. He has
been very useful to Monseigneur, and is deep in his secrets."

"But that does not concern me!"

L'Estang looked at me a moment before replying. "It concerns you very
nearly, monsieur. Cordel expects to be paid for his work, and his wages
were agreed upon long ago. They are the estates of Le Blanc, and a
patent of nobility. Cordel flies high."

"It appears so."

"As you know, the estates were confiscated, and he was made receiver for
the crown. That was the first step. Good progress had been made with the
second, when Coligny appealed to the king at Blois."

"You know that?"

"I am acquainted with many things," he answered, smiling. "The king
brought up the subject in Paris; Monseigneur protested, but Charles had
one of his obstinate fits and declared he would do as he pleased.
Monseigneur went to his mother, who talked to Charles with the result
that the papers are still unsigned."

"The Admiral will use his influence," I said.

"The Admiral is a broken reed, monsieur; but if it were not so, your
danger would be just as great. Cordel has been in Paris: he is furious
at the check to his plans, and afraid lest they should be overthrown. He
can see but one way out of the difficulty."

"And that?"

"Is obvious; you are the obstacle in his path, and he intends to remove
it."

"You mean that he will try to take my life?"

"If you were dead, he would obtain the estates without trouble, and the
patent would follow."

"Pshaw!" I exclaimed, "Etienne Cordel is too timorous a knave to play
with naked steel, or even to fire a pistol from behind a hedge!"

"But not too timorous to employ others," said L'Estang. "There are
scores of ruffians in Paris ready to earn a few crowns, and Cordel knows
where to seek them. That is what brought me here to-night. Weigh well
what I say, monsieur. This rascal has marked you down, and sleeping or
waking your life is in danger."

I thanked the kind-hearted adventurer warmly for his service--it was
strange to think that but for a trifling accident he might have been
earning Cordel's pay--and promised to observe the greatest caution.

"If I learn anything more," he said, "I will send you a note by a trusty
messenger, and that you may be sure it comes from me I will sign it
D'Angely."

"A good suggestion, monsieur. Now, there is still time for an hour or
two's sleep before starting on your journey."

"I must not be here at daylight: if Cordel recognizes me, I can do you