第10章

“IwishIwerequitesure，“hesaidsullenly，“thatyouwerebodyandsoulinaccordwithme。“

“Iaminaccordwithyou，citizenHeron，“rejoinedtheotherearnestly——“bodyandsoulinaccordwithyou。DoyounotbelievethatIhatethisman——aye！hatehimwithahatredtenthousandtimesmorestrongthanyours？Iwanthisdeath——HeavenorhellaloneknowhowIlongforthat——butwhatIlongformostishislastingdisgrace。ForthatIhaveworked，citizenHeron——forthatIadvisedandhelpedyou。Whenfirstyoucapturedthismanyouwantedsummarilytotryhim，tosendhimtotheguillotineamidstthejoyofthepopulaceofParis，andcrownedwithasplendidhaloofmartyrdom。Thatman，citizenHeron，wouldhavebaffledyou，mockedyou，andfooledyouevenonthestepsofthescaffold。InthezenithofhisstrengthandofinsurmountablegoodluckyouandallyourmyrmidonsandalltheassembledguardofPariswouldhavehadnopoweroverhim。Thedaythatyouledhimoutofthiscellinordertotakehimtotrialortotheguillotinewouldhavebeenthatofyourhopelessdiscomfiture。Havingoncewalkedoutofthiscellhale，heartyandalert，betheescortroundhimeversostrong，heneverwouldhavere-entereditagain。OfthatIamasconvincedasthatIamalive。Iknowtheman；youdon\'t。Minearenottheonlyfingersthroughwhichhehasslipped。AskcitizenCollotd\'Herbois，askSergeantBibotatthebarrierofMenilmontant，askGeneralSanterreandhisguards。Theyallhaveataletotell。DidIbelieveinGodorthedevil，Ishouldalsobelievethatthismanhassupernaturalpowersandahostofdemonsathisbeckandcall。“

“Yetyoutalknowoflettinghimwalkoutofthiscellto-morrow？”

“Heisadifferentmannow，citizenHeron。Onmyadviceyouplacedhimonaregimethathascounteractedthesupernaturalpowerbysimplephysicalexhaustion，anddriventothefourwindsthehostofdemonswhonodoubtfledinthefaceofstarvation。“

“IfonlyIthoughtthattherecaptureofCapetwasasvitaltoyouasitistome，“saidHeron，stillunconvinced。

“ThecaptureofCapetisjustasvitaltomeasitistoyou，“

rejoinedChauvelinearnestly，“ifitisbroughtaboutthroughtheinstrumentalityoftheEnglishman。“

Hepaused，lookingintentlyonhiscolleague，whoseshiftyeyesencounteredhisown。Thuseyetoeyethetwomenatlastunderstoodoneanother。

“Ah！”saidHeronwithasnort，“IthinkIunderstand。“

“Iamsurethatyoudo，“respondedChauvelindryly。“ThedisgraceofthiscursedScarletPimpernelandhisLeagueisasvitaltome，andmore，asthecaptureofCapetistoyou。ThatiswhyIshowedyouthewayhowtobringthatmeddlesomeadventurertohisknees；

thatiswhyIwillhelpyounowbothtofindCapetandwithhisaidandtowreakwhatreprisalsyoulikeonhimintheend。“

Heronbeforehespokeagaincastonemorelookontheprisoner。

Thelatterhadnotstirred；hisfacewashidden，butthehands，emaciated，nervelessandwaxen，likethoseofthedead，toldamoreeloquenttale，mayhap，thenthantheeyescoulddo。ThechiefagentoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecuritywalkeddeliberatelyroundthetableuntilhestoodoncemoreclosebesidethemanfromwhomhelongedwithpassionateardourtowrestanall-importantsecret。Withbrutal，grimyhandheraisedtheheadthatlay，sunkenandinert，againstthetable；withcallouseyeshegazedattentivelyonthefacethatwasthenrevealedtohim，helookedonthewaxenflesh，theholloweyes，thebloodlesslips；

thenheshruggedhiswideshoulders，andwithalaughthatsurelymusthavecausedjoyinhell，heallowedtheweariedheadtofallbackagainsttheoutstretchedarms，andturnedonceagaintohiscolleague。

“Ithinkyouareright，citizenChauvelin，“hesaid；“thereisnotmuchsupernaturalpowerhere。Letmehearyouradvice。“

CHAPTERXXXVII

CHAUVELIN\'SADVICE

CitizenChauvelinhaddrawnhiscolleaguewithhimtotheendofthecellthatwasfarthestawayfromtherecess，andthetableatwhichtheprisonerwassitting。

Herethenoiseandhubbubthatwentonconstantlyintheguardroomwouldeffectuallydrownawhisperedconversation。Chauvelincalledtothesergeanttohandhimacoupleofchairsoverthebarrier。Theseheplacedagainstthewalloppositetheopening，andbeckoningHerontositdown，hedidlikewise，placinghimselfclosetohiscolleague。

Fromwherethetwomennowsattheycouldseebothintotheguard-roomoppositethemandintotherecessatdiefurthermostendofthecell。

“Firstofall，“beganChauvelinafterawhile，andsinkinghisvoicetoawhisper，“letmeunderstandyouthoroughly，citizenHeron。DoyouwantthedeathoftheEnglishman，eitherto-dayorto-morrow，eitherinthisprisonorontheguillotine？Forthatnowiseasyofaccomplishment；ordoyouwant，aboveall，togetholdoflittleCapet？”

“ItisCapetIwant，“growledHeronsavagelyunderhisbreath。

“Capet！Capet！MyownneckisdependentonmyfindingCapet。

Curseyou，haveInottoldyouthatclearlyenough？”

“Youhavetolditmeveryclearly，citizenHeron；butIwishedtomakeassurancedoublysure，andalsomakeyouUnderstandthatI，too，wanttheEnglishmantobetraylittleCapetintoyourhands。

IwantthatmoreeventhanIdohisdeath。“

“Theninthenameofhell，citizen，givemeyouradvice。“

“Myadvicetoyou，citizenHeron，isthis：Giveyourprisonernowjustasufficiencyoffoodtorevivehim——hewillhavehadafewmoments\'sleep——andwhenhehaseaten，and，mayhap，drunkaglassofwine，hewill，nodoubt，feelarecrudescenceofstrength，thengivehimpenandinkandpaper。Hemust，ashesays，writetooneofhisfollowers，who，inhisturn，Isuppose，willcommunicatewiththeothers，biddingthemtobepreparedtodeliveruplittleCapettous；thelettermustmakeitcleartothatcrowdofEnglishgentlementhattheirbelovedchiefisgivinguptheuncrownedKingofFrancetousinexchangeforhisownsafety。ButIthinkyouwillagreewithme，citizenHeron，thatitwouldnotbeover-prudentonourparttoallowthatsamegallantcrowdtobeforewarnedtoosoonofthepro-poseddoingsoftheirchief。

Therefore，Ithink，we\'llexplaintotheprisonerthathisfollower，whomhewillfirstappriseofhisintentions，shallstartwithusto-morrowonourexpedition，andaccompanyusuntilitslaststage，when，ifitisfoundnecessary，hemaybesentonahead，stronglyescortedofcourse，andwithpersonalmessagesfromthegallantScarletPimperneltothemembersofhisLeague。“

“Whatwillbethegoodofthat？”brokeinHeronviciously。“Doyouwantoneofhisaccursedfollowerstobereadytogivehimahelpinghandonthewayifhetriestoslipthroughourfingers？

“Patience，patience，mygoodHeron！”rejoinedChauvelinwithaplacidsmile。“Hearmeouttotheend。Timeisprecious。YoushallofferwhatcriticismyouwillwhenIhavefinished，butnotbefore。“

“Goon，then。Ilisten。“

“IamnotonlyproposingthatonememberoftheScarletPimpernelLeagueshallaccompanyusto-morrow，“continuedChauvelin，“butI

wouldalsoforcetheprisoner\'swife——MargueriteBlakeney——tofollowinourtrain。“

“Awoman？Bah！Whatfor？”

