The Tower of St. Jacques de la Boucherie.
At a quarter to six o'clock, Monsieur de Gondy, having finished his business, returned to the archiepiscopal palace.
At six o'clock the curate of St. Merri was announced.
The coadjutor glanced rapidly behind and saw that he was followed by another man. The curate then entered, followed by Planchet.
"Your holiness," said the curate, "here is the person of whom I had the honor to speak to you."
Planchet saluted in the manner of one accustomed to fine houses.
"And you are disposed to serve the cause of the people?" asked Gondy.
"Most undoubtedly," said Planchet. "I am a Frondist from my heart. You see in me, such as I am, a person sentenced to be hung."
"And on what account?"
"I rescued from the hands of Mazarin's police a noble lord whom they were conducting back to the Bastile, where he had been for five years."
"Will you name him?"
"Oh, you know him well, my lord -- it is Count de Rochefort."
"Ah! really, yes," said the coadjutor, "I have heard this affair mentioned. You raised the whole district, so they told me!"
"Very nearly," replied Planchet, with a self-satisfied air.
"And your business is ---- "
"That of a confectioner, in the Rue des Lombards."
"Explain to me how it happens that, following so peaceful a business, you had such warlike inclinations."
"Why does my lord, belonging to the church, now receive me in the dress of an officer, with a sword at his side and spurs to his boots?"
"Not badly answered, i'faith," said Gondy, laughing; "but I have, you must know, always had, in spite of my bands, warlike inclinations."
"Well, my lord, before I became a confectioner I myself was three years sergeant in the Piedmontese regiment, and before I became sergeant I was for eighteen months the servant of Monsieur d'Artagnan."
"The lieutenant of musketeers?" asked Gondy.
"Himself, my lord."
"But he is said to be a furious Mazarinist."
"Phew!" whistled Planchet.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing, my lord; Monsieur d'Artagnan belongs to the service; Monsieur d'Artagnan makes it his business to defend the cardinal, who pays him, as much as we make it ours, we citizens, to attack him, whom he robs."
"You are an intelligent fellow, my friend; can we count upon you?"
"You may count upon me, my lord, provided you want to make a complete upheaval of the city."
"'Tis that exactly. How many men, think you, you could collect together to-night?"
"Two hundred muskets and five hundred halberds."
"Let there be only one man in every district who can do as much and by to-morrow we shall have quite a powerful army.
Are you disposed to obey Count de Rochefort?"
"I would follow him to hell, and that is saying not a little, as I believe him entirely capable of the descent."
"Bravo!"
"By what sign to-morrow shall we be able to distinguish friends from foes?"
"Every Frondist must put a knot of straw in his hat."
"Good! Give the watchword."
"Do you want money?"
"Money never comes amiss at any time, my lord; if one has it not, one must do without it; with it, matters go on much better and more rapidly."
Gondy went to a box and drew forth a bag.
"Here are five hundred pistoles," he said; "and if the action goes off well you may reckon upon a similar sum to-morrow."
"I will give a faithful account of the sum to your lordship," said Planchet, putting the bag under his arm.
"That is right; I recommend the cardinal to your attention."
"Make your mind easy, he is in good hands."
Planchet went out, the curate remaining for a moment "Are you satisfied, my lord?" he asked.
"Yes; he appears to be a resolute fellow."
"Well, he will do more than he has promised."
"He will do wonders then."
The curate rejoined Planchet, who was waiting for him on the stairs. Ten minutes later the curate of St. Sulpice was announced. As soon as the door of Gondy's study was opened a man rushed in. It was the Count de Rochefort.
"'Tis you, then, my dear count," cried Gondy, offering his hand.
"You have made up your mind at last, my lord?" said Rochefort.
"It has been made up a long time," said Gondy.
"Let us say no more on the subject; you tell me so, I believe you. Well, we are going to give a ball to Mazarin."
"I hope so."
"And when will the dance begin?"
"The invitations are given for this evening," said the coadjutor, "but the violins will not begin to play until to-morrow morning."
"You may reckon upon me and upon fifty soldiers which the Chevalier d'Humieres has promised me whenever I need them."
"Upon fifty soldiers?"
"Yes, he is making recruits and he will lend them to me; if any are missing when the fete is over, I shall replace them."
"Good, my dear Rochefort; but that is not all. What have you done with Monsieur de Beaufort?"
"He is in Vendome, where he will wait until I write to him to return to Paris."
"Write to him; now's the time."
"You are sure of your enterprise?"
"Yes, but he must make haste; for hardly will the people of Paris have revolted before we shall have a score of princes begging to lead them. If he defers he will find the place of honor taken."
"Shall I send word to him as coming from you?"
"Yes certainly."
"Shall I tell him that he can count on you?"
"To the end."