.

THE KING'S FACE.
It seemed so necessary to bring home the crime to Bruhl should the priest really perish in the trap laid for me, that I came near to falling into one of those mistakes to which men of action are prone.

For my first impulse was to follow the priest to the Parvis, closely enough, if possible, to detect the assassins in the act, and with sufficient force, if I could muster it, to arrest them.

The credit of dissuading me from this course lies with Simon, who pointed out its dangers in so convincing a manner that I was brought with little difficulty to relinquish it.
Instead, acting on his advice, I sent him to M.d'Agen's lodging, to beg that young gentleman to call upon me before evening.

After searching the lodging and other places in vain, Simon found M.d'Agen in the tennis-court at the Castle, and, inventing a crafty excuse, brought him to my lodging a full hour before the time.
My visitor was naturally surprised to find that I had nothing particular to say to him.