The Cardinal, who rarely made a change of front, had sent me hither that he might not be forced to send soldiers, and run the risk of all that might arise from such a movement.

What of this invasion, then, than which nothing could be less consistent with his plans?
I wondered.

It was possible that the travelling merchants, before whom I had played at treason, had reported the facts; and that on this the Commandant at Auch had acted.

But it seemed unlikely since he had had his orders too, and under the Cardinal's rule there was small place for individual enterprise.

Frankly I could not understand it, and found only one thing clear; I might now enter the village as I pleased.
'I am going on to look into this,' I said to Antoine.