Gonzague pointed mockingly at Lagardere. "The impostor is already
exposed!" he cried, exultingly.
Lagardere turned towards him, fiercely. "Liar! assassin!" he cried, and
advanced towards Gonzague, but was stopped by Bonnivet.
The king looked at him sternly. "Sir, you have made charges you could not
prove, promises you could not keep. You shall answer for this before your
judges."
Bonnivet made as if to arrest Lagardere, but Lagardere held up his hand.
"Stop!" he cried; "let no man dare to touch me. I have here your
majesty's safe-conduct, signed and sealed--'free to come, free to
go'--that was your promise, sire."