Armandbelievedthatadirectmessagehadcometohimfromheaventosavehisbeloved。
Thereforeheforgothispromise——hisoath；heforgotthoseverythingswhichtheleaderhadentreatedhimtoremember——hisdutytotheothers，hisloyalty，hisobedience。Jeannehadfirstclaimonhim。Itweretheactofacowardtoremaininsafetywhilstshewasinsuchdeadlydanger。
NowheblamedhimselfseverelyforhavingquittedParis。EvenPercymusthavethoughthimacowardforobeyingquitesoreadily。
Maybethecommandhadbeenbutatestofhiscourage，ofthestrengthofhisloveforJeanne。
Ahundredconjecturesflashedthroughhisbrain；ahundredplanspresentedthemselvestohismind。ItwasnotforPercy，whodidnotknowher，tosaveJeanneortoguardher。ThattaskwasArmand\'s，whoworshippedher，andwhowouldgladlydiebesideherifhefailedtorescueherfromthreateneddeath。
Resolutionwasnotslowincoming。Atowerclockinsidethecitystruckthehourofsix，andstillnosignofPercy。
Armand，hiscertificateofsafetyinhishand，walkedboldlyuptothegate。
Theguardchallengedhim，buthepresentedthecertificate。Therewasanagonisingmomentwhenthecardwastakenfromhim，andhewasdetainedintheguard-roomwhileitwasbeingexaminedbythesergeantincommand。
Butthecertificatewasingoodorder，andArmand，coveredincoal-dust，withtheperspirationstreamingdownhisface，didcertainlynotlooklikeanaristocratindisguise。Itwasneververydifficulttoenterthegreatcity；ifonewishedtoputone\'sheadinthelion\'smouth，onewaswelcometodoso；thedifficultycamewhenthelionthoughtfittoclosehisjaws。
Armand，afterfiveminutesoftenseanxiety，wasallowedtocrossthebarrier，buthiscertificateofsafetywasdetained。HewouldhavetogetanotherfromtheCommitteeofGeneralSecuritybeforehewouldbeallowedtoleaveParisagain。
Thelionhadthoughtfittoclosehisjaws。
CHAPTERXVI
THEWEARYSEARCH
BlakeneywasnotathislodgingswhenArmandarrivedtherethatevening，nordidhereturn，whilsttheyoungmanhauntedtheprecinctsofSt。Germainl\'Auxerroisandwanderedalongthequayshoursandhoursatastretch，untilhenearlydroppedundertheporticoofahouse，andrealisedthatifheloiteredlongerhemightloseconsciousnesscompletely，andbeunableonthemorrowtobeofservicetoJeanne。
HedraggedhiswearyfootstepsbacktohisownlodgingsontheheightsofMontmartre。HehadnotfoundPercy，hehadnonewsofJeanne；itseemedasifhellitselfcouldholdnoworsetorturesthanthisintolerablesuspense。
Hethrewhimselfdownonthenarrowpalliasseand，tirednatureassertingherself，atlastfellintoaheavy，dreamlesstorpor，likethesleepofadrunkard，deepbutwithoutthebeneficentaidofrest。
Itwasbroaddaylightwhenheawoke。Thepalelightofadamp，wintrymorningfilteredthroughthegrimypanesofthewindow。
Armandjumpedoutofbed，achingoflimbbutresoluteofmind。
TherewasnodoubtthatPercyhadfailedindiscoveringJeanne\'swhereabouts；butwhereamerefriendhadfailedaloverwasmorelikelytosucceed。
Theroughclotheswhichhehadwornyesterdayweretheonlyoneshehad。Theywould，ofcourse，servehispurposebetterthanhisown，whichhehadleftatBlakeney\'slodgingsyesterday。Inhalfanhourhewasdressed，lookingafairlygoodimitationofalaboureroutofwork。
Hewenttoahumbleeatinghouseofwhichheknew，andthere，havingorderedsomehotcoffeewithahunkofbread，hesethimselftothink。
Itwasquiteausualthingthesedaysforrelativesandfriendsofprisonerstogowanderingaboutfromprisontoprisontofindoutwherethelovedoneshappenedtobedetained。Theprisonswereoverfulljustnow；convents，monasteries，andpublicinstitutionshadallbeenrequisitionedbytheGovernmentforthehousingofthehundredsofso-calledtraitorswhohadbeenarrestedonthebarestsuspicion，oratthemeredenunciationofanevil-wisher。
ThereweretheAbbayeandtheLuxembourg，theerstwhileconventsoftheVisitationandtheSacre-Coeur，thecloisteroftheOratorians，theSalpetriere，andtheSt。Lazarehospitals，andtherewas，ofcourse，theTemple，and，lastly，theConciergerie，towhichthoseprisonerswerebroughtwhosetrialwouldtakeplacewithinthenextfewdays，andwhosecondemnationwaspracticallyassured。
Personsunderarrestatsomeoftheotherprisonsdidsometimescomeoutofthemalive，buttheConciergeriewasonlytheante-chamberoftheguillotine。
ThereforeArmand\'sideawastovisittheConciergeriefirst。ThesoonerhecouldreassurehimselfthatJeannewasnotinimmediatedangerthebetterwouldhebeabletoenduretheagonyofthatheart-breakingsearch，thatknockingateverydoorinthehopeoffindinghisbeloved。
IfJeannewasnotintheConciergerie，thentheremightbesomehopethatshewasonlybeingtemporarilydetained，andthroughArmand\'sexcitedbraintherehadalreadyflashedthethoughtthatmayhaptheCommitteeofGeneralSecuritywouldreleaseherifhegavehimselfup。
Thesethoughts，andthemakingofplans，fortifiedhimmentallyandphysically；heevenmadeagreatefforttoeatanddrink，knowingthathisbodilystrengthmustendureifitwasgoingtoheofservicetoJeanne。
HereachedtheQuaidel\'Horlogesoonafternine。Thegrim，irregularwallsoftheChateletandthehouseofJusticeloomedfromoutthemantleofmistthatlayontheriverbanks。Armandskirtedthesquareclock-tower，andpassedthroughthemonumentalgatewaysofthehouseofJustice。
HeknewthathisbestwaytotheprisonwouldbethroughthehallsandcorridorsoftheTribunal，towhichthepublichadaccesswheneverthecourtwassitting。Thesittingsbeganatten，andalreadytheusualcrowdofidlerswereassembling——menandwomenwhoapparentlyhadnootheroccupationsavetocomedayafterdaytothistheatreofhorrorsandwatchthedifferentactsoftheheartrendingdramasthatwereenactedherewithakindofawfulmonotony。
Armandmingledwiththecrowdthatstoodaboutthecourtyard，andanonmovedslowlyupthegiganticflightofstonesteps，talkinglightlyonindifferentsubjects。Therewasquiteagoodlysprinklingofworkingmenamongstthiscrowd，andArmandinhistoil-stainedclothesattractednoattention。
Suddenlyawordreachedhisear——justanameflippantlyspokenbyspitefullips——anditchangedthewholetrendofhisthoughts。
SincehehadrisenthatmorninghehadthoughtofnothingbutofJeanne，and——inconnectionwithher——ofPercyandhisvainquestofher。Nowthatnamespokenbysomeoneunknownbroughthismindbacktomoredefinitethoughtsofhischief。
“Capet！”thename——intendedasaninsult，butactuallymerelyirrelevant——wherebytheuncrownedlittleKingofFrancewasdesignatedbytherevolutionaryparty。
Armandsuddenlyrecollectedthatto-daywasSunday，the19thofJanuary。Hehadlostcountofdaysandofdateslately，butthename，“Capet，“hadbroughteverythingback：thechildintheTemple；theconferenceinBlakeney\'slodgings；theplansfortherescueoftheboy。Thatwastotakeplaceto-day——Sunday，the19th。TheSimonswouldbemovingfromtheTemple，atwhathourBlakeneydidnotknow，butitwouldbetoday，andhewouldbewatchinghisopportunity。
