"
"My lord!"
"Pish, man, Lescot has said it, and will act on it. And Thuriot, who
prints for the University! Would you 'scape them? You would? Then
listen to me. I want but two things. First, how many men has
Montsoreau's fellow in the Castle? Few, I know, for he is a niggard, and
if he spends, he spends the Duke's pay."
"Twelve. But five can hold it."
"Ay, but twelve dare not leave it! Let them stew in their own broth! And
now for the other matter. See, man, that before daybreak three gibbets,
with a ladder and two ropes apiece, are set up in the square. And let
one be before this door. You understand? Then let it be done! The
rest," he added with a ferocious smile, "you may leave to me."
The magistrate nodded rather feebly. "Doubtless," he said, his eye
wandering here and there, "there are rogues in Angers. And for rogues
the gibbet! But saving your presence, my lord, it is a question
whether--"
But M. de Tavannes' patience was exhausted. "Will you do it?" he roared.
"That is the question. And the only question."
The Provost jumped, he was so startled. "Certainly, my lord, certainly!"
he muttered humbly. "Certainly, I will!" And bowing frequently, but
saying no more, he backed himself out of the room.
Count Hannibal laughed grimly after his fashion, and doubtless thought
that he had seen the last of the magistrate for that night.
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