However, if they burn my house the king shall pay me for it." Thus reassured, he left the house, and at that moment saw at the window of the opposite house the servant of the unknown lady.

This man, as we have said, was completely disfigured by a scar extending from the left temple to the cheek; but although bald and with a gray beard, he had a quick, active appearance, and a fresh and young-looking complexion.

On seeing Chicot, he drew his hood over his head, and was going in, but Chicot called out to him: "Neighbor! the noise here last night quite disgusted me, and I am going for some weeks to my farm; will you be so obliging as to look after my house a little ?" "Willingly, monsieur." "And if you see robbers ?" "Be easy, monsieur, I have a good arquebuse." "I have still one more favor to ask." "What is it ?" "I hardly like to call it out." "I will come down to you." He came down accordingly, with his hood drawn closely round his face, saying, as a sort of apology, "It is very cold this morning." "Yes," said Chicot, "there is a bitter wind.

Well, monsieur, I am going away." "You told me that before!" "Yes, I know; but I leave a good deal of money behind me." "So much the worse; why not take it with you ?" "I cannot; but I leave it well hidden--so well, that I have nothing to fear but fire.

If that should happen, will you try and look after that great beam you see on the right." "Really, monsieur, you embarrass me.