第6章

CHAPTERXX

THECERTIFICATEOFSAFETY

“YoucanleavedeBatzandhisgangalone，citizenHeron，“saidChauvelin，assoonashehadclosedthedoorbehindhim；“hehadnothingtodowiththeescapeoftheDauphin。“

Herongrowledoutafewwordsofincredulity。ButChauvelinshruggedhisshouldersandlookedwithunutterablecontemptonhiscolleague。Armand，whowaswatchinghimclosely，sawthatinhishandheheldasmallpieceofpaper，whichhehadcrushedintoashapelessmass。

“Donotwasteyourtime，citizen，“hesaid，“inragingagainstanemptywind-bag。ArrestdeBatzifyoulike，orleavehimaloneanyouplease——wehavenothingtofearfromthatbraggart。“

Withnervous，slightlyshakingfingershesettoworktosmoothoutthescrapofpaperwhichheheld。Hishothandshadsoileditandpoundedituntilitwasamereragandthewritingonitillegible。But，suchasitwas，hethrewitdownwithablasphemousoathonthedeskinfrontofHeron\'seyes。

“ItisthataccursedEnglishmanwhohasbeenatworkagain，“hesaidmorecalmly；“IguesseditthemomentIheardyourstory。

Setyourwholearmyofsleuth-houndsonhistrack，citizen；you\'llneedthemall。“

Heronpickedupthescrapoftornpaperandtriedtodecipherthewritingonitbythelightfromthelamp。Heseemedalmostdazednowwiththeawfulcatastrophethathadbefallenhim，andthefearthathisownwretchedlifewouldhavetopaythepenaltyforthedisappearanceofthechild。

AsforArmand——eveninthemidstofhisowntroubles，andofhisownanxietyforJeanne，hefeltaproudexultationinhisheart。

TheScarletPimpernelhadsucceeded；Percyhadnotfailedinhisself-imposedundertaking。Chauvelin，whosepiercingeyeswerefixedonhimatthatmoment，smiledwithcontemptuousirony。

“Asyouwillfindyourhandsoverfullforthenextfewhours，citizenHeron，“hesaid，speakingtohiscolleagueandnoddinginthedirectionofArmand，“I\'llnottroubleyouwiththevoluntaryconfessionthisyoungcitizendesiredtomaketoyou。AllIneedtellyouisthatheisanadherentoftheScarletPimpernel——I

believeoneofhismostfaithful，mosttrustedofficers。“

Heronrousedhimselffromthemazeofgloomythoughtsthatwereagainparalysinghistongue。Heturnedbleary，wildeyesonArmand。

“Wehavegotoneofthem，then？”hemurmuredincoherently，babblinglikeadrunkenman。

“M\'yes！”repliedChauvelinlightly；“butitistoolatenowforaformaldenunciationandarrest。HecannotleaveParisanyhow，andallthatyourmenneedtodoistokeepacloselook-outonhim。

ButIshouldsendhimhometo-nightifIwereyou。“

Heronmutteredsomethingmore，which，however，Armanddidnotunderstand。Chauvelin\'swordswerestillringinginhisear。Washe，then，tobesetfreeto-night？Freeinameasure，ofcourse，sincespiesweretobesettowatchhim——butfree，nevertheless？

HecouldnotunderstandChauvelin\'sattitude，andhisownself-lovewasnotalittlewoundedatthethoughtthathewasofsuchlittleaccountthatthesemencouldaffordtogivehimeventhisprovisionalfreedom。And，ofcourse，therewasstillJeanne。

“Imust，therefore，bidyougood-night，citizen，“Chauvelinwassayinginhisbland，gentlyironicalmanner。“Youwillbegladtoreturntoyourlodgings。Asyousee，thechiefagentoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurityistoomuchoccupiedjustnowtoacceptthesacrificeofyourlifewhichyouwerepreparedsogenerouslytoofferhim。“

“Idonotunderstandyou，citizen，“retortedArmandcoldly，“nordoIdesireindulgenceatyourhands。Youhavearrestedaninnocentwomanonthetrumped-upchargethatshewasharbouringme。Icamehereto-nighttogivemyselfuptojusticesothatshemightbesetfree。“

“Butthehourissomewhatlate，citizen，“rejoinedChauvelinurbanely。“Theladyinwhomyoutakesoferventaninterestisnodoubtasleepinhercellatthishour。Itwouldnotbefittingtodisturbhernow。Shemightnotfindshelterbeforemorning，andtheweatherisquiteexceptionallyunpropitious。“

“Then，sir，“saidArmand，alittlebewildered，“amItounderstandthatifIholdmyselfatyourdispositionMademoiselleLangewillbesetfreeasearlyto-morrowmorningasmaybe？”

“Nodoubt，sir——nodoubt，“repliedChauvelinwithmorethanhisaccustomedblandness；“ifyouwillholdyourselfentirelyatourdisposition，MademoiselleLangewillbesetfreeto-morrow。I

thinkthatwecansafelypromisethat，citizenHeron，canwenot？”

headded，turningtohiscolleague。

ButHeron，overcomewiththestressofemotions，couldonlymurmurvague，unintelligiblewords。

“Yourwordonthat，citizenChauvelin？”askedArmand。

“Mywordonitanyouwillacceptit。“

“No，Iwillnotdothat。GivemeanunconditionalcertificateofsafetyandIwillbelieveyou。“

“Ofwhatusewerethattoyou？”askedChauvelin。

“IbelievemycapturetobeofmoreimportancetoyouthanthatofMademoiselleLange，“saidArmandquietly。

“IwillusethecertificateofsafetyformyselforoneofmyfriendsifyoubreakyourwordtomeanentMademoiselleLange。“

“H\'m！thereasoningisnotillogical，citizen，“saidChauvelin，whilstacurioussmileplayedroundthecornersofhisthinlips。

“Youarequiteright。Youareamorevaluableassettousthanthecharmingladywho，Ihope，willformanyadayandyeartocomedelightpleasure-lovingPariswithhertalentandhergrace。“

“Amentothat，citizen，“saidArmandfervently。

“Well，itwillalldependonyou，sir！Here，“headded，coollyrunningoversomepapersonHeron\'sdeskuntilhefoundwhathewanted，“isanabsolutelyunconditionalcertificateofsafety。

TheCommitteeofGeneralSecurityissueveryfewofthese。Itisworththecostofahumanlife。Atnobarrierorgateofanycitycansuchacertificatebedisregarded，norevencanitbedetained。Allowmetohandittoyou，citizen，asapledgeofmyowngoodfaith。“

Smiling，urbane，withacuriouslookthatalmostexpressedamusementlurkinginhisshrewd，paleeyes，ChauvelinhandedthemomentousdocumenttoArmand。

Theyoungmanstudieditverycarefullybeforeheslippeditintotheinnerpocketofhiscoat。

“HowsoonshallIhavenewsofMademoiselleLange？”heaskedfinally。

“Inthecourseofto-morrow。Imyselfwillcallonyouandredeemthatpreciousdocumentinperson。You，ontheotherhand，willholdyourselfatmydisposition。That\'sunderstood，isitnot？”

“Ishallnotfailyou。Mylodgingsare——“

“Oh！donottrouble，“interposedChauvelin，withapolitebow；“wecanfindthatoutforourselves。“

Heronhadtakennopartinthiscolloquy。NowthatArmandpreparedtogohemadenoattempttodetainhim，ortoquestionhiscolleague\'sactions。Hesatbythetablelikealog；hismindwasobviouslyablanktoallelsesavetohisownterrorsengenderedbytheeventsofthisnight。