“Iwilltellyouthereasonofthispresently。InhercaseI

shouldnotlettheprisonerknowbeforehandthatshetoowillformapartofourexpedition。Letthiscomeasapleasingsurpriseforhim。ShecouldjoinusonourwayoutofParis。“

“Howwillyougetholdofher？”

“Easilyenough。Iknowwheretofindher。ItracedhermyselfafewdaysagotoahouseintheRuedeCharonne，andsheisnotlikelytohavegoneawayfromPariswhileherhusbandwasattheConciergerie。Butthisisadigression，letmeproceedmoreconsecutively。Theletter，asIhavesaid，beingwrittento-nightbytheprisonertooneofhisfollowers，Iwillmyselfseethatitisdeliveredintotherighthands。You，citizenHeron，willinthemeanwhilemakeallarrangementsforthejourney。Weoughttostartatdawn，andweoughttobeprepared，especiallyduringthefirstfiftyleaguesoftheway，againstorganisedattackincasetheEnglishmanleadsusintoanambush。“

“Yes。Hemightevendothat，cursehim！”mutteredHeron。

“Hemight，butitisunlikely。Stillitisbesttobeprepared。

Takeastrongescort，citizen，saytwentyorthirtymen，pickedandtrainedsoldierswhowouldmakeshortworkofcivilians，howeverwell-armedtheymightbe。Therearetwentymembers——includingthechief——inthatScarletPimpernelLeague，andIdonotquiteseehowfromthiscelltheprisonercouldorganiseanambuscadeagainstusatagiventime。Anyhow，thatisamatterforyoutodecide。Ihavestilltoplacebeforeyouaschemewhichisameasureofsafetyforourselvesandourmenagainstambushaswellasagainsttrickery，andwhichIfeelsureyouwillpronouncequiteadequate。“

“Letmehearit，then！”

“Theprisonerwillhavetotravelbycoach，ofcourse。Youcantravelwithhim，ifyoulike，andputhiminirons，andthusavertallchancesofhisescapingontheroad。But“——andhereChauvelinmadealongpause，whichhadtheeffectofholdinghiscolleague\'sattentionstillmoreclosely——“rememberthatweshallhavehiswifeandoneofhisfriendswithus。BeforewefinallyleaveParistomorrowwewillexplaintotheprisonerthatatthefirstattempttoescapeonhispart，attheslightestsuspicionthathehastrickedusforhisownendsorisleadingusintoanambush——

attheslightestsuspicion，Isay——you，citizenHeron，willorderhisfriendfirst，andthenMargueriteBlakeneyherself，tobesummarilyshotbeforehiseyes。“

Herongavealong，lowwhistle。Instinctivelyhethrewafurtive，backwardglanceattheprisoner，thenheraisedhisshiftyeyestohiscolleague。

Therewasunboundedadmirationexpressedinthem。Oneblackguardhadmetanother——agreateronethanhimself——andwasproudtoacknowledgehimashismaster。

“ByLucifer，citizenChauvelin，“hesaidatlast，“Ishouldneverhavethoughtofsuchathingmyself。“

Chauvelinputuphishandwithagestureofself-deprecation。

“Icertainlythinkthatmeasureoughttobeadequate，“hesaidwithagentleairofassumedmodesty，“unlessyouwouldprefertoarrestthewomanandlodgeherhere，keepingherhereasanhostage。“

“No，no！”saidHeronwithagrufflaugh；“thatideadoesnotappealtomenearlysomuchastheother。Ishouldnotfeelsosecureontheway……Ishouldalwaysbethinkingthatthatcursedwomanhadbeenallowedtoescape……No！no！Iwouldratherkeepherundermyowneye——justasyousuggest，citizenChauvelin……andundertheprisoner\'s，too，“headdedwithacoarsejest。“Ifhedidnotactuallyseeher，hemightbemorereadytotryandsavehimselfatherexpense。But，ofcourse，hecouldnotseehershotbeforehiseyes。Itisaperfectplan，citizen，ariddoesyouinfinitecredit；andiftheEnglishmantrickedus，“heconcludedwithafierceandsavageoath，“andwedidnotfindCapetattheendofthejourney，Iwouldgladlystranglehiswifeandhisfriendwithmyownhands。“

“AsatisfactionwhichIwouldnotbegrudgeyou，citizen，“saidChauvelindryly。“Perhapsyouareright……thewomanhadbestbekeptunderyourowneye……theprisonerwillneverriskhersafetyonthat，Iwouldstakemylife。We\'lldeliverourfinal\'either——or\'themomentthatshehasjoinedourparty，andbeforewestartfurtheronourway。Now，citizenHeron，youhaveheardmyadvice；areyoupreparedtofollowit？”

“Tothelastletter，“repliedtheother。

Andtheirtwohandsmetinagraspofmutualunderstanding——twohandsalreadyindeliblystainedwithmuchinnocentblood，moredeeplystainednowwithseventeenpastdaysofinhumanityandmiserabletreacherytocome。

CHAPTERXXXVIII

CAPITULATION

WhatoccurredwithintheinnercelloftheConciergerieprisonwithinthenexthalf-hourofthat16thdayofPluvioseintheyearIIoftheRepublicis，perhaps，toowellknowntohistorytoneedorbearoverfullrepetition。

ChroniclersintimatewiththeinnerhistoryofthoseinfamousdayshavetoldushowthechiefagentoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecuritygaveordersonehouraftermidnightthathotsoup，whitebreadandwinebeservedtotheprisoner，whoforcloseonfourteendayspreviouslyhadbeenkeptonshortrationsofblackbreadandwater；thesergeantinchargeoftheguard-roomwatchforthenightalsoreceivedstrictordersthatthatsameprisonerwasonnoaccounttobedisturbeduntilthehourofsixinthemorning，whenhewastobeservedwithanythinginthewayofbreakfastthathemightfancy。

Allthisweknow，andalsothatcitizenHeron，havinggivenallnecessaryordersforthemorning\'sexpedition，returnedtotheConciergerie，andfoundhiscolleagueChauvelinwaitingforhimintheguard-room。

“Well？”heaskedwithfebrileimpatience——“theprisoner？

“Heseemsbetterandstronger，“repliedChauvelin。“Nottoowell，Ihope？”

“No，no，onlyjustwellenough。“

“Youhaveseenhim——sincehissupper？”

“Onlyfromthedoorway。Itseemsheateanddrankhardlyatall，andthesergeanthadsomedifficultyinkeepinghimawakeuntilyoutame。“

“Well，nowfortheletter，“concludedHeronwiththesamemarkedfeverishnessofmannerwhichsatsocuriouslyonhisuncouthpersonality。“Pen，inkandpaper，sergeant！”hecommanded。

“Onthetable，intheprisoner\'scell，citizen，“repliedthesergeant。

Heprecededthetwocitizensacrosstheguard-roomtothedoorway，andraisedforthemtheironbar，loweringitbackafterthem。

ThenextmomentHeronandChauvelinwereoncemorefacetofacewiththeirprisoner。

Whetherbyaccidentordesignthelamphadbeensoplacedthatasthetwomenapproacheditslightfellfullupontheirfaces，whilethatoftheprisonerremainedinshadow。Hewasleaningforwardwithbothelbowsonthetable，histhin，taperingfingerstoyingwiththepenandink-hornwhichhadbeenplacedclosetohishand。

“Itrustthateverythinghasbeenarrangedforyourcomfort，SirPercy？”Chauvelinaskedwithasarcasticlittlesmile。

“Ithankyou，sir，“repliedBlakeneypolitely。

“Youfeelrefreshed，Ihope？”

“Greatlyso，Iassureyou。ButIamstilldemmedsleepy；andifyouwouldkindlybebrief——“

“Youhavenotchangedyourmind，sir？”queriedChauvelin，andanoteofanxiety，whichhevainlytriedtoconceal，quiveredinhisvoice。

“No，mygoodM。Chambertin，“repliedBlakeneywiththesameurbanecourtesy，“Ihavenotchangedmymind。“

