And he went on.
The gleam of malice in the man's eye warned Tavannes to pause.

He looked round for some one who might be in the secret, saw the Provost of the Merchants, and approached him.
"What's amiss, M.le Charron ?" he asked.

"Is not the affair going as it should ?" "'Tis about the Arsenal, M.le Comte," the Provost answered busily.

"M.
de Biron is harbouring the vermin there.

He has lowered the portcullis and pointed his culverins over the gate and will not yield it or listen to reason.