As the very best tools and implements had been selected from the reserve stock belonging to the engineers attached to the king's household--and among others, a saw with teeth so sharp and well tempered that it was able, under water even, to cut through oaken joists as hard as iron--the work in question advanced very rapidly, and a square portion of the ceiling, taken from between two of the joists, fell into the arms of the delighted Saint-Aignan, Malicorne, the workman, and a confidential valet, the latter being one brought into the world to see and hear everything, but to repeat nothing.

In accordance with a new plan indicated by Malicorne, the opening was effected in an angle of the room--and for this reason.

As there was no dressing-closet adjoining La Valliere's room, she had solicited, and had that very morning obtained, a large screen intended to serve as a partition.

The screen that had been allotted her was perfectly sufficient to conceal the opening, which would, besides, be hidden by all the artifices skilled cabinet-makers would have at their command.

The opening having been made, the workman glided between the joists, and found himself in La Valliere's room.