Tellier's cautions all over again, I left the
apartment. Humphreys was waiting in the courtyard, but, staying only
to whisper, "Secret service," I hurried on to my own rooms.

"Monsieur will find his things on the bed," said the landlord; "they
are rather shabby, but they will attract less notice than new ones."

I asked if the town was quiet, and with a shrug, of his shoulders he
said, "As yet, but there will be mischief presently. Monsieur is wise
to put on an overall if he wishes to walk abroad."

"I am going to look on, nothing more. Now bring me something to eat,
and I will pay your bill."

"I am obliged," said he as coolly as if it were an everyday incident,
though I am sure he must have felt surprised at such an unexpected
stroke of luck. I know I was astonished at my own ability to pay him.

"Monsieur will return?" said he questioningly, when at last I was ready
to depart.

"I trust so. Keep the rooms for me."

He took the money, opened the door, and bowed low as I went out. He
had always treated me well, and I was glad to have the means of
settling my debt to him.

A considerable change had taken place in the streets since the morning,
and there were numerous signs of the threatening storm. The Black
Mantles had disappeared, having shut themselves up in their barricaded
houses. Brawny men, half-naked and unwashed, patrolled the roadway,
mostly in two and threes, but here and there in larger groups. Every
one had a weapon, pike or club, axe or chopper, while a certain
proportion carried horse-pistols, or blunderbusses.

I pushed on quickly through the crowd to the Rue Crillon, feeling more
alarmed at every step, as the promenaders were rapidly getting ripe for
mischief. Thus far I believe they had no settled purpose beyond
general plunder, but no one could tell what might happen at any moment.
I ought really to have gone on with Le Tellier's note, but I could not
make up my mind to abandon the ladies. Most of their friends had
followed Conde, Raoul could not leave the Luxembourg, and they were
practically alone in Paris.

When I reached the Rue Crillon it was nearly empty, and I managed to
pass unobserved into my friends' house. Marie and her aunt were
sitting in an upstairs room that faced the street. Madame Coutance was
looking out with an expression of scorn, but the girl's face was pale
and apprehensive. At first they failed to recognise me in my workman's
disguise, but after a sec