asked curiously, "does she approve of all these
changes?"

"She is delighted, monsieur. There will be no rough places or crooked
paths for her any more; the prince is so powerful that no one dares to
attack her," and the honest fellow departed, smiling with pleasure at
the prospect of peace.

Early the next morning I walked across to the Palais Royal, wondering
what was best to be done, when, to my lively joy, I found that Belloc
still held a command there. I gave my name to the officer on duty, and
was immediately admitted to the old soldier's quarters. He was sitting
in his room, looking harassed and worn, which rather surprised me,
because as a rule nothing troubled him. He greeted me kindly, and as
we sat chatting I thought he was trying to make up his mind on some
knotty point.

"Were you in the city last night?" he asked presently.

"Yes! The people are wild with delight at the idea of seeing Conde."

Casting an anxious glance round the room, he said in a low voice, "Come
nearer, Albert, I am going to reveal a secret. First of all, the
Prince is still in prison, and if all goes well this evening he will
stay there. You are a brave lad, and honest, and I think you can help
me."

"I will do my best," said I, flushing with pleasure at his praise.

"The adventure is dangerous, and it worries me, not for myself but for
others. If it succeeds, the Cardinal will be stronger than ever; if it
fails----" and he finished with a shrug of his shoulders.

"You may count on me."

"Yes, I am sure of it. Well, this is what we intend to do. At present
the Queen has few friends in Paris, but the country will fight for the
King. Now, the plan is to smuggle them out of the city, when they will
join the Cardinal, and take up arms for the freedom of the throne.
Without Conde, the rest will be able to accomplish nothing."

"A good plan," said I, "and the sooner it is carried out the better."

"If all goes well, to-morrow morning will find us far away from Paris.
Everything is ready, but I cannot trust the Queen's coachman. He is an
honest fellow enough, but timid, and likely to lose his head at the
first sign of danger. Do you think you can drive the coach safely?"

"Let me choose my horses!"

"You can have the pick of the royal stables. But, mind you, Albert,
this is no child's play. If the mob gets wind of the affair there will
be a terrible struggle. I shall not think the worse of you if you
decide to l