watch. One is the archbishop."

"The archbishop?" The minister was surprised that the Marshal
should concur with the Colonel. "And the other?"

"Your friend the Colonel," starting for the door.

The minister smiled. "Will you not dine with me?" he asked.

"Thanks. But I have the Servian minister on my hands to-night. A
propos, tell the Colonel that I decline Belgrade. I prefer to
die at home." And he vanished.

Von Wallenstein reviewed the statements of both his visitors.

"I shall watch Monseigneur the archbishop." Then he added, with
a half-smile: "God save us if the Marshal's sword were half so
sharp as his tongue! It was careless of me to forget that I had
shut him up in the cabinet."

Meanwhile Beauvais walked slowly toward his quarters, with his
saber caught up under his arm. Once he turned and gazed at the
palace, whose windows began to flash with light.

"Yes, they are puppets and jackals, and I am the lion. For all
there shall serve my ends. I shall win, and when I do--" He
laughed silently. "Well, I am a comely man, and Madame the
duchess shall be my wife."