Hector thought the matter over.  “Certainly,” he said to himself, “as the cardinal’s note is dated at nine o’clock, he is now some distance on his way.  As soon as the duke received notice of his having gone, he notified his friends.  It can only be on his way home that they will venture to attack him; but even if they have that intention they will scarcely do so if the Duke of Orleans returns with him, unless, indeed, the duke is himself in the plot, and as none of Paolo’s scouts have brought news of any communications between Beaufort and Orleans, it is hardly likely that it is so.

“Paolo, do you go down and watch the convent of the Capuchins.  If the Duke of Beaufort remains there with his friend —­ and he may doubtless be joined by others —­ let me know if he rides away.  If he does so the attack may take place anywhere along the road; if he remains, he will doubtless attack the cardinal as his carriage passes.  Should there be more than one entrance to the convent, put boys to watch them, and bring you news should the party sally out.  I shall be at the barracks.  It is there that you must bring or send me word.”

The troopers were ordered to put on their military clothes and saddle their horses, and a quarter of an hour later Hector rode to the barracks, followed by them.

“De Thiou,” he said, “I want you and the other five officers to have your horses ready at a moment’s notice.  I have some sort of idea that there is a plot on foot against the cardinal, and I want to take a hand in the matter.  I fancy that with you and my five troopers we shall be strong enough to disconcert the plotters.”

Two hours later he received a message from Paolo, saying that the Duke of Beaufort and three other gentlemen were still at the convent, but that most of the others had gone to the residence of Henri de Campion in the Rue St. Honore.

“They mean to attack him just at the end of the journey,” Hector said to himself, “and close to the Hotel de Vendome.  Now it only depends upon whether the Duke of Orleans stays at Maisons or returns with the cardinal.”

He ordered the officers and troopers to mount, and with them took his post on the road by which the cardinal would return.  In half an hour they saw his carriage approaching.  They then moved forward.  As the carriage passed them Hector saluted, and saw to his satisfaction that the Duke of Orleans was with the cardinal.  After the carriage had gone fifty yards Hector turned, and with his party followed the carriage at that distance.  When within a quarter of a mile of the Rue St. Honore a horseman came along.  He met the carriage, and immediately it passed him turned and galloped back along the road.  Hector felt no doubt that he was placed there to warn the conspirators to be in readiness if the Duke of Orleans was not in the carriage, and that there would now be no attempt.  However, he closed up to within thirty yards.  As they entered the Rue St. Honore all was quiet there, and nothing happened until the cardinal alighted at the Hotel de Cleves.  As he did so he looked round, and beckoned to Hector to follow him.