“I am the son of the Duke of Bourbon, and in his name I command you to disregard the Governor’s order,” said Gerard in a loud, firm tone. “It is a lie, a lie. Disobey me at your peril.” Two of the officers approached and were venturing upon a remonstrance, when the Governor, mad with his rage, struck one of them a violent blow on the face and himself called up a file of the soldiers. “Bring that villain here,” he said to the men who held Gerard. They were too frightened to disobey him. Gabrielle watched with bated breath, and was springing forward to again interfere when de Proballe put himself in her way. “My lord, my lord,” she cried in an agony of distress and fear. “I urge you, I beg you not to do this thing.” But the Governor was deaf to her entreaty, and having drawn up the file of men, stood by them, and himself gave the command in a voice thick with rage. Gerard faced the men without a tremor. “There will be a heavy reckoning for all concerned in this,” he said; and his voice was as calm and steady as before. The Governor’s command rang out stern and sharp, and the guns went up to the men’s shoulders. Then, with a scream, Gabrielle tore herself from de Proballe, and snatching a sword from an officer as she passed, rushed in front of Gerard and held it to her heart. “If he dies, I will plunge this to my heart, and my blood, with his, shall cry for vengeance upon you.” The Governor listened, his angry eyes fixed on Gabrielle. “And if he lives?” “I will do all you have asked.” “No,” cried Gerard loudly. “I will not take my life on such a condition.” A moment’s pause of acute suspense followed. Then the Governor nodded and said curtly-- “It is enough. You have saved his life, mademoiselle. He shall go free. But first take him to the Castle.” And in a few minutes the troops were on their way to the Castle, with Gerard in their midst, once more a prisoner. CHAPTER XXIX IN THE HALL OF AUDIENCE Some three or four hours after the rioting in the market place, Pascal and Lucette, who had been hurried to the Castle from Babillon’s house, were led to the Great Hall of Audience and placed in the midst of the large crowd of townsfolk who had been taken prisoners by the troops. They were all herded together in a space about mid-way down the southern side of the Great Hall, in a space set apart by strong barriers and guarded by a ring of soldiers. Two other companies of soldiers were present, each about fifty in number, and they were drawn up one on each side of the daïs at the eastern end, where stood the Governor’s seat of audience and judgment.