"
Deeper grew my astonishment at all this mystery, as we passed into the room
beyond.
"Now, M. de Luynes," he cried, flinging down his hat, "for no apparent
reason I am about to commit treason; I am about to betray the hand that
pays me."
"If no reason exists, why do so evil a deed?" I inquired calmly. "I have
learnt during our association to wish you well, Montr?sor; if by telling me
that which your tongue burns to tell, you shall have cause for shame, the
door is yonder. Go before harm is done, and leave me alone to fight my
battle out."
He stood up, and for a moment he seemed to waver, then dismissing his
doubts with an abrupt gesture, he sat down again.
"There is no wrong in what I do. Right is with you, M. de Luynes, and if I
break faith with the might I serve, it is because that might is an unjust
one; I do but betray the false to the true, and there can be little shame
in such an act. Moreover, I have a reason--but let that be."
He was silent for a moment, then he resumed:
"Most of that which you have learnt from Malpertuis to-night, I myself
could have told you.
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