Martin, too, shared my satisfaction, especially when the Cardinal rose as if to depart. But the play-acting was not yet finished. I was moving towards the door when Mazarin suddenly sat down again. "I had almost forgotten," said he softly, "and yet it is very important. I am about to set you a difficult task, my friend! no one else could do it, but then you are so wonderfully clever. Sit down and write a list of all those likely to have joined in this plot--men and women--the powerful and the insignificant; do not leave out one. And if you can make a guess what each has promised the other, put that in also. It will be interesting to see if our guesses are alike." Still Martin did not break down, but his voice was very unsteady as he replied, "You over-rate my powers, my Lord, it would be impossible to do as you wish." "You may have some papers which will help you," said Mazarin quietly. "Look them over, my friend, I can wait." At that the wretched man's courage forsook him, and, realising that his treachery was discovered, he flung himself at Mazarin's feet, crying, "Pardon me, Monseigneur, and you shall be told everything, but I have not the papers." "Who has them?" "Madame Coutance! She promised to obtain the signature of the King's uncle." "That woman mixes herself up in everything," exclaimed Mazarin, irritably, "and does more harm by her folly than De Retz can manage by his scheming. She must be kept quiet for a month or two. De Lalande, ask M. Belloc to station a carriage, six troopers, and a spare horse at the corner of the Rue Crillon, and to remain there till he receives fresh orders." I bowed, and leaving the room, hurried downstairs, where one of the men undid the fastenings of the door. "Do not replace the bar till my return," I said, "I shall be away a short time only." Belloc, who was watching from his hiding-place, perceived me immediately, and crossed the street. "What is it?" he asked anxiously. "Has anything gone wrong?" "No," said I, and delivered Mazarin's message. "Rue Crillon?" he exclaimed. "That is where Madame Coutance lives." "She is mixed up in the plot which Mazarin has discovered. I am sorry for her niece." "Mazarin will do the maid no harm," exclaimed the old soldier. "I have always found his bark worse than his bite. Are you sure that he is quite safe yonder?" "Everything appears as usual." "Still, in case you are sent on another message, it will be as well that the Cardinal has some protection," and he gave a private signal which quickly brought two soldiers to our side. "You are under the orders of M. de Lalande," he exclaimed, and, leaving me to return to the house, hurried off.