Mounting Pierrebon's horse I joined the others, and we rode back to the priory--Menorval swearing that I must be a magician, as never before had he known Montluc yield as he had done this morning. As for me, though surprised at the result, my satisfaction was increased by the thought that in aiding De Ganache I had helped one who was a friend of mademoiselle. It was not this that had prompted me to intervene on his behalf. Had it been anyone else I should have acted as I had done. De Ganache was not clean-handed. He had shown little mercy to those who fell into his hands, and when face to face with death he had shown the white feather, though at the last he seemed to recover himself. Still, guilty though he may have been, his death would have been a crime, and it was something to think I had stood between Montluc and that terrible blood madness which at times possessed him. On arrival at the Capuchins my first thought was to see Montluc at once, and although Sarlaboux and others tried to dissuade me I persisted in my design, and found myself once more before the door of his cabinet. On my entering he received me coldly, and, without making any reference to what had just happened, inquired my business as if he had totally forgotten his summons to me. I explained that I was there in obedience to his request to see me, and after a moment of thought he said: "You recollect I told you I would probably entrust you with a commission to the Queen? Are you ready to undertake it?" "Perfectly." "You will have to go back to Paris; but that is your way. When can you start?" It was not wise to think of a return to Paris; but I had gone too far to shrink back now, and besides, I was beginning to believe again in my star. So I gulped down my fears, and put a bold front on the matter, saying: "As soon as I can get a horse, monsieur." "Ho!" And we looked at each other steadily. A faint smile bent his iron lips, and, muttering something in his beard, he took up a pen, scratched a few lines, and handed me the paper. I glanced at it, and saw it was an order to give me any horse I liked from his stable. I began to thank him; but he stopped me, saying: "Show the order to Sarlaboux; and if you take my advice you will choose Lizette, the dun mare. She will well replace the one you have--lost." "I well know how to value such a gift, monsieur." "Here there is a packet for the Queen; but this is not your task. I am going to entrust you with a prisoner, whom you will place in the Queen's hands." "Monsieur," I began; but he read my thoughts ere I had spoken them. "Oh, it is no catch-poll's business; I have others to do that. This lady is only a nominal prisoner----" "It's a woman, then?" And my thoughts went back to mademoiselle. Could Sarlaboux have been mistaken? "Yes; and remember that her life depends upon her reaching the Queen, though she does not believe it." "May I ask this lady's name?"