"'By this little staircase; you will find yourself in the pantry; you must then go through the kitchen into the garden, and go out by the little door.'
"I followed the instructions of Monsieur Lapierre exactly, and here I am."
"And the prince; where is he?" asked the chevalier.
"Well, what do you say to my Odyssey, abbe?"
"I say that it would be very droll if it was not for that cursed paper which Dubois picked out of the cinders."
"And you have not any idea what it could be?"
"Not the least; but never mind, it is not lost, we shall know some day."
At this moment they heard some one coming up the staircase. The door opened, and Boniface appeared.
"Pardon, Monsieur Raoul," said he, "but it is not you I seek, it is Father Brigaud."
"Never mind, my dear Boniface, you are welcome. Baron, allow me to present you to my predecessor in my room. The son of our worthy landlady, and godson of the Abbe Brigaud."
"Oh, you have friends barons, Monsieur Raoul! what an honor for our house!"
"Well," said the abbe, "you were looking for me you said. What do you want?"
"I want nothing. It was my mother who sent for you."
"She wants to know why the parliament is to assemble to-morrow."
"The parliament assemble to-morrow!" cried Valef and D'Harmental together.
"At the office. Maitre Joullu was with the president when the order arrived."
"Well, tell your mother I will come to her directly."
"She will expect you. Adieu, Monsieur Raoul."
And Monsieur Boniface went out, far from suspecting the effect he had produced on his listeners.
"It is some coup-d'état which is preparing," murmured D'Harmental.
"I will go to Madame de Maine to warn her," said Valef.
"And I to Pompadour for news," said Brigaud.
"And I," said D'Harmental, "remain here; if I am wanted, abbe, you know where I am."
"But if you were not at home, chevalier?"
"Oh! I should not be far off. Open the window, clap your hands, and I should come."
Valef and Brigaud went away together, and D'Harmental went back to Bathilde, whom he found very uneasy. It was five o'clock in the afternoon, and Buvat had not returned--it was the first time such a thing had ever happened.
The following day, about seven o'clock in the morning, Brigaud came to fetch D'Harmental, and found the young man ready and waiting. They both wrapped themselves in their cloaks, drew down their hats over their eyes, and proceeded through the Rue de Cléry, the Place des Victoires, and the garden of the Palais Royal.