assure her that she will find me on the Charente,
and that I shall have either taken Cognac, or be occupied in
besieging it."

"If I fail, sir, it shall be from no lack of prudence on my part;
and I hope to prove myself worthy of the high honour that the
prince and yourself have done me, in selecting me for the mission."

"Farewell then," the Admiral said. "I trust that, in ten days'
time, I shall meet you at Cognac. I have arranged with Maitre
Bertram, who will furnish you with the funds necessary for your
expedition."

Philip bowed deeply to the two nobles, and retired with the
merchant. He had directed Pierre to remain among the lackeys at the
foot of the grand staircase, as he would be required presently; and
as he passed through, he beckoned to him to follow.

"You have seen my horses comfortably stabled, Pierre?"

"It was done an hour since, monsieur."

"And my four men understand that they are to remain here, in charge
of them, until I return?"

"Yes, sir. Their own horses are also bestowed here, and mine."

"Very well. We sleep tonight at Maitre Bertram's."

"I am right glad to hear it, sir; for truly this castle is full
from the top to the bottom, and I love not to sleep in a crowd."

"You still have Pierre with you?" the merchant said.

"Yes, and he has turned out an excellent servant. It was a
fortunate day, for me, when I insisted on taking him in spite of
your warning. He is a merry varlet, and yet knows when to joke, and
when to hold his peace. He is an excellent forager--"

"Ah! That I warrant he is," Maitre Bertram put in;

"--And can cook a dinner or a supper with any man in the army. I
would not part with him on any consideration."

"A fellow of that sort, Master Fletcher, is sure to turn out either
a rogue or a handy fellow. I am glad to hear that he has proved the
latter.

"Here we are at the house. At ordinary times we should all be abed
and asleep at this hour, but the place is turned upside down since
the prince and the Admiral arrived; for every citizen has taken in
as many men as his house will hold. I have four gentlemen and
twenty of their retainers lodging here; but I will take you to my
own den, where we can talk undisturbed; for there is much to say
and to arrange, as to this expedition of yours, in which there is
more peril than I should like to encounter. However, that is your
affair. You have undertaken it, and there is nought for me to do,
save to try and make it as