d son. Moreover," he added in a low tone, "the
Lord punishes children who quarrel with their mothers. Witness my
brother Francois II. Forgive me, therefore, frankly, and confess that
the joke was a good one."

"Sire," said Catharine, "your Majesty is mistaken; it is not a joke."

"Yes, yes! and you will end by looking at it in that way, or the devil
take me!"

"Sire, by your blunder you have baffled a project which would have led
to an important discovery."

"Bah! a project. Are you embarrassed because of a baffled project,
mother? You can make twenty others, and in those,--well, I promise I
will second you."

"Now that you will second me it is too late, for he is warned and will
be on his guard."

"Well," said the King, "let us come to the point. What have you against
Henriot?"

"The fact that he conspires."

"Yes, I know that this is your constant accusation; but does not every
one conspire more or less in this charming royal household called the
Louvre?"

"But he conspires more than any one, and he is much more dangerous than
one imagines."

"A regular Lorenzino!" said Charles.

"Listen," said Catharine, becoming gloomy at mention of this name, which
reminded her of one of the bloodiest catastrophes in the history of
Florence. "Listen; there is a way of proving to me that I am wrong."

"What way, mother?"

"Ask Henry who was in his room last night."

"In his room last night?"

"Yes; and if he tells you"--

"Well?"

"Well, I shall be ready to admit that I have been mistaken."

"But in case it was a woman, we cannot ask."

"A woman?"

"Yes."

"A woman who killed two of your guards and perhaps mortally wounded
Monsieur de Maurevel!"

"Oh! oh!" said the King, "this is serious. Was there any bloodshed?"

"Three men were stretched on the floor."

"And the one who reduced them to this state?"

"Escaped safe and sound."

"By Gog and Magog!" exclaimed Charles, "he was a brave fellow, and you
are right, mother, I must know him."

"Well, I tell you in advance that you will not know him, at least not
through Henry."

"But through you, mother? The man did not escape without leaving some
trace, without your noticing some part of his clothing."

"Nothing was noticed except the very elegant red cloak which he wore."

"Ah! ah! a red cloak!" cried Charles. "I know only one at court
remarkable enough to attract attention."

"Exactly," said Catharine.

"Well?" demanded Charles.

"Well," sa