“Good and do these gentlemen know that one of my coaches left here this morning?”
“They saw it go, Your Grace. They were in the yard as it drew away.”
“That is all I wanted to know,” the Duke said. “You may show them in.”
Then for a moment the Proprietor did not move. He stood in front of the Duke looking up at him, his eyes worried, his hands plucking nervously at the coarse cambric of his apron.
“Whatever happens, Your Grace, will you be sure that I don’t get into trouble? I am a poor man and the Cardinal is very powerful.”
“You will get into no trouble so long as you keep your mouth shut,” the Duke replied. “You have already told these strangers I came here alone. I will assure them that you spoke the truth. Now, show them in.”
“Yes, Your Grace. Of course, Your Grace.”
The Propri
