-gown, skull-cap, and slippers, and by his face one
would judge that he really had been keeping vigil all night.

"I regret to have kept you waiting," he said, with an air of apology,
"but your visit is somewhat early."

"Yet it seems I am not the first to need your services this morning."

"How?" exclaimed he. "You are mistaken. No one but yourself has been
here since yesterday."

"Well, I was certainly under the impression that two men entered this
house, as I approached it. But it is no concern of mine, except that
their presence might interfere with my errand. Be kind enough to read
this note, and to give me a written reply for the Cardinal."

Breaking the seal, he read the missive, and sitting down, rapidly
covered a sheet of paper with small, cramped, but legible writing,
while I stood on guard and alert, half expecting a sudden attack from
some unknown enemies.

However, nothing unusual happened. The astrologer finished his letter,
sealed it, and handed it to me, saying earnestly, "Take care of this,
as it is of more consequence than you may imagine. Further, it is
necessary that His Eminence should receive it without delay."

"_Peste!_" answered I laughing; "as my breakfast still waits for me in
the Rue des Catonnes I am not likely to waste much time on the road,"
and, bidding him adieu, I followed the servant, who had remained in the
corridor, downstairs.

"Monsieur has discovered his error?" said the fellow, questioningly, as
he conducted me along the narrow passage.

"Yes, the men must have gone into the next house. However, it does not
matter one way or another. I only feared to be kept waiting."

It was pleasant to be in the open air again, and I drew a deep breath.
The janitor barred the door, and I crossed the road in a state of
bewilderment. That two men had entered the house I felt positive, and
the more so from the odd behaviour of Martin and his servant. Who were
they? What did they want? Why had Martin lied about the matter?
These questions, and others like them, kept my brain busily employed,
but to no purpose. I could supply no satisfactory answers, and every
passing moment left me more perplexed.

It struck me once that Martin was playing the Cardinal false, but this
seemed absurd, and yet----

"No, no," I muttered, "he would not dare. Still, there is something
going on with which Mazarin should be made acquainted."

I did not relish the idea of playing the spy, but I