The Kings Esquires | Page 7

urge upon you."
"But what do you want, man?" cried the King impatiently. "If Henry is
more wise than I, and believes in all this mystic stuff, is it likely that he
will give me back this talisman, as I suppose you would call it, that his
ancestors plundered from our crown?"
"No, your Majesty. Efforts have been made by statesmen of the past, in

previous reigns, to get the jewel back, but all in vain."
"Very well," said the King impatiently; "and France seems to have got
on very well without it. We are at peace with England. Why should I
disturb our friendly brotherly intercourse by raking up the past? I am
quite content and happy to enjoy my hunting pursuits. Do you want me
to go to war, invade England, and bring the jewel back?"
"Far from it, your Majesty."
"Then why disturb the pleasant present?"
"For fear of a troubled future, Sire. It is to ensure your long and
prosperous reign that I speak like this. Believe me, Sire, I have no other
aim."
"Well, Leoni, I believe your words. You have a good position here at
Court, and a good master ready to give you anything in reason; and
believe me, I want to enjoy a quiet prosperous reign. Mine is a very
pleasant life. There are plenty of boars to kill, and I would rather slay
them than Englishmen. War is very attractive and very grand. The clash
of arms, the trumpets' bray, and the thunder of chargers' hoofs, all thrill
me to the core; but I prefer it in the tourney, the mimic charge, and I
don't much care for blood. But you as a wise and thoughtful man, you
tell me that I ought to stir in this and get the ruby back?"
"I do, Sire," said Leoni sternly.
"Well, well, then I suppose it must be done."
The dog gave a sharp growl and showed his teeth.
"What, sir!" roared the King, snatching back his hand to grasp the
dagger in his girdle. "Do you dare to turn upon your lord?"
"No, no, Sire," cried Denis excitedly. "It was not his fault."
"What do you mean, sir?" said the King angrily.

"You were pulling his ears so hard, Sire, and dragging his head to and
fro."
"Was I?" said the King.
"Yes, Sire. He bore it as long as he could."
"Poor old Tonnerre!" said the King, clapping his hand upon the dog's
head again; and the dog whined with pleasure at the caress. "I was
growing excited, I suppose. Well, never mind the hound. Now then,
Leoni; we must have this ruby back?"
"Yes, Sire. I shall never rest till I see it safely in the ancient crown."
"And I suppose I must say the same," said the King. "But how is it to
be done? There: speak. You have studied all this out, I suppose? How
is it to be done?"
"By a trusty mission to England, Sire."
"Absurd! I am sure King Henry would never give anything up."
"And I, Sire. He must be forced."
"Send force?"
"No, Sire. The force must be that of one strong, daring envoy who
would seize upon the gem and bring it back."
"What, steal?" cried the King.
"Can one steal that which is one's own, Sire?"
"True. No," said the King. "This is ours by right."
"Your Majesty speaks well," said the doctor triumphantly. "This gem
belongs to France's ancient crown, from which it was wrenched,
plundered, stolen, carried away as spoil. And now it must be
recovered."

"Openly," said the King.
"No, Sire. That means war. My plan is that you should send a trusted
envoy to watch his opportunity, seize the gem or gems, and bring them
back."
"Hah!" ejaculated Denis, in the excitement of the moment; and Saint
Simon turned upon him sharply, and with a resentful look which was
returned.
"But it means a deal," said the King thoughtfully. "That ambassador
would risk his life."
"Hah!" ejaculated Saint Simon, giving vent to his suppressed
excitement in his turn; and Denis now gave him back his resentful
jealous look.
"Yes, Sire," continued Leoni; "the envoy would risk his life, of
course--in the service of his King. But there are men who would do this
for their master's sake, to ensure his long and peaceful reign."
"And if he fails?" said the King.
"He would not fail, Sire. He would be carried forward by the
knowledge that he was fighting in the cause of right and duty towards
the master that he loved. Have no fear of that, Sire. He would succeed."
"But I have fear," cried the King. "Find me such a man as that, and I
should look upon him as a treasure whose life I would not risk."
"There