Instantly Æsop uncovered. "Yes, Louis de Nevers, who was assassinated under the walls of the Castle of Caylus twenty years ago." Chavernay came over to Æsop. "My father was a friend of Louis de Nevers." Æsop looked from the group of old men to the group of young men. "It is the ghost of Nevers that troubles us to-night. There were three Louis in those days, brothers in arms. Louis of France did all he could to find the assassin of Nevers. In vain. Louis de Gonzague did all he could to find the assassin of Nevers. In vain. Well, gentlemen, would you believe it, to-night Louis of France and Louis de Gonzague will be told the name of the assassin of Nevers?" "And the name?" asked Chavernay. Choisy plucked him impatiently by the sleeve. "Don't you see that the humpbacked fool is making game of us?" Æsop shrugged his shoulders. "As you please, sirs, as you please; but that is why the guards are doubled." He turned on his heel, and walked leisurely away from the two groups of gentlemen. The elders, having little in common with Gonzague's friends, followed his example, and drifted off together, talking to one another in a low voice of the gallant gentleman whose name had suddenly been recalled to their memories at that moment. Gonzague's gang stared at one another, feeling vaguely discomfited. "The man is mad," said Gironne. "There seems a method in his madness," said Chavernay, dryly. Albret interrupted them. "Here comes his majesty." "And, as I live, with the Princess de Gonzague!" Montaubert cried, amazed. Oriol elevated his fat palms. "Wonders will never cease!" XXIV THE ROSE-COLORED DOMINO All the party bowed respectfully as the king came slowly down the great walk, giving his arm to the Princess de Gonzague. Then, anxious to avoid any appearance of intruding upon the privacy of the monarch, they drifted off in search of fresh amusement. Louis addressed the princess, indicating the gayety around him with a wave of his arm. "After so long an absence from the world, all this folly must worry you a little." The princess looked at him sadly. "The world and I have little more to say to each other. I come here to-night to meet one who has promised to tell me of my husband, of my child." "Lagardere?" said the king, gravely. And as gravely the princess answered: "Lagardere." "At midnight?" asked the king. "Yes," said the princess. The king looked at his watch. It was half-past eleven. "Will you rest in my pavilion, princess, until the time comes?" Louis conducted the princess into the tent, where he was followed by his escort. As they did so, Gonzague, coming slowly down the avenue, watched them thoughtfully. It was strange, indeed, to see his wife in such a place and in such company. It was strange to feel that her passive hostility through all these years was now turned suddenly into action. "Bah!" he said to himself; "it is my word against that of an adventurer who has hidden for twenty years."