I come as the legal representative of the bereaved mother of M.de Vilmorin to demand of you the inquiry that is due." The door behind Andre-Louis opened softly.

M.de Lesdiguieres, pale with anger, contained himself with difficulty.
"You seek to compel us, do you, you impudent rascal ?" he growled.

"You think the King's justice is to be driven headlong by the voice of any impudent roturier?
I marvel at my own patience with you.

But I give you a last warning, master lawyer; keep a closer guard over that insolent tongue of yours, or you will have cause very bitterly to regret its glibness." He waved a jewelled, contemptuous hand, and spoke to the usher standing behind Andre.

"To the door!" he said, shortly.
Andre-Louis hesitated a second.