I had a joy in daring him, being sure of Yeux-gris. "Monsieur," I said, "I should be glad to leave this house with my skin whole or broken, so long as I left on my own feet. But you have mentioned the very reason why I shall not betray you. I do not love you and I do not love Lucas. Therefore, if you and M. Lucas are to fight, I ask nothing better than to help the quarrel on." He stared at me with an air more of bewilderment than aught else, but Yeux-gris's ready laughter rang out. "Bravo, Félix! I am proud of you. That is an idea worthy of Cæsar! You would set your enemies to exterminate each other. And I asked you to be my valet!" "Which do you wish to see slain?" demanded the black Gervais. I answered quite truthfully: "Monsieur, I shall be pleased either way." I know not how he relished the answer, for Yeux-gris cried out at once: "Bravo, Félix, you are a paragon! I have not wit enough to know whether you are as simple as sunshine or as deep as a well, but I love you." "Monsieur," I answered, as I think, very neatly, "if I am a well, truth lies at the bottom." "Well, Gervais?" demanded Yeux-gris. Gervais bent his lowering brows on his cousin. "Do you say, trust him?" "Aye, I would trust him. For never yet did villain turn honest, nor honest man false, in one short hour. When he was asked to serve against the duke he showed his stuff. He was no traitor; he was no coward; he was no liar. I think he is not those now." Gervais was still doubtful. "It is a risk. If he betrays--" "What is life without risks?" cried Yeux-gris. "I thought you too good a gambler, Gervais, to falter before a risk." "Well," Gervais consented, "I leave it to you. Do as you like." Yeux-gris said at once to me: "This Lucas, as I told you, is too cowardly to meet my cousin in open fight. Since he got the challenge he has never stuck his nose out of doors without two or three of the duke's guard about him. Therefore we have the right to get at him as we can. We have paid a man in the house to tell of his movements. He is to fare out secretly at night on a mission for M. le Duc, with one comrade only. M. Gervais and I will interrupt that little journey." "Very good, monsieur. And I?" "You will meet our spy and learn the hour of the expedition. Last night, when he told us of the plan, it had not been decided." "Then he will be the other man I saw in the window? I shall know him."