e who gave voice to the cry with hearts that rebelled, with
clear brains questioning the right of one man to plunge a whole people
into renewed slaughter. These held their peace for the sake of their
necks. "_I am the State_," Louis had declared, and such ideas were not
for the canaille to have; they must curb their tongues to cheat the
gibbet. Being a soldier and under orders, I had no right to form
opinions, but, sobered in some degree by these reflections, paced about
until it came time to take horse and away.

"In the name of the wandering Ulysses, Placide, where have you been
these two good hours?" said Jerome, suddenly coming toward me.

"Has it been so long? I tired of the crowd and strolled alone through
the gardens."

His quick eye caught sight of the handkerchief tucked snugly in my belt.

"A lady? And so soon?" he bantered me.

My tell-tale flush permitted no denial, nor did I care to discuss it.
As we talked we drifted into a small room just off the main hall.

"By the way, Placide, had we better not place our dispatches in some
safe hiding until we leave here? It might be suspected we have them.
The devil only knows what that scheming de Valence and du Maine may not
unearth. Their spies are everywhere."

I agreed with him. It was as well; anything to gain time and allay
suspicion. But I understood my lady's warning was true; his
earnestness convinced me.

"Where do you carry them?"

"Sewn in the lining of my cloak," I replied. A lie, but pardonable.

"Why, you careless fellow; they maybe lost. Where is your cloak?"
seeing I did not have it.

"In charge of Damien; he is trusty."

"Better have it yourself; wait here, I will go and fetch it."

I congratulated myself on this diplomatic stroke, for Jerome was about
to start off in all haste when Damien himself appeared, and before I
could stop him, delivered the message.

"The horses are saddled and at the door."

"Go and wait with them."

Jerome had taken my cloak from the fellow's arm, for in fact he had it,
and now laid it across his knee. His blank expression showed utter
astonishment at the disclosure.

"What does this mean? We are to rest here to-night?"

"No; I ride to Paris."

"Why?"

"I am afraid."

"Of what?"

"Of everything. We are in the house of our enemies, and it is the
quality of courage to be discreet."

During this brief dialogue Jerome was stealthily running his hands
through the lining of my cloak