His friends
gave a groan of sympathy, but they could do no more, for the
soldiers overawed them. Huguette flung her arms about him, sobbing.
The grasp of his captors tightened and Villon shivered at the clasp.
Suddenly the little insignificant burgess at the table rose and
advanced towards the soldier.
"Stop, sir," he said imperatively. "That young gentleman is my
affair." The soldier turned angrily upon the interfering citizen.
"Who are you," he growled, "who dare to interfere with the king's
justice?"
The citizen pulled his heavy cap from his head and revealed the
wrinkled, eager visage that was so well known and so well feared.
"I am the king's justice," he said simply, while Tristan behind him
cried "God save the king!" and the astonished soldier bent the knee
in homage. Villon, staring, dumfounded, caught the humour of the
situation and could not hold his tongue.
"The king! Good Lord!" he said, and punctuated his comment with a
prolonged whistle.
CHAPTER V
THE VOICES OF THE STARS
Louis loved roses. All that was royal in his nature went out to the
royal flower; whatever desire of beauty lay hidden in his heart
found its gratification in its splendid colours, in its splendid
odours.
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