第5章

Armandbelievedthatadirectmessagehadcometohimfromheaventosavehisbeloved。

Thereforeheforgothispromise——hisoath；heforgotthoseverythingswhichtheleaderhadentreatedhimtoremember——hisdutytotheothers，hisloyalty，hisobedience。Jeannehadfirstclaimonhim。Itweretheactofacowardtoremaininsafetywhilstshewasinsuchdeadlydanger。

NowheblamedhimselfseverelyforhavingquittedParis。EvenPercymusthavethoughthimacowardforobeyingquitesoreadily。

Maybethecommandhadbeenbutatestofhiscourage，ofthestrengthofhisloveforJeanne。

Ahundredconjecturesflashedthroughhisbrain；ahundredplanspresentedthemselvestohismind。ItwasnotforPercy，whodidnotknowher，tosaveJeanneortoguardher。ThattaskwasArmand\'s，whoworshippedher，andwhowouldgladlydiebesideherifhefailedtorescueherfromthreateneddeath。

Resolutionwasnotslowincoming。Atowerclockinsidethecitystruckthehourofsix，andstillnosignofPercy。

Armand，hiscertificateofsafetyinhishand，walkedboldlyuptothegate。

Theguardchallengedhim，buthepresentedthecertificate。Therewasanagonisingmomentwhenthecardwastakenfromhim，andhewasdetainedintheguard-roomwhileitwasbeingexaminedbythesergeantincommand。

Butthecertificatewasingoodorder，andArmand，coveredincoal-dust，withtheperspirationstreamingdownhisface，didcertainlynotlooklikeanaristocratindisguise。Itwasneververydifficulttoenterthegreatcity；ifonewishedtoputone\'sheadinthelion\'smouth，onewaswelcometodoso；thedifficultycamewhenthelionthoughtfittoclosehisjaws。

Armand，afterfiveminutesoftenseanxiety，wasallowedtocrossthebarrier，buthiscertificateofsafetywasdetained。HewouldhavetogetanotherfromtheCommitteeofGeneralSecuritybeforehewouldbeallowedtoleaveParisagain。

Thelionhadthoughtfittoclosehisjaws。

CHAPTERXVI

THEWEARYSEARCH

BlakeneywasnotathislodgingswhenArmandarrivedtherethatevening，nordidhereturn，whilsttheyoungmanhauntedtheprecinctsofSt。Germainl\'Auxerroisandwanderedalongthequayshoursandhoursatastretch，untilhenearlydroppedundertheporticoofahouse，andrealisedthatifheloiteredlongerhemightloseconsciousnesscompletely，andbeunableonthemorrowtobeofservicetoJeanne。

HedraggedhiswearyfootstepsbacktohisownlodgingsontheheightsofMontmartre。HehadnotfoundPercy，hehadnonewsofJeanne；itseemedasifhellitselfcouldholdnoworsetorturesthanthisintolerablesuspense。

Hethrewhimselfdownonthenarrowpalliasseand，tirednatureassertingherself，atlastfellintoaheavy，dreamlesstorpor，likethesleepofadrunkard，deepbutwithoutthebeneficentaidofrest。

Itwasbroaddaylightwhenheawoke。Thepalelightofadamp，wintrymorningfilteredthroughthegrimypanesofthewindow。

Armandjumpedoutofbed，achingoflimbbutresoluteofmind。

TherewasnodoubtthatPercyhadfailedindiscoveringJeanne\'swhereabouts；butwhereamerefriendhadfailedaloverwasmorelikelytosucceed。

Theroughclotheswhichhehadwornyesterdayweretheonlyoneshehad。Theywould，ofcourse，servehispurposebetterthanhisown，whichhehadleftatBlakeney\'slodgingsyesterday。Inhalfanhourhewasdressed，lookingafairlygoodimitationofalaboureroutofwork。

Hewenttoahumbleeatinghouseofwhichheknew，andthere，havingorderedsomehotcoffeewithahunkofbread，hesethimselftothink。

Itwasquiteausualthingthesedaysforrelativesandfriendsofprisonerstogowanderingaboutfromprisontoprisontofindoutwherethelovedoneshappenedtobedetained。Theprisonswereoverfulljustnow；convents，monasteries，andpublicinstitutionshadallbeenrequisitionedbytheGovernmentforthehousingofthehundredsofso-calledtraitorswhohadbeenarrestedonthebarestsuspicion，oratthemeredenunciationofanevil-wisher。

ThereweretheAbbayeandtheLuxembourg，theerstwhileconventsoftheVisitationandtheSacre-Coeur，thecloisteroftheOratorians，theSalpetriere，andtheSt。Lazarehospitals，andtherewas，ofcourse，theTemple，and，lastly，theConciergerie，towhichthoseprisonerswerebroughtwhosetrialwouldtakeplacewithinthenextfewdays，andwhosecondemnationwaspracticallyassured。

Personsunderarrestatsomeoftheotherprisonsdidsometimescomeoutofthemalive，buttheConciergeriewasonlytheante-chamberoftheguillotine。

ThereforeArmand\'sideawastovisittheConciergeriefirst。ThesoonerhecouldreassurehimselfthatJeannewasnotinimmediatedangerthebetterwouldhebeabletoenduretheagonyofthatheart-breakingsearch，thatknockingateverydoorinthehopeoffindinghisbeloved。

IfJeannewasnotintheConciergerie，thentheremightbesomehopethatshewasonlybeingtemporarilydetained，andthroughArmand\'sexcitedbraintherehadalreadyflashedthethoughtthatmayhaptheCommitteeofGeneralSecuritywouldreleaseherifhegavehimselfup。

Thesethoughts，andthemakingofplans，fortifiedhimmentallyandphysically；heevenmadeagreatefforttoeatanddrink，knowingthathisbodilystrengthmustendureifitwasgoingtoheofservicetoJeanne。

HereachedtheQuaidel\'Horlogesoonafternine。Thegrim，irregularwallsoftheChateletandthehouseofJusticeloomedfromoutthemantleofmistthatlayontheriverbanks。Armandskirtedthesquareclock-tower，andpassedthroughthemonumentalgatewaysofthehouseofJustice。

HeknewthathisbestwaytotheprisonwouldbethroughthehallsandcorridorsoftheTribunal，towhichthepublichadaccesswheneverthecourtwassitting。Thesittingsbeganatten，andalreadytheusualcrowdofidlerswereassembling——menandwomenwhoapparentlyhadnootheroccupationsavetocomedayafterdaytothistheatreofhorrorsandwatchthedifferentactsoftheheartrendingdramasthatwereenactedherewithakindofawfulmonotony。

Armandmingledwiththecrowdthatstoodaboutthecourtyard，andanonmovedslowlyupthegiganticflightofstonesteps，talkinglightlyonindifferentsubjects。Therewasquiteagoodlysprinklingofworkingmenamongstthiscrowd，andArmandinhistoil-stainedclothesattractednoattention。

Suddenlyawordreachedhisear——justanameflippantlyspokenbyspitefullips——anditchangedthewholetrendofhisthoughts。

SincehehadrisenthatmorninghehadthoughtofnothingbutofJeanne，and——inconnectionwithher——ofPercyandhisvainquestofher。Nowthatnamespokenbysomeoneunknownbroughthismindbacktomoredefinitethoughtsofhischief。

“Capet！”thename——intendedasaninsult，butactuallymerelyirrelevant——wherebytheuncrownedlittleKingofFrancewasdesignatedbytherevolutionaryparty。

Armandsuddenlyrecollectedthatto-daywasSunday，the19thofJanuary。Hehadlostcountofdaysandofdateslately，butthename，“Capet，“hadbroughteverythingback：thechildintheTemple；theconferenceinBlakeney\'slodgings；theplansfortherescueoftheboy。Thatwastotakeplaceto-day——Sunday，the19th。TheSimonswouldbemovingfromtheTemple，atwhathourBlakeneydidnotknow，butitwouldbetoday，andhewouldbewatchinghisopportunity。