Asighofreliefescapedthelipsofboththemen。Theprisonercertainlyhadspokeninaclearerandfirmervoice；butwhateverrenewedstrengthwineandfoodhadimpartedtohimheapparentlydidnotmeantoemployinrenewedobstinacy。Chauvelin，afteramoment\'spause，resumedmorecalmly：

“YouarepreparedtodirectustotheplacewherelittleCapetlieshidden？”

“Iampreparedtodoanything，sir，togetoutofthisd——dhole。“

“Verywell。Mycolleague，citizenHeron，hasarrangedforanescortoftwentymenpickedfromthebestregimentoftheGardedeParistoaccompanyus——yourself，himandme——towhereveryouwilldirectus。Isthatclear？”

“Perfectly，sir。“

“Youmustnotimagineforamomentthatwe，ontheotherhand，guaranteetogiveyouyourlifeandfreedomevenifthisexpeditionproveunsuccessful。“

“Iwouldnotventureonsuggestingsuchawildproposition，sir，“

saidBlakeneyplacidly。

Chauvelinlookedkeenlyonhim。Therewassomethinginthetoneofthatvoicethathedidnotaltogetherlike——somethingthatremindedhimofaneveningatCalais，andyetagainofadayatBoulogne。Hecouldnotreadtheexpressionintheeyes，sowithaquickgesturehepulledthelampforwardsothatitslightnowfellfullonthefaceoftheprisoner。

“Ah！thatiscertainlybetter，isitnot，mydearM。Chambertin？”

saidSirPercy，beamingonhisadversarywithapleasantsmile。

Hisface，thoughstillofthesameashenhue，lookedsereneifhopelesslywearied；theeyesseemedtomock。ButthisChauvelindecidedinhimselfmusthavebeenatrickofhisownoverwroughtfancy。Afterabriefmoment\'spauseheresumeddryly：

“If，however，theexpeditionturnsoutsuccessfulineveryway——iflittleCapet，withoutmuchtroubletoourescort，fallssafeandsoundintoourhands——ifcertaincontingencieswhichIamabouttotellyouallfalloutaswewish——then，SirPercy，IseenoreasonwhytheGovernmentofthiscountryshouldnotexerciseitsprerogativeofmercytowardsyouafterall。“

“Anexercise，mydearM。Chambertin，whichmusthaveweariedthroughfrequentrepetition，“retortedBlakeneywiththesameimperturbablesmile。

“Thecontingencyatpresentissomewhatremote；whenthetimecomeswe\'lltalkthismatterover……Iwillmakenopromise……

and，anyhow，wecandiscussitlater。“

“Atpresentwearebutwastingourvaluabletimeoversotriflingamatter……Ifyou\'llexcuseme，sir……Iamsodemmedfatigued——“

“Thenyouwillbegladtohaveeverythingsettledquickly，Iamsure。“

“Exactly，sir。“

Heronwastakingnopartillthepresentconversation。Heknewthathistemperwasnotlikelytoremainwithinbounds，andthoughhehadnothingbutcontemptforhiscolleague\'scourtlymanners，yetvaguelyinhisstupid，blunderingwayhegrudginglyadmittedthatmayhapitwasbettertoallowcitizenChauvelintodealwiththeEnglishman。Therewasalwaysthedangerthatifhisownviolenttempergotthebetterofhim，hemightevenatthiseleventhhourorderthisinsolentprisonertosummarytrialandtheguillotine，andthuslosethefinalchanceofthemoreimportantcapture。

Hewassprawlingonachairinhisusualslouchingmannerwithhisbigheadsunkbetweenhisbroadshoulders，hisshifty，prominenteyeswanderingrestlesslyfromthefaceofhiscolleaguetothatoftheotherman。

Butnowhegaveagruntofimpatience。

“Wearewastingtime，citizenChauvelin，“hemuttered。“Ihavestillagreatdealtoseetoifwearetostartatdawn。Getthed——dletterwritten，and——“

Therestofthephrasewaslostinanindistinctandsurlymurmur。

Chauvelin，afterashrugoftheshoulders，paidnofurtherheedtohim；heturned，blandandurbane，oncemoretotheprisoner。

“Iseewithpleasure，SirPercy，“hesaid，“thatwethoroughlyunderstandoneanother。Havinghadafewhours\'restyouwill，I

know，feelquitereadyfortheexpedition。Willyoukindlyindicatetomethedirectioninwhichwewillhavetotravel？”

“Northwardsalltheway。“

“Towardsthecoast？”

“Theplacetowhichwemustgoisaboutsevenleaguesfromthesea。“

“OurfirstobjectivethenwillbeBeauvais，Amiens，Abbeville，Crecy，andsoon？”

“Precisely。“

“AsfarastheforestofBoulogne，shallwesay？”

“Whereweshallcomeoffthebeatentrack，andyouwillhavetotrusttomyguidance。“

“Wemightgotherenow，SirPercy，andleaveyouhere。“

“Youmight。Butyouwouldnotthenfindthechild。Sevenleaguesisnotfarfromthecoast。Hemightslipthroughyourfingers。“

“AndmycolleagueHeron，beingdisappointed，wouldinevitablysendyoutotheguillotine。“

“Quiteso，“rejoinedtheprisonerplacidly。“Methought，sir，thatwe。haddecidedthatIshouldleadthislittleexpedition？

Surely，“headded，“itisnotsomuchtheDauphinwhomyouwantasmyshareinthisbetrayal。“

“Youarerightasusual，SirPercy。Thereforeletustakethatassettled。WegoasfarasCrecy，andthenceplaceourselvesentirelyinyourhands。“

“Thejourneyshouldnottakemorethanthreedays，sir。“

“DuringwhichyouwilltravelinacoachinthecompanyofmyfriendHeron。“

“Icouldhavechosenpleasantercompany，sir；still，itwillserve。“

“Thisbeingsettled，SirPercy。Iunderstandthatyoudesiretocommunicatewithoneofyourfollowers。“

“Someonemustlettheothersknow……thosewhohavetheDauphinintheircharge。“

“Quiteso。ThereforeIprayyouwritetooneofyourfriendsthatyouhavedecidedtodelivertheDauphinintoourhandsinexchangeforyourownsafety。“

“Yousaidjustnowthatthisyouwouldnotguarantee，“interposedBlakeneyquietly。

“Ifallturnsoutwell，“retortedChauvelinwithashowofcontempt，“andifyouwillwritetheexactletterwhichIshalldictate，wemightevengiveyouthatguarantee。“

“Thequalityofyourmercy，sir，passesbelief。“

“ThenIprayyouwrite。Whichofyourfollowerswillhavethehonourofthecommunication？”

“Mybrother-in-law，ArmandSt。Just；heisstillinParis，I

believe。Hecanlettheothersknow。“

Chauvelinmadenoimmediatereply。He\'pausedawhile，hesitating。

WouldSirPercyBlakeneybeready——ifhisownsafetydemandedit——tosacrificethemanwhohadbetrayedhim？Inthemomentous“either——or“thatwastobeputtohim，by-and-by，wouldhechoosehisownlifeandleaveArmandSt。Justtoperish？ItwasnotforChauvelin——oranymanofhisstamp——tojudgeofwhatBlakeneywoulddoundersuchcircumstances，andhaditbeenaquestionofSt。Justalone，mayhapChauvelinwouldhavehesitatedstillmoreatthepresentjuncture。

Butthefriendashostagewasonlydestinedtobeaminorleverageforthefinalbreaking-upoftheLeagueoftheScarletPimpernelthroughthedisgraceofitschief。Therewasthewife——MargueriteBlakeney——sisterofSt。Just，jointandfarmoreimportanthostage，whoseverycloseaffectionforherbrothermightproveanadditionaltrumpcardinthathandfulwhichChauvelinalreadyheld。

Blakeneypaidnoheedseeminglytotheother\'shesitation。Hedidnotevenlookupathim，butquietlydrewpenandpapertowardshim，andmadereadytowrite。

