too much.
I have business in Paris which will occupy me for a few days;
therefore I will leave them here, for a rest. I suppose you can
furnish me with two horses, to take me as far as Saint Cloud, and a
man to bring them back again."

"Certainly I can, sir, and your horses shall be well looked after,
here."

"Then we will go on, the first thing in the morning. Have the
horses ready by that time."

The next morning they rode to Saint Cloud, dismounted there, and
handed over the horses to the man who had ridden behind them. Then
they crossed by the bridge over the river and, entering the wood
that bordered the Seine, put on the disguises they had brought with
them--concealing their clothes among some thick bushes--and then
walked on into Paris.

They put up at a small inn and, as they partook of a meal, listened
to the talk of those around them. But it was not here that they
could expect to gather the news they required. They heard the names
of many of those who had been killed, but these were all leaders of
distinction; and as soon as they had finished their food, they
started for the Louvre.

"I don't see how we are to find out what we want, now we are here,
Pierre," Philip said, after they had stood for some time, looking
at the gate through which numbers of gentlemen entered or left the
palace.

"It will take some little time, sir," Pierre said. "I think the
best plan will be for me to purchase some clothes, suitable for the
lackey of a gentleman of rank. I can get them easily enough, for
the shops will be full of garments, bought of those who took part
in the massacre. Then I shall make acquaintance with one of the
lackeys of the court and, with plenty of good wine, I shall no
doubt be able to learn all that he knows as to what took place at
the Louvre."

At that moment a gentleman passed them.

"That is Count Louis de Fontaine, the cousin of the man I killed in
that duel. I am sure it is he. By what I saw of him, he is a
gentleman and a man of honour, and by no means ill disposed towards
us.

"I will speak to him. Do you stay here, till I return."

Pierre was about to protest, but Philip had already left him, and
was following the count. He waited until they were in a
comparatively quiet place, and then walked on and overtook him.

"Count Louis de Fontaine," he said.

The nobleman turned, in surprise, at being addressed by this big
countryman.

Philip went on:

"Our acquaintance was a short o