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yesterday；〃 the man declared with bated breath。 〃It is not known whether
he will live or die。 Paris is in an uproar； and there are some who fear the
worst。〃
〃But；〃 I said doubtfully； 〃who has dared to do this？ He had a safe
conduct from the king himself。〃
Our host did not answer； shrugging his shoulders instead； he opened
the door； and ushered us into the eating…room。
Some preparations for our meal had already been made at one end of
the long board。 At the other was seated a man past middle age； richly but
simply dressed。 His grey hair； cut short about a massive head； and his
grave； resolute face； square…jawed； and deeply…lined； marked him as one to
whom respect was due apart from his clothes。 We bowed to him as we
took our seats。
He acknowledged the salute； fixing us a moment with a penetrating
glance； and then resumed his meal。 I noticed that his sword and belt
were propped against a chair at his elbow； and a dag； apparently loaded；
lay close to his hand by the candlestick。 Two lackeys waited behind his
chair； wearing the badge we had remarked in the inn yard。
We began to talk； speaking in low tones that we might not disturb him。
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The attack on Coligny had； if true； its bearing on our own business。 For
if a Huguenot so great and famous and enjoying the king's special favour
still went in Paris in danger of his life； what must be the risk that such an
one as Pavannes ran？ We had hoped to find the city quiet。 If instead it
should be in a state of turmoil Bezers' chances were so much the better；
and ours and Kit's； poor Kit'sso much the worse。
Our companion had by this time finished his supper。 But he still sat
at table； and seemed to be regarding us with some curiosity。 At length he
spoke。 〃Are you going to Paris； young gentlemen？〃 he asked； his tone
harsh and high…pitched。
We answered in the affirmative。 〃To…morrow？〃 he questioned。
〃Yes；〃 we answered； and expected him to continue the conversation。
But instead he became silent； gazing abstractedly at the table； and what
with our meal； and our own talk we had almost forgotten him again； when
looking up； I found him at my elbow； holding out in silence a small piece
of paper。
I started his face was so grave。 But seeing that there were half…a…
dozen guests of a meaner sort at another table close by； I guessed that he
merely wished to make a private communication to us； and hastened to
take the paper and read it。 It contained a scrawl of four words only
〃Va chasser l'Idole。〃
No more。 I looked at him puzzled； able to make nothing out of it。
St。 Croix wrinkled his brow over it with the same result。 It was no good
handing it to Marie； therefore。
〃You do not understand？〃 the stranger continued； as he put the scrap
of paper back in his pouch。
〃No；〃 I answered； shaking my head。 We had all risen out of respect
to him； and were standing a little group about him。
〃Just so； it is all right then；〃 he answered； looking at us as it seemed to
me with grave good…nature。 〃It is nothing。 Go your way。 ButI have
a son yonder not much younger than you； young gentlemen。 And if you
had understood； I should have said to you； 'Do not go！ There are enough
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sheep for the shearer！'〃
He was turning away with this oracular saying when Croisette touched
his sleeve。 〃Pray can you tell us if it be true；〃 the lad said eagerly； 〃that
the Admiral de Coligny was wounded yesterday？〃
〃It is true；〃 the other answered； turning his grave eyes on his
questioner； while for a moment his stern look failed him； 〃It is true； my
boy；〃 he added with an air of strange solemnity。 〃 Whom the Lord loveth；
He chasteneth。 And； God forgive me for saying it； whom He would
destroy； He first maketh mad。〃
He had gazed with peculiar favour at Croisette's girlish face； I thought：
Marie and I were dark and ugly by the side of the boy。 But he turned from
him now with a queer； excited gesture； thumping his gold…headed cane on
the floor。 He called his servants in a loud； rasping voice； and left the
room in seeming anger； driving them before him； the one carrying his dag；
and the other； two candles。
When I came down early next morning； the first person I met was
Blaise Bure。 He looked rather fiercer and more shabby by daylight than
candlelight。 But he saluted me respectfully； and this； since it was clear
that he did not respect many people； inclined me to regard him with favour。
It is always so； the more savage the dog； the more highly we prize its
attentions。 I asked him who the Huguenot noble was who had supped
with us。 For a Huguenot we knew he must be。
〃The Baron de Rosny；〃 he answered； adding with a sneer； 〃He is a
careful man！ If they were all like him； with eyes on both sides of his
head and a dag by his candlewell； my lord； there would be one more king
in Franceor one less！ But they are a blind lot： as blind as bats。〃 He
muttered something farther in which I caught the word 〃to…night。〃 But I
did not hear it all； or understand any of it。
〃Your lordships are going to Paris？〃 he resumed in a different tone。
When I said that we were； he looked at me in a shamefaced way； half
timid； half arrogant。 〃I have a small favour to ask of you then；〃 he said。
〃I am going to Paris myself。 I am not afraid of odds； as you have seen。
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But the roads will be in a queer state if there be anything on foot in the
city； andwell； I would rather ride was you gentlemen than alone。〃
〃You are welcome to join us；〃 I said。 〃But we start in half…an… hour。
Do you know Paris well？〃
〃As well as my sword…hilt；〃 he replied briskly； relieved I thought by
my acquiescence； 〃And I have known that from my breeching。 If you
want a g