"We're charged to guard him with our lives, and not leave him till he comes to the Ambassador's house."
"But these rogues hunt sometimes in threes and fours," said I. "You might well lose one of your number."
"We're cheap, sir," laughed one. "The King of France has many of us."
"But if your master were the one?"
"Even then provision is made."
"What? Could you carry his message—for if his treasure isn't money, I must set it down as tidings—to the Ambassador."
They looked at one another rather doubtfully. But I was not behindhand in filling their glasses.
"Still we should go on, even without Monsieur," said one.
"But to what end?" I cried in feigned derision.