"Then the famine in the city is severe, I suppose," observed the cardinal.
"It is, your Eminence," answered Edward; "but I was permitted to see very little."
"Blindfolded?" asked Richelieu.
"Yes," answered Edward. "But they may hold out some time, I think."
"How long?" demanded the minister.
"With their spirit, perhaps a month," replied Edward.
"A month!" repeated Richelieu. "Impossible! Did you hear of no tumults?"
"None whatever," replied Edward.
"What have you there?" next demanded the cardinal, pointing to the cup and its covers, which Edward had now detached from his belt.
"It is that work of art I mentioned, sire," replied the young man, taking it from the parchment bag and unwrapping the many papers which enfolded it.