Withbleary，half-veiledeyeshefollowedArmand\'sprogressthroughtheroom，andseemedunawareoftheloudslammingoftheoutsidedoor。Chauvelinhadescortedtheyoungmanpastthefirstlineofsentry，thenhetookcordialleaveofhim。

“Yourcertificatewill，youwillfind，openeverygatetoyou。

Good-night，citizen。Ademain。“

“Good-night。“

Armand\'sslimfiguredisappearedinthegloom。Chauvelinwatchedhimforafewmomentsuntilevenhisfootstepshaddiedawayinthedistance；thenheturnedbacktowardsHeron\'slodgings。

“Anousdeux，“hemutteredbetweentightlyclenchedteeth；“anousdeuxoncemore，myenigmaticalScarletPimpernel。“

CHAPTERXXI

BACKTOPARIS

Itwasanexceptionallydarknight，andtherainwasfallingintorrents。SirAndrewFfoulkes，wrappedinapieceofsacking，hadtakenshelterrightunderneaththecoal-cart；eventhenhewasgettingwetthroughtotheskin。

Hehadworkedhardfortwodayscoal-heaving，andthenightbeforehehadfoundacheap，squalidlodgingwhereatanyratehewasprotectedfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather；butto-nighthewasexpectingBlakeneyattheappointedhourandplace。Hehadsecuredacartoftheordinaryramshacklepatternusedforcarryingcoal。Unfortunatelytherewerenocoveredonestobeobtainedintheneighbourhood，andequallyunfortunatelythethawhadsetinwithablusteringwindanddivingrain，whichmadewaitingintheopenairforhoursatastretchandincompletedarknessexcessivelyunpleasant。

ButforallthesediscomfortsSirAndrewFfoulkescarednotonejot。InEngland，inhismagnificentSuffolkhome，hewasaconfirmedsybarite，inwhoseserviceeverydescriptionofcomfortandluxuryhadtobeenrolled。Heretonightintheroughandtatteredclothesofacoal-heaver，drenchedtotheskin，andcrouchingunderthebodyofacartthathardlyshelteredhimfromtherain，hewasashappyasaschoolboyoutforaholiday。

Happy，butvaguelyanxious。

Hehadnomeansofascertainingthetime。Somanyofthechurch-bellsandclocktowershadbeensilencedrecentlythatnotoneofthosewelcomesoundspenetratedtothedrearydesolationofthiscanalwharf，withitsabandonedcartsstandingghostlikeinarow。Darknesshadsetinveryearlyintheafternoon，andtheheavershadgivenupworksoonafterfouro\'clock。

Foraboutanhourafterthatacertainanimationhadstillreignedroundthewharf，mencrossingandgoing，oneortwoofthebargesmovinginoroutalongsidethequay。Butforsometimenowdarknessandsilencehadbeenthemastersinthisdesolatespot，andthattimehadseemedtoSirAndrewaneternity。Hehadhobbledandtetheredhishorse，andstretchedhimselfoutatfulllengthunderthecart。Nowandagainhehadcrawledoutfromunderthisuncomfortableshelterandwalkedupanddowninankle-deepmud，tryingtorestorecirculationinhisstiffenedlimbs；nowandagainakindoftorporhadcomeoverhim，andhehadfallenintoabriefandrestlesssleep。Hewouldatthismomenthavegivenhalfhisfortuneforknowledgeoftheexacttime。

Butthroughallthiswearywaitinghewasneverforamomentindoubt。UnlikeArmandSt。Just，hehadthesimplest，mostperfectfaithinhischief。HehadbeenBlakeney\'sconstantcompanioninalltheseadventuresforcloseuponfouryearsnow；thethoughtoffailure，howevervague，neveronceenteredhismind。

Hewasonlyanxiousforhischief\'swelfare。Heknewthathewouldsucceed，buthewouldhavelikedtohavesparedhimmuchofthephysicalfatigueandthenerve-rackingstrainofthesehoursthatlaybetweenthedaringdeedandthehopeofsafety。

Thereforehewasconsciousofanacutetinglingofhisnerves，whichwentonevenduringthebriefpatchesoffitfulsleep，andthroughthenumbnessthatinvadedhiswholebodywhilethehoursdraggedwearilyandslowlyalong。

Then，quitesuddenly，hefeltwakefulandalert；quiteawhile——evenbeforeheheardthewelcomesignal——heknew，withacurious，subtlesenseofmagnetism，thatthehourhadcome，andthathischiefwassomewherenearby，notveryfar。

Thenheheardthecry——aseamew\'scall——repeatedthriceatintervals，andfiveminuteslatersomethingloomedoutofthedarknessquiteclosetothehindwheelsofthecart。

“Hist！Ffoulkes！”cameinasoftwhisper，scarcelouderthanthewind。

“Present！”cameinquickresponse。

“Here，helpmetoliftthechildintothecart。Heisasleep，andhasbeenadeadweightonmyarmforcloseonanhournow。Haveyouadrybitofsackingorsomethingtolayhimon？”

“Notverydry，Iamafraid。“

WithtendercarethetwomenliftedthesleepinglittleKingofFranceintothericketycart。Blakeneylaidhiscloakoverhim，andlistenedforawhiletotheslowregularbreathingofthechild。

“St。Justisnothere——youknowthat？”saidSirAndrewafterawhile。

“Yes，Iknewit，“repliedBlakeneycurtly。

Itwascharacteristicofthesetwomenthatnotawordabouttheadventureitself，abouttheterriblerisksanddangersofthepastfewhours，wasexchangedbetweenthem。Thechildwashereandwassafe，andBlakeneyknewthewhereaboutsofSt。Just——thatwasenoughforSirAndrewFfoulkes，themostdevotedfollower，themostperfectfriendtheScarletPimpernelwouldeverknow。

Ffoulkesnowwenttothehorse，detachedthenose-bag，andundidthenoosesofthehobbleandofthetether。

“Willyougetinnow，Blakeney？”hesaid；“weareready。“

Andinunbrokensilencetheybothgotintothecart；Blakeneysittingonitsfloorbesidethechild，andFfoulkesgatheringthereinsinhishands。

Thewheelsofthecartandtheslowjog-trotofthehorsemadescarcelyanynoiseinthemudoftheroads，whatnoisetheydidmakewaseffectuallydrownedbythesoughingofthewindinthebarebranchesofthestuntedacaciatreesthatedgedthetowpathalongthelineofthecanal。

SirAndrewhadstudiedthetopographyofthisdesolateneighbourhoodwellduringthepasttwenty-fourhours；heknewofadetourthatwouldenablehimtoavoidtheLaVillettegateandtheneighbourhoodofthefortifications，andyetbringhimoutsoonontheroadleadingtoSt。Germain。

OnceheturnedtoaskBlakeneythetime。

“Itmustbecloseontennow，“repliedSirPercy。“Pushyournagalong，oldman。TonyandHastingswillbewaitingforus。“

Itwasverydifficulttoseeclearlyevenametreortwoahead，buttheroadwasastraightone，andtheoldnagseemedtoknowitalmostaswellandbetterthanherdriver。Sheshambledalongatherownpace，coveringthegroundveryslowlyforFfoulkes\'sburningimpatience。Onceortwicehehadtogetdownandleadheroveraroughpieceofground。Theypassedseveralgroupsofdismal，squalidhouses，insomeofwhichadimlightstillburned，andastheyskirtedSt。Ouenthechurchclockslowlytolledthehourofmidnight。

