life would not be safe
in France. Farewell, Monsieur Campbell, I have not so many friends that
I can afford to lose so true and stout a one, especially one upon whom
misfortunes have come through his good services to myself. I will send
a messenger to the governor of Nantes with orders that he shall in every
way forward your wishes as to your departure, as it is with my consent
and approval that you are sailing for England. Your devotion has brought
you into the gravest peril, and now it forces you to relinquish your
profession, in which you have so greatly distinguished yourself. Truly,
my friendship for you is genuine, and it cuts me to the heart that,
although I could uphold you against the most powerful nobles in open
enmity, I can do naught to save you from assassination. I trust some
day that I may see you again, but, should it not be so, remember that
I shall always feel myself your debtor; and should you have friends for
whom you may ask my protection be sure that I will for your sake do all
in my power for them."

There was no doubting the real emotion with which Mazarin spoke.

"There is one thing that I forgot," the latter said; "here is a pass for
you to leave the gates at once. You had better go out by the north, so
that they may think that you have ridden to Calais, and then take a wide
detour and ride for Nantes."

Hector returned to the hotel.

"We must mount at once," he said to the troopers; "my enemies have
failed twice, but they might not fail the third time, and by tomorrow
morning it is certain that the hotel will be watched. I have a pass to
issue out through the gate at once."

While he had been away the troopers had bandaged each other's wounds,
and had packed their valises, for they thought it probable after what
had happened that their master would be obliged to fly.

As the horses were being saddled and brought out Hector saw the
innkeeper and paid him his bill.

"Monsieur," he said, "I am going away on business of the cardinal's, and
he desires that none shall know that I have left; therefore I pray you
keep the matter secret as long as you can. It may be reasonably supposed
that after the fray in which we have just been engaged, we might well
keep our beds for a day or two."

Going out in the courtyard, he gave a couple of crowns to the hostler.

"You are like to be asked tomorrow if we are still here," he said. "Give
such answers as to lead them to believe that our horses are st