much experience in the character of host.
Later on he will doubtless acquit himself better."

CHAPTER XV.

Under Watch and Ward.

As soon as breakfast ended my arms were bound again, and Francois took
his departure, leaving me with Pillot, who could not conceal his
amusement at my plight.

"Pardon me, monsieur," said he laughing, "it is comical! You expected
to trap Francois, and behold, you are caught yourself!"

I tried to look at the rascal sternly, but the humour of the thing
tickled me so, that I joined in the laugh myself. Truly I had gone out
for wool, and should return shorn!

"Tell me," said I presently, "am I forbidden to ask questions?"

"Why, no! Indeed it would be impossible to stop monsieur, unless a gag
were placed in his mouth," and thinking, probably, of the incident at
La Boule d'Or, he showed his teeth in a broad grin.

"A truce to your mummery," I cried; "will you answer my questions?"

"I do not remember that monsieur has asked any?"

"Well, here is one. How long am I to be kept in this den?"

"It is impossible to say precisely, but monsieur will not continue to
occupy this apartment for more than a day or two."

"A day or two?" I thought my ears must have played me false. Noticing
my surprise, he added, "Monsieur will have done his part by that time."

"What will happen then?"

"Ah!" said he, shrugging his shoulders and raising his eyes, "who can
tell? We are all in the hands of Providence."

"True, my friend, but I am also in the hands of De Retz, which is
hardly as pleasant. It seems that I have suddenly become a person of
some consequence!"

"Sufficiently important to have made many enemies, monsieur!"

"De R