" One word. Monsieur the Governor ! Will you take the
trouble to get into my carriage '! " The officer placed him-
self opposite Fouquet in the coach. "Monsieur," said
Fouquet, " I have a service to ask of you."

"Speak, Monseigneur !"

"A service which will compromise you. Monsieur, but
which will assure to you forever my protection and my
friendship."

"Were it to cast myself into the fire for you, Mod-
seigneur, I would doit." ,



106 THE VICOMTE DE BEAGELONNE.
" Well," said Fouquet, " what I require is much more
simple."

"That being so, Monseigneur, what is it?"

" To conduct me to the chamber of Messieurs Lyodot
and d'Eymeris.''

" Will Monseigneur have the kindness to say for what
purpose t "

"I will tell you in their presence. Monsieur, at the
same time that I will give you ample means of palliating
this escape."

" Escape ! Why, then, Monseigneur does not know 1 "

"What]"

" That Messieurs Lyodot and d'Eymeris are no longer
here."

"Since when? " cried Fouquet, in great agitation.
" About a quarter of an hour."

"Whither have they gone, then?"

"To Vinceunes, — to the donjon."

" Who took them from here ? "

" An order from the king."

" Oh ! woe ! woe ! " exclaimed Fouquet, striking his
forehead ; and without saying a single word more to the
governor, he threw himself back in his carriage, despair
in his heart and death on his countenance.
" Well ! " said Pellisson, with great anxiety.
" Our friends are lost. Colbert is conveying them to
the donjon. It was they who crossed our passage un
der the Arcade St. Jean."

Pellisson, struck as with a thunderbolt, made no reply.
