doing my errand!"

"A sword-thrust in the side kept me in bed some weeks," I replied, "and
on my return to the city I found that your Eminence was no longer
there."

"Paris had grown unhealthy," said he smiling, "so I sought the purer
air of the country. You, I believe, preferred the quiet seclusion of
the Bastille."

"The choice was none of mine, my Lord."

"No? And so you have come to share my fortunes again?"

"I have brought your Eminence a letter from Le Tellier," and I handed
him the document, which I had previously taken from its hiding-place.

Opening the note, he read the communication quickly, and, turning to me
with a smile, exclaimed: "De Lalande, I certainly must keep you by my
side! Positively, you always bring me good-luck. I am deeply in your
debt, but my secretary shall settle our account. You must don the
green scarf and join my body-guard."

This was a great honour, and I thanked him warmly, but he interrupted
me with a laugh, saying, "It is well, in these troublous times, to have
a skilful sword to rely on, and I have proved the worth of yours. You
will find your comrades brave youths and all anxious to distinguish
themselves. _Pardieu!_ Conde has made a huge blunder and played into
my hands nicely. Request M. Belloc to find you quarters--and now I
must deal immediately with my correspondence."

Thus it was that I came to take service again with Mazarin, and to wear
the green scarf in many a hot encounter.

Sturdy old Belloc was delighted to have me under his charge, and, as
there was no room at Mazarin's residence, he arranged that I should
stay at the inn where Pillot had stationed the horses.

"And now," he said, "get some breakfast and go straight to bed. I will
come over during the evening for a chat. I am curious to learn how you
fared in Paris."

"The story will surprise you, but I am too tired to tell it now."

"Yes," said he, kindly, "you evidently need a long rest."

It was strange to get into bed without feeling any cause for alarm.
From sheer force of habit I placed my weapons handy, but there was no
barricading of the door, or listening for the sound of stealthy
footsteps, and almost before my head touched the pillow I was fast
asleep. Pillot, whose powers of endurance were marvellous, wakened me
early in the evening, and when M. Belloc paid his promised visit, all
traces of my recent fatigue had vanished.

The old soldier displayed intense interest in my st