Butforthegreaterpartofthewayderelict，uncultivatedspacesofterrainsvagues，andafewisolatedhouseslaybetweentheroadandthefortificationsofthecity。Thedarknessofthenight，thelatehour，thesoughingofthewind，wereallinfavouroftheadventurers；andacoal-cartslowlytrudgingalonginthisneighbourhood，withtwolabourerssittinginit，wastheleastlikelyofanyvehicletoattractattention。

PastClichy，theyhadtocrosstheriverbythericketywoodenbridgethatwasunsafeeveninbroaddaylight。Theywerenotfarfromtheirdestinationnow。HalfadozenkilometresfurtherontheywouldbeleavingCourbevoieontheirleft，andthenthesign-postwouldcomeinsight。Afterthatthespinneyjustofftheroad，andthewelcomepresenceofTony，Hastings，andthehorses。Ffoulkesgotdowninordertomakesureoftheway。Hewalkedatthehorse\'sheadnow，fearfullesthemissedthecross-roadsandthesign-post。

Thehorsewasgettingover-tired；ithadcoveredfifteenkilometres，anditwascloseonthreeo\'clockofMondaymorning。

Anotherhourwentbyinabsolutesilence。FfoulkesandBlakeneytookturnsatthehorse\'shead。Thenatlasttheyreachedthecross-roads；eventhroughthedarknessthesign-postshowedwhiteagainstthesurroundinggloom。

“Thislookslikeit，“murmuredSirAndrew。Heturnedthehorse\'sheadsharplytowardstheleft，downanarrowerroad，andleavingthesign-postbehindhim。Hewalkedslowlyalongforanotherquarterofanhour，thenBlakeneycalledahalt。

“Thespinneymustbesharponourrightnow，“hesaid。

Hegotdownfromthecart，andwhileFfoulkesremainedbesidethehorse，heplungedintothegloom。Amomentlaterthecryoftheseamewrangoutthreetimesintotheair。Itwasansweredalmostimmediately。

Thespinneylayontherightoftheroad。SoonthesoftsoundsthattoatrainedearinvariablybetraythepresenceofanumberofhorsesreachedFfoulkes\'strainingsenses。Hetookhisoldnagoutoftheshafts，andtheshabbyharnessfromoffher，thenheturnedheroutonthepieceofwastelandthatfacedthespinney。

Someonewouldfindherinthemorning，herandthecartwiththeshabbyharnesslaidinit，and，havingwonderedifallthesethingshadperchancedroppeddownfromheaven，wouldquietlyappropriatethem，andmayhapthankmuch-malignedheavenforitsgift。

Blakeneyinthemeanwhilehadliftedthesleepingchildoutofthecart。ThenhecalledtoSirAndrewandledthewayacrosstheroadandintothespinney。

FiveminuteslaterHastingsreceivedtheuncrownedKingofFranceinhisarms。

UnlikeFfoulkes，myLordTonywantedtohearallabouttheadventureofthisafternoon。Athoroughsportsman，helovedagoodstoryofhairbreadthescapes，ofdangerscleverlyavoided，riskstakenandconquered。

“Justintenwords，Blakeney，“heurgedentreatingly；“howdidyouactuallygettheboyaway？”

SirPercylaughed——despitehimself——attheyoungman\'seagerness。

“Nexttimewemeet，Tony，“hebegged；“Iamsodemmedfatigued，andthere\'sthisbeastlyrain——“

“No，no——now！whileHastingsseestothehorses。Icouldnotexistlongwithoutknowing，andwearewellshelteredfromtherainunderthistree。“

“Well，then，sinceyouwillhaveit，“hebeganwithalaugh，whichdespitethewearinessandanxietyofthepasttwenty-fourhourshadforceditselftohislips，“Ihavebeensweeperandman-of-all-workattheTempleforthepastfewweeks，youmustknow——“

“No！”ejaculatedmyLordTonylustily。“Bygum！”

“Indeed，youoldsybarite，whilstyouwereenjoyingyourselfheavingcoalonthecanalwharf，Iwasscrubbingfloors，lightingfires，anddoinganumberofoddjobsforalotofdemmedmurderingvillains，and“——headdedunderhisbreath——“

incidentally，too，forourleague。WheneverIhadanhourortwooffdutyIspenttheminmylodgings，andaskedyoualltocomeandmeetmethere。“

“ByGad，Blakeney！Thenthedaybeforeyesterday？——whenweallmet——“

“Ihadjusthadabath——sorelyneeded，Icantellyou。Ihadbeencleaningbootshalftheday，butIhadheardthattheSimonswereremovingfromtheTempleontheSunday，andhadobtainedanorderfromthemtohelpthemshifttheirfurniture。“

“Cleaningboots！”murmuredmyLordTonywithachuckle。“Well！

andthen？”

“Well，theneverythingworkedoutsplendidly。YouseebythattimeIwasawell-knownfigureintheTemple。Heronknewmewell。

Iusedtobehislanthorn-bearerwhenatnightshevisitedthatpoormiteinhisprison。Itwas\'Dupont，here！Dupontthere！\'

alldaylong。\'Lightthefireintheoffice，Dupont！Dupont，brushmycoat！Dupont，fetchmealight！\'WhentheSimonswantedtomovetheirhouseholdgoodstheycalledloudlyforDupont。I

gotacoveredlaundrycart，andIbroughtadummywithmetosubstituteforthechild。Simonhimselfknewnothingofthis，butMadamewasinmypay。Thedummywasjustsplendid，withrealhaironitshead；Madamehelpedmetosubstituteitforthechild；welaiditonthesofaandcovereditoverwitharug，evenwhilethosebrutesHeronandCocheferwereonthelandingoutside，andwestuffedHisMajestytheKingofFranceintoalinenbasket。

Theroomwasbadlylighted，andanyonewouldhavebeendeceived。

Noonewassuspiciousofthattypeoftrickery，soitwentoffsplendidly。ImovedthefurnitureoftheSimonsoutoftheTower。

HisMajestyKingLouisXVIIwasstillconcealedinthelinenbasket。IdrovetheSimonstotheirnewlodgings——themanstillsuspectsnothing——andthereIhelpedthemtounloadthefurniture——withtheexceptionofthelinenbasket，ofcourse。

AfterthatIdrovemylaundrycarttoahouseIknewofandcollectedanumberoflinenbaskets，whichIhadarrangedshouldbeinreadinessforme。ThusloadedupIleftParisbytheVincennesgate，anddroveasfarasBagnolet，wherethereisnoroadexceptpasttheoctroi，wheretheofficialsmighthaveprovedunpleasant。SoIliftedHisMajestyoutofthebasketandwewalkedonhandinhandinthedarknessandtherainuntilthepoorlittlefeetgaveout。Thenthelittlefellow——whohasbeenwonderfullypluckythroughout，indeed，moreaCapetthanaBourbon——snuggledupinmyarmsandwentfastasleep，and——and——well，Ithinkthat\'sall，forhereweare，yousee。“

“ButifMadameSimonhadnotbeenamenabletobribery？”suggestedLordTonyafteramoment\'ssilence。

“ThenIshouldhavehadtothinkofsomethingelse。“

“IfduringtheremovalofthefurnitureHeronhadremainedresolutelyintheroom？”

