If discovered prematurely, they were to kill anyone who found them--with their swords, for I wanted no noise of firing.

If all went well, they would be at the door when Johann opened it.

They were to rush in and secure the servants if their mere presence and the use of the King's name were not enough.

At the same moment--and on this hinged the plan--a woman's cry was to ring out loud and shrill from Antoinette de Mauban's chamber.

Again and again she was to cry: "Help, help! Michael, help!" and then to utter the name of young Rupert Hentzau.