The king rose gravely and addressed the assembly. "Let us disperse, friends. What we have seen and heard leaves us in little mood for merrymaking." Then he gave his hand to the now weeping princess, and, followed by his immediate escort, quitted the tent. It was soon deserted; it was soon empty. The king departed in the direction of his palace. News that the ball was ended spread rapidly, and in a short while the gardens that had been so thronged and brilliant became deserted and desolate. The departing guests found that every exit was guarded by soldiers, and that their faces were carefully scanned before they were suffered to leave the precincts of the Palais Royal.
Gonzague remained alone in the solitude by the Fountain of Diana, waiting for Peyrolles, who presently joined him.
"Well?" Gonzague asked, anxiously.
Peyrolles looked disappointed. "He has not left by any of the gates. He must be hiding in the gardens."
Gonzague commanded, sharply: "Bid your men seek till they find, and kill when they find."
Peyrolles bowed. "Yes, your excellency," he said, and disappeared down one of the silent alleys. As he departed, the hunchback emerged from the shadow of a tree and approached Gonzague noiselessly. Gonzague started a little as he suddenly became aware of the hunchback’s presence.
The hunchback bowed. "Is your highness content with the night’s work?"
"So far, yes," Gonzague replied. "We have got the girl and got the papers safe in my palace."
"Ah! And Lagardere?" the hunchback asked.
Gonzague answered: "Peyrolles is looking for him, with six of the best swords in Paris."