in the

e, monsieur? I

doing here? My head aches; I feel stiff all over. Where is

at victory. Monseigneur's tr

rge, the terrible conflict, the flight of the royalists, and then-! I had a strange half-consciousness of having

s not at Roche Abeille! I opened my eyes and saw hi

id, "what are y

o Rochelle just after you had started, and followed the a

d you f

sieur Bellièvre was distracted, and there was another gentleman, an Englishman, who loo

e, Ja

ou are lodged at a comfortable in

y good Jacques; how l

ll get you some nourishing food

ns. Felix had come through the fray unscathed, and Roger Braund was only slightly wounded. A

e the troops

oictiers. It is rumoured that the A

"but it is hardly likely. That is the

"it cannot interest monsieur very mu

nd was full of praise of the Count St. Cyr, w

ed, "and full of zeal for the Cause. He is

man, too," I

the fire of a

e has been set on my father

ce clouded over with passion, "th

e done the

e Italian woman are deeply in his debt, and that would be a simple mode of payment. 'Tis easy

ot caring to argue the matter I said no more, and

and my legs tottered under me, but, leaning on Jacques' arm, I walked slowly up and down the room. The next morning, still att

ion that I was sorry to hear, since it seemed to me they would fritter away their strength for nothing. The Admiral,

ther Jacques nor the surgeon would consent, so I continued to while away the time in the quaint old town as patiently as possible. But, as the weeks pass

he town; he had lost several thousand good troops, and had raised the siege. Equally discomfort

little by our victory,

t one," said Jacques cheerily. "W

very vague, and left us little the wiser. One day he was said to be at Moncontour, another at Loud

saw them properly fed-while I gave instructions to the landlord concerning our supper. He was an old man, almost as old as Pi

is empty. I will kill a fowl; there is one left; but mons

said. "Is there no c

roopers have dev

pers?" I as

ld man; "but they did not remain long; t

scussed his information with Jacques. From the old man's story we gathered that the Duke of

are in an awkward situation," I

urn back, if we wish to join the A

w hours' rest, and star

ooked by then!" ans

finally our host, who had been scouring the village,

oke our own fast, and, having settled the sco

morning when we perceived a horseman approaching us. He appear

soldier of some sort. Will he be

enough,

s information may be of service to the Admi

he will never d

t hurt him, Jac

the head," said Jacques, "if

ace. He was a young fellow, richly d

cried, riding toward him.

ew rein, saying, "Are you from Monseigneur? I am bearing him welcome information. Coligny is retreating, we fell on h

h a division!" I said, laughing.

ut I must be going. Monseign

e rein, while the young fellow was gazing in bl

e horses' reins together, Jacques, and remove this gentleman's weapons. Do not stir, monsieur, it would be fool

you?" h

And now the document, monsieur! Will you surrender it? Or will you compel us

y trick; I would rather you had forced the paper from me at the s

but meanwhile we

cument with the best grace he could muster, a

n order to avoid that calamity, we will make you our guide; but pray be careful, because in the event of a mistake you will be the first vi

he, laughing. "And now w

omrades, and prevent us from

n good for evil. Well, 'tis s

ly," I laughed, and with that we rode

my eyes open for any sign of the enemy. But either by good luck or our prisoner's skilful guidance-and it matters litt

my name to the officer, and asked

he, and he led us through the c

at our approach, and the officer said, "Edmond Le Bl

ows-he had doubtless forgotten me-"ah, of cours

to be left behind at R

comrade, and you carried my message

have had the good luck to capture a messenger carrying

my prisoner, he said, "Is he not

y lord," he replied, with a low bow, "but it is

speech even than usual, "and a just reproof. But this pap

uttered; "this is valuable informati

s troops are not present, though I believe

st time," and, leaving his meal, he ins

rts of questions. Several familiar faces were missing, and I learned that more than one of my intimate friends had been left behind in t

soner?" he asked. "Ha

ather counting on th

end to it, and return in a few minutes. Well, J

e left Limog

ugles sounded, the men sprang to arms, and ord

me running in to-day like a parcel of sheep. I wish the Admiral would fight; it wil

ing, and many a murmur was heard even against our noble leader, but none from those who rode with him in the rear. Twice w

the Admiral intended to make a stand, but the royalists gave him little leisure for forming plans. They ad

f horse crashed, as if shot from a gun, into their left flank. The noble St. Cyr, erect and soldierly, in spite o

Charge, my children!" cried the Admiral,

lustily, spurring our horse

led and staggered. Again and again they tried to rally; but we rode them down, broke the groups as soon as they re-

ot-bloods. "Remember Jarnac!" "

d, and we came dropping back, laughing and cheering, and in high spirits at our brilliant little victory. As with flushed ch

w again, and once more sank from sight. Then in one spot the crowd gave way as if burst asunder, and out from the gap leaped a horseman. He was carrying the flag

what it meant, until Felix cried out, "'Tis the Eng

eeding, his doublet slashed, but his eyes smiling cheerfully. With an easy grace h

-field, my lord," he sai

, "Monsieur, it could not remain in worthier hands! Let it be carri

of your praise my lord," said h

! Single-handed, he had charged into the press; single-handed he had wrested the trophy by from its custodian; and, still alone, had fought his way out. It was a