andle by some means dropped to
the ground and the light was extinguished, leaving us in darkness.

"Do not move, monsieur; it is close to your foot. Now I have it! Ah,
you have kicked it away. What a misfortune!"

We could hear the rascal groping about for a time; then all was still,
and he made no reply to our calling. Raoul was furious, and threatened
to kill the fellow, when he caught him, a clause very needful to add.

"He has tricked us!" said Raoul, searching for the candle, though with
small hope of finding it.

To my astonishment, for I thought Pillot too sharp to leave it behind,
the candle lay unbroken not a yard from my feet, and a light soon
showed that our guide had disappeared. It was very annoying to be
duped in this way, but I could not help laughing at Pillot's craftiness.

"He won't try to get past Armand and Humphreys," said Raoul; "he will
hide away in one of the empty rooms."

Suddenly some words spoken by Mazarin months before came into my mind,
and I began to rail at my folly.

"Raoul," I cried, "unless we get Peleton out quickly it will be too
late. There is a means of communication between the two houses, and
Pillot has gone for assistance."

"Peleton isn't likely to be in here," growled Raoul.

"Why not? Pillot would have given you the right key if the room was
empty. Anyway we will find out," and taking a run I dashed myself
against the door.

Raoul followed, and then we went at it together. Once, twice, thrice.
The last time it showed signs of yielding--presently with a crash it
burst open.

"Come on," I cried, seizing the candle which I had placed upright
against the wall. "Can you see anyone?"

"No," answered Raoul, "but there is a bed in the corner. Bring the
candle."

We ran across the room quickly, and there, fully dressed, but with his
arms bound, lay Peleton. His face was ghastly white, and he shook with
fear.

"Get up," I cried sharply--there was no leisure for ceremony--"do you
hear?"

"What do you want with me?" he whined, for, with all his bluster, the
fellow had no more pluck than a pigeon.

"To carry you to Conde--dead or alive--you can take your choice. If
you listen to my advice, you will come peaceably. I will go first,
Raoul; you come behind and keep a sharp eye on our friend."

"And I will use a sharp sword if he doesn't mind himself," said Raoul.

Now I shall always believe that as soon as his first fright had passed,
Peleton was rather