de Pavannes," I said coolly--but I could not take my eyes off the shining blade of that man's axe, it was so very broad and sharp--"is not here!" "That is a lie! He is in that room behind you!" the prudent gentleman in the background called out.

"Give him up!" "Ay, give him up!" echoed the man of the pole-axe almost good humouredly, "or it will be the worse for you.

Let us have at him and get you gone!" This with an air of much reason, while a growl as of a chained beast ran through the crowd, mingled with cries of "A MORT LES HUGUENOTS! VIVE LORRAINE!"-- cries which seemed to show that all did not approve of the indulgence offered us.
"Beware, gentlemen, beware," I urged, "I swear he is not here! I swear it, do you hear ?" A howl of impatience and then a sudden movement of the crowd as though the rush were coming warned me to temporize no longer.

"Stay! Stay!" I added hastily.

"One minute! Hear me! You are too many for us.
Will you swear to let us go safe and untouched, if we give you passage ?" A dozen voices shrieked assent.