“Then，again，Ishouldhavehadtothinkofsomethingelse；butrememberthatinlifethereisalwaysonesuprememomentwhenChance——whoiscreditedtohavebutonehaironherhead——standsbyyouforabriefspaceoftime；sometimesthatspaceisinfinitesimal——oneminute，afewseconds——justthetimetoseizeChancebythatonehair。SoIprayyouallgivemenocreditinthisoranyothermatterinwhichweallworktogether，butthequicknessofseizingChancebythehairduringthebriefmomentwhenshestandsbymyside。IfMadameSimonhadbeenun-amenable，ifHeronhadremainedintheroomallthetime，ifCocheferhadhadtwolooksatthedummyinsteadofone——well，then，somethingelsewouldhavehelpedme，somethingwouldhaveoccurred；

something——Iknownotwhat——butsurelysomethingwhichChancemeanttobeonourside，ifonlywewerequickenoughtoseizeit——andsoyouseehowsimpleitallis。“

Sosimple，infact，thatitwassublime。Thedaring，thepluck，theingenuityand，aboveall，thesuper-humanheroismandendurancewhichrenderedthehearersofthissimplenarrative，simplytold，dumbwithadmiration。

Theirthoughtsnowwerebeyondverbalexpression。

“Howsoonwasthehueandcryforthechildaboutthestreets？”

askedTony，afteramoment\'ssilence。

“ItwasnotoutwhenIleftthegatesofParis，“saidBlakeneymeditatively；“soquietlyhasthenewsoftheescapebeenkept，thatIamwonderingwhatdevilrythatbruteHeroncanbeafter。

Andnownomorechattering，“hecontinuedlightly；“alltohorse，andyou，Hastings，haveacare。ThedestiniesofFrance，mayhap，willbelyingasleepinyourarms。“

“Butyou，Blakeney？”exclaimedthethreemenalmostsimultaneously。

“Iamnotgoingwithyou。Ientrustthechildtoyou。ForGod\'ssakeguardhimwell！RidewithhimtoMantes。Youshouldarrivethereataboutteno\'clock。OneofyouthengostraighttoNo。9

RuelaTour。Ringthebell；anoldmanwillanswerit。Saytheonewordtohim，\'Enfant\'；hewillreply，\'Deroi！\'Givehimthechild，andmayHeavenblessyouallforthehelpyouhavegivenmethisnight！”

“Butyou，Blakeney？”reiteratedTonywithanoteofdeepanxietyinhisfreshyoungvoice。

“IamstraightforParis，“hesaidquietly。

“Impossible！”

“Thereforefeasible。“

“Butwhy？Percy，inthenameofHeaven，doyourealisewhatyouaredoing？”

“Perfectly。“

“They\'llnotleaveastoneunturnedtofindyou——theyknowbynow，believeme，thatyourhanddidthistrick。“

“Iknowthat。“

“Andyetyoumeantogoback？”

“AndyetIamgoingback。“

“Blakeney！”

“It\'snouse，Tony。ArmandisinParis。IsawhiminthecorridoroftheTempleprisoninthecompanyofChauvelin。“

“GreatGod！”exclaimedLordHastings。

Theothersweresilent。Whatwastheuseofarguing？Oneofthemselveswasindanger。ArmandSt。Just，thebrotherofMargueriteBlakeney！WasitlikelythatPercywouldleavehiminthelurch。

“Oneofuswillstaywithyou，ofcourse？”askedSirAndrewafterawhile。

“Yes！IwantHastingsandTonytotakethechildtoMantes，thentomakeallpossiblehasteforCalais，andtheretokeepinclosetouchwiththeDay-Dream；theskipperwillcontrivetoopencommunication。TellhimtoremaininCalaiswaters。IhopeImayhaveneedofhimsoon。

“Andnowtohorse，bothofyou，“headdedgaily。“Hastings，whenyouareready，Iwillhandupthechildtoyou。Hewillbequitesafeonthepillionwithastraproundhimandyou。“

Nothingmorewassaidafterthat。Theordersweregiven，therewasnothingtodobuttoobey；andtheuncrownedKingofFrancewasnotyetoutofdanger。HastingsandTonyledtwoofthehorsesoutofthespinney；attheroadsidetheymounted，andthenthelittleladforwhosesakesomuchheroism，suchselflessdevotionhadbeenexpended，washoistedup，stillhalfasleep，onthepillioninfrontofmyLordHastings。

“Keepyourarmroundhim，“admonishedBlakeney；“yourhorselooksquietenough。ButputonspeedasfarasMantes，andmayHeavenguardyouboth！”

Thetwomenpressedtheirheelstotheirhorses\'flanks，thebeastssnortedandpawedthegroundanxioustostart。Therewereafewwhisperedfarewells，twoloyalhandswerestretchedoutatthelast，eagertograsptheleader\'shand。

Thenhorsesandridersdisappearedintheutterdarknesswhichcomesbeforethedawn。

BlakeneyandFfoulkesstoodsidebysideinsilenceforaslongasthepawingofhoofsinthemudcouldreachtheirears，thenFfoulkesaskedabruptly：

“Whatdoyouwantmetodo，Blakeney？”

“Well，forthepresent，mydearfellow，Iwantyoutotakeoneofthethreehorseswehaveleftinthespinney，andputhimintotheshaftsofouroldfriendthecoal-cart；thenIamafraidthatyoumustgobackthewaywecame。“

“Yes？”

“ContinuetoheavecoalonthecanalwharfbyLaVillette；itisthebestwaytoavoidattention。Afteryourday\'sworkkeepyourcartandhorseinreadinessagainstmyarrival，atthesamespotwhereyouwerelastnight。Ifafterhavingwaitedformelikethisforthreeconsecutivenightsyouneitherseenorhearanythingfromme，gobacktoEnglandandtellMargueritethatingivingmylifeforherbrotherIgaveitforher！”

“Blakeney——！”

“IspokedifferentlytowhatIusuallydo，isthatit？”heinterposed，placinghisfirmhandonhisfriend\'sshoulder。“Iamdegenerating，Ffoulkes——that\'swhatitis。Paynoheedtoit。I

supposethatcarryingthatsleepingchildinmyarmslastnightsoftenedsomenervesinmybody。Iwassoinfinitelysorryforthepoormite，andvaguelywonderedifIhadnotsaveditfromonemiseryonlytoplungeitinanother。Therewassuchafatefullookonthatwanlittleface，asifdestinyhadalreadywrititsvetothereagainsthappiness。Itcameonmethenhowfutilewereouractions，ifGodchoosestointerposeHiswillbetweenusandourdesires。“

Almostasheleftoffspeakingtherainceasedtopatterdownagainstthepuddlesintheroad。Overheadthecloudsflewbyatterrificspeed，drivenalongbytheblusteringwind。Itwaslessdarknow，andSirAndrew，peeringthroughthegloom，couldseehisleader\'sface。Itwassingularlypaleandhard，andthedeep-setlazyeyeshadinthemjustthatfatefullookwhichhehimselfhadspokenofjustnow。

“YouareanxiousaboutArmand，Percy？”askedFfoulkessoftly。

“Yes。Heshouldhavetrustedme，asIhadtrustedhim。HemissedmeattheVillettegateonFriday，andwithoutathoughtleftme——leftusallinthelurch；hethrewhimselfintothelion\'sjaws，thinkingthathecouldhelpthegirlheloved。IknewthatIcouldsaveher。Sheisincomparativesafetyevennow。Theoldwoman，MadameBelhomme，hadbeenfreelyreleasedthedayafterherarrest，butJeanneLangeisstillinthehouseintheRuedeCharonne。Youknowit，Ffoulkes。Igotherthereearlythismorning。Itwaseasyforme，ofcourse：\'Hola，Dupont！myboots，Dupont！\'\'Onemoment，citizen，mydaughter——\'\'Cursethydaughter，bringmemyboots！\'andJeanneLangewalkedoutoftheTempleprisonherhandinthatofthatloutDupont。“