NowArmandunderstoodeverything；agreatwaveofbitternesssweptoverhissoul。PercyhadforgottenJeanne！HewasbusythinkingofthechildintheTemple，andwhilstArmandhadbeeneatingouthisheartwithanxiety，theScarletPimpernel，trueonlytohismission，andimpatientofallsentimentthatinterferedwithhisschemes，hadleftJeannetopaywithherlifeforthesafetyoftheuncrownedKing。
Butthebitternessdidnotlastlong；onthecontrary，akindofwildexultationtookitsplace。IfPercyhadforgotten，thenArmandcouldstandbyJeannealone。Itwasbetterso！Hewouldsavethelovedone；itwashisdutyandhisrighttoworkforhersake。Neverforamomentdidhedoubtthathecouldsaveher，thathislifewouldbereadilyacceptedinexchangeforhers。
Thecrowdaroundhimwasmovingupthemonumentalsteps，andArmandwentwiththecrowd。Itlackedbutafewminutestotennow；soonthecourtwouldbegintosit。Intheoldendays，whenhewasstudyingforthelaw，ArmandhadoftenwanderedaboutatwillalongthecorridorsofthehouseofJustice。Heknewexactlywherethedifferentprisonsweresituatedaboutthebuildings，andhowtoreachthecourtyardswheretheprisonerstooktheirdailyexercise。
TowatchthosearistoswhowereawaitingtrialanddeathtakingtheirrecreationinthesecourtyardshadbecomeoneofthesightsofParis。Countrycousinsonavisittothecitywerebroughthitherforentertainment。Tallirongatesstoodbetweenthepublicandtheprisoners，andarowofsentinelsguardedthesegates；butifonewasenterprisingandeagertosee，onecouldglueone\'snoseagainsttheironworkandwatchtheci-devantaristocratsinthreadbareclothestryingtocheattheirhorrorofdeathbyactingafarceoflight-heartednesswhichtheirwanfacesandtear-dimmedeyeseffectuallybelied。
AllthisArmandknew，andonthishecounted。ForalittlewhilehejoinedthecrowdintheSalledesPasPerdus，andwanderedidlyupanddownthemajesticcolonnadedhall。Heevenatonetimeformedpartofthethrongthatwatchedoneofthosequicktragediesthatwereenactedwithinthegreatchamberofthecourt。Anumberofprisonersbroughtin，inabatch；hurriedinterrogations，interruptedanswers，aquickindictment，monstrousinitsflaringinjustice，spokenbyFoucquier-Tinville，thepublicprosecutor，andlistenedtoinallseriousnessbymenwhodaredtocallthemselvesjudgesoftheirfellows。
TheaccusedhadwalkeddowntheChampsElyseeswithoutwearingatricolourcockade；theotherhadinvestedsomesavingsinanEnglishindustrialenterprise；yetanotherhadsoldpublicfunds，causingthemtodepreciaterathersuddenlyinthemarket！
Sometimesfromoneoftheseunfortunatesledthuswantonlytobutcherytherewouldcomeanexcitedprotest，orfromawomanscreamsofagonisedentreaty。Butthesewerequicklysilencedbyroughblowsfromthebutt-endsofmuskets，andcondemnations——
wholesalesentencesofdeath——werequicklypassedamidstthecheersofthespectatorsandthehowlsofderisionfrominfamousjuryandjudge。
Oh！themockeryofitall——theawful，thehideousignominy，theblotofshamethatwouldforeversullythehistoricnameofFrance。Armand，sickenedwithhorror，couldnotbearmorethanafewminutesofthismonstrousspectacle。ThesamefatemightevennowbeawaitingJeanne。Amongthenextbatchofvictimstothissacrilegiousbutcheryhemightsuddenlyspyhisbelovedwithherpalefaceandcheeksstainedwithhertears。
Hefledfromthegreatchamber，keepingjustasufficiencyofpresenceofmindtojoinaknotofidlerswhoweredriftingleisurelytowardsthecorridors。HefollowedintheirwakeandsoonfoundhimselfinthelongGaleriedesPrisonniers，alongtheflagstonesofwhichtwodaysagodeBatzhadfollowedhisguidetowardsthelodgingsofHeron。
Onhisleftnowwerethearcadesshutofffromthecourtyardbeyondbyheavyirongates。ThroughtheironworkArmandcaughtsightofanumberofwomenwalkingorsittinginthecourtyard。
Heheardamannexttohimexplainingtohisfriendthatthesewerethefemaleprisonerswhowouldbebroughttotrialthatday，andhefeltthathisheartmustburstatthethoughtthatmayhapJeannewouldbeamongthem。
Heelbowedhiswaycautiouslytothefrontrank。Soonhefoundhimselfbesideasentinelwho，withagood-humouredjest，madewayforhimthathemightwatchthearistos。Armandleanedagainstthegrating，andhiseverysensewasconcentratedinthatofsight。
Atfirsthecouldscarcelydistinguishonewomanfromanotheramongstthecrowdthatthrongedthecourtyard，andthecloseironworkhinderedhisviewconsiderably。Thewomenlookedalmostlikephantomsinthegreymistyair，glidingslowlyalongwithnoiselesstreadontheflag-stones。
Presently，however，hiseyes，whichmayhapweresomewhatdimwithtears，becamemoreaccustomedtothehazygreylightandthemovingfiguresthatlookedsolikeshadows。Hecoulddistinguishisolatedgroupsnow，womenandgirlssittingtogetherunderthecolonnadedarcades，somereading，othersbusy，withtremblingfingers，patchinganddarningapoor，torngown。Thentherewereotherswhowereactuallychattingandlaughingtogether，and——oh，thepityofit！thepityandtheshame！——afewchildren，shriekingwithdelight，wereplayinghideandseekinandoutamongstthecolumns。
And，betweenthemall，inandoutlikethechildrenatplay，unseen，yetfamiliartoall，thespectreofDeath，scytheandhour-glassinhand，wandered，majesticandsure。
Armand\'sverysoulwasinhiseyes。Sofarhehadnotyetcaughtsightofhisbeloved，andslowly——veryslowly——arayofhopewasfilteringthroughthedarknessofhisdespair。
Thesentinel，whohadstoodasideforhim，chaffedhimforhisintentness。
“Haveyouasweetheartamongthesearistos，citizen？”heasked。
“Youseemtobedevouringthemwithyoureyes。“
Armand，withhisroughclothessoiledwithcoal-dust，hisfacegrimyandstreakedwithsweat，certainlylookedtohavebutlittleincommonwiththeci-devantaristoswhoformedthehulkofthegroupsinthecourtyard。Helookedup；thesoldierwasregardinghimwithobviousamusement，andatsightofArmand\'swild，anxiouseyeshegaveventtoacoarsejest。
“HaveImadeashrewdguess，citizen？”hesaid。“Issheamongthatlot？”
“Idonotknowwheresheis，“saidArmandalmostinvoluntarily。
“Thenwhydon\'tyoufindout？”queriedthesoldier。
Themanwasnotspeakingaltogetherunkindly。Armand，devouredwiththemaddeningdesiretoknow，threwthelastfragmentofprudencetothewind。Heassumedamorecarelessair，tryingtolookaslikeacountrybumpkininloveashecould。
“Iwouldliketofindout，“hesaid，“butIdon\'tknowwheretoinquire。Mysweethearthascertainlyleftherhome，“headdedlightly；“somesaythatshehasbeenfalsetome，butIthinkthat，mayhap，shehasbeenarrested。“
“Well，then，yougaby，“saidthesoldiergood-humouredly，“gostraighttoLaTournelle；youknowwhereitis？
