rides away. If he does so the attack
may take place anywhere along the road; if he remains, he will doubtless
attack the cardinal as his carriage passes. Should there be more than
one entrance to the convent, put boys to watch them, and bring you news
should the party sally out. I shall be at the barracks. It is there that
you must bring or send me word."

The troopers were ordered to put on their military clothes and saddle
their horses, and a quarter of an hour later Hector rode to the
barracks, followed by them.

"De Thiou," he said, "I want you and the other five officers to have
your horses ready at a moment's notice. I have some sort of idea that
there is a plot on foot against the cardinal, and I want to take a hand
in the matter. I fancy that with you and my five troopers we shall be
strong enough to disconcert the plotters."

Two hours later he received a message from Paolo, saying that the Duke
of Beaufort and three other gentlemen were still at the convent, but
that most of the others had gone to the residence of Henri de Campion in
the Rue St. Honore.

"They mean to attack him just at the end of the journey," Hector said
to himself, "and close to the Hotel de Vendome. Now it only depends
upon whether the Duke of Orleans stays at Maisons or returns with the
cardinal."

He ordered the officers and troopers to mount, and with them took his
post on the road by which the cardinal would return. In half an hour
they saw his carriage approaching. They then moved forward. As the
carriage passed them Hector saluted, and saw to his satisfaction that
the Duke of Orleans was with the cardinal. After the carriage had gone
fifty yards Hector turned, and with his party followed the carriage at
that distance. When within a quarter of a mile of the Rue St. Honore a
horseman came along. He met the carriage, and immediately it passed him
turned and galloped back along the road. Hector felt no doubt that he
was placed there to warn the conspirators to be in readiness if the
Duke of Orleans was not in the carriage, and that there would now be no
attempt. However, he closed up to within thirty yards. As they entered
the Rue St. Honore all was quiet there, and nothing happened until the
cardinal alighted at the Hotel de Cleves. As he did so he looked round,
and beckoned to Hector to follow him.

CHAPTER XIII: THE BATTLES OF FREIBURG

The cardinal did not address Hector until he had entered his private
room, when he t