The king shook his head. "I have given my word. The man has forty-eight
hours to cross the frontier."
Lagardere bowed to the king. "I thank you, sire. You are a true and
honorable gentleman. But, sire, I give you back your word." As he spoke
he tore the safe-conduct in two and flung it at his feet. "I ask but
four-and-twenty hours to unmask the villain who now triumphs over truth
and justice, and to give back a daughter to her mother. Nevers shall be
avenged! Make way for me!"
As he spoke he turned upon his heel and passed rapidly from the king's
presence, the amazed and bewildered guests giving ground before him as he
passed. Instantly Gonzague turned and whispered to Peyrolles: "He must
not leave this place alive."
And Peyrolles answered, confidently: "He shall not. Every gate is guarded
by my spies."
The king rose gravely and addressed the assembly. "Let us disperse,
friends. What we have seen and heard leaves us in little mood for
merrymaking." Then he gave his hand to the now weeping princess, and,
followed by his immediate escort, quitted the tent. It was soon deserted;
it was soon empty. The king departed in the direction of his palace. News
that the ball was ended spread rapidly, and in a short while the gardens
that had been so thronged and brilliant became deserted and desolate. The
departing guests found that every exit was guarded by soldiers, and that
their faces were carefully scanned before they were suffered to leave the
precincts of the Palais Royal.
Gonzague remained alone in the solitude by the Fountain of Diana, waiting
for Peyrolles, who presently joined him.
"Well?" Gonzague asked, anxiously.
Peyrolles looked disappointed. "He has not left by any of the gates. He
must be hiding in the gardens."
Gonzague commanded, sharply: "Bid your men seek till they find, and kill
when they find."
Peyrolles bowed. "Yes, your excellency," he said, and disappeared down
one of the silent alleys. As he departed, the hunchback emerged from the
shadow of a tree and approached Gonzague noiselessly. Gonzague started a
little as he suddenly became aware of the hunchback's presence.