"
"I can at least deliver you," the Grand Master answered, in heat, "to
those who will deal with you as you have dealt with us and ours."
"It will avail you nothing," Count Hannibal replied soberly. "For see
here, Grand Master, I come from the King. If you are at war with him,
and hold his fortress in his teeth, I am his ambassador and sacrosanct.
If you are at peace with him and hold it at his will, I am his servant,
and safe also."
"At peace and safe?" Biron cried, his voice trembling with indignation.
"And are those safe or at peace who came here trusting to _his_ word, who
lay in his palace and slept in his beds? Where are they, and how have
they fared, that you dare appeal to the law of nations, or he to the
loyalty of Biron? And for you to beard me, whose brother to-day hounded
the dogs of this vile city on the noblest in France, who have leagued
yourself with a crew of foreigners to do a deed which will make our
country stink in the nostrils of the world when we are dust! You, to
come here and talk of peace and safety! M. de Tavannes"--and he struck
his hand on the table--"you are a bold man. I know why the King had a
will to send you, but I know not why you had the will to come."
"That I will tell you later," Count Hannibal answered coolly.
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