Armandknewwellenough，butthoughtitmoreprudenttokeepuptheairoftheignorantlout。
“Straightdownthatfirstcorridoronyourright，“explainedtheother，pointinginthedirectionwhichhehadindicated，“youwillfindtheguichetofLaTournelleexactlyoppositetoyou。Asktheconciergefortheregisteroffemaleprisoners——everyfreeborncitizenoftheRepublichastherighttoinspectprisonregisters。
Itisanewdecreeframedforsafeguardingthelibertyofthepeople。Butifyoudonotpresshalfalivreinthehandoftheconcierge，“headded，speakingconfidentially，“youwillfindthattheregisterwillnotbequitereadyforyourinspection。“
“Halfalivre！”exclaimedArmand，strivingtoplayhisparttotheend。“Howcanapoordevilofalabourerhavehalfalivretogiveaway？”
“Well！afewsouswilldointhatcase；afewsousarealwayswelcomethesehardtimes。“
Armandtookthehint，andasthecrowdhaddriftedawaymomentarilytoafurtherportionofthecorridor，hecontrivedtopressafewcoppercoinsintothehandoftheobligingsoldier。
Ofcourse，heknewhiswaytoLaTournelle，andhewouldhavecoveredthedistancethatseparatedhimfromtheguichettherewithstepsflyinglikethewind，but，commendinghimselfforhisownprudence，hewalkedasslowlyashecouldalongtheinterminablecorridor，pasttheseveralminorcourtsofjustice，andskirtingthecourtyardwherethemaleprisonerstooktheirexercise。
Atlast，havingstrucksharplytohisleftandascendedashortflightofstairs，hefoundhimselfinfrontoftheguichet——anarrowwoodenbox，whereintheclerkinchargeoftheprisonregisterssatnominallyatthedisposalofthecitizensofthisfreerepublic。
ButtoArmand\'salmostoverwhelmingchagrinhefoundtheplaceentirelydeserted。Theguichetwascloseddown；therewasnotasoulinsight。Thedisappointmentwasdoublykeen，comingasitdidinthewakeofhopethathadrefusedtobegainsaid。Armandhimselfdidnotrealisehowsanguinehehadbeenuntilhediscoveredthathemustwaitandwaitagain——waitforhours，alldaymayhap，beforehecouldgetdefinitenewsofJeanne。
Hewanderedaimlesslyinthevicinityofthatsilent，deserted，cruelspot，whereaclosedtrapdoorseemedtoshutoffallhishopesofaspeedysightofJeanne。Heinquiredofthefirstsentinelswhomhecameacrossatwhathourtheclerkoftheregisterswouldbebackathispost；thesoldiersshruggedtheirshouldersandcouldgivenoinformation。ThenbeganArmand\'saimlesswanderingsroundLaTournelle，hisfruitlessinquiries，hiswild，excitedsearchforthehide-boundofficialwhowaskeepingfromhimtheknowledgeofJeanne。
Hewentbacktohissentinelwell-wisherbythewomen\'scourtyard，butfoundneitherconsolationnorencouragementthere。
“Itisnotthehour——quoi？”thesoldierremarkedwithlaconicphilosophy。
Itapparentlywasnotthehourwhentheprisonregisterswereplacedatthedisposalofthepublic。Aftermuchfruitlessinquiry，Armandatlastwasinformedbyabonbourgeois，whowaswanderingaboutthehouseofJusticeandwhoseemedtoknowitsmultifariousrules，thattheprisonregistersalloverPariscouldonlybeconsultedbythepublicbetweenthehoursofsixandsevenintheevening。
Therewasnothingforitbuttowait。Armand，whosetempleswerethrobbing，whowasfootsore，hungry，andwretched，couldgainnothingbycontinuinghisaimlesswanderingsthroughthelabyrinthinebuilding。Forcloseuponanotherhourhestoodwithhisfacegluedagainsttheironworkwhichseparatedhimfromthefemaleprisoners\'courtyard。OnceitseemedtohimasiffromitsfurtherendhecaughtthesoundofthatexquisitelymelodiousvoicewhichhadrungforeverinhisearsincethatmemorableeveningwhenJeanne\'sdaintyfootstepshadfirstcrossedthepathofhisdestiny。Hestrainedhiseyestolookinthedirectionwhencethevoicehadcome，butthecentreofthecourtyardwasplantedwithasmallgardenofshrubs，andArmandcouldnotseeacrossit。Atlast，drivenforthlikeawanderingandlostsoul，heturnedbackandoutintothestreets。Theairwasmildanddamp。Thesharpthawhadpersistedthroughtheday，andathin，mistyrainwasfallingandconvertingtheill-pavedroadsintoseasofmud。
ButofthisArmandwaswhollyunconscious。Hewalkedalongthequayholdinghiscapinhishand，sothatthemildsouthwindshouldcoolhisburningforehead。
Howhecontrivedtokillthoselong，wearyhourshecouldnotafterwardshavesaid。Oncehefeltveryhungry，andturnedalmostmechanicallyintoaneating-house，andtriedtoeatanddrink。
Butmostofthedayhewanderedthroughthestreets，restlessly，unceasingly，feelingneitherchillnorfatigue。Thehourbeforesixo\'clockfoundhimontheQuaidel\'HorlogeintheshadowofthegreattowersoftheHallofJustice，listeningfortheclangoftheclockthatwouldsoundthehourofhisdeliverancefromthisagonisingtortureofsuspense。
HefoundhiswaytoLaTournellewithoutanyhesitation。Therebeforehimwasthewoodenbox，withitsguichetopenatlast，andtwostandsuponitsledge，onwhichwereplacedtwohugeleather-boundbooks。
ThoughArmandwasnearlyanhourbeforetheappointedtime，hesawwhenhearrivedanumberofpeoplestandingroundtheguichet。
Twosoldiersweretherekeepingguardandforcingthepatient，long-sufferinginquirerstostandinaqueue，eachwaitinghisorherturnatthebooks。
Itwasacuriouscrowdthatstoodthere，insinglefile，asifwaitingatthedoorofthecheaperpartofatheatre；meninsubstantialclothclothes，andothersinraggedblouseandbreeches；therewereafewwomen，too，withblackshawlsontheirshouldersandkerchiefsroundtheirwan，tear-stainedfaces。
Theywereallsilentandabsorbed，submissiveundertheroughhandlingofthesoldiery，humbleanddeferentialwhenanontheclerkoftheregistersenteredhisbox，andpreparedtoplacethosefatefulbooksatthedisposalofthosewhohadlostalovedone——father，brother，mother，orwife——andhadcometosearchthroughthosecruelpages。
Frominsidehisboxtheclerkdisputedeveryinquirer\'srighttoconsultthebooks；hemadeasmanydifficultiesashecould，demandingtheproductionofcertificatesofsafety，orpermitsfromthesection。Hewasasinsolentashedared，andArmandfromwherehestoodcouldseethatacontinuousifsomewhatthinstreamofcoppersflowedfromthehandsoftheinquirersintothoseoftheofficial。
Itwasquitedarkinthepassagewherethelongqueuecontinuedtoswellwithamazingrapidity。Onlyontheledgeinfrontoftheguichettherewasagutteringtallowcandleatthedisposaloftheinquirers。
NowitwasArmand\'sturnatlast。Bythistimehisheartwasbeatingsostronglyandsorapidlythathecouldnothavetrustedhimselftospeak。Hefumbledinhispocket，andwithoutunnecessarypreliminariesheproducedasmallpieceofsilver，andpushedittowardstheclerk，thenheseizedontheregistermarked“Femmes“
withvoraciousavidity。
