as to allow myself to be trapped. I have given you my promise to be
discreet and not to misuse my power, and as long as was compatible with
my own safety I have kept my word. But now you must see that I am bound
to defend myself, and to do that I shall be obliged to summon you as a
witness. So leave Paris tonight and seek out some safe retreat where no
one can find you, for to-morrow I shall speak. Of course if I am quit
for a woman's tears, if no more difficult task lies before me than to
soothe a weeping wife, you can return immediately; but if, as is too
probable, the blow has been struck by the hand of a rival furious at
having been defeated, the matter will not so easily be cut short; the arm
of the law will be invoked, and then I must get my head out of the noose
which some fingers I know of are itching to draw tight."

"You are quite right, sir," answered the commander; "I fear that my
influence at court is not strong enough to enable me to brave the matter
out. Well, my success has cost me dear, but it has cured me for ever of
seeking out similar adventures. My preparations will not take long, and
to-morrow's dawn will find me far from Paris."

Quennebert bowed and withdrew, returning home to console his Ariadne.




CHAPTER IX

The accusation hanging over the head of Maitre Quennebert was a very
serious one, threatening his life, if proved. But he was not uneasy; he
knew himself in possession of facts which would enable him to refute it
triumphantly.