"_Merci!_ It is just as well to know what one has to expect. Do the orders include starving your prisoner?"
"Here comes François in reply to the question; but you must pass your word not to take advantage if I unbind you."
After a moment's reflection I gave the required promise, upon which Pillot untied my arms, and then, opening the door, admitted François, who carried the food.
"Here is breakfast, monsieur," said the dwarf, making an elaborate bow. "It is not as good as the supper we enjoyed together in the village inn, but François has not had much experience in the character of host. Later on he will doubtless acquit himself better."
As soon as breakfast ended my arms were bound again, and François took his departure, leaving me with Pillot, who could not conceal his amusement at my plight.
"Pardon me, monsieur," said he laughing, "it is comical! You expected to trap François, and behold, you are caught yourself!"
I tried to look at the rascal sternly, but the humour of the thing tickled me so, that I joined in the laugh myself. Truly I had gone out for wool, and should return shorn!
"Tell me," said I presently, "am I forbidden to ask questions?"
"Why, no! Indeed it would be impossible to stop monsieur, unless a gag were placed in his mouth," and thinking, probably, of the incident at La Boule d'Or, he showed his teeth in a broad grin.
"A truce to your mummery," I cried; "will you answer my questions?"
"I do not remember that monsieur has asked any?"
"Well, here is one. How long am I to be kept in this den?"
"It is impossible to say precisely, but monsieur will not continue to occupy this apartment for more than a day or two."
"A day or two?" I thought my ears must have played me false. Noticing my surprise, he added, "Monsieur will have done his part by that time."
"Ah!" said he, shrugging his shoulders and raising his eyes, "who can tell? We are all in the hands of Providence."
"True, my friend, but I am also in the hands of De Retz, which is hardly as pleasant. It seems that I have suddenly become a person of some consequence!"
"Sufficiently important to have made many enemies, monsieur!"
"Chut! no; he would be pleased to call you his friend. I was thinking of personal enemies like M. Peleton and the Baron Maubranne. The Abbé and M. de Lalande will only use you for the good of the Cause; but I distrust the others."