w," said he comically, "perhaps because I hoped it might
be so."

Poor Pillot was fated to be disappointed, as I discovered in the
morning. Mazarin had apparently been up for hours when I entered his
room. His table was littered with papers and letters, one of which was
addressed to the Duke of Lorraine.

"De Lalande," said he without ceremony, "how would you like to be
captured by the Spaniards?"

"Captured by the Spaniards, my Lord?"

"Why, yes," said he, "it does not sound pleasant, but I fear that is
what will happen to you. This letter is addressed to the Duke of
Lorraine, but it is really meant to fall into the hands of the Spanish
general."

"I understand, my Lord," I replied, though not with any degree of truth.

"Hardly, De Lalande," said he lightly, "but I will make it clear to
you. Marshal Turenne has too many foes, and if we can induce
Fuensaldana to retreat, it will be a point in our favour. Should this
letter fall into his hands he will decide to go, but the affair
requires caution. That is why I have selected you. The Spaniards are
near Compiegne, and I want you to be taken prisoner as soon as
possible."

"I will do my best, my Lord, though it is a queer errand," I replied as
I took my leave.

"_Parbleu!_ this Cardinal is a cunning fox," exclaimed Pillot, when I
informed him of the kind of adventure in which we were engaged. "The
Spaniards will think Lorraine is making friends with the Court; they
will take fright and decamp. Truly this Mazarin is a shrewd rascal.
But," he added more soberly, "the affair will be awkward for monsieur."

"Why, yes; it will not be altogether pleasant," I replied, "but the
Spaniards will soon release me."

Mounting our horses, we rode off, and by early evening had reached the
neighbourhood of the Spanish camp.

"Monsieur will soon have his wish," whispered Pillot, as we proceeded
through a small hamlet. "See, the road yonder is blocked by a body of
horsemen. Does monsieur intend to show fight?"

"Why, no; yet I must not be caught too easily, or I shall arouse
suspicion. Let us ride on carelessly, and turn when it is just too
late."

"Monsieur may get a bullet," suggested Pillot, but I told him I must
chance that, though he was, on no account, to risk his own life.

Accordingly we proceeded along the road toward the Spanish outpost,
when suddenly a gruff voice roared some words in a foreign tongue. I
have often laughed since at the remembrance o