For The Admiral

W.J. MARX
Author of Scouting for Buller, The British Legion, etc.
HODDER AND STOUGHTON PUBLISHERS LONDON
Printed in 1906
Butler and Panner, The Selwood Printing Works, Frome, and London
TO MY WIFE
BUT FOR WHOSE ENCOURAGEMENT
THIS STORY WOULD NEVER
HAVE BEEN WRITTEN.
I trust no harm has happened to my father, Jacques. The night grows late and there are strange rumours afloat. 'Tis said that the Guises are eager to break the peace.
Better open warfare than this state of things, monsieur. The peace is no peace: the king's troops are robbing and slaying as they please. François of the mill told me a pretty tale of their doings to-day. But listen, I hear the beat of hoofs on the road below.
There are two horses, Jacques, and they approach very slowly. My father does not usually ride like that.