"No, indeed, but of the one which requires all suitors, whether of high or low birth, to quit the court within twenty-four hours, under pain of being hanged. You must agree that to decree the halter for gentlemen and clowns alike is rather severe, and likely to lead to trouble." "Yes, the order does not lack audacity," said Démocharès, with a smile of satisfaction. "Fifty years ago such an edict would, I confess, have excited the whole nobility to revolt. But now you see they only complain, and do nothing overt. Not one of them has raised a hand." "That's where you are mistaken, Monsieur le Grand Inquisiteur," said Braguelonne, lowering his voice; "and though they may not be stirring at Paris, there is trouble brewing in the Provinces." "Aha!" cried De Mouchy, eagerly, "you have some intelligence of that sort?" "Not yet, but I expect it every moment." "From what quarter?" "From the Loire." "Have you agents there?" "Only one, but he is a good one." "Only one? that's very risky," remarked Démocharès, with a very knowing air. "I much prefer, myself," replied Monsieur de Braguelonne, "to pay a single trustworthy man, who is at once intelligent and reliable, the price of twenty stupid rascals. That is my way; what do you think?" "Oh, that's all very well; but who is responsible to you for this man?" "Well, his head in the first place; and then his past services, too, for he has been put to the proof." "Never mind; it's very risky," persisted Démocharès. Master Arpion came softly in while Monsieur de Mouchy was speaking, and whispered in his master's ear. "Aha!" cried the lieutenant, triumphantly. "Very well! Arpion, introduce Lignières at once. Yes, while Monsieur le Grand Inquisiteur is here; for is he not one of us?" Arpion saluted and withdrew. "This Lignières is the very man of whom I was speaking to you," continued Monsieur de Braguelonne, rubbing his hands. "You shall hear what he says. He has just arrived from Nantes. We have no secrets from each other, have we?--and I am very glad to have an opportunity to prove to you that my way is as good as another." At this point Master Arpion opened the door to Lignières. It was the selfsame little fellow, lean and hungry-looking, whose acquaintance we have already made at the Protestant meeting in the Place Maubert,--the same who had so boldly exhibited the republican medal, and prated about decapitated lilies and crowns trodden under foot. Thus we may see that even if the name of instigating agent (_agent provocateur_) had not come into use at that time, the article itself was in a flourishing condition. CHAPTER XVIII A SPY Lignières, as he entered the room, cast a look of cold distrust upon Démocharès, and after he had saluted Monsieur de Braguelonne, remained cautiously silent and motionless, waiting to be questioned.