advocate would tell him everything."

"What could Cordel tell?" I asked, still puzzled.

"That your father, monsieur, is the chief person in the district--that
he is of the Religion--that the wounded messenger might have found
shelter in the castle."

"Yes, the advocate would certainly mention that."

"The stranger would speak of us, too, and the lawyer, recognizing the
description, would inform him who we were. That would arouse his
suspicions, for you must admit that we chose a strange hour to ride."

"And you think he would follow us?"

"That is what I feared. He is splendidly mounted, and could easily
overtake us; but now," and Jacques laughed, "the case is different."

"Even should he come up with us," I said, "he is but one against two,
and we can both handle a sword!"

My companion shrugged his shoulders. "What chance should we have in
Saintbreuil, monsieur? A word to a king's officer, and we should either
be dead, or in prison."

"Faith," I said laughing, though not with much heartiness, "you draw a
lively picture! Once outside these walls, I shall not care to venture
into a town again until we reach Tanlay."