At the end of the ten days, Philip was strong enough to walk across the room, and the surgeon gave permission for him to start, if, instead of being carried all the way, he would be taken to Lyons, which was but twenty miles distant, and there take boat down the Rhone to Viviers.  Desmond went with him to Lyons, and saw him comfortably bestowed on board a craft going down the river, and there left him in charge of his own retainers.  Then, accompanied by Mike, whose wound was now well healed, he rode back to Paris by comparatively easy stages, arriving there on the day before his leave was up.  He reported himself to the colonel.

“So you have not been to Pointdexter after all!  I received a long letter a week ago from the baron, sent by special messenger, giving me a full account of your doings, which reads like a chapter of romance.  He mentioned that he had also written to the king, denouncing the conduct of the Vicomte de Tulle; and stating that, in the fight between his own rescuers and the vicomte’s band, the latter was killed, and doing full justice to the part you played in the affair.  I had a message from His Majesty yesterday, ordering that you should, as soon as you returned, go at once to Versailles, in order that he might question you further on the affair.

“I have another piece of news for you.  We have received orders to march in three days’ time, which is a fortunate circumstance for you, for there can be no doubt that, however gallantly and well you have behaved in this affair, and in whatever light His Majesty may view it, you have incurred the enmity of de Tulle’s family and connections, and the air of Paris would not be healthy for you, for a time.  I need not say that I have read the baron’s letter to your comrades, and that they fully shared with me the admiration I feel at your conduct.”

“Had I better start at once for Versailles, sir?”

“I think so.  The king is not pleased at being kept waiting.  He is sure to ask you when you arrived.  You had better take one of my horses.  I will order it to be brought round, and shall be at your quarters by the time you have put on your full uniform.”

The king had just returned from hunting when Desmond arrived at the palace, and gave his name to one of the ushers.  Five minutes later, he was conducted to the king’s dressing room.

“This is a serious business, young sir, in which you have been engaged,” the king said shortly to Desmond, as he entered.

“I am aware of that, Sire, and yet I am well assured that every officer in Your Majesty’s service would have acted as I did, under similar circumstances.”

“The Baron de Pointdexter has written to us fully on the matter,” the king said, “but we wish to hear the account from your own lips.  When did you return to Paris?”

“But two hours since, Sire.”

“Then you have lost no time in presenting yourself here.  Now, tell us the whole matter, omitting no detail.”