第4章

Armandwatchedthelittlesceneinutteramazement。HehadbeeninEnglandoverayear，andyethecouldnotunderstandtheseEnglishmen。Surelytheywerethequeerest，mostinconsequentpeopleintheworld，Herewerethesemen，whowereengagedatthisverymomentinanenterprisewhichforcool-headedcourageandfoolhardydaringhadprobablynoparallelinhistory。Theywereliterallytakingtheirlivesintheirhands，inallprobabilityfacingcertaindeath；andyettheynowsatchaffingandfightinglikeacrowdofthird-formschoolboys，talkingutter，sillynonsense，andmakingfoolishjokesthatwouldhaveshamedaFrenchmaninhisteens。Vaguelyhewonderedwhatfat，pompousdeBatzwouldthinkofthisdiscussionifhecouldoverhearit。Hiscontempt，nodoubt，fortheScarletPimpernelandhisfollowerswouldbeincreasedtenfold。

Thenatlastthequestionofthedisguisewaseffectuallydismissed。SirAndrewFfoulkesandLordAnthonyDewhursthadsettledtheirdifferencesofopinionbysolemnlyagreeingtorepresenttwoover-grimyandoverheatedcoal-heavers。TheychosetwocertificatesofsafetythatweremadeoutinthenamesofJeanLepetitandAchilleGrospierre，labourers。

“Thoughyoudon\'tlookatalllikeanAchille，Tony，“wasBlakeney\'spartingshottohisfriend。

Thenwithoutanytransitionfromthisschoolboynonsensetotheseriousbusinessofthemoment，SirAndrewFfoulkessaidabruptly：

“Tellusexactly，Blakeney，whereyouwillwantthecarttostandonSunday。“

Blakeneyroseandturnedtothemapagainstthewall，FfoulkesandTonyfollowinghim。Theystoodclosetohiselbowwhilsthisslender，nervyhandwanderedalongtheshinysurfaceofthevarnishedpaper。Atlastheplacedhisfingerononespot。

“Hereyousee，“hesaid，“istheVillettegate。Justoutsideitanarrowstreetontherightleadsdowninthedirectionofthecanal。Itisjustatthebottomofthatnarrowstreetatitsjunctionwiththetow-paththerethatIwantyoutwoandthecarttobe。Ithadbetterbeacoal-carbytheway；theywillbeunloadingcoalclosebythereto-morrow，“headdedwithoneofhissuddenirrepressibleoutburstsofmerriment。“YouandTonycanexerciseyourmusclescoal-heaving，andincidentallymakeyourselvesknownintheneighbourhoodasgoodifsomewhatgrimypatriots。“

“Wehadbettertakeupourpartsatoncethen，“saidTony。“I\'lltakeafondfarewellofmycleanshirtto-night。“

“Yes，youwillnotseeoneagainforsometime，mygoodTony。

Afteryourhardday\'sworkto-morrowyouwillhavetosleepeitherinsideyourcart，ifyouhavealreadysecuredone，orunderthearchesofthecanalbridge，ifyouhavenot。“

“IhopeyouhaveanequallypleasantprospectforHastings，“wasmyLordTony\'sgrimcomment。

Itwaseasytoseethathewasashappyasaschoolboyabouttostartforaholiday。LordTonywasatruesportsman。Perhapstherewasinhimlesssentimentfortheheroicworkwhichhedidundertheguidanceofhischiefthananinherentpassionfordangerousadventures。SirAndrewFfoulkes，ontheotherhand，thoughtperhapsalittlelessoftheadventure，butagreatdealofthemartyredchildintheTemple。Hewasjustasbuoyant，justaskeenashisfriend，buttheleavenofsentimentraisedhissportinginstinctstoperhapsahigherplaneofself-devotion。

“Well，now，torecapitulate，“hesaid，inturnfollowingwithhisfingertheindicatedrouteonthemap。“TonyandIandthecoal-cartwillawaityouonthisspot，atthecornerofthetowpathonSundayeveningatnineo\'clock。“

“Andyoursignal，Blakeney？”askedTony。

“Theusualone，“repliedSirPercy，“theseamew\'scrythricerepeatedatbriefintervals。Butnow，“hecontinued，turningtoArmandandHastings，whohadtakennopartinthediscussionhitherto，“Iwantyourhelpalittlefurtherafield。“

“Ithoughtso，“noddedHastings。

“Thecoal-cart，withitsusualmiserablenag，willcarryusadistanceoffifteenorsixteenkilometres，butnomore。Mypurposeistocutalongthenorthofthecity，andtoreachSt。Germain，thenearestpointwherewecansecuregoodmounts。Thereisafarmerjustoutsidethecommune；hisnameisAchard。Hehasexcellenthorses，whichIhaveborrowedbeforenow；weshallwantfive，ofcourse，andhehasonepowerfulbeastthatwilldoforme，asIshallhave，inadditiontomyownweight，whichisconsiderable，totakethechildwithmeonthepillion。Nowyou，HastingsandArmand，willhavetostartearlyto-morrowmorning，leaveParisbytheNeuillygate，andfromtheremakeyourwaytoSt。Germainbyanyconveyanceyoucancontrivetoobtain。AtSt。

GermainyoumustatoncefindAchard\'sfarm；disguisedaslabourersyouwillnotarousesuspicionbysodoing。Youwillfindthefarmerquiteamenabletomoney，andyoumustsecurethebesthorsesyoucangetforourownuse，and，ifpossible，thepowerfulmountIspokeofjustnow。Youarebothexcellenthorse-men，thereforeIselectedyouamongsttheothersforthisspecialerrand，foryoutwo，withthefivehorses，willhavetocomeandmeetourcoal-cartsomeseventeenkilometresoutofSt。

Germain，towherethefirstsign-postindicatestheroadtoCourbevoie。Sometwohundredmetresdownthisroadontherightthereisasmallspinney，whichwillaffordsplendidshelterforyourselvesandyourhorses。Wehopetobethereataboutoneo\'clockaftermidnightofMondaymorning。Now，isallthatquiteclear，andareyoubothsatisfied？”

“Itisquiteclear，“exclaimedHastingsplacidly；“butI，forone，amnotatallsatisfied。“

“Andwhynot？”

“Becauseitisalltooeasy。Wegetnoneofthedanger。“

“Oho！Ithoughtthatyouwouldbringthatargumentforward，youincorrigiblegrumbler，“laughedSirPercygood-humouredly。“Letmetellyouthatifyoustartto-morrowfromParisinthatspirityouwillrunyourheadandArmand\'sintoanooselongbeforeyoureachthegateofNeuilly。Icannotalloweitherofyoutocoveryourfaceswithtoomuchgrime；anhonestfarmlabourershouldnotlookover-dirty，andyourchancesofbeingdiscoveredanddetainedare，attheoutset，fargreaterthanthosewhichFfoulkesandTonywillrun——“

Armandhadsaidnothingduringthistime。WhileBlakeneywasunfoldinghisplanforhimandforLordHastings——aplanwhichpracticallywasacommand——hehadsatwithhisarmsfoldedacrosshischest，hisheadsunkuponhisbreast。WhenBlakeneyhadaskediftheyweresatisfied，hehadtakennopartinHastings\'protestnorrespondedtohisleader\'sgood-humouredbanter。

Thoughhedidnotlookupevennow，yethefeltthatPercy\'seyeswerefixeduponhim，andtheyseemedtoscorchintohissoul。Hemadeagreatefforttoappeareagerliketheothers，andyetfromthefirstachillhadstruckathisheart。HecouldnotleaveParisbeforehehadseenJeanne。

Helookedupsuddenly，tryingtoseemunconcerned；heevenlookedhischieffullyintheface。

“WhenoughtwetoleaveParis？”heaskedcalmly。

“YouMUSTleaveatdaybreak，“repliedBlakeneywithaslight，almostimperceptibleemphasisonthewordofcommand。“Whenthegatesarefirstopened，andthework-peoplegotoandfroattheirwork，thatisthesafesthour。AndyoumustbeatSt。Germainassoonasmaybe，orthefarmermaynothaveasufficiencyofhorsesavailableatamoment\'snotice。IwantyoutobespokesmanwithAchard，sothatHastings\'Britishaccentshouldnotbetrayyouboth。AlsoyoumightnotgetaconveyanceforSt。Germainimmediately。Wemustthinkofeveryeventuality，Armand。Thereissomuchatstake。“

