'I will take it for granted.' 'Very well,' I replied steadfastly.

'Good or bad, he one day, in defiance of the Cardinal's edict against duelling, fought with a young Englishman behind St Jacques' Church.

The Englishman had influence, the person of whom I speak had none, and an indifferent name; he was arrested, thrown into the Chatelet, cast for death, left for days to face death.

At last an offer was made to him.

If he would seek out and deliver up another man, an outlaw with a price upon his head, he should himself go free.' I paused and drew a deep breath.