Allow bearer and two friends to pass the gate of St. Denis without
question or delay."

"Thanks," said I, slipping it into my pocket, "it may mean all the
difference between life and death, though whether Madame Coutance will
leave is more than I can tell. And now, good-bye, for the second time;
I am going to my rooms for a few minutes, and after that to the Rue
Crillon."

"Avoid the short cuts," D'Arcy advised; "or you may get into trouble,
and if you are invited to cry 'Down with the King!' shout with all your
might. Better to use your breath unpleasantly than to lose it
altogether."

"It is as likely to be 'Down with Conde!' as anything else," I answered
laughing, "and in that case you will hear my voice at the Luxembourg."

"By the way," said Raoul, "have you seen John Humphreys?"

"No, I must spare five minutes for him. It is only a hop, skip, and
jump from my place to the Palais Royal," and, with their good wishes
ringing in my ears, I set off for the Rue des Catonnes.

CHAPTER XXII.

The Mob Rises.

"Ah! it is monsieur!" and my landlord came from his room, where he had
evidently been watching for me. "A note from the Palais Royal,
monsieur! The messenger has called three times; it is of importance."

"From the Palais Royal? Let me see it. Ah! what a nuisance. Well, I
must attend to it; meanwhile, get me a coarse blue woollen overall and
a workman's cap. My finery and plumed hat are likely to cause trouble."

"They shall be at once obtained, monsieur," said he without a trace of
surprise.

"Good!" and I turned back, glancing again at the paper as I walked.

"Come to me at once. Le Tellier." That was all! What was in the wind
now? The under-minister had kept me waiting long enough, and sought my
service just when I required leisure for other matters. If Le
Tellier's business did not fit in with my own it must wait, as I had
resolved on saving Marie and her aunt at all costs.

Inside the gates John Humphreys met me. He was in good humour, and
delighted that Conde had at last thrown down the gauntlet.

"It is a straight fight now," said he; "the sort of thing I understand.
It is rumoured that the Queen will leave Paris, and the guards will
escort her. Have you a berth in the King's household yet?"

"No, I am still unattached, but Le Tellier has just sent for me; so
there is no knowing what may happen. By the way, I have seen my
cousin," and I related briefly the story of his i