“Ah, that’s Gabrielle’s influence;” and de Proballe smiled, not pleasantly. “This is no woman’s work, Duke.” He felt that his words were beginning to have influence again.
“But if he be, as I suspect, a spy, in what interest is he here?”
“Even spies can be induced to speak in old Pierre’s chamber. Have him placed there, and you and I can visit him later.”
“Do I seek your advice where to place my prisoners?” asked the Governor, angrily. “But I will have him sent there,” he added, after a pause.
“Ah!” and de Proballe smiled again cunningly. “All will soon be well again, then, and this little mistake made good. Few men can long resist the creaking arguments of the rack.”
The Governor was silent long enough for de Proballe to think of another scheme.
“There is, of course, another way. The lever you have with Gabrielle is this precious fellow’s life and safety, and if he chanced to get maimed in the progress of inquiry, she would take it very ill. Promise her his life if she will consent to marry you at once. Then send him out of the city—with an escort. Escorts have been known to quarrel with their charges before now,” he added drily. “This man, if he be in truth a spy, may be dangerous. There is that monk, too, who should also be put to the question. Perchance he knows all that you need to learn.”
“I had forgotten him.”
“I had not, and one man is as good as another when it comes to getting information. Leave this to me, Duke. I shall not blunder again. Meanwhile, you can go to Gabrielle with a free hand, to give her any assurances she may ask.”
“We will speak of it later; I must think,” said the Governor.