k?
Who were _our friends_ who would do it without us? Was my acquaintance
of the Rue de Roi among them? On which side was Raoul?

Now Raoul and my cousin had no love for each other, and therefore, I
argued, though wrongly as it afterwards appeared, they could not be
working together.

"Come," thought I, "this is clearing the ground. By going more deeply
into the matter I may be able to do Raoul a service."

But how to proceed? That was the question which troubled me.

CHAPTER III.

I Enter the Astrologer's House.

It was plain that whatever I decided to do must be done quickly. I
glanced at the messenger. He sat quite still, but his shrewd, beady
eyes were fixed on me as if to read my every thought. Evidently there
was no help to be expected from that quarter. And, worse still, the
man had discovered his mistake. The instant I opened the door he would
raise an alarm, and I should probably fare ill in the ensuing scuffle.

The rascal was aware of his advantage, and actually grinned.

"Pardon me, monsieur," he said, "but I am always amused by a comedy,
and this one is so rich. It is like a battle in which both sides are
beaten, and yet both claim the victory. You have the paper and cannot
make use of it, while I----"

"You are in more danger than you seem to imagine."

"I think not, monsieur," he answered coolly.

It was certainly a most awkward position, and I tried in vain to hit
upon some plan of action. If only the man would speak, and speak the
truth, he could make everything plain. I could not bribe him, and if I
could he would probably deceive me, but was there not a chance of
alarming him? I endeavoured to recall what Belloc had said. Henri was
hand in glove with De Retz, who was Mazarin's enemy, so that the
messenger would probably not relish an interview with the Cardinal.

"Come," I said at length, "let us make a bargain. You shall tell me
the meaning of this letter, and I will set you free. What do you say?"

"That you offer me nothing for something, monsieur, which is a good
bargain for you. Suppose I do not fall in with such a tempting offer?"

"In that case," I replied, speaking as sternly as possible, "I shall
hand you over to the Guards of Cardinal Mazarin."

At this the rascal laughed merrily, saying, "The Cardinal may be a
great personage at the Palais Royal, but his credit is low in the Rue
de Roi. No, no, monsieur, you must try again."

It was unpleasant to