"Because I was not yet sure of my man."

"And now?"

"Now I am certain."

"Did you see him?"

"Yes. I hid in a wine merchant's opposite. I saw him enter the same
building as on the previous night. Then as Madame de Sauve was late he
imprudently put his face against the window pane on the first floor, and
I had no further doubt. Besides, a few minutes later Madame de Sauve
came and again joined him."

"Do you think that like last night they will remain until three o'clock
in the morning?"

"It is probable."

"Where is the house?"

"Near the Croix des Petits Champs, close to Saint Honore."

"Very good," said Catharine. "Does Monsieur de Sauve know your
handwriting?"

"No."

"Sit down, then, and write."

Maurevel took a pen and obeyed.

"I am ready, madame," said he.

Catharine dictated:

"_While the Baron de Sauve is on service at the Louvre the baroness is
with one of her friends, in a house near the Croix des Petits Champs,
close to Saint Honore. The Baron de Sauve will know the house by a red
cross on the wall._"

"Well?" said Maurevel.

"Make a copy of the letter," said Catharine.

Maurevel obeyed in silence.

"Now," said the queen, "have one of these letters taken by a clever man
to the Baron de Sauve, and drop the other in the corridors of the
Louvre."

"I do not understand," said Maurevel.

Catharine shrugged her shoulders.

"You do not understand that a husband who receives such a note will be
angry?"

"But the King of Navarre never used to be angry, madame."

"It is not always with a king as with a simple courtier. Besides, if De
Sauve is not angry you can be so for him."

"I!"

"Yes. You can take four men or six, if necessary, put on a mask, break
down the door, as if you had been sent by the baron, surprise the lovers
in the midst of their tete a tete, and strike your blow in the name of
the King. The next day the note dropped in the corridor of the Louvre,
and picked up by some kind friend who already will have circulated the
news, will prove that it was the husband who had avenged himself. Only
by chance, the gallant happened to be King of Navarre; but who would
have imagined that, when every one thought him at Pau."

Maurevel looked at Catharine in admiration, bowed, and withdrew.

As Maurevel left the Hotel de Soissons Madame de Sauve entered the small
house near the Croix des Petits Champs.

Henry was waiting for her at the half-open door.

As soon as he saw