"Rumor often finds it difficult to substantiate her tales," said Herrick, who was not inclined to admit anything until he understood his position more exactly.
"You are both to be arrested, and this I take to mean a short shrift and speedy closing of accounts. Justice in Montvilliers is inclined to be barbarous."
"I am not considering the point of view," said the priest, with a smile. "Yours is the greater danger, for Lemasle has friends. You were received as a spy at the outset, and have no friends in Vayenne."
"I understood that I was brought here to find some," Herrick answered. "Besides, I have friends in this city."
"You mean those who helped you to escape from the South Tower?"
"That was a simple matter," said Herrick carelessly.
"Yes, Monsieur Herrick?" said the priest inquiringly after a short pause.
"Naturally I do not betray my friends," was the answer.
Father Bertrand smiled again, perhaps to hide his annoyance that his visitor would not speak more openly. He had so constantly found his suave manner a key to open hearts and loosen tongues, that he might well be disappointed now.
"Something more than your name is known to me, Monsieur Herrick--that, of course, was easy to ascertain--but first let me ask you one or two questions."
"And Mademoiselle de Liancourt and this Captain Lemasle?"
"I last saw them in the forest which lies on the main road to Passey," Herrick answered.
"You do not look like a man who would lie," said the priest, regarding him intently.
Herrick inclined his head at the compliment. His answers were strictly true; he did not feel himself called upon to enter into explanations.
"Tell me, what made you come to Vayenne--originally, I mean?" said the priest after another pause.
"I came as any traveller might. From childhood Vayenne has always had a fascination for me. Long ago I determined to visit it some day, and truly it has treated me very scurvily thus far."
"Indeed, I cannot tell, but I do know it is being speedily cured," Herrick answered.
"And why have you returned to Vayenne now?"
"I hardly know," laughed Herrick. "The whim of an Englishman to see the game to the end. I might have been wiser to ride to the frontier while I had the chance."
"Perhaps; yet who shall say? Providence, or circumstance, call it what you will, determines these matters. I, too, have schemed, my son, schemed to bring about this very meeting, and after all it comes in a strange manner. It was I who on the night of your arrival arranged to have you captured--no, not as a spy, I never thought of that. I only wanted you brought here."