were not the case I would engage with four of my men to
put to flight a hundred of these clowns."

"Did you witness the injury sustained by Comminges?"

"Monsieur de Comminges is in the guards and not in the musketeers----"

"Which means, I suppose, that the musketeers are better soldiers than
the guards." The cardinal smiled as he spoke.

"Every one likes his own uniform best, my lord."

"Myself excepted," and again Mazarin smiled; "for you perceive that I
have left off mine and put on yours."

"Lord bless us! this is modesty indeed!" cried D'Artagnan. "Had I such
a uniform as your eminence possesses, I protest I should be mightily
content, and I would take an oath never to wear any other costume----"

"Yes, but for to-night's adventure I don't suppose my dress would have
been a very safe one. Give me my felt hat, Bernouin."

The valet instantly brought to his master a regimental hat with a wide
brim. The cardinal put it on in military style.

"Your horses are ready saddled in their stables, are they not?" he said,
turning to D'Artagnan.

"Yes, my lord."

"Well, let us set out."

"How many men does your eminence wish to escort you?"

"You say that with four men you will undertake to disperse a hundred low
fellows; as it may happen that we shall have to encounter two hundred,
take eight----"

"As many as my lord wishes."

"I will follow you. This way--light us downstairs Bernouin."

The valet held a wax-light; the cardinal took a key from his bureau
and opening the door of a secret stair descended into the court of the
Palais Royal.

2. A Nightly Patrol.

In ten minutes Mazarin and his party were traversing the street "Les
Bons Enfants" behind the theatre built by Richelieu expressly for the
play of "Mirame," and in which Mazarin, who was an amateur of music, but
not of literature, had introduced into France the first opera that was
ever acted in that country.

The appearance of the town denoted the greatest agitation. Numberless
groups paraded the streets and, whatever D'Artagnan might think of it,
it was obvious that the citizens had for the night laid aside their
usual forbearance, in order to assume a warlike aspect. From time to
time noises came in the direction of the public markets. The report
of firearms was heard near the Rue Saint Denis and occasionally church
bells began to ring indiscriminately and at the caprice of the populace.
D'Artagnan, meantime, pursued his way with th