The Count listened anxiously, he heard oaths and the sound of an obstinate struggle; then, at the expiration of a moment, a distant cry, that summons which sailors know so well, reached him.
Then his face grew calmer, he returned his sword to its sheath and coolly awaited the newcomers, muttering to himself—
"They have escaped, one chance is left me."
[CHAPTER III.]
THE ARREST.
Almost at the same moment ten or twelve men burst into the room rather than entered it, the noise that continued outside let it be guessed that a great number of others was standing on the stairs and in the passages, ready, were it required, to come to the assistance of the others.
All these men were armed, and it was easy to recognise them at once as guards of the King, or rather of His Eminence the Cardinal.
Only two of them, with crafty looks and squinting eyes, dressed in black like ushers, had no visible weapons; these, in all probability were more to be feared than the others, for beneath their feline obsequiousness they doubtless concealed an implacable will to do evil.