cieux, and
that is her lover, the wretch D'Artagnan. I will get you a thousand
proofs that he has conspired with Buckingham."

"Very well; get me proof, and I will send him to the Bastille."

For a few seconds there was silence while the cardinal was writing a
note.

Athos at once got up and told his companions he would go out to see if
the road was safe, and left the house.

The cardinal gave his final instructions to Milady, and departed with
Porthos and Aramis. No sooner had they turned an angle of the road than
Athos re-entered the inn, marched boldly upstairs, and before he had
been seen, had bolted the door.

Milady turned round, and became exceedingly white.

"The Count de la Fere!" she said.

"Yes, Milady, the Count de la Fere in person. You believed him dead, did
you not, as I believed you to be?"

"What do you want? Why do you come here?" said Milady in a hollow voice.

"I have followed your actions," said Athos sternly. "It was you who had
Madame Bonacieux carried off; it was you who sent assassins after
D'Artagnan, and poisoned his wine. Only to-night you have agreed to
assassinate the Duke of Buckingham, and expect D'Artagnan to be slain in
return. Now, I care nothing about the Duke of Buckingham; he is an
Englishman, but D'Artagnan is my friend."

"M. D'Artagnan insulted me," said Milady.

"Is it possible to insult you?" said Athos. He drew out a pistol and
cocked it. "Madame, you will instantly deliver to me the paper you have
received from the cardinal; or, upon my soul, I will blow out your
brains."

Athos slowly raised his pistol until the weapon almost touched the
woman's forehead. Milady knew too well that with this terrible man death
would certainly come unless she yielded. She drew the paper out of her
bosom and handed it to Athos. "Take it," she said, "and be accursed."

Athos returned the pistol to his belt, unfolded the paper, and read:

It is by my order, and for the good of the state, that the
bearer of this has done what he has done.

Dec. 3rd, 1627.

RICHELIEU.

Athos, without looking at the woman, left the inn, mounted his horse,
and galloping across country, managed to get in front, on the road,
before the cardinal had passed.

For a second, Milady thought of pursuing the cardinal in order to
denounce Athos; but unpleasant revelations might be made, and it seemed
best to carry out her mission in England, and then, when she had
satisfied the card