"Jacques," said Gorenflot, "I give you a special mission."
"Me!" cried the young man, astonished.
"Yes, you are to accompany M. Robert Briquet on a long journey."
"Oh!" cried he, enthusiastically, "that will be delightful. We shall fight every day—shall we not, monsieur?"
"Yes, my child."
"And I may take my arquebuse?"
"Certainly."
Jacques bounded joyfully from the room.
"As to the message, I beg you to give your orders. Advance, Brother Panurge."