“Of all the diabolical villains--What is it, man?” he broke off impatiently. “What’s the use of wasting breath in that way when there are things to be done? This precious maison is like a nest of spies. I’ve been found out for an impostor by that pretty sharp-eyed girl whose lover lies wounded upstairs; and I was wondering how to get to you to tell you when I came on some sneaking whelp of a man with his ear jammed to the door of the chamber where she was watching.” “Did you break his head for him?” “Nearly; but I did better. I played spy in my turn; and your honest man can beat a rogue at his own trade when he tries, even when that trade is spying. Presently the rascal went to the door of the apartments where we are to lie, and, after listening and waiting, he knocked, at first gently, and then more boldly, and finding no one within, entered, and I caught him ransacking among our baggage. Holy Peter! but he cut a sorry figure when he saw me peeping round the door at him;” and Pascal laughed. “What did you do? I hope you were discreet.” “I first knocked him down and drubbed him soundly, and then tied him up with a roll of cloth for his supper, and locked him in a cupboard. Then I came for you that we may try him together.” “Who is he?” “I gave him no time to say. But come, or he may be smothered--for I’m a novice with the gag--and in that case we shall get nothing out of him; which would be a pity.” “It’s a curious turn,” said Gerard uneasily, as they hurried away together. CHAPTER IX WHAT DENYS KNEW Pascal was all laughter and sallies as he led the way up to their apartments, but Gerard was in no such mood. He was very serious and full of misgivings at the course things were taking. There were more than enough complications in the position already without the additional embarrassment of the bestowal of a prisoner. It was not without some sense of relief, therefore, that he saw Pascal start as he entered the room, and heard him exclaim in a tone of dismay-- “The sly devil has wriggled out, Gerard. By my shroud, I had not deemed it possible. I put him in there and shot the bolt upon him”; and he pointed to an empty closet. “Never mind. Perhaps it is best so,” answered Gerard with a smile. “An honest man can’t always beat a rogue at his own trade, it seems.” “Aye, laugh away; but he’ll not laugh if ever I set eyes on him again, the sneaking mongrel.” “For not waiting for your return, you mean? He knows his business, at any rate.” “Aye, that’s certain; but the point is how much he knows of yours?” retorted Pascal. “I’ll forgive him for knowing his own, but he shall pay the price for meddling in mine. Were I not a fool I had mounted guard over him and waited for you to come here.” “Are you sure he was spying upon us?” “Am I sure that we are on a queer quest here? Who can have turned him on to such a scent?” “I should suspect de Proballe, were it not that he knows all my supposed unsavoury history as the real de Cobalt.”