ggestion here, I took up my station at
the tree from which the messenger had shown the handkerchief. I thought
of climbing it, to see over the wall. But just as I had formed my
resolution, I happened to glance over the fields and see a man strolling
idly along near the edge of the moat. As he came nearer, I recognized
him as the long-nosed gentleman in the brown doublet and hose.

He saw me, and gazed, in his absent way, with a momentary curiosity.
Angry at being caught almost in the act of spying out the land, I
hastened off, passing between the rear wall and the forest which grew
nearly to the moat, and to which the tree itself belonged. In this way,
I soon left my long-nosed friend behind, and came out on the opposite
side of the chateau.

Here I found a hillock, from the top of which I could see more of the
chateau proper and the other contents of the great walled enclosure. I
sat for some time regarding them, but the towers, turrets, roofs,
windows, and tree tops engendered no project in my mind.

Suddenly I heard a low, discreet cough behind me, and, looking around,
saw the long-nosed man standing not six feet away.

The sight gave me a start, for I had neither heard nor seen him
approach, though the way I had come was within my field of vision. He
must have made a wide circle through the woods.

His mild eyes were upon me. "Good morning, Monsieur," said he, in a dry,
small voice.

"Good morning," said I, rather ungraciously.

He came close to me, and said, with a faint look of amusement:

"May I tell you what is your chief thought at present, Monsieur?"

After a moment, I deemed it best to answer, "If you wish."

"It is that you would give half the money in your purse to get into that
chateau yonder."

At first I could only look astonishment. Then I considered it wise to
take his remark as a joke; accordingly I laughed, and asked, "How do you
know that?"

"Oh, I have observed you yesterday and to-day. You have a very eloquent
countenance, Monsieur. Well, I don't blame you for wishing you could get
over those walls. I have been young myself: I know what an attraction a
pretty maid is."

So he thought it was some love affair with a lady's maid that lay behind
the wish he had divined in me. I saw no reason to undeceive him; so I
merely said, "And what is all this to you, Monsieur?"

"Hum!--that depends," he replied. "Tell me first, are you known to the
Count de Lavardin or his principal people--by s