Herrick signed to the men who had remained near the door to come forward.
"Do you recognize me?" he asked.
"No, my lord; but I know you are the Duke," answered one.
The other was not so certain.
"One of you helped to cut my bonds one night when I was bound by robbers to a tree in the forest near your hut," said Herrick.
The men remembered at once.
"You little thought your services were given to the Duke of Montvilliers, who does not forget them. We would find you better service in the Castle of Vayenne; but not at once. We have other work for you to do. You remember our speaking of an old, toothless hag who was with those robbers?"
"Yes, my lord."
"She must be found. Can you find her?"
"We can try," was the answer. "We are more likely to be able to trace her than anyone else perhaps."