'Vallon failed utterly. It appears that Sophie came up about ten, and, being waved off, went away. She returned, however, about an hour later to find Monsieur Vallon, who had got tired of his position, asleep with his mouth open in the chair in which you are sitting. She refused to believe it was only a card party--though I said I would call the Marshal and de Vitry to witness--burst into tears, and in fine, my friend, I had a bad quarter of an hour, and Sophie has gone off to Belin.' 'And the pistoles?' I asked slily. He looked at me, and we both laughed. 'She took them,' he answered. 'Belin,' I said after a moment, 'will you ever change?' '_Ventre St. Gris!_ As the King swears. Why should I? After all, Sophie will come round again. I really am very happy. I have many things to be thankful for. I can always help a friend----' 'I know that,' I interrupted, 'and I want your help.' 'How much is it? Or is it a second?' 'Neither, thanks. Though in either case I would come to you without hesitation. The fact is--' and I explained to him my difficulty in providing for Marie, without, however, going into other matters, or giving him any account of my troubles. When I ended, Belin said. 'What you want, then, is a trustworthy fellow.' 'At least that is what Jacques wants. I can get on well enough.' '_Morbleu!_ It is more than I could; but, as it happens, I have the very thing for you. Pull that bell-rope behind you, will you? and oblige a lazy man.' I did so, and in a minute or so Vallon appeared, wiping his mouth suspiciously with the back of his hand. 'Vallon,' said de Belin, 'does Ravaillac continue to work satisfactorily?' 'As ever, monsieur le compte.' 'Well, I am going to lend him to the Chevalier, who has need of his services.' 'Monsieur.' 'Send him up here, and Bisson, too.' Vallon bowed and vanished, as I said, 'I do not know how to thank you, Belin.' '_Pouf!_ A mere bagatelle. I thought we were going to have a little amusement in the gardens of the Tuileries. I know of a perfect spot for a meeting--_ca_! _ca!_' and he lunged twice in quarte at an imaginary adversary. As he came back from the second thrust, he said, 'By the way, I must tell you--but here they are,' and Ravaillac came in, followed by Jacques, Vallon bringing up the rear. As they entered I recognised in Ravaillac the man who was with Jacques and Vallon on the Malaquais, and Belin, turning to Jacques, said quietly: 'Bisson, I am going to lend Ravaillac here to your master, to take your place whilst you go away to Ezy. I pledge you my word that he is a good sword.' 'True enough, monsieur le compte; we were amusing ourselves with a pass or two below, and he touched me twice to my once, and, as your lordship answers for him, I am content.' 'That is well, most excellent Bisson! Ravaillac, you understand? Here is the Chevalier d'Auriac, your new master, who will remain such until he sends you back to me.'