"Marcel recalls me to Paris; I shall return to him; but you will meet me at Clermont, where I shall convey to you further instructions." And pressing Mazurec to his heart: "Adieu, my brother, my poor brother! We shall soon meet again. William, I leave him with you. Watch over the unfortunate lad!" "I love him as I did my daughter! She will be the topic of our conversation. And we shall fight like men who no longer care for life." After this exchange of adieus, Jocelyn turned back to Paris with Rufin the Tankard-smasher on the crupper of his horse. CHAPTER VII. CLERMONT. Charles the Wicked, King of Navarre, occupied at Clermont, in the province of Beauvoisis, the castle of the count of the place--a vast edifice one of whose towers dominated the square called the "Suburb." The first floor of the donjon, lighted by a long ogive window, formed a large circular hall. There, near a table, sat Charles the Wicked. It was early morning. The prince asked one of his equerries: "Has the scaffold been erected?" "Yes, Sire, you can see it from this window. It is just as you ordered it." "What face do the bourgeois make?" "They are in consternation; all the shops are closed; the streets are deserted." "And the masses?... the artisans.... Are they heard to murmur?" "Sire, after yesterday's massacre, there are none more of the poorer class to be seen ... neither on the streets nor the squares.... The people are scarce." "But some must still be left." "Those that are left are in consternation and stupor like the bourgeois." "All the same, let my Navarrians keep sharp watch at the gates of the town, on the ramparts and on the streets. Let them kill on the spot any bourgeois, peasant or artisan who dares this morning to put his nose outside of his house." "The order has been given, Sire. It will be carried out." "And the chiefs of those accursed Jacques?" "They remain impassive, Sire!" "Blood of Christ! They will become livelier, and that soon.... Has a trevet been procured. Let the executioner hold himself ready." "Yes, Sire. Everything is prepared according to your orders." "Let everything be ready at the stroke of seven." "All shall be ready, Sire." Charles the Wicked reflected a moment, and then resumed, taking up an enameled medallion with his monogram that lay near him on the table: "Did the man arrive who was arrested at the gates last night, and who sent me this medallion?" "Yes, Sire. He has just been brought in unarmed and pinioned, as you ordered. He is kept under watch in the lower hall. What is your pleasure?" "Let him be brought up."