"Say, man, what is it?
What is behind ?" "If there be aught behind, I do not know it," Tavannes answered steadfastly.
M.de Biron relaxed the fixity of his gaze.

"But you said that you had an object ?" he returned.
"I had--in being the bearer of the message." "What was it ?" "My object?
To learn two things." "The first, if it please you ?" The Grand Master's chin stuck out a little, as he spoke.
"Have you in the Arsenal a M.de Tignonville, a gentleman of Poitou ?" "I have not," Biron answered curtly.

"The second ?" "Have you here a Huguenot minister ?" "I have not.

And if I had I should not give him up," he added firmly.
Tavannes shrugged his shoulders.

"I have a use for one," he said carelessly.