“How know you this?”
“One of the ruffians who menaced the lady was one-eyed. He wore a patch over his face. I was lucky enough to break his wrist with my cudgel.”
“A strange weapon for a gentleman,” said Her Majesty.
“It is honored above my sword, in that it hath served Mademoiselle,” I answered.
“You have a French twist to your tongue,” said the Queen. “Proceed.”
“I recognized the man in the Marquis du Trémigon’s following last night, Your Majesty.”
“I know whom he means, Madame; I saw him, too,” said Mademoiselle. “I heard Monsieur du Trémigon call him Babin. Strange to say, I did not recognize him before.”
“That agrees perfectly with my recollection, Madame. I remember that the man who ran away that day on the road called him by that name.”
“And you think the Marquis du Trémigon wanted these papers?” continued the Queen.
“I am sure of it, Madame.”