"Ever since that night I have lived in Spain, hunted for a while by Gonzague’s gang, until, gradually, Gonzague’s gang ceased to exist."
"The thrust of Nevers," Cocardasse commented, quietly.
Lagardere smiled sadly. "Exactly. I had only one purpose in life—to avenge Nevers and to protect Nevers’s child. I abandoned my captaincy of irregulars when the late cardinal quarrelled with Spain. I did not like the late cardinal, but he was a Frenchman, and so was I. Since then I have lived as best I could, from hand to mouth, but always the child was safe, always the child was cared for, always the child was in some obscure hands that were kind and mild. Well, the child grew up, the beautiful child dawned into a beautiful girl, and still I kept her to myself, for I knew it was not safe to let Gonzague know that she lived. But the girl is a woman now; she is the age to inherit the territories of Nevers. The law will shield her from the treason of Gonzague. The king will protect the daughter of his friend."
The Norman shook his head, and the expression of his face was very dubious. "Gonzague is a powerful personage."
Cocardasse did not appear to be so much impressed by the power of Gonzague, but then it must be remembered that he came from Marseilles, while Passepoil arrived from Calais, which is more impressed by Paris. What the Gascon wanted to know was how his old friend and one-time enemy had contrived to appear so opportunely.
"How did you get here?" he asked.
Lagardere explained. "There was a gypsy lass in Madrid of whom by chance Gabrielle had made a friend. Poor girl, she could not have many friends. One day this girl told us that she and her tribe were going to Paris on some secret business of their own. Here was an opportunity for the exiles to return, unseen, to France. As gypsies, we travelled with the gypsies. I have been a strolling player, and as a strolling player I helped to pay my way. Before we left Madrid I wrote you those letters. As a result of all this delicate diplomacy, here I am, and here you are."
Cocardasse still was puzzled. "But our letters spoke of the service of Gonzague?"
Lagardere laughed as he answered the riddle. "Because, dear dullards, I want you to enter the service of Gonzague. If I return to France to right a wrong, I know the risk I run and the blessing of you two devils to help me."
Each of the two bravos extended his right hand. "Any help we can give," protested Cocardasse—"is yours," added Passepoil.