Tom was looking in some curiosity to see if Lord Claud was acquainted with the Duke.  He had never said so; but then Lord Claud was not given to boasting, and had already surprised Tom by the number of his notable acquaintances.  The Duke was walking along, skirting the wall of the room.  Everybody gave way for him to pass.  He was now very near to Lord Claud, and not far from Tom himself, for his patron had been strolling idly in his direction.

Tom saw the eyes of the two men cross, and Lord Claud make his courtly bow, to which the Duke responded gracefully.  Lord Claud took one step forward, and said in a low tone, every syllable of which, however, was audible to Tom: 

“I have never before had the honour of speaking with your Grace; but there is one word that I crave to speak in your ear.  If there be some secret mission of danger which the Duke of Marlborough desires to intrust to two men, stout of heart, cool of head, and skilled in the use of the sword, then I can promise that the services of myself and my trusty comrade here are at your Grace’s disposal; and I think I can promise that, whether we succeed or not, we can be true to the death.”

And Lord Claud, as he spoke, laid a hand upon the arm of the astonished Tom, who had certainly not understood his words of former days to mean anything quite so definite as this.

At the same time the heart of the youth leaped within him as he heard, and he felt a thrill run through his veins.  As the soft yet searching gaze of the Duke fell upon him, he felt himself flush to the temples like a girl; and yet at that moment he felt that he could willingly lay down his life to serve so great a man as this.

“And who may have told you, sir, that I have need of trusty men for the secret service?” asked Marlborough, in his even tone.

“My knowledge of men and of warfare have told me,” answered Lord Claud, with his accustomed serenity of manner.  “True men are not to be plucked from every tree, as I have found to mine own cost.  A man may prove but a treacherous reed, upon whom if one leans it goes into his hand.  Therefore, your Grace, have I made bold to tell you of two trusty servants, something wearied with the hollow life of this great city, who are willing and ready to travel farther afield, and to whom peril or danger adds but zest to any quest.”

Marlborough stood thoughtfully regarding the two men before him.  Lord Claud returned his gaze by one full and calm; Tom’s eyes glowed and kindled by reason of the keenness of the surging thoughts within.

“You are he whom men call Lord Claud,” said the Duke thoughtfully.  “You know that there are strange whispers afloat about you, my lord?”

“I know it well.”

“And you have never denied those whispers?”

Lord Claud smiled slightly.

“My sword has answered a few taunts.  For the rest, I heed them not overmuch.  If we began to take cognizance of the chatterings of this world of magpies, we might have a duel to fight every day of our lives.”