“Ah, monsieur,” Jacques broke in hastily, “our thoughts are the same.  These cut-throats are in the pay of Etienne Cordel, and in killing this poor fellow they have struck at you.  But how, I cannot understand.”

“We know that Cordel has friends at Court,” I continued.  “Let us suppose for an instant that the king has agreed to sign the papers; the lawyer would learn the news quickly enough.”

“Yes, monsieur,” agreed Jacques, “that is so.  But how does that help us?”

“Thus.  Monsieur Bellievre or the Admiral writes, giving me the information, and advising me to return.  I arrive at Blois, or wherever the Court may be; the papers are signed, and Cordel’s chance of the estates has vanished.  He certainly might kill me afterwards, but it could be only in revenge.”

“But, monsieur, the news could not have been kept from you for long.  Besides, the journey to Blois would have given the lawyer the very chance he wanted.  It would have suited him better for the letter to have reached you.  Then his ruffians would have waited, and have waylaid you on the road.”

“He might not have thought of that!”

“It would not have needed much cunning, monsieur!”

“There is just one other solution possible,” I said.  “You remember the man who came here on the night of the wild storm?  You did not recognize him, but—­”

“I am hardly likely to forget the man who tried hard to kill both of us!” interrupted Jacques.

“You have kept your knowledge very close then!” I replied.

“I had no wish to pry into your secrets, monsieur.”

“It was not exactly a secret.  Something happened while you were with the Count of St Cyr.  I had this man’s life in my hand, and spared it.”

Jacques shrugged his shoulders as if to imply that he had hardly thought me capable of acting so foolishly.

“He is in Monseigneur’s service, and, as you know, came to warn me against Etienne Cordel.  He promised, if he could ferret out the lawyer’s schemes, to write to me.”

“Do you really trust this fellow, monsieur?”

“He bears no love to those of the Religion,” I answered; “but for me personally I believe he would lay down his life.”

“Very good,” said Jacques, as if argument was utterly useless against such folly.

“I was thinking it possible that in coming to or going from Le Blanc he was recognized.  If so, the lawyer would be put on his guard.”

“There is certainly something in that, monsieur.”

“And if he sent me a warning message, it would be to Cordel’s interest to secure it.”

“’Twould be easy to test the truth of the matter,” said Jacques.  “This fellow will be with Monseigneur; let me go to him, and put the question directly.  In that way, if you are right, we shall get at the lawyer’s schemes in spite of his villainy.  I will not loiter on the road, and I don’t see how any danger can happen to you before my return.”