All these circumstances, amplified, moreover, by ingenious conjectures and envenomed deductions, Cinq-Mars poured into the willing ear of Monsieur; and while agents were despatched to Spain and Flanders to invite the co-operation of those sovereigns, the Grand Equerry continued his secret visits to the Luxembourg with an impunity that augured well for the success of the perilous undertaking in which he was embarked; and which at length emboldened Monsieur to receive in like manner the emissaries of Ferdinand and Philip.  These nocturnal movements were not, however, so unobserved as the conspirators had believed; and the result of the suspicions which they engendered is so quaintly narrated by Rambure that we shall give it in the identical words of the garrulous old chronicler himself: 

“One evening,” he says, “when I was in the buttery of the Cardinal, where I was eating some sweetmeats, his Eminence entered and asked for a draught of strawberry syrup.  While he was drinking it the Comte de Rochefort arrived in his turn, and informed him that during the preceding night, as he was passing the Palace of the Luxembourg, he saw a man come out whom he instantly recognized as a certain Florent Radbod whom he had formerly met at Brussels, and whom he knew to have been frequently employed in secret matters of state.  The lateness of the hour, which was, as he further stated, two in the morning, led him to believe that an individual of this description would not be there save for some important reason.

“‘You were very wrong not to follow him,’ said his Eminence.

“‘I did so,’ replied M. de Rochefort; ’but he was on his guard, and soon perceived that he was dogged.  Therefore, thinking it better not to excite his suspicions, I turned aside and left him.’

“‘You did well,’ said Richelieu; ’but what description of person is this Radbod?  What is his age? his complexion? his height?  Tell me every particular by which he may be recognized.  M. de Rambure, have you your pencil about you?’

“‘I have my tablets, Monseigneur.’

“‘Write down then without loss of time,’ said the Cardinal, ’the portrait of this man.’

“I immediately obeyed, and my task was no sooner completed than his Eminence gave orders that at every post-house where carriages could be hired notice should be instantly given to himself if a person answering the description should endeavour to secure the means of leaving Paris.  He also stationed men at every avenue leading from the city, who were to watch night and day, lest he might escape in the coach of an acquaintance.  On the following morning his Eminence sent to summon me an hour before dawn, and I was surprised on my arrival to find him pacing his chamber in his dressing-gown.

“‘Rambure,’ he said as I entered, ’I confess to you that I suspect some conspiracy is on foot against the King, the state, and myself; and, moreover, if I am not deceived, it is organizing at the Luxembourg with the consent and connivance of the Duc d’Orleans; but as this is mere suspicion, I am anxious, in order to see my way more clearly, to place some confidential person as a sentinel near the palace to watch who goes in and out.’