“ButArmanddoesnotknowthatsheisintheRuedeCharonne？”

“No。IhavenotseenhimsincethatearlymorningonSaturdaywhenhecametotellmethatshehadbeenarrested。Havingswornthathewouldobeyme，hewenttomeetyouandTonyatLaVillette，butreturnedtoParisafewhourslater，anddrewtheundividedattentionofallthecommitteesonJeanneLangebyhissenseless，foolishinquiries。ButforhisactionthroughoutthewholeofyesterdayIcouldhavesmuggledJeanneoutofParis，gothertojoinyouatVillette，orHastingsinSt。Germain。Butthebarrierswerebeingcloselywatchedforher，andIhadtheDauphintothinkof。Sheisincomparativesafety；thepeopleintheRuedeCharonnearefriendlyforthemoment；butforhowlong？Whoknows？Imustlookafterherofcourse。AndArmand！PooroldArmand！Thelion\'sjawshavesnappedoverhim，andtheyholdhimtight。Chauvelinandhisgangareusinghimasadecoytotrapme，ofcourse。AllthathadnothappenedifArmandhadtrustedme。“

Hesighedaquicksighofimpatience，almostofregret。Ffoulkeswastheonemanwhocouldguessthebitterdisappointmentthatthishadmeant。PercyhadlongedtobebackinEnglandsoon，backtoMarguerite，toafewdaysofunalloyedhappinessandafewdaysofpeace。

NowArmand\'sactionshadretardedallthat；theywereadeliberatebartothefutureasithadbeenmappedoutbyamanwhoforesaweverything，whowaspreparedforeveryeventuality。

Inthiscase，too，hehadbeenprepared，butnotforthewantoftrustwhichhadbroughtondisobedienceakintodisloyalty。ThatabsolutelyunforeseeneventualityhadchangedBlakeney\'susualirresponsiblegaietyintoaconsciousnessoftheinevitable，oftheinexorabledecreesofFate。

Withananxioussigh，SirAndrewturnedawayfromhischiefandwenthacktothespinneytoselectforhisownpurposeoneofthethreehorseswhichHastingsandTonyhadunavoidablyleftbehind。

“Andyou，Blakeney——howwillyougobacktothatawfulParis？”hesaid，whenhehadmadehischoiceandwasoncemorebackbesidePercy。

“Idon\'tknowyet，“repliedBlakeney，“butitwouldnotbesafetoride。I\'llreachoneofthegatesonthissideofthecityandcontrivetoslipinsomehow。IhaveacertificateofsafetyinmypocketincaseIneedit。

“We\'llleavethehorseshere，“hesaidpresently，whilsthewashelpingSirAndrewtoputthehorseintheshaftsofthecoal-cart；“theycannotcometomuchharm。Somepoordevilmightstealthem，inordertoescapefromthosevilebrutesinthecity。

Ifso，Godspeedhim，sayI。I\'llcompensatemyfriendthefarmerofSt。Germainfortheirlossatanearlyopportunity。Andnow，good-bye，mydearfellow！Sometimeto-night，ifpossible，youshallheardirectnewsofme——ifnot，thento-morroworthedayafterthat。Good-bye，andHeavenguardyou！”

“Godguardyou，Blakeney！”saidSirAndrewfervently。

Hejumpedintothecartandgatheredupthereins。Hisheartwasheavyaslead，andastrangemisthadgatheredinhiseyes，blurringthelastdimvisionwhichhehadofhischiefstandingallaloneinthegloom，hisbroad，magnificentfigurelookingalmostweirdlyerectanddefiant，hisheadthrownback，andhiskind，lazyeyeswatchingthefinaldepartureofhismostfaithfulcomradeandfriend。

CHAPTERXXII

OFTHATTHERECOULDBENOQUESTION

Blakeneyhadmorethanonepied-a-terreinParis，andneverstayedlongerthantwoorthreedaysinanyofthese。Itwasnotdifficultforasingleman，behelabourerorbourgeois，toobtainanight\'slodging，eveninthesemosttroubloustimes，andinanyquarterofParis，providedtherent——outofallproportiontothecomfortandaccommodationgiven——waspaidungrudginglyandinadvance。

Emigrationand，aboveall，theenormousdeath-rollofthepasteighteenmonths，hademptiedtheapartmenthousesofthegreatcity，andthosewhohadroomstoletwereonlytoogladofalodger，alwaysprovidingtheywerenotindangerofbeingworriedbythecommitteesoftheirsection。

Thelawsframedbythesesamecommitteesnowdemandedthatallkeepersoflodgingorapartmenthousesshouldwithintwenty-fourhoursgivenoticeatthebureauoftheirindividualsectionsoftheadventofnewlodgers，togetherwithadescriptionofthepersonalappearanceofsuchlodgers，andanindicationoftheirpresumedcivilstatusandoccupation。Buttherewasamarginoftwenty-fourhours，whichcouldonpressurebeextendedtoforty-eight，and，therefore，anyonecouldobtainshelterforforty-eighthours，andhavenoquestionsasked，providedheorshewaswillingtopaytheexorbitantsumusuallyaskedunderthecircumstances。

ThusBlakeneyhadnodifficultyinsecuringwhatlodgingshewantedwhenheoncemorefoundhimselfinsideParisatsomewhereaboutnoonofthatsameMonday。

ThethoughtofHastingsandTonyspeedingontowardsManteswiththeroyalchildsafelyheldinHastings\'armshadkepthisspiritsbuoyantandcausedhimforawhiletoforgettheterribleperilinwhichArmandSt。Just\'sthoughtlessegoismhadplacedthemboth。

Blakeneywasamanofabnormalphysiqueandironnerve，elsehecouldneverhaveenduredthefatiguesofthepasttwenty-fourhours，fromthemomentwhenontheSundayafternoonhebegantoplayhispartoffurniture-removerattheTemple，tothatwhenatlastonMondayatnoonhesucceededinpersuadingthesergeantattheMaillotgatethathewasanhoneststonemasonresidingatNeuilly，whowascometoParisinsearchofwork。

Afterthatmattersbecamemoresimple。Terriblyfoot-sore，thoughhewouldneverhaveadmittedit，hungryandweary，heturnedintoanunpretentiouseating-houseandorderedsomedinner。Theplacewhenheenteredwasoccupiedmostlybylabourersandworkmen，dressedverymuchashewashimself，andquiteasgrimyashehadbecomeafterhavingdrivenaboutforhoursinalaundry-cartandinacoal-cart，andhavingwalkedtwelvekilometres，someofwhichhehadcoveredwhilstcarryingasleepingchildinhisarms。

Thus，SirPercyBlakeney，Bart。，thefriendandcompanionofthePrinceofWales，themostfastidiousfopthesalonsofLondonandBathhadeverseen，wasinnowaydistinguishableoutwardlyfromthetattered，half-starved，dirty，andout-at-elbowsproductsofthisfraternisingandequalisingRepublic。

Hewassohungrythattheill-cooked，badly-servedmealtemptedhimtoeat；andheateoninsilence，seeminglymoreinterestedinboiledbeefthanintheconversationthatwentonaroundhim。Buthewouldnothavebeenthekeenanddaringadventurerthathewasifhedidnotallthewhilekeephisearsopenforanyfragmentofnewsthatthedesultorytalkofhisfellow-dinerswaslikelytoyieldtohim。

