Part 128 (1/2)
”I would swear that it was”--
”Who?”
”Why--the King of Navarre and the man in the red cloak.”
”Swear if you will, but not too loud.”
”Did you recognize them too?”
”Certainly.”
”What are they here for?”
”Some love affair.”
”You think so?”
”I am sure of it.”
”La Mole, I prefer sword-thrusts to these love affairs. I would have sworn a moment ago, now I will bet.”
”What will you bet?”
”That there is some plot on hand.”
”You are mad.”
”I tell you”--
”I tell you that even if they are plotting it is their own affair.”
”That is true. However,” said Coconnas, ”I no longer belong to Monsieur d'Alencon. So let them do as they see fit.”
As the partridges had apparently reached the state in which Coconnas liked them, the Piedmontese, who counted on making the most of his dinner of them, called Maitre la Huriere to remove them from the spit.
Meantime Henry and De Mouy were installed in their chamber.
”Well, sire,” said De Mouy, when Gregoire had set the table, ”have you seen Orthon?”
”No; but I found the note he left behind the mirror. The boy must have become frightened, I suppose, for Queen Catharine came in while he was there, so he went away without waiting for my answer.”
”For a moment I felt somewhat anxious about him, as Dariole told me that the queen mother had had a long talk with him.”
”Oh! there is no danger. The boy is clever, and although the queen mother knows his profession he will not let her find out much from him, I am sure.”
”But have you seen him, De Mouy?” asked Henry.
”No, but I expect to this evening. At midnight he is to come here for me with a good petronel. He will tell me what happened as we walk along.”
”And the man at the corner of the Rue des Mathurins?”