NowArmandunderstoodeverything；agreatwaveofbitternesssweptoverhissoul。PercyhadforgottenJeanne！HewasbusythinkingofthechildintheTemple，andwhilstArmandhadbeeneatingouthisheartwithanxiety，theScarletPimpernel，trueonlytohismission，andimpatientofallsentimentthatinterferedwithhisschemes，hadleftJeannetopaywithherlifeforthesafetyoftheuncrownedKing。

Butthebitternessdidnotlastlong；onthecontrary，akindofwildexultationtookitsplace。IfPercyhadforgotten，thenArmandcouldstandbyJeannealone。Itwasbetterso！Hewouldsavethelovedone；itwashisdutyandhisrighttoworkforhersake。Neverforamomentdidhedoubtthathecouldsaveher，thathislifewouldbereadilyacceptedinexchangeforhers。

Thecrowdaroundhimwasmovingupthemonumentalsteps，andArmandwentwiththecrowd。Itlackedbutafewminutestotennow；soonthecourtwouldbegintosit。Intheoldendays，whenhewasstudyingforthelaw，ArmandhadoftenwanderedaboutatwillalongthecorridorsofthehouseofJustice。Heknewexactlywherethedifferentprisonsweresituatedaboutthebuildings，andhowtoreachthecourtyardswheretheprisonerstooktheirdailyexercise。

TowatchthosearistoswhowereawaitingtrialanddeathtakingtheirrecreationinthesecourtyardshadbecomeoneofthesightsofParis。Countrycousinsonavisittothecitywerebroughthitherforentertainment。Tallirongatesstoodbetweenthepublicandtheprisoners，andarowofsentinelsguardedthesegates；butifonewasenterprisingandeagertosee，onecouldglueone\'snoseagainsttheironworkandwatchtheci-devantaristocratsinthreadbareclothestryingtocheattheirhorrorofdeathbyactingafarceoflight-heartednesswhichtheirwanfacesandtear-dimmedeyeseffectuallybelied。

AllthisArmandknew，andonthishecounted。ForalittlewhilehejoinedthecrowdintheSalledesPasPerdus，andwanderedidlyupanddownthemajesticcolonnadedhall。Heevenatonetimeformedpartofthethrongthatwatchedoneofthosequicktragediesthatwereenactedwithinthegreatchamberofthecourt。Anumberofprisonersbroughtin，inabatch；hurriedinterrogations，interruptedanswers，aquickindictment，monstrousinitsflaringinjustice，spokenbyFoucquier-Tinville，thepublicprosecutor，andlistenedtoinallseriousnessbymenwhodaredtocallthemselvesjudgesoftheirfellows。

TheaccusedhadwalkeddowntheChampsElyseeswithoutwearingatricolourcockade；theotherhadinvestedsomesavingsinanEnglishindustrialenterprise；yetanotherhadsoldpublicfunds，causingthemtodepreciaterathersuddenlyinthemarket！

Sometimesfromoneoftheseunfortunatesledthuswantonlytobutcherytherewouldcomeanexcitedprotest，orfromawomanscreamsofagonisedentreaty。Butthesewerequicklysilencedbyroughblowsfromthebutt-endsofmuskets，andcondemnations——

wholesalesentencesofdeath——werequicklypassedamidstthecheersofthespectatorsandthehowlsofderisionfrominfamousjuryandjudge。

Oh！themockeryofitall——theawful，thehideousignominy，theblotofshamethatwouldforeversullythehistoricnameofFrance。Armand，sickenedwithhorror，couldnotbearmorethanafewminutesofthismonstrousspectacle。ThesamefatemightevennowbeawaitingJeanne。Amongthenextbatchofvictimstothissacrilegiousbutcheryhemightsuddenlyspyhisbelovedwithherpalefaceandcheeksstainedwithhertears。

Hefledfromthegreatchamber，keepingjustasufficiencyofpresenceofmindtojoinaknotofidlerswhoweredriftingleisurelytowardsthecorridors。HefollowedintheirwakeandsoonfoundhimselfinthelongGaleriedesPrisonniers，alongtheflagstonesofwhichtwodaysagodeBatzhadfollowedhisguidetowardsthelodgingsofHeron。

Onhisleftnowwerethearcadesshutofffromthecourtyardbeyondbyheavyirongates。ThroughtheironworkArmandcaughtsightofanumberofwomenwalkingorsittinginthecourtyard。

Heheardamannexttohimexplainingtohisfriendthatthesewerethefemaleprisonerswhowouldbebroughttotrialthatday，andhefeltthathisheartmustburstatthethoughtthatmayhapJeannewouldbeamongthem。

Heelbowedhiswaycautiouslytothefrontrank。Soonhefoundhimselfbesideasentinelwho，withagood-humouredjest，madewayforhimthathemightwatchthearistos。Armandleanedagainstthegrating，andhiseverysensewasconcentratedinthatofsight。

Atfirsthecouldscarcelydistinguishonewomanfromanotheramongstthecrowdthatthrongedthecourtyard，andthecloseironworkhinderedhisviewconsiderably。Thewomenlookedalmostlikephantomsinthegreymistyair，glidingslowlyalongwithnoiselesstreadontheflag-stones。

Presently，however，hiseyes，whichmayhapweresomewhatdimwithtears，becamemoreaccustomedtothehazygreylightandthemovingfiguresthatlookedsolikeshadows。Hecoulddistinguishisolatedgroupsnow，womenandgirlssittingtogetherunderthecolonnadedarcades，somereading，othersbusy，withtremblingfingers，patchinganddarningapoor，torngown。Thentherewereotherswhowereactuallychattingandlaughingtogether，and——oh，thepityofit！thepityandtheshame！——afewchildren，shriekingwithdelight，wereplayinghideandseekinandoutamongstthecolumns。

And，betweenthemall，inandoutlikethechildrenatplay，unseen，yetfamiliartoall，thespectreofDeath，scytheandhour-glassinhand，wandered，majesticandsure。

Armand\'sverysoulwasinhiseyes。Sofarhehadnotyetcaughtsightofhisbeloved，andslowly——veryslowly——arayofhopewasfilteringthroughthedarknessofhisdespair。

Thesentinel，whohadstoodasideforhim，chaffedhimforhisintentness。

“Haveyouasweetheartamongthesearistos，citizen？”heasked。

“Youseemtobedevouringthemwithyoureyes。“

Armand，withhisroughclothessoiledwithcoal-dust，hisfacegrimyandstreakedwithsweat，certainlylookedtohavebutlittleincommonwiththeci-devantaristoswhoformedthehulkofthegroupsinthecourtyard。Helookedup；thesoldierwasregardinghimwithobviousamusement，andatsightofArmand\'swild，anxiouseyeshegaveventtoacoarsejest。

“HaveImadeashrewdguess，citizen？”hesaid。“Issheamongthatlot？”

“Idonotknowwheresheis，“saidArmandalmostinvoluntarily。

“Thenwhydon\'tyoufindout？”queriedthesoldier。

Themanwasnotspeakingaltogetherunkindly。Armand，devouredwiththemaddeningdesiretoknow，threwthelastfragmentofprudencetothewind。Heassumedamorecarelessair，tryingtolookaslikeacountrybumpkininloveashecould。

“Iwouldliketofindout，“hesaid，“butIdon\'tknowwheretoinquire。Mysweethearthascertainlyleftherhome，“headdedlightly；“somesaythatshehasbeenfalsetome，butIthinkthat，mayhap，shehasbeenarrested。“

“Well，then，yougaby，“saidthesoldiergood-humouredly，“gostraighttoLaTournelle；youknowwhereitis？

Armandknewwellenough，butthoughtitmoreprudenttokeepuptheairoftheignorantlout。

“Straightdownthatfirstcorridoronyourright，“explainedtheother，pointinginthedirectionwhichhehadindicated，“youwillfindtheguichetofLaTournelleexactlyoppositetoyou。Asktheconciergefortheregisteroffemaleprisoners——everyfreeborncitizenoftheRepublichastherighttoinspectprisonregisters。

