to come from Raoul's
party. Peleton's attempt to murder me was merely the outcome of
personal spite, and had nothing to do with this fresh adventure. Yet,
on one point, the message was clear. Some peril threatened me, and my
best chance of safety lay in flight. But why? I sat down to thresh
the matter out.

Including my cousin, I had three enemies. Henri disliked me, because I
had, to a certain extent, spoiled his plans; yet I did not, for an
instant, imagine that he sought my life--that was out of all reason.
There remained Maubranne and Peleton, either of whom would kill me
without scruple, but that very night the baron had interfered to save
my life! Once more I was forced back on the mystery attached to his
words. What was it the Abbe proposed to do with me? Buzz! buzz! buzz!
The question hummed in my head till I was nearly wild. It went with me
to bed, it kept me awake half the night, and was the first thing I was
conscious of in the morning.

Directly after breakfast, I hurried to the Luxembourg to take counsel
with Raoul. He was on duty, but young D'Arcy, observing my agitation,
volunteered to relieve him.

"What is it?" asked my comrade anxiously. "Has anything happened?
Here, come into this room where we shall not be interrupted."

Without delay I plunged into the story, telling him first of the
mysterious spy in the Rue Crillon, the encounter with Peleton, and
Maubranne's strange action and words.

"Well, my friend," said he, "you have an adventure on hand now that
ought to keep your time fairly occupied! I don't understand it in the
least, but it is plain you have become an important person. There is
one thing I would like to know, but don't answer if you would rather
not. Are you in Mazarin's secrets?"

"I have heard nothing of the Cardinal since my visit to Aunay."

"Then that notion falls to the ground. I thought De Retz might imagine
you could give him some useful information. And yet, I don't know.
People say he is already in the Queen's confidence."

"Well," I remarked, "if the first chapter is exciting, what do you
think of the second?" and I showed him the warning note, which he read
with a strangely puzzled air.

"Where did this come from?" he asked, and I informed him, adding that
the messenger was a total stranger whom I should be unable to recognise.

"Still," said he, "it shows there is some one in the Abbe's confidence
who wishes you well. I wonder if it can be Mada