you have so few men to command?--and a time of festivity
requires not so severe self denial on your part as a time of danger."

"If I have few men to command," said Crawford, "I have the more need to
keep the knaves in fitting condition; and whether this business be like
to end in feasting or fighting, God and your Majesty know better than
old John of Crawford."

"You surely do not apprehend any danger?" said the King hastily, yet in
a whisper.

"Not I," answered Crawford; "I wish I did; for, as old Earl Tineman [an
Earl of Douglas, so called. S.] used to say, apprehended dangers may
be always defended dangers.--The word for the night, if your Majesty
pleases?"

"Let it be Burgundy, in honour of our host and of a liquor that you
love, Crawford."

"I will quarrel with neither Duke nor drink, so called," said Crawford,
"provided always that both be sound. A good night to your Majesty!"

"A good night, my trusty Scot," said the King, and passed on to his
apartments.

At the door of his bedroom Le Balafre was placed sentinel. "Follow me
hither," said the King, as he passed him; and the Archer accordingly,
like a piece of machinery put into motion by an artist, strode after him
into the apartment, and remained there fixed, silent, and motionless,
attending the royal command.

"Have you heard from that wandering Paladin, your nephew?" said the
King; "for he hath been lost to us, since, like a young knight who had
set out upon his first adventures, he sent us home two prisoners as the
first fruits of his chivalry."

"My Lord, I heard something of that," said Balafre, "and I hope your
Majesty will believe that if he acted wrongfully, it was in no shape by
any precept or example, since I never was so bold as to unhorse any of
your Majesty's most illustrious house, better knowing my own condition,
and--"

"Be silent on that point," said the King; "your nephew did his duty in
the matter."

"There indeed," continued Balafre, "he had the cue from me.--'Quentin,'
said I to him, 'whatever comes of it, remember you belong to the
Scottish Archer Guard, and do your duty whatever comes on't.'"

"I guess he had some such exquisite instructor," said Louis; "but it
concerns me that you answer me my first question.--Have you heard of
your nephew of late?--Stand aback, my masters," he added, addressing the
gentlemen of his chamber, "for this concerneth no ears but mine."

"Surely, please your Majesty," said Balafre, "I have se