Theclerkhadwithstolidindifferencepocketedthehalf-livre；helookedonArmandoverapairoflargebone-rimmedspectacles，withtheairofanoldhawkthatseesahelplessbirdandyetistoosatiatedtoeat。HewasapparentlyvastlyamusedatArmand\'stremblinghands，andtheclumsy，aimlesswaywithwhichhefingeredthebookandheldupthetallowcandle。
“Whatdate？”heaskedcurtlyinapipingvoice。
“Whatdate？”reiteratedArmandvaguely。
“Whatdayandhourwasshearrested？”saidtheman，thrustinghisbeak-likenoseclosertoArmand\'sface。Evidentlythepieceofsilverhaddoneitsworkwell；hemeanttobehelpfultothiscountrylout。
“OnFridayevening，“murmuredtheyoungman。
Theclerk\'shandsdidnotincharactergainsaytherestofhisappearance；theywerelongandthin，withnailsthatresembledthetalonsofahawk。Armandwatchedthemfascinatedasfromabovetheyturnedoverrapidlythepagesofthebook；thenonelong，grimyfingerpointedtoarowofnamesdownacolumn。
“Ifsheishere，“saidthemancurtly，“hernameshouldbeamongstthese。“
Armand\'svisionwasblurred。Hecouldscarcelysee。Therowofnameswasdancingawilddanceinfrontofhiseyes；perspirationstoodoutonhisforehead，andhisbreathcameinquick，stertorousgasps。
HeneverknewafterwardswhetherheactuallysawJeanne\'snamethereinthebook，orwhetherhisfeveredbrainwasplayinghisachingsensesacruelandmockingtrick。Certainitisthatsuddenlyamongstarowofindifferentnamesherssuddenlystoodclearlyonthepage，andtohimitseemedasiftheletterswerewritoutinblood。
582。Belhomme，Louise，agedsixty。Discharged。
Andjustbelow，theotherentry：
583。Lange，Jeanne，agedtwenty，actress。SquareduRouleNo。5。Suspectedofharbouringtraitorsandci-devants。
Transferred29thNivosetotheTemple，cell29。
Hesawnothingmore，forsuddenlyitseemedtohimasifsomeoneheldavividscarletveilinfrontofhiseyes，whilstahundredclaw-likehandsweretearingathisheartandathisthroat。
“Clearoutnow！itismyturn——what？Areyougoingtostandthereallnight？”
Aroughvoiceseemedtobespeakingthesewords；roughhandsapparentlywerepushinghimoutoftheway，andsomeonesnatchedthecandleoutofhishand；butnothingwasreal。Hestumbledoveracornerofalooseflagstone，andwouldhavefallen，butsomethingseemedtocatchboldofhimandtoleadhimawayforalittledistance，untilabreathofcoldairblewuponhisface。
Thisbroughthimbacktohissenses。
JeannewasaprisonerintheTemple；thenhisplacewasintheprisonoftheTemple，too。Itcouldnotbeverydifficulttorunone\'sheadintothenoosethatcaughtsomanynecksthesedays。A
fewcriesof“Viveleroi！”or“Abaslarepublique！”andmorethanoneprisondoorwouldgapeinvitinglytoreceiveanotherguest。
ThehotbloodhadrushedintoArmand\'shead。Hedidnotseeclearlybeforehim，nordidheheardistinctly。Therewasabuzzinginhisearsasofmyriadsofmockingbirds\'wings，andtherewasaveilinfrontofhiseyes——aveilthroughwhichhesawfacesandformsflittingghost-likeinthegloom，menandwomenjostlingorbeingjostled，soldiers，sentinels；thenlong，interminablecorridors，morecrowdandmoresoldiers，windingstairs，courtyardsandgates；finallytheopenstreet，thequay，andtheriverbeyond。
Anincessanthammeringwentoninhistemples，andthatveilneverliftedfrombeforehiseyes。Nowitwasluridandred，asifstainedwithblood；anonitwaswhitelikeashroudbutitwasalwaysthere。
ThroughithesawthePont-au-Change，whichhecrossed，thenfardownontheQuaidel\'EcoletotheleftthecornerhousebehindSt。Germainl\'Auxerrois，whereBlakeneylodged——Blakeney，whoforthesakeofastrangerhadforgottenallabouthiscomradeandJeanne。
ThroughithesawthenetworkofstreetswhichseparatedhimfromtheneighbourhoodoftheTemple，thegardensofruinedhabitations，theclosely-shutteredandbarredwindowsofducalhouses，thenthemeanstreets，thecrowdeddrinkingbars，thetumble-downshopswiththeirdilapidatedawnings。
Hesawwitheyesthatdidnotsee，heardthetumultofdailyliferoundhimwithearsthatdidnothear。JeannewasintheTempleprison，andwhenitsgrimgatesclosedfinallyforthenight，he——Armand，herchevalier，herlover，herdefender——wouldbewithinitswallsasneartocellNo。29asbribery，entreaty，promiseswouldhelphimtoattain。
Ah！thereatlastloomedthegreatbuilding，thepointedbastionscutthroughthesurroundinggloomaswithasableknife。
Armandreachedthegate；thesentinelschallengedhim；hereplied：
“Viveleroi！”shoutingwildlylikeonewhoisdrunk。
Hewashatless，andhisclothesweresaturatedwithmoisture。Hetriedtopass，butcrossedbayonetsbarredtheway。Stillheshouted：
“Viveleroi！”and“Abaslarepublique！”
“Allons！thefellowisdrunk！”saidoneofthesoldiers。
Armandfoughtlikeamadman；hewantedtoreachthatgate。Heshouted，helaughed，andhecried，untiloneofthesoldiersinafitofragestruckhimheavilyonthehead。
Armandfellbackwards，stunnedbytheblow；hisfootslippedonthewetpavement。Washeindeeddrunk，orwashedreaming？Heputhishanduptohisforehead；itwaswet，butwhetherwiththerainorwithbloodhedidnotknow；butforthespaceofonesecondhetriedtocollecthisscatteredwits。
“CitizenSt。Just！”saidaquietvoiceathiselbow。
Then，ashelookedrounddazed，feelingafirm，pleasantgriponhisarm，thesamequietvoicecontinuedcalmly：
“Perhapsyoudonotrememberme，citizenSt。Just。IhadnotthehonourofthesameclosefriendshipwithyouasIhadwithyourcharmingsister。MynameisChauvelin。CanIbeofanyservicetoyou？”
CHAPTERXVII
CHAUVELIN
Chauvelin！Thepresenceofthismanhereatthismomentmadetheeventsofthepastfewdaysseemmoreabsolutelylikeadream。
Chauvelin！——themostdeadlyenemyhe，Armand，andhissisterMargueritehadintheworld。Chauvelin！——theevilgeniusthatpresidedovertheSecretServiceoftheRepublic。Chauvelin——thearistocratturnedrevolutionary，thediplomatturnedspy，thebaffledenemyoftheScarletPimpernel。
Hestoodtherevaguelyoutlinedinthegloombythefeebleraysofanoillampfixedintothewalljustabove。Themoistureonhissableclothesglistenedintheflickeringlightlikeathinveilofcrystal；itclungtotherimofhishat，tothefoldsofhiscloak；therufflesathisthroatandwristhunglimpandsoiled。
HehadreleasedArmand\'sarm，andheldhishandsnowunderneathhiscloak；hispale，deep-seteyesrestedgravelyontheyoungerman\'sface。
“Ihadanidea，somehow，“continuedChauvelincalmly，“thatyouandIwouldmeetduringyoursojourninParis。IheardfrommyfriendHeronthatyouhadbeeninthecity；he，unfortunately，lostyourtrackalmostassoonashehadfoundit，andI，too，hadbeguntofearthatourmutualandeverenigmaticalfriend，theScarletPimpernel，hadspiritedyouaway，whichwouldhavebeenagreatdisappointmenttome。“
