It would be his mission to supervise and direct the inquiries that were taking place.

It was said, he added, that the King himself was on his way thither, to be present at the trial of Monsieur le Duc de Montmorency.
But he was travelling by easy stages, and was not yet expected for some days.

My heart, which had leapt at the news, as suddenly sank again with the consideration that I should probably be disposed of before the King's arrival.

It would behoove me, therefore, to look elsewhere for help and for some one to swear to my identity.
"Do you know the name of this King's Commissioner ?" I asked.
"It is a certain Comte de Chatellerault, a gentleman man said to stand very high in His Majesty's favour." "Chatellerault!" I cried in wondering joy.
"You know him ?" "Most excellently!" I laughed.

"We are very intimately acquainted." "Why, then, monsieur, I augur you this gentleman's friendship, and that it may pilot you through your trouble.