beseech your majesty to pardon me," said Planchet "but is this
really the king?"

The queen trembled with suppressed anger.

"Is there one amongst you who knows the king?" said she. "If so, let
him approach, and say if this be his majesty or not."

A man, muffled in a cloak, which he wore in such a manner as to
conceal his face, drew near, and stooping over the bed, gazed at the
features of Louis. For a moment D'Artagnan thought that this person
had some evil design, and he placed his hand upon his sword; but as he
did so, the cloak slipped partially from before the man's face, and
the guardsman recognised the Coadjutor, De Gondy.

"It is the king himself," said the man. "God bless his majesty!"

"God bless his majesty!" murmured the crowd.

"And now, my friends," said Planchet; "let us thank her majesty, and
retire."

The insurgents bowed their thanks, and left the room with the same
caution and silence with which they had entered it. When the last had
disappeared, followed by Laporte, the remaining actors in this strange
scene remained for a moment looking at each other without uttering a
word: the queen standing near the door; D'Artagnan half out of his
hiding-place; the king leaning on his elbow, but ready to fall back
upon his pillow at the least noise that should indicate the return of
the mob. The noise of footsteps, however, grew rapidly more remote,
and at last entirely ceased. The queen drew a deep breath of relief;
D'Artagnan wiped the perspiration of anxiety from his brow; the king
slid out of his bed.

"Let us go," said Louis.

Just then Laporte returned.

"I have followed them to the gates, madam," said the valet-de-chambre;
"they informed their companions that they had seen the king and spoken
to the queen, and the mob has dispersed, perfectly satisfied."

"The wretches!" murmured Anne of Austria; "they shall pay dearly for
their insolence." Then, turning to D'Artagnan, "Sir," said she, "you
have this night given me the best advice I ever received in my life.
What is next to be done?"

"We can set out when your majesty pleases. I shall be waiting at the
foot of the private staircase."

"Go, sir," said the queen. "We will follow you."

D'Artagnan descended the stairs, and found the carriage at the
appointed place, with the guardsman sitting on the box. He took the
hat and coat of M. de Gondy's coachman, put them on himself, and took
the guardsman's place. He had a brace of pistols in his