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UBOIS looked after Pierre with some misgivings as he saw him accost de Proballe.

"I suppose he is to be trusted," he muttered.

"Hasn't he given proof of it?" replied Gerard.

"I would trust him with my life," said Gabrielle.

"And I would trust few men of Morvaix with anything," returned Dubois. "I am minded to go and hear for myself. While that din rages outside I could get up unheard and would soon have the way clear."

But there was no need for suspicion of Pierre. He went up to de Proballe and addressed him openly.

"By your leave, my lord, I was seeking you. The Governor sent me to find you for the work in the turret cell."

"Where is he?" asked de Proballe.

"I left him with the prisoner, my lord, and he ordered me, if I should find you, to ask you to hasten to him at once by way of the upper gallery. Jean of the Mask has gone thither and I am in search now of the surgeon."

"Then the prisoner will be racked?" asked de Proballe, in a tone of satisfaction.

"Rack for the one, my lord, and the weights for the priest," answered Pierre, so glibly and readily that de Proballe never thought he was lying. "The Governor is full of impatience, my lord," he added; and de Proballe hurried away, making an excuse to his companion.