NowheoncemoretookholdofArmandbytheelbow，butquitegently，morelikeacomradewhoisgladtohavemetanother，andispreparingtoenjoyapleasantconversationforawhile。Heledthewaybacktothegate，thesentinelsalutingatsightofthetricolourscarfwhichwasvisibleunderneathhiscloak。UnderthestonerampartChauvelinpaused。
Itwasquietandprivatehere。Thegroupofsoldiersstoodatthefurtherendofthearchway，buttheywereoutofhearing，andtheirformswereonlyvaguelydiscernibleinthesurroundingdarkness。
Armandhadfollowedhisenemymechanicallylikeonebewitchedandirresponsibleforhisactions。WhenChauvelinpausedhetoostoodstill，notbecauseofthegriponhisarm，butbecauseofthatcuriousnumbingofhiswill。
Vague，confusedthoughtswerefloatingthroughhisbrain，themostdominantoneamongthembeingthatFatehadeffectuallyordainedeverythingforthebest。HerewasChauvelin，amanwhohatedhim，who，ofcourse，wouldwishtoseehimdead。Well，surelyitmustbeaneasiermatternowtobarterhisownlifeforthatofJeanne；
shehadonlybeenarrestedonsuspicionofharbouringhim，whowasaknowntraitortotheRepublic；then，withhiscaptureandspeedydeath，hersupposedguiltwould，hehoped，beforgiven。Thesepeoplecouldhavenoill-willagainsther，andactorsandactresseswerealwayslenientlydealtwithwhenpossible。Thensurely，surely，hecouldserveJeannebestbyhisownarrestandcondemnation，thanbyworkingtorescueherfromprison。
InthemeanwhileChauvelinshookthedampfromoffhiscloak，talkingallthetimeinhisownpeculiar，gentlyironicalmanner。
“LadyBlakeney？”hewassaying——“Ihopethatsheiswell！”
“Ithankyou，sir，“murmuredArmandmechanically。
“Andmydearfriend，SirPercyBlakeney？IhadhopedtomeethiminParis。Ah！butnodoubthehasbeenbusyverybusy；butIliveinhopes——Iliveinhopes。SeehowkindlyChancehastreatedme，“
hecontinuedinthesameblandandmockingtones。“Iwastakingastrollintheseparts，scarcehopingtomeetafriend，when，passingthepostern-gateofthischarminghostelry，whomshouldI
seebutmyamiablefriendSt。Juststrivingtogainadmission。
But，la！hereamItalkingofmyself，andIamnotre-assuredastoyourstateofhealth。Youfeltfaintjustnow，didyounot？
Theairaboutthisbuildingisverydankandclose。Ihopeyoufeelbetternow。Commandme，pray，ifIcanbeofservicetoyouinanyway。“
WhilstChauvelintalkedhehaddrawnArmandafterhimintothelodgeoftheconcierge。Theyoungmannowmadeagreatefforttopullhimselfvigorouslytogetherandtosteadyhisnerves。
Hehadhiswish。HewasinsidetheTempleprisonnow，notfarfromJeanne，andthoughhisenemywasolderandlessvigorousthanhimself，andthedooroftheconcierge\'slodgestoodwideopen，heknewthathewasin-deedaseffectuallyaprisoneralreadyasifthedoorofoneofthenumerouscellsinthisgiganticbuildinghadbeenboltedandbarreduponhim。
Thisknowledgehelpedhimtorecoverhiscompletepresenceofmind。Nothoughtoffightingortryingtoescapehisfateenteredhisheadforamoment。Ithadbeenuselessprobably，andundoubtedlyitwasbetterso。IfheonlycouldseeJeanne，andassurehimselfthatshewouldbesafeinconsequenceofhisownarrest，then，indeed，lifecouldholdnogreaterhappinessforhim。
Aboveallnowhewantedtobecoolandcalculating，tocurbtheexcitementwhichtheLatinbloodinhimcalledforthateverymentionofthelovedone\'sname。HetriedtothinkofPercy，ofhiscalmness，hiseasybanterwithanenemy；heresolvedtoactasPercywouldactunderthesecircumstances。
Firstly，hesteadiedhisvoice，anddrewhiswell-knit，slimfigureupright。HecalledtomindallhisfriendsinEngland，withtheirrigidmanners，theirimpassivenessinthefaceoftryingsituations。TherewasLordTony，forinstance，alwaysreadywithsomeboyishjoke，withboyishimpertinencealwayshoveringonhistongue。ArmandtriedtoemulateLordTony\'smanner，andtoborrowsomethingofPercy\'scalmimpudence。
“CitizenChauvelin，“hesaid，assoonashefeltquitesureofthesteadinessofhisvoiceandthecalmnessofhismanner，“Iwonderifyouarequitecertainthatthatlightgripwhichyouhaveonmyarmissufficienttokeepmeherewalkingquietlybyyoursideinsteadofknockingyoudown，asIcertainlyfeelinclinedtodo，forIamayounger，morevigorousmanthanyou。“
“H\'m！”saidChauvelin，whomadepretencetoponderoverthisdifficultproblem；“likeyou，citizenSt。Just，Iwonder——“
“Itcouldeasilybedone，youknow。“
“Fairlyeasily，“rejoinedtheother；“butthereistheguard；itisnumerousandstronginthisbuilding，and——“
“Thegloomwouldhelpme；itisdarkinthecorridors，andadesperatemantakesrisks，remember——“
“Quiteso！Andyou，citizenSt。Just，areadesperatemanjustnow。“
“MysisterMargueriteisnothere，citizenChauvelin。Youcannotbartermylifeforthatofyourenemy。“
“No！no！no！”rejoinedChauvelinblandly；“notforthatofmyenemy，Iknow，but——“
Armandcaughtathiswordslikeadrowningmanatareed。
“Forhers！”heexclaimed。
“Forhers？”queriedtheotherwithobviouspuzzlement。
“MademoiselleLange，“continuedArmandwithalltheegoisticardouroftheloverwhobelievesthattheattentionoftheentireworldisconcentrateduponhisbeloved。
“MademoiselleLange！YouwillsetherfreenowthatIaminyourpower。“
Chauvelinsmiled，hisusualsuave，enigmaticalsmile。
“Ah，yes！”hesaid。“MademoiselleLange。Ihadforgotten。“
“Forgotten，man？——forgottenthatthosemurderousdogshavearrestedher？——thebest，thepurest，thisvile，degradedcountryhaseverproduced。Sheshelteredmeonedayjustforanhour。I
amatraitortotheRepublic——Iownit。I\'llmakefullconfession；
butsheknewnothingofthis。Ideceivedher；sheisquiteinnocent，youunderstand？I\'llmakefullconfession，butyoumustsetherfree。“
Hehadgraduallyworkedhimselfupagaintoastateoffeverishexcitement。ThroughthedarknesswhichhungaboutinthissmallroomhetriedtopeerinChauvelin\'simpassiveface。
“Easy，easy，myyoungfriend，“saidtheotherplacidly；“youseemtoimaginethatIhavesomethingtodowiththearrestoftheladyinwhomyoutakesodeepaninterest。YouforgetthatnowIambutadiscreditedservantoftheRepublicwhomIfailedtoserveinherneed。Mylifeisonlygrantedmeoutofpityformyefforts，whichweregenuineifnotsuccessful。Ihavenopowertosetanyonefree。“
“Nortoarrestmenow，inthatcase！”retortedArmand。
Chauvelinpausedamomentbeforeherepliedwithadeprecatingsmile：
“Onlytodenounceyou，perhaps。IamstillanagentoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurity。“
“Thenallisforthebest！”exclaimedSt。Justeagerly。“YoushalldenouncemetotheCommittee。Theywillbegladofmyarrest，I
assureyou。Ihavebeenamarkedmanforsometime。IhadintendedtoevadearrestandtoworkfortherescueofMademoiselleLange；butIwillgivetipallthoughtofthat——I
willdelivermyselfintoyourhandsabsolutely；nay，more，IwillgiveyoumymostsolemnwordofhonourthatnotonlywillImakenoattemptatescape，butthatIwillnotallowanyonetohelpmetodoso。Iwillbeapassiveandwillingprisonerifyou，ontheotherhand，willeffectMademoiselleLange\'srelease。“
