Marguerite sank into a chair, while Le Gallais carried the helpless Benoist out with whispered threats; and, throwing him into a dark stable, shut the door upon him, locking it behind him and putting the key into his pocket. He then returned into the parlour, and telling Rose--who had re-entered the room--what he had done, bade her be of good cheer. Marguerite continued to kneel, and her lips moved as if in prayer. Meantime the voices came nearer. The dog, with one sharp yell ceased to bark, and knocks were heard at the door. Alain gave Rose one encouraging look and went out alone and unarmed to meet Querto and a number of peasants, most of whom he recognised as belonging to his own company of the parish militia. "What is it, neighbours?" he said, taking no notice of the major, and speaking the local dialect. "Why, this gentleman hath brought us here to seize a spy," said one of them--our old acquaintance Le Gros. "There is no spy here but himself," answered Le Gallais. Do you not know who he is, Maître Le Gros? This is Major Querto, who came here about selling Jersey to the French. "What are you saying in your whoreson lingo?'" cried the major. "Let us in." "He wishes to do some mischief here," pursued Le Gallais. "Perhaps to rob the ladies. Will you see Michael Lempriere's wife plundered?" "Never," said another of the peasants. "He said a spy had got admission on false pretences." "There is no one here but I," said Le Gallais. "Do you take me for a spy?" "We do not, Alain. Vive M. le Capitaine! What shall we do with him?" said many friendly voices. "Take him to the Centenier under the Gallows-hill," said Alain, availing himself of the rising tide. "Or, stay"--as he caught a look from Querto, in which agony and reproach were mingled--"If he prefers it, carry him on board the first ship bound for France. I will answer for his passage money. Handle him as he deserves." To hear was to obey with the angry islanders. Hustled and disarmed, bonnetted and bound with handkerchiefs, Querto was borne off, howling and cursing. In a few minutes all was once more still in and about the house, only the good watch dog had suffered. He would never sound another alarm. One strobe of Querto's sabre had severed his faithful head from his body. Alain returned to the parlour. Reassured by his telling them the story, they were easily persuaded to retire to their chamber. Alain's next care was to seek the king's hiding place. "You must stay where you are till morning, sir," he said, without entering. "I will watch over the only way by which any one can approach you." "As you will," cried Charles from within. "But hark ye, captain! methinks a pint of claret would not be amiss, warm with a spiced toast floating on the top." The man and his wife who waited on the ladies had been spirited away by some intrigue on the part of Benoist, and the king would have to pass the night alone in the small kitchen.