e has been deceived," shouted one burly ruffian. "I have been
to the Palace and seen the King asleep. The Queen does not wish to
leave Paris, I tell you!"

In this, of course, he was wrong, but his words had effect, and the mob
at that point breaking up dispersed to their homes. For two hours I
roamed about, and then, finding the streets rapidly clearing, returned
to the Palais Royal with the assurance that, for the time at least, De
Retz and his friends had failed.

"Had I my way," exclaimed Belloc wrathfully, "both De Retz and Orleans
should find lodgings in the Bastille. However, we have done our best,
and must wait events. This night's work means that Conde must be set
at liberty. A plague on it!"

"Then we may bid a long adieu to the Cardinal!"

"Don't be so sure of that, my boy. Mazarin may have a fall or two, but
he generally wins at the finish. And now, go to my room and rest; we
will have a further talk in the morning."

CHAPTER XII.

I have a Narrow Escape.

At breakfast, M. Belloc, who had not retired during the night, informed
me that he had already received the Queen's commands, and was on the
point of setting out for Havre, where the Cardinal was expected to be
found.

"At present," he continued, "we must play a waiting game. Our time
will come when the new allies begin quarrelling, and that will not be
long."

"Do I go with you?" I asked.

"No. It is possible you may be of some use to us in Paris, and I have
told Le Tellier where to find you. I have also given your name to the
Queen, and informed her she may rely on your services. It may be that
I shall return shortly; if so, you will hear from me. Meanwhile, keep
eyes and ears well open, and be ready to obey any order from Le Tellier
or the Queen."

As soon as my friend had started--and he was in a desperate hurry--I
returned to my rooms, feeling rather lonely and disappointed. On the
table was a brief note from Raoul, announcing that he had gone to
Havre, and could not tell when he would be in Paris again.

"_Peste!_" I exclaimed moodily, "one might as well be at Vancey as
here. How shall I pass the time? It seems that, after all, I have
brought my produce to a bad market."

I had stayed at home several days doing nothing, when one evening my
landlord, bustling into the room, exclaimed, "Is it possible monsieur
does not know that the city is _en fete_ in honour of the prince's
arrival? All the world has gone to w