He looked upon an intricate mass of building, composing the western wing of the castle, and it was some moments before he could distinguish what the Sieur de Retz wished him to see.

Then, as his eyes took in the details, he saw on the flat roof of a square tower beneath him two maidens seated, and when he looked closer--lo! they were Margaret Douglas and, beside her, his brother's sweetheart Maud Lindesay.

These two were sitting hand in hand, as was their wont, and the head of the child was bowed almost to her friend's knee.

Maud's arm was about Margaret's neck, and her fingers caressed the childish tangle of hair.

Presently the elder lifted the younger upon her knee and hushed her like a mother who puts a tired child to sleep.
Immediately behind this group, in the shadow of a buttress, Laurence saw a tall man, masked, clad in a black suit, and with a drawn sword in his hand.
The marshal looked out over the lad's shoulder.
"The day you are missed from the Castle of Machecoul, or the day that the rest of your company arrives here, that sword shall fall, but in a more terrible fashion than I can tell you! That sentinel can neither hear nor speak, but he has his orders and will obey them.