How to punish the traitor was another matter, for I could scarcely do so adequately without betraying my negligence. I determined to sleep on this, however, and, for the night, directed him to be locked into a chamber in the south-west turret, with a Swiss to guard the door; my intention being to interrogate him farther on the morrow. However, Henry sent for me so early that I was forced to postpone my examination; and, being detained by him until evening, I thought it best to tell him, before I left, what had happened. He heard the story with a look of incredulity, which, little by little, gave way to a broad smile. "Well," he said, "Grand Master, never chide me again! I have heard that Homer sometimes nods; but if I were to tell this to Sillery or Villeroy, they would not believe me." "They would believe anything that your Majesty told them," I said. "But you will not tell them this?" "No," he said kindly, "I will not; and there is my hand on it. For the matter of that, if it had happened to them, they would not have told me." "And perhaps been the wiser for that," I said. "Don't believe it," he answered. "But now, what of this young Vilain? You have him safe?" "Yes, sire." "The girl is one degree worse; she betrays both sides to save her skin." "Still, I promised--" "Oh, she must go," Henry said. "I quite understand. But for him--we had better have no scandal. Keep him until to-morrow, and I will see his father, and have him sent out of the country." "And he will go scot free," I said, bluntly, "when a rope and the nearest tree--" "Yes, my friend," Henry answered with a dry smile; "but that should have been done last night. As it is, he is your guest and we must give an account of him. But first drain him dry. Frighten him, as you please, and get all out of him; then I wish them joy of him. Faugh! and he a young man! I would not be his father for two such crowns as mine!" As I returned to my lodgings I thought over these words; and I fell to wondering by what stages Vilain had sunk so low. Occasionally admitted to my table, he had always borne himself with a modesty and discretion that had not failed to prepossess me; indeed, the longer I considered the King's saying, the greater was the surprise I felt at this DENOUEMENT; which left me in doubt whether my dullness exceeded my negligence or the young man's parts surpassed his wickedness. A few questions, I thought, might resolve this; but having been detained by the King until supper-time, I postponed the interview until I rose. Then bidding them bring in the prisoner, I assumed my harshest aspect and prepared to blast him by discovering all his vileness to his face. But when I had waited a little, only Maignan came in, with an air of consternation that brought me to my feet. "Why, man, what is it?" I cried. "The prisoner," he faltered. "If your excellency pleases--" "I do not please!" I said sternly, believing that I knew what had happened. "Is he dead?"