soldier. It is to be regretted you did not place your fortune with
mine--but it is too late now."

"Yes," answered the _plaisant_, "it is too late."

Louis of Hochfels gave him a sharp look. "You cling yet to some
forlorn hope?"

To the fool came the vision of a brother jester speeding southward,
ever southward. The free baron smiled.

"Caillette, perhaps?" he suggested. For a moment he enjoyed his
triumph, watching the expression of the fool's countenance, whereon he
fancied he read dismay and astonishment.

"You know then?" said the _plaisant_ finally.

"That you sent him to the emperor? Yes."

In the fool's countenance, or his manner, the king's guest sought
confirmation of the dying trooper's words. Also, was he fencing for
such additional information as he might glean, and for this purpose had
he come. Had the emperor really gone to Spain? The soldier's
assurance had been so faint, sometimes the free baron wondered if he
had heard aright, or if he had correctly interpreted the meager message.

"And you--of course--detained Caillette?" remarked the prisoner, with
an effort at indifference, his heart beating violently the while.

"No," slowly returned the other. "He got away."

Into his eyes the fool gazed closely, as if to read and test this
unexpected statement.

"Got away!" he repeated. "How, since you knew?"

"Because I learned too late," quietly replied the free baron. "He was
four-and-twenty hours gone when I found out. Too great a start to be
overcome."

"Why should you tell me this--unless it is a lie?" coolly asked the
jester.

"A lie!" exclaimed the visitor, frowning.

"Yes, like your very presence in Francis' court," added the fool,
fearlessly.

In the silence ensuing the passion slowly faded from the countenance of
the king's guest. He remembered he had not yet ascertained what he
wished to know.

"Such recriminations from you remind me of a bird beating its wings
against the bars of its cage," at length came the unruffled response.
"Why should I lie? There is no need for it. You sent Caillette; he is
on his way now, for all of me. For"--leading to the thread of what he
sought--"why should I have stopped him? He embarked on a hopeless
chase. How can he reach Austria and the emperor in time to prevent the
marriage?"

The jester's swift questioning glance was not lost upon the speaker,
who, after a pause, continued. "Had I known, I am not sure I would
have prevent