Itisanewdecreeframedforsafeguardingthelibertyofthepeople。Butifyoudonotpresshalfalivreinthehandoftheconcierge，“headded，speakingconfidentially，“youwillfindthattheregisterwillnotbequitereadyforyourinspection。“

“Halfalivre！”exclaimedArmand，strivingtoplayhisparttotheend。“Howcanapoordevilofalabourerhavehalfalivretogiveaway？”

“Well！afewsouswilldointhatcase；afewsousarealwayswelcomethesehardtimes。“

Armandtookthehint，andasthecrowdhaddriftedawaymomentarilytoafurtherportionofthecorridor，hecontrivedtopressafewcoppercoinsintothehandoftheobligingsoldier。

Ofcourse，heknewhiswaytoLaTournelle，andhewouldhavecoveredthedistancethatseparatedhimfromtheguichettherewithstepsflyinglikethewind，but，commendinghimselfforhisownprudence，hewalkedasslowlyashecouldalongtheinterminablecorridor，pasttheseveralminorcourtsofjustice，andskirtingthecourtyardwherethemaleprisonerstooktheirexercise。

Atlast，havingstrucksharplytohisleftandascendedashortflightofstairs，hefoundhimselfinfrontoftheguichet——anarrowwoodenbox，whereintheclerkinchargeoftheprisonregisterssatnominallyatthedisposalofthecitizensofthisfreerepublic。

ButtoArmand\'salmostoverwhelmingchagrinhefoundtheplaceentirelydeserted。Theguichetwascloseddown；therewasnotasoulinsight。Thedisappointmentwasdoublykeen，comingasitdidinthewakeofhopethathadrefusedtobegainsaid。Armandhimselfdidnotrealisehowsanguinehehadbeenuntilhediscoveredthathemustwaitandwaitagain——waitforhours，alldaymayhap，beforehecouldgetdefinitenewsofJeanne。

Hewanderedaimlesslyinthevicinityofthatsilent，deserted，cruelspot，whereaclosedtrapdoorseemedtoshutoffallhishopesofaspeedysightofJeanne。Heinquiredofthefirstsentinelswhomhecameacrossatwhathourtheclerkoftheregisterswouldbebackathispost；thesoldiersshruggedtheirshouldersandcouldgivenoinformation。ThenbeganArmand\'saimlesswanderingsroundLaTournelle，hisfruitlessinquiries，hiswild，excitedsearchforthehide-boundofficialwhowaskeepingfromhimtheknowledgeofJeanne。

Hewentbacktohissentinelwell-wisherbythewomen\'scourtyard，butfoundneitherconsolationnorencouragementthere。

“Itisnotthehour——quoi？”thesoldierremarkedwithlaconicphilosophy。

Itapparentlywasnotthehourwhentheprisonregisterswereplacedatthedisposalofthepublic。Aftermuchfruitlessinquiry，Armandatlastwasinformedbyabonbourgeois，whowaswanderingaboutthehouseofJusticeandwhoseemedtoknowitsmultifariousrules，thattheprisonregistersalloverPariscouldonlybeconsultedbythepublicbetweenthehoursofsixandsevenintheevening。

Therewasnothingforitbuttowait。Armand，whosetempleswerethrobbing，whowasfootsore，hungry，andwretched，couldgainnothingbycontinuinghisaimlesswanderingsthroughthelabyrinthinebuilding。Forcloseuponanotherhourhestoodwithhisfacegluedagainsttheironworkwhichseparatedhimfromthefemaleprisoners\'courtyard。OnceitseemedtohimasiffromitsfurtherendhecaughtthesoundofthatexquisitelymelodiousvoicewhichhadrungforeverinhisearsincethatmemorableeveningwhenJeanne\'sdaintyfootstepshadfirstcrossedthepathofhisdestiny。Hestrainedhiseyestolookinthedirectionwhencethevoicehadcome，butthecentreofthecourtyardwasplantedwithasmallgardenofshrubs，andArmandcouldnotseeacrossit。Atlast，drivenforthlikeawanderingandlostsoul，heturnedbackandoutintothestreets。Theairwasmildanddamp。Thesharpthawhadpersistedthroughtheday，andathin，mistyrainwasfallingandconvertingtheill-pavedroadsintoseasofmud。

ButofthisArmandwaswhollyunconscious。Hewalkedalongthequayholdinghiscapinhishand，sothatthemildsouthwindshouldcoolhisburningforehead。

Howhecontrivedtokillthoselong，wearyhourshecouldnotafterwardshavesaid。Oncehefeltveryhungry，andturnedalmostmechanicallyintoaneating-house，andtriedtoeatanddrink。

Butmostofthedayhewanderedthroughthestreets，restlessly，unceasingly，feelingneitherchillnorfatigue。Thehourbeforesixo\'clockfoundhimontheQuaidel\'HorlogeintheshadowofthegreattowersoftheHallofJustice，listeningfortheclangoftheclockthatwouldsoundthehourofhisdeliverancefromthisagonisingtortureofsuspense。

HefoundhiswaytoLaTournellewithoutanyhesitation。Therebeforehimwasthewoodenbox，withitsguichetopenatlast，andtwostandsuponitsledge，onwhichwereplacedtwohugeleather-boundbooks。

ThoughArmandwasnearlyanhourbeforetheappointedtime，hesawwhenhearrivedanumberofpeoplestandingroundtheguichet。

Twosoldiersweretherekeepingguardandforcingthepatient，long-sufferinginquirerstostandinaqueue，eachwaitinghisorherturnatthebooks。

Itwasacuriouscrowdthatstoodthere，insinglefile，asifwaitingatthedoorofthecheaperpartofatheatre；meninsubstantialclothclothes，andothersinraggedblouseandbreeches；therewereafewwomen，too，withblackshawlsontheirshouldersandkerchiefsroundtheirwan，tear-stainedfaces。

Theywereallsilentandabsorbed，submissiveundertheroughhandlingofthesoldiery，humbleanddeferentialwhenanontheclerkoftheregistersenteredhisbox，andpreparedtoplacethosefatefulbooksatthedisposalofthosewhohadlostalovedone——father，brother，mother，orwife——andhadcometosearchthroughthosecruelpages。

Frominsidehisboxtheclerkdisputedeveryinquirer\'srighttoconsultthebooks；hemadeasmanydifficultiesashecould，demandingtheproductionofcertificatesofsafety，orpermitsfromthesection。Hewasasinsolentashedared，andArmandfromwherehestoodcouldseethatacontinuousifsomewhatthinstreamofcoppersflowedfromthehandsoftheinquirersintothoseoftheofficial。

Itwasquitedarkinthepassagewherethelongqueuecontinuedtoswellwithamazingrapidity。Onlyontheledgeinfrontoftheguichettherewasagutteringtallowcandleatthedisposaloftheinquirers。

NowitwasArmand\'sturnatlast。Bythistimehisheartwasbeatingsostronglyandsorapidlythathecouldnothavetrustedhimselftospeak。Hefumbledinhispocket，andwithoutunnecessarypreliminariesheproducedasmallpieceofsilver，andpushedittowardstheclerk，thenheseizedontheregistermarked“Femmes“

withvoraciousavidity。

Theclerkhadwithstolidindifferencepocketedthehalf-livre；helookedonArmandoverapairoflargebone-rimmedspectacles，withtheairofanoldhawkthatseesahelplessbirdandyetistoosatiatedtoeat。HewasapparentlyvastlyamusedatArmand\'stremblinghands，andtheclumsy，aimlesswaywithwhichhefingeredthebookandheldupthetallowcandle。

“Whatdate？”heaskedcurtlyinapipingvoice。

“Whatdate？”reiteratedArmandvaguely。

“Whatdayandhourwasshearrested？”saidtheman，thrustinghisbeak-likenoseclosertoArmand\'sface。Evidentlythepieceofsilverhaddoneitsworkwell；hemeanttobehelpfultothiscountrylout。

