upon its back, and set off as if the devil were at his heels.”

“So that you believe, then — ”

“I believe that monsieur the lieutenant of the guards knew more than he was willing to say.”

“In you opinion, then, M. d’Artagnan — ”

“Is gone, according to all probability, after the exiles, to carry out all that can facilitate the success of the king’s love.”

Chatting thus, the two confidants arrived at the door of his eminence’s apartment. His eminence’s gout had left him; he was walking about his chamber in a state of great anxiety, listening at doors and looking out of windows. Bernouin entered,