Politicswere，ofcourse，discussed；thetyrannyofthesections，theslaverythatthisfreeRepublichadbroughtonitscitizens。

ThenamesofthechiefpersonagesofthedaywereallmentionedinturnsFocquier-Tinville，Santerre，Danton，Robespierre。Heronandhissleuth-houndswerespokenofwithexecrationsquicklysuppressed，butoflittleCapetnotoneword。

BlakeneycouldnothelpbutinferthatChauvelin，Heronandthecommissariesinchargewerekeepingtheescapeofthechildasecretforaslongastheycould。

HecouldhearnothingofArmand\'sfate，ofcourse。Thearrest——ifarresttherehadbeen——wasnotliketobebruitedabroadjustnow。

BlakeneyhavinglastseenArmandinChauvelin\'scompany，whilsthehimselfwasmovingtheSimons\'furniture，couldnotforamomentdoubtthattheyoungmanwasimprisoned，——unless，indeed，hewasbeingallowedacertainmeasureoffreedom，whilsthiseverystepwasbeingspiedon，sothathemightactasadecoyforhischief。

AtthoughtofthatallwearinessseemedtovanishfromBlakeney\'spowerfulframe。Hesethislipsfirmlytogether，andonceagainthelightofirresponsiblegaietydancedinhiseyes。

Hehadbeeninastightacornerasthisbeforenow；atBoulognehisbeautifulMargueritehadbeenusedasadecoy，andtwenty-fourhourslaterhehadheldherinhisarmsonboardhisyachttheDay-Dream。Ashewouldhaveputitinhisownforciblelanguage：

“Thosed——dmurderershavenotgotmeyet。“

Thebattlemayhapwouldthistimebeagainstgreateroddsthanbefore，butBlakeneyhadnofearthattheywouldproveoverwhelming。

Therewasinlifebutoneoddthatwasoverwhelming，andthatwastreachery。

Butofthattherecouldbenoquestion。

IntheafternoonBlakeneystartedoffinsearchoflodgingsforthenight。HefoundwhatwouldsuithimintheRuedel\'Arcade，whichwasequallyfarfromtheHouseofJusticeasitwasfromhisformerlodgings。Herehewouldbesafeforatleasttwenty-fourhours，afterwhichhemighthavetoshiftagain。Butforthemomentthelandlordofthemiserableapartmentwasover-willingtomakenofussandasknoquestions，forthesakeofthemoneywhichthisaristoindisguisedispensedwithalavishhand。

Havingtakenpossessionofhisnewquartersandsnatchedafewhoursofsound，well-deservedrest，untilthetimewhentheshadesofeveningandthedarknessofthestreetswouldmakeprogressthroughthecitysomewhatmoresafe，Blakeneysalliedforthataboutsixo\'clockhavingathreefoldobjectinview。

Primarily，ofcourse，thethreefoldobjectwasconcentratedonArmand。Therewasthepossibilityoffindingoutattheyoungman\'slodgingsinMontmartrewhathadbecomeofhim；thenthereweretheusualinquiriesthatcouldbemadefromtheregistersofthevariousprisons；and，thirdly，therewasthechancethatArmandhadsucceededinsendingsomekindofmessagetoBlakeney\'sformerlodgingsintheRueSt。Germainl\'Auxerrois。

Onthewhole，SirPercydecidedtoleavetheprisonregistersaloneforthepresent。IfArmandhadbeenactuallyarrested，hewouldalmostcertainlybeconfinedintheChateletprison，wherehewouldbeclosertohandforalltheinterrogatoriestowhich，nodoubt，hewouldbesubjected。

Blakeneysethisteethandmurmuredagood，sound，Britishoathwhenhethoughtofthoseinterrogatories。ArmandSt。Just，highlystrung，adreamerandabundleofnerves——howhewouldsufferunderthementalrackofquestionsandcross-questions，cleverly-laidtrapstocatchinformationfromhimunawares！

Hisnextobjective，then，wasArmand\'sformerlodging，andfromsixo\'clockuntilcloseuponeightSirPercyhauntedtheslopesofMontmartre，andmoreespeciallytheneighbourhoodoftheRuedelaCroixBlanche，whereArmandhadlodgedtheseformerdays。Atthehouseitselfhecouldnotinquireasyet；obviouslyitwouldnothavebeensafe；tomorrow，perhaps，whenheknewmore，butnottonight。Hiskeeneyeshadalreadyspiedatleasttwofiguresclothedintheragsofout-of-worklabourerslikehimself，whohadhungwithsuspiciouspersistenceinthissameneighbourhood，andwhoduringthetwohoursthathehadbeeninobservationhadneverstrayedoutofsightofthehouseintheRuedelaCroixBlanche。

Thattheseweretwospiesonthewatchwas，ofcourse，obvious；

butwhethertheywereonthewatchforSt。Justorforsomeotherunfortunatewretchitwasatthisstageimpossibletoconjecture。

Then，asfromtheTourdesDamesclosebytheclocksolemnlystruckthehourofeight，andBlakeneypreparedtowendhiswaybacktoanotherpartofthecity，hesuddenlysawArmandwalkingslowlyupthestreet。

Theyoungmandidnotlookeithertorightorleft；heheldhisheadforwardonhischest，andhishandswerehiddenunderneathhiscloak。WhenhepassedimmediatelyunderoneofthestreetlampsBlakeneycaughtsightofhisface；itwaspaleanddrawn。

Thenheturnedhishead，andforthespaceoftwosecondshiseyesacrossthenarrowstreetencounteredthoseofhischief。Hehadthepresenceofmindnottomakeasignortoutterasound；hewasobviouslybeingfollowed，butinthatbriefmomentSirPercyhadseenintheyoungman\'seyesalookthatremindedhimofahuntedcreature。

“Whathavethosebrutesbeenuptowithhim，Iwonder？”hemutteredbetweenclenchedteeth。

Armandsoondisappearedunderthedoorwayofthesamehousewherehehadbeenlodgingallalong。EvenashedidsoBlakeneysawthetwospiesgathertogetherlikeapairofslimylizards，andwhisperexcitedlyonetoanother。Athirdman，whoobviouslyhadbeendoggingArmand\'sfootsteps，cameupandjoinedthemafterawhile。

Blakeneycouldhaveswornloudlyandlustily，haditbeenpossibletodosowithoutattractingattention。ThewholeofArmand\'shistoryinthepasttwenty-fourhourswasperfectlycleartohim。

Theyoungmanhadbeenmadefreethathemightproveadecoyformoreimportantgame。

Hiseverystepwasbeingwatched，andhestillthoughtJeanneLangeinimmediatedangerofdeath。Thelookofdespairinhisfaceproclaimedthesetwofacts，andBlakeney\'sheartachedforthementaltorturewhichhisfriendwasenduring。HelongedtoletArmandknowthatthewomanhelovedwasincomparativesafety。

JeanneLangefirst，andthenArmandhimself；andtheoddswouldbeveryheavyagainsttheScarletPimpernel！ButthatMargueriteshouldnothavetomournanonlybrother，ofthatSirPercymadeoath。

HenowturnedhisstepstowardshisownformerlodgingsbySt。

Germainl\'Auxerrois。ItwasjustpossiblethatArmandhadsucceededinleavingamessagethereforhim。Itwas，ofcourse，equallypossiblethatwhenhedidsoHeron\'smenhadwatchedhismovements，andthatspieswouldbestationedthere，too，onthewatch。

