m the country, I believe?"

"Yes, your Highness," I answered, really surprised now.

"And have enjoyed many a good day's fishing, I warrant? Ah, I see you
have. Have you ever gone out with the determination to hook one
particularly big fish?"

"Why, yes," I replied, laughing, and quite at my ease. "I remember an
old trout, a regular monster, that I could never catch, though I tried
often enough. He was a wily fellow and would not take the bait."

"But you landed others?"

"A good many, your Highness, though they did not make up for the one I
missed."

"Then you can understand my feelings, De Lalande. I have been angling
a long time for a very wily fish, but I cannot get him on my hook; and
the lesser ones are not worth catching. They are useful only as bait."

Now I began to perceive the prince's drift. The big fish was, of
course, De Retz, who so skilfully avoided capture; Peleton only ranked
as one of the smaller fry.

After a time, Conde, who had been watching my face closely, spoke more
plainly.

"M. de Lalande," he began, "I am going to ask you a question. Will you
take service with me?"

"You do me great honour, your Highness, but it is impossible. I have
pledged my word to Cardinal Mazarin."

"His power is gone."

"Which seems to me all the more reason why I should stand by him, your
Highness. A fallen man has the most need of friends."

"And obtains few. However, I will not attempt to persuade you, but
there is one matter in which it may suit your interest to serve us.
Would you like to see your cousin led out to execution?"

"By no means, your Highness! He played me a nasty trick, 'tis true,
but I am sure he had no hand in Maubranne's scheme."

"Very well. I will speak plainly to you. This Peleton has told me all
he knows. His confession is sufficient to bring your cousin to the
block, but it is not enough for my purpose. It strikes at the second
man and leaves the first untouched. Now, I would much prefer that it
should be the other way, and in this you can assist me."

"I will enter into no schemes to entrap my cousin, your Highness."

"No, no!" answered the prince pettishly; "you mistake my meaning. I
want you to go to him from me, privately. Make him aware that Peleton
has confessed and his own head is in danger. Do you understand?"

"So far, your Highness."

"The rest is simple. He can save his life if he chooses, by adding to
Peleton's confession. If he will n