The Plot is Discovered.
"Is your master at home?" asked the Cardinal.
"He is, my Lord," replied the man with a low bow; "but he is unwell, and has retired to rest."
"Ah, my poor Martin, what a misfortune! but lead the way; he will doubtless make an effort to receive an old friend like myself."
While one servant made the door fast, the other went forward with the lantern, and we followed; the Cardinal, a trifle uneasy, glancing keenly from side to side, as if half expecting to meet with some lurking enemy. Everything, however, seemed as usual. The lower part of the house was empty save for a woman cooking some savoury dish, and she took not the slightest notice of us.
The fellow with the lantern opened the door of the astrologer's room, and, lighting several wax candles, requested us to be seated while he informed his master of our presence.
As soon as he had gone, Mazarin ordered me to explore the part screened by the curtains, which I did, sword in hand.
"These conspirators are so crafty," he murmured, "that they make one cautious even in the house of a friend like the worthy Martin."
"The room is empty, your Eminence."
"Ah," said he with a sigh of relief, "then we can look forward with an untroubled mind to meeting our kind host," and, laying aside his hat and cloak, he sat down.