e broken with the prince?"

"Our party holds the scales at present; neither side can do anything
without us."

"What of De Retz?"

"That is the most comical part of all; he is hand in glove with the
Queen, and has become Conde's bitterest enemy. At least that was the
situation this morning. To-morrow perhaps will furnish a fresh move."

"One has to blush for being a Frenchman! I shall go to Marshal
Turenne; he is the only honest man in the country."

"Another broken reed, my friend! If rumour speaks truly, he has made a
bargain with Conde, and will support him even in open rebellion. By
the way, do not wander about the city too much at night."

"Why?" I asked, looking at him in surprise.

"Because you have made two bitter enemies--Maubranne and Peleton. They
have both joined De Retz, and Peleton will work you all the mischief he
can. He is a dangerous man."

"A fig for Peleton! He is a coward."

"A coward can often strike a sure blow in the dark."

We were in the streets by this time, and, passing with difficulty
through the crowds of people, I was strongly reminded of the evening
when I accompanied the now exiled minister to the house of the
astrologer.

The riff-raff of the city were out in large numbers; the hawkers were
crying their literary wares; the Black Mantles had gathered in knots to
guard their property; while the young bloods swaggered along, laughing
and joking, but toying with their swords as if longing for a chance to
use them. On the previous occasion the rabble had roared themselves
hoarse with cries against Mazarin and the Queen-Mother; now they
shouted with equal vigour against Conde and his friends.

"The Abbe is still alive," remarked Raoul, as we pushed a way through
the crowd.

"Is this his doing?"

"Every bit of it, and your cousin Henri makes an able lieutenant. De
Retz is a dangerous enemy; all the blackguards in the city are under
his thumb. You will find that he will drive the prince out of Paris
before he has finished."

"What are they doing to that fellow yonder? Why, it is Joli, and they
are making him cry 'Down with Conde!'"

Raoul burst out laughing. "Joli is Conde's henchman!" he exclaimed,
"and a week ago he had the mob at his call. To-morrow as likely as not
the idiots will be bawling for Mazarin."

"The nobles have set them a good example. There goes Joli. I did not
think he could run so fast. But these fellows are becoming too daring.
See, th