"No, or I am sure that you would not harbour the fellow," the
secretary answered. "Now that you do know it, however, I take it
for granted that you will dismiss him? If you held any but the
great place you do hold, M. de Rosny, it would be different; but
all the world see who follow you, and this man's presence stains
you, and is an offence to my master."

"Softly, softly, M. d'Evora," I said, with a little warmth. "You
go too fast. Let me tell you first, that, for my honour, I take
care of it myself; and, secondly, for your master, I do not allow
even my own to meddle with my household."

"But, my lord," he said pompously, "the King of Spain--"

"Is the King of Spain," I answered, cutting him short without
much ceremony. "But in the Arsenal of Paris, which, for the
present, is my house, I am king. And I brook no usurpers, M.
d'Evora."

He assented to that with a constrained smile.

"Then I can say no more," he answered. "I have warned you that
the man is a rogue. If you will still entertain him, I wash my
hands of it. But I fear the consequences, M. de Rosny, and,
frankly, it lessens my opinion of your sagacity."

Thereat I bowed in my turn, and after the exchange of some
civilities he took his leave. Considering his application after
he was gone, I confess that I found nothing surprising in it; and