replied the abbe, with a sneering laugh. “I have my plan, I tell you; leave me to set it in operation, and you shall see.”

“Where shall you be yourself?”

“Everywhere; nowhere.”

“And how shall I receive information?”

“By a courier whose horse shall be kept in the very same garden of your friend. A propos, the name of your friend?”

Fouquet looked again at Gourville. The latter came to the succor of his master, saying, [“The name is of no importance.”

Fouquet continued, “Accompany] monsieur l’abbe, for several reasons, but the house is easily to be known — the