The newly-introduced personage followed Bonacieux impatiently with his eyes till he was gone out, and the moment the door closed he advanced eagerly toward the cardinal and said,

“They have seen each other.”

“Who?” asked his Eminence.

“He and she.”

“The queen and the duke?” cried Richelieu.

“Yes.”

“How did it take place?”

“At half-past twelve the queen was with her women—”

“Where?”

“In her bedchamber—”

“Go on.”

“When some one came and brought her a handkerchief from her dame de lingerie.”

“And then?”

“The queen immediately exhibited strong emotion, and, in spite of the rouge which covered her face, grew pale.”

“Go on, go on!”

“She, however, rose, and with a trembling voice, ‘Ladies,’ she said, ‘wait for me ten minutes; I shall soon return.’ She then opened the door of her alcove and went out.”

“Did none of her women accompany her?”

“Only Doña Estefana.”

“And she afterwards returned?”

“Yes; but only to take a little rosewood casket, with her monogram upon it, and to go out again immediately.”

“And when she finally returned, did she bring that casket with her?”

“No.”

“Does Madame de Lannoy know what was in that casket?”

“Yes; the diamond studs which his Majesty gave the queen.”

“And she came back without this casket?”

“Yes.”

“Madame de Lannoy, then, is of the opinion that she gave them to Buckingham?”

“She is sure of it.”