Armandmadenofurthercommentjustthen。Buttheotherslookedastonished。Armandhadbutaskedasimplequestion，andBlakeney\'sreplyseemedalmostlikearebuke——socircumstantialtoo，andsoexplanatory。Hewassousedtobeingobeyedataword，soaccustomedthatthemerestwish，theslightesthintfromhimwasunderstoodbyhisbandofdevotedfollowers，thatthelongexplanationofhisorderswhichhegavetoArmandstruckthemallwithastrangesenseofunpleasantsurprise。

Hastingswasthefirsttobreakthespellthatseemedtohavefallenovertheparty。

“Weleaveatdaybreak，ofcourse，“hesaid，“assoonasthegatesareopen。Wecan，Iknow，getoneofthecarrierstogiveusaliftasfarasSt。Germain。There，howdowefindAchard？”

“Heisawell-knownfarmer，“repliedBlakeney。“Youhavebuttoask。“

“Good。Thenwebespeakfivehorsesforthenextday，findlodgingsinthevillagethatnight，andmakeafreshstartbacktowardsParisintheeveningofSunday。Isthatright？”

“Yes。Oneofyouwillhavetwohorsesonthelead，theotherone。

Packsomefodderontheemptysaddlesandstartataboutteno\'clock。Ridestraightalongthemainroad，asifyouweremakingbackforParis，untilyoucometofourcross-roadswithasign-postpointingtoCourbevoie。Turndownthereandgoalongtheroaduntilyoumeetaclosespinneyoffir-treesonyourright。

Makefortheinteriorofthat。Itgivessplendidshelter，andyoucandismountthereandgivethehorsesafeed。We\'lljoinyouonehouraftermidnight。Thenightwillbedark，Ihope，andthemoonanyhowwillbeonthewane。“

“IthinkIunderstand。Anyhow，it\'snotdifficult，andwe\'llbeascarefulasmaybe。“

“Youwillhavetokeepyourheadsclear，bothofyou，“concludedBlakeney。

HewaslookingatArmandashesaidthis；buttheyoungmanhadnotmadeamovementduringthisbriefcolloquybetweenHastingsandthechief。Hestillsatwitharmsfolded，hisheadfallingonhisbreast。

Silencehadfallenonthemall。Theyallsatroundthefireburiedinthought。Throughtheopenwindowtherecamefromthequaybeyondthehumoflifeintheopen-aircamp；thetrampofthesentinelsaroundit，thewordsofcommandfromthedrill-sergeant，andthroughitallthemoaningofthewindandthebeatingofthesleetagainstthewindow-panes。

Awholeworldofwretchednesswasexpressedbythosesounds！

Blakeneygaveaquick，impatientsigh，andgoingtothewindowhepusheditfurtheropen，andjustthentherecamefromafarthemuffledrollofdrums，andfrombelowthewatchman\'scrythatseemedsuchdiremockery：

“Sleep，citizens！Everythingissafeandpeaceful。“

“Soundadvice，“saidBlakeneylightly。“Shallwealsogotosleep？Whatsayyouall——eh？”

Hehadwiththatsuddenrapiditycharacteristicofhiseveryaction，alreadythrownofftheseriousairwhichhehadwornamomentagowhengivinginstructionstoHastings。Hisusualdebonnairmannerwasonhimonceagain，hislaziness，hiscarelessinsouciance。HewasevenatthismomentdeeplyengagedinflickingoffagrainofdustfromtheimmaculateMechlinruffathiswrist。Theheavylidshadfallenoverthetell-taleeyesasifweightedwithfatigue，themouthappearedreadyforthelaughwhichneverwasabsentfromitverylong。

ItwasonlyFfoulkes\'sdevotedeyesthatweresharpenoughtopiercethemaskoflight-heartedgaietywhichenvelopedthesoulofhisleaderatthepresentmoment。Hesaw——forthefirsttimeinalltheyearsthathehadknownBlakeney——afrownacrossthehabituallysmoothbrow，andthoughthelipswerepartedforalaugh，thelinesroundmouthandchinwerehardandset。

Withthatintuitionbornofwhole-heartedfriendshipSirAndrewguessedwhattroubledPercy。HehadcaughtthelookwhichthelatterhadthrownonArmand，andknewthatsomeexplanationwouldhavetopassbetweenthetwomenbeforetheypartedto-night。

Thereforehegavethesignalforthebreakingupofthemeeting。

“Thereisnothingmoretosay，isthere，Blakeney？”heasked。

“No，mygoodfellow，nothing，“repliedSirPercy。“Idonotknowhowyouallfeel，butIamdemmedfatigued。“

“Whatabouttheragsforto-morrow？”queriedHastings。

“Youknowwheretofindthem。Intheroombelow。Ffoulkeshasthekey。Wigsandallarethere。Butdon\'tusefalsehairifyoucanhelpit——itisapttoshiftinascrimmage。“

Hespokejerkily，morecurtlythanwashiswont。HastingsandTonythoughtthathewastired。Theyrosetosaygoodnight。

Thenthethreemenwentawaytogether，Armandremainingbehind。

CHAPTERXII

WHATLOVEIS

“Well，now，Armand，whatisit？”askedBlakeney，themomentthefootstepsofhisfriendshaddiedawaydownthestonestairs，andtheirvoiceshadceasedtoechointhedistance。

“Youguessed，then，thattherewas……something？”saidtheyoungerman，afteraslighthesitation。

“Ofcourse。“

Armandrose，pushingthechairawayfromhimwithanimpatientnervygesture。Buryinghishandsinthepocketsofhisbreeches，hebeganstridingupanddowntheroom，adark，troubledexpressioninhisface，adeepfrownbetweenhiseyes。

Blakeneyhadoncemoretakenuphisfavouriteposition，sittingonthecornerofthetable，hisbroadshouldersinterposedbetweenthelampandtherestoftheroom。HewasapparentlytakingnonoticeofArmand，butonlyintentonthedelicateoperationofpolishinghisnails。

Suddenlytheyoungmanpausedinhisrestlesswalkandstoodinfrontofhisfriend——anearnest，solemn，determinedfigure。

“Blakeney，“hesaid，“IcannotleaveParisto-morrow。“

SirPercymadenoreply。Hewascontemplatingthepolishwhichhehadjustsucceededinproducingonhisthumbnail。

“Imuststayhereforawhilelonger，“continuedArmandfirmly。

“ImaynotbeabletoreturntoEnglandforsomeweeks。YouhavethethreeothersheretohelpyouinyourenterpriseoutsideParis。Iamentirelyatyourservicewithinthecompassofitswalls。“

StillnocommentfromBlakeney，notalookfrombeneaththefallenlids。Armandcontinued，withaslighttoneofimpatienceapparentinhisvoice：

“YoumustwantsomeonetohelpyouhereonSunday。Iamentirelyatyourservice……hereoranywhereinParis……butIcannotleavethiscity……atanyrate，notjustyet……“

Blakeneywasapparentlysatisfiedatlastwiththeresultofhispolishingoperations。Herose，gaveaslightyawn，andturnedtowardthedoor。

“Goodnight，mydearfellow，“hesaidpleasantly；“itistimewewereallabed。Iamsodemmedfatigued。“

“Percy！”exclaimedtheyoungmanhotly。

“Eh？Whatisit？”queriedtheotherlazily。

“Youarenotgoingtoleavemelikethis——withoutaword？”

“Ihavesaidagreatmanywords，mygoodfellow。Ihavesaid\'goodnight，\'andremarkedthatIwasdemmedfatigued。“