“Whatdoyouwishmetosay？”heaskedsimply。

“Willthatyoungblackguardansweryourpurpose，citizenChauvelin？”queriedHeronroughly。

Obviouslythesamedoubthadcrossedhismind。Chauvelinquicklyre-assuredhim。

“Betterthananyoneelse，“hesaidfirmly。“Willyouwriteatmydictation，SirPercy？

“Iamwaitingtodoso，mydearsir。“

“Beginyourletterasyouwish，then；nowcontinue。“

Andhebegantodictateslowly，watchingeverywordasitleftBlakeney\'spen。

“\'Icannotstandmypresentpositionanylonger。CitizenHeron，andalsoM。Chauvelin——，Yes，SirPercy，Chauvelin，notChambertin……C，H，A，U，V，E，L，I，N……Thatisquiteright——\'havemadethisprisonaperfecthellforme。\'“

SirPercylookedupfromhiswriting，smiling。

“Youwrongyourself，mydearM。Chambertin！”hesaid；“Ihavereallybeenmostcomfortable。“

“IwishtoplacethematterbeforeyourfriendsinasindulgentamannerasIcan，“retortedChauvelindryly。

“Ithankyou，sir。Prayproceed。“

“……aperfecthellforme，\'“resumedtheother。“Haveyouthat？……\'andIhavebeenforcedtogiveway。To-morrowwestartfromhereatdawn；andIwillguidecitizenHerontotheplacewherehecanfindtheDauphin。Buttheauthoritiesdemandthatoneofmyfollowers，onewhohasoncebeenamemberoftheLeagueoftheScarletPimpernel，shallaccompanymeonthisexpedition。I

thereforeaskyou\'——or\'desireyou\'or\'begyou\'——whicheveryouprefer，SirPercy……“

“\'Askyou\'willdoquitenicely。Thisisreallyveryinteresting，youknow。“

“……\'tobepreparedtojointheexpedition。Westartatdawn，andyouwouldberequiredtobeatthemaingateofthehouseofJusticeatsixo\'clockprecisely。Ihaveanassurancefromtheauthoritiesthatyourlifeshouldbein-violate，butifyourefusetoaccompanyme，theguillotinewillawaitmeonthemorrow。\'“

“\'Theguillotinewillawaitmeonthemorrow。\'Thatsoundsquitecheerful，doesitnot，M。Chambertin？”saidtheprisoner，whohadnotevincedtheslightestsurpriseatthewordingoftheletterwhilsthewroteattheother\'sdictation。“Doyouknow，Iquiteenjoyedwritingthisletter；itsoremindedmeofhappydaysinBoulogne。“

Chauvelinpressedhislipstogether。Trulynowhefeltthataretortfromhimwouldhavebeenundignified，moreespeciallyasjustatthismomenttherecamefromtheguardroomthesoundofmn\'svoicestalkingandlaughing，theoccasionalclangofsteel，orofaheavybootagainstthetiledfloor，therattlingofdice，orasuddenburstoflaughter——sounds，infact，thatbetokenedthepresenceofanumberofsoldierscloseby。

Chauvelincontentedhimselfwithanodinthedirectionoftheguard-room。

“Theconditionsaresomewhatdifferentnow，“hesaidplacidly，“fromthosethatreignedinBoulogne。Butwillyounotsignyourletter，SirPercy？”

“Withpleasure，sir，“respondedBlakeney，aswithanelaborateflourishofthepenheappendedhisnametothemissive。

Chauvelinwaswatchinghimwitheyesthatwouldhaveshamedalynxbytheirkeenness。Hetookupthecompletedletter，readitthroughverycarefully，asiftofindsomehiddenmeaningbehindtheverywordswhichhehimselfhaddictated；hestudiedthesignature，andlookedvainlyforamarkorasignthatmightconveyadifferentsensetothatwhichhehadintended。Finally，findingnone，hefoldedtheletterupwithhisownhand，andatonceslippeditinthepocketofhiscoat。

“Takecare，M。Chambertin，“saidBlakeneylightly；“itwillburnaholeinthatelegantvestofyours。“

“Itwillhavenotimetodothat，SirPercy，“retortedChauvelinblandly；“anyouwillfurnishmewithcitizenSt。Just\'spresentaddress，Iwillmyselfconveythelettertohimatonce。“

“Atthishourofthenight？PooroldArmand，he\'llbeabed。Buthisaddress，sir，isNo。32，RuedelaCroixBlanche，onthefirstfloor，thedooronyourrightasyoumountthestairs；youknowtheroomwell，citizenChauvelin；youhavebeeninitbefore。Andnow，“headdedwithaloudandostentatiousyawn，“shallwealltobed？Westartatdawn，yousaid，andIamsod——dfatigued。“

Frankly，hedidnotlookitnow。Chauvelinhimself，despitehismaturedplans，despitealltheprecautionsthatbemeanttotakeforthesuccessofthisgiganticscheme，feltasuddenstrangesenseoffearcreepingintohisbones。Halfanhouragohehadseenamaninwhatlookedlikethelaststageofutterphysicalexhaustion，ahunchedupfigure，listlessandlimp，handsthattwitchednervously，thefaceasofadyingman。Nowthoseoutwardsymptomswerestilltherecertainly；thefacebythelightofthelampstilllookedlivid，thelipsbloodless，thehandsemaciatedandwaxen，buttheeyes！——theywerestillhollow，withheavylidsstillpurple，butintheirdepthstherewasacurious，mysteriouslight，alookthatseemedtoseesomethingthatwashiddentonaturalsight。

CitizenChauvelinthoughtthatHeron，too，mustbeconsciousofthis，buttheCommittee\'sagentwassprawlingonachair，suckingashort-stemmedpipe，andgazingwithentireanimalsatisfactionontheprisoner。

“Themostperfectpieceofworkwehaveeveraccomplished，youandI，citizenChauvelin，“hesaidcomplacently。

“Youthinkthateverythingisquitesatisfactory？”askedtheotherwithanxiousstressonhiswords。

“Everything，ofcourse。Nowyouseetotheletter。Iwillgivefinalordersforto-morrow，butIshallsleepintheguard-room。“

“AndIonthatinvitingbed，“interposedtheprisonerlightly，asherosetohisfeet。“Yourservant，citizens！”

Hebowedhisheadslightly，andstoodbythetablewhilstthetwomenpreparedtogo。Chauvelintookafinallonglookatthemanwhomhefirmlybelievedhehadatlastbroughtdowntoabjectdisgrace。

Blakeneywasstandingerect，watchingthetworetreatingfigures——

oneslenderhandwasonthetable。Chauvelinsawthatitwasleaningratherheavily，asifforsupport，andthatevenwhilstafinalmockinglaughspedhimandhiscolleagueontheirway，thetallfigureoftheconqueredlionswayedlikeastalwartoakthatisforcedtobendtothemightyfuryofanall-compellingwind。

WithasighofcontentChauvelintookhiscolleaguebythearm，andtogetherthetwomenwalkedoutofthecell。

CHAPTERXXXIX

KILLHIM！

TwohoursaftermidnightArmandSt。Justwaswakenedfromsleepbyaperemptorypullathishell。InthesedaysinParisbutonemeaningcouldasarulebeattachedtosuchasummonsatthishourofthenight，andArmand，thoughpossessedofanunconditionalcertificateofsafety，satupinbed，quiteconvincedthatforsomereasonwhichwouldpresentlybeexplainedtohimhehadoncemorebeenplacedonthelistofthe“suspect，“andthathistrialandcondemnationonatrumped-upchargewouldfollowinduecourse。

Truthtotell，hefeltnofearattheprospect，andonlyaverylittlesorrow。Thesorrowwasnotforhimself；heregrettedneitherlifenorhappiness。Lifehadbecomehatefultohimsincehappinesshadfledwithitonthedarkwingsofdishonour；sorrowsuchashefeltwasonlyforJeanne！Shewasveryyoung，andwouldweepbittertears。Shewouldbeunhappy，becauseshetrulylovedhim，andbecausethiswouldbethefirstcupofbitternesswhichlifewasholdingouttoher。Butshewasveryyoung，andsorrowwouldnotbeeternal。Itwasbetterso。He，ArmandSt。

