r bonnets. "There, messieurs, you are now
wearing honest colours for all to see. It is well, for presently blood
will be hot and eyes blind."

Gaspard flung him a piece of gold, and he bowed himself out. "Bonne
fortune, lordships," were his parting words. "'Twill be a great night
for our Lord Christ and our Lord King."

"And his lord the Devil," said Champernoun. "What madness has taken your
good France? These are Spanish manners, and they sicken me. Cockades and
signals and such-like flummery!"

The other's face had grown sober. "For certain hell is afoot to-night.
It is the Admiral they seek. The Guisards and their reiters and a pack
of 'prentices maddened by sermons. I would to God he were in the Palace
with the King of Navarre and the young Conde."

"But he is well guarded. I heard that a hundred Huguenots' swords keep
watch by his house."

"Maybe. But we of the religion are too bold and too trustful. We are
not match for the Guises and their Italian tricks. I think we will go
to Coligny's lodgings. Mounted, for a man on a horse has an advantage if
the mob are out!"

The two left the tavern, both sniffing the air as if they found it
tainted. The streets were filling now, and men were running as if to
a rendezvous, running hot-foot without speech and without lights. Most
wore white crosses on their left sleeve. The horses waited, already
saddled, in stables not a furlong apart, and it was the work of a minute
to bridle and mount. The two as if by a common impulse halted their
beasts at the mouth of the Rue du Coq, and listened. The city was quiet
on the surface, but there was a low deep undercurrent of sound, like the
soft purring of a lion before he roars. The sky was bright with stars.
There was no moon, but over the Isle was a faint tremulous glow.

"It is long past midnight," said Gaspard; "in a little it will be dawn."

Suddenly a shot cracked out. It was so sharp a sound among the muffled
noises that it stung the ear like a whip-lash. It came from the dark
mass of the Louvre, from somewhere beyond the Grand Jardin. It was
followed instantly by a hubbub far down the Rue St. Honore and a glare
kindled where that street joined the Rue d'Arbre Sec.

"That way lies the Admiral," Gaspard cried. "I go to him," and he
clapped spurs to his horse.

But as his beast leapt forward another sound broke out, coming
apparently from above their heads. It was the clanging of a great bell.

There is no music so domin