urned and said sharply, "What means this, colonel? When
I saw you and your officers on the road I felt sure that you were not
there for nothing, and still more sure when on alighting I found you so
closely following me."

"I was convinced, cardinal, that there was a plot against your life, and
I believe that it was only because the Duke of Orleans returned with you
that it was not carried into effect."

"And possibly because they saw your troop behind the carriage. Now tell
me your reason for supposing that I was in danger."

Hector related the various steps that he had taken.

"Your spies worked better for you than mine did for me," the cardinal
said. "That a dozen or so of Beaufort's friends were for some reason
or other spending their time at the Angel Inn and other cabarets I was
aware, but I have had no word of their proceedings today. You have been
better served, doubtless, because your plans were better laid. I hardly
think that they would have attacked me when Orleans was with me, but
there is no saying; for if Beaufort has daring and insolence enough to
attempt to slay the queen's minister within a quarter of a mile of the
Louvre, he would not trouble greatly whether princes of the blood were
in the carriage or not, especially if he had some reason for believing
that Orleans would not regard the deed with very great disapproval.

"However, whatever his intentions might be, it is clear that the
appearance of your party of twelve armed men decided the question. We
may regard it as certain that the news that I had such an escort was
carried to them by the man who galloped on ahead. I thank you, sir, I
thank you very heartily, not only for my sake, but for that of France. I
will ask you to go across to the Louvre; I will take half a dozen armed
servants with me, but there is little fear that the attempt will be
renewed today. They must be too much disconcerted by the failure of
their plot to make fresh arrangements so speedily. I shall go first
to the Louvre and inform her majesty of what has taken place. You will
remain here for half an hour, and will then leave by the gate at the
back of the house and make a circuit, and enter the palace by the river
gate. The musketeers on guard will stop you, but I will give you a
pass." And he wrote a few lines on paper. "The queen's confidential
servant, Laporte, will be at the door to meet you, and will have
instructions to escort you by corridors where you will be unobs