“OnFridayevening，“murmuredtheyoungman。

Theclerk\'shandsdidnotincharactergainsaytherestofhisappearance；theywerelongandthin，withnailsthatresembledthetalonsofahawk。Armandwatchedthemfascinatedasfromabovetheyturnedoverrapidlythepagesofthebook；thenonelong，grimyfingerpointedtoarowofnamesdownacolumn。

“Ifsheishere，“saidthemancurtly，“hernameshouldbeamongstthese。“

Armand\'svisionwasblurred。Hecouldscarcelysee。Therowofnameswasdancingawilddanceinfrontofhiseyes；perspirationstoodoutonhisforehead，andhisbreathcameinquick，stertorousgasps。

HeneverknewafterwardswhetherheactuallysawJeanne\'snamethereinthebook，orwhetherhisfeveredbrainwasplayinghisachingsensesacruelandmockingtrick。Certainitisthatsuddenlyamongstarowofindifferentnamesherssuddenlystoodclearlyonthepage，andtohimitseemedasiftheletterswerewritoutinblood。

582。Belhomme，Louise，agedsixty。Discharged。

Andjustbelow，theotherentry：

583。Lange，Jeanne，agedtwenty，actress。SquareduRouleNo。5。Suspectedofharbouringtraitorsandci-devants。

Transferred29thNivosetotheTemple，cell29。

Hesawnothingmore，forsuddenlyitseemedtohimasifsomeoneheldavividscarletveilinfrontofhiseyes，whilstahundredclaw-likehandsweretearingathisheartandathisthroat。

“Clearoutnow！itismyturn——what？Areyougoingtostandthereallnight？”

Aroughvoiceseemedtobespeakingthesewords；roughhandsapparentlywerepushinghimoutoftheway，andsomeonesnatchedthecandleoutofhishand；butnothingwasreal。Hestumbledoveracornerofalooseflagstone，andwouldhavefallen，butsomethingseemedtocatchboldofhimandtoleadhimawayforalittledistance，untilabreathofcoldairblewuponhisface。

Thisbroughthimbacktohissenses。

JeannewasaprisonerintheTemple；thenhisplacewasintheprisonoftheTemple，too。Itcouldnotbeverydifficulttorunone\'sheadintothenoosethatcaughtsomanynecksthesedays。A

fewcriesof“Viveleroi！”or“Abaslarepublique！”andmorethanoneprisondoorwouldgapeinvitinglytoreceiveanotherguest。

ThehotbloodhadrushedintoArmand\'shead。Hedidnotseeclearlybeforehim，nordidheheardistinctly。Therewasabuzzinginhisearsasofmyriadsofmockingbirds\'wings，andtherewasaveilinfrontofhiseyes——aveilthroughwhichhesawfacesandformsflittingghost-likeinthegloom，menandwomenjostlingorbeingjostled，soldiers，sentinels；thenlong，interminablecorridors，morecrowdandmoresoldiers，windingstairs，courtyardsandgates；finallytheopenstreet，thequay，andtheriverbeyond。

Anincessanthammeringwentoninhistemples，andthatveilneverliftedfrombeforehiseyes。Nowitwasluridandred，asifstainedwithblood；anonitwaswhitelikeashroudbutitwasalwaysthere。

ThroughithesawthePont-au-Change，whichhecrossed，thenfardownontheQuaidel\'EcoletotheleftthecornerhousebehindSt。Germainl\'Auxerrois，whereBlakeneylodged——Blakeney，whoforthesakeofastrangerhadforgottenallabouthiscomradeandJeanne。

ThroughithesawthenetworkofstreetswhichseparatedhimfromtheneighbourhoodoftheTemple，thegardensofruinedhabitations，theclosely-shutteredandbarredwindowsofducalhouses，thenthemeanstreets，thecrowdeddrinkingbars，thetumble-downshopswiththeirdilapidatedawnings。

Hesawwitheyesthatdidnotsee，heardthetumultofdailyliferoundhimwithearsthatdidnothear。JeannewasintheTempleprison，andwhenitsgrimgatesclosedfinallyforthenight，he——Armand，herchevalier，herlover，herdefender——wouldbewithinitswallsasneartocellNo。29asbribery，entreaty，promiseswouldhelphimtoattain。

Ah！thereatlastloomedthegreatbuilding，thepointedbastionscutthroughthesurroundinggloomaswithasableknife。

Armandreachedthegate；thesentinelschallengedhim；hereplied：

“Viveleroi！”shoutingwildlylikeonewhoisdrunk。

Hewashatless，andhisclothesweresaturatedwithmoisture。Hetriedtopass，butcrossedbayonetsbarredtheway。Stillheshouted：

“Viveleroi！”and“Abaslarepublique！”

“Allons！thefellowisdrunk！”saidoneofthesoldiers。

Armandfoughtlikeamadman；hewantedtoreachthatgate。Heshouted，helaughed，andhecried，untiloneofthesoldiersinafitofragestruckhimheavilyonthehead。

Armandfellbackwards，stunnedbytheblow；hisfootslippedonthewetpavement。Washeindeeddrunk，orwashedreaming？Heputhishanduptohisforehead；itwaswet，butwhetherwiththerainorwithbloodhedidnotknow；butforthespaceofonesecondhetriedtocollecthisscatteredwits。

“CitizenSt。Just！”saidaquietvoiceathiselbow。

Then，ashelookedrounddazed，feelingafirm，pleasantgriponhisarm，thesamequietvoicecontinuedcalmly：

“Perhapsyoudonotrememberme，citizenSt。Just。IhadnotthehonourofthesameclosefriendshipwithyouasIhadwithyourcharmingsister。MynameisChauvelin。CanIbeofanyservicetoyou？”

CHAPTERXVII

CHAUVELIN

Chauvelin！Thepresenceofthismanhereatthismomentmadetheeventsofthepastfewdaysseemmoreabsolutelylikeadream。

Chauvelin！——themostdeadlyenemyhe，Armand，andhissisterMargueritehadintheworld。Chauvelin！——theevilgeniusthatpresidedovertheSecretServiceoftheRepublic。Chauvelin——thearistocratturnedrevolutionary，thediplomatturnedspy，thebaffledenemyoftheScarletPimpernel。

Hestoodtherevaguelyoutlinedinthegloombythefeebleraysofanoillampfixedintothewalljustabove。Themoistureonhissableclothesglistenedintheflickeringlightlikeathinveilofcrystal；itclungtotherimofhishat，tothefoldsofhiscloak；therufflesathisthroatandwristhunglimpandsoiled。

HehadreleasedArmand\'sarm，andheldhishandsnowunderneathhiscloak；hispale，deep-seteyesrestedgravelyontheyoungerman\'sface。

“Ihadanidea，somehow，“continuedChauvelincalmly，“thatyouandIwouldmeetduringyoursojourninParis。IheardfrommyfriendHeronthatyouhadbeeninthecity；he，unfortunately，lostyourtrackalmostassoonashehadfoundit，andI，too，hadbeguntofearthatourmutualandeverenigmaticalfriend，theScarletPimpernel，hadspiritedyouaway，whichwouldhavebeenagreatdisappointmenttome。“

NowheoncemoretookholdofArmandbytheelbow，butquitegently，morelikeacomradewhoisgladtohavemetanother，andispreparingtoenjoyapleasantconversationforawhile。Heledthewaybacktothegate，thesentinelsalutingatsightofthetricolourscarfwhichwasvisibleunderneathhiscloak。UnderthestonerampartChauvelinpaused。

Itwasquietandprivatehere。Thegroupofsoldiersstoodatthefurtherendofthearchway，buttheywereoutofhearing，andtheirformswereonlyvaguelydiscernibleinthesurroundingdarkness。

Armandhadfollowedhisenemymechanicallylikeonebewitchedandirresponsibleforhisactions。WhenChauvelinpausedhetoostoodstill，notbecauseofthegriponhisarm，butbecauseofthatcuriousnumbingofhiswill。

