"Somewhat harshly, I am afraid," said the other, looking round him: "he could not have known the state of this place, or he would not have put you here." "What right had he to put me in a dungeon at all?" asked Edward. "Why, you shot and nearly killed one of his attendants," was the reply. "Not at all," answered Edward. "You are deceived, sir. I shot an attendant of Lord Montagu whom I caught in the act of betraying his master. Ask his lordship--ask the man himself or his brother--if they had not both taken service with my lord and received his money." The old gentleman smiled. "That puts a new face upon the matter," he said. "But let us leave recriminations. I wish to smooth matters down between you and my fiery relative. You say you have a safe-conduct from his Eminence of Richelieu. Let me see it." "On the sole condition, sir, that you restore it to me at once," said Edward, putting his hand into a pocket in the breast of his coat and taking out the passport in its velvet case. "Let me examine it," said Monsieur de Boulogne. "Do not fear. You shall have it again in a moment." "I do not fear," replied the youth, giving him the case. "I am sure you are a man of honor, by your face." "Here, man, hold the torch nearer," said the count; and, putting a pair of spectacles--or banicles, as they were then commonly called--upon his nose, he proceeded to examine the safe-conduct minutely. But all was in proper form and order, calling upon all royal officers, governors of cities, castles, or provinces, to let the Seigneur Edward Langdale and suite pass and repass, without limitation of time or place, throughout the land of France; and there was the seal of the council, and the undoubted signature of the prime minister. The face of the count turned very grave as he read. "This is odd!" he said. "My son should have seen this. Here is your suite mentioned, young gentleman. Of whom consists your suite?" "I might reply," said Edward, "that any one I choose to name is of my suite, for his Eminence put no restriction. But I wish not to quibble. The suite of which he speaks is now at Nancy,--with the exception of one page," he added, half smiling, "who is in Venice." "Well, this is all very strange," said the old man. "I cannot understand the cardinal's giving you such a wide safe-conduct at all,--an Englishman,--and a youth like you." "I am neither bound nor inclined to explain the motives of his Eminence," replied Edward. "If you think fit to interrogate any one upon that subject, it must be himself." "God forbid!" cried Monsieur de Boulogne, eagerly. "There! take the paper and come with me. I will take this business on myself. Two such young, rash spirits may make mischief."