carried his sword
in a baldrick of pearls. In his hat waved a splendid plume of
feathers, and the trappings of his white horse were of scarlet adorned
with pearls. The spectators could not contain themselves, but clapped
their hands and cried "Bravo!" vigorously.

After the Light Horse came the Hundred Swiss in their romantic costume,
and then a crowd of gentlemen, followed by the marshals of France--one
carrying the King's sword, with the scabbard resting on his arm. Then
a thundering roar broke out, and the people appeared beside themselves
with delight.

"Live the King!" they cried. "God bless him!" "God save his Majesty!"

I craned my neck as eagerly as any other sightseer, as our youthful
monarch approached. He was truly a handsome boy, and managed his fiery
horse with the grace and skill of an accomplished rider.

"What a King he will be!" exclaimed one bystander. "He will bring back
the glory to our country. _Vive le Roi! Vive le Roi!_" and again
there was an outburst of cheering.

No one paid any attention to the princes and nobles following him; all
the cheers were for the King and the King alone.

I observed Raoul ride by, and presently John Humphreys appeared with
the guards who surrounded the Queen's carriage. Raoul was smiling,
for, like a true Parisian, he enjoyed a pretty show, but the Englishman
strode along as if he had a mind to be done with the business. Just as
he was on a level with me I received a great surprise. On the other
side of the road a little man had pushed himself right into the front
line of spectators, and was gazing anxiously up and down as if
expecting to recognise some one.

"Why, surely," I said, half aloud, "that is my old acquaintance,
Pillot!" and, looking a second time I became sure of it.

The dwarf seemed ill at ease, and altogether unlike his usual self.
His face, too, was white and pinched, as if he had been suffering from
a severe illness.

"_Parbleu!_" I muttered, "one would not think he had but just returned
from the country! Perhaps he missed the air of Paris! Anyhow, I am
glad he is back, as now I shall learn the truth as to my cousin's
death. When the procession is gone by I will beckon to him to come
over."

At that moment Pillot caught sight of me; he became more nervous than
before, and to my astonishment instantly began edging back into the
crowd till he was lost to view. Now this curious behaviour set me
thinking. Why should Pillot end