Vague，confusedthoughtswerefloatingthroughhisbrain，themostdominantoneamongthembeingthatFatehadeffectuallyordainedeverythingforthebest。HerewasChauvelin，amanwhohatedhim，who，ofcourse，wouldwishtoseehimdead。Well，surelyitmustbeaneasiermatternowtobarterhisownlifeforthatofJeanne；

shehadonlybeenarrestedonsuspicionofharbouringhim，whowasaknowntraitortotheRepublic；then，withhiscaptureandspeedydeath，hersupposedguiltwould，hehoped，beforgiven。Thesepeoplecouldhavenoill-willagainsther，andactorsandactresseswerealwayslenientlydealtwithwhenpossible。Thensurely，surely，hecouldserveJeannebestbyhisownarrestandcondemnation，thanbyworkingtorescueherfromprison。

InthemeanwhileChauvelinshookthedampfromoffhiscloak，talkingallthetimeinhisownpeculiar，gentlyironicalmanner。

“LadyBlakeney？”hewassaying——“Ihopethatsheiswell！”

“Ithankyou，sir，“murmuredArmandmechanically。

“Andmydearfriend，SirPercyBlakeney？IhadhopedtomeethiminParis。Ah！butnodoubthehasbeenbusyverybusy；butIliveinhopes——Iliveinhopes。SeehowkindlyChancehastreatedme，“

hecontinuedinthesameblandandmockingtones。“Iwastakingastrollintheseparts，scarcehopingtomeetafriend，when，passingthepostern-gateofthischarminghostelry，whomshouldI

seebutmyamiablefriendSt。Juststrivingtogainadmission。

But，la！hereamItalkingofmyself，andIamnotre-assuredastoyourstateofhealth。Youfeltfaintjustnow，didyounot？

Theairaboutthisbuildingisverydankandclose。Ihopeyoufeelbetternow。Commandme，pray，ifIcanbeofservicetoyouinanyway。“

WhilstChauvelintalkedhehaddrawnArmandafterhimintothelodgeoftheconcierge。Theyoungmannowmadeagreatefforttopullhimselfvigorouslytogetherandtosteadyhisnerves。

Hehadhiswish。HewasinsidetheTempleprisonnow，notfarfromJeanne，andthoughhisenemywasolderandlessvigorousthanhimself，andthedooroftheconcierge\'slodgestoodwideopen，heknewthathewasin-deedaseffectuallyaprisoneralreadyasifthedoorofoneofthenumerouscellsinthisgiganticbuildinghadbeenboltedandbarreduponhim。

Thisknowledgehelpedhimtorecoverhiscompletepresenceofmind。Nothoughtoffightingortryingtoescapehisfateenteredhisheadforamoment。Ithadbeenuselessprobably，andundoubtedlyitwasbetterso。IfheonlycouldseeJeanne，andassurehimselfthatshewouldbesafeinconsequenceofhisownarrest，then，indeed，lifecouldholdnogreaterhappinessforhim。

Aboveallnowhewantedtobecoolandcalculating，tocurbtheexcitementwhichtheLatinbloodinhimcalledforthateverymentionofthelovedone\'sname。HetriedtothinkofPercy，ofhiscalmness，hiseasybanterwithanenemy；heresolvedtoactasPercywouldactunderthesecircumstances。

Firstly，hesteadiedhisvoice，anddrewhiswell-knit，slimfigureupright。HecalledtomindallhisfriendsinEngland，withtheirrigidmanners，theirimpassivenessinthefaceoftryingsituations。TherewasLordTony，forinstance，alwaysreadywithsomeboyishjoke，withboyishimpertinencealwayshoveringonhistongue。ArmandtriedtoemulateLordTony\'smanner，andtoborrowsomethingofPercy\'scalmimpudence。

“CitizenChauvelin，“hesaid，assoonashefeltquitesureofthesteadinessofhisvoiceandthecalmnessofhismanner，“Iwonderifyouarequitecertainthatthatlightgripwhichyouhaveonmyarmissufficienttokeepmeherewalkingquietlybyyoursideinsteadofknockingyoudown，asIcertainlyfeelinclinedtodo，forIamayounger，morevigorousmanthanyou。“

“H\'m！”saidChauvelin，whomadepretencetoponderoverthisdifficultproblem；“likeyou，citizenSt。Just，Iwonder——“

“Itcouldeasilybedone，youknow。“

“Fairlyeasily，“rejoinedtheother；“butthereistheguard；itisnumerousandstronginthisbuilding，and——“

“Thegloomwouldhelpme；itisdarkinthecorridors，andadesperatemantakesrisks，remember——“

“Quiteso！Andyou，citizenSt。Just，areadesperatemanjustnow。“

“MysisterMargueriteisnothere，citizenChauvelin。Youcannotbartermylifeforthatofyourenemy。“

“No！no！no！”rejoinedChauvelinblandly；“notforthatofmyenemy，Iknow，but——“

Armandcaughtathiswordslikeadrowningmanatareed。

“Forhers！”heexclaimed。

“Forhers？”queriedtheotherwithobviouspuzzlement。

“MademoiselleLange，“continuedArmandwithalltheegoisticardouroftheloverwhobelievesthattheattentionoftheentireworldisconcentrateduponhisbeloved。

“MademoiselleLange！YouwillsetherfreenowthatIaminyourpower。“

Chauvelinsmiled，hisusualsuave，enigmaticalsmile。

“Ah，yes！”hesaid。“MademoiselleLange。Ihadforgotten。“

“Forgotten，man？——forgottenthatthosemurderousdogshavearrestedher？——thebest，thepurest，thisvile，degradedcountryhaseverproduced。Sheshelteredmeonedayjustforanhour。I

amatraitortotheRepublic——Iownit。I\'llmakefullconfession；

butsheknewnothingofthis。Ideceivedher；sheisquiteinnocent，youunderstand？I\'llmakefullconfession，butyoumustsetherfree。“

Hehadgraduallyworkedhimselfupagaintoastateoffeverishexcitement。ThroughthedarknesswhichhungaboutinthissmallroomhetriedtopeerinChauvelin\'simpassiveface。

“Easy，easy，myyoungfriend，“saidtheotherplacidly；“youseemtoimaginethatIhavesomethingtodowiththearrestoftheladyinwhomyoutakesodeepaninterest。YouforgetthatnowIambutadiscreditedservantoftheRepublicwhomIfailedtoserveinherneed。Mylifeisonlygrantedmeoutofpityformyefforts，whichweregenuineifnotsuccessful。Ihavenopowertosetanyonefree。“

“Nortoarrestmenow，inthatcase！”retortedArmand。

Chauvelinpausedamomentbeforeherepliedwithadeprecatingsmile：

“Onlytodenounceyou，perhaps。IamstillanagentoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurity。“

“Thenallisforthebest！”exclaimedSt。Justeagerly。“YoushalldenouncemetotheCommittee。Theywillbegladofmyarrest，I

assureyou。Ihavebeenamarkedmanforsometime。IhadintendedtoevadearrestandtoworkfortherescueofMademoiselleLange；butIwillgivetipallthoughtofthat——I

willdelivermyselfintoyourhandsabsolutely；nay，more，IwillgiveyoumymostsolemnwordofhonourthatnotonlywillImakenoattemptatescape，butthatIwillnotallowanyonetohelpmetodoso。Iwillbeapassiveandwillingprisonerifyou，ontheotherhand，willeffectMademoiselleLange\'srelease。“

“H\'m！”musedChauvelinagain，“itsoundsfeasible。“

“Itdoes！itdoes！”rejoinedArmand，whoseexcitementwasatfever-pitch。“Myarrest，mycondemnation，mydeath，willbeofvastdealmoreimportancetoyouthanthatofayoungandinnocentgirlagainstwhomunlikelychargeswouldhavetobetrickedup，andwhoseacquittalmayhappublicfeelingmightdemand。Asforme，Ishallbeaneasyprey；myknowncounter-revolutionaryprinciples，mysister\'smarriagewithaforeigner——“