Butthatriskmust，ofcourse，berun。Blakeney\'sformerlodgingwastheoneplacethatArmandwouldknowoftowhichhecouldsendamessagetohischief，ifhewantedtodoso。Ofcourse，theunfortunateyoungmancouldnothaveknownuntiljustnowthatPercywouldcomebacktoParis，buthemightguessit，orwishit，oronlyvaguelyhopeforit；hemightwanttosendamessage，hemightlongtocommunicatewithhisbrother-in-law，and，perhaps，feelsurethatthelatterwouldnotleavehiminthelurch。

Withthatthoughtinhismind，SirPercywasnotlikelytogiveuptheattempttoascertainforhimselfwhetherArmandhadtriedtocommunicatewithhimornot。Asforspies——well，hehaddodgedsomeofthemoftenenoughinhistime——therisksthatheranto-nightwerenoworsethantheonestowhichhehadsosuccessfullyruncounterintheTempleyesterday。

Stillkeepinguptheslouchygaitpeculiartotheout-at-elbowsworkingmanoftheday，huggingthehousesashewalkedalongthestreets，Blakeneymadeslowprogressacrossthecity。ButatlasthereachedthefacadeofSt。Germainl\'Auxerrois，andturningsharplytohisrighthesooncameinsightofthehousewhichhehadonlyquittedtwenty-fourhoursago。

Weallknowthathouse——allofuswhoarefamiliarwiththeParisofthoseterribledays。Itstandsquitedetached——avastquadrangle，facingtheQuaidel\'Ecoleandtheriver，backingontheRueSt。Germainl\'Auxerrois，andshoulderingtheCarrefourdesTroisManes。Theporte-cochere，so-called，isbutanarrowdoorway，andisactuallysituatedintheRueSt。Germainl\'Auxerrois。

Blakeneymadehiswaycautiouslyrightroundthehouse；hepeeredupanddownthequay，andhiskeeneyestriedtopiercethedensegloomthathungatthecornersofthePontNeufimmediatelyOpposite。Soonheassuredhimselfthatforthepresent，atanyrate，thehousewasnotbeingwatched。

Armandpresumablyhadnotyetleftamessageforhimhere；buthemightdosoatanytimenowthatheknewthathischiefwasinParisandonthelook-outforhim。

Blakeneymadeuphismindtokeepthishouseinsight。Thisartofwatchinghehadacquiredtoamasterlyextent，andcouldhavetaughtHeron\'swatch-dogsaremarkablelessoninit。Atnight，ofcourse，itwasacomparativelyeasytask。Therewereagoodmanyunlighteddoorwaysalongthequay，whilstastreetlampwasfixedonabracketinthewalloftheveryhousewhichhekeptinobservation。

Findingtemporaryshelterundervariousdoorways，oragainstthedankwallsofthehouses，Blakeneysethimselfresolutelytoafewhours\'wearywaiting。Athin，drizzlyrainfellwithunpleasantpersistence，likeadampmist，andthethinblousewhichheworesoonbecamewetthroughandclunghardandchillytohisshoulders。

Itwascloseonmidnightwhenatlasthethoughtitbesttogiveuphiswatchandtogobacktohislodgingsforafewhours\'

sleep；butatseveno\'clockthenextmorninghewasbackagainathispost。

Theporte-cochereofhisformerlodging-housewasnotyetopen；hetookuphisstandclosebesideit。Hiswoollencappulledwelloverhisforehead，thegrimecleverlyplasteredonhishairandface，hislowerjawthrustforward，hiseyeslookinglifelessandbleary，allgavehimanexpressionofslyvillainy，whilsttheshortclaypipestruckatasharpangleinhismouth，hishandsthrustintothepocketsofhisraggedbreeches，andhisbarefeetinthemudoftheroad，gavethefinaltouchtohisrepresentationofanout-of-work，ill-conditioned，andsupremelydiscontentedloafer。

Hehadnotverylongtowait。Soontheporte-cochereofthehousewasopened，andtheconciergecameoutwithhisbroom，makingashowofcleaningthepavementinfrontofthedoor。Fiveminuteslateralad，whoseclothesconsistedentirelyofrags，andwhosefeetandheadwerebare，camerapidlyupthestreetfromthequay，andwalkedalonglookingatthehousesashewent，asiftryingtodeciphertheirnumber。Thecoldgreydawnwasjustbreaking，drearyanddamp，asallthepastdayshadbeen。Blakeneywatchedtheladasheapproached，thesmall，nakedfeetfallingnoiselesslyonthecobblestonesoftheroad。Whentheboywasquiteclosetohimandtothehouse，Blakeneyshiftedhispositionandtookthepipeoutofhismouth。

“Upearly，myson！”hesaidgruffly。

“Yes，“saidthepale-facedlittlecreature；“IhaveamessagetodeliveratNo。9RueSt。Germainl\'Auxerrois。Itmustbesomewherenearhere。“

“Itis。Youcangivemethemessage。“

“Oh，no，citizen！”saidthelad，intowhosepale，circledeyesalookofterrorhadquicklyappeared。“ItisforoneofthelodgersinNo。9。Imustgiveittohim。“

Withaninstinctwhichhesomehowfeltcouldnoterratthismoment，BlakeneyknewthatthemessagewasonefromArmandtohimself；awrittenmessage，too，since——instinctivelywhenhespoke——theboyclutchedathisthinshirt，asiftryingtoguardsomethingpreciousthathadbeenentrustedtohim。

“Iwilldeliverthemessagemyself，sonny，“saidBlakeneygruffly。

“Iknowthecitizenforwhomitisintended。Hewouldnotliketheconciergetoseeit。“

“Oh！Iwouldnotgiveittotheconcierge，“saidtheboy。“I

wouldtakeitupstairsmyself。“

“Myson，“retortedBlakeney，“letmetellyouthis。YouaregoingtogivethatmessageuptomeandIwillputfivewholelivresintoyourhand。“

Blakeney，withallhissympathyarousedforthispoorpale-facedlad，putontheairsofaruffianlybully。Hedidnotwishthatmessagetobetakenindoorsbythelad，fortheconciergemightgetholdofit，despitetheboy\'sprotestsandtears，andafterthatBlakeneywouldperforcehavetodisclosehimselfbeforeitwouldbegivenuptohim。Duringthepastweektheconciergehadbeenveryamenabletobribery。Whateversuspicionshehadhadabouthislodgerhehadkepttohimselfforthesakeofthemoneywhichhereceived；butitwasimpossibletogaugeanyman\'strendofthoughtthesedaysfromonehourtothenext。Something——foraughtBlakeneyknew——mighthaveoccurredinthepasttwenty-fourhourstochangeanamiableandaccommodatinglodging-housekeeperintoasurlyordangerousspy。

Fortunately，theconciergehadoncemoregonewithin；therewasnooneabroad，andiftherewere，nooneprobablywouldtakeanynoticeofaburlyruffianbrow-beatingachild。

“Allons！”hesaidgruffly，“givemetheletter，orthatfivelivresgoesbackintomypocket。“

“Fivelivres！”exclaimedthechildwithpatheticeagerness。“Oh，citizen！”

Thethinlittlehandfumbledundertherags，butitreappearedagainempty，whilstafaintblushspreadoverthehollowcheeks。

“Theothercitizenalsogavemefivelivres，“hesaidhumbly。“Helodgesinthehousewheremymotherisconcierge。ItisintheRuedelaCroixBlanche。Hehasbeenverykindtomymother。I

wouldratherdoashebademe。“

“Blessthelad，“murmuredBlakeneyunderhisbreath；“hisloyaltyredeemsmanyacrimeofthisGod-forsakencity。NowIsupposeI

shallhavetobullyhim，afterall。“

Hetookhishandoutofhisbreechespocket；betweentwoverydirtyfingersheheldapieceofgold。Theotherhandheplacedquiteroughlyonthelad\'schest。

