"Little fear of that now," said Felix, but he became solemn again, and turned to Barbier. "There is nothing more, captain. See that the sentries are doubled everywhere. See that a special guard of honor is given Mademoiselle de Liancourt to-night, and make it clear that neither she nor any of her suite has permission to leave the castle. And remember no priest may enter the Castle of Vayenne but Father Bertrand."
"Had I my will, I would keep him out, too," said Barbier.
"That is impossible," Felix answered. "Every detail of ancient custom must be observed. Go, Barbier, I depend upon you."
"We trust you, Barbier," said Jean. "You are earning your new dress very creditably."
The captain shrugged his shoulders contemptuously at the dwarf as he went out. Barbier had little appreciation of such humor, and perhaps he was not so comfortable in his new uniform as he pretended to be. The Count's wounded hand troubled the Captain of the Guard. Somewhere, undetected, in their midst was a man who knew their secrets.
The wounded hand also troubled the Count. Who was his adversary? What had he to do with Christine de Liancourt?
"No more visions, Jean?" he said, turning to the dwarf, who had seated himself on the floor beside his chair.
"None."
"We travel swiftly to the goal."
"Ay; straight to the goal," Jean answered. "I saw carpenters and servants putting the final touches to the great hall as I passed. It will be a grand spectacle."