nuded of every emblem of wealth, of every sign of
power; as a poor fugitive gentleman, I came, hunted, proscribed, and
penniless--for Lesperon's estate would assuredly suffer sequestration.
To win her thus would, by my faith, be an exploit I might take pride in,
a worthy achievement to encompass.

And so I left things as they were, and since I offered no denial to the
identity that was thrust upon me, as Lesperon I continued to be known to
the Vicomte and to his family.

Presently he called the old man to my bedside and I heard them talking
of my condition.

"You think, then, Anatole," he said in the end, "that in three or four
days Monsieur de Lesperon may be able to rise?"

"I am assured of it," replied the old servant.

Whereupon, turning to me, "Be therefore of good courage, monsieur," said
Lavedan, "for your hurt is none so grievous after all."

I was muttering my thanks and my assurances that I was in excellent
spirits, when we were suddenly disturbed by a rumbling noise as of
distant thunder.

"Mort Dieu!" swore the Vicomte, a look of alarm coming into his face.
With a bent head, he stood in a listening attitude.

"What is it?" I inquired.

"Horsemen--on the drawbridge," he answered shortly. "A troop, by the
sound."

And then, in confirmation of these words, followed a stamping and rattle
of hoofs on the flags of the courtyard below. The old servant stood
wringing his hands in helpless terror, and wailing, "Monsieur,
monsieur!"

But the Vicomte crossed rapidly to the window and looked out. Then he
laughed with intense relief; and in a wondering voice "They are not
troopers," he announced. "They have more the air of a company of
servants in private livery; and there is a carriage--pardieu, two
carriages!"

At once the memory of Rodenard and my followers occurred to me, and I
thanked Heaven that I was abed where he might not see me, and that thus
he would probably be sent forth empty-handed with the news that his
master was neither arrived nor expected.

But in that surmise I went too fast. Ganymede was of a tenacious mettle,
and of this he now afforded proof. Upon learning that naught was known
of the Marquis de Bardelys at Lavedan, my faithful henchman announced
his intention to remain there and await me, since that was, he assured
the Vicomte, my destination.

"My first impulse," said Lavedan, when later he came to tell me of it,
"was incontinently to order his departure. But upon considering