"It would be more likely to be Monsieur de la Mole," said Henry.
"Certainly, since I myself, who saw the man running away, thought so for an instant."
"You thought so? Why, it must have been Monsieur de la Mole, then."
"Does he know anything?" asked D'Alençon.
"Absolutely nothing; at least, nothing of importance."
"Brother," said the duke; "I really think now that it was he."
"The devil!" said Henry; "if it was, that will trouble the queen greatly, for she is interested in him."
"Interested, you say?" said D'Alençon in amazement.
"Yes. Do you not remember, François, that it was your sister who recommended him to you?"
"Yes," said the duke, in a dull voice; "so I tried to be agreeable to him. The proof of this is that, fearing his red cloak might compromise him, I went up to his rooms and took the cloak away."