"I say nothing against Captain Lemasle," said Herrick. "Not many hours since he toasted Mademoiselle de Liancourt with such enthusiasm at the Croix Verte, I could not believe him anything but an honest man."
"You are no priest, and there is something in your voice that I remember."
"No, I am not a priest; you took me for a spy last night."
"I thought you safely caged in the South Tower."
"I was, captain. I am here to try and save the Duke."
"But how could you escape?" said Lemasle in astonishment.
"That I can tell you at another time."
Lemasle was silent for a few moments.
"It is indeed a strange story, mademoiselle," he said presently, "and truth to tell there are some in our company who would not be in it had I had the choosing."
"If there is any worth in the story, you must judge," Christine said. "For myself, I do not believe such tales easily, and at all hazards we ride to Vayenne to-morrow. It might be well to take this man with us. Unless he can prove his honesty, the castle can surely hold him though he has escaped once."