“YourconnectionwiththeScarletPimpernel，“suggestedChauvelinblandly。

“Quiteso。Ishouldnotdefendmyself——“

“Andyourenigmaticalfriendwouldnotattemptyourrescue。C\'estentendu，“saidChauvelinwithhiswontedblandness。“Then，mydear，enthusiasticyoungfriend，shallweadjourntotheofficeofmycolleague，citizenHeron，whoischiefagentoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurity，andwillreceiveyour——didyousayconfession？——andnotetheconditionsunderwhichyouplaceyourselfabsolutelyinthehandsofthePublicProsecutorandsubsequentlyoftheexecutioner。Isthatit？”

Armandwastoofullofschemes，toofullofthoughtsofJeannetonotethetoneofquietironywithwhichChauvelinhadbeenspeakingallalong。Withtheunreasoningegoismofyouthhewasquiteconvincedthathisownarrest，hisownaffairswereasimportanttothisentirenationinrevolutionastheyweretohimself。Atmomentsliketheseitisdifficulttoenvisageadesperatesituationclearly，andtoayoungmaninlovethefateofthebelovedneverseemsdesperatewhilsthehimselfisaliveandreadyforeverysacrificeforhersake。“Mylifeforhers“isthesublimeifoftenfoolishbattle-crythathassooftenresultedinwhole-saledestruction。Armandatthismoment，whenhefondlybelievedthathewasmakingabargainwiththemostastute，mostunscrupulousspythisrevolutionaryGovernmenthadinitspay——Armandjustthenhadabsolutelyforgottenhischief，hisfriends，theleagueofmercyandhelptowhichhebelonged。

Enthusiasmandthespiritofself-sacrificewerecarryinghimaway。Hewatchedhisenemywithglowingeyesasonewholooksonthearbiterofhisfate。

Chauvelin，withoutanotherword，beckonedtohimtofollow。Heledthewayoutofthelodge，then，turningsharplytohisleft，hereachedthewidequadranglewiththecoveredpassagerunningrightroundit，thesamewhichdeBatzhadtraversedtwoeveningsagowhenhewenttovisitHeron。

Armand，withalightheartandspringystep，followedhimasifheweregoingtoafeastwherehewouldmeetJeanne，wherehewouldkneelatherfeet，kissherhands，andleadhertriumphantlytofreedomandtohappiness。

CHAPTERXVIII

THEREMOVAL

ChauvelinnolongermadeanypretencetoholdArmandbythearm。

Bytemperamentaswellasbyprofessionaspy，therewasonesubjectatleastwhichhehadmasteredthoroughly：thatwasthestudyofhumannature。Thoughoccasionallyanexceptionallycomplexmentalorganisationbaffledhim——asinthecaseofSirPercyBlakeney——hepridedhimself，andjustly，too，onreadingnatureslikethatofArmandSt。Justashewouldanopenbook。

TheexcitabledispositionoftheLatinracesheknewoutandout；

heknewexactlyhowfarasentimentalsituationwouldleadayoungFrenchmanlikeArmand，whowasbydispositionchivalrous，andbytemperamentessentiallypassionate。Aboveallthings，heknewwhenandhowfarhecouldtrustamantodoeitherasublimeactionoranessentiallyfoolishone。

Thereforehewalkedalongcontentedlynow，notevenlookingbacktoseewhetherSt。Justwasfollowinghim。Heknewthathedid。

Histhoughtsonlydweltontheyoungenthusiast——inhismindhecalledhimtheyoungfool——inordertoweighinthebalancethemightypossibilitiesthatwouldaccruefromthepresentsequenceofevents。Thefixedideaeverworkingintheman\'sschemingbrainhadalreadytransformedavaguebeliefintoacertainty。

ThattheScarletPimpernelwasinParisatthepresentmomentChauvelinhadnowbecomeconvinced。HowfarhecouldturnthecaptureofArmandSt。Justtothetriumphofhisownendsremainedtobeseen。

Butthishedidknow：theScarletPimpernel——themanwhomhehadlearnedtoknow，todread，andeveninagrudgingmannertoadmire——wasnotliketoleaveoneofhisfollowersinthelurch。

Marguerite\'sbrotherintheTemplewouldbethesurestdecoyfortheelusivemeddlerwhostill，andinspiteofallcareandprecaution，continuedtobafflethearmyofspiessetuponhistrack。

ChauvelincouldhearArmand\'slight，elasticfootstepsresoundingbehindhimontheflagstones。Aworldofintoxicatingpossibilitiessurgedupbeforehim。Ambition，whichtwosuccessivedirefailureshadatrophiedinhisbreast，oncemoreroseupbuoyantandhopeful。OncehehadsworntolaytheScarletPimpernelbytheheels，andthatoathwasnotyetwhollyforgotten；ithadlaindormantafterthecatastropheofBoulogne，butwiththesightofArmandSt。Justithadre-awakenedandconfrontedhimagainwiththestrengthofalikelyfulfilment。

Thecourtyardlookedgloomyanddeserted。Thethindrizzlewhichstillfellfromapersistentlyleadenskyeffectuallyheldeveryoutlineofmasonry，ofcolumn，orofgatehiddenasbeneathashroud。Thecorridorwhichskirteditallroundwasill-lightedsavebyanoccasionaloil-lampfixedinthewall。

ButChauvelinknewhiswaywell。Heron\'slodgingsgaveonthesecondcourtyard，theSquareduNazaret，andthewaythitherledpastthemainsquaretower，inthetopfloorofwhichtheuncrownedKingofFranceekedouthismiserableexistenceastheplaythingofaroughcobblerandhiswife。

JustbeneathitsfrowningbastionsChauvelinturnedbacktowardsArmand。Hepointedwithacarelesshandup-wardstothecentraltower。

“WehavegotlittleCapetinthere，“hesaiddryly。“YourchivalrousScarletPimpernelhasnotventuredintheseprecinctsyet，yousee。“

Armandwassilent。Hehadnodifficultyinlookingunconcerned；

histhoughtsweresofullofJeannethathecaredbutlittleatthismomentforanyBourbonkingorforthedestiniesofFrance。

Nowthetwomenreachedtheposterngate。Acoupleofsentinelswerestandingby，butthegateitselfwasopen，andfromwithintherecamethesoundofbustleandofnoise，ofagooddealofswearing，andalsoofloudlaughter。

Theguard-roomgaveontheleftofthegate，andthelaughtercamefromthere。Itwasbrilliantlylighted，andArmand，peeringin，inthewakeofChauvelin，couldseegroupsofsoldierssittingandstandingabout。Therewasatableinthecentreoftheroom，andonitanumberofjugsandpewtermugs，packetsofcards，andoverturnedboxesofdice。

Butthebustledidnotcomefromtheguard-room；itcamefromthelandingandthestonestairsbeyond。

Chauvelin，apparentlycurious，hadpassedthroughthegate，andArmandfollowedhim。Thelightfromtheopendooroftheguard-roomcutsharplyacrossthelanding，makingthegloombeyondappearmoredenseandalmostsolid。Fromoutthedarkness，fitfullyintersectedbyalanthornapparentlycarriedtoandfro，movingfiguresloomedoutghost-likeandweirdlygigantic。SoonArmanddistinguishedanumberoflargeobjectsthatencumberedthelanding，andasheandChauvelinleftthesharplightoftheguard-room\'behindthem，hecouldseethatthelargeobjectswerepiecesoffurnitureofeveryshapeandsize；awoodenbedstead——dismantled——leanedagainstthewall，ablackhorsehairsofablockedthewaytothetowerstairs，andtherewerenumberlesschairsandseveraltablespiledoneonthetopoftheother。

Inthemidstofthislitterastout，flabby-cheekedmanstood，apparentlygivingdirectionsastoitsremovaltopersonsatpresentunseen。

“Hola，PapaSimon！”exclaimedChauvelinjovially；“movingoutto-day？What？”

“Yes，thanktheLord！——iftherebeaLord！”retortedtheothercurtly。“Isthatyou，citizenChauvelin？”

“Inperson，citizen。Ididnotknowyouwereleavingquitesosoon。IscitizenHeronanywhereabout？”

“Justleft，“repliedSimon。“HehadalastlookatCapetjustbeforemywifelockedthebratupintheinnerroom。Nowhe\'sgonebacktohislodgings。“

