tache
would let no possibility be overlooked. Here at Blagnac the landlord,
Rodenard informed me, was also in Saint-Eustache's pay. Their intention
was to stab me as I slept.

"Monseigneur," he ended, "knowing what danger awaited you along the
road, I have sat up all night, praying God and His saints that you might
come this far, and that thus I might warn you. Had I been less bruised
and sore, I had got myself a horse and ridden out to meet you; as it
was, I could but hope and pray that you would reach Blagnac, and that--"

I gathered him into my arms at that, but my embrace drew a groan from
him, for the poor, faithful knave was very sore.

"My poor Ganymede!" I murmured, and I was more truly moved to sympathy,
I think, than ever I had been in all my selfish life. Hearing his
sobriquet, a look of hope gleamed suddenly in his eye.

"You will take me back, monseigneur?" he pleaded. "You will take me
back, will you not? I swear that I will never let my tongue--"

"Sh, my good Ganymede. Not only will I take you back, but I shall strive
to make amends for my brutality. Come, my friend, you shall have twenty
golden Louis to buy unguents for your poor shoulders."

"Monseigneur is very good," he murmured, whereupon I would have embraced
him again but that he shivered and drew back.

"No, no, monseigneur," he whispered fearfully. "It is a great honour,
but it--it pains me to be touched."

"Then take the will for the deed. And now for these gentlemen below
stairs." I rose and moved to the door.

"Order Gilles to beat their brains out," was Ganymede's merciful
suggestion.

I shook my head. "We might be detained for doing murder. We have no
proof yet of their intentions--I think--" An idea flashed suddenly
across my mind. "Go back to your room, Ganymede," I bade him. "Lock
yourself in, and do not stir until I call you. I do not wish their
suspicions aroused."

I opened the door, and as Ganymede obediently slipped past me and
vanished down the passage "Monsieur l'Hote," I called. "Ho, there,
Gilles!"

"Monsieur," answered the landlord.

"Monseigneur," replied Gilles; and there came a stir below.

"Is aught amiss?" the landlord questioned, a note of concern in his
voice.

"Amiss?" I echoed peevishly, mincing my words as I uttered them. "Pardi!
Must I be put to it to undress myself, whilst those two lazy dogs of
mine are snoring beneath me? Come up this instant, Gilles. And," I added
as an afterthought, "you had