“Let us follow,” whispered Felix, and he was in such a restless state that, although unwilling to leave without having met L’Estang, I offered no objection.

Silently, and keeping well in the shadow of the houses, we stole after them, creeping like unquiet spirits through the streets of the sleeping city.  At first we imagined they were going to the Hotel de Guise, and it was only on entering the Rue des Fosses de St. Germain that the dreadful truth flashed across our minds.

“They are going to murder the Admiral!” whispered my comrade with a groan.  “Edmond, can we do nothing?  Is there no way of warning La Bonne?”

“I fear not, we cannot get past the troops.”

Even had that been possible it would have proved of but little service.  The leaders quickened their pace; the whole body swept round the corner; they were in front of the building; only by the roof could any one escape; and the Admiral, alas! could not walk even across his chamber.

The blood ran cold in my veins; it seemed as if my heart had ceased to beat.  Death was calling for my beloved chief, and I was powerless to keep the grisly visitor at bay.  I felt Felix fumbling at his sword, and, gripping him firmly by the wrist, whispered, “Keep still!  What can you do?”

“Die with him!” he answered fiercely.

“Nonsense!” I said coldly, for I had no wish to see him butchered uselessly before my eyes, “you cannot do even that!  You will be slain before you have moved three yards.  And I will not let you throw your life away.  Live, my friend, live to avenge him!”

“Ah,” he whispered, “that is well said, Edmond.  Take your hand off me.  I am calm enough now.  Ah, they are knocking at the gate.  Listen!  ’In the king’s name!’ That is Guise’s voice.  Will they open, think you, Edmond?”

I had dragged him into a doorway, so that the troopers might not see us, but by this time there was little danger of detection; the noise had aroused the neighbourhood, and many citizens were already in the street.

“Yes,” I said, “they will think it is a messenger from Charles.  See!” for the dawn was breaking now, “there is Guise!”

“And Angouleme!  And Cosseins!  He has come to defend the Admiral!  Let us go nearer, Edmond; they will not bother about us!”

Leaving the shelter of the doorway we mingled with the crowd, pressing close upon the heels of the troops.  For several minutes we waited in breathless suspense; then the gate was opened; there was a wild rush; a cry of warning, stifled suddenly, rang out, and the troopers surged into the courtyard.

“That was La Bonne’s voice,” I said with a shudder, “he has learned the value of a king’s promise.”

Drawing our mantles up to our faces, we ran with the rest to the courtyard.  Already the house was filled with soldiers, and several shrieks of agony told us that they were killing even the poor servants.  We heard sterner shouts also, and hoped in our hearts that Carnaton, Yolet, and the few Switzers were making Guise’s butchers pay dearly for their cruel treachery.