"Then the pale scholar is not dead," said Jean. "In Vayenne they believe he is."
"He was not dead when the robbers carried him away, and they would certainly do their best to keep him alive. How he will fare with those to whom he is sold I cannot say."
Jean expressed no opinion.
"And now, friend Roger, what happens now? You have come to tell the truth to the Count, and have fallen into the fox's hole on the way."
"Wait, Jean; let us consider the position for a moment. Had I gone boldly to the castle, what would my fate have been, do you suppose?"
"A dangle at the end of a rope over the great gate as likely as not," the dwarf answered.
"Exactly—and perhaps without a chance of seeing Count Felix at all," said Herrick. "Now Father Bertrand has promised to get me into the castle in the suite of one De Bornais, who comes to the Duke's funeral. In this way I shall attract no attention, and shall be ready when the moment for action arrives."
"What action?"
"That must depend on circumstances; but it shall be some action that shall prevent Count Felix being crowned Duke of Montvilliers."