of satisfaction. "In all the tumult of that
tragic night I thought I saw two figures standing apart--thought they
might be, must be, my old friends. That is why I have sent for you."

"Sent for us?" Cocardasse echoed in astonishment.

"Was it you who--" Passepoil questioned, equally surprised.

"Why, of course it was," Lagardere answered. "Sit down and listen."

He led the way to the very table at which, such a short time before, AEsop
had sat with Peyrolles. Now he and Cocardasse and Passepoil seated
themselves, the two bravos side by side and still seemingly not a little
perturbed, Lagardere opposite to them and studying them closely, resting
his chin upon his hands.

"Ever since that night I have lived in Spain, hunted for a while by
Gonzague's gang, until, gradually, Gonzague's gang ceased to exist."

"The thrust of Nevers," Cocardasse commented, quietly.

Lagardere smiled sadly. "Exactly. I had only one purpose in life--to
avenge Nevers and to protect Nevers's child. I abandoned my captaincy of
irregulars when the late cardinal quarrelled with Spain. I did not like
the late cardinal, but he was a Frenchman, and so was I. Since then I
have lived as best I could, from hand to mouth, but always the child was
safe, always the child was cared for, always the child was in some
obscure hands that were kind and mild. Well, the child grew up, the
beautiful child dawned into a beautiful girl, and still I kept her to
myself, for I knew it was not safe to let Gonzague know that she lived.
But the girl is a woman now; she is the age to inherit the territories of
Nevers. The law will shield her from the treason of Gonzague. The king
will protect the daughter of his friend."

The Norman shook his head, and the expression of his face was very
dubious. "Gonzague is a powerful personage."

Cocardasse did not appear to be so much impressed by the power of
Gonzague, but then it must be remembered that he came from Marseilles,
while Passepoil arrived from Calais, which is more impressed by Paris.
What the Gascon wanted to know was how his old friend and one-time enemy
had contrived to appear so opportunely.

"How did you get here?" he asked.

Lagardere explained. "There was a gypsy lass in Madrid of whom by chance
Gabrielle had made a friend. Poor girl, she could not have many friends.
One day this girl told us that she and her tribe were going to Paris on
some secret business of their own. Here was an opportunity for the ex