me de Chevreuse? She
is concerned with most of his plans."

"I have not met her since the night of the ball and besides, this is a
man's writing."

"That can be accounted for easily; she employs several secretaries."

I shook my head, saying Madame de Chevreuse was not likely to interest
herself in my welfare.

After walking about the room for a time, Raoul stopped and exclaimed,
"Suppose we are looking at the matter from the wrong side? How can you
be certain this note comes from a friend? It may be a trick to lure
you away from Paris!"

"If so, it will fail. I will not leave the city for an hour, even were
Turenne to offer me the command of a regiment."

"Why not accept service with the Duke? You would be in a much safer
position."

"No. I will see this thing through alone. I will not budge a foot for
all the fighting priests in the country."

"Don't be over venturesome. De Retz is a crafty foe and is playing
just now for high stakes. If rumour speaks true, he is going to try a
fall with Conde himself. Now I must set Armand at liberty, but I will
come to your rooms at the first opportunity. Meanwhile, if you require
help, a note will bring me instantly."

I returned home still in a state of bewilderment. The mystery was as
dark as ever, and, cudgel my brains as I would, I could throw no light
on it.

That same evening I laid the case before John Humphreys, but naturally
he was unable to offer any explanation.

"Show me an enemy," said he, "and I will stand up against him, but I am
a poor hand at fighting shadows. However, it is plain enough that some
one has marked you down, and you will have to walk warily."

That, indeed, was the only advice any one could offer. The thing which
troubled me most at this time was the presence of the spy in the Rue
Crillon. The ladies apparently had not noticed him, so I said nothing
to them, but continued to keep a strict watch on the mysterious
stranger who night after night prowled about near their house. What he
expected to gain was difficult to imagine, as he neither followed
Madame Coutance abroad nor attempted to molest her. At first I thought
him a clumsy fellow, but twice when I tried to catch him he vanished
cleverly down the narrow streets.

One evening, while strolling carelessly along the Rue Pierre, I met my
cousin Henri. He was wearing a long mantle with a hood, and appeared
in a great hurry. To my surprise, however, he stopped and exc