CHAPTER XI.
STILL THE LEAGUE.
At the moment when Robert Briquet was about to enter, he saw Poulain waiting for him.
"Pardon," said he, "but my friends do not know you, and decline to admit you to their councils till they know more of you." "It is just, and I retire, happy to have seen so many brave defenders of the Holy Union." "Shall I re-conduct you ?" "No, I thank you, I will not trouble you." "But perhaps they will not open for you; yet I am wanted." "Have you not a password ?" "Yes." "Then give it to me.

I am a friend, you know." "True.

It is 'Parma and Lorraine!'" "And they will open ?" "Yes." "Thanks; now return to your friends." Briquet took some steps as if to go out, and then stopped to explore the locality.

The result of his observations was, that the vault ran parallel to the exterior wall, and terminated in a hall destined for the mysterious council from which he had been excluded.

What confirmed him in this supposition was that he saw a light at a barred window, pierced in the wall, and guarded by a sort of wooden pipe, such as they placed at the windows of convents and prisons to intercept the view from without, while the air was still admitted.