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they had come to the door and were still gazing after us。
This prevented me at once remarking that a hound which had which
had been lying before the fire had accompanied us； and was now running
in front； now gambolling round us； as the manner of dogs is。 When；
however； after riding about two thirds of a league； we came to a place
where the roads forked； I had occasion particularly to notice the hound； for；
choosing one of the paths； it stood in the mouth of it； wagging its tail； and
inviting us to take that road； and this so pertinaciously that； though the
directions we had received at the inn would have led us to prefer the other；
we determined to follow the dog as the more trustworthy guide。
We had proceeded about four hundred paces when La Trape pointed
out that the path was growing more narrow and showed few signs of being
used。 So certain did it seemthough the dog still ran confidently ahead
that we were again astray； that I was about to draw rein and return； when I
discovered with some emotion that the undergrowth on the right of the
path had assumed the character of a thick hedge of box。 Though less prone
than most men to put faith in omens； I accepted this as one； and；
notwithstanding that it wanted but an hour of sunset； I rode on steadily；
remarking that； with each turn in the woodland path； the scrub on my left
also gave place to the sturdy tree which had been in my mind all day。
Finally we found ourselves passing through an alley of box；which； no
long time before； had been clipped and dressed； until a final turn brought
me into a cul…de…sac； a kind of arbor； carpeted with grass； and so thickly
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set about as to afford no exit save by the entrance。 Here the dog placidly
stood and wagged its tail； looking up at us。
I must confess that this termination of the adventure seemed so
surprising； and the evening light shining on the walls of green round us
was so full of a solemn quiet； that I was not surprised to hear La Trape
mutter a short prayer。 For my part； assured that something more than
chance had brought me hither； I dismounted； and spoke encouragement to
the hound； but it only leaped upon me。 Then I walked round the enclosure；
and presently remarked； close to the hedge； three small patches where the
grass was slightly trodden down。 Another glance told me much； for I saw
that at these places the hedge； about three feet from the ground； bore traces
of the axe。 Choosing the nearest spot； I stooped； until my eyes were level
with the hole thus made； and discovered that I was looking through a
funnel skilfully cut in the wall of box。 At my end the opening was rather
larger than a man's face； at the other end about as large as the palm of the
hand。 The funnel rose gradually； so that I took the further extremity of it to
be about seven feet from the ground； and here it disclosed a feather
dangling on a spray。 From the light falling strongly on this； I judged it to
be not in the hedge； but a pace or two from it on the hither side of another
fence of box。 On examining the remaining loopholes I discovered that they
bore upon the same feather。
My own mind was at once made up； but I bade my valet go through
the same investigation； and then asked him whether he had ever seen an
ambush of this kind laid for game。 He replied at once that the shot would
pass over the tallest stag； and； fortified by this； I mounted without saying
more； and we retraced our steps。 The hound presently slipped away； and
without further adventure we reached Fontainebleau a little after sunset。
I expected to be received by the king with coldness and displeasure；
but it chanced that a catarrh had kept him within doors all day； and； unable
to hunt or to visit his new flame； he had been at leisure in this palace
without a court to consider the imprudence he was committing。 He
received me； therefore； with the hearty laugh of a school…boy detected in a
petty fault； and as I hastened to relate to him some of the things which M。
de Boisrose had said of the Baron de Rosny； I soon had the gratification of
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perceiving that my presence was not taken amiss。 His Majesty gave orders
that bedding should be furnished for my pavilion； and that his household
should wait on me； and himself sent me from his table a couple of
chickens and a fine melon； bidding me at the same time to come to him
when I had supped。
I did so； and found him alone in his closet； awaiting me with
impatience； for he had already divined that I had not made this journey
merely to reproach him。 Before informing him； however； of my suspicions；
I craved leave to ask him one or two questions； and； in particular； whether
he had been in the habit of going to Malesherbes daily。
〃Daily；〃 he admitted； with a grimace。 〃What more； grand master？〃
〃By what road； sire？〃
〃I have commonly hunted in the morning and visited Malesherbes at
midday。 I have returned as a rule by the bridle…path； which crosses the
Rock of the Serpents。〃
〃Patience； sir； one moment；〃 I said。 〃Does that path run anywhere
through a plantation of box？〃
〃To be sure；〃 he answered； without hesitation。 〃About half a mile on
this side of the rock it skirts Madame Catherine's maze。〃
Thereon I told the king without reserve all that had happened。 He
listened with the air of apparent carelessness which he always assumed
when the many plots against his life were under discussion； but at the end
he embraced me again and again with tears in his eyes。
〃France is beholden to you；〃 he said。 〃I have never had； nor shall have；
such another servant as you； Rosny！ The three ruffians at the inn；〃 he
continued； 〃are the tools； of course； and the hound has been in the habit of
accompanying them to the spot。 Yesterday； I remember； I walked by that
place with the bridle on my arm。〃
〃By a special providence； sire；〃 I said； gravely。
〃It is true；〃 he answered； crossing himself； a thing I had never yet
known him to do in private。 〃But now； who is the craftsman who has
contrived this pretty plot？ Tell me that； grand master。〃
On this point； however； though I had my suspicions； I begged leave to
be excused speaking until I had slept upon it。 〃Heaven forbid；〃 I said； 〃that
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I should expose any man to your Majesty's resentment without cause。 The
wrath of kings is the forerunner of death。〃
〃I have not heard；〃 the king answered； drily； 〃that the Duke of
Bouillon has called in a leech yet。〃
Before retiring I learned that his Majesty had with him a score of light
horse； whom La Varenne had requisitioned from Melun； and that some of
these had each day awaited him at Malesherbes； and returned with him。
Further； that Henry had been in the habit of wearing； when riding back in
the evening； a purple cloak over his hunting…suit； a fact well known； I felt
sure； to the assassins； who； unseen and in perfect safety； could fire at the
exact moment when the cloak obscured the feather； and could then make
their escape； secured by the stout wall of box； from immediate pursuit。
I was aroused in the morning by La Varenne coming to my bedside
and bidding me hasten to the king。 I did so； and found his Majesty already
in his boots and walking on the terrace with Coquet； his master of the
household； Vitry； La Varenne； and a gentleman unknown to me。 On seeing
me he dismissed them； and； while I was still a great way off； called out；
chiding me for my laziness； then taking me by the hand in the most
obliging manner； he made me walk up and down with him； while he told
me what further thoughts he had of this affair； and； hiding nothing from
me； even as he bade me speak to him whatever I thought without reserve；
he required to know whether I suspected that the Entragues family were
cogniza