aud,
on hearing him come in, instantly crept. This was Groslow. He was
accompanied by another man, who carried in his hand something long and
flexible rolled up, resembling a washing line. His face was hidden under
the wide brim of his hat. Grimaud, thinking that they had come, as he
had, to try the port wine, effaced himself behind his cask and consoled
himself with the reflection that if he were discovered the crime was not
a great one.

"Have you the wick?" asked the one who carried the lantern.

"Here it is," answered the other.

At the voice of this last speaker, Grimaud started and felt a shudder
creeping through his very marrow. He rose gently, so that his head
was just above the round of the barrel, and under the large hat he
recognized the pale face of Mordaunt.

"How long will this fuse burn?" asked this person.

"About five minutes," replied the captain.

That voice also was known to Grimaud. He looked from one to the other
and after Mordaunt he recognized Groslow.

"Then tell the men to be in readiness--don't tell them why now. When the
clock strikes a quarter after midnight collect your men. Get down into
the longboat."

"That is, when I have lighted the match?"

"I will undertake that. I wish to be sure of my revenge. Are the oars in
the boat?"

"Everything is ready."

"'Tis well."

Mordaunt knelt down and fastened one end of the train to the spigot,
in order that he might have nothing to do but to set it on fire at the
opposite end with the match.

He then arose.

"You hear me--at a quarter past midnight--in fact, in twenty minutes."

"I understand all perfectly, sir," replied Groslow; "but allow me to say
there is great danger in what you undertake; would it not be better to
intrust one of the men to set fire to the train?"

"My dear Groslow," answered Mordaunt, "you know the French proverb,
'Nothing one does not do one's self is ever well done.' I shall abide by
that rule."

Grimaud had heard all this, if he had not understood it. But what he saw
made good what he lacked in perfect comprehension of the language. He
had seen the two mortal enemies of the musketeers, had seen Mordaunt
adjust the fuse; he had heard the proverb, which Mordaunt had given in
French. Then he felt and felt again the contents of the tankard he held
in his hand; and, instead of the lively liquor expected by Blaisois
and Mousqueton, he found beneath his fingers the grains of some coarse
powder.

Mordaunt