to pick with you. What compensation do you propose to
make for the death of my servant? A decent, quiet fellow, whom you
killed yesterday, poor man, because his enthusiasm for the true faith
carried him away a little."

"Whom I killed because he drew a dagger on M. St. Croix de Caylus at
the Vicomte's gate," I answered steadily. I had thought about this of
course and was ready for it. "You are aware, M. de Bezers," I
continued, "that the Vicomte has jurisdiction extending to life and
death over all persons within the valley?"

"My household excepted," he rejoined quietly.

"Precisely; while they are within the curtilage of your house," I
retorted. "However as the punishment was summary, and the man had no
time to confess himself, I am willing to--"

"Well?"

"To pay Father Pierre to say ten masses for his soul."

The way the Vidame received this surprised me. He broke into
boisterous laughter. "By our Lady, my friend," he cried with rough
merriment, "but you are a joker! You are indeed. Masses? Why the man
was a Protestant!"

And that startled me more than anything which had gone before; more
indeed than I can explain. For it seemed to prove that this man,
laughing his unholy laugh was not like other men. He did not pick and
choose his servants for their religion. He was sure that the Huguenot
would stone his fellow at his bidding; the Catholic cry "Vive Coligny!"
I was so completely taken aback that I found no words to answer him,
and it was Croisette who said smartly, "Then how about his enthusiasm
for the true faith, M. le Vidame?"

"The true faith," he answered--"for my servants is my faith." Then a
thought seemed to strike him. "What is more." he continued slowly,
"that it is the true and only faith for all, thousands will learn
before the world is ten days older. Bear my words in mind, boy! They
will come back to you. And now hear me," he went on in his usual tone,
"I am anxious to accommodate a neighbour. It goes without saying that
I would not think of putting you, M. Anne, to any trouble for the sake
of that rascal of mine. But my people will expect something. Let the
plaguy fellow who caused all this disturbance be given up to me, that I
may hang him; and let us cry quits."

"That is impossible!" I answered coolly. I had no need to ask what he
meant. Give up Pavannes' messenger indeed! Never!

He regarded me--unmoved by my refusal--with a smile under which I
chafed, while I