oath over the corpse, and all the
household and our own guards can bear witness.'

'The witnesses are here,' said Narcisse, pointing to the servants,
ill-looking men, who immediately began to depose to having found their
master purple-faced and struggling in the hands of the two young men,
who had been left alone with him after dinner.

Berenger felt that there was little use in self-defence. It was a
fabrication the more easily to secure his cousin's purpose of destroying
him, and his best hope lay in passing into the hands of persons who were
less directly interested in his ruin. He drew himself up to his full
height, saying, 'If there be justice in France, our innocence will be
proved. I demand, sir, that you examine the abbess, the priest, the
steward, the sergeant of gendarmes: they are impartial witnesses, and
will serve the King's justice, if justice be his purpose. Or, if this be
but M. de Nid-de-Merle's way of completing the work he left unfinished
four years ago, I am ready. Only let my brother go free. He is heir to
nothing here.'

'Enough, sir. Words against the King's justice will be reckoned against
you,' said the officer. 'I shall do myself the honour of attending the
funeral the day after to-morrow, and then I shall convey you to Tours,
to answer for this deed at your leisure. Monsieur le Marquis, are the
prisoners secure here, or would you have them _garde a vue_.'

'No need for that,' said Narcisse, lightly; 'had there been any exit
they would have found it long ago. Your good fellows outside the door
keep them safe enough. M. le Baron de Ribaumont, I have the honour to
wish you a good morning.'

Berenger returned his bow with one full of defiance, and the door was
again locked upon the prisoners; while Philip exclaimed, 'The cowardly
villain, Berry; is it a hanging matter?'

'Not for noble blood,' said Berenger. 'We are more likely to be brought
to no trial, but to lie prisoners for life;' then, as Philip grew white
and shivered with a sick horror, he added bravely, 'But they shall not
have us, Philip. We know the vaults well enough to play at hide and seek
with them there, and even if we find no egress we may hold out till they
think us fled and leave open the doors!'

Philip's face lighted up again, and they did their best by way of
preparation, collecting wood for torches, and putting aside food at
their meals. It was a very forlorn hope, but the occupation it caused
was effectual in keepin