hat is. First, the regent's police, which is not much to be
feared; secondly, that of Messire Voyer d'Argenson--this has its days,
when he is in a bad humor, or has been ill received at the convent of
the Madeleine du Tresnel; thirdly, there is Dubois's police; ah! that is
a different thing. Dubois is a--"

"A wretch," cried Gaston; "I am well aware of that."

Dubois smiled his sinister smile.

"Well, to escape these three police?" said Gaston.

"One must be prudent, chevalier."

"Instruct me, captain; for you seem to know more about it than I, who am
a provincial."

"First, we must not lodge in the same hotel."

"Diable!" said Gaston, who remembered the address given to Helene; "I
had a great wish to remain here."

"I will be the one to turn out then, chevalier. Take one of my rooms,
this one, or the one above."

"I prefer this."

"You are right; on the ground-floor, a window looking into one street, a
secret door to the other. You have a quick eye; we shall make something
of you."

"Let us return to our business."

"Right; where was I?"

"You said you might not be able to come back and fetch me."

"Yes, but in that case take care not to follow any one without
sufficient signs."

"By what signs shall I recognize any one as coming from you?"

"First, he must have a letter from me."

"I do not know your writing."

"True; I will give you a specimen."

And Dubois wrote the following lines:

"MONSIEUR LE CHEVALIER--Follow without fear the man who
brings this note, he is deputed by me to lead you to
the house where the Duc d'Olivares and Captain la
Jonquiere await you."

"Stay," said he, giving him the note, "if any one comes in my name, he
will give you a similar letter."

"Is that enough?"

"One cannot be too careful; besides the letter, he will show you the
half-coin, and at the door of the house to which he leads you, ask for
the third sign."

"Which will be."

"The paper."

"It is well," said Gaston, "with these precautions--the devil is in it
if we are mistaken. Now, what am I to do?"

"Wait; you will not go out to-day."

"No."

"Well, remain quiet in this hotel, where you will want for nothing. I
will recommend you to the host."

"Thanks."

"My dear M. Champagne," said Dubois to Tapin, opening the door, "the
Chevalier de Chanlay takes my room; attend to him as you would to me."

Then, closing it--

"That fellow is worth his weight in gold, Tapin," sai