“H\'m！”musedChauvelinagain，“itsoundsfeasible。“
“Itdoes！itdoes！”rejoinedArmand，whoseexcitementwasatfever-pitch。“Myarrest，mycondemnation，mydeath，willbeofvastdealmoreimportancetoyouthanthatofayoungandinnocentgirlagainstwhomunlikelychargeswouldhavetobetrickedup，andwhoseacquittalmayhappublicfeelingmightdemand。Asforme，Ishallbeaneasyprey；myknowncounter-revolutionaryprinciples，mysister\'smarriagewithaforeigner——“
“YourconnectionwiththeScarletPimpernel，“suggestedChauvelinblandly。
“Quiteso。Ishouldnotdefendmyself——“
“Andyourenigmaticalfriendwouldnotattemptyourrescue。C\'estentendu，“saidChauvelinwithhiswontedblandness。“Then，mydear，enthusiasticyoungfriend，shallweadjourntotheofficeofmycolleague，citizenHeron，whoischiefagentoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurity，andwillreceiveyour——didyousayconfession？——andnotetheconditionsunderwhichyouplaceyourselfabsolutelyinthehandsofthePublicProsecutorandsubsequentlyoftheexecutioner。Isthatit？”
Armandwastoofullofschemes，toofullofthoughtsofJeannetonotethetoneofquietironywithwhichChauvelinhadbeenspeakingallalong。Withtheunreasoningegoismofyouthhewasquiteconvincedthathisownarrest，hisownaffairswereasimportanttothisentirenationinrevolutionastheyweretohimself。Atmomentsliketheseitisdifficulttoenvisageadesperatesituationclearly，andtoayoungmaninlovethefateofthebelovedneverseemsdesperatewhilsthehimselfisaliveandreadyforeverysacrificeforhersake。“Mylifeforhers“isthesublimeifoftenfoolishbattle-crythathassooftenresultedinwhole-saledestruction。Armandatthismoment，whenhefondlybelievedthathewasmakingabargainwiththemostastute，mostunscrupulousspythisrevolutionaryGovernmenthadinitspay——Armandjustthenhadabsolutelyforgottenhischief，hisfriends，theleagueofmercyandhelptowhichhebelonged。
Enthusiasmandthespiritofself-sacrificewerecarryinghimaway。Hewatchedhisenemywithglowingeyesasonewholooksonthearbiterofhisfate。
Chauvelin，withoutanotherword，beckonedtohimtofollow。Heledthewayoutofthelodge，then，turningsharplytohisleft，hereachedthewidequadranglewiththecoveredpassagerunningrightroundit，thesamewhichdeBatzhadtraversedtwoeveningsagowhenhewenttovisitHeron。
Armand，withalightheartandspringystep，followedhimasifheweregoingtoafeastwherehewouldmeetJeanne，wherehewouldkneelatherfeet，kissherhands，andleadhertriumphantlytofreedomandtohappiness。
CHAPTERXVIII
THEREMOVAL
ChauvelinnolongermadeanypretencetoholdArmandbythearm。
Bytemperamentaswellasbyprofessionaspy，therewasonesubjectatleastwhichhehadmasteredthoroughly：thatwasthestudyofhumannature。Thoughoccasionallyanexceptionallycomplexmentalorganisationbaffledhim——asinthecaseofSirPercyBlakeney——hepridedhimself，andjustly，too，onreadingnatureslikethatofArmandSt。Justashewouldanopenbook。
TheexcitabledispositionoftheLatinracesheknewoutandout；
heknewexactlyhowfarasentimentalsituationwouldleadayoungFrenchmanlikeArmand，whowasbydispositionchivalrous，andbytemperamentessentiallypassionate。Aboveallthings，heknewwhenandhowfarhecouldtrustamantodoeitherasublimeactionoranessentiallyfoolishone。
Thereforehewalkedalongcontentedlynow，notevenlookingbacktoseewhetherSt。Justwasfollowinghim。Heknewthathedid。
Histhoughtsonlydweltontheyoungenthusiast——inhismindhecalledhimtheyoungfool——inordertoweighinthebalancethemightypossibilitiesthatwouldaccruefromthepresentsequenceofevents。Thefixedideaeverworkingintheman\'sschemingbrainhadalreadytransformedavaguebeliefintoacertainty。
ThattheScarletPimpernelwasinParisatthepresentmomentChauvelinhadnowbecomeconvinced。HowfarhecouldturnthecaptureofArmandSt。Justtothetriumphofhisownendsremainedtobeseen。
Butthishedidknow：theScarletPimpernel——themanwhomhehadlearnedtoknow，todread，andeveninagrudgingmannertoadmire——wasnotliketoleaveoneofhisfollowersinthelurch。
Marguerite\'sbrotherintheTemplewouldbethesurestdecoyfortheelusivemeddlerwhostill，andinspiteofallcareandprecaution，continuedtobafflethearmyofspiessetuponhistrack。
ChauvelincouldhearArmand\'slight，elasticfootstepsresoundingbehindhimontheflagstones。Aworldofintoxicatingpossibilitiessurgedupbeforehim。Ambition，whichtwosuccessivedirefailureshadatrophiedinhisbreast，oncemoreroseupbuoyantandhopeful。OncehehadsworntolaytheScarletPimpernelbytheheels，andthatoathwasnotyetwhollyforgotten；ithadlaindormantafterthecatastropheofBoulogne，butwiththesightofArmandSt。Justithadre-awakenedandconfrontedhimagainwiththestrengthofalikelyfulfilment。
Thecourtyardlookedgloomyanddeserted。Thethindrizzlewhichstillfellfromapersistentlyleadenskyeffectuallyheldeveryoutlineofmasonry，ofcolumn，orofgatehiddenasbeneathashroud。Thecorridorwhichskirteditallroundwasill-lightedsavebyanoccasionaloil-lampfixedinthewall。
ButChauvelinknewhiswaywell。Heron\'slodgingsgaveonthesecondcourtyard，theSquareduNazaret，andthewaythitherledpastthemainsquaretower，inthetopfloorofwhichtheuncrownedKingofFranceekedouthismiserableexistenceastheplaythingofaroughcobblerandhiswife。
JustbeneathitsfrowningbastionsChauvelinturnedbacktowardsArmand。Hepointedwithacarelesshandup-wardstothecentraltower。
“WehavegotlittleCapetinthere，“hesaiddryly。“YourchivalrousScarletPimpernelhasnotventuredintheseprecinctsyet，yousee。“
Armandwassilent。Hehadnodifficultyinlookingunconcerned；
histhoughtsweresofullofJeannethathecaredbutlittleatthismomentforanyBourbonkingorforthedestiniesofFrance。
Nowthetwomenreachedtheposterngate。Acoupleofsentinelswerestandingby，butthegateitselfwasopen，andfromwithintherecamethesoundofbustleandofnoise，ofagooddealofswearing，andalsoofloudlaughter。
Theguard-roomgaveontheleftofthegate，andthelaughtercamefromthere。Itwasbrilliantlylighted，andArmand，peeringin，inthewakeofChauvelin，couldseegroupsofsoldierssittingandstandingabout。Therewasatableinthecentreoftheroom，andonitanumberofjugsandpewtermugs，packetsofcards，andoverturnedboxesofdice。
Butthebustledidnotcomefromtheguard-room；itcamefromthelandingandthestonestairsbeyond。