“Givemetheletter，“hesaidharshly，“or——“

Hepulledattheraggedblouse，andascrapofsoiledpapersoonfellintohishand。Theladbegantocry。

“Here，“saidBlakeney，thrustingthepieceofgoldintothethinsmallpalm，“takethishometoyourmother，andtellyourlodgerthatabig，roughmantooktheletterawayfromyoubyforce。Nowrun，beforeIkickyououtoftheway。“

Thelad，terrifiedoutofhispoorwits，didnotwaitforfurthercommands；hetooktohisheelsandran，hissmallhandclutchingthepieceofgold。Soonhehaddisappearedroundthecornerofthestreet。

Blakeneydidnotatoncereadthepaper；hethrustitquicklyintohisbreechespocketandslouchedawayslowlydownthestreet，andthenceacrossthePlaceduCarrousel，inthedirectionofhisnewlodgingsintheRuedel\'Arcade。

Itwasonlywhenhefoundhimselfaloneinthenarrow，squalidroomwhichhewasoccupyingthathetookthescrapofpaperfromhispocketandreaditslowlythrough。Itsaid：

Percy，youcannotforgiveme，norcanIeverforgivemyself，butifyouonlyknewwhatIhavesufferedforthepasttwodaysyouwould，Ithink，tryandforgive。Iamfreeandyetaprisoner；myeveryfootstepisdogged。WhattheyultimatelymeantodowithmeIdonotknow。AndwhenIthinkofJeanneIlongforthepowertoendmineownmiserableexistence。Percy！sheisstillinthehandsofthosefiends……Isawtheprisonregister；hernamewrittentherehasbeenlikeaburningbrandonmyhearteversince。ShewasstillinprisonthedaythatyouleftParis；

to-morrow，to-nightmayhap，theywilltryher，condemnher，tortureher，andIdarenotgotoseeyou，forIwouldonlybebringingspiestoyourdoor。Butwillyoucometome，Percy？Itshouldbesafeinthehoursofthenight，andtheconciergeisdevotedtome。To-nightatteno\'clockshewillleavetheporte-cochereunlatched。Ifyoufinditso，andifontheledgeofthewindowimmediatelyonyourleftasyouenteryoufindacandlealight，andbesideitascrapofpaperwithyourinitialsS。P。

tracedonit，thenitwillbequitesafeforyoutocomeuptomyroom。Itisonthesecondlanding——adooronyourright——thattooIwillleaveonthelatch。Butinthenameofthewomanyoulovebestinalltheworldcomeatoncetomethen，andhearinmind，Percy，thatthewomanIloveisthreatenedwithimmediatedeath，andthatIampowerlesstosaveher。Indeed，believeme，IwouldgladlydieevennowhutforthethoughtofJeanne，whomIshouldbeleavinginthehandsofthosefiends。ForGod\'ssake，Percy，rememberthatJeanneisalltheworldtome。

“PooroldArmand，“murmuredBlakeneywithakindlysmiledirectedattheabsentfriend，“hewon\'ttrustmeevennow。Hewon\'ttrusthisJeanneinmyhands。Well，“headdedafterawhile，“afterall，IwouldnotentrustMargueritetoanybodyelseeither。“

CHAPTERXXIII

THEOVERWHELMINGODDS

Athalf-pasttenthatsameevening，Blakeney，stillcladinaworkman\'statteredclothes，hisfeetBaresothathecouldtreadthestreetsunheard，turnedintotheRuedelaCroixBlanche。

Theporte-cochereofthehousewhereArmandlodgedhadbeenleftonthelatch；notasoulwasinsight。Peeringcautiouslyround，heslippedintothehouse。Ontheledgeofthewindow，immediatelyonhisleftwhenheentered，acandlewasleftburning，andbesideittherewasascrapofpaperwiththeinitialsS。P。roughlytracedinpencil。Noonechallengedhimashenoiselesslyglidedpastit，andupthenarrowstairsthatledtotheupperfloor。Here，too，onthesecondlandingthedoorontherighthadbeenleftonthelatch。Hepusheditopenandentered。

AsisusualeveninthemeanestlodgingsinParishouses，asmallantechambergavebetweenthefrontdoorandthemainroom。WhenPercyenteredtheantechamberwasunlighted，butthedoorintotheinnerroombeyondwasajar。Blakeneyapproacheditwithnoiselesstread，andgentlypusheditopen。

Thatveryinstantheknewthatthegamewasup；heheardthefootstepsclosingupbehindhim，sawArmand，deathlypale，leaningagainstthewallintheroominfrontofhim，andChauvelinandHeronstandingguardoverhim。

Thenextmomenttheroomandtheantechamberwereliterallyalivewithsoldiers——twentyofthemtoarrestoneman。

Itwascharacteristicofthatmanthatwhenhandswerelaidonhimfromeverysidehethrewbackhisheadandlaughed——laughedmirthfully，light-heartedly，andthefirstwordsthatescapedhislipswere：

“Well，Iamd——d！”

“Theoddsareagainstyou，SirPercy，“saidChauvelintohiminEnglish，whilstHeronatthefurtherendoftheroomwasgrowlinglikeacontentedbeast。

“BytheLord，sir，“saidPercywithperfectsang-froid，“Idobelievethatforthemomenttheyare。“

“Havedone，mymen——havedone！”headded，turninggood-humouredlytothesoldiersroundhim。“Ineverfightagainstoverwhelmingodds。Twentytoone，eh？Icouldlayfourofyououteasilyenough，perhapsevensix，butwhatthen？”

Butakindofsavagelustseemedtohaverenderedthesementemporarilymad，andtheywerebeingeggedonbyHeron。ThemysteriousEnglishman，aboutwhomsomanyeerietalesweretold！

Well，hehadsupernaturalpowers，andtwentytoonemightbenothingtohimifthedevilwasonhisside。Thereforeablowonhisforearmwiththebutt-endofabayonetwasusefulfordisablinghisrighthand，andsoontheleftarmwithadislocatedshoulderhunglimpbyhisside。Thenhewasboundwithcords。

Theveinofluckhadgivenout。Thegamblerhadstakedmorethanusualandhadlost；butheknewhowtolose，justashehadalwaysknownhowtowin。

“Thosed——dbrutesaretrussingmelikeafowl，“hemurmuredwithirrepressiblegaietyatthelast。

Thenthewrenchonhisbruisedarmsastheywerepulledroughlybackbythecordscausedtheveilofunconsciousnesstogatheroverhiseyes。

“AndJeannewassafe，Armand，“heshoutedwithalastdesperateeffort；“thosedevilshaveliedtoyouandtrickedyouintothis……Sinceyesterdaysheisoutofprison……inthehouse……youknow……“

Afterthathelostconsciousness。

AndthisoccurredonTuesday，January21st，intheyear1794，or，inaccordancewiththenewcalendar，onthe2ndPluviose，yearII

oftheRepublic。

ItischronicledintheMoniteurofthe3rdPluviosethat，“onthepreviousevening，athalf-pasttenoftheclock，theEnglishmanknownastheScarletPimpernel，whoforthreeyearshasconspiredagainstthesafetyoftheRepublic，wasarrestedthroughthepatrioticexertionsofcitizenChauvelin，andconveyedtotheConciergerie，wherehenowlies——sick，butcloselyguarded。LonglivetheRepublic！”