The priest's crew of desperadoes--assuming Pavannes' suspicions to be correct--would wait some time, no doubt, to give the master of the house a chance to return, but would certainly attack sooner or later out of greed, if from no other motive.

Then the lady's fate would at the best be uncertain.

I was anxious myself to rejoin my brothers, and take all future chances, whether of saving our Louis, or escaping ourselves, with them.

United we should be four good swords, and might at least protect Madame de Pavannes to a place of safety, if no opportunity of succouring Louis should present itself.

We had too the Duke's ring, and this might be of service at a pinch.