"I must agree, Monseigneur," he said, with a very lively distress appearing in his countenance, "unless, indeed, there be some reason behind it all, which Captain Royston may now disclose. I have always found him a gentleman of the nicest honor," he continued, gathering courage, "and I observe that there is against him no proof but what his own word has afforded. None saw the unfastening of the door, none saw the man's escape: it were more after the fashion of the vulgar traitor to deny all, and to ascribe his appearance in Your Highness's chamber--" and here the good Frenchman checked his speech. "To what, sir?" demanded the Prince, the gloom of anger growing, I thought, yet deeper upon his face. "To the disordered fancy of an uneasy sleeper," replied De Rondiniacque fearlessly. "Your advocacy carries you too far, Lieutenant," said His Highness, in tones that I feared must at once silence our only friend. "Your Highness will pardon me if I point out that I make no defence for Captain Royston," insisted De Rondiniacque, stepping a little forward with a graceful ease and a frank glance in His Highness's face that I think had taken by storm any woman's heart less strongly garrisoned than the only one in reach. "I but point out the traitor's refuge, of which he has made no use. If I err in saying as much, I will beg Your Highness to remember that the accused gentleman has been my friend and comrade." With which words he saluted and retired to his former position. And I think that what he had said and the way he bore himself were not wholly without effect upon the Prince: for he turned to Captain Royston, and asked him, with some slight approach to gentleness, had he any explanation to offer. "I can but assure Your Highness," said Captain Royston, "that throughout I have done nothing adverse to Your Highness's great cause, nor to his person, nor to the honor and faith I do hold them in." "And is this all?" asked William. "Before these gentlemen, sir," he replied, "it is all. But I hold the true fulness of the matter ever ready for your private ear." "My private ear, sir," answered the Prince, "is like to be much abused if I give my closet for every traitor's subtile excuses." "I offer none," said Royston, with the rigid pride of despair. "And none," said His Highness, "save in this company, will I hear. Keep your tale, sir, for to-morrow's court-martial. You are under arrest. Your sword, Captain Royston. Lieutenant de Rondiniacque, see to it that this one at least do not escape." And then, as poor Ned slowly drew his sword, and tendered the hilt to the Prince, His Highness, waving it aside, signified to M. de Rondiniacque by a gesture that he should take it. "'T is not such," he said, "that I have need of."