"Has any one betrayed me?" was the thought of this hapless envoy of the Reformers.
Christophe followed the usher, his eyes bent on the ground, and never looked up till he found himself in the spacious council-room—as large almost as the guardroom. The two Guises were alone, standing in front of the splendid chimney-place that backed against that in the guardroom, where the maids of honor were grouped.
"You have come from Paris? Which road did you take?" the Cardinal said to Christophe.
"I came by water, monseigneur," replied the lad.
"And how did you get into Blois?" said the Grand Master.
"By the river port, monseigneur."
"And no one interfered with you?" said the Duke, who was examining the young man closely.
"No, monseigneur. I told the first soldier, who made as though he would stop me, that I had come on duty to wait on the two Queens, and that my father is furrier to their Majesties."
"What is doing in Paris?" asked the Cardinal.
"They are still trying to discover the murderer who killed President Minard."