you or no."

"Then settle in your own mind," said his uncle, "whether you choose to
do so, or be hanged--for I promise you, that, nephew of mine as you are,
I see no other chance of your 'scaping the gallows."

This was an unanswerable argument, and reduced Quentin at once to
acquiesce in what he might have otherwise considered as no very
agreeable proposal; but the recent escape from the halter, which had
been actually around his neck, would probably have reconciled him to a
worse alternative than was proposed.

"He must go home with us to our caserne," said Cunningham; "there is
no safety for him out of our bounds, whilst these man hunters are
prowling."

"May I not then abide for this night at the hostelry where I
breakfasted, fair uncle?" said the youth--thinking, perhaps, like many a
new recruit, that even a single night of freedom was something gained.

"Yes, fair nephew," answered his uncle, ironically, "that we may have
the pleasure of fishing you out of some canal or moat, or perhaps out
of a loop of the Loire, knit up in a sack for the greater convenience
of swimming--for that is like to be the end on't. The Provost Marshal
smiled on us when we parted," continued he, addressing Cunningham, "and
that is a sign his thoughts were dangerous."

"I care not for his danger," said Cunningham; "such game as we are
beyond his bird bolts. But I would have thee tell the whole to the
Devil's Oliver [Oliver Dain: Oliver's name, or nickname, was Le Diable,
which was bestowed on him by public hatred, in exchange for Le Daim, or
Le Dain. He was originally the King's barber, but afterwards a favourite
counsellor. S.], who is always a good friend to the Scottish Guard, and
will see Father Louis before the Provost can, for he is to shave him
tomorrow."

"But hark you," said Balafre, "it is ill going to Oliver empty handed,
and I am as bare as the birch in December."

"So are we all," said Cunningham. "Oliver must not scruple to take our
Scottish words for once. We will make up something handsome among us
against the next payday; and if he expects to share, let me tell you,
the payday will come about all the sooner."

"And now for the Chateau," said Balafre; "and my nephew shall tell us by
the way how he brought the Provost Marshal on his shoulders, that we may
know how to frame our report both to Crawford and Oliver."

CHAPTER VII: THE ENROLMENT

Justice of Peace.--
Here, hand me down the statute--rea