“Monsieur St. Vincent,” he said with a dignified inclination of his head. “C’est bien.” I made a low bow, pleased to hear my native tongue. Then I stood erect with one hand on the hilt of my sword, the other resting upon my hip. I threw as much bravado into my appearance as I could, for I was playing a bold game and the patroon did not look like a man who would be taken by a cringing manner. “Patroon Van Volkenberg,” I began, in order to introduce my errand, “I have come to ask a favor of you.” “Ah,” he returned pleasantly. “Favors are what I like. Pray be seated. Louis, a chair for Monsieur St. Vincent.” It was the dwarf, Louis Van Ramm, who had escorted me into the presence of the patroon. He now set a chair for me and, at another signal, withdrew. He seemed to obey his orders a little sullenly. I am not sure but that the signal for his withdrawal was repeated before he noticed it. This behavior surprised me, for I had heard much of the discipline of the Red Band and of the despotic rule of Van Volkenberg. “Now, sir,” continued the patroon as soon as we were alone. “Now, sir, I am at your service.” “It is to be admitted to yours that I have come to you to-day.” “To mine; to my service do you mean?” “Yes, sir.” “For what reason?” he asked, gazing at me with his keen, penetrating eyes. “From what I hear of the condition of the city, I am led to believe that you have plenty of work for a soldier who has honorable scars to show.” “You mean, I suppose, that some one has told you that there is fighting to do in the Red Band.” “I was informed, indeed, that there was fighting recently on the Slip.” “No ‘indeed’ about it! A mere brawl. A street fight among drunkards. Is that the kind of fighting you are anxious for?” “I shall not choose the quarrels if your honor will let me help to settle them.” “You have a clever way with your tongue, monsieur. But why did you come to me? The Earl of Bellamont is the man of all Yorke whom it is good to fight for at present.” “True, sir. But I came to you for the simplest of reasons. He will have none of me.” “Hush, you brute,” he cried to the dog, who had begun to growl again. “So you applied to his Excellency, did you?” “Assuredly.” “Assuredly! I like your assuredly and your assurance too! Why him before me?” “You have just spoken it; because he is the man now.” “Zounds! This to my face! And asking a favor of me to boot! Back, you brute. Must you fly at everything I point my finger at?” The patroon had started up angrily, followed by his dog, which leaped upon me, or had nearly done so, when his master caught him by the collar and dragged him back. The suddenness of the attack gave me no time to reflect, much less to get out of the way. Therefore I made a virtue of necessity and stood my ground with firmness. This apparent fortitude on my part seemed to raise me considerably in the opinion of the patroon.