Hector again related his adventures.  Turenne laughed at the account of his escape, hidden under the flour bags.

“It was a good scheme,” he said; “and it was well that you had that lackey of yours with you, for I do not think that you could ever have managed it unaided.”

“I am sure I could not, marshal; it was entirely his suggestion, and he arranged all the details splendidly.  He was equally valuable in another way afterwards;” and he described the fight in the cabaret.

“That was more dangerous than taking part in a pitched battle; seven against two are heavy odds indeed, though you had the advantage of weapons.  The fellow has a ready wit to think of rolling against the man who was waiting for a chance of running in and stabbing you; he would have made his fortune somehow even if he had not had the good luck to fall in with you.  In some respects you resemble each other; you both have enterprise, quickness, and daring, but he lacks your studious habits, your determination to master everything connected with your profession, and your ability to turn your knowledge to account.  He would have made a good soldier, an excellent leader of an irregular corps, but he would never have gained distinction.  Well, I am very glad to have had a quiet talk with you; it takes one out of one’s worries and anxieties.  By the way, I had a letter from Mazarin; it reached me while I was at Spires.  He said he was sorry to hear that you had been taken prisoner, and requested me to make an exchange for you as soon as possible, even if I had to give a general officer for you, for he was very deeply your debtor, and had the highest esteem for you.  What have you been doing to make him your debtor?  You never mentioned anything of the sort to me.”

“The matter was to some degree a state one, marshal, or I should have told you of it; but as it took place nearly a year ago, and the circumstances are altogether changed, I can mention them to you in confidence —­ for even now, were it known, it might make me some powerful enemies.”  He then related how it was that he had thwarted the attempt on Mazarin’s life.

“That was a piece of singular good fortune,” Turenne said.  “Mazarin is a staunch friend and a bitter enemy.  I owe him no goodwill, for he has behaved shamefully to de Bouillon, refusing to hand to him the estates for which he exchanged his principality of Sedan; but I do not permit myself to allow family interests to weigh with me against my duties to France.  Truly, as you say, it were well to hide your share in a business that sent De Beaufort and a score of others to prison, and a dozen members of powerful families into exile; it might well cause you serious trouble were it known.  You did well to keep the matter to yourself, and you did specially well to refuse to accept any personal honour, for had you done so Mazarin’s enemies would at once have connected that fact with the discovery of the plot.”