"What! Do they refuse to let you pass?" asked Gabriel.
"They will not listen to a word," rejoined Ambroise Paré. "Oh, to think that God should make so precious an existence depend upon such paltry distinctions!"
"But you must go in," said Gabriel. "Your presence is indispensable there."
"We begged at first," said Peuquoy, interposing, "and then we threatened. They replied to our prayers with laughter, and to our threats with blows. Master Paré tried to force his way in, but was forcibly repulsed, and wounded by the handle of a halberd, I think."
"It's easily understood," said Ambroise Paré, bitterly. "I have no gold collar or spurs; I have nothing but a keen glance and a sure hand."
"Wait," said Gabriel, "I will soon make them admit you."
He walked toward the steps of the guard-house, but a pikeman bowing respectfully as he saw him, barred his way.
"Pardon me," said he with deference, "but we have received orders to allow no one whatever to go in."
"Blackguard!" said Gabriel, still keeping command over himself, however; "do your orders apply to Vicomte d'Exmès, captain of his Majesty's Guards, and Monsieur de Guise's friend? Where is your leader that I may speak to him?"
"Monseigneur, he is on guard at the inner door," replied the pikeman, still more humbly.