rear, but checked it on the instant,
drew himself up proudly, and folded his arms across his breast.

"Pish!" said Henry impatiently. "I was not going to slay you, boy."
And he thrust his sword back into its sheath and caught the lad by the
shoulder. "Then that was the King of France!"

"Yes, Sire."

"I knew it," cried the King, "and Hurst was right. And you have been
deceiving us all here, lying bandaged in that bed, while he has been
placing himself beyond our reach, bearing away that fateful gem?"

"Yes, Sire; but my word for it, his Majesty the King has never laid
hands upon the jewel, and is not bearing it away."

"Well!" exclaimed the King, with his eyes rolling and his cheeks puffed
out; and then, loosening his fierce grip upon the boy's shoulder, he
staggered back to the nearest chair, dropped into it, and laughed.

The next minute the mirth died out of his half closed eyes, and a scowl
appeared upon his brow, as he fiercely gazed in the eyes that did not
for a moment blench. But the frown died out in a look of admiration, as
he said sharply:

"You springald, to play a part like this, with the executioner's axe
hanging above your neck and waiting to fall. Why did you do this?"

"To save my master, Sire."

"Hah! To the risk of your own life."

"Yes, Sire."

"Speak out, boy--the naked truth. Are you not afraid?"

"Horribly, Sire," replied the boy slowly. "The duty is harder than I
thought."

"Hark ye," cried the King; "are all French boys like you?"

"I hope so, Sire."

"Do you? Well, boy, I don't believe they are. But speak, and don't
turn white like that--a gentleman of France, as you call yourself--a
king's esquire, should not be afraid to die."

Denis was silent perforce, for no words would come.

"A daring young dog!" muttered the King, in a tone so low that it hardly
reached the listener's ears. "Look here, sir," continued Henry, "you
have forfeited your life and stayed me from showing mercy to your
master. Now, sir, would you like to win it back?"

"Gladly, Sire," cried the boy, "but--"

"But what?" said Henry sharply.

"I will not do anything to betray my King."

"Wait till you are asked, boy," said Henry roughly, as he kept his eyes
fixed admiringly upon the lad, who faced him still with a wondrous
command of nerve. "You know that I have the power of life or death?"

Denis bowed his head slowly.

"Well, then, a king cannot stoop to slay even an enemy if he is bra