“‘Ah, ah!’ said Henri, ‘is this the way to my apartment?’
“‘Yes, monseigneur, and here it is,’ said a figure in the dark, who approached and then became distinguishable.
“Henri thought he recognized the voice, and, advancing toward the individual, said, ‘Ah, is it you, Beaulieu? And what the devil do you do here?’
“‘Sire, I have been nominated governor of the fortress of Vincennes.’
“‘Well, my dear sir, your début does you honour; a king for a prisoner is no bad commencement.’
“‘Pardon me, Sire, but before I received you I had already received two gentlemen.’
“‘Who may they be? Ah! your pardon; perhaps I commit an indiscretion.’
“‘Monseigneur, I have not been bound to secrecy. They are M. de la Mole and M. de Coconnas.’
“‘Poor gentlemen! And where are they?’
“‘High up, in the fourth floor.’