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bear to think of it。 It was a sad day when we brought Epernon
here； Master Andrew； and one I fear we shall rue as long as we
live。〃
It was now the king's turn to be moved。 He grasped my wrist so
forcibly that I restrained a cry with difficulty。 〃Epernon！〃 he
whispered harshly in my ear。 〃They are Epernon's tools！ Where is
your guaranty now； Rosny？〃
I confess that I trembled。 I knew well that the king； particular
in small courtesies； never forgot to call his servants by their
correct titles； save in two cases； when he indicated by the seeming
error； as once in Marshal Biron's affair； his intention to promote
or degrade them； or when he was moved to the depths of his nature
and fell into an old habit。 I did not dare to reply； but listened
greedily for more information。
〃When is it to be done？〃 asked the innkeeper； sinking his voice and
glancing round； as if he would call especial attention to this。
〃That depends upon Master la Riviere；〃 the girl answered。 〃To…
morrow night； I understand； if Master la Riviere can have the stuff
ready。〃
I met the king's eyes。 They shone fiercely in the faint light；
which issuing from the window fell on him。 Of all things he hated
treachery most； and La Riviere was his first body physician； and at
this very time； as I well knew； was treating him for a slight
derangement which the king had brought upon himself by his
imprudence。 This doctor had formerly been in the employment of the
Bouillon family； who had surrendered his services to the king。
Neither I nor his majesty had trusted the Duke of Bouillon for the
last year past； so that we were not surprised by this hint that he
was privy to the design。
Despite our anxiety not to miss a word； an approaching step warned
us at this moment to draw back。 More than once before we had done
so to escape the notice of a wayfarer passing up and down。 But
this time I had a difficulty in inducing the king to adopt the
precaution。 Yet it was well that I succeeded； for the person who
came stumbling along toward us did not pass； but； mounting the
steps； walked by within touch of us and entered the house。
〃The plot thickens；〃 muttered the king。 〃Who is this？〃
At the moment he asked I was racking my brain to remember。 I have
a good eye and a fair recollection for faces； and this was one I
had seen several times。 The features were so familiar that I
suspected the man of being a courtier in disguise； and I ran over
the names of several persons whom I knew to be Bouillon's secret
agents。 But he was none of these； and obeying the king's gesture；
I bent myself again to the task of listening。
The girl looked up on the man's entrance； but did not rise。 〃You
are late； Martin；〃 she said。
〃A little；〃 the newcomer answered。 〃How do you do； Master Andrew？
What cheer？ What； still vexing； mistress？〃 he added contemptuously
to the girl。 〃You have too soft a heart for this business！〃
She sighed； but made no answer。
〃You have made up your mind to it； I hear？〃 said the innkeeper。
〃That is it。 Needs must when the devil drives！〃 replied the man
jauntily。 He had a downcast； reckless； luckless air； yet in his
face I thought I still saw traces of a better spirit。
〃The devil in this case was Epernon；〃 quoth Andrew。
〃Aye； curse him！ I would I had cut his dainty throat before he
crossed my threshold；〃 cried the desperado。 〃But there； it is too
late to say that now。 What has to be done； has to be done。〃
〃How are you going about it？ Poison； the mistress says。〃
〃Yes； but if I had my way；〃 the man growled fiercely； 〃I would out
one of these nights and cut the dogs' throats in the kennel！〃
〃You could never escape； Martin！〃 the girl cried； rising in
excitement。 〃It would be hopeless。 It would merely be throwing
away your own life。〃
〃Well； it is not to be done that way； so there is an end of it；〃
quoth the man wearily。 〃Give me my supper。 The devil take the
king and Sully too！ He will soon have them。〃
On this Master Andrew rose； and I took his movement toward the door
for a signal for us to retire。 He came out at once； shutting the
door behind him as he bade the pair within a loud good night。 He
found us standing in the street waiting for him and forthwith fell
on his knees in the mud and looked up at me； the perspiration
standing thick on his white face。 〃My lord；〃 he cried hoarsely； 〃I
have earned my pardon！〃
〃If you go on；〃 I said encouragingly； 〃as you have begun； have no
fear。〃 Without more ado I whistled up the Swiss and bade Maignan
go with them and arrest the man and woman with as little
disturbance as possible。 While this was being done we waited
without； keeping a sharp eye upon the informer； whose terror； I
noted with suspicion； seemed to be in no degree diminished。 He did
not； however； try to escape； and Maignan presently came to tell us
that he had executed the arrest without difficulty or resistance。
The importance of arriving at the truth before Epernon and the
greater conspirators should take the alarm was so vividly present
to the minds of the king and myself； that we did not hesitate to
examine the prisoners in their house； rather than hazard the delay
and observation which their removal to a more fit place must
occasion。 Accordingly； taking the precaution to post Coquet in the
street outside； and to plant a burly Swiss in the doorway； the king
and I entered。 I removed my mask as I did so； being aware of the
necessity of gaining the prisoners' confidence； but I begged the
king to retain his。 As I had expected； the man immediately
recognized me and fell on his knees； a nearer view confirming the
notion I had previously entertained that his features were familiar
to me； though I could not remember his name。 I thought this a good
starting…point for my examination； and bidding Maignan withdraw； I
assumed an air of mildness and asked the fellow his name。
〃Martin； only； please your lordship；〃 he answered； adding； 〃once I
sold you two dogs； sir； for the chase； and to your lady a lapdog
called Ninette no larger than her hand。〃
I remembered the knave； then； as a fashionable dog dealer； who had
been much about the court in the reign of Henry the Third and
later； and I saw at once how convenient a tool he might be made；
since he could be seen in converse with people of all ranks without
arousing suspicion。 The man's face as he spoke expressed so much
fear and surprise that I determined to try what I had often found
successful in the case of greater criminals； to squeeze him for a
confession while still excited by his arrest； and before he should
have had time to consider what his chances of support at the hands
of his confederates might be。 I charged him therefore solemnly to
tell the whole truth as he hoped for the king's mercy。 He heard
me； gazing at me piteously； but his only answer； to my surprise；
was that he had nothing