"Good, old Tell-your-beads. What's sauce for the goose is sauce for such a gander," exclaimed d'Estelle, with another laugh.
"These gentlemen and I have met before, father," said Gerard. "I prevented them from murdering a man, and they bear me ill-will in consequence."
"It was no murder but a fair quarrel, monsieur," said Antoine.
"Fair? With two swords to one?"
"I caught M. St. Jean maltreating a lady who is dear to me, and did but seek to punish him as he deserved."
"When I see a liar I watch his lips and listen. I am watching yours, monsieur," said Gerard, contemptuously. "You were set to murder him and for that purpose rode after him yester morning." Antoine changed colour and d'Estelle was silent.
"Be careful what you say, monsieur," replied Antoine, hoarsely. "We are the Duke's followers and this is his lordship's Castle."
"If you do not like my words, monsieur, there is an alternative which men of honour understand," retorted Gerard, in a deliberate tone, and with a look which Antoine had little mind to face.
"If I do not seek a fight with you, it is not because I fear you," he answered, in none too firm a tone; "but because there may be a way more useful to my master to deal with you."
"I appreciate your discretion, and should I need a spy, may send in quest of your services." Then turning his back upon the pair he added to Dubois: "Now, father, we will resume our discussion of that point about Thomas à Kempis. I was arguing in regard to the warning against apostasy that"
"Those vermin may be dangerous. They suspect," put in Dubois as they passed out of earshot.
"A risk or so more or less at this crisis does not count
