"He is, then, in the service of Monsieur Coligny?"
"Yes, madam; since infancy he has been attached to the Admiral's house. During the engagement he was separated from him. Two of our armed men were on the point of despatching Dominic, as we despatch all Huguenots, when, seeing me, he cried out 'Quarter!' 'Who are you?' I asked him. 'I am a servant of Monsieur the Admiral,' he answered. It suddenly flashed through my mind what profit we could draw from the man. Relying upon attaching him to me by the bonds of gratitude, I granted him his life. Later the proposition was made to him of causing the Admiral to drink a potion that we would furnish him with, and of a rich reward for himself."
"If your prisoner agreed readily to all," said the Queen, raising her head, "there is reason to suspect him."
"On the contrary, madam, he hesitated long. It was the magnitude of the promised sum that silenced his scruples. My master placed a certain powder in his hands and instucted him how to use it. The thing may be considered done."
"How is our man to explain his return to the heretic camp?"
"Very easily, madam. He will say that he was made a prisoner by us and escaped. The Admiral will not suspect a servant who was raised in his house."
"I hardly dare hope for success! In one month we have been rid of three enemies—the Duke of Deux-Ponts, Condé and Dandelot. Now it will be Coligny's turn! When is the man to leave our camp and rejoin the Huguenots?"
"This very night."
"Accordingly—to-morrow—"
"If it shall please God, madam, our holy Church and the kingdom will have triumphed over a redoubtable enemy."