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I ran to the gate and heard him tell Maugert, who covered him with an arquebus, match lighted, that he was seeking the abode of the Sieur de la Tournoire, for whom he had important news. "Let him come, Maugert!" I called from the gate. I stepped back into the courtyard. At that moment Blaise came out of the chateau.

I was just about to summon Blaise, that I might learn the result of his interrogations, when I heard the voice of Maugert, who was lying in watch by the forest path, call out: "Who goes there?" "We are friends," came the answer, quickly. This voice also I knew, as well as Maugert's. It was that of De Berquin.

"Perchance, monsieur! But, all the same, I and Maugert, who was on guard yonder by the path, took the liberty just now of stopping the boy of mademoiselle, your guest, as he was riding off. In advance of him rode a woman. I had just come up the path and had stopped for a word with Maugert. Suddenly the woman dashed by and was gone in an instant.

"She will reach the chateau of Clochonne long before you do!" "Then I shall enter the chateau!" I answered, helping Maugert buckle on my armor. "And meet the governor and garrison!" said Blaise. "They will rejoice to see me!" "'Tis rushing into the lion's den, monsieur!" put in Frojac. "Let the lion look to himself," said I, standing forth at last, all armed and ready.

Blaise, marshal the men, and follow when you can, by the forest path!" "Ah!" cried Blaise, overjoyed. "To Guienne, to join Henri of Navarre?" "No!" I answered. "To Clochonne, to join mademoiselle!" Maugert obediently and hastily brought me my breast-piece, and began to adjust it to my body. I already had my sword.

At such a time how does a man welcome the least surmise that agrees with his wishes or checks his fears! "She is a woman, monsieur!" Blaise had said, even while this thought burst upon me. "So much the worse for any man that dare accuse her!" I cried. "She is the victim of some devilish seeming! My armor, Maugert! Frojac, to horse! You and I ride at once!

Maugert brought me word of a notice posted in Clochonne, in which La Chatre doubled his offer and termed me the "heretic, rebel, traitor, and robber calling himself Sieur de la Tournoire." While I gave myself the pleasure of annoying M. de la Chatre, I did not neglect the more important service imposed on me by Henri of Navarre.

It was one of my men, Maugert, on duty as sentry, for I kept men watching every approach to our hiding-place night and day. They lay secreted among the brushwood, and would observe an intruder long before the intruder could be aware of their presence.

She must have left while I was interrogating De Berquin's three henchmen in their cell or while I had stood with Blaise in the garden, reproving him for his suspicions of her. "And because he assailed her loyalty I killed that man!" I said aloud, forgetful, for the time, of the presence of Blaise and Frojac, Maugert, Hugo, and the gypsy girl.

Frojac ran to get the horses. "They would not let you see her!" cried Blaise, stubbornly standing in my way. "You would go straight to death for nothing! My captain, you shall not!" And, as I started towards the stables to mount, he lay hands on me to hold me back, and Maugert, too, caught me by one of the arms. "Out of my way, rebels!" I cried, vehemently, struggling to free myself from them.