eton and the baron.

The next day Mazarin was invisible to every one except his secretary,
but in the afternoon a note bearing his seal was brought to me in my
room. Opening it hastily, I read the contents with a feeling of
disappointment, as they did away altogether with any chance of a
pleasant evening with Raoul.

"You will attend me, well armed and cloaked, at seven o'clock this
evening."

"What is in the wind now?" I muttered. "It seems that we have to go
outside the Palace at all events. Perhaps the adventure has something
to do with my discovery at Martin's house. I pity the astrologer if he
has made an enemy of Mazarin."

Serving the Cardinal had at least taught me the value of being
punctual, and at seven o'clock precisely I presented myself at the door
of his apartment. The Cardinal was dressed like a simple citizen, but
over his black mantle he had thrown a long gray cloak, with a portion
of which he could muffle his face. His first words filled me with
surprise, and, for the moment, with alarm also.

"So your cousin did not appear angry last night at the trick you played
him?" he remarked in his broken French; "but you must be careful, I
hear he is not over well pleased."

"It seems to me that your Eminence hears everything," I replied
bluntly, as soon as my feeling of surprise would allow me to speak.

Putting on his hat, he said with a smile, "To-night, thanks to you, I
am going to hear something interesting. Evidently you were born under
a lucky star, and I was fortunate in securing your services. Take care
of yourself, my friend, for according to the stars our fortunes are
bound up together."

It surprised me that so clever a man should believe that the stars had
any influence over our lives, but I did not speak my thoughts, though
likely enough he knew them, for he could read one's mind like a printed
book.

"Come," said he at length; "this way; it is not necessary to advise
every one that the Cardinal is about to walk in the city."

Raising the tapestry, he passed into a small corridor, where the
faithful Bernouin awaited him.

"Has Belloc made all his arrangements?" asked Mazarin.

"Yes, your Eminence; everything is as you ordered."

"That is well. You will stay up till our return. I am not likely to
require more help, but--in case of accidents--here is a signed order
for Ferre to turn out the Guards. Do not use it, however, unless it is
absolutely necessary."

The secret