and dropped the
curtain behind him.

Nancay looked after him, his face pale with rage. "Curse him!" he
whispered, rubbing his wrist. "If he were any one else I would teach
him! But he would as soon run you through in the presence as in the Pre
aux Clercs! And his brother, the Marshal, has the King's ear! And
Madame Catherine's too, which is worse!"

He was still fuming, when an officer in the colours of Monsieur, the
King's brother, entered hurriedly, and keeping his hand on the curtain,
looked anxiously round the Chamber. As soon as his eye found Nancay, his
face cleared.

"Have you the reckoning?" he muttered.

"There are seventeen Huguenots in the palace besides their Highnesses,"
Nancay replied, in the same cautious tone. "Not counting two or three
who are neither the one thing nor the other. In addition, there are the
two Montmorencies; but they are to go safe for fear of their brother, who
is not in the trap. He is too like his father, the old Bench-burner, to
be lightly wronged! And, besides, there is Pare, who is to go to his
Majesty's closet as soon as the gates are shut. If the King decides to
save any one else, he will send him to his closet. So 'tis all clear and
arranged here. If you are forward outside, it will be well! Who deals
with the gentleman with the tooth-pick?"

"The Admiral? Monsieur, Guise, and the Grand Prior; Cosseins and Besme
have charge. 'Tis to be done first. Then the Provost will raise the
town. He will have a body of stout fellows ready at three or four
rendezvous, so that the fire may blaze up everywhere at once. Marcel,
the ex-provost, has the same commission south of the river. Orders to
light the town as for a frolic have been given, and the Halles will be
ready."

Nancay nodded, reflected a moment, and then with an involuntary shudder--

"God!" he exclaimed, "it will shake the world!"

"You think so?"

"Ay, will it not!" His next words showed that he bore Tavannes' warning
in mind. "For me, my friend, I go in mail to-night," he said. "There
will be many a score paid before morning, besides his Majesty's. And
many a left-handed blow will be struck in the _melee_!"

The other crossed himself. "Grant none light here!" he said devoutly.
And with a last look he nodded and went out.

In the doorway he jostled a person who was in the act of entering. It
was M. de Tignonville, who, seeing Nancay at his elbow, saluted him, and
stood looking round. The