Where is that knave of mine ?' The words were scarcely out of my mouth before a ready hand thrust a paper into my fingers.

I opened it slowly, glanced at it, and amid a pause of surprise gave it to the Lieutenant.

He looked for a moment confounded.

Then, with a last instinct of suspicion, he bade the sergeant hold up the lanthorn; and by its light he proceeded to spell through the document.
'Umph!' he ejaculated with an ugly look when he had come to the end, 'I see.' And he read it aloud:-- 'BY THESE PRESENTS, I COMMAND AND EMPOWER GILLES DE BERAULT, SIER DE BERAULT, TO SEEK FOR, HOLD, AND ARREST, AND DELIVER TO THE GOVERNOR OF THE BASTILLE THE BODY OF HENRI DE COCHEFORET, AND TO DO ALL ACTS AND THINGS AS SHALL BE NECESSARY TO EFFECT SUCH ARREST AND DELIVERY, FOR WHICH THESE SHALL BE HIS WARRANT.
(Signed) THE CARDINAL DE RICHELIEU.' When he had done--he read the signature with a peculiar intonation--someone said softly, 'VIVE LE ROI!' and there was a moment's silence.

The sergeant lowered his lanthorn.