Hector felt that there was no more to say, and bowing, left the cardinal’s presence and went out.  Paolo and Macpherson were waiting outside.

“The cardinal’s messenger, who brought the news last night that you would not return, master,” the former said when he saw by Hector’s look of surprise that he had not expected to see him there, “said also that I and one of your men had best be here at eight this morning and wait until you came out.”

“I did not know that he had sent such a message, Paolo, but I will when we get to the hotel tell you why he sent it.”

The street was somewhat crowded, and Hector had gone but a short distance when he saw three gentlemen, who he knew to be intimates of the Duke of Beaufort, coming in the other direction.  One of them was Monsieur de Beauvais, who said in a loud tone to his companions just as Hector was passing: 

“That is the Scotchman whom the cardinal employs to do his dirty business.”

Hector faced round at once.  “At any rate, Monsieur de Beauvais, the Scotchman in question is not employed by the cardinal as an assassin, which is an even more dishonourable post.”

De Beauvais turned white with anger.  “Behind the Luxembourg in an hour’s time, Monsieur de Villar.”

“I shall be there,” Hector said coldly.  He paused a minute, after the three gentlemen, with the customary salute, walked on.  He did not like to go to the Hotel Mazarin lest the cardinal should obtain news of what was going to take place, so he waited in the neighbourhood, knowing that some of Mazarin’s personal friends would be sure to arrive about this hour.  Presently he saw a colonel who, like himself, was spending the winter in Paris, and who frequently attended the cardinal’s levees.

“Colonel de Serres, as a fellow soldier I have a service to ask of you.”

“I am entirely at your disposal, Monsieur Campbell.”

“I have just had a quarrel forced upon me by Monsieur de Beauvais, and I have to meet him in fifty minutes’ time at the back of the Luxembourg.  As he was in company with two gentlemen, the Comte de Marplat and Monsieur de Vipont, I shall be glad if you would kindly act as my second, and if you can find another officer who would do so, I shall be glad of his services also.”

“I shall be glad to support you, Monsieur Campbell, and can lay my hand on another second at once, for here comes my friend and yours, Monsieur Emile de Chavigny, who will, like myself, be charmed to be concerned in any affair against the duke’s friends.”

De Chavigny, whom Hector had seen at the court on the previous day for the first time since they had parted in Italy, agreed at once to Hector’s request.

“De Beauvais has the reputation of being a good swordsman, Campbell,” he said as they walked together towards the Luxembourg, Paolo and his companion having now returned to the inn at his master’s order; “but I should say that he will want all his skill now.  You were by far the best swordsman among us when you left us suddenly in the south, and doubtless since then your skill will not have fallen off.”