of the people
looked at me strangely, but this might have been mere fancy. Once,
indeed, a man placed himself purposely in my path. It was the ruffian
who had spoken to me in the inn, but, not desiring his company, I
placed a finger on my lips to indicate silence, and walked past rapidly.

Ten o'clock struck as, entering the Rue St. Honore, I passed up the
street, seeking for the new church. Several people were still about,
but I dared not ask for information, though where the church was
situated I had not the faintest idea. However, I kept straight on,
and, a quarter after the hour, approached a huge pile of scaffolding
and the unfinished walls of a large building.

Here I paused in doubt, which was relieved by a whispered "De Lalande?"
and the next instant Armand d'Arcy joined me.

"You are late," he exclaimed irritably. "The others have started, and
I had almost despaired of your coming."

Taking my arm he crossed the road, hurried down a by-street, and, by
what seemed a round-about route, led me into a most uninviting part of
the city.

"Our friends have made good use of their time," I remarked, hoping to
learn something useful from his conversation.

"They are anxious to surround the cage while the bird is still within.
These strange rumours concerning the Abbe have made them uneasy."

"But I don't in the least understand you."

"Well, they must be untrue, or you would not be here. Still, the
information came to us on good authority."

"Speak out, man, and let us clear up the matter; I am completely in the
dark."

"Then," said he bluntly, "it is just this. We heard De Retz intended
to trick us, and that you, instead of having returned to Paris, were
still at Vancey. Of course I knew better, but the Abbe is a slippery
customer!"

"Why not have told him your suspicions?"

D'Arcy slapped me on the back.

"Behold the innocence of the dove!" he exclaimed. "Of course he would
have denied everything and demanded our proofs. But he will do well to
leave off this double game. With the Cardinal in our hands we shall be
too strong for him."

"I don't understand now."

"It is simple enough. You know that De Retz drew up the scheme and
induced us to join him. But he can't be trusted, and half of our
fellows believe he is playing us false."

"But why should he?"

"Ah, that is the mystery. He may have made his peace with the Cardinal
for all I know. However, you can't draw back now; so if he