Just，thoughhelovedherwithanintensityofpassionthathadbeenmagnifiedandstrengthenedbyhisownoverwhelmingshame，hadneverreallybroughthisbelovedonesinglemomentofunalloyedhappiness。

FromtheveryfirstdaywhenhesatbesideherinthetinyboudoiroftheSquareduRoule，andtheheavyfootfallofHeronandhisbloodhoundsbrokeinontheirfirstkiss，downtothishourwhichhebelievedstruckhisowndeath-knell，hisloveforherhadbroughtmoretearstoherdeareyesthansmilestoherexquisitemouth。

Herhehadlovedsodearly，thatforhersweetsakehehadsacrificedhonour，friendshipandtruth；tofreeher，ashebelieved，fromthehandsofimpiousbruteshehaddoneadeedthatcriedCain-likeforvengeancetotheverythroneofGod。Forherhehadsinned，andbecauseofthatsin，evenbeforeitwascommitted，theirlovehadbeenblighted，andhappinesshadneverbeentheirs。

Nowitwasallover。Hewouldpassoutofherlife，upthestepsofthescaffold，tastingashemountedthemthemostentirehappinessthathehadknownsincethatawfuldaywhenhebecameaJudas。

Theperemptorysummons，oncemorerepeated，rousedhimfromhismeditations。Helitacandle，andwithouttroublingtoslipanyofhisclotheson，hecrossedthenarrowante-chamber，andopenedthedoorthatgaveonthelanding。

“Inthenameofthepeople！”

Hehadexpectedtohearnotonlythosewords，butalsothegroundingofarmsandthebriefcommandtohalt。HehadexpectedtoseebeforehimthewhitefacingsoftheuniformoftheGardedeParis，andtofeelhimselfroughlypushedbackintohislodgingpreparatorytothesearchbeingmadeofallhiseffectsandtheplacingofironsonhiswrists。

Insteadofthis，itwasaquiet，dryvoicethatsaidwithoutundueharshness：

“Inthenameofthepeople！”

Andinsteadoftheuniforms，thebayonetsandthescarletcapswithtricolourcockades，hewasconfrontedbyaslight，sable-cladfigure，whoseface，litbytheflickeringlightofthetallowcandle，lookedstrangelypaleandearnest。

“CitizenChauvelin！”gaspedArmand，moresurprisedthanfrightenedatthisunexpectedapparition。

“Himself，citizen，atyourservice，“repliedChauvelinwithhisquiet，ironicalmanner。“IamthebearerofaletterforyoufromSirPercyBlakeney。HaveIyourpermissiontoenter？”

MechanicallyArmandstoodaside，allowingtheothermantopassin。Heclosedthedoorbehindhisnocturnalvisitor，then，taperinhand，heprecededhimintotheinnerroom。

Itwasthesameoneinwhichafortnightagoafightinglionhadbeenbroughttohisknees。Nowitlaywrappedingloom，thefeeblelightofthecandleonlylightingArmand\'sfaceandthewhitefrillofhisshirt。Theyoungmanputthetaperdownonthetableandturnedtohisvisitor。

“ShallIlightthelamp？”heasked。

“Quiteunnecessary，“repliedChauvelincurtly。“Ihaveonlyalettertodeliver，andafterthattoaskyouonebriefquestion。“

FromthepocketofhiscoathedrewtheletterwhichBlakeneyhadwrittenanhourago。

“Theprisonerwrotethisinmypresence，“hesaidashehandedtheletterovertoArmand。“Willyoureadit？”

Armandtookitfromhim，andsatdownclosetothetable；leaningforwardheheldthepapernearthelight，andbegantoread。Hereadtheletterthroughveryslowlytotheend，thenonceagainfromthebeginning。HewastryingtodothatwhichChauvelinhadwishedtodoanhourago；hewastryingtofindtheinnermeaningwhichhefeltmustinevitablyliebehindthesewordswhichPercyhadwrittenwithhisownhand。

ThatthesebarewordswerebutablindtodeceivetheenemyArmandneverdoubtedforamoment。InthishewasasloyalasMargueritewouldhavebeenherself。NeverforamomentdidthesuspicioncrosshismindthatBlakeneywasabouttoplaythepartofacoward，buthe，Armand，feltthatasafaithfulfriendandfollowerheoughtbyinstincttoknowexactlywhathischiefintended，whathemeanthimtodo。

Swiftlyhisthoughtsflewbacktothatotherletter，theonewhichMargueritehadgivenhim——theletterfullofpityandoffriendshipwhichhadbroughthimhopeandajoyandpeacewhichhehadthoughtatonetimethathewouldneverknowagain。Andsuddenlyonesentenceinthatletterstoodoutsoclearlybeforehiseyesthatitblurredtheactual，tangibleonesonthepaperwhichevennowrustledinhishand。

Butifatanytimeyoureceiveanotherletterfromme——beitscontentswhattheymay——actinaccordancewiththeletter，butsendacopyofitatoncetoFfoulkesortoMarguerite。

Noweverythingseemedatoncequiteclear；hisduty，hisnextactions，everywordthathewouldspeaktoChauvelin。ThosethatPercyhadwrittentohimwerealreadyindeliblygravenonhismemory。

Chauvelinhadwaitedwithhisusualpatience，silentandimperturbable，whiletheyoungmanread。NowwhenhesawthatArmandhadfinished，hesaidquietly：

“Justonequestion，citizen，andIneednotdetainyoulonger。

Butfirstwillyoukindlygivemebackthatletter？Itisapreciousdocumentwhichwillforeverremaininthearchivesofthenation。“

ButevenwhilehespokeArmand，withoneofthosequickintuitionsthatcomeinmomentsofacutecrisis，haddonejustthatwhichhefeltBlakeneywouldwishhimtodo。Hehadheldtheletterclosetothecandle。Acornerofthethincrisppaperimmediatelycaughtfire，andbeforeChauvelincouldutterawordofanger，ormakeamovementtopreventtheconflagration，theflameshadlickedupfullyonehalfoftheletter，andArmandhadonlyjusttimetothrowtheremainderonthefloorandtostampouttheblazewithhisfoot。

“Iamsorry，citizen，“hesaidcalmly；“anaccident。“

“Auselessactofdevotion，“interposedChauvelin，whoalreadyhadsmotheredtheoaththathadrisentohislips。TheScarletPimpernel\'sactionsinthepresentmatterwillnotlosetheirmeritedpublicitythroughthefoolishdestructionofthisdocument。“

“Ihadnothought，citizen，“retortedtheyoungman，“ofcommentingontheactionsofmychief，oroftryingtodenythemthatpublicitywhichyouseemtodesireforthemalmostasmuchasIdo。“

“More，citizen，agreatdealmore！TheimpeccableScarletPimpernel，thenobleandgallantEnglishgentleman，hasagreedtodeliverintoourhandstheuncrownedKingofFrance——inexchangeforhisownlifeandfreedom。Methinksthatevenhisworstenemywouldnotwishforabetterendingtoacareerofadventure，andareputationforbraveryunequalledinEurope。Butnomoreofthis，timeispressing，ImusthelpcitizenHeronwithhisfinalpreparationsforhisjourney。You，ofcourse，citizenSt。Just，willactinaccordancewithSirPercyBlakeney\'swishes？”

“Ofcourse，“repliedArmand。

“YouwillpresentyourselfatthemainentranceofthehouseofJusticeatsixo\'clockthismorning。“

“Iwillnotfailyou。“

“Acoachwillbeprovidedforyou。Youwillfollowtheexpeditionashostageforthegoodfaithofyourchief。“

“Iquiteunderstand。“

“H\'m！That\'sbrave！Youhavenofear，citizenSt。Just？”

“Fearofwhat，sir？

“Youwillbeahostageinourhands，citizen；yourlifeaguaranteethatyourchiefhasnothoughtofplayingusfalse。NowIwasthinkingof——ofcertainevents——whichledtothearrestofSirPercyBlakeney。“

“Ofmytreachery，youmean，“rejoinedtheyoungmancalmly，eventhoughhisfacehadsuddenlybecomepaleasdeath。“Ofthedamnableliewherewithyoucheatedmeintosellingmyhonour，andmademewhatIam——acreaturescarcefittowalkuponthisearth。“

