CHAPTER XIII.
THE DORMITORY.
In less than five minutes they arrived at their destination.

The duke took out a key, and, after crossing a court, opened an arched door, the bottom of which was overgrown with long grass.

They went along a dark corridor, and then up a staircase to a room, of which D'Epernon had also the key.

He opened the door, and showed the king forty-five beds, and in each of them a sleeper.
The king looked at all this with a troubled curiosity.

"Well," said he, "who are these people ?" "People who sleep to-night, but will not do so to-morrow night." "Why not ?" "That your majesty may sleep in peace." "Explain yourself.