Garnache looked at him. He did not believe him. He regretted
almost that he had not further questioned the girl. But, after all,
perhaps it might be easier and more expedient if he were to appear
to accept the Seneschal's statement. But he must provide against
further fraud.

"Monsieur le Seneschal," said he in calmer tones, putting his anger
from him, "at the best you are a blunderer and an ass, at the worst
a traitor. I will inquire no further at present; I'll not seek to
discriminate too finely."

"Monsieur, these insults - " began the Seneschal, summoning dignity
to his aid. But Garnache broke in:

"La, la! I speak in the Queen's name. If you have thought to aid
the Dowager of Condillac in this resistance of Her Majesty's mandate,
let me enjoin you, as you value your seneschalship - as you value
your very neck - to harbour that thought no longer.

"It seems that, after all, I must deal myself with the situation.
I must go myself to Condillac. If they should resist me, I shall
look to you for the necessary means to overcome that resistance.

"And bear you this in mind: I have chosen to leave it an open
question whether you were a party to the trick it has been sought
to put upon the Queen, through me, her representative. But it is
a question that I have it in my power to resolve at any moment - to
resolve as I choose. Unless, monsieur, I find you hereafter - as
I trust - actuated by the most unswerving loyalty, I shall resolve