"Ah, yes," replied Castleman, "but Burgundy's army is scattered to the four winds. It has given its blood for causes in which its heart was not. We lack the strong arm of the duke, to force men to battle against their will. King Louis must be fought by policy, not by armies; and Hymbercourt is absent." "Do you know aught of him, Sir Karl?" asked Yolanda. "I do not, Fräulein," I answered, "save that he was alive and well when we left Nancy." "That, at least, is good news," she replied, "and I make sure he will soon come to Burgundy's help." "I am sure he is now on his way," I answered. "What can Burgundy do?" she asked, turning to Castleman and me. "You will each advise--advise the princess, I hope." "If she wishes my poor advice," I responded, "she has but to ask it." "And mine," said Castleman, tipping his goblet over his nose. "If we are to have clear heads to-morrow," I suggested, "we must drink no more wine to-night. The counsel of wine is the advice of the devil." "Right you are, Sir Karl. Only one more goblet. Here's to the health of the bride to be," said Castleman. Yolanda leaned back in her chair beside Twonette, and her face wore a curious combination of smile and pout. On the way to the inn, Max, who was of course very happy, told me what had happened in the oak room and added:-- "I look to you, Karl, to help me with father." "That I will certainly do," I answered. I could not resist saying: "We came to Burgundy with the hope of winning the princess. Fortune has opened a door for you by the death of her father. Don't you wish to try?" "No," said Max, turning on me. A moment later he added, "If Yolanda were but the princess, as I once believed she was, what a romance our journey to Burgundy would make!" My spirits were somewhat dampened by Castleman's words concerning the French king. Surely they were true, since King Louis was the last man in Europe to forego the opportunity presented by the death of Charles. Should the Princess Mary lose Burgundy just at the time when Max had won her, my disappointment would indeed be great, and Max might truly need my help with his father. CHAPTER XX A TREATY WITH LOUIS XI The next day Castleman and I were called to the castle, and talked over the situation with the duchess and the Princess Mary. In the midst of our council, in walked Hymbercourt and Hugonet. They were devoted friends of Mary. Our first move was to send spies to the court of France; so two trusted men started at once. Paris was but thirty leagues distant, and the men could reach it in fifteen hours. Half a day there should enable them to learn the true condition of affairs, since they carried well-filled purses to loosen the tongues of Cardinal Balau and Oliver the Barber. The bribery plan was Mary's, and it worked admirably.