"Ah!" he said; "some ministers are fortunate and find out
all that they wish to know."

"My lord," replied Guitant, "such ministers do not weigh men
in the same balance; they get their information on war from
warriors; on intrigues, from intriguers. Consult some
politician of the period of which you speak, and if you pay
well for it you will certainly get to know all you want."

"Eh, pardieu!" said Mazarin, with a grimace which he always
made when spoken to about money. "They will be paid, if
there is no way of getting out of it."

"Does my lord seriously wish me to name any one who was
mixed up in the cabals of that day?"

"By Bacchus!" rejoined Mazarin, impatiently, "it's about an
hour since I asked you for that very thing, wooden-head that
you are."

"There is one man for whom I can answer, if he will speak
out."

"That's my concern; I will make him speak."

"Ah, my lord, 'tis not easy to make people say what they
don't wish to let out."

"Pooh! with patience one must succeed. Well, this man. Who