"It is the Coadjutor's carriage," said D'Artagnan to himself. "Providence is decidedly in our favour."
He opened the door without noise, got into the coach, and pulled the check-string.
"To the Palais Royal," cried he to the coachman.
The man, waking in a fright, made no doubt that the order came from his master, and drove off at full speed to the palace. The gates of the court were just closing as he drove in. On pulling up at the steps, the coachman perceived that the footmen were not behind the carriage, and, supposing that M. de Gondy had sent them somewhere, he got off his box and opened the door. D'Artagnan jumped out, and just as the coachman, alarmed at seeing a stranger instead of his master, made a step backwards, he seized him by the collar with his left hand, and with his right put a pistol to his breast.
"Not a word," said D'Artagnan, "or you are a dead man."
The coachman saw that he had fallen into a snare. He remained silent, with open mouth and staring eyes. Two mousquetaires were walking up and down the court; D'Artagnan called them, handed over the coachman to one of them, with orders to keep him in safe custody, and desired the other to get on the box of the carriage, drive it round to the door of the private staircase leading out of the palace, and there to wait till he came. The coachman's livery coat and hat went with the carriage. These arrangements completed, D'Artagnan entered the palace, and knocked at the door of the queen's apartments. He was instantly admitted; Anne of Austria was waiting for him in her oratory.
"Is every thing prepared?" said she.
"Every thing, madam."
"And the cardinal?"
"He has left Paris without accident, and waits for your majesty at Cours la Reine."