monsieur, the news could not have been kept from you for long.
Besides, the journey to Blois would have given the lawyer the very
chance he wanted. It would have suited him better for the letter to have
reached you. Then his ruffians would have waited, and have waylaid you
on the road."

"He might not have thought of that!"

"It would not have needed much cunning, monsieur!"

"There is just one other solution possible," I said. "You remember the
man who came here on the night of the wild storm? You did not recognize
him, but--"

"I am hardly likely to forget the man who tried hard to kill both of
us!" interrupted Jacques.

"You have kept your knowledge very close then!" I replied.

"I had no wish to pry into your secrets, monsieur."

"It was not exactly a secret. Something happened while you were with
the Count of St Cyr. I had this man's life in my hand, and spared it."

Jacques shrugged his shoulders as if to imply that he had hardly thought
me capable of acting so foolishly.

"He is in Monseigneur's service, and, as you know, came to warn me
against Etienne Cordel. He promised, if he could ferret out the lawyer's
schemes, to write to me."

"Do you really trust this fellow, monsieur?"

"He bears no love to those of the Religion," I answered; "but for me
personally I believe he would lay down his life."

"Very good," said Jacques, as if argument was utterly useless against
such folly.

"I was thinking it possible that in coming to or going from Le Blanc he
was recognized. If so, the lawyer would be put on his guard."

"There is certainly something in that, monsieur."

"And if he sent me a warning message, it would be to Cordel's interest
to secure it."

"'Twould be easy to test the truth of the matter," said Jacques. "This
fellow will be with Monseigneur; let me go to him, and put the question
directly. In that way, if you are right, we shall get at the lawyer's
schemes in spite of his villainy. I will not loiter on the road, and I
don't see how any danger can happen to you before my return."

We talked the plan over, and at length I agreed that Jacques should
start on the journey the next morning. I gave him the name of my strange
friend, and he promised to get to work with the utmost caution.

"It is possible," I remarked, "you will find him at Blois, and in that
case you will have an opportunity of talking with Monsieur Bellievre.
Tell him that Mademoiselle Jeanne is accompanying the Queen of