"I do not see the duchess' rubies here," said D'Alegres.
"I am prepared to produce them to-morrow," replied D'Entrangues; "in the meantime, I trust you have sufficient proof?"
"Give M. d'Entrangues his sword. You need not fight this man," D'Alegres added, pointing to me, "even if he challenges you. Were you a French subject," he said to me, "I would hang you in your boots; as it is I will submit the case to the duke. D'Entrangues, I hold you to your word about the rubies. Provost, see that your prisoner is carefully guarded. You will answer for him with your life."
"Prisoner, your excellency! There are two."
"I have restored M. d'Entrangues his sword."
"There is still another," and the provost pointed to Tarbes.
"Pah!" exclaimed D'Alegres, "hang him out of hand--come, gentlemen!"
One by one they went out. Not another look did they give me. I heard the tread of feet, and the sound of voices in eager conversation, dying out in the distance. I stood as in a dream. Tarbes had been dragged away speechless, and half fainting. When he was outside he found voice, and I heard him alternately cursing D'Alegres, and D'Entrangues and screaming for mercy. Braccio touched me on the arm.
"Come, signore," he said, "you, at any rate, have a few hours left."