La Chatre, completely startled, rose from his chair and turned about, forgetful of the stick and bowl. When his glance reached Frojac, my good man had his arquebus on a line with the governor's head, the match dangerously near the breech. "I have looked after the guards, monsieur," said Frojac, cheerily, "both of them." "Stand where you are," said I to him, "and if that gentleman attempts to strike that bowl, see that he does not live to strike it more than once." "He shall not strike it even once, monsieur!" "You see, M. de la Chatre," said I, "the contents of an arquebus travel faster than a man can." "This is unfair!" were the first words of the governor, after his season of dumb astonishment. "Pardon me," said I. "It is but having you, let us say, at a slight disadvantage; and now I think I may move." I walked over to the governor's table and took up the bowl. La Chatre watched me in helpless chagrin, informing himself by a side glance that Frojac's weapon still covered him. "You look somewhat irritated and disgusted, monsieur," said I. "Pray sit down!" As I held my sword across the table, the point in close proximity to his chest, he obeyed, uttering a heavy sigh at his powerlessness. I then threw the bowl into the bed, taking careful aim so that it might make no sound. At that moment I saw La Chatre look towards the chamber in which were Montignac and mademoiselle, and there came on his face the sign of a half-formed project. "See also, Frojac," said I, "that he does not open his mouth to shout." "He shall be as silent as if born dumb, monsieur." "Oh, he may speak, but not so loud as to be heard in the next chamber. Look to it, Frojac." "Very well, monsieur." For I did not wish, as yet, that Montignac should know what was going on. Through the closed door and the thick tapestried walls, only a loud cry, or some such sound as a stroke on the resonant bowl or tray, could have reached him. We had spoken in careful tones, La Chatre not daring to raise his voice. Thus the closing of the door, intended by the governor to make Montignac safer from a sudden rush on my part, now served my own purpose. It is true that, since Frojac had appeared, and the governor could not make his signal, I might have summoned Montignac by a single stroke, and despatched him in the doorway. But now that my own position was easier, I saw that such a manoeuvre, first contemplated when only a desperate stroke seemed possible, was full of danger to mademoiselle. I might bungle it, whereupon Montignac would certainly attempt one blow against her, though it were his last. I must, therefore, use the governor to release her from her perilous situation; but first I must use him for another purpose, which the presence of the keen-witted Montignac might defeat. Hence, the secretary was not yet to be made aware of the turn things had taken. There were three quills on the table. I took up one of them and dipped it in the horn of ink.