the Rue Crillon, "that we have been making a mountain out of a
mole-hill. More than a week has passed now since the warning, and I am
none the worse."

"Yet the spy still keeps watch?"

"He was there last night, but I could not get near him. Perhaps you
may have better luck."

The man was in his usual place, and I pointed him out to Raoul,
whispering, "That is he. Are you acquainted with him?"

"No. He belongs to the class that either De Retz or Conde can buy by
the dozen. Don't look that way. Let us cross the road. I will slip
through this alley and enter the street at the other end; then we shall
have him between us."

Unfortunately for our purpose the fellow was particularly wide-awake,
and as Raoul appeared at the corner he moved away. Following
cautiously, we kept him in sight for a good distance, but finally he
disappeared in a maze of alleys.

"_Peste!_" exclaimed my comrade, discontentedly, "he is an artful
rascal. If we could catch him he might be able to tell us all we want
to learn. There must be some reason for his actions. Is he always
alone?"

"Always."

"We must set a trap for him."

"Let me try once more by myself. I dislike the idea of being beaten by
a spy."

"As you will; and if you fail, I will borrow some troopers from the
Luxembourg and lay him by the heels. At all events the fellow will
know who pays him."

The next night I set off for the Rue Crillon, and, after spending an
hour or two with Marie and her aunt, went back into the street. My
man, as usual, was in full view, and it appeared to me, rather overdid
his part, as if he was anxious to attract my attention.

However, there was not much leisure for reflection, and I walked
quickly and boldly towards him, when he immediately made off. Angry at
being baulked so often, and determined to discover his business, I
followed sharply, and nearly caught him at the bottom of the narrow
street running at right angles to the Rue Crillon. A stupid
charcoal-burner lost me my advantage here, but perceiving which way the
spy went I hurried on in the same direction.

For half an hour I patiently tracked my quarry, through a network of
narrow streets and alleys crossing and re-crossing each other like an
Eastern puzzle. By this time I was hopelessly astray, never having
been in that quarter, which was one of the worst in the city. Under
other circumstances I should have feared to trust myself in those
horrible courts, but