With intended slovenliness he affixed the signature and seal, then threw the pen to the floor. I took the order, scanned it, and handed him another pen.
"Excellent!" said I. "And now again!"
He made a momentary show of haughty, indignant refusal, but a movement of my sword quelled the brief revolt in him.
"The bearer of this," I dictated, "M. de Varion, is to pass free in the province, and to cross the border where he will."
This time he signed and affixed the seal without additional request. He threw the second pen after the first, and looked up at me with a scowl.
"A bold, brave signature, monsieur! There is one pen left!" and I handed him the third quill.
He took it with a look of wrath, after which he gave a sigh of forced patience, and sat ready to write.
"The bearer of this, Ernanton de Launay—"
"Ernanton de Launay?" he repeated, looking up inquiringly.
"Ernanton de Launay, Sieur de la Tournoire,—" I went on.