At last he came abruptly to a standstill by the Seneschal's writing-table, immediately opposite Tressan.

His hand fell to his side, his eyes took on a look of determination.
"As a last resource your good advice may guide me, Monsieur le Seneschal," said he.

"But first I'll see what can be done with such men as you have here." "But I have no men," answered Tressan, dismayed to see the failure of his effort.
Garnache stared at him in an unbelief that was fast growing to suspicion.

"No men ?" he echoed dully.

"No men ?" "I might muster a score--no more than that." "But, monsieur, it is within my knowledge that you have at least two hundred.