“Oh！”protestedChauvelinblandly。

“Thedamnablelie，“continuedArmandmorevehemently，“thathathmademeonewithCainandtheIscariot。Whenyougoadedmeintothehellishact，JeanneLangewasalreadyfree。“

“Free——butnotsafe。“

“Alie，man！Alie！Forwhichyouarethriceaccursed。GreatGod，isitnotyouthatshouldhavecauseforfear？MethinkswereItostrangleyounowIshouldsufferlessofremorse。“

“Andwouldberenderingyourex-chiefbutasorryservice，“

interposedChauvelinwithquietirony。“SirPercyBlakeneyisadyingman，citizenSt。Just；he\'llbeadeadmanatdawnifIdonotputinanappearancebysixo\'clockthismorning。ThisisaprivateunderstandingbetweencitizenHeronandmyself。WeagreedtoitbeforeIcametoseeyou。“

“Oh，youtakecareofyourownmiserableskinwellenough！Butyouneednotbeafraidofme——Itakemyordersfrommychief，andhehasnotorderedmetokillyou。“

“Thatwaskindofhim。Thenwemaycountonyou？Youarenotafraid？”

“AfraidthattheScarletPimpernelwouldleavemeinthelurchbecauseoftheimmeasurablewrongIhavedonetohim？”retortedArmand，proudanddefiantinthenameofhischief。“No，sir，I

amnotafraidofthat；IhavespentthelastfortnightinprayingtoGodthatmylifemightyetbegivenforhis。“

“H\'m！Ithinkitmostunlikelythatyourprayerswillbegranted，citizen；prayers，Iimagine，soveryseldomare；butIdon\'tknow，Ineverpraymyself。Inyourcase，now，IshouldsaythatyouhavenottheslightestchanceoftheDeityinterferinginsopleasantamanner。EvenwereSirPercyBlakeneypreparedtowreakpersonalrevengeonyou，hewouldscarcelybesofoolishastorisktheotherlifewhichweshallalsoholdashostageforhisgoodfaith。“

“Theotherlife？”

“Yes。Yoursister，LadyBlakeney，willalsojointheexpeditionto-morrow。ThisSirPercydoesnotyetknow；butitwillcomeasapleasantsurpriseforhim。AttheslightestsuspicionoffalseplayonSirPercy\'spart，athisslightestattemptatescape，yourlifeandthatofyoursisterareforfeit；youwillbothbesummarilyshotbeforehiseyes。IdonotthinkthatIneedbemoreprecise，eh，citizenSt。Just？”

Theyoungmanwasquiveringwithpassion。Aterribleloathingforhimself，forhiscrimewhichhadbeentheprecursorofthisterriblesituation，filledhissoultothevergeofsheerphysicalnausea。Aredfilmgatheredbeforehiseyes，andthroughithesawthegrinningfaceoftheinhumanmonsterwhohadplannedthishideous，abominablething。Itseemedtohimasifinthesilenceandthehushofthenight，abovethefeeble，flickeringflamethatthrewweirdshadowsaround，agroupofdevilsweresurroundinghim，andwereshouting，“Killhim！Killhimnow！Ridtheearthofthishellishbrute！”

NodoubtifChauvelinhadexhibitedtheslightestsignoffear，ifhehadmovedaninchtowardsthedoor，Armand，blindwithpassion，driventomadnessbyagonisingremorsemoreeventhanbyrage，wouldhavesprungathisenemy\'sthroatandcrushedthelifeoutofhimashewouldoutofavenomousbeast。Buttheman\'scalm，hisimmobility，recalledSt。Justtohimself。Reason，thathadalmostyieldedtopassionagain，foundstrengthtodrivetheenemybackthistime，towhisperawarning，anadmonition，evenareminder。Enoughharm，Godknows，hadbeendonebytempestuouspassionalready。AndGodaloneknewwhatterribleconsequencesitstriumphnowmightbringinitstrial，andstrikingonArmand\'sbuzzingearsChauvelin\'swordscamebackasatriumphantandmockingecho：

“He\'llbeadeadmanatdawnifIdonotputinanappearancebysixo\'clock。“

Theredfilmlifted，thecandleflickeredlow，thedevilsvanished，onlythepalefaceoftheTerroristgazedwithgentleironyoutofthegloom。

“IthinkthatIneednotdetainyouanylonger，citizen，St。

Just，“hesaidquietly；“youcangetthreeorfourhours\'restyetbeforeyouneedmakeastart，andIstillhaveagreatmanythingstoseeto。Iwishyougood-night，citizen。“

“Good-night，“murmuredArmandmechanically。

Hetookthecandleandescortedhisvisitorbacktothedoor。Hewaitedonthelanding，taperinhand，whileChauvelindescendedthenarrow，windingstairs。

Therewasalightintheconcierge\'slodge。Nodoubtthewomanhadstruckitwhenthenocturnalvisitorhadfirstdemandedadmittance。Hisnameandtricolourscarfofofficehadensuredhimthefullmeasureofherattention，andnowshewasevidentlysittingupwaitingtolethimout。

St。Just，satisfiedthatChauvelinhadfinallygone，nowturnedbacktohisownrooms。

CHAPTERXL

GODHELPUSALL

Hecarefullylockedtheouterdoor。Thenhelitthelamp，forthecandlegavebutaflickeringlight，andhehadsomeimportantworktodo。

Firstly，hepickedupthecharredfragmentoftheletter，andsmootheditoutcarefullyandreverentlyashewouldarelic。

Tearshadgatheredinhiseyes，buthewasnotashamedofthem，fornoonesawthem；buttheyeasedhisheart，andhelpedtostrengthenhisresolve。Itwasamerefragmentthathadbeensparedbytheflame，butArmandkneweverywordoftheletterbyheart。

Hehadpen，inkandpaperreadytohisband，andfrommemorywroteoutacopyofit。TothisheaddedacoveringletterfromhimselftoMarguerite：

This——whichIhadfromPercythroughthehandsofChauvelin——I

neitherquestionnorunderstand……Hewrotetheletter，andI

havenothoughtbuttoobey。Inhispreviouslettertomeheenjoinedme，ifeverhewrotetomeagain，toobeyhimimplicitly，andtocommunicatewithyou。ToboththesecommandsdoIsubmitwithagladheart。ButofthismustIgiveyouwarning，littlemother——Chauvelindesiresyoualsotoaccompanyusto-morrow……

Percydoesnotknowthisyet，elsehewouldneverstart。Butthosefiendsfearthathisreadinessisablind……andthathehassomeplaninhisheadforhisownescapeandthecontinuedsafetyoftheDauphin……Thisplantheyhopetofrustratethroughholdingyouandmeashostagesforhisgoodfaith。GodonlyknowshowgladlyIwouldgivemylifeformychief……butyourlife，dearlittlemother……issacredaboveall……IthinkthatIdorightinwarningyou。Godhelpusall。

Havingwrittentheletter，hesealedit，togetherwiththecopyofPercy\'sletterwhichhehadmade。Thenhetookupthecandleandwentdownstairs。

Therewasnolongeranylightintheconcierge\'slodge，andArmandhadsomedifficultyinmakinghimselfheard。Atlastthewomancametothedoor。Shewastiredandcrossaftertwointerruptionsofhernight\'srest，butshehadapartialityforheryounglodger，whosepleasantwaysandeasyliberalityhadbeenlikeapalerayofsunshinethroughthesqualorofevery-daymisery。

“Itisaletter，citoyenne，“saidArmand，withearnestentreaty，“formysister。ShelivesintheRuedeCharonne，nearthefortifications，andmusthaveitwithinanhour；itisamatteroflifeanddeathtoher，tome，andtoanotherwhoisverydeartousboth。“

Theconciergethrewupherhandsinhorror。

“RuedeCharonne，nearthefortifications，“sheexclaimed，“andwithinanhour！BytheHolyVirgin，citizen，thatisimpossible。

