Cocardasse groaned again. "What's the good, if we didn't do what he wanted?" "Where shall we find him?" asked Passepoil. Cocardasse consulted the watch which he owed to the bounty of the Prince de Gonzague. "He will be here at midnight. It is nearly that now. Come, man, come." And the baffled, bewildered, angry pair plunged despairingly into the thickness of the crowd about them, hoping against hope to find their lost charge for the moment when Lagardere was to make his appearance. XXV THE GLOVE OF COCARDASSE For a little longer the noise and revelry continued, until the moment came when the king's hospitality, offering supper to his wearied guests, emptied the gardens of many of their frequenters. Inside his tent the sovereign was supping with his friends. By his side sat the Princess de Gonzague, who neither ate nor drank, but waited with an aching heart for midnight. At a quarter to twelve Bonnivet entered the tent and advanced towards the king. "Sire," he said, "there is a gentleman here who insists on immediate speech with you. He says you have appointed this time and place to meet him." Louis turned to the Princess de Gonzague, whose pale face had suddenly flushed. "It is he," he said; and then turned to Bonnivet. "Introduce the gentleman." Bonnivet went to the entrance of the tent, and a moment later Lagardere entered. He was wearing his old white coat of the Royal Light-Horse, and he advanced composedly, with head erect, towards the king. "I am here," he said, as he saluted the duke, and all present gazed on him with curiosity. Only three knew who he was or why he was there. Gonzague muttered to himself: "Now for the death-struggle." The king looked at his visitor. "Who are you?" he asked. And Lagardere answered: "I am Henri de Lagardere." At that moment Peyrolles, privileged as his master's henchman, entered the tent and made his way to Gonzague's side. "All is well," he whispered. "We have got the girl, and the papers are upon her." The king was addressing Lagardere. "You are here at our pleasure--free to come, free to go, free to speak." Lagardere answered, firmly: "I mean to speak." The princess turned to him. "Will you give me back my daughter?" Lagardere made her a bow. "In a few moments she will be in your arms." At this moment Gonzague rose and interrupted. "Sire," he said, "I can tell you something of this man." Lagardere glanced scornfully at Gonzague. "Sire," he said, "I can tell you something of this man." He advanced towards Gonzague and addressed him in a low tone: "On that September night I told you that if you did not come to Lagardere, Lagardere would come to you. You did not come. I am here." Then he turned to the princess. "Madame, here, as in the moat of Caylus Castle; here, as by the picture in your palace, I am wholly in your service."