“Come Jacques,” I said, “sit down and fall-to; the ride to-day must have put an edge on your appetite!” for we had eaten nothing since the early morning.

After supper I bade Pierre seat himself and tell us the news of the neighbourhood, which he did willingly, though there was but little to relate.  The castle still remained closed, and when I asked about the keys he said they had been taken away by the officer, and no one knew what had become of them.

“That need not keep us out long,” said Jacques, “we can easily get fresh ones made in the morning; Urie will see to that.”

“Has Etienne Cordel been in the village lately?” I asked.

“He is always here, monsieur,” cried the old man with an angry outburst; “he collects the money for the crown, and acts as if he were the rightful owner.  He gives himself as many airs as if he were some great lord!”

“Which he may be one of these days; he has powerful friends at Court.  Doesn’t he talk of what he will do in the future?”

“He tells idle tales, monsieur,” replied Pierre with a frown.

“What does he say?”

“That before long the estates will be his own, and that the king has promised to make him the Sieur Le Blanc.  He is going to live in the castle and grind us under his feet.  But”—­and the old man shook his head scornfully—­“I don’t think his life at the castle will be a long one!  A rascally lawyer to be our master, forsooth!”

“Well, Pierre,” I said, “at present I intend living there myself, and, I do not suppose Cordel will care to keep me company.  Send word to Urie that I shall need his services at daylight, and now we will go to bed; Jacques is half asleep already.”

“I do feel drowsy, monsieur,” said Jacques, almost as if it were a crime to be tired, “but I shall be fresh by the morning.”

The news of my return quickly spread, and next day all the village had assembled outside Pierre’s door.  Men, women and children were there, and I confess their hearty and genuine welcome touched me very closely.  I had always been a favourite with them, and the death of my father, of whose prowess at D’Angely they had heard, increased their love.

“Ho, ho!” exclaimed one burly fellow, “now that our young lord has come back Monsieur Cordel can take himself off, or he will get a taste of my cudgel!”

“No, no, my friend!” I cried hastily, for his companions had begun to cheer, “you must not interfere with Monsieur Cordel, or you will get into trouble.  I have returned to Le Blanc by the king’s instructions, but his majesty has not yet signed the necessary papers permitting me to take possession of my property.  That will come in time, but meanwhile we must be patient and give no cause of offence.”

“We will do whatever you tell us, monsieur,” they answered.

From the first streak of dawn Urie, the blacksmith and worker in iron, had with the assistance of Jacques been busily fashioning the new keys.  It was a troublesome business, and evening was again approaching when I succeeded in entering my old home.