h things was by no means on the Orleans
highway.

So he commanded Jean-aux-Choux to trouble no more about royal Henries
past, present, and especially Henries to come, but to be off and find
him a cloak.

Then Cabbage Jock, in no haste, simply glanced at the ale-house doors as
they came near Bourg-la-Reine, and at last with a wave of his hand
signalled his three companions to ride on.

When he overtook them an hour afterwards, Bourg-la-Reine was hidden far
behind among the wayside trees. Jean-aux-Choux saluted, and asked in a
quiet man-servant's voice if the honourable Doctor would be pleased to
put on his coat.

"Then, you gallows' rascal," said the Professor of the Sorbonne, "it was
true, after all. You have stolen the cloak, and you would have me, a
respectable citizen, reset the theft!"

Jean-aux-Choux held up his hand.

"Sir," he said, "I have often heard from my masters that it is the
special function of a cook to make ready the soup, and of the Sorbonne
to resolve cases of conscience?"

"Well, then," he went on, as Doctor Anatole did not answer, "here is
one."

"In an ale-house were certain sons of Belial, whose very jesting was
inconvenient, and their words not once to be named among us, as sayeth
the apostle. Well, there came a certain braggart out of this foul
poison-box. He had seen an honest man pass by, fleeing from Paris, with
all his goods laden on a mule. Now this knave would have taken all and
slain the honest merchant as well, had I not passed by, and so
belaboured him that he will not rise from his bed for a fortnight. Then
the good merchant (he was a Jew from the Quartier Saint Jacques) bade
me choose what I would for my recompense. And so from his packages I
chose this fine cloak, fit for the Provost of the Merchants himself, and
with that he thanked me and went his way."

"And what," cried the Abbe John, hugely interested, "became of that
rascal's companions? It is strange that, hearing the racket, they did
not hive out to his assistance! Yesterday they hamstrung a man for
less--an archer of the King's!"

"It would indeed have been somewhat strange," agreed Cabbage Jock, "if,
before our little interview, I had not taken the liberty of locking both
the outer and inner doors of the inn. But they have nothing to complain
about, these good lads. They have a kindly hostess and a full cellar.
E'en let them be content!"

And with no more words he took out of his pouch two keys, one large and