CHAPTER XIII: THE BATTLES OF FREIBURG.
The cardinal did not address Hector until he had entered his private room, when he turned and said sharply, "What means this, colonel?
When I saw you and your officers on the road I felt sure that you were not there for nothing, and still more sure when on alighting I found you so closely following me." "I was convinced, cardinal, that there was a plot against your life, and I believe that it was only because the Duke of Orleans returned with you that it was not carried into effect." "And possibly because they saw your troop behind the carriage.

Now tell me your reason for supposing that I was in danger." Hector related the various steps that he had taken.
"Your spies worked better for you than mine did for me," the cardinal said.

"That a dozen or so of Beaufort's friends were for some reason or other spending their time at the Angel Inn and other cabarets I was aware, but I have had no word of their proceedings today.

You have been better served, doubtless, because your plans were better laid.

I hardly think that they would have attacked me when Orleans was with me, but there is no saying; for if Beaufort has daring and insolence enough to attempt to slay the queen's minister within a quarter of a mile of the Louvre, he would not trouble greatly whether princes of the blood were in the carriage or not, especially if he had some reason for believing that Orleans would not regard the deed with very great disapproval.
"However, whatever his intentions might be, it is clear that the appearance of your party of twelve armed men decided the question.