with their tales, will spread a report that Conde
himself, with a whole host of horsemen, is around them."

Philip found all going on well, as he returned through the
villages, the scare being so great that none thought of disobeying
the orders; and in a couple of hours he rejoined Francois, having
seen the whole of the Huguenot population of the villages well on
their way.

"Now, Philip, we will go and summon the town. First of all, though,
let us get a complete list of the names of our prisoners."

These were all written down, and then the two leaders, with their
eight men-at-arms, rode towards the gates of Niort, a white flag
being raised on one of the lances.

Chapter 9: An Important Mission.

"We have made an excellent haul," Francois said as, while awaiting
the answer to their signal, they looked down the list of names.
"Among the gentlemen are several connected with some of the most
important Catholic families of Poitou. The more shame to them, for
being engaged in so rascally a business; though when the court and
the king, Lorraine and the Guises, set the example of persecution,
one can scarcely blame the lesser gentry, who wish to ingratiate
themselves with the authorities, for doing the same.

"Of the citizens we have got one of the magistrates, and four or
five other prominent men; whom I know, by reputation, as having
been among the foremost to stir up the people against the
Huguenots. These fellows I could hang up with pleasure, and would
do so, were it not that we need them to exchange for our friends.

"Then we have got thirty priests. The names of two of them I know
as popular preachers who, after the last peace was made, denounced
the king and his mother as Ahab and Jezebel, for making terms with
us. They, too, were it not for their sacred office, I could string
up without having any weight upon my conscience.

"Ah! There is the white flag. Let us ride forward."

The gates remained closed, and they rode up to within a hundred
yards of them. In a few minutes several persons made their
appearance on the wall over the gateway, and they then advanced to
within twenty paces of the gate.

Then one from the wall said:

"I am John De Luc, royal commissioner of this town. This is the
reverend bishop of the town. This is the maire, and these the
magistrates. To whom am I speaking?"

"I am the Count Francois de Laville," Francois replied; "and I now
represent the gentlemen who have come hithe