The King's Esquires Part 3

"Well, well, then I suppose it must be done."

The dog gave a sharp growl and showed his teeth.

"What, sir!" roared the King, s.n.a.t.c.hing back his hand to grasp the dagger in his girdle. "Do you dare to turn upon your lord?"

"No, no, Sire," cried Denis excitedly. "It was not his fault."

"What do you mean, sir?" said the King angrily.

"You were pulling his ears so hard, Sire, and dragging his head to and fro."

"Was I?" said the King.

"Yes, Sire. He bore it as long as he could."

"Poor old Tonnerre!" said the King, clapping his hand upon the dog's head again; and the dog whined with pleasure at the caress. "I was growing excited, I suppose. Well, never mind the hound. Now then, Leoni; we must have this ruby back?"

"Yes, Sire. I shall never rest till I see it safely in the ancient crown."

"And I suppose I must say the same," said the King. "But how is it to be done? There: speak. You have studied all this out, I suppose? How is it to be done?"

"By a trusty mission to England, Sire."

"Absurd! I am sure King Henry would never give anything up."

"And I, Sire. He must be forced."

"Send force?"

"No, Sire. The force must be that of one strong, daring envoy who would seize upon the gem and bring it back."

"What, steal?" cried the King.

"Can one steal that which is one's own, Sire?"

"True. No," said the King. "This is ours by right."

"Your Majesty speaks well," said the doctor triumphantly. "This gem belongs to France's ancient crown, from which it was wrenched, plundered, stolen, carried away as spoil. And now it must be recovered."

"Openly," said the King.

"No, Sire. That means war. My plan is that you should send a trusted envoy to watch his opportunity, seize the gem or gems, and bring them back."

"Hah!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Denis, in the excitement of the moment; and Saint Simon turned upon him sharply, and with a resentful look which was returned.

"But it means a deal," said the King thoughtfully. "That amba.s.sador would risk his life."

"Hah!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Saint Simon, giving vent to his suppressed excitement in his turn; and Denis now gave him back his resentful jealous look.

"Yes, Sire," continued Leoni; "the envoy would risk his life, of course--in the service of his King. But there are men who would do this for their master's sake, to ensure his long and peaceful reign."

"And if he fails?" said the King.

"He would not fail, Sire. He would be carried forward by the knowledge that he was fighting in the cause of right and duty towards the master that he loved. Have no fear of that, Sire. He would succeed."

"But I have fear," cried the King. "Find me such a man as that, and I should look upon him as a treasure whose life I would not risk."

"There would be no risk, Sire. It would be a question not of force but guile. He would make his way to the Court of your brother of England in a way which I have planned."

"With recommendations from me?"

"Perhaps, Sire. I have not settled that."

"No," said the King angrily. "Why, man, when the gems were missed, the theft would be laid at my door. I would sooner march my people across English ground and take them honestly by force."

"That could not be done, Sire. Leave that to me. Your messenger must go, and carry out his amba.s.sage by guile."

"And who is to be the man?" asked the King.

"I!" cried Denis, springing forward, to sink upon one knee before Francis, and so suddenly as to rouse the dog, which leaped towards him, barking furiously.

"You, my boy!" cried the King.

"No, Sire," cried Saint Simon excitedly, following Denis's example, to spring to the King's feet. "I will go. It is work for a man grown, not for a puny boy."

"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed the King merrily. "Quiet, Tonnerre! Quiet!" For the great hound, roused by the excitement, was filling the chamber with his deep-toned bay, his eyes glaring redly, and his glistening white fangs bared, as he gazed in his master's face as if asking for orders as to whom he should seize by the throat and pin.

"Down, sir!" cried the King again. "Quiet! There, Leoni, was I not right in letting these boys share our confidence? Who says that Francis of Valois has not followers in whom he can trust?"

"Not I, Sire," said the doctor grimly; "but this is no work for them."

"Not for Denis here," cried Saint Simon excitedly, "but, your Majesty, for me. I would strike, and strike now. Mine be the task to do or die!"

"Silence, boy!" cried the King, laying his hand on Denis's head as he dumbly looked up at him in protest, his eyes appealing the while that his monarch's favour should be awarded to him alone. "No, no; emphatically no! Neither of you will go alone. You hear, boys? I will not send you on this quest."

Francis turned to Leoni as he spoke, and the doctor bowed his head in acquiescence.

"Yours are the words of wisdom, Sire," he said. "The work is not for such as these--these two gallant followers of their King."

"Who then is to follow out the task?" said Francis. "For I like it well, and it must and shall be done. You hear me, Leoni? I have spoken now, and I will not rest, since you have roused me to this task, until this jewel glistens once more in its rightful place above my kingly crown."

"Spoken like the King of France!" cried the doctor, drawing himself up.

"And now, Sire, it will be done."

"By whom?" cried Francis sternly.

"By your servant, Sire, who has dwelt upon this for years, thought out and nurtured the plans until the fruit is ripe. By the man who possesses the energy, the guile, and the determination to serve his master in this great duty to his King."