“Pardieu!  I would ask certain questions first,” he said with greater show of seriousness.  “For how long a time? for what sort of a passage?  It will prove somewhat cramped, I take it, for a man of my length of limb.”

“I hope both may prove short,” I returned, continuing to hold up the lid for him to enter.  “Yet I know of no other possible means whereby you can leave this room without being halted by the guard at the door.  There is no certainty in this, yet there is a chance, Chevalier, and that ought always to be invitation to a brave man.  Beyond this it is God’s affair.”

The soldier twisted his long moustaches reflectively, a new light gleaming in the eyes that fronted me.

“Sacre, man!” he said at last stepping forward in sudden resolution.  “As you say it may be worth trying, but it’s not unlike climbing into a coffin three sizes too small for the deceased.  Still I ’ll bide therein for a while, only, I warn you, you better be easy when you put me down, or the corpse may furnish a sudden resurrection.”

It proved truly no easy task to stow him safely in that contracted space.  At any other time I should have laughed outright, marking the final result of our combined efforts, especially at the expression, half ludicrous, half pathetic, upon his face as he gazed up at me just before the lid was closed.

“Now mind, Chevalier,” I said gravely, for had I ventured upon a smile at his predicament he would have popped instantly forth again, “you are to make no movement of any kind until left alone.  When certain of that you may venture out of the chest, but remain quiet until you hear from me again.”

[Illustration:  Had I ventured upon a smile at his predicament he would have popped instantly forth again.]

“You believe you know a way?”

“Under God’s guidance yes, if you will only bear your part.”

Without pausing for his answer I dropped the heavy cover over him, and gave vent to a sigh of relief.

So far, at least I had won; thus far the gods had favored me.  In spite of the obstacle of temperament I had found means to attain my end, to work my will, yet I realized well De Noyan would never bear such uncomfortable posture long; whatever was to be accomplished must be done quickly.  Fortunately my plan, dim and doubtful as it was, had already taken outline.  I had determined what to endeavor; it must be attempted at once, with bold heart, or the opportunity would be gone forever.  Pulling the hood across my face, I partially opened the door, glancing out upon the curious sentry.  To my relief he was alone.

“I suppose the Commandant told you to give me a lift out with this box?” I asked in Spanish.

“No, senor padre.”

The man was exceedingly good-natured, evidently one who had profound respect for the cloth.

“Caramba!” I growled angrily, using the Spanish tongue so he might not miss my meaning.  “He promised it only a moment ago, when he looked in.  He must have forgotten.  There is no sense in having such a great chest lumbering up the entire room.  Know you how it ever came there?”