W.J. MARX
Author of "Scouting for Buller," "The British Legion," etc.
HODDER AND STOUGHTONPUBLISHERS LONDON
Printed in 1906
Butler and Panner, The Selwood Printing Works, Frome, and London
TO MY WIFE
BUT FOR WHOSE ENCOURAGEMENT
THIS STORY WOULD NEVER
HAVE BEEN WRITTEN.
CHAPTER I
A PERILOUS RIDE
CHAPTER II
TRACKED, OR NOT?
CHAPTER III
THE FIGHT BY THE WAY
CHAPTER IV
HOW WE KEPT THE FORD
CHAPTER V
A TRAITOR TO THE KING
CHAPTER VI
THE UNKNOWN CAVALIER
CHAPTER VII
A COMMISSION FOR THE ADMIRAL
CHAPTER VIII
THE TRAGEDY OF JARNAC
CHAPTER IX
A GLORIOUS VICTORY
CHAPTER X
I REJOIN THE ADVANCE
CHAPTER XI
A DESPERATE CONFLICT
CHAPTER XII
THE RETURN TO ROCHELLE
CHAPTER XIII
A DARING ENTERPRISE
CHAPTER XIV
SCOUTING FOR COLIGNY
CHAPTER XV
A GLORIOUS TRIUMPH
CHAPTER XVI
A GLEAM OF SUNSHINE
CHAPTER XVII
THE KING'S PROMISE
CHAPTER XVIII
A WARNING FROM L'ESTANG
CHAPTER XIX
WHO KILLED THE COURIER?
CHAPTER XX
L'ESTANG'S COURIER
CHAPTER XXI
I SAVE CORDEL'S LIFE
CHAPTER XXII
L'ESTANG TELLS HIS STORY
CHAPTER XXIII
A ROYAL MARRIAGE
CHAPTER XXIV
A MYSTERIOUS WARNING
CHAPTER XXV
A DASTARDLY DEED
CHAPTER XXVI
WHAT WILL THE KING DO?
CHAPTER XXVII
THE DAY OF THE MASSACRE
CHAPTER XXVIII
FAREWELL FRANCE
L'ENVOI
"I trust no harm has happened to my father, Jacques. The night growslate and there are strange rumours afloat. 'Tis said that the Guises areeager to break the peace."
"Better open warfare than this state of things, monsieur. The peace isno peace: the king's troops are robbing and slaying as they please.François of the mill told me a pretty tale of their doings to-day. Butlisten, I hear the beat of hoofs on the road below."
"There are two horses, Jacques, and they approach very slowly. My fatherdoes not usually ride like that.