hours' exercise, would
produce a temporary weakness. Then, directly the gates were open, he
had started for Verdu on the sorry beast which the innkeeper had showed
me. On the plea of being a poor man he had obtained permission to
sleep in an outhouse, and then his only difficulty was to discover some
one who would help him in bringing out the horses. All this he related
in high glee, laughing merrily at the idea of having tricked the
gallant captain.

I inquired if he was sure the others were in the plot, to which he
replied, "Perfectly, monsieur; they are both in Conde's pay, but just
at present they will not have much to show for their wages!" and he
laughed again.

"Thanks to you," I said warmly. "But for your cleverness, I should
have fallen into the pit."

As soon as the horses were rested and I had provided myself with a new
hat and cloak, we made a fresh start, riding fast till Mezieres was at
least a dozen miles in our rear.

I do not propose to linger over the remainder of the journey; if the
account were a tithe as tedious as the actual ride I should lose all my
readers. As far as Captain Courcy and his friends were concerned the
paper was safe; they were not in the least likely to catch us, and if
they did, Mazarin had as many friends as foes in that part of the
country. Our chief danger now came from the highwaymen who prowled
about the roads, and twice we were attacked by these worthies, who,
however, upon finding us well-armed and resolute to defend ourselves,
quickly moved off.

It was, I think, on the fifth morning from leaving Mezieres that we
rode into Bruhl, and being directed to the Cardinal's residence,
encountered Roland Belloc, who at first did not recognise me.

"Have you quite forgotten me?" said I.

"De Lalande? Is it possible? I understood you were still in Paris."

"I was there until a few days ago. But where is the Cardinal? I have
a letter for him, and as soon as it is delivered I want to go to bed."

"You shall see him at once, follow me."

"Put the horses up somewhere, Pillot," I said, and throwing the reins
to him, followed Belloc.

Several French gentlemen wearing Mazarin's colours lounged about; the
courtyard was filled with soldiers, and sentries were stationed at the
entrance. As for the Cardinal himself he looked very little like a
beaten man.

"M. de Lalande," he purred in his silkiest tones, as Belloc showed me
into the room. "You have been a long time