“Absurd! I am sure King Henry would never give anything up.”
“And I, Sire. He must be forced.”
“Send force?”
“No, Sire. The force must be that of one strong, daring envoy who would seize upon the gem and bring it back.”
“What, steal?” cried the King.
“Can one steal that which is one’s own, Sire?”
“True. No,” said the King. “This is ours by right.”
“Your Majesty speaks well,” said the doctor triumphantly. “This gem belongs to France’s ancient crown, from which it was wrenched, plundered, stolen, carried away as spoil. And now it must be recovered.”
“Openly,” said the King.
“No, Sire. That means war. My plan is that you should send a trusted envoy to watch his opportunity, seize the gem or gems, and bring them back.”