ses were to
be accomplished. But to get rid of AEsop and yet to use him--at once to
obliterate him and yet to recreate him, so that he should prove the most
deadly enemy of the base cause that he was paid to serve--here was a
scheme, a dream, that if it could be made a reality would be fruitful of
good uses. It was therefore with a strange smile that he listened while
AEsop menaced him with regret for the meeting, and it was with a strange
smile that he spoke:

"I do not think so," he answered, maturing his plan even while he talked,
and finding it the more feasible and the more pleasing. "You are a
haggard rascal, Master AEsop, and the world should have no use for you. I
believe that by what I am about to do I shall render the world and France
and myself a service. You are nothing more than a rabid wild beast, and
it is well to be quit of you." As he spoke he drew his sword and came on
guard.

Something in the composed manner and the mocking speech of Lagardere
seemed to bid AEsop pause. He let his weapon remain in its sheath and
began to parley.

"Come, come, Captain Lagardere," he began, "is it necessary, after all,
that we should quarrel? You have got Nevers's girl--there is no denying
that--but we do not want her. We have a girl of our own. Now I know well
enough, for I have not studied love books and read love books for
nothing," and he grinned hideously as he spoke, "that you are in love
with the girl you carry about with you. Well and good. How if we call a
truce, make a peace? You shall keep your girl, and do as you please with
her; we will produce our girl, and do as we please with her. You shall
have as much money as you want, I can promise that for the Prince of
Gonzague, and you can live in Madrid or where you please with your pretty
minion. Make a bargain, man, and shake hands on it."

Lagardere eyed the hunchback with something of the compassion and
curiosity of a surgeon about to deal with an ugly case. He saw now his
enemy's hand and the strength of his enemy's cards and the cleverness of
his enemy's plan, and was not in the least abashed by its audacity or his
own isolation.

"Master AEsop," he said, briefly, "if it ever came to pass that I should
find myself making terms or shaking hands with such as you, or the knave
that uses you for his base purpose, I should very swiftly go and hang
myself, I should be so ashamed of my own bad company. We have talked long
enough; it is time for action." He s