nd was wearing his black skull-cap. His
face, always pale, had become white, there was a constant twitching at
the corners of his mouth, and the gray eyes I had thought so calm and
powerful, fell beneath the keen gaze of the Cardinal. In spite of his
treachery, I pitied the man, and almost found it in my heart to wish I
had not observed my cousin and his companion enter the house.

Mazarin, fondling his beard, smiled pleasantly, and begged his host in
such soft cooing tones to be seated, that Martin threw off the
half-alarmed expression his face had worn.

"So you have been ill, my friend? _Per Baccho_! One can see it in
your face. Ah, now I can breathe more freely and laugh at my fears."

I was standing between the table and the door, but in such a position
as to be able to watch the old man's face.

"Fears, my lord?" he murmured questioningly.

"Yes, yes, I was foolish enough to doubt your--vigilance."

He purposely made a long pause between the last two words, during which
Martin sat like a man waiting to be hanged; then he recovered himself
and actually smiled.

"Something has happened without my knowledge," said he briskly.

"Without your knowledge, truly, my dear Martin, or you would have sent
me word. As it is, I have to inform you that Paris has had a
distinguished visitor."

Martin went deathly pale again and murmured, "Surely it cannot be----"

"Oh, no," interrupted Mazarin, smiling, "the Prince still occupies his
prison at Havre. But La Rochefoucauld is here to represent him. If
you go into the city you will hear the people crying for the release of
Conde. They are not aware how comfortable he is. But you will not go!"

"Why not, my lord?"

"Because I have need of you. We must put our heads together, and
unravel the mysteries of this plot. The matter is serious; all my
enemies seem to be in league. Come now, do you fancy De Retz has been
bought?"

I really felt sorry for the poor wretch with whom the Cardinal thus
played as a cat plays with a mouse.

"De Retz?" he stammered. "I should think it very likely; the others
could accomplish nothing without him, because he controls the mob."

"It is very unfortunate. You are aware he wishes to become a Cardinal,
and now he will lose his chance. The red hat would have suited him
well, but I must give it to Riviere, the bosom friend of Orleans. But
perhaps even the Duke has been gained? What do you think, my dear
Martin?" and the pur