"She died in my arms; her last moments were full of peace. Now, I am at
your service."

"You are faint," I said. "Will it not be advisable to break your fast
before starting out? You will need all your strength."

"I cannot eat."

"Yet it is necessary. Pardon me if I summon your servant."

He allowed himself to be treated almost as a child, eating and drinking
mechanically what was set before him, hardly conscious of my presence,
unable to detach his thoughts from the sombre picture in the adjoining
apartment. At last he had finished, and I said gently, "Have you made
arrangements for your mother's burial?"

"They are all made," he replied gravely.

"There is your sword," I remarked, pointing to the weapon lying on the
table.

"Let it lie monsieur," he answered with a mournful smile; "a dead man
has no use for a sword."

Now I may have done a very foolish thing, for this L'Estang was a daring
soldier, crafty, able, and resolute. He was an enemy to be feared far
more than many a general in the armies of the League. All this was well
known to me, and yet I could not harden my heart against him. I had
meant to denounce him to the Admiral, but at the last moment my courage