"At once, señora, with what speed you can make!" She raised her eyelids momentarily. "I shall leave Madrid for Vasconosa on Tuesday, as we have concerted, my son." "Folly!" he cried, and took a turn about the room. She lay back upon the day-bed, completely at her ease. "Do you think so?" she said mildly. "Maybe I see more clearly. All Madrid knows that I leave for Vasconosa on Tuesday. What do you suppose Madrid would think if I was off in a sudden start? There is only one thing that can make me put forward my departure, and that is the coming of Tobar. Pray you go harry your father with these fears and spare me." She shut her eyes as though she would go off into a doze. He checked, pondered it, and said grudgingly: "I had not thought of that." "No," she said, not troubling to open her eyes. "You lack the habit of thought, I believe. I wish you would leave me; you disturb my _siesta_ to no purpose that I can see." "I pray you may not be disturbed by anything more disastrous than my presence, señora!" he said. "You choose to sneer and think yourself wiser than us all, but I will tell you this!--I shall warn my father if that devil escapes from his prison he must send the King's men hot-foot after him to Vasconosa!" "By all means," agreed the lady. "Go and warn him at once." CHAPTER XVI Upon the morning following the strange arrest King Philip was disturbed at his orisons by a secretary made over-bold by the amazing news. He must needs, forgetful of time and place, blurt out to his master that El Beauvallet was taken prisoner. King Philip made no sign at all, but went on with his prayers. The secretary flushed scarlet and drew back. King Philip finished his prayers and went his stately way to his cabinet. He sat down at his desk there, placed his gouty foot upon the velvet stool, and pondered a document. A note was laboriously written in the margin. King Philip laid down his quill and raised his hooded eyes to the secretary. "You said something," he stated, and folded his hands tranquilly before him. Vasquez, still discomposed, told the news baldly. "Sire, El Beauvallet was captured at the house of Noveli last night!" Philip thought it over for a moment. "That is not possible," he said at last. "Explain yourself." The tale came tumbling out then, garbled, of course, but sufficiently arresting. Vasquez had it from Admiral Perinat that the Chevalier de Guise was none other than El Beauvallet, the terrible pirate. The Chevalier, then, was laid by the heels, and there were men in the ante-chamber craving an audience with his Majesty. Philip blinked once, but seemed unmoved. "The Chevalier de Guise," he said slowly. "His papers were in order," he announced heavily. He looked calmly at Vasquez. "Does he admit it?" he inquired. "No, sire, I believe not. I believe--I am sure--he sent at once to the French Ambassador to demand his protection. But Don Maxia de Perinat----"