It was so likely a mission that the principal of the two guards volunteered the information at once that some of the grooms would be sure to be there at that time for a final look round before closing for the night. "You know your way, sir?" added the man respectfully. "Oh yes, thank you," said Denis carelessly; "I know my way." And he walked on, panting heavily now, in spite of his slow pace. "This is the hardest work of all," he muttered, "for I want to run--I want to run. But oh, how I do hate it all! They must be stealing the jewel now, for I can call it nothing else but a theft. How glad I am that they have sent me away, and I am not obliged to degrade myself with such a task. But yet I am helping, and seem as bad as they--but no, not _as_ bad. Leoni says it is right, and--yes, it was stolen from us, and it is but to restore it to France--to France." "Now for it," he muttered, as he neared the entrance to the great stables, where to his delight he could see by the light within that the door was open and a shadow passing the lit-up entry showed him that at all events part of his task would be easy. "Now no more thinking. I am but doing my duty, and it is time to act." Increasing his pace now, he stepped boldly into a broad shelter from which a long, dimly seen vista of horse-stalls opened out to right and left, and he was confronted at once by two of a group of men, three of whom bore lanterns, and who were coming towards him as if about to leave the place. "Here," he cried authoritatively, as he recognised one of the grooms as being he who had their steeds in charge, "I want our horses saddled at once." "To-night, sir?" said the man, glancing at the lad's courtly costume in search of his boots and spurs, and seeking in vain, his eyes being only met by glistening silk and rosetted shoon. "Yes," replied Denis haughtily; "to-night"; and then half laughingly, "It is fresh and cool and pleasant, is it not?" "Yes, sir," said the man, "but--" "The rooms are hot and stifling to-night, and the Comte my master wishes to ride forth. You will be well rewarded for the extra trouble and--ah, here," he continued, thrusting his hand into Leoni's pouch, "I forgot; you will of course sit up till we return. Here is something to pay for wine." He held out a couple of gold pieces, which, as they were taken, acted like magic, and a busy little scene of emulation ensued, every man being eager to assist in bridling and saddling the beautiful chargers that had been standing haltered in their stalls. It was hard work for Denis, whose pulses were throbbing with impatience; but he carried out his part well, patting and stroking first one and then another of the noble beasts, and talking to them the while. "It seems rather hard," he said, speaking in the same haughty tone to the man he had before addressed; "but a good canter round the park will do them good, and their work is very easy nowadays."