"Do you think this ends it?" he cried, shaking both fists up at us, his face all twisted with passion. "By God! No!"
"Do you swear, Monsieur Volran?"
"Swear?" he frothed. "What can I do but swear? Yes; Louis can pay to-day's debt better than I can, and so I swear. Oh, what a payment that will be! What a payment! What a payment! God send me there to hear you curse the bribe that has bought to-day's treachery."
"No bribe," answered I a little huskily, for the venom of his exultation shook my nerve more than any threat could have done. "But tell the King this: Gaspard Hellewyl has failed to fulfil his mission, and according to his oath returns to Plessis by the road of his Majesty's choosing."
"To Plessis!" answered Volran incredulously. "Bah! Why add a lie to treason? To Plessis!" and in his contempt he laughed.
But from behind, Brother Paul laid his hands upon my shoulders, drawing me back into his embrace until I felt the throb of his heart.
"It is the gleam, my son; God be praised, who never leaves us in the dark."
"It is my oath, Father; and you, Monsieur, do you carry your message to the King."
For a moment Jean Volran stood watching me curiously; then he drew himself up and raised his sword to the salute.
"Till we meet in Plessis, Monsieur."