Whowilltakeit？Thereisnoway。“

“Awaymustbefound，citoyenne，“saidArmandfirmly，“andatonce；itisnotfar，andtherearefivegoldenlouiswaitingforthemessenger！”

Fivegoldenlouis！Thepoor，hardworkingwoman\'seyesgleamedatthethought。Fivelouismeantfoodforatleasttwomonthsifonewascareful，and——

“Givemetheletter，citizen，“shesaid，“timetosliponawarmpetticoatandashawl，andI\'llgomyself。It\'snotfitfortheboytogoatthishour。“

“Youwillbringmebackalinefrommysisterinreplytothis，“

saidArmand，whomcircumstanceshadatlastrenderedcautious。

“BringituptomyroomsthatImaygiveyouthefivelouisinexchange。“

Hewaitedwhilethewomanslippedbackintoherroom。Sheheardhimspeakingtoherboy；thesameladwhoafortnightagohadtakenthetreacherousletterwhichhadluredBlakeneytothehouseintothefatalambuscadethathadbeenpreparedforhim。

EverythingremindedArmandofthatawfulnight，everyhourthathehadsincespentinthehousehadbeenrackingtorturetohim。Nowatlasthewastoleaveit，andonanerrandwhichmighthelptoeasetheloadofremorsefromhisheart。

Thewomanwassoonready。Armandgaveherfinaldirectionsastohowtofindthehouse；thenshetooktheletterandpromisedtobeveryquick，andtobringbackareplyfromthelady。

Armandaccompaniedhertothedoor。Thenightwasdark，athindrizzlewasfalling；hestoodandwatcheduntilthewoman\'srapidlywalkingfigurewaslostinthemistygloom。

Thenwithaheavysighheoncemorewentwithin。

CHAPTERXLI

WHENHOPEWASDEAD

InasmallupstairsroomintheRuedeCharonne，abovetheshopofLucastheold-clothesdealer，MargueritesatwithSirAndrewFfoulkes。Armand\'sletter，withitsmessageanditswarning，layopenonthetablebetweenthem，andshehadinherhandthesealedpacketwhichPercyhadgivenherjusttendaysago，andwhichshewasonlytoopenifallhopeseemedtobedead，ifnothingappearedtostandanylongerbetweenthatonedearlifeandirretrievableshame。

Asmalllampplacedonthetablethrewafeebleyellowlightonthesqualid，ill-furnishedroom，foritlackedstillanhourorsobeforedawn。Armand\'sconciergehadbroughtherlodger\'sletter，andMargueritehadquicklydespatchedabriefreplytohim，areplythatheldloveandalsoencouragement。

ThenshehadsummonedSirAndrew。Heneverhadathoughtofleavingherduringthesedaysofdiretrouble，andhehadlodgedallthiswhileinatinyroomonthetop-mostfloorofthishouseintheRuedeCharonne。

Athercallhehadcomedownveryquickly，andnowtheysattogetheratthetable，withtheoil-lampilluminingtheirpale，anxiousfaces；shethewifeandhethefriendholdingaconsultationtogetherinthismostmiserablehourthatprecededthecoldwintrydawn。

Outsideathin，persistentrainmixedwithsnowpatteredagainstthesmallwindowpanes，andanicywindfoundoutallthecrevicesintheworm-eatenwoodworkthatwouldafforditingresstotheroom。ButneitherMargueritenorFfoulkeswasconsciousofthecold。Theyhadwrappedtheircloaksroundtheirshoulders，anddidnotfeelthechillcurrentsofairthatcausedthelamptoflickerandtosmoke。

“Icanseenow，“saidMargueriteinthatcalmvoicewhichcomessonaturallyinmomentsofinfinitedespair——“IcanseenowexactlywhatPercymeantwhenhemademepromisenottoopenthispacketuntilitseemedtome——tomeandtoyou，SirAndrew——thathewasabouttoplaythepartofacoward。Acoward！GreatGod！”Shecheckedthesobthathadrisentoherthroat，andcontinuedinthesamecalmmannerandquiet，evenvoice：

“Youdothinkwithme，doyounot，thatthetimehascome，andthatwemustopenthispacket？”

“Withoutadoubt，LadyBlakeney，“repliedFfoulkeswithequalearnestness。“IwouldstakemylifethatalreadyafortnightagoBlakeneyhadthatsameplaninhismindwhichhehasnowmatured。

EscapefromthatawfulConciergerieprisonwithalltheprecautionssocarefullytakenagainstitwasimpossible。Iknewthatalas！fromthefirst。Butintheopenallmightyetbedifferent。I\'llnotbelieveitthatamanlikeBlakeneyisdestinedtoperishatthehandsofthosecurs。“

Shelookedonherloyalfriendwithtear-dimmedeyesthroughwhichshoneboundlessgratitudeandheart-brokensorrow。

Hehadspokenofafortnight！ItwastendayssinceshehadseenPercy。Ithadthenseemedasifdeathhadalreadymarkedhimwithitsgrimsign。Sincethenshehadtriedtoshutawayfromhermindtheterriblevisionswhichheranguishconstantlyconjuredupbeforeherofhisgrowingweakness，ofthegradualimpairingofthatbrilliantintellect，thegradualexhaustionofthatmightyphysicalstrength。

“Godblessyou，SirAndrew，foryourenthusiasmandforyourtrust，“shesaidwithasadlittlesmile；“butforyouIshouldlongagohavelostallcourage，andtheselasttendays——whatacycleofmiserytheyrepresent——wouldhavebeenmaddeningbutforyourhelpandyourloyalty。GodknowsIwouldhavecourageforeverythinginlife，foreverythingsaveone，butjustthat，hisdeath；thatwouldbebeyondmystrength——neitherreasonnorbodycouldstandit。Therefore，Iamsoafraid，SirAndrew，“sheaddedpiteously。

“Ofwhat，LadyBlakeney？”

“ThatwhenheknowsthatItooamtogoashostage，asArmandsaysinhisletter，thatmylifeistobeguaranteehis，Iamafraidthathewilldrawback——thathewill——myGod！”shecriedwithsuddenfervour，“tellmewhattodo！”

“Shallweopenthepacket？”askedFfoulkesgently，“andthenjustmakeupourmindstoactexactlyasBlakeneyhasenjoinedustodo，neithermorenorless，butjustwordforword，deedfordeed，andIbelievethatthatwillberight——whatevermaybetide——intheend。“

Oncemorehisquietstrength，hisearnestnessandhisfaithcomfortedher。Shedriedhereyesandbrokeopentheseal。Thereweretwoseparatelettersinthepacket，oneunaddressed，obviouslyintendedforherandFfoulkes，theotherwasaddressedtoM。lebaronJeandeBatz，15，RueSt。JeandeLatranaParis。

“AletteraddressedtothatawfulBarondeBatz，“saidMarguerite，lookingwithpuzzledeyesonthepaperassheturneditoverandoverinherhand，“tothatbombasticwindbag！Iknowhimandhiswayswell！WhatcanPercyhavetosaytohim？”

SirAndrewtoolookedpuzzled。Butneitherofthemhadthemindtowastetimeinuselessspeculations。Margueriteunfoldedtheletterwhichwasintendedforher，andafterafinallookonherfriend，whosekindfacewasquiveringwithexcitement，shebeganslowlytoreadaloud：

