He saw clearly enough that the faithful servant had overheard his conversation with the councillor, and that, to save Lucilio, he was making use of the idea that had occurred to him, of passing off the Italian as an astrologer, knowing, as everybody knew, the respect which the Prince de Condé entertained for the art of divination. But would the serious-minded Lucilio give his assent to that stratagem? Would he know how to play his part? "However," thought Bois-Doré, "we must rely on Providence and on Adamas's genius! It is simply a matter of getting rid of the enemy without his taking possession of my friend's person and mine; after that we will look to our safety in the future." XLIII After a few moments Lucilio appeared with Adamas. He was calm and smiling as usual. He bowed slightly to the councillor, very low to the marquis, and handed the latter a paper covered with hieroglyphics. "Alas! my friend," said Bois-Doré, "I know nothing about it." "Speak!" cried Lenet to the mute, who motioned that that was impossible. "Then write!" Lucilio sat down and wrote: "I obey no orders here save those of the Marquis de Bois-Doré; I do not know you. Leave this room; I will not write before you." "_Mordieu_! yes you will!" cried the councillor, beside himself. "I propose to know everything, and you shall answer me." "Forgive him, monsieur," said Adamas; "like all great scholars, he is very odd and capricious. If you wish him to reveal his secrets, speak to him gently." "Does he want money?" said the councillor; "he shall have it; let him speak!" Lucilio shook his head by way of refusal. The councillor seemed to be on burning coals. "Come," said he, after a moment of agitated silence, "I will find out whether you are a learned man or a fool! Look at my hand and tell me something." Lucilio looked at the councillor's hand, rose, turned to Adamas and, pointing to his scrawl, motioned to him to speak in his place. "Yes! I see," said Adamas. "These symbols say that there is a man, a prince, who wishes to place the crown of France on his head. But where is the man who has that sign in his hand? I do not know him." Lucilio pointed to the councillor's hand. "Who am I, pray tell me?" said that personage, exceedingly surprised. Lucilio wrote three words which the councillor alone read, and he with evident emotion. His face changed and his tone became gentler. "And the king is dead?" he said, trembling in every limb, with terror or with joy. "You see that you must answer me, now!" Lucilio wrote: "The king is well; but Monsieur de Luynes died by the light of the flames on the 15th of this month, at eleven o'clock at night."