Amancarryingachest，emptyofitsdrawers，onhisbacknowcamestumblingdownthetowerstaircase。MadameSimonfollowedcloseonhisheels，steadyingthechestwithonehand。

“Wehadbetterbegintoloadupthecart，“shecalledtoherhusbandinahigh-pitchedquerulousvoice；“thecorridorisgettingtoomuchencumbered。“

ShelookedsuspiciouslyatChauvelinandatArmand，andwhensheencounteredtheformer\'sbland，unconcernedgazeshesuddenlyshiveredanddrewherblackshawlcloserroundhershoulders。

“Bah！”shesaid，“IshallbegladtogetoutofthisGod-forsakenhole。Ihatetheverysightofthesewalls。“

“Indeed，thecitizenessdoesnotlookoverrobustinhealth，“saidChauvelinwithstudiedpoliteness。“Thestayinthetowerdidnot，mayhap，bringforthallthefruitsofprosperitywhichshehadanticipated。“

Thewomaneyedhimwithdarksuspicionlurkinginherholloweyes。

“Idon\'tknowwhatyoumean，citizen，“shesaidwithashrugofherwideshoulders。

“Oh！Imeantnothing，“rejoinedChauvelin，smiling。“Iamsointerestedinyourremoval；busymanasIam，ithasamusedmetowatchyou。Whomhaveyougottohelpyouwiththefurniture？”

“Dupont，theman-of-all-work，fromtheconcierge，“saidSimoncurtly。“CitizenHeronwouldnotallowanyonetocomeinfromtheoutside。“

“Rightlytoo。Havethenewcommissariescomeyet？

“OnlycitizenCochefer。Heiswaitingupstairsfortheothers。“

“AndCapet？”

“Heisallsafe。CitizenHeroncametoseehim，andthenhetoldmetolockthelittleverminupintheinnerroom。CitizenCocheferhadjustarrivedbythattime，andhehasremainedincharge。“

Duringallthiswhilethemanwiththechestonhisbackwaswaitingfororders。Bentnearlydouble，hewasgrumblingaudiblyathisuncomfortableposition。

“Doesthecitizenwanttobreakmyback？”hemuttered。

“Wehadbestgetalong——quoi？”

Heaskedifheshouldbegintocarrythefurnitureoutintothestreet。

“TwosoushaveIgottopayeverytenminutestotheladwhoholdsmynag，“hesaid，mutteringunderhisbreath；“weshallbeallnightatthisrate。“

“Begintoloadthen，“commandedSimongruffly。“Here！——beginwiththissofa。“

“You\'llhavetogivemeahandwiththat，“saidtheman。“Waitabit；I\'lljustseethateverythingisallrightinthecart。I\'llbebackdirectly。“

“Takesomethingwithyouthenasyouaregoingdown，“saidMadameSimoninherquerulousvoice。

Themanpickedupabasketoflinenthatstoodintheanglebythedoor。Hehoisteditonhisbackandshuffledawaywithitacrossthelandingandoutthroughthegate。

“HowdidCapetlikepartingfromhispapaandmaman？”askedChauvelinwithalaugh。

“H\'m！”growledSimonlaconically。“Hewillfindoutsoonenoughhowwelloffhewasunderourcare。“

“Havetheothercommissariescomeyet？”

“No。Buttheywillbeheredirectly。CitizenCocheferisupstairsmountingguardoverCapet。“

“Well，good-bye，PapaSimon，“concludedChauvelinjovially。

“Citizeness，yourservant！

Hebowedwithunconcealedironytothecobbler\'swife，andnoddedtoSimon，whoexpressedbyavolleyofmotleyoathshisexactfeelingswithregardtoalltheagentsoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurity。

“Sixmonthsofthispenalservitudehavewehad，“hesaidroughly，“andnothanksorpension。Iwouldassoonserveaci-devantaristoasyouraccursedCommittee。“

ThemanDuponthadreturned。Stolidly，afterthefashionofhiskind，hecommencedtheremovalofcitizenSimon\'sgoods。Heseemedaclumsyenoughcreature，andSimonandhiswifehadtodomostoftheworkthemselves。

Chauvelinwatchedthemovingformsforawhile，thenheshruggedhisshoulderswithalaughofindifference，andturnedonhisheel。

CHAPTERXIX

ITISABOUTTHEDAUPHIN

Heronwasnotathislodgingswhen，atlast，aftervigorouspullsatthebell，agreatdealofwaitingandmuchcursing，Chauvelin，closelyfollowedbyArmand，wasintroducedinthechiefagent\'soffice。

ThesoldierwhoactedasservantsaidthatcitizenHeronhadgoneouttosup，butwouldsurelybehomeagainbyeighto\'clock。

Armandbythistimewassodazedwithfatiguethathesankonachairlikealog，andremainedtherestaringintothefire，unconsciousoftheflightoftime。

AnonHeroncamehome。HenoddedtoChauvelin，andthrewbutacursoryglanceonArmand。

“Fiveminutes，citizen，“hesaid，witharoughattemptatanapology。“Iamsorrytokeepyouwaiting，butthenewcommissarieshavearrivedwhoaretotakechargeofCapet。TheSimonshavejustgone，andIwanttoassuremyselfthateverythingisallrightintheTower。Cocheferhasbeenincharge，butI

liketocastaneyeoverthebrateverydaymyself。“

Hewentoutagain，slammingthedoorbehindhim。Hisheavyfootstepswereheardtreadingtheflagstonesofthecorridor，andgraduallydyingawayinthedistance。Armandhadpaidnoheedeithertohisentranceortohisexit。Hewasonlyconsciousofanintenseweariness，andwouldatthismomentgladlyhavelaidhisheadonthescaffoldifonithecouldfindrest。

Awhite-facedclockonthewalltickedoffthesecondsonebyone。

Fromthestreetbelowcamethemuffledsoundsofwheeledtrafficonthesoftmudoftheroad；itwasrainingmoreheavilynow，andfromtimetotimeagustofwindrattledthesmallwindowsintheirdilapidatedframes，orhurledashowerofheavydropsagainstthepanes。

TheheatfromthestovehadmadeArmanddrowsy；hisheadfellforwardonhischest。Chauvelin，withhishandsheldbehindhisback，pacedceaselesslyupanddownthenarrowroom。

SuddenlyArmandstarted——wideawakenow。Hurriedfootstepsontheflagstonesoutside，ahoarseshout，abangingofheavydoors，andthenextmomentHeronstoodoncemoreonthethresholdoftheroom。Armand，withwide-openedeyes，gazedonhiminwonder。Thewholeappearanceofthemanhadchanged。Helookedtenyearsolder，withlank，dishevelledhairhangingmattedoveramoistforehead，thecheeksashen-white，thefulllipsbloodlessandhanging，flabbyandparted，displayingbothrowsofyellowteeththatshookagainsteachother。Thewholefigurelookedbowed，asifshrunkwithinitself。

Chauvelinhadpausedinhisrestlesswalk，Hegazedonhiscolleague，afrownofpuzzlementonhispale，setface。

“Capet！”heexclaimed，assoonashehadtakenineverydetailofHeron\'salteredappearance，andseenthelookofwildterrorthatliterallydistortedhisface。

Heroncouldnotspeak；histeethwerechatteringinhismouth，andhistongueseemedparalysed。Chauvelinwentuptohim。Hewasseveralinchesshorterthanhiscolleague，butatthismomentheseemedtobetoweringoverhimlikeanavengingspirit。Heplacedafirmhandontheother\'sbowedshoulders。

“Capethasgone——isthatit？”hequeriedperemptorily。

ThelookofterrorincreasedinHeron\'seyes，givingitsmutereply。

“How？When？”

Butforthemomentthemanwasspeechless。Analmostmaniacalfearseemedtoholdhiminitsgrip。WithanimpatientoathChauvelinturnedawayfromhim。

“Brandy！”hesaidcurtly，speakingtoArmand。

Abottleandglasswerefoundinthecupboard。ItwasSt。JustwhopouredoutthebrandyandheldittoHeron\'slips。Chauvelinwasoncemorepacingupanddowntheroominangryimpatience。

