igned to
him to rise.

"Well, captain," cried the King bluffly, "what have you to report? You
have captured the French pigeons which escaped their cage, and brought
them back with all that they took away?"

"No, Sire," said the captain shortly.

"What!" roared the King, in a voice of thunder; and there was utter
stillness in the great chamber as, in no wise abashed, the captain went
on:

"Six companies of horse, Sire, have searched every road and every
village on the way towards London, and six more companies have harried
every place on both sides the river from here to--"

"Bah!" roared the King. "Out of my sight! Go!"

The captain saluted, and began to walk backwards, the rowels of his
spurs clinking, while his armour crackled loudly as he made his way; but
before he was half the distance towards the door he was brought up short
by the royal thunder which exploded with one sharp crack about his ears.

"Stop! At eight to-morrow let the outer court be filled with my archers
of the guard and my horses ready. I will take up this quest myself."

He rose to go, as the captain again saluted, and there was a sharp
rustling of garments throughout the great chamber as the courtiers who
had been present at the supper rose, when to the surprise of all the
great door was once more thrown open, and one of the Court functionaries
stepped quickly forward and in a loud clear voice announced:

"His Majesty the King of France."

There was a peculiar thrill running through the great chamber, and then
a heavy bang as Henry in his astonishment gave vent to his feelings in a
truly English way, for he brought down his clenched fist upon the table
with a thud which made the silver flagons leap, and one, the tallest on
the table, thin and weak with age, missed its footing and came down upon
its side, seeming to bleed the rich red wine in a little pool.

The next moment, with bandaged head erect and flashing eyes, Francis
appeared in the doorway, resting upon Leoni's arm, Saint Simon slightly
behind on the other side ready to support his master should he want his
help.

But none was needed. Francis stood for a few moments gazing towards the
upper table where the King was standing, and his quick clear glance took
in the position in a moment, for he had seen Denis standing a little to
Henry's left.

Then with a quick movement Francis thrust back Leoni's arm and walked
proudly up towards Henry's chair bowing slightly once to