Ineednotaskeitherofyoutwototrustme，knowingthatyouwill。ButIcouldnotdieinsidethisholelikearatinatrap——Ihadtotryandfreemyself，attheworsttodieintheopenbeneathGod\'ssky。Youtwowillunderstand，andunderstandingyouwilltrustmetotheend。Sendtheenclosedletteratoncetoitsaddress。Andyou，Ffoulkes，mymostsincereandmostloyalfriend，IbegwithallmysoultoseetothesafetyofMarguerite。Armandwillstaybyme——butyou，Ffoulkes，donotleaveher，standbyher。Assoonasyoureadthisletter——andyouwillnotreadituntilbothsheandyouhavefeltthathopehasfledandImyselfamabouttothrowupthesponge——tryandpersuadehertomakeforthecoastasquicklyasmaybe……AtCalaisyoucanopenupcommunicationswiththeDay-Dreamintheusualway，andembarkonheratonce。LetnomemberoftheLeagueremainonFrenchsoilonehourlongerafterthat。ThentelltheskippertomakeforLePortal——theplacewhichheknows——andtheretokeepasharpoutlookforanotherthreenights。Afterthatmakestraightforhome，foritwillhenousewaitinganylonger。I

shallnotcome。ThesemeasuresareforMarguerite\'ssafety，andforyouallwhoareinFranceatthismoment。Comrade，Ientreatyoutolookonthesemeasuresasonmydyingwish。TodeBatzI

havegivenrendezvousattheChapelleoftheHolySepulchre，justoutsidetheparkoftheChateaud\'Ourde。HewillhelpmetosavetheDauphin，andifbygoodluckhealsohelpsmetosavemyselfI

shallbewithinsevenleaguesofLePortal，andwiththeLianefrozenassheisIcouldreachthecoast。

ButMarguerite\'ssafetyIleaveinyourhands，Ffoulkes。WouldthatIcouldlookmoreclearlyintothefuture，andknowthatthosedevilswillnotdragherintodanger。BeghertostartatonceforCalaisimmediatelyyouhavebothreadthis。Ionlybeg，Idonotcommand。Iknowthatyou，Ffoulkes，willstandbyherwhatevershemaywishtodo。God\'sblessingbeforeveronyouboth。

Marguerite\'svoicediedawayinthesilencethatstilllayoverthisdesertedpartofthegreatcityandinthissqualidhousewheresheandSirAndrewFfoulkeshadfoundsheltertheselasttendays。Theagonyofmindwhichtheyhadhereendured，neverdoubting，butscarcelyeverhoping，hadfounditsculminationatlastinthisfinalmessage，whichalmostseemedtocometothemfromthegrave。

Ithadbeenwrittentendaysago。AplanhadthenapparentlyformedinPercy\'smindwhichhehadsetforthduringthebriefhalf-hour\'srespitewhichthosefiendshadoncegivenhim。Sincethentheyhadnevergivenhimtenconsecutiveminutes\'peace；

sincethentendayshadgonebyhowmuchpower，howmuchvitalityhadgonebytooontheleadenwingsofallthoseterriblehoursspentinsolitudeandinmisery？

“Wecanbuthope，LadyBlakeney，“saidSirAndrewFfoulkesafterawhile，“thatyouwillbeallowedoutofParis；butfromwhatArmandsays——“

“AndPercydoesnotactuallysendmeaway，“sherejoinedwithapatheticlittlesmile。

“No。Hecannotcompelyou，LadyBlakeney。YouarenotamemberoftheLeague。“

“Oh，yes，Iam！”sheretortedfirmly；“andIhaveswornobedience，justasallofyouhavedone。Iwillgo，justashebidsme。andyou，SirAndrew，youwillobeyhimtoo？”

“Myordersaretostandbyyou。Thatisaneasytask。“

“Youknowwherethisplaceis？”sheasked——“theChateaud\'Ourde？”

“Oh，yes，weallknowit！Itisempty，andtheparkisawreck；

theownerfledfromitattheveryoutbreakoftherevolution；heleftsomekindofstewardnominallyincharge，acuriouscreature，halfimbecile；thechateauandthechapelintheforestjustoutsidethegroundshaveoftservedBlakeneyandallofusasaplaceofrefugeonourwaytothecoast。“

“ButtheDauphinisnotthere？”shesaid。

“No。AccordingtothefirstletterwhichyoubroughtmefromBlakeneytendaysago，andonwhichIacted，Tony，whohaschargeoftheDauphin，musthavecrossedintoHollandwithhislittleMajestyto-day。“

“Iunderstand，“shesaidsimply。“Butthen——thislettertodeBatz？”

“Ah，thereIamcompletelyatsea！ButI\'lldeliverit，andatoncetoo，onlyIdon\'tliketoleaveyou。WillyouletmegetyououtofParisfirst？Ithinkjustbeforedawnitcouldbedone。

WecangetthecartfromLucas，andifwecouldreachSt。Germainbeforenoon，IcouldcomestraightbackthenanddeliverthelettertodeBatz。This，Ifeel，Ioughttodomyself；hutatAchard\'sfarmIwouldknowthatyouweresafeforafewhours。“

“Iwilldowhateveryouthinkright，SirAndrew，“shesaidsimply；

“mywillisboundupwithPercy\'sdyingwish。GodknowsIwouldratherfollowhimnow，stepbystep，——ashostage，asprisoner——anywaysolongasIcanseehim，but——“

Sheroseandturnedtogo，almostimpassivenowinthatgreatcalmbornofdespair。

Astrangerseeinghernowhadthoughtherindifferent。Shewasverypale，anddeepcirclesroundhereyestoldofsleeplessnightsanddaysofmentalmisery，butotherwisetherewasnotthefaintestoutwardsymptomofthatterribleanguishwhichwasrendingherheartstrings。Herlipsdidnotquiver，andthesourceofhertearshadbeendrieduptendaysago。

“TenminutesandI\'llbeready，SirAndrew，“shesaid。“Ihavebutfewbelongings。WillyouthewhileseeLucasaboutthecart？”

Hedidasshedesired。Hercalminnowaydeceivedhim；heknewthatshemustbesufferingkeenly，andwouldsuffermorekeenlystillwhileshewouldbetryingtoeffaceherownpersonalfeelingsallthroughthatcomingdrearyjourneytoCalais。

Hewenttoseethelandlordaboutthehorseandcart，andaquarterofanhourlaterMargueritecamedownstairsreadytostart。ShefoundSirAndrewincloseconversewithanofficeroftheGardedeParis，whilsttwosoldiersofthesameregimentwerestandingatthehorse\'shead。

WhensheappearedinthedoorwaySirAndrewcameatonceuptoher。

“ItisjustasIfeared，LadyBlakeney，“hesaid；“thismanhasbeensentheretotakechargeofyou。Ofcourse，heknowsnothingbeyondthefactthathisordersaretoconveyyouatoncetotheguard-houseoftheRueSte。Anne，whereheistohandyouovertocitizenChauvelinoftheCommitteeofPublicSafety。“

SirAndrewcouldnotfailtoseethelookofintensereliefwhich，inthemidstofallhersorrow，seemedsuddenlytohavelightedupthewholeofMarguerite\'swanface。ThethoughtofwendingherownwaytosafetywhilstPercy，mayhap，wasfightinganunevenfightwithdeathhadbeenwell-nighintolerable；butshehadbeenreadytookeywithoutamurmur。NowFateandtheenemyhimselfhaddecidedotherwise。Shefeltasifaloadhadbeenliftedfromherheart。

“IwillatoncegoandfinddeBatz，“SirAndrewcontrivedtowhisperhurriedly。“AssoonasPercy\'sletterissafelyinhishandsIwillmakemywaynorthwardsandcommunicatewithallthemembersoftheLeague，onwhomthechiefhassostrictlyenjoinedtoquitFrenchsoilimmediately。WewillproceedtoCalaisfirstandopenupcommunicationwiththeDay-Dreamintheusualway。

Theothershadbestembarkonboardher，andtheskippershallthenmakefortheknownspotofLePortel，ofwhichPercyspeaksinhisletter。ImyselfwillgobylandtoLePortel，andthence，ifIhavenonewsofyouoroftheexpedition，IwillslowlyworksouthwardsinthedirectionoftheChateaud\'Ourde。ThatisallthatIcando。IfyoucancontrivetoletPercyorevenArmandknowmymovements，dosobyallmeans。IknowthatIshallbedoingright，for，inaway，Ishallbewatchingoveryouandarrangingforyoursafety，asBlakeneybeggedmetodo。Godblessyou，LadyBlakeney，andGodsavetheScarletPimpernel！”

Hestoopedandkissedherhand，andsheintimatedtotheofficerthatshewasready。Hehadahackneycoachwaitingforherlowerdownthestreet。Toitshewalkedwithafirmstep，andassheentereditshewavedalastfarewelltoSirAndrewFfoulkes。