"I did nothing but dine, but I intended to sleep there, to stay there, a peaceful traveller, for some days. Going for a short walk after dinner I was attacked in the street, for the purpose of robbery I suppose, but finding the task beyond them, one villain shouted out, 'Spy!' and I was soon in the hands of an infuriated crowd. I believe I owe you my life, captain, for had you not been at the end of the street I doubt whether I should have escaped hanging."
"What were the men like who attempted to rob you?"
Herrick tried to give some idea of their appearance, and succeeded in making Lemasle thoughtful for a time.
"And you heard me get talkative over the wine in the Croix Verte," he said presently.
"There was only a partition between us, and Father Bertrand's voice, even when he speaks low, is penetrating. So long as I overheard the conversation his persuasion did not seem to appeal to you, Captain Lemasle."
"You left before the end then?"
"I did not return to the room after we all went into the passage to learn that the Duke was dead."
"You noticed the priest and me, did you take no note of the other men?"
"No. I judged that in Father Bertrand's eyes you were of most importance, and truly I thought little of what I had chanced to overhear until afterward. Being suddenly locked in the South Tower instead of sleeping in comfort at the Croix Verte is apt to set one thinking."