Stanley J. Weyman

“ The Vicomte shrugged his shoulders, and the other, taking silence for consent, proceeded: "You, Vicomte, are governor of Lusigny for the King of Navarre; I of Créance, for the King of France. Our towns lie only three leagues apart. Could I by any chance, say on one of these fine nights, become master of Lusigny, it would be worth more than two thousand crowns to me. Do you understand?" ”

“ A moment of suspense, while one and another shivered-for there is that in a night attack which touches the nerves of the stoutest—and the planks were found, and as quietly as possible laid across the moat This was so successfully done that it evoked no challenge, and the Captain, crossing quickly with some picked men, stood almost in the twinkling of an eye under the shadow of the gateway. ”

“ As the Vicomte had promised, there was no resistance. In the small keep a score of men did indeed run to arms, but only to lay them down without striking a blow when they became aware of the force opposed to them. Their leader, sullenly acquiescing, gave up his sword and the keys of the town to the victorious Captain, who, as he sat his horse in the middle of the market-place, giving his orders and sending off riders with the news, already saw himself in fancy Governor of a province and Knight of the Holy Ghost. ”

“ But the young man's fingers had already closed on the dice. Picking them up he dropped them once, twice, thrice on the table, his eyes gleaming with the play-fever. "If I win?" he said doubtfully.
"You carry away a thousand crowns," answered the Captain, quietly. "If you lose you contrive to leave one of the gates of Lusigny open for me before next full moon. ”

“ That is all."
"And what if I lose, and not pay the forfeit?" asked the Vicomte, laughing weakly.
"I trust to your honor," said the Captain. And, strange as it may seem, he knew his man. The young noble of the day might betray his cause and his trust, but the debt of honor incurred at play was binding on him.
"Well," said the Vicomte, "I agree. Who is to throw first?" ”

“ He had years of strength before him. He would rise. He would not easily be satisfied. The times were troubled, opportunities many, fools many; bold men with brains and hands few.
At the same time he knew that he could be sure of nothing until Lusigny was actually his, and he spent the next few days in considerable suspense. But no hitch occurred. The Vicomte made the necessary communications to him; and men in his own pay informed him of dispositions, ordered by the governor of Lusigny, which left him in no doubt that the loser intended to pay his debt. ”

“ For a second he thought something had gone wrong, but the young noble's first words reassured him. "It is all right," M. de Lanthenon whispered, as the Captain bent down to him. "I have kept my word, and I think that there will be no resistance. The planks for crossing the moat lie opposite the gate. Knock thrice at the latter, and it will be opened. There are not fifty armed men in the place."
"Good!" the Captain answered, in the same cautious tone. ”

“ I will stake the two thousand crowns you have lost to me, and another thousand besides, against your town. Fool! no one can hear us. If you win you go off a free man with my thousand. If you lose, you put me in possession one of these fine nights. ”

“ Henry muttered softly.
"But I claim to pay also my debt to the Captain of Créance."
"Oh," the King answered. "So you would have me take your worthless life, and give up Lusigny?"
"I am in your hands, sire."
"Pish, sir!" Henry replied in angry astonishment. "You talk like a child. Such an offer, M. de Lanthenon, is folly, and you know it. Now listen to me. It was lucky for you that I came in to-night, intending to question you. Your madness is known to me only, and I am willing to overlook it. Do you hear? Cheer up, therefore, and be a man. You are young ”

“ Yet his opponent, a stouter and darker man, with a sword-cut across his left temple, and that swaggering air which has at all times marked the professional soldier, showed no signs of triumph or elation. ”