“Pullyourselftogether，man，“hesaidroughlyafterawhile，“andtryandtellmewhathasoccurred。“

Heronhadsunkintoachair。Hepassedatremblinghandonceortwiceoverhisforehead。

“Capethasdisappeared，“hemurmured；“hemusthavebeenspiritedawaywhiletheSimonsweremovingtheirfurniture。ThataccursedCocheferwascompletelytakenin。“

Heronspokeinatonelessvoice，hardlyaboveawhisper，andlikeonewhosethroatisdryandmouthparched。Butthebrandyhadrevivedhimsomewhat，andhiseyeslosttheirformerglassylook。

“How？”askedChauvelincurtly。

“IwasjustleavingtheTowerwhenhearrived。Ispoketohimatthedoor。IhadseenCapetsafelyinstalledintheroom，andgaveorderstothewomanSimontoletcitizenCocheferhavealookathim，too，andthentolockupthebratintheinnerroomandinstallCocheferintheantechamberonguard。IstoodtalkingtoCocheferforafewmomentsintheantechamber。ThewomanSimonandtheman-of-all-work，Dupont——whomIknowwell——werebusywiththefurniture。Therecouldnothavebeenanyoneelseconcealedabouttheplace——thatI\'llswear。Cochefer，afterhetookleaveofme，wentstraightintotheroom；hefoundthewomanSimonintheactofturningthekeyinthedooroftheinnerchamber。I

havelockedCapetinthere，\'shesaid，givingthekeytoCochefer；

\'hewillbequitesafeuntilto-night；whentheothercommissariescome。\'

“Didn\'tCochefergointotheroomandascertainwhetherthewomanwaslying？”

“Yes，hedid！Hemadethewomanre-openthedoorandpeepedinoverhershoulder。Shesaidthechildwasasleep。Hevowsthathesawthechildlyingfullydressedonaruginthefurthercorneroftheroom。Theroom，ofcourse，wasquiteemptyoffurnitureandonlylightedbyonecandle，buttherewastherugandthechildasleeponit。Cocheferswearshesawhim，andnow——whenIwentup——“

“Well？”

“Thecommissarieswereallthere——CocheferandLasniere，LorinetandLegrand。Wewentintotheinnerroom，andIhadacandleinmyhand。Wesawthechildlyingontherug，justasCocheferhadseenhim，andforawhilewetooknonoticeofit。Thensomeone——IthinkitwasLorinet——wenttohaveacloserlookatthebrat。Hetookupthecandleandwentuptotherug。Thenhegaveacry，andweallgatheredroundhim。Thesleepingchildwasonlyabundleofhairandofclothes，adummy——what？”

Therewassilencenowinthenarrowroom，whilethewhite-facedclockcontinuedtotickoffeachsucceedingsecondoftime。Heronhadoncemoreburiedhisheadinhishands；atrembling——likeanattackofague——shookhiswide，bonyshoulders。Armandhadlistenedtothenarrativewithglowingeyesandabeatingheart。

ThedetailswhichthetwoTerroristsherecouldnotprobablyunderstandhehadalreadyaddedtothepicturewhichhismindhadconjuredup。

HewasbackinthoughtnowinthesmalllodgingintherearofSt。

Germainl\'Auxerrois；SirAndrewFfoulkeswasthere，andmyLordTonyandHastings，andamanwasstridingupanddowntheroom，lookingoutintothegreatspacebeyondtheriverwiththeeyesofaseer，andafirmvoicesaidabruptly：

“ItisabouttheDauphin！”

“Haveyouanysuspicions？”askedChauvelinnow，pausinginhiswalkbesideHeron，andoncemoreplacingafirm，peremptoryhandonhiscolleague\'sshoulder。

“Suspicions！”exclaimedthechiefagentwithaloudoath。

“Suspicions！Certainties，youmean。Themansatherebuttwodaysago，inthatverychair，andbraggedofwhathewoulddo。I

toldhimthenthatifheinterferedwithCapetIwouldwringhisneckwithmyownhands。“

Andhislong，talon-likefingers，withtheirsharp，grimynails，closedandunclosedlikethoseoffelinecreatureswhentheyholdthecovetedprey。

“Ofwhomdoyouspeak？”queriedChauvelincurtly。

“Ofwhom？OfwhombutthataccurseddeBatz？HispocketsarebulgingwithAustrianmoney，withwhich，nodoubt，hehasbribedtheSimonsandCocheferandthesentinels——“

“AndLorinetandLasniereandyou，“interposedChauvelindryly。

“Itisfalse！”roaredHeron，whoalreadyatthesuggestionwasfoamingatthemouth，andhadjumpedupfromhischair，standingatbayasifpreparedtofightforhislife。

“False，isit？”retortedChauvelincalmly；“thenbenotsoquick，friendHeron，inslashingoutwithsenselessdenunciationsrightandleft。You\'llgainnothingbydenouncinganyonejustnow。

Thisistoointricateamattertobedealtwithasledge-hammer。

IsanyoneupintheToweratthismoment？”heaskedinquiet，business-liketones。

“Yes。Cocheferandtheothersarestillthere。Theyaremakingwildschemestocovertheirtreachery。Cocheferisawareofhisowndanger，andLasniereandtheothersknowthattheyarrivedattheTowerseveralhourstoolate。Theyareallatfault，andtheyknowit。AsforthatdeBatz，“hecontinuedwithavoicerenderedraucouswithbitterpassion，“IsworetohimtwodaysagothatheshouldnotescapemeifhemeddledwithCapet。I\'monhistrackalready。I\'llhavehimbeforethehourofmidnight，andI\'lltorturehim——yes！I\'lltorturehim——theTribunalshallgivemeleave。Wehaveadarkcelldownbelowherewheremymenknowhowtoapplytorturesworsethantherack——wheretheyknowjusthowtoprolonglifelongenoughtomakeitunendurable。I\'lltorturehim！I\'lltorturehim！”

ButChauvelinabruptlysilencedthewretchwithacurtcommand；

then，withoutanotherword，hewalkedstraightoutoftheroom。

InthoughtArmandfollowedhim。Thewilddesirewassuddenlyborninhimtorunawayatthismoment，whileHeron，wrappedinhisownmeditations，waspayingnoheedtohim。Chauvelin\'sfootstepshadlongagodiedawayinthedistance；itwasalongwaytotheupperflooroftheTower，andsometimewouldbespent，too，ininterrogatingthecommissaries。ThiswasArmand\'sopportunity。

Afterall，ifhewerefreehimselfhemightmoreeffectuallyhelptorescueJeanne。Heknew，too，nowwheretojoinhisleader。

Thecornerofthestreetbythecanal，whereSirAndrewFfoulkeswouldbewaitingwiththecoal-cart；thentherewasthespinneyontheroadtoSt。Germain。Armandhopedthat，withgoodluck，hemightyetovertakehiscomrades，tellthemofJeanne\'splight，andentreatthemtoworkforherrescue。

Hehadforgottenthatnowhehadnocertificateofsafety，thatundoubtedlyhewouldbestoppedatthegatesatthishourofthenight；thathisconductprovingsuspecthewouldinallprobabilityhedetained，and，mayhap，bebroughtbacktothisself-sameplacewithinanhour。Hehadforgottenallthat，fortheprimevalinstinctforfreedomhadsuddenlybeenaroused。Herosesoftlyfromhischairandcrossedtheroom。Heronpaidnoattentiontohim。Nowhehadtraversedtheantechamberandunlatchedtheouterdoor。

Immediatelyacoupleofbayonetswerecrossedinfrontofhim，twomorefurtheronaheadscintillatedfeeblyintheflickeringlight。

Chauvelinhadtakenhisprecautions。TherewasnodoubtthatArmandSt。Justwaseffectuallyaprisonernow。

Withasighofdisappointmenthewentbacktohisplacebesidethefire。Heronhadnotevenmovedwhilsthehadmadethisfutileattemptatescape。FiveminuteslaterChauvelinre-enteredtheroom。