By this time he had slit open the lining of his shoe with his knife, and handed the little piece of paper to the queen. It contained only the words:
"All goes well. Am hoping to see you. You will find me in or near Cognac."
There was no signature.
"You have done good service to the cause, Monsieur Fletcher," the queen said. "How did you manage to pass south, for I hear that every bridge and ford is guarded by the Catholics?"
Philip gave a brief account of his journey.
"You have acted prudently and well, young sir; and fully justified the Admiral's confidence in your prudence. What are your orders now?"
"They are simply to accompany your majesty on your way north, if it be your pleasure to permit me to ride in your train."
"I shall do that right willingly, sir; and it will be a pleasure for my son to hear, from your lips, a full account of your journey hither, and something of your native land, in which it may be that he will be, some day, compelled to take refuge."
"You shall ride by my side, Monsieur Philip," the young prince said. "You look as if you could laugh and joke. These Huguenot lords are brave and faithful, but they have ever serious faces."
"Hush, Henri! It is not fitting to speak so. They are brave and good men."