y none, welcomed by many.
But for Francois we should never have left these dens alive.

With all our care and trouble we could obtain no information. My
cousin had vanished so completely that I gradually became convinced of
his death, and an accidental meeting with De Retz confirmed me in this
belief.

Coming one day from the neighbourhood of Notre Dame, I met the Abbe
face to face. He stopped involuntarily and his face became white.

"De Lalande?" he gasped. "De Lalande? Is it possible?"

"Albert de Lalande," I said.

"Ah," he exclaimed with a sigh of relief, "Henri's cousin! I had
forgotten you, and it is a shock to one's nerves to meet a dead man in
the flesh."

"Is my cousin really dead, monsieur?"

"_Ma foi!_ What a question! Why do you ask?"

"Because I imagined the report had been spread about to deceive Conde."

"No," he replied, showing no offence at my remark, "I would it were so,
but M. Beauchamp's sword bit deeply. Pillot should have informed you,
but he has had much to do. He has taken his master's body home for
burial. I feel his loss greatly. Your cousin was an admirable man,
and I shall never find his equal. But what of yourself? Have you
taken service with Conde?"

"No, monsieur, I still fight for the Throne."

"And for Albert de Lalande! Well, well, as long as you steer clear of
me I wish you no harm."

"Monsieur is pleased to be gracious," I returned with a mocking bow.
"I am indeed grateful."

The little rogue's eyes twinkled brightly, and he went away laughing.

So Henri was really dead and laid to rest in the family vault! I could
no longer question the truth of the rumour after seeing the Abbe's face
when he met me. It was certain that he, at least, believed my cousin
was dead and buried. Even Raoul could not shake me on this point,
though he rather scoffed at the story.

"It is a trick to deceive Conde," he said. "If Henri is dead, where is
Pillot?"

"He has taken the body home."

"Chut! The tale is a pack of lies. The Abbe is keeping your cousin in
hiding till Conde has lost his power. Have you heard that he is going
to accuse the prince of high treason?"

"De Retz?"

"Yes, to-morrow in open court at the Palais de Justice. There are
likely to be warm doings, and it is my belief if De Retz wins your
cousin Henri will soon come to life."

That night I wandered about the city by myself. Raoul and Armand were
with the troops in the Luxembourg; John H