hospitality that he might steal. Hark ye, man; if
you have your master's interest at heart, tell him to try to make his
peace with the King by telling him where the jewel lies, for it must be
somewhere concealed. Let him give it up and crave the King's mercy,
before it is too late. Do this, and it may save your life as well."

He turned away, leaving Leoni standing motionless a short distance from
the door, where he remained without stirring until the chamberlain's
footsteps had died away.

CHAPTER FORTY.

A BOY'S RUSE.

The doctor lost no time in thought, but returned to the outer apartment
which he had quitted only a few minutes before, to find that Saint Simon
had joined Denis and was watching by the bed where Francis lay
insensible.

"We must act at once," he said, as they joined him and he gazed at a
narrow window through which the moonlight came. "Our King is in danger
of his life."

Denis's hand went to his sword.

"We will fight to the last," he said, "and die."

"Boy!" exclaimed Leoni contemptuously. "Fight and die! Better act with
craft and live. What! Would you fight an army? Bah! It is not by
that means that we can save his Majesty from this perilous pass."

"Then how?" asked Denis. "Order me to do anything and I will obey."

"I know," said Leoni thoughtfully; "I know." And he took a pace or two
up and down the apartment with his eyes fixed on the floor, while the
two young men watched him narrowly, seeming to be endeavouring to read
his innermost thoughts, the ideas which surged within.

"There is but one thing to be done," said Leoni at last gravely.
"Francis is ill and closely guarded, and his life is doubly in danger,
for Henry's intentions are lad." And as he spoke he looked hard at
Denis, who said not a word.

"And what is that one thing?" asked Saint Simon.

Leoni thought a minute or two before replying.

"It is this," he said at length quietly. "We his followers are free to
go where we list, and Francis must be saved. I, alas, can be nothing in
my plan; but you," he went on, looking direct at Saint Simon, "or Denis,
might save the King."

"How?" exclaimed Denis again, as he firmly met the speaker's peculiar
gaze.

Leoni turned from him, walked slowly to the outer door, opened it as if
about to pass out, and then closed it again, to return quickly to his
two companions, and whispering softly in so low a voice that it was hard
to hear:

"By taking his place whi