that unworthy minister has lost his head."

Dipping his pen in the ink, he wrote an order and handed it to me.

"For M. Belloc," he said. "In a few hours we shall discover what your
information is worth, but, whatever the result, you have done your part
well."

Rising from the chair, I bowed and left the room, rather puffed up by
the Cardinal's praise; but disappointed at not having learned the
nature of the secret which I had unearthed.

Was it possible that Martin had been playing a double game? It
appeared very much like it, and, according to all accounts, De Retz
paid his servants in good money, while those who served the Cardinal
were generally rewarded by empty promises.

Finding Belloc, I handed him the paper, at which he glanced quickly,
and exclaimed, "More work, my boy, and to be done at once. The
Cardinal's orders are all marked 'Immediate,'" and he went off with a
good-humoured laugh.

As there was nothing more to detain me at the Palace I returned to my
rooms in the Rue des Catonnes, and, having made myself ready, sat down
by the casement to watch for Raoul. The street was very still and
peaceful that evening, and, while waiting for my friend, my thoughts
roamed over the incidents of the day. As to my own discovery, it did
not engage my attention long. I had done my duty in warning Mazarin,
and for the rest he must look to himself.

One point, however, caused me a considerable amount of anxiety. The
Cardinal had spoken of Madame Coutance, and in no pleasant way. I knew
very little of the lady, but, as I have said, it vexed me that her
niece's safety should be to some extent in the hands of such a
hare-brained conspirator.

"She will be doing an extra foolish thing some day," I said to myself,
half asleep and half awake, "and the Cardinal will clap both her and
Marie into the Bastille. I must warn Raoul; he may have some influence
over her."

"Over whom?" exclaimed a merry voice, and, opening my eyes, I beheld
Raoul himself standing close to me.

"A good thing for you that the truce still holds," cried he gaily, "or
I could easily have deprived Mazarin of a supporter."

He laughed again quite merrily, and I laughed too; the idea of Raoul
raising a hand against me seemed so ridiculous.

"Sit down a minute," I said, "while I explain. The affair is not a
secret," and I repeated Mazarin't remarks to him.

"You are right, Albert," he exclaimed gravely; "this is a serious
matter, but un