'So far, so good. De Vitry, you will stay here. At the first sound of the Grand-Master's whistle you will answer it, and they will know what to do. I have something to say to M. d'Auriac. Take me to your room, sir.' I bowed, and, lighting a taper that stood in a holder of moulded brass--a prize that had doubtless come to my landlord through one of his clients--led the way up the rickety stairs, and stopping at the door of my chamber, opened it to let the King pass. For an instant he hesitated, fixing his keen and searching eyes on me--eyes that flashed and sparkled beneath the mask that covered half his features, and then spoke: 'M. d'Auriac, are you still an enemy of your King?' I could make no answer; I did not know what to say, and stood, candle in hand, in silence. Then Henry laughed shortly and stepped into the room. I shut the door as I followed, and turned up the lamp on my table. Then, facing the King, I said, 'Sire, I await your orders.' He had flung off his cloak and mask, and was leaning against the wardrobe, one hand on the hilt of his sword, and at my words he spoke slowly: 'I desire to see this room in the Toison d'Or, and to look upon the assembly that has met there with my own eyes.' 'Now, Sire?' 'Yes, now.' 'Your Majesty, it is not now possible!' '_Ventre St. Gris!_--not possible!' 'Permit me, Sire--the only way is by this window. If your Majesty will step here, you will see the risk of it. I will go and see if they have met; but I conjure you not to make the attempt. The slightest accident would be fatal.' 'Do you think I have never scaled a rock before?' he said, craning out of the window. 'Am I a child, M. d'Auriac, or _mille tonnerres!_ because my beard is grey, am I in my dotage? I will go, sir, and thank God that for this moment I can drop the King and be a simple knight. You can stay behind, monsieur, if you like. I go to test the truth of your words.' 'Your Majesty might save yourself the trouble. I again entreat you; your life belongs to France.' 'I know that,' he interrupted haughtily. 'No more prating, please. Will you go first, or shall I?' There was no answer to this. It flashed on me to call to de Vitry for aid to stop the King, but one look at those resolute features before me convinced me that such a course would be useless. I lowered the light, and then testing the ends of the ladder again and again, made the ascent as before. Leaning through the embrasure, I saw the dark figure of the King already holding on to the ladder, and he followed me, as agile as a cat. Making a long arm, I seized him by the shoulder, and with this assistance he clambered noiselessly over the parapet and lay beside me. 'Cahors over again,' he whispered; 'and that is the skylight. They burn bright lamps.' 'The easier for us to see, Sire. Creep forward softly and look.'