much,
was safely in my bosom. This was easily accomplished when Yvard had
turned his back.

We climbed the stair, and after some forty or fifty paces stood inside
the room of which Serigny had spoken to me. I could recognize the
place from his description.

The gaming tables were ranged about in the center of the room, and
about them sat many men--and women, too--at play. On three sides of
the place a row of columns ran some four or five yards from the wall.
These pillars formed convenient alcoves for those who would sit and sip
their wine. Some were curtained, the better to screen their occupants.
Others stood broadly open.

The four of us walked over to a table well out of view and sat down to
wine. It was then I regretted not having already heeded Serigny's
admonition to provide myself with garments more suited to my character,
for I felt I attracted some attention as we passed through the room,
and this was most to be avoided.

We seated ourselves about the table and ordered wine; mine remained
untasted while the others drank. I determined to touch no wine that
night.

"Comrade, you do not drink," Yvard remarked, "is your blood still hot
with the clash of steel?"

"No, by my honor, that is long forgotten; it is my oath, an oath, too,
that can not be broken."

"Ah, to a lady?"

I nodded, and he smiled.

We talked indifferent gossip, and after awhile the Spanish troubles
were mentioned; I think the tall man first spoke of it. Somehow I felt
Yvard's carelessness to be assumed, and that he very much desired to
hear what these two gentlemen would say on a matter so important. His
manner made it plain to me he knew the two gentlemen, and also that
they were men of rank. However, they were quite discreet; while they
talked much, yet they said nothing which was not common talk on the
streets. After a bit they arose to leave, and I was sorely perplexed
whether it were better that I depart with them, now that papers which
might be valuable rested safely against my breast, or had I better stay
and endeavor to learn more from Yvard, who was beginning to drink
heavily. Perhaps a little more liquor might loosen his tongue, and I
might even capture him or his confederate. Discretion would have taken
me away, for that these two gentlemen were powerful enough to protect
me in case of trouble in the house I did not doubt. The bearing of the
elder man especially was such as to inspire confidence.

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