At that the wretched man's courage forsook him, and, realising that his treachery was discovered, he flung himself at Mazarin's feet, crying, "Pardon me, Monseigneur, and you shall be told everything, but I have not the papers."
"Who has them?"
"Madame Coutance! She promised to obtain the signature of the King's uncle."
"That woman mixes herself up in everything," exclaimed Mazarin, irritably, "and does more harm by her folly than De Retz can manage by his scheming. She must be kept quiet for a month or two. De Lalande, ask M. Belloc to station a carriage, six troopers, and a spare horse at the corner of the Rue Crillon, and to remain there till he receives fresh orders."
I bowed, and leaving the room, hurried downstairs, where one of the men undid the fastenings of the door.
"Do not replace the bar till my return," I said, "I shall be away a short time only."
Belloc, who was watching from his hiding-place, perceived me immediately, and crossed the street.
"What is it?" he asked anxiously. "Has anything gone wrong?"
"No," said I, and delivered Mazarin's message.
"Rue Crillon?" he exclaimed. "That is where Madame Coutance lives."