But for her standard and her sword she herself gave directions, for concerning these she had received revelations from her Voices. When Charles would have presented her with a sword to replace the one Robert de Baudricourt had given her she told him of a weapon at Fierbois which her Voices had told her to use. "I have sent a letter to the priests there at Saint Catherine's asking if I may have it," she said. "I told them that it would be found buried in the earth behind the altar. The messenger should return with it to-day." "If it be there," he remarked, half laughing. "It will be, fair Dauphin," returned the girl instantly, with the perfect faith in her revelations that was her strength. "But how will they know that it is the sword that you mean?" he questioned. "There will be five crosses on the handle," said Jeanne. The King dropped the subject for the time being, but he resolved to watch to see if the sword were found where the maiden said that it would be. He had indorsed her, but he welcomed further proof of her inspiration. Alençon, La Trémouille and Queen Yolande were with him beside the peasant maiden, and these were listening with great interest to Jeanne's words. And now the favorite spoke, voicing the thought that was in Charles's mind: "I should like to see this mystic sword, your Majesty," he said, his tones reflecting his scepticism. The monarch smiled at his favorite without replying, but Alençon, detecting the underlying mockery, exclaimed with some heat: "By St. Martin! if the Pucelle says that the sword is under the altar at Saint Catherine's, it is there. And who denies it shall answer to me." "Gently, my cousin, gently," spoke Charles lazily. "There will be time enough for private quarrel after Orléans. 'Tis not doubt that made La Trémouille so speak, but a natural desire to witness the marvel." At this moment there came one who spoke to one of the gentlemen in waiting, who instantly approached the King. "Your Majesty," he said, "a man waits without. An armourer of the city. He has but come from Fierbois, and he bears a sword which he is to deliver to the Maid whom he has been told is here." "Let him present himself at once," said Charles eagerly. Amid a hush of expectancy the armourer whom Jeanne had sent to Fierbois entered, and advanced toward the King. At a sign from the monarch he handed to him the sword that he bore. Charles drew the weapon from its sheath and examined it curiously. It was an ancient blade, and though it had been cleaned still showed traces of rust. Upon the handle there were five crosses, as Jeanne had said there would be. "Did the priests know that the sword was there?" he asked of the man.