e morning."

"Yes," said I, still wondering.

"Monsieur will go out, but he will not return, and when his friends
hurry to the stable they will find only two horses which cannot run a
mile. Now I must slip away without being seen, and I trust you will
remember not to start before ten o'clock."

After waiting a few minutes in order to let him get clear, I strolled
into the common room, and sat a while talking with the people on the
state of the country. Rather to my surprise very few of them spoke in
favour of Conde, the majority exclaiming against him as a traitor, and
saying he ought to be executed.

"He is a fine general, though," remarked the inn-keeper; "I fought
under him at Rocroi."

"He has brought the Spaniards into the country," cried a stout-looking
fellow, hotly, "and I will never forgive that. What say you, monsieur?"

"Why, I am of your opinion. The Frenchman who bargains with Spaniards
to shoot down his own countrymen, is not deserving of much pity."

"Bravo, monsieur! Well said! I would have helped him fight Mazarin or
any of these squabblers in Paris, but to raise arms against the King is
a different matter. Perhaps monsieur belongs to the royal army?"

"You are not far from the mark," said I laughing; "you evidently have
sharp eyes, my friend."

I looked about for Courcy, half expecting he would enter, but there was
no sign of him, so at last I went to the chamber which had been
prepared for me.

CHAPTER XXIV.

Captain Courcy Outwitted.

After securing the door I loaded my pistol, undressed, and stepped into
bed, quite intending to remain awake all night. However, my eyes were
heavy, I was tired out, and in spite of danger I soon fell asleep, not
to waken again till a servant, hammering at the door, inquired if I was
nearly ready for breakfast. Jumping up hastily, I took a glance round
the room, and found to my relief that nothing had been disturbed.

"Pillot was right," I muttered, "the rascals are waiting till I am
beyond the town. I wish Captain Courcy had introduced his two friends."

After making my toilet I went to the stables, where my horse, quite
recovered from his fatigue, was looking in fine condition. Then,
returning to the inn, I ate a substantial breakfast, and, obeying
Pillot's injunctions, made no attempt to start till ten o'clock. How
shrewdly the little man had judged my enemies' plans was made plain
almost at the instant of my passing through the gat