ged, a plan of campaign to be decided upon; and it struck La
Mothe as curious that the man who scoffed at make-believe in a boy
could yet seize upon make-believe for his own purposes.

"The King does not wish me to arrive at Amboise with you," began La
Mothe, and it is to his credit that he spoke with hesitation. To
Commines, as Commines himself had said, he owed everything, and yet it
seemed as if already he had come between Commines and the King's
confidence. And yet, just because he was in the King's confidence it
was not easy to keep a touch of importance out of his voice. It was as
if he said, "The King and I have decided so-and-so, and you are to
stand aside." But the bubble of his complacency was soon pricked.

"At Chateau-Renaud you will stay behind after we have dined," answered
Commines, "nor will you leave the inn until three o'clock. You will
then go on foot to Limeray, where you will cross the Eisse, and take
the Tours road until west of Amboise. You are then to ford the Loire
at Grand-Vouvray and enter Amboise from the south. Once in Amboise ask
for the Chien Noir and put up there for the night."

"So you know all about it," said La Mothe, crest-fallen. Nor was it
simply that Commines knew all about it, it seemed he knew much more
than La Mothe himself.

"Except that at the Chien Noir you will find some one who can open the
doors of the Chateau to you I know nothing, and I want to know nothing.
There you are to obey orders, but to have your time to yourself; and,
my son, my son, pray God there may be no orders to give."

"But the King told me nothing of all this last night."

"It is enough that he told me this morning," answered Commines drily.
"You need not look downcast; it is his custom to divide his
instructions."

But La Mothe had another objection, and one so obvious that he
marvelled how it had escaped Commines' notice.

"One thing the King forgets. To enter Amboise as a stranger will be
impossible. Riding behind us there are twelve good reasons why I
should be recognized."

"Do you take us for fools?" retorted Commines. Turning in his saddle
he pointed backwards. Valmy was still in sight, and a keen eye could
have detected the meagre grey figure above the outlines of the grey
walls. "What is that to the right of the castle?"

"Valmy gallows."

"And from it hang three good reasons why the twelve will keep silence.
The King's grip is as sure in Amboise as it is in Valmy; it