"Yes; but you would have to give fifty to the friend who put it in your way. That's fair, is it not?" "Oh, well, I'll do it," said Lord Grey's archer, after a momentary hesitation. "But take me to the man at once, and give me his name." "We need not go far to find him," Arnauld responded. "Just a few steps this way! See, I don't wish to show myself with you on the square; let me hide behind the corner of this house. There; now you go on. Do you see on the balcony of that house a gentleman talking with a citizen?" "I do," said the Briton. "Is that my man?" "That is our man." "His name?" "Vicomte d'Exmès." "Oh, indeed!" rejoined the archer. "So that is Vicomte d'Exmès. He is very handsomely spoken of at the camp. Is he as wealthy as he is gallant?" "I will answer to you for that." "Do you know him very well, then, Master?" "_Pardieu_! I am his squire." "Ah, Judas!" The archer could not restrain the exclamation. "No," was Arnauld's unmoved comment; "for Judas was hanged, and I shall not be." "It may be that you will find it difficult to escape," said the archer, who had his jocose moments. "Well, we shall see," retorted Arnauld; "but no more talk. Do you hold to our bargain,--yes or no?" "It's done!" the Englishman replied; "and I will escort your master to my lord. Afterward you shall point out to me another nobleman and some substantial citizen, if you know any such." "I know the right ones at the same price,--half of your commission." "You shall have it, you emissary of the devil!" "I am yours rather," said Arnauld. "But, come, no trickery! Between two rascals each must be careful of his footing. Besides, I should find you again sure. Will your master pay cash?" "Cash in advance; you shall come with us to my lord upon the pretext of accompanying your viscount; I shall get my pay, and will give you your share at once. But you in return, being very grateful, as you should be, will help me to find my second and third prizes, won't you?" "We'll see about that," said Arnauld. "Let us attend to the first one now." "That's a very short matter," said the archer. "Your master is too rough in time of war not to be mild and gentle in time of peace; we know that. Take two minutes' start of me, and take up your station behind him; you will see that I know my business." Arnauld left his worthy pupil, entered the town-hall, and with a smile on his false face went into the room where Gabriel was talking with Jean Peuquoy, and asked him if he had need of him. He was still speaking when the archer came in with an apologetic air. He went straight up to the viscount, who looked at him with much amazement, and bowing low,-- "Have I the honor of speaking to Monseigneur le Vicomte d'Exmès?" he asked with such a look as every merchant has for his merchandise. "I am Vicomte d'Exmès," Gabriel replied with increasing wonder; "what do you want with me?" "Your sword, Monseigneur," said the archer, bowing almost to the floor.