uld
certainly show his good taste.

Jeanne laughed and blushed, calling him a flatterer, but she was very
happy, and her eyes were sparkling with pleasure.

As our visit drew to a close, she contrived to whisper: "I have heard
from your English friend. A messenger from La Rochelle brought me a
letter yesterday. He is coming to see you shortly; he may be in France
already."

"Oh," I replied, "unless he comes quickly he may have to travel as far
as Flanders; that is," I added, slily "if he really wishes to see me."

"Of course he does," she answered gaily, "and to visit Paris; he has set
his heart on seeing our capital."

Although very fond of Roger Braund, I felt, somehow, rather sorry to
hear Jeanne's news, and, as we left the house, my comrade rallied me on
my thoughtfulness.

"Come," said he briskly, "we must hurry; the Admiral does not like our
being abroad so late," at which, remembering how persistently he had
refused to leave earlier, I laughed heartily.

The streets were for the most part deserted; but in spite of the late
hour it was not dark.

"Listen!" exclaimed Felix suddenly, "there is some one following us; he
is coming at a quick pace, as if trying to overtake us. Perhaps it is
your quixotic adventurer friend, with a further warning."

"No," I replied, "L'Estang is not so heavy; he is more cat-footed. 'Tis
some belated wayfarer like ourselves, in a hurry to reach his lodgings."

The man caught us up, gave a surly growl in response to our
"Good-night," and passed on rapidly.

"'Tis plain that all the boors do not live in the country," remarked
Felix, as the fellow disappeared. "I thought all Parisians were noted
for their good breeding."

"Another mistake corrected, my friend. As we grow older--ah! After him,
quick!"

A bullet had whizzed past my head, cutting, as I found later, the
feather stuck jauntily in my hat--for we did not choose that Anjou's
gentlemen should exhibit all the airs and graces. The shot was fired
from a low entry, and before the noise of the report had died away
Felix, who kept his wits wonderfully, darted inside.

In another instant I had joined him, and we raced together up the narrow
court.

"There he is!" I cried; "ah, he is climbing the wall!"

Felix being the swifter runner drew ahead, but he was too late. The
assassin, straddling the wall, struck him furiously with his arquebus,
and my comrade fell. I bent over him in an agony of fright, but he
struggled to