"A remarkable story!" said Mazarin thoughtfully. "Eh, Martin?"
"It seems to ring true, your Eminence," replied the astrologer.
"There are two or three points, though, to be considered. For instance," turning to me, "to which party does this second friend of yours belong?"
"I really do not know that he belongs to any party."
"Well, it is of small consequence. Now, as to the people who came here with you?" and he cast a searching glance at my face.
"I should not recognise them in the street."
"But their names?" he cried impatiently. "You must know at least who their leader was."
"Pardon me," I said quietly, "but I did not undertake to play the spy. What I learned was by accident."
"You will not tell me?" and he drummed on the table.
"I cannot: it would be dishonourable."