Condé listened attentively, stopping me now and then to ask some searching question, and evidently considerably puzzled by the whole affair.
"If this be true," said he at last, "it seems that Mazarin had nothing to do with the plot. But there is one point which still requires explanation. If you were not there, how could the mob have followed you to the house?"
"They did not follow me, but were led by two of my enemies."
"Who were they?"
"One was Baron Maubranne dressed as a charcoal-burner, and him I killed."
"Who was the other?"
"M. Peleton, disguised as a mason. He kept out of my way, the coward!"
"Corbleu!" exclaimed Condé, laughing, "that showed his discretion. Now, M. de Lalande, I am going to think over this extraordinary story. Meanwhile you must return to the Bastille. It is not exactly a pleasant residence, but it is above all things safe. True, the Governor will keep out your friends, but I will take care that he does not admit your enemies. By the way, who is this M. Beauchamp of whom you have spoken?"
"An officer in the household of the Duke of Orleans."
"Ah, well, I shall be visiting the Luxembourg in a day or two, and I may meet him."