Chauvelin，apparentlycurious，hadpassedthroughthegate，andArmandfollowedhim。Thelightfromtheopendooroftheguard-roomcutsharplyacrossthelanding，makingthegloombeyondappearmoredenseandalmostsolid。Fromoutthedarkness，fitfullyintersectedbyalanthornapparentlycarriedtoandfro，movingfiguresloomedoutghost-likeandweirdlygigantic。SoonArmanddistinguishedanumberoflargeobjectsthatencumberedthelanding，andasheandChauvelinleftthesharplightoftheguard-room\'behindthem，hecouldseethatthelargeobjectswerepiecesoffurnitureofeveryshapeandsize；awoodenbedstead——dismantled——leanedagainstthewall，ablackhorsehairsofablockedthewaytothetowerstairs，andtherewerenumberlesschairsandseveraltablespiledoneonthetopoftheother。
Inthemidstofthislitterastout，flabby-cheekedmanstood，apparentlygivingdirectionsastoitsremovaltopersonsatpresentunseen。
“Hola，PapaSimon！”exclaimedChauvelinjovially；“movingoutto-day？What？”
“Yes，thanktheLord！——iftherebeaLord！”retortedtheothercurtly。“Isthatyou，citizenChauvelin？”
“Inperson，citizen。Ididnotknowyouwereleavingquitesosoon。IscitizenHeronanywhereabout？”
“Justleft，“repliedSimon。“HehadalastlookatCapetjustbeforemywifelockedthebratupintheinnerroom。Nowhe\'sgonebacktohislodgings。“
Amancarryingachest，emptyofitsdrawers，onhisbacknowcamestumblingdownthetowerstaircase。MadameSimonfollowedcloseonhisheels，steadyingthechestwithonehand。
“Wehadbetterbegintoloadupthecart，“shecalledtoherhusbandinahigh-pitchedquerulousvoice；“thecorridorisgettingtoomuchencumbered。“
ShelookedsuspiciouslyatChauvelinandatArmand，andwhensheencounteredtheformer\'sbland，unconcernedgazeshesuddenlyshiveredanddrewherblackshawlcloserroundhershoulders。
“Bah！”shesaid，“IshallbegladtogetoutofthisGod-forsakenhole。Ihatetheverysightofthesewalls。“
“Indeed，thecitizenessdoesnotlookoverrobustinhealth，“saidChauvelinwithstudiedpoliteness。“Thestayinthetowerdidnot，mayhap，bringforthallthefruitsofprosperitywhichshehadanticipated。“
Thewomaneyedhimwithdarksuspicionlurkinginherholloweyes。
“Idon\'tknowwhatyoumean，citizen，“shesaidwithashrugofherwideshoulders。
“Oh！Imeantnothing，“rejoinedChauvelin，smiling。“Iamsointerestedinyourremoval；busymanasIam，ithasamusedmetowatchyou。Whomhaveyougottohelpyouwiththefurniture？”
“Dupont，theman-of-all-work，fromtheconcierge，“saidSimoncurtly。“CitizenHeronwouldnotallowanyonetocomeinfromtheoutside。“
“Rightlytoo。Havethenewcommissariescomeyet？
“OnlycitizenCochefer。Heiswaitingupstairsfortheothers。“
“AndCapet？”
“Heisallsafe。CitizenHeroncametoseehim，andthenhetoldmetolockthelittleverminupintheinnerroom。CitizenCocheferhadjustarrivedbythattime，andhehasremainedincharge。“
Duringallthiswhilethemanwiththechestonhisbackwaswaitingfororders。Bentnearlydouble，hewasgrumblingaudiblyathisuncomfortableposition。
“Doesthecitizenwanttobreakmyback？”hemuttered。
“Wehadbestgetalong——quoi？”
Heaskedifheshouldbegintocarrythefurnitureoutintothestreet。
“TwosoushaveIgottopayeverytenminutestotheladwhoholdsmynag，“hesaid，mutteringunderhisbreath；“weshallbeallnightatthisrate。“
“Begintoloadthen，“commandedSimongruffly。“Here！——beginwiththissofa。“
“You\'llhavetogivemeahandwiththat，“saidtheman。“Waitabit；I\'lljustseethateverythingisallrightinthecart。I\'llbebackdirectly。“
“Takesomethingwithyouthenasyouaregoingdown，“saidMadameSimoninherquerulousvoice。
Themanpickedupabasketoflinenthatstoodintheanglebythedoor。Hehoisteditonhisbackandshuffledawaywithitacrossthelandingandoutthroughthegate。
“HowdidCapetlikepartingfromhispapaandmaman？”askedChauvelinwithalaugh。
“H\'m！”growledSimonlaconically。“Hewillfindoutsoonenoughhowwelloffhewasunderourcare。“
“Havetheothercommissariescomeyet？”
“No。Buttheywillbeheredirectly。CitizenCocheferisupstairsmountingguardoverCapet。“
“Well，good-bye，PapaSimon，“concludedChauvelinjovially。
“Citizeness，yourservant！
Hebowedwithunconcealedironytothecobbler\'swife，andnoddedtoSimon，whoexpressedbyavolleyofmotleyoathshisexactfeelingswithregardtoalltheagentsoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurity。
“Sixmonthsofthispenalservitudehavewehad，“hesaidroughly，“andnothanksorpension。Iwouldassoonserveaci-devantaristoasyouraccursedCommittee。“
ThemanDuponthadreturned。Stolidly，afterthefashionofhiskind，hecommencedtheremovalofcitizenSimon\'sgoods。Heseemedaclumsyenoughcreature，andSimonandhiswifehadtodomostoftheworkthemselves。
Chauvelinwatchedthemovingformsforawhile，thenheshruggedhisshoulderswithalaughofindifference，andturnedonhisheel。
CHAPTERXIX
ITISABOUTTHEDAUPHIN
Heronwasnotathislodgingswhen，atlast，aftervigorouspullsatthebell，agreatdealofwaitingandmuchcursing，Chauvelin，closelyfollowedbyArmand，wasintroducedinthechiefagent\'soffice。
ThesoldierwhoactedasservantsaidthatcitizenHeronhadgoneouttosup，butwouldsurelybehomeagainbyeighto\'clock。
Armandbythistimewassodazedwithfatiguethathesankonachairlikealog，andremainedtherestaringintothefire，unconsciousoftheflightoftime。
AnonHeroncamehome。HenoddedtoChauvelin，andthrewbutacursoryglanceonArmand。
“Fiveminutes，citizen，“hesaid，witharoughattemptatanapology。“Iamsorrytokeepyouwaiting，butthenewcommissarieshavearrivedwhoaretotakechargeofCapet。TheSimonshavejustgone，andIwanttoassuremyselfthateverythingisallrightintheTower。Cocheferhasbeenincharge，butI
liketocastaneyeoverthebrateverydaymyself。“
Hewentoutagain，slammingthedoorbehindhim。Hisheavyfootstepswereheardtreadingtheflagstonesofthecorridor，andgraduallydyingawayinthedistance。Armandhadpaidnoheedeithertohisentranceortohisexit。Hewasonlyconsciousofanintenseweariness，andwouldatthismomentgladlyhavelaidhisheadonthescaffoldifonithecouldfindrest。
Awhite-facedclockonthewalltickedoffthesecondsonebyone。
Fromthestreetbelowcamethemuffledsoundsofwheeledtrafficonthesoftmudoftheroad；itwasrainingmoreheavilynow，andfromtimetotimeagustofwindrattledthesmallwindowsintheirdilapidatedframes，orhurledashowerofheavydropsagainstthepanes。
TheheatfromthestovehadmadeArmanddrowsy；hisheadfellforwardonhischest。Chauvelin，withhishandsheldbehindhisback，pacedceaselesslyupanddownthenarrowroom。
SuddenlyArmandstarted——wideawakenow。Hurriedfootstepsontheflagstonesoutside，ahoarseshout，abangingofheavydoors，andthenextmomentHeronstoodoncemoreonthethresholdoftheroom。Armand，withwide-openedeyes，gazedonhiminwonder。Thewholeappearanceofthemanhadchanged。Helookedtenyearsolder，withlank，dishevelledhairhangingmattedoveramoistforehead，thecheeksashen-white，thefulllipsbloodlessandhanging，flabbyandparted，displayingbothrowsofyellowteeththatshookagainsteachother。Thewholefigurelookedbowed，asifshrunkwithinitself。
