besides bought two led horses myself for mademoiselle and her
woman. Such other equipments as were absolutely necessary I
purchased, reducing my stock of money in this way to two hundred
and ten crowns. How to dispose of this sum so that it might be
safe and yet at my command was a question which greatly exercised
me. In the end I had recourse to my friend the cutler, who
suggested hiding a hundred crowns of it in my cap, and deftly
contrived a place for the purpose. This, the cap being lined
with steel, was a matter of no great difficulty. A second
hundred I sewed up in the stuffing of my saddle, placing the
remainder in my pouch for present necessities.

A small rain was falling in the streets when, a little after
noon, I started with my two knaves behind me and made for the
north gate. So many were moving this way and the other that we
passed unnoticed, and might have done so had we numbered six
swords instead of three. When we reached the rendezvous, a mile
beyond the gate, we found Fresnoy already there, taking shelter
in the lee of a big holly-tree. He had four horsemen with him,
and on our appearance rode forward to meet us, crying heartily,
'Welcome, M. le Capitaine!'

'Welcome, certainly,' I answered, pulling the Cid up sharply, and
holding off from him. 'But who are these, M. Fresnoy?' and I
pointed with my riding-cane to his four companions.

He tried to pass the matter off with a laugh. 'Oh! these?' he
said. 'That is soon explained. The Evangelists would not be
divided, so I brought them all--Matthew Mark, Luke, and John--
thinking it likely you might fail to secure your men. And I will