Madame Coutance
was a friend of Conde, I had struck up an acquaintanceship with her for
the purpose of worming out the secrets of his party.

"That is false!" I cried hotly.

"Softly, my friend, softly!" exclaimed the weazened little councillor,
"we will hear your remarks at another time and in another place," and
he continued calmly with his reading.

The third stage showed how cleverly the conspirators had laid their
plans. Numerous witnesses had met me going towards that part of the
town where I was afterwards discovered in hiding, and they all affirmed
that I acted as if not wishing to be recognised. This, of course, I
could not deny, as many people must have noticed me when chasing the
crafty Francois.

"We are ready to prove these things against you, monsieur, and more
also," said the councillor. "For instance, there are the names of two
men who saw you take a prominent part in the attack on the carriage and
afterwards run away. Now, will you confess?"

"I am innocent, monsieur."

"What an absurdity! Must we then put you to the question?"

"It is needless, monsieur; I am speaking the truth."

"You are obstinate," he exclaimed, screwing up his little eyes, "but a
turn or two on the rack will alter that. Come now, will you deny that
you are a spy of Mazarin's?"

"Certainly, monsieur. It is true that I am in the Cardinal's service,
but I have heard no word from him since he left Paris."

"Are you acquainted with Madame Coutance?"

"Yes, she is a friend of mine."

"Good! I thought we should arrive at the truth. Now, will you explain
how you came to be in the house where the soldiers found you?"

"It is a strange story, monsieur, and says little for my sense, but you
shall hear it," and I related how cunningly Francois had lured me into
the arms of his fellow-plotters.

"Pah!" exclaimed the councillor, wrinkling up his forehead, "that is a
child's invention. You cannot expect us to believe such a tale."

"Still it is true, monsieur."

For nearly an hour longer the councillor continued putting all sorts of
questions concerning Mazarin's plans, none of which I could answer. My
silence made him very angry, and at last he exclaimed in a passion,
"Take him away. I warrant we shall soon find a means of loosing his
tongue."

The soldiers formed up and I was marched across the courtyard, where
several prisoners who were not confined to their cells assembled to
watch me pass. I gazed at them e