Chauvelinhadpausedinhisrestlesswalk，Hegazedonhiscolleague，afrownofpuzzlementonhispale，setface。
“Capet！”heexclaimed，assoonashehadtakenineverydetailofHeron\'salteredappearance，andseenthelookofwildterrorthatliterallydistortedhisface。
Heroncouldnotspeak；histeethwerechatteringinhismouth，andhistongueseemedparalysed。Chauvelinwentuptohim。Hewasseveralinchesshorterthanhiscolleague，butatthismomentheseemedtobetoweringoverhimlikeanavengingspirit。Heplacedafirmhandontheother\'sbowedshoulders。
“Capethasgone——isthatit？”hequeriedperemptorily。
ThelookofterrorincreasedinHeron\'seyes，givingitsmutereply。
“How？When？”
Butforthemomentthemanwasspeechless。Analmostmaniacalfearseemedtoholdhiminitsgrip。WithanimpatientoathChauvelinturnedawayfromhim。
“Brandy！”hesaidcurtly，speakingtoArmand。
Abottleandglasswerefoundinthecupboard。ItwasSt。JustwhopouredoutthebrandyandheldittoHeron\'slips。Chauvelinwasoncemorepacingupanddowntheroominangryimpatience。
“Pullyourselftogether，man，“hesaidroughlyafterawhile，“andtryandtellmewhathasoccurred。“
Heronhadsunkintoachair。Hepassedatremblinghandonceortwiceoverhisforehead。
“Capethasdisappeared，“hemurmured；“hemusthavebeenspiritedawaywhiletheSimonsweremovingtheirfurniture。ThataccursedCocheferwascompletelytakenin。“
Heronspokeinatonelessvoice，hardlyaboveawhisper，andlikeonewhosethroatisdryandmouthparched。Butthebrandyhadrevivedhimsomewhat，andhiseyeslosttheirformerglassylook。
“How？”askedChauvelincurtly。
“IwasjustleavingtheTowerwhenhearrived。Ispoketohimatthedoor。IhadseenCapetsafelyinstalledintheroom，andgaveorderstothewomanSimontoletcitizenCocheferhavealookathim，too，andthentolockupthebratintheinnerroomandinstallCocheferintheantechamberonguard。IstoodtalkingtoCocheferforafewmomentsintheantechamber。ThewomanSimonandtheman-of-all-work，Dupont——whomIknowwell——werebusywiththefurniture。Therecouldnothavebeenanyoneelseconcealedabouttheplace——thatI\'llswear。Cochefer，afterhetookleaveofme，wentstraightintotheroom；hefoundthewomanSimonintheactofturningthekeyinthedooroftheinnerchamber。I
havelockedCapetinthere，\'shesaid，givingthekeytoCochefer；
\'hewillbequitesafeuntilto-night；whentheothercommissariescome。\'
“Didn\'tCochefergointotheroomandascertainwhetherthewomanwaslying？”
“Yes，hedid！Hemadethewomanre-openthedoorandpeepedinoverhershoulder。Shesaidthechildwasasleep。Hevowsthathesawthechildlyingfullydressedonaruginthefurthercorneroftheroom。Theroom，ofcourse，wasquiteemptyoffurnitureandonlylightedbyonecandle，buttherewastherugandthechildasleeponit。Cocheferswearshesawhim，andnow——whenIwentup——“
“Well？”
“Thecommissarieswereallthere——CocheferandLasniere，LorinetandLegrand。Wewentintotheinnerroom，andIhadacandleinmyhand。Wesawthechildlyingontherug，justasCocheferhadseenhim，andforawhilewetooknonoticeofit。Thensomeone——IthinkitwasLorinet——wenttohaveacloserlookatthebrat。Hetookupthecandleandwentuptotherug。Thenhegaveacry，andweallgatheredroundhim。Thesleepingchildwasonlyabundleofhairandofclothes，adummy——what？”
Therewassilencenowinthenarrowroom，whilethewhite-facedclockcontinuedtotickoffeachsucceedingsecondoftime。Heronhadoncemoreburiedhisheadinhishands；atrembling——likeanattackofague——shookhiswide，bonyshoulders。Armandhadlistenedtothenarrativewithglowingeyesandabeatingheart。
ThedetailswhichthetwoTerroristsherecouldnotprobablyunderstandhehadalreadyaddedtothepicturewhichhismindhadconjuredup。
HewasbackinthoughtnowinthesmalllodgingintherearofSt。
Germainl\'Auxerrois；SirAndrewFfoulkeswasthere，andmyLordTonyandHastings，andamanwasstridingupanddowntheroom，lookingoutintothegreatspacebeyondtheriverwiththeeyesofaseer，andafirmvoicesaidabruptly：
“ItisabouttheDauphin！”
“Haveyouanysuspicions？”askedChauvelinnow，pausinginhiswalkbesideHeron，andoncemoreplacingafirm，peremptoryhandonhiscolleague\'sshoulder。
“Suspicions！”exclaimedthechiefagentwithaloudoath。
“Suspicions！Certainties，youmean。Themansatherebuttwodaysago，inthatverychair，andbraggedofwhathewoulddo。I
toldhimthenthatifheinterferedwithCapetIwouldwringhisneckwithmyownhands。“
Andhislong，talon-likefingers，withtheirsharp，grimynails，closedandunclosedlikethoseoffelinecreatureswhentheyholdthecovetedprey。
“Ofwhomdoyouspeak？”queriedChauvelincurtly。
“Ofwhom？OfwhombutthataccurseddeBatz？HispocketsarebulgingwithAustrianmoney，withwhich，nodoubt，hehasbribedtheSimonsandCocheferandthesentinels——“
“AndLorinetandLasniereandyou，“interposedChauvelindryly。
“Itisfalse！”roaredHeron，whoalreadyatthesuggestionwasfoamingatthemouth，andhadjumpedupfromhischair，standingatbayasifpreparedtofightforhislife。
“False，isit？”retortedChauvelincalmly；“thenbenotsoquick，friendHeron，inslashingoutwithsenselessdenunciationsrightandleft。You\'llgainnothingbydenouncinganyonejustnow。
Thisistoointricateamattertobedealtwithasledge-hammer。
IsanyoneupintheToweratthismoment？”heaskedinquiet，business-liketones。
“Yes。Cocheferandtheothersarestillthere。Theyaremakingwildschemestocovertheirtreachery。Cocheferisawareofhisowndanger，andLasniereandtheothersknowthattheyarrivedattheTowerseveralhourstoolate。Theyareallatfault，andtheyknowit。AsforthatdeBatz，“hecontinuedwithavoicerenderedraucouswithbitterpassion，“IsworetohimtwodaysagothatheshouldnotescapemeifhemeddledwithCapet。I\'monhistrackalready。I\'llhavehimbeforethehourofmidnight，andI\'lltorturehim——yes！I\'lltorturehim——theTribunalshallgivemeleave。Wehaveadarkcelldownbelowherewheremymenknowhowtoapplytorturesworsethantherack——wheretheyknowjusthowtoprolonglifelongenoughtomakeitunendurable。I\'lltorturehim！I\'lltorturehim！”
ButChauvelinabruptlysilencedthewretchwithacurtcommand；
then，withoutanotherword，hewalkedstraightoutoftheroom。
InthoughtArmandfollowedhim。Thewilddesirewassuddenlyborninhimtorunawayatthismoment，whileHeron，wrappedinhisownmeditations，waspayingnoheedtohim。Chauvelin\'sfootstepshadlongagodiedawayinthedistance；itwasalongwaytotheupperflooroftheTower，andsometimewouldbespent，too，ininterrogatingthecommissaries。ThiswasArmand\'sopportunity。
Afterall，ifhewerefreehimselfhemightmoreeffectuallyhelptorescueJeanne。Heknew，too，nowwheretojoinhisleader。
Thecornerofthestreetