"How forced and by whom?"
"Need we pretend that we do not know?"
"I do not know," he replied bluntly. "Who is he, if he be not indeed this de Cobalt? I have clear proof that he was spying in the Castle here. If he be not de Cobalt, then is he a spy. Am I to suffer my Castle to be overrun by spies?"
"He is no spy; of that I am assured."
"Then if an honest man, why this mystery?"
Gabrielle knew the reason, recalling with a little thrill of delight how he had said it was for her sake; but she answered—
"Is every honest man who comes to Morvaix to be treated as a spy and thrown like a dog into a prison cell?"
"If you were Governor here you would see this as I do; but I am indeed almost persuaded that he is still only deceiving us."
"I do not understand."
"I believe he is in truth what he avowed himself at the first—Gerard de Cobalt."
"But you yourself and M. de Proballe held it disproved."
"The letter may have been but a trick, like other things. He had deceived us as to the flagrancy of that act of his at Cambrai; and knowing it to be too vile to be pardoned, had this further lie enacted, meaning to pass for some one else and so save his head. But he will not save it."
"You mean he will be tried for the crime?"
"I mean he'll lose his head for it," was the blunt answer.
"You will not do this foul injustice," said Gabrielle, with a touch of indignation.
"Who murders, dies, mademoiselle; that at least is law all over France; and Morvaix is no city of shelter."
"He must not die; you cannot be so cruel." Half pro-
