"Ah, I know now the service the King has rendered me. They came here to assassinate me—and—ah! De Mouy! what have they done to De Mouy? The wretches! They may have killed him!"
And as anxious to learn the news as the Duc d'Alençon was to tell it, Henry threw a last mournful glance on the surrounding objects, hurried from the room, reached the corridor, made sure that it was vacant, and pushing open the half-closed door, which he carefully shut behind him, he hurried to the Duc d'Alençon's.
The duke was waiting for him in the first room. Laying his finger on his lips, he hastily took Henry's hand and drew him into a small round tower which was completely isolated, and which consequently was out of range of spies.
"Ah, brother," said he, "what a horrible night!"
"What happened?" asked Henry.
"They tried to arrest you."
"Me?"
"Yes, you."
"For what reason?"
"I do not know. Where were you?"