'The king has signed it at the instance of Marshal Retz.' 'But for what ?' I cried in amazement.
'The murder of Father Antoine.

You will pardon me,' he continued urgently, 'but this is no time for words.

The Provost-Marshal is even now on his way to arrest you.

Your only hope is to evade him, and gain an audience of the king.

I have persuaded my uncle to go with you, and he is waiting at his lodgings.