Hewasstandingbesidethedoorwhichledtohisbedroom，andnowhepusheditopenwithhishand。

“Percy，youcannotgoandleavemelikethis！”reiteratedArmandwithrapidlygrowingirritation。

“Likewhat，mydearfellow？”queriedSirPercywithgood-humouredimpatience。

“Withoutaword——withoutasign。WhathaveIdonethatyoushouldtreatmelikeachild，unworthyevenofattention？”

Blakeneyhadturnedbackandwasnowfacinghim，toweringabovetheslightfigureoftheyoungerman。Hisfacehadlostnoneofitsgraciousair，andbeneaththeirheavylidshiseyeslookeddownnotunkindlyonhisfriend。

“Wouldyouhavepreferredit，Armand，“hesaidquietly，“ifIhadsaidthewordthatyourearshaveheardeventhoughmylipshavenotutteredit？”

“Idon\'tunderstand，“murmuredArmanddefiantly。

“Whatsignwouldyouhavehadmemake？”continuedSirPercy，hispleasantvoicefallingcalmandmellowontheyoungerman\'ssupersensitiveconsciousness：“Thatofbrandingyou，Marguerite\'sbrother，asaliarandacheat？”

“Blakeney！”retortedtheother，aswithflamingcheeksandwrathfuleyeshetookamenacingsteptowardhisfriend；“hadanymanbutyoudaredtospeaksuchwordstome——“

“IpraytoGod，Armand，thatnomanbutIhastherighttospeakthem。“

“Youhavenoright。“

“Everyright，myfriend。DoInotholdyouroath？……Areyounotpreparedtobreakit？”

“I\'llnotbreakmyoathtoyou。I\'llserveandhelpyouineverywayyoucancommand……mylifeI\'llgivetothecause……givemethemostdangerous——themostdifficulttasktoperform……I\'lldoit——I\'lldoitgladly。“

“Ihavegivenyouanover-difficultanddangeroustask。“

“Bah！ToleaveParisinordertoengagehorses，whileyouandtheothersdoallthework。Thatisneitherdifficultnordangerous。“

“Itwillbedifficultforyou，Armand，becauseyourheadIsnotsufficientlycooltoforeseeseriouseventualitiesandtoprepareagainstthem。Itisdangerous，becauseyouareamaninlove，andamaninloveisapttorunhishead——andthatofhisfriends——

blindlyintoanoose。“

“WhotoldyouthatIwasinlove？”

“Youyourself，mygoodfellow。Hadyounottoldmesoattheoutset，“hecontinued，stillspeakingveryquietlyanddeliberatelyandneverraisinghisvoice，“Iwouldevennowbestandingoveryou，dog-whipinhand，tothrashyouasadefaultingcowardandaperjurer……Bah！”headdedwithareturntohishabitualbonhomie，“Iwouldnodoubtevenhavelostmytemperwithyou。Whichwouldhavebeenpurposelessandexcessivelybadform。Eh？”

AviolentretorthadsprungtoArmand\'slips。Butfortunatelyatthatverymomenthiseyes，glowingwithanger，caughtthoseofBlakeneyfixedwithlazygood-natureuponhis。SomethingofthatirresistibledignitywhichpervadedthewholepersonalityofthemancheckedArmand\'shotheadedwordsonhislips。

“IcannotleaveParisto-morrow，“hereiteratedmorecalmly。

“Becauseyouhavearrangedtoseeheragain？”

“Becauseshesavedmylifeto-day，andisherselfindanger。“

“Sheisinnodanger，“saidBlakeneysimply，“sinceshesavedthelifeofmyfriend。“

“Percy！”

ThecrywaswrungfromArmandSt。Just\'sverysoul。Despitethetumultofpassionwhichwasraginginhisheart，hewasconsciousagainofthemagneticpowerwhichboundsomanytothisman\'sservice。Thewordshehadsaid——simplethoughtheywere——hadsentathrillthroughArmand\'sveins。Hefelthimselfdisarmed。Hisresistancefellbeforethesubtlestrengthofanunbendablewill；

nothingremainedinhisheartbutanoverwhelmingsenseofshameandofimpotence。

Hesankintoachairandrestedhiselbowsonthetable，buryinghisfaceinhishands。Blakeneywentuptohimandplacedakindlyhanduponhisshoulder。

“Thedifficulttask，Armand，“hesaidgently。

“Percy，cannotyoureleaseme？Shesavedmylife。Ihavenotthankedheryet。“

“Therewillbetimeforthankslater，Armand。Justnowoveryonderthesonofkingsisbeingdonetodeathbysavagebrutes。“

“IwouldnothinderyouifIstayed。“

“Godknowsyouhavehinderedusenoughalready。“

“How？”

“Yousayshesavedyourlife……thenyouwereindanger……Heronandhisspieshavebeenonyourtrackyourtrackleadstomine，andIhavesworntosavetheDauphinfromthehandsofthieves……

Amaninlove，Armand，isadeadlydangeramongus……ThereforeatdaybreakyoumustleavePariswithHastingsonyourdifficultanddangeroustask。“

“AndifIrefuse？”retortedArmand。

“Mygoodfellow，“saidBlakeneyearnestly，“inthatadmirablelexiconwhichtheLeagueoftheScarletPimpernelhascompiledforitselfthereisnosuchwordasrefuse。“

“ButifIdorefuse？”persistedtheother。

“Youwouldbeofferingataintednameandtarnishedhonourtothewomanyoupretendtolove。“

“Andyouinsistuponmyobedience？”

“BytheoathwhichIholdfromyou。“

“Butthisiscruel——inhuman！”

“Honour，mygoodArmand，isoftencruelandseldomhuman。Heisagodliketaskmaster，andwewhocallourselvesmenareallofushisslaves。“

“Thetyrannycomesfromyoualone。Youcouldreleasemeanyouwould。“

“Andtogratifytheselfishdesireofimmaturepassion，youwouldwishtoseemejeopardisethelifeofthosewhoplaceinfinitetrustinme。“

“Godknowshowyouhavegainedtheirallegiance，Blakeney。Tomenowyouareselfishandcallous。“

“Thereisthedifficulttaskyoucravedfor，Armand，“wasalltheanswerthatBlakeneymadetothetaunt——“toobeyaleaderwhomyounolongertrust。“

ButthisArmandcouldnotbrook。Hehadspokenhotly，impetuously，smartingunderthedisciplinewhichthwartedhisdesire，buthisheartwasloyaltothechiefwhomhehadreverencedforsolong。

“Forgiveme，Percy，“hesaidhumbly；“Iamdistracted。Idon\'tthinkIquiterealisedwhatIwassaying。Itrustyou，ofcourse……implicitly……andyouneednotevenfear……Ishallnotbreakmyoath，thoughyourordersnowseemtomeneedlesslycallousandselfish……Iwillobey……youneednotbeafraid。“

“Iwasnotafraidofthat，mygoodfellow。“

“Ofcourse，youdonotunderstand……youcannot。Toyou，yourhonour，thetaskwhichyouhavesetyourself，hasbeenyouronlyfetish……Loveinitstruesensedoesnotexistforyou……I

seeitnow……youdonotknowwhatitistolove。“

Blakeneymadenoreplyforthemoment。Hestoodinthecentreoftheroom，withtheyellowlightofthelampfallingfullnowuponhistallpowerfulframe，immaculatelydressedinperfectly-tailoredclothes，uponhislong，slenderhandshalfhiddenbyfilmylace，anduponhisface，acrosswhichatthismomentaheavystrandofcurlyhairthrewacuriousshadow。AtArmand\'swordshislipshadimperceptiblytightened，hiseyeshadnarrowedasiftheytriedtoseesomethingthatwasbeyondtherangeoftheirfocus。

Acrossthesmoothbrowthestrangeshadowmadebythehairseemedtofindareflexfromwithin。Perhapstherecklessadventurer，thecarelessgamblerwithlifeandliberty，sawthroughthewallsofthissqualidroom，acrossthewide，ice-boundriver，andbeyondeventhegloomypileofbuildingsopposite，acool，shadygardenatRichmond，avelvetylawnsweepingdowntotheriver\'sedge，abowerofclematisandroses，withacarvedstoneseathalfcoveredwithmoss。Theresatanexquisitelybeautifulwomanwithgreatsadeyesfixedonthefar-distanthorizon。Thesettingsunwasthrowingahaloofgoldallroundherhair，herwhitehandswereclaspedidlyonherlap。

