iled to do.
Men would have said that the king had escaped human justice and
been overtaken by God's. You see now why I did not care to know your
gentleman in the mask; for really, in spite of his excellent intentions,
I could not thank him for what he has done."

Mordaunt bowed humbly. "Sir," he said, "you are a profound thinker and
your plan was sublime."

"Say absurd, since it has become useless. The only sublime ideas in
politics are those which bear fruit. So to-night, Mordaunt, go to
Greenwich and ask for the captain of the felucca Lightning. Show him
a white handkerchief knotted at the four corners and tell the crew to
disembark and carry the powder back to the arsenal, unless, indeed----"

"Unless?" said Mordaunt, whose face was lighted by a savage joy as
Cromwell spoke:

"This skiff might be of use to you for personal projects."

"Oh, my lord, my lord!"

"That title," said Cromwell, laughing, "is all very well here, but take
care a word like that does not escape your lips in public."

"But your honor will soon be called so generally."

"I hope so, at least," said Cromwell, rising and putting on his cloak.

"You are going, sir?"

"Yes," said Cromwell. "I slept here last night and the night before, and
you know it is not my custom to sleep three times in the same bed."

"Then," said Mordaunt, "your honor gives me my liberty for to-night?"

"And even for all day to-morrow, if you want it. Since last evening," he
added, smiling, "you have done enough in my service, and if you have any
personal matters to settle it is just that I should give you time."

"Thank you, sir; it will be well employed, I hope."

Cromwell turned as he was going.

"Are you armed?" he asked.

"I have my sword."

"And no one waiting for you outside?"

"No."

"Then you had better come with me."

"Thank you, sir, but the way by the subterranean passage would take too
much time and I have none to lose."

Cromwell placed his hand on a hidden handle and opened a door so well
concealed by the tapestry that the most practiced eye could not have
discovered it. It closed after him with a spring. This door communicated
with a subterranean passage, leading under the street to a grotto in
the garden of a house about a hundred yards from that of the future
Protector.

It was just before this that Grimaud had perceived the two men seated
together.

D'Artagnan was the first to recover from his surprise.

"Mordaunt," he cried. "