at the place, nor how close a description would be
given of his slayer--for there was little doubt that the innkeeper would
infer the true state of affairs on the discovery of the body. The dead
man's people would be clamorous for justice and the officers would be on
their mettle. Even if I might otherwise tarry in Montoire unsuspected,
my insinuating myself into the acquaintance of one of Monsieur de
Merri's friends would in itself be a suspicious move. The more I
considered the whole affair, the more foolish seemed my chosen course.
And yet I could not bear to think of that unknown lady in such great
fear, with perhaps none to aid her: though, indeed, since none but
Monsieur de Merri could save her honour and life, how could I do so?
Well, I could offer my services, at least; perhaps she meant she had
nobody else on whose willingness she could count; perhaps she really
could make as good use of me as of him. But on what pretext could I
offer myself? How could I account to her for my knowledge of her affairs
and for Monsieur de Merri's inability to come to her? To present myself
as his slayer would not very well recommend my services to her. Would
she, indeed, on any account accept my services? And even if she did, was
I clever enough to get her out of the situation she was in, whatever
that might be? Truly the whole case was a cloud. Well, I must take each
particular by itself as I came to it; be guided by circumstance, and
proceed with delicacy. The first thing to do was to find out who the
lady was; and even that could not be done till I got to Montoire, which,
being near Vendome, must be at least two days' journey from La Fleche.

As I thought how much in the dark was the business I had taken on
myself, my mind suddenly reverted to the first of the monk's three
maxims that Blaise Tripault had given me, which now lay folded in my
pocket, close to the lady's note.

"_Never undertake a thing unless you can see your way to the end of
it._"

I could not help smiling to think how soon chance had led me to violate
this excellent rule. But I am not likely to be confronted again by such
circumstances, thought I, and this affair once seen through, I shall be
careful; while the other maxims, being more particular, are easier to
obey, and obey them I certainly will.

I rode on till near midnight, and then, for the sake of the horse as
well as the rider, I turned out of the road at a little stream,
unsaddled among some popl