oyous that night, and so merry in himself
that he failed to notice my thoughtfulness. I said nothing of
L'Estang's communication until we were alone in our room, when I told
him the story.

I had not to ask for his opinion. Almost before I had finished, he
exclaimed with decision, "Whatever this does or does not mean, Jeanne
must go to Rochelle. L'Estang has proved himself your friend; he can
have no reason for deceiving you."

"I will answer for L'Estang's loyalty."

"Then send Jeanne away; or, rather, take her yourself."

"That is impossible! If there is anything in L'Estang's story, it points
to a plot against our chief. He is evidently afraid of trouble, perhaps
of fierce fighting between the two parties, and thinks my sister would
be safer out of the city."

"He gave you no hint?"

"Not the slightest. He said he knew nothing, but had he known he would
not have betrayed his own party. We must remember that though he has
done so much for me, he belongs to the side of our opponents. It must
have cost him a struggle to tell what he did."

"Yes," said Felix thoughtfully, "between loyalty to his party and
friendship for you he was in a cleft stick! You will repeat the story to
our patron?"

"To what end? He has received dozens of warnings! Still, I will tell
him."

I obtained little sleep that night; spending the hours tossing
restlessly, turning from side to side, wondering what the danger was
which had induced L'Estang to give this indirect but ominous warning. As
soon as the household began to stir, I rose and dressed, eager to seek
an interview with Coligny.

He was already dressed and busy with Des Pruneaux, but he spoke to me
graciously and with the kindly interest that he ever showed.

"You must not keep me long, Le Blanc," he said, laying a hand on my
shoulder in his fatherly manner.

"My lord," I replied, "you shall have my story in the fewest possible
words. I think it is of the greatest importance, but in any case I am
bound to tell you! When we were in Rochelle, I did a simple service for
one of our opponents."

"A good deed ever brings forth good fruit, my boy."

"It did in this instance, my lord. The man, who is in the pay of
Monseigneur, has since proved a faithful friend in connexion with my
private affairs. I owe him my life. He is, I believe deep in the secrets
of his party, but these he has never revealed, and I have never asked
him."

"Quite right," observed the Admiral.

"Since