has cheated
us, he has cheated you. Is the plan changed in any way?"

"I have heard of no alteration."

"We had better make sure of our ground. It would be folly to miss so
good an opportunity through want of foresight, though I don't see how
we can fail," and, dropping his voice to a whisper, he went through all
his arrangements, only pausing now and again to ask my opinion, which
he evidently valued highly.

I walked by his side like one in a dream, hardly knowing how to answer.
Here was I, a simple country youth, plunged into a conspiracy so daring
that the recital of it almost took away my breath. The enterprise,
started by the Abbe de Retz, was no less than the forcible carrying-off
of Cardinal Mazarin, the most powerful man in France. I turned hot and
cold at the thought.

It was known that the Cardinal, as a citizen, paid occasional visits to
a certain astrologer, in whose house he was at present, and the
conspirators had arranged their plans accordingly. False passports
were obtained, a body of horse were in readiness outside the gates, and
it only remained to obtain possession of the Cardinal's person. This
part, it appeared, De Retz had promised should be undertaken by my
cousin, who was deep in his confidence, while a band of reckless young
nobles, with D'Arcy at their head, should form an escort.

"Once we get the old fox trapped, the rest will be easy," said my
companion. "I warrant he won't get loose again in a hurry."

"No," said I, puzzling my brain as to why De Retz had at the last
moment drawn back from the venture.

There was no doubt he had written the note even then inside my doublet.
Something had occurred to shake his resolution, but what was it? Had
he really joined hands with the Cardinal? The letter to Henri did not
look like it. Had he intended all along to sacrifice his allies? I
did not think so, because his note seemed to hint at their possible
success. Perhaps, and it was my final conclusion, some unexpected
danger had compelled him to hold his hand.

What ought I to do? As we walked along, Armand d'Arcy rallied me on my
silence, but happily the darkness hid my face, or he must have
suspected something was wrong.

"Are you growing nervous, De Lalande?" he asked banteringly. "I have
always heard that nothing could alarm you."

"I am not alarmed."

"The old fox will be surprised by our visit. I wonder if he has gone
to the astrologer's to have his fortune told?"