Shegazedoutbeyondtheriver，beyondthesunset，towardanunseenbourneofpeaceandhappiness，andherlovelyfacehadinitalookofutterhopelessnessandofsublimeself-abnegation。

Theairwasstill。Itwaslateautumn，andallaroundhertherussetleavesofbeechandchestnutfellwithamelancholyhush-sh-shaboutherfeet。

Shewasalone，andfromtimetotimeheavytearsgatheredinhereyesandrolledslowlydownhercheeks。

Suddenlyasighescapedtheman\'stightly-pressedlips。Withastrangegesture，whollyunusualtohim，hepassedhishandrightacrosshiseyes。

“Mayhapyouareright，Armand，“hesaidquietly；“mayhapIdonotknowwhatitistolove。“

Armandturnedtogo。Therewasnothingmoretobesaid。HeknewPercywellenoughbynowtorealisethefinalityofhispronouncements。Hisheartfeltsore，buthewastooproudtoshowhishurtagaintoamanwhodidnotunderstand。Allthoughtsofdisobediencehehadputresolutelyaside；hehadnevermeanttobreakhisoath。AllthathehadhopedtodowastopersuadePercytoreleasehimfromitforawhile。

ThatbyleavingParisheriskedtoloseJeannehewasquiteconvinced，butitisneverthelessatruefactthatinspiteofthishedidnotwithdrawhisloveandtrustfromhischief。Hewasundertheinfluenceofthatsamemagnetismwhichenchainedallhiscomradestothewillofthisman；andthoughhisenthusiasmforthegreatcausehadsomewhatwaned，hisallegiancetoitsleaderwasnolongertottering。

Buthewouldnottrusthimselftospeakagainonthesubject。

“Iwillfindtheothersdownstairs，“wasallhesaid，“andwillarrangewithHastingsforto-morrow。Goodnight，Percy。“

“Goodnight，mydearfellow。Bytheway，youhavenottoldmeyetwhosheis。“

“HernameisJeanneLange，“saidSt。Justhalfreluctantly。Hehadnotmeanttodivulgehissecretquitesofullyasyet。

“TheyoungactressattheTheatreNational？”

“Yes。Doyouknowher？”

“Onlybyname。“

“Sheisbeautiful，Percy，andsheisanangel……ThinkofmysisterMarguerite……she，too，wasanactress……Goodnight，Percy。“

“Goodnight。“

Thetwomengraspedoneanotherbythehand。Armand\'seyesprofferedalastdesperateappeal。ButBlakeney\'seyeswereimpassiveandunrelenting，andArmandwithaquicksighfinallytookhisleave。

ForalongwhileafterhehadgoneBlakeneystoodsilentandmotionlessinthemiddleoftheroom。Armand\'slastwordslingeredinhisear：

“ThinkofMarguerite！”

Thewallshadfallenawayfromaroundhim——thewindow，theriverbelow，theTempleprisonhadallfadedaway，mergedinthechaosofhisthoughts。

NowhewasnolongerinParis；heheardnothingofthehorrorsthatevenatthishourofthenightwereragingaroundhim；hedidnothearthecallofmurderedvictims，ofinnocentwomenandchildrencryingforhelp；hedidnotseethedescendantofSt。

Louis，witharedcaponhisbabyhead，stampingonthefleur-de-lys，andheapinginsultsonthememoryofhismother。

Allthathadfadedintonothingness。

HewasinthegardenatRichmond，andMargueritewassittingonthestoneseat，withbranchesoftheramblerrosestwiningthemselvesinherhair。

Hewassittingonthegroundatherfeet，hisheadpillowedinherlap，lazilydreaming。whilstathisfeettheriverwounditsgracefulcurvesbeneathoverhangingwillowsandtallstatelyelms。

Aswancamesailingmajesticallydownthestream，andMarguerite，withidle，delicatehands，threwsomecrumbsofbreadintothewater。Thenshelaughed，forshewasquitehappy，andanonshestooped，andhefeltthefragranceofherlipsasshebentoverhimandsavouredtheperfectsweetnessofhercaress。Shewashappybecauseherhusbandwasbyherside。Hehaddonewithadventures，withriskinghislifeforothers\'sake。Hewaslivingonlyforher。

Theman，thedreamer，theidealistthatlurkedbehindtheadventuroussoul，livedanexquisitedreamashegazeduponthatvision。Heclosedhiseyessothatitmightlastallthelonger，sothatthroughtheopenwindowoppositeheshouldnotseethegreatgloomywallsofthelabyrinthinebuildingpackedtooverflowingwithinnocentmen，women，andchildrenwaitingpatientlyandwithasmileontheirlipsforacruelandunmeriteddeath；sothatheshouldnotseeeventhroughthevistaofhousesandofstreetsthatgrimTempleprisonfaraway，andthelightinoneofthetowerwindows，whichilluminedthefinalmartyrdomofaboy-king。

Thushestoodforfullyfiveminutes，witheyesdeliberatelyclosedandlipstightlyset。Thentheneighbouringtower-clockofSt。Germainl\'Auxerroisslowlytolledthehourofmidnight。

Blakeneywokefromhisdream。Thewallsofhislodgingwereoncemorearoundhim，andthroughthewindowtheruddylightofsometorchinthestreetbelowfoughtwiththatofthelamp。

Hewentdeliberatelyuptothewindowandlookedoutintothenight。Onthequay，alittletotheleft，theoutdoorcampwasjustbreakingtipforthenight。ThepeopleofFranceinarmsagainsttyrannywereallowedtoputawaytheirworkforthedayandtogototheirmiserablehomestogatherrestinsleepforthemorrow。Abandofsoldiers，roughandbrutalintheirmovements，werehustlingthewomenandchildren。Thelittleones，weary，sleepy，andcold，seemedtoodazedtomove。Onewomanhadtwolittlechildrenclingingtoherskirts；asoldiersuddenlyseizedoneofthembytheshouldersandpusheditalongroughlyinfrontofhimtogetitoutoftheway。Thewomanstruckatthesoldierinastupid，senseless，uselessway，andthengatheredhertremblingchicksunderherwing，tryingtolookdefiant。

Inamomentshewassurrounded。Twosoldiersseizedher，andtwomoredraggedthechildrenawayfromher。Shescreamedandthechildrencried，thesoldierssworeandstruckoutrightandleftwiththeirbayonets。Therewasageneralmelee，callsofagonyrenttheair，roughoathsdrownedtheshoutsofthehelpless。

Somewomen，panic-stricken，startedtorun。

AndBlakeneyfromhiswindowlookeddownuponthescene。HenolongersawthegardenatRichmond，thelazily-flowingriver，thebowersofroses；eventhesweetfaceofMarguerite，sadandlonely，appeareddimandfaraway。

Helookedacrosstheice-boundriver，pastthequaywhereroughsoldierswerebrutalisinganumberofwretcheddefencelesswomen，tothatgrimChateletprison，wheretinylightsshininghereandtherebehindbarredwindowstoldthesadtaleofwearyvigils，ofwatchesthroughthenight，whendawnwouldbringmartyrdomanddeath。

AnditwasnotMarguerite\'sblueeyesthatbeckonedtohimnow，itwasnotherlipsthatcalled，butthewanfaceofachildwithmattedcurlshangingaboveagreasyforehead，andsmallhandscoveredingrimethathadoncebeenfondledbyaQueen。

Theadventurerinhimhadchasedawaythedream。

“WhilethereislifeinmeI\'llcheatthosebrutesofprey，“hemurmured。

CHAPTERXIII

THENEVERYTHINGWASDARK

ThenightthatArmandSt。Justspenttossingaboutonahard，narrowbedwasthemostmiserable，agonisingonehehadeverpassedinhislife。Akindoffeverranthroughhim，causinghisteethtochatterandtheveinsinhistemplestothrobuntilhethoughtthattheymustburst。

Physicallyhecertainlywasill；thementalstraincausedbytwogreatconflictingpassionshadattackedhisbodilystrength，andwhilsthisbrainandheartfoughttheirbattlestogether，hisachinglimbsfoundnorepose。

HisloveforJeanne！Hisloyaltytothemantowhomheowedhislife，andtowhomhehadswornallegianceandimplicitobedience！

Thesesuperacutefeelingsseemedtobetearingathisveryheartstrings，untilhefeltthathecouldnolongerlieonthemiserablepalliassewhichinthesesqualidlodgingsdiddutyforabed。

Heroselongbeforedaybreak，withtiredbackandburningeyes，butunconsciousofanypainsavethatwhichtoreathisheart。

Theweather，fortunately，wasnotquitesocold——asuddenandveryrapidthawhadsetin；andwhenafterahurriedtoiletArmand，carryingabundleunderhisarm，emergedintothestreet，themildsouthwindstruckpleasantlyonhisface。

Itwasthenpitchdark。Thestreetlampshadbeenextinguishedlongago，andthefeebleJanuarysunhadnotyettingedwithpalecolourtheheavycloudsthathungoverthesky。

Thestreetsofthegreatcitywereabsolutelydesertedatthishour。Itlay，peacefulandstill，wrappedinitsmantleofgloom。

Athinrainwasfalling，andArmand\'sfeet，ashebegantodescendtheheightsofMontmartre，sankankledeepinthemudoftheroad。

Therewasbutscantyattemptatpavementsinthisoutlyingquarterofthetown，andArmandhadmuchadotokeephisfootingontheunevenandintermittentstonesthatdiddutyforroadsintheseparts。Butthisdiscomfortdidnottroublehimjustnow。Onethought——andonealone——wasclearinhismind：hemustseeJeannebeforeheleftParis。

Hedidnotpausetothinkhowhecouldaccomplishthatatthishouroftheday。Allheknewwasthathemustobeyhischief，andthathemustseeJeanne。Hewouldseeher，explaintoherthathemustleaveParisimmediately，andbeghertomakeherpreparationsquickly，sothatshemightmeethimassoonasmaybe，andaccompanyhimtoEnglandstraightaway。

HedidnotfeelthathewasbeingdisloyalbytryingtoseeJeanne。Hehadthrownprudencetothewinds，notrealisingthathisimprudencewouldanddidjeopardise，notonlythesuccessofhischief\'splans，butalsohislifeandthatofhisfriends。HehadbeforepartingfromHastingslastnightarrangedtomeethimintheneighbourhoodoftheNeuillyGateatseveno\'clock；itwasonlysixnow。TherewasplentyoftimeforhimtorousetheconciergeatthehouseoftheSquareduRoule，toseeJeanneforafewmoments，toslipintoMadameBelhomme\'skitchen，andthereintothelabourer\'sclotheswhichhewascarryinginthebundleunderhisarm，andtobeatthegateattheappointedhour。

TheSquareduRouleisshutofffromtheRueSt。Honore，onwhichitabuts，bytallirongates，whichafewyearsago，whenthesecludedlittlesquarewasafashionablequarterofthecity，usedtobekeptclosedatnight，withawatchmaninuniformtointerceptmidnightprowlers。Nowthesegateshadbeenrudelytornawayfromtheirsockets，theironhadbeensoldforthebenefitoftheever-emptyTreasury，andnoonecaredifthehomeless，thestarving，ortheevil-doerfoundshelterundertheporticoesofthehouses，fromwhencewealthyoraristocraticownershadlongsincethoughtitwisetoflee。

NoonechallengedArmandwhenheturnedintothesquare，andthoughthedarknesswasintense，hemadehiswayfairlystraightforthehousewherelodgedMademoiselleLange。

Sofarhehadbeenwonderfullylucky。ThefoolhardinesswithwhichhehadexposedhislifeandthatofhisfriendsbywanderingaboutthestreetsofParisatthishourwithoutanyattemptatdisguise，thoughcarryingoneunderhisarm，hadnotmetwiththeuntowardfatewhichitundoubtedlydeserved。Thedarknessofthenightandthethinsheetofrainasitfellhadeffectuallywrappedhisprogressthroughthelonelystreetsintheirbeneficentmantleofgloom；thesoftmudbelowhaddrownedtheechoofhisfootsteps。Ifspieswereonhistrack，asJeannehadfearedandBlakeneyprophesied，hehadcertainlysucceededinevadingthem。

Hepulledtheconcierge\'sbell，andthelatchoftheouterdoor，manipulatedfromwithin，dulysprangopeninresponse。Heentered，andfromthelodgetheconcierge\'svoiceemerging，muffledfromthedepthsofpillowsandblankets，challengedhimwithanoathdirectedattheunseemlinessofthehour。

“MademoiselleLange，“saidArmandboldly，aswithouthesitationhewalkedquicklypastthelodgemakingstraightforthestairs。

Itseemedtohimthatfromtheconcierge\'sroomloudvituperationsfollowedhim，buthetooknonoticeofthese；onlyashortflightofstairsandonemoredoorseparatedhimfromJeanne。

Hedidnotpausetothinkthatshewouldinallprobabilitybestillinbed，thathemighthavesomedifficultyinrousingMadameBelhomme，thatthelattermightnotevencaretoadmithim；nordidhereflectontheglaringimprudenceofhisactions。HewantedtoseeJeanne，andshewastheothersideofthatwall。

“He，citizen！Hola！Here！Curseyou！Whereareyou？”cameinagruffvoicetohimfrombelow。

Hehadmountedthestairs，andwasnowonthelandingjustoutsideJeanne\'sdoor。Hepulledthebell-handle，andheardthepleasingechoofthebellthatwouldpresentlywakeMadameBelhommeandbringhertothedoor。

“Citizen！Hola！Curseyouforanaristo！Whatareyoudoingthere？”

Theconcierge，astout，elderlyman，wrappedinablanket，hisfeetthrustinslippers，andcarryingagutteringtallowcandle，hadappeareduponthelanding。

HeheldthecandleupsothatitsfeebleflickeringraysfellonArmand\'spaleface，andonthedampcloakwhichfellawayfromhisshoulders。

“Whatareyoudoingthere？”reiteratedtheconciergewithanotheroathfromhisprolificvocabulary。

“Asyousee，citizen，“repliedArmandpolitely，“IamringingMademoiselleLange\'sfrontdoorbell。“

“Atthishourofthemorning？”queriedthemanwithasneer。

“Idesiretoseeher。“

“Thenyouhavecometothewronghouse，citizen，“saidtheconciergewitharudelaugh。

“Thewronghouse？Whatdoyoumean？”stammeredArmand，alittlebewildered。

“Sheisnothere——quoi！”retortedtheconcierge，whonowturneddeliberatelyonhisheel。“Goandlookforher，citizen；it\'lltakeyousometimetofindher。“

Heshuffledoffinthedirectionofthestairs。Armandwasvainlytryingtoshakehimselffreefromasudden，anawfulsenseofhorror。

Hegaveanothervigorouspullatthehell，thenwithoneboundheovertooktheconcierge，whowaspreparingtodescendthestairs，andgrippedhimperemptorilybythearm。

“WhereisMademoiselleLange？”heasked。

Hisvoicesoundedquitestrangeinhisownear；histhroatfeltparched，andhehadtomoistenhislipswithhistonguebeforehewasabletospeak。

“Arrested，“repliedtheman。

“Arrested？When？Where？How？”

“When——lateyesterdayevening。Where？——hereinherroom。

How？——bytheagentsoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurity。Sheandtheoldwoman！Basta！that\'sallIknow。NowIamgoingbacktobed，andyouclearoutofthehouse。Youaremakingadisturbance，andIshallbereprimanded。Iaskyou，isthisadecenttimeforrousinghonestpatriotsoutoftheirmorningsleep？”

HeshookhisarmfreefromArmand\'sgraspandoncemorebegantodescend。

Armandstoodonthelandinglikeamanwhohasbeenstunnedbyablowonthehead。Hislimbswereparalysed。Hecouldnotforthemomenthavemovedorspokenifhislifehaddependedonasignoronaword。Hisbrainwasreeling，andhehadtosteadyhimselfwithhishandagainstthewallorhewouldhavefallenheadlongonthefloor。Hehadlivedinawhirlofexcitementforthepasttwenty-fourhours；hisnervesduringthattimehadbeenkeptatstrainingpoint。Passion，joy，happiness，deadlydanger，andmoralfightshadwornhismentalendurancethreadbare；wantofproperfoodandasleeplessnighthadalmostthrownhisphysicalbalanceoutofgear。Thisblowcameatamomentwhenhewasleastabletobearit。

Jeannehadbeenarrested！Jeannewasinthehandsofthosebrutes，whomhe，Armand，hadregardedyesterdaywithinsurmountableloathing！Jeannewasinprison——shewasarrested——shewouldbetried，condemned，andallbecauseofhim！

Thethoughtwassoawfulthatitbroughthimtothevergeofmania。Hewatchedasinadreamtheformoftheconciergeshufflinghiswaydowntheoakstaircase；hisportlyfigureassumedGargantuanproportions，thecandlewhichhecarriedlookedlikethedancingflamesofhell，throughwhichgrinningfaces，hideousandcontortioned，mockedathimandleered。

Thensuddenlyeverythingwasdark。Thelighthaddisappearedroundthebendofthestairs；grinningfacesandghoulishvisionsvanished；heonlysawJeanne，hisdainty，exquisiteJeanne，inthehandsofthosebrutes。Hesawherashehadseenayearandahalfagothevictimsofthosebloodthirstywretchesbeingdraggedbeforeatribunalthatwasbutamockeryofjustice；heheardthequickinterrogatory，andtheresponsesfromherperfectlips，thatexquisitevoiceofhersveiledbytonesofanguish。Heheardthecondemnation，therattleofthetumbrilontheill-pavedstreets——

sawhertherewithhandsclaspedtogether，hereyes——

GreatGod！hewasreallygoingmad！

Likeawildcreaturedrivenforthhestartedtorundownthestairs，pasttheconcierge，whowasjustenteringhislodge，andwhonowturnedinsurlyangertowatchthismanrunningawaylikealunaticorafool，outbythefrontdoorandintothestreet。

Inamomenthewasoutofthelittlesquare；thenlikeahuntedharehestillrandowntheRueSt。Honore，alongitsnarrow，interminablelength。Hishathadfallenfromhishead，hishairwaswildallroundhisface，therainweightedthecloakuponhisshoulders；butstillheran。

Hisfeetmadenonoiseonthemuddypavement。Heranonandon，hiselbowspressedtohissides，panting，quivering，intentbutupononething——thegoalwhichhehadsethimselftoreach。

Jeannewasarrested。Hedidnotknowwheretolookforher，buthedidknowwhitherhewantedtogonowasswiftlyashislegswouldcarryhim。

Itwasstilldark，butArmandSt。JustwasabornParisian，andhekneweveryinchofthisquarter，whereheandMargueritehadyearsagolived。DowntheRueSt。Honore，hehadreachedthebottomoftheinterminablylongstreetatlast。Hehadkeptjustasufficiencyofreason——orwasitmerelyblindinstinct？——toavoidtheplaceswherethenightpatrolsoftheNationalGuardmightbeonthewatch。HeavoidedthePlaceduCarrousel，alsothequay，andstrucksharplytohisrightuntilhereachedthefacadeofSt。

Germainl\'Auxerrois。

Anothereffort；roundthecorner，andtherewasthehouseatlast。

Hewaslikethehuntedcreaturenowthathasruntoearth。Upthetwoflightsofstonestairs，andthenthepullatthebell；amomentoftenseanxiety，whilstpanting，gasping，almostchokedwiththesustainedeffortandthestrainofthepasthalf-hour，heleanedagainstthewall，strivingnottofall。

Thenthewell-knownfirmstepacrosstheroomsbeyond，theopendoor，thehanduponhisshoulder。

Afterthatherememberednothingmore。

CHAPTERXIV

THECHIEF

Hehadnotactuallyfainted，buttheexertionofthatlongrunhadrenderedhimpartiallyunconsciousHeknewnowthatbewassafe，thathewassittinginBlakeney\'sroom，andthatsomethinghotandvivifyingwasbeingpoureddownhisthroat。

“Percy，theyhavearrestedher！”hesaid，panting，assoonasspeechreturnedtohisparalysedtongue。

“Allright。Don\'ttalknow。Waittillyouarebetter。“

WithinfinitecareandgentlenessBlakeneyarrangedsomecushionsunderArmand\'shead，turnedthesofatowardsthefire，andanonbroughthisfriendacupofhotcoffee，whichthelatterdrankwithavidity。

Hewasreallytooexhaustedtospeak。HehadcontrivedtotellBlakeney，andnowBlakeneyknew，soeverythingwouldbeallright。

Theinevitablereactionwasassertingitself；themuscleshadrelaxed，thenerveswerenumbed，andArmandlaybackonthesofawitheyeshalfclosed，unabletomove，yetfeelinghisstrengthgraduallyreturningtohim，hisvitalityassertingitself，allthefeverishexcitementofthepasttwenty-fourhoursyieldingatlasttoacalmermood。

Throughhishalf-closedeyeshecouldseehisbrother-in-lawmovingabouttheroom。Blakeneywasfullydressed。InasleepykindofwayArmandwonderedifhehadbeentobedataH；certainlyhisclothessetonhimwiththeirusualwell-tailoredperfection，andtherewasnosuggestioninhisbriskstepandalertmovementsthathehadpassedasleeplessnight。

Nowhewasstandingbytheopenwindow。Armand，fromwherehelay，couldseehisbroadshoulderssharplyoutlinedagainstthegreybackgroundofthehazywinterdawn。Awanlightwasjustcreepingupfromtheeastoverthecity；thenoisesofthestreetsbelowcamedistinctlytoArmand\'sear。

Herousedhimselfwithonevigorouseffortfromhislethargy，feelingquiteashamedofhimselfandofthisbreakdownofhisnervoussystem。HelookedwithfrankadmirationonSirPercy，whostoodimmovableandsilentbythewindow——aperfecttowerofstrength，sereneandimpassive，yetkindlyindistress。

“Percy，“saidtheyoungman，“IranallthewayfromthetopoftheRueSt。Honore。Iwasonlybreathless。Iamquiteallright。

MayItellyouallaboutit？”

WithoutawordBlakeneyclosedthewindowandcameacrosstothesofa；hesatdownbesideArmand，andtoalloutwardappearanceshewasnothingnowbutakindandsympatheticlistenertoafriend\'staleofwoe。Notalineinhisfaceoralookinhiseyesbetrayedthethoughtsoftheleaderwhohadbeenthwartedattheoutsetofadangerousenterprise，oroftheman，accustomedtocommand，whohadbeensoflagrantlydisobeyed。

Armand，unconsciousofallsaveofJeanneandofherimmediateneed，putaneagerhandonPercy\'sarm。

“Heronandhishell-houndswentbacktoherlodgingslastnight，“

hesaid，speakingasifhewerestillalittleoutofbreath。

“Theyhopedtogetme，nodoubt；notfindingmethere，theytookher。Oh，myGod！”

Itwasthefirsttimethathehadputthewholeterriblecircumstanceintowords，anditseemedtogaininrealitybytherecounting。Theagonyofmindwhichheenduredwasalmostunbearable；hehidhisfaceinhishandslestPercyshouldseehowterriblyhesuffered。

“Iknewthat，“saidBlakeneyquietly。Armandlookedupinsurprise。

“How？Whendidyouknowit？”hestammered。

“Lastnightwhenyouleftme。IwentdowntotheSquareduRoule。

Iarrivedtherejusttoolate。“

“Percy！”exclaimedArmand，whosepalefacehadsuddenlyflushedscarlet，“youdidthat？——lastnightyou——“

“Ofcourse，“interposedtheothercalmly；“hadInotpromisedyoutokeepwatchoverher？WhenIheardthenewsitwasalreadytoolatetomakefurtherinquiries，butwhenyouarrivedjustnowI

wasonthepointofstartingout，inordertofindoutinwhatprisonMademoiselleLangeisbeingdetained。Ishallhavetogosoon，Armand，beforetheguardischangedattheTempleandtheTuileries。Thisisthesafesttime，andGodknowsweareallofussufficientlycompromisedalready。“

TheflushofshamedeepenedinSt。Just\'scheek。Therehadnotbeenahintofreproachinthevoiceofhischief，andtheeyeswhichregardedhimnowfrombeneaththehalf-closedlidsshowednothingbutlazybonhomie。

InamomentnowArmandrealisedalltheharmwhichhisrecklessnesshaddone，wasstilldoingtotheworkoftheLeague。

EveryoneofhisactionssincehisarrivalinParistwodaysagohadjeopardisedaplanorendangeredalife：hisfriendshipwithdeBatz，hisconnectionwithMademoiselleLange，hisvisittoheryesterdayafternoon，therepetitionofitthismorning，culminatinginthatwildrunthroughthestreetsofParis，whenatanymomentaspylurkingroundacornermighteitherhavebarredhisway，or，worsestill，havefollowedhimtoBlakeney\'sdoor。

Armand，withoutathoughtofanyonesaveofhisbeloved，mighteasilythismorninghavebroughtanagentoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurityfacetofacewithhischief。

“Percy，“hemurmured，“canyoueverforgiveme？”

“Pshaw，man！”retortedBlakeneylightly；“thereisnaughttoforgive，onlyagreatdealthatshouldnolongerbeforgotten；

yourdutytotheothers，forinstance，yourobedience，andyourhonour。“

“Iwasmad，Percy。Oh！ifyouonlycouldunderstandwhatshemeanstome！”

Blakeneylaughed，hisownlight-heartedcarelesslaugh，whichsooftenbeforenowhadhelpedtohidewhathereallyfeltfromtheeyesoftheindifferent，andevenfromthoseofhisfriends。

“No！no！”hesaidlightly，“weagreedlastnight，didwenot？thatinmattersofsentimentIamacold-bloodedfish。ButwillyouatanyrateconcedethatIamamanofmyword？DidInotpledgeitlastnightthatMademoiselleLangewouldbesafe？IforesawherarrestthemomentIheardyourstory。IhopedthatImightreachherbeforethatbruteHeron\'sreturn；unfortunatelyheforestalledmebylessthanhalfanhour。MademoiselleLangehasbeenarrested，Armand；butwhyshouldyounottrustmeonthataccount？

Havewenotsucceeded，Iandtheothers，inworsecasesthanthisone？TheymeannoharmtoJeanneLange，“headdedemphatically；

“Igiveyoumywordonthat。Theyonlywantherasadecoy。Itisyoutheywant。Youthroughher，andmethroughyou。Ipledgeyoumyhonourthatshewillbesafe。Youmusttryandtrustme，Armand。Itismuchtoask，Iknow，foryouwillhavetotrustmewithwhatismostpreciousintheworldtoyou；andyouwillhavetoobeymeblindly，orIshallnotheabletokeepmyword。“

“Whatdoyouwishmetodo？”

“Firstly，youmustbeoutsidePariswithinthehour。Everyminutethatyouspendinsidethecitynowisfullofdanger——oh，no！notforyou，“addedBlakeney，checkingwithagood-humouredgestureArmand\'swordsofprotestation，“dangerfortheothers——andforourschemetomorrow。“

“HowcanIgotoSt。Germain，Percy，knowingthatshe——“

“Isundermycharge？”interposedtheothercalmly。“Thatshouldnotbesoverydifficult。Come，“headded，placingakindlyhandontheother\'sshoulder，“youshallnotfindmesuchaninhumanmonsterafterall。ButImustthinkoftheothers，yousee，andofthechildwhomIhavesworntosave。ButIwon\'tsendyouasfarasSt。Germain。Godowntotheroombelowandfindagoodbundleofroughclothesthatwillserveyouasadisguise，forI

imaginethatyouhavelostthosewhichyouhadonthelandingorthestairsofthehouseintheSquareduRoule。Inatinboxwiththeclothesdownstairsyouwillfindthepacketofmiscellaneouscertificatesofsafety。Takeanappropriateone，andthenstartoutimmediatelyforVillette。Youunderstand？”

“Yes，yes！”saidArmandeagerly。“YouwantmetojoinFfoulkesandTony。“

“Yes！You\'llfindthemprobablyunloadingcoalbythecanal。Tryandgetprivatespeechwiththemasearlyasmaybe，andtellTonytosetoutatonceforSt。Germain，andtojoinHastingsthere，insteadofyou，whilstyoutakehisplacewithFfoulkes。“

“Yes，Iunderstand；buthowwillTonyreachSt。Germain？”

“La，mygoodfellow，“saidBlakeneygaily，“youmaysafelytrustTonytogowhereIsendhim。DoyoubutdoasItellyou，andleavehimtolookafterhimself。Andnow，“headded，speakingmoreearnestly，“thesooneryougetoutofParisthebetteritwillbeforusall。Asyousee，IamonlysendingyoutoLaVillette，becauseitisnotsofar，butthatIcankeepinpersonaltouchwithyou。Remainclosetothegatesforanhourafternightfall。IwillContrivebeforetheyclosetobringyounewsofMademoiselleLange。“

Armandsaidnomore。Thesenseofshameinhimdeepenedwitheverywordspokenbyhischief。Hefelthowuntrustworthyhehadbeen，howundeservingoftheselflessdevotionwhichPercywasshowinghimevennow。Thewordsofgratitudediedonhislips；heknewthattheywouldbeunwelcome。TheseEnglishmenweresodevoidofsentiment，hethought，andhisbrother-in-law，withallhisunselfishandheroicdeeds，was，hefelt，absolutelycallousinmattersoftheheart。

ButArmandwasanoble-mindedman，andwiththetruesportinginstinctinhim，despitethefactthathewasacreatureofnerves，highlystrungandimaginative。Hecouldgiveungrudgingadmirationtohischief，evenwhilstgivinghimselfupentirelytothesentimentforJeanne。

HetriedtoimbuehimselfwiththesamespiritthatactuatedmyLordTonyandtheothermembersoftheLeague。Howgladlywouldhehavechaffedandmadesenselessschoolboyjokeslikethosewhich——infaceoftheirhazardousenterpriseandthedangerswhichtheyallran——hadhorrifiedhimsomuchlastnight。

Butsomehowheknewthatjokesfromhimwouldnotringtrue。HowcouldhesmilewhenhisheartwasbrimmingoverwithhisloveforJeanne，andwithsolicitudeonheraccount？HefeltthatPercywasregardinghimwithakindofindulgentamusement；therewasalookofsuppressedmerrimentinthedepthsofthoselazyblueeyes。

Sohebraceduphisnerves，tryinghisbesttolookcoolandunconcerned，buthecouldnotaltogetherhidefromhisfriendtheburninganxietywhichwasthreateningtobreakhisheart。

“Ihavegivenyoumyword，Armand，“saidBlakeneyinanswertotheunspokenprayer；“cannotyoutryandtrustme——astheothersdo？

Thenwithsuddentransitionhepointedtothemapbehindhim。

“RememberthegateofVillette，andthecornerbythetowpath。

JoinFfoulkesassoonasmaybeandsendTonyonhisway，andwaitfornewsofMademoiselleLangesometimeto-night。“

“Godblessyou，Percy！”saidArmandinvoluntarily。“Good-bye！”

“Good-bye，mydearfellow。Sliponyourdisguiseasquicklyasyoucan，andbeoutofthehouseinaquarterofanhour。“

HeaccompaniedArmandthroughtheante-room，andfinallyclosedthedooronhim。Thenhewentbacktohisroomandwalkeduptothewindow，whichhethrewopentothehumidmorningair。Nowthathewasalonethelookoftroubleonhisfacedeepenedtoadark，anxiousfrown，andashelookedoutacrosstheriverasighofbitterimpatienceanddisappointmentescapedhislips。

CHAPTERXV

THEGATEOFLAVILLETTE

Andnowtheshadesofeveninghadlongsinceyieldedtothoseofnight。ThegateofLaVillette，atthenortheastcornerofthecity，wasabouttoclose。Armand，dressedintheroughclothesofalabouringman，wasleaningagainstalowwallattheangleofthenarrowstreetwhichabutsonthecanalatitsfurtherend；

fromthispointofvantagehecouldcommandaviewofthegateandofthelifeandbustlearoundit。

Hewasdog-tired。Aftertheemotionsofthepasttwenty-fourhours，aday\'shardmanualtoiltowhichhewasunaccustomedhadcausedhimtoacheineverylimb。Assoonashehadarrivedatthecanalwharfintheearlymorninghehadobtainedthekindofcasualworkthatruledabouthere，andsoonwastoldofftounloadacargoofcoalwhichhadarrivedbybargeovernight。Hehadset-towithawill，halfhopingtokillhisanxietybydintofheavybodilyexertion。DuringthecourseofthemorninghehadsuddenlybecomeawareofSirAndrewFfoulkesandofLordAnthonyDewhurstworkingnotfarawayfromhim，andasfineapairofcoalheaversasanyshippercoulddesire。

Itwasnotverydifficultinthemidstofthenoiseandactivitythatreignedallaboutthewharfforthethreementoexchangeafewwordstogether，andArmandsooncommunicatedthechief\'snewinstructionstomyLordTony，whoeffectuallyslippedawayfromhisworksometimeduringtheday。Armanddidnotevenseehimgo，ithadallbeensoneatlydone。

Justbeforefiveo\'clockintheafternoonthelabourerswerepaidoff。Itwasthentoodarktocontinuework。ArmandwouldhavelikedtotalktoSirAndrew，ifonlyforamoment。Hefeltlonelyanddesperatelyanxious。Hehadhopedtotireouthisnervesaswellashisbody，butinthishehadnotsucceeded。Assoonashehadgivenuphistools，hisbrainbegantoworkagainmorebusilythanever。ItfollowedPercyinhisperegrinationsthroughthecity，tryingtodiscoverwherethosebruteswerekeepingJeanne。

ThattaskhadsuddenlyloomedupbeforeArmand\'smindwithallitsterribledifficulties。HowcouldPercy——amarkedmanifevertherewasone——gofromprisontoprisontoinquireaboutJeanne？

Theveryideaseemedpreposterous。Armandoughtnevertohaveconsentedtosuchaninsensateplan。Themorehethoughtofit，themoreimpossiblediditseemthatBlakeneycouldfindanythingout。

SirAndrewFfoulkeswasnowheretobeseen。St。Justwanderedaboutinthedark，lonelystreetsofthisoutlyingquartervainlytryingtofindthefriendinwhomhecouldconfide，who，nodoubt，wouldreassurehimastoBlakeney\'sprobablemovementsinParis。

ThenasthehourapproachedfortheclosingofthecitygatesArmandtookuphisstandatanangleofthestreetfromwhencehecouldseeboththegateononesideofhimandthethinlineofthecanalintersectingthestreetatitsfurtherend。

UnlessPercycamewithinthenextfiveminutesthegateswouldbeclosedandthedifficultiesofcrossingthebarrierwouldbeincreasedahundredfold。Themarketgardenerswiththeircoveredcartsfiledoutofthegateonebyone；thelabourersonfootwerereturningtotheirhomes；therewasagroupofstonemasons，afewroad-makers，alsoanumberofbeggars，raggedandfilthy，whoherdedsomewhereintheneighbourhoodofthecanal。

Ineveryform，undereverydisguise，ArmandhopedtodiscoverPercy。Hecouldnotstandstillforverylong，butstrodeupanddowntheroadthatskirtsthefortificationsatthispoint。

Therewereagoodmanyidlersaboutatthishour；somemenwhohadfinishedtheirwork，andmeanttospendanhourorsoinoneofthedrinkingshopsthataboundedintheneighbourhoodofthewharf；otherswholikedtogatherasmallknotoflistenersaroundthem，whilsttheydiscoursedonthepoliticsoftheday，orratherragedagainsttheConvention，whichwasallmadeupoftraitorstothepeople\'swelfare。

Armand，tryingmanfullytoplayhispart，joinedoneofthegroupsthatstoodgapingroundastreetorator。Heshoutedwiththebestofthem，wavedhiscapintheair，andapplaudedorhissedinunisonwiththemajority。ButhiseyesneverwanderedforlongawayfromthegatewhencePercymustcomenowatanymoment——nowornotatall。

Atwhatprecisemomenttheawfuldoubttookbirthinhismindtheyoungmancouldnotafterwardshavesaid。Perhapsitwaswhenheheardtherollofdrumsproclaimingtheclosingofthegates，andwitnessedthechangingoftheguard。

Percyhadnotcome。Hecouldnotcomenow，andhe(Armand)wouldhavethenighttofacewithoutnewsofJeanne。Something，ofcourse，haddetainedPercy；perhapshehadbeenunabletogetdefiniteinformationaboutJeanne；perhapstheinformationwhichhehadobtainedwastooterribletocommunicate。

IfonlySirAndrewFfoulkeshadbeenthere，andArmandhadhadsomeonetotalkto，perhapsthenhewouldhavefoundsufficientstrengthofmindtowaitwithoutwardpatience，eventhoughhisnerveswereontherack。

Darknessclosedinaroundhim，andwiththedarknesscamethefullreturnofthephantomsthathadassailedhiminthehouseoftheSquareduRoulewhenfirsthehadheardofJeanne\'sarrest。TheopenplacefacingthegatehadtransformeditselfintothePlacedelaRevolution，thetallroughpostthatheldaflickeringoillamphadbecomethegauntarmoftheguillotine，thefeeblelightofthelampwastheknifethatgleamedwiththereflectionofacrimsonlight。

AndArmandsawhimself，asinavision，oneofavastandnoisythrong——theywereallpressingroundhimsothathecouldnotmove；theywerebrandishingcapsandtricolourflags，alsopitchforksandscythes。HehadseensuchacrowdfouryearsagorushingtowardstheBastille。Nowtheywereallassembledherearoundhimandaroundtheguillotine。

Suddenlyadistantrattlecaughthissubconsciousear：therattleofwheelsonroughcobble-stones。Immediatelythecrowdbegantocheerandtoshout；somesangthe“Caira！”andothersscreamed：

“Lesaristos！alalanterne！amort！amort！lesaristos！”

Hesawitallquiteplainly，forthedarknesshadvanished，andthevisionwasmorevividthanevenrealitycouldhavebeen。Therattleofwheelsgrewlouder，andpresentlythecartdebouchedontheopenplace。

Menandwomensathuddledupinthecart；butinthemidstofthemawomanstood，andhereyeswerefixeduponArmand。Sheworeherpale-greysatingown，andawhitekerchiefwasfoldedacrossherbosom。Herbrownhairfellinloosesoftcurlsallroundherhead。ShelookedexactlyliketheexquisitecameowhichMargueriteusedtowear。Herhandsweretiedwithcordsbehindherback，butbetweenherfingerssheheldasmallbunchofviolets。

Armandsawitall。Itwas，ofcourse，avision，andheknewthatitwasone，buthebelievedthatthevisionwasprophetic。Nothoughtofthechiefwhomhehadsworntotrustandtoobeycametochaseawaytheseimaginingsofhisfeveredfancy。HesawJeanne，andonlyJeanne，standingonthetumbrilandbeingledtotheguillotine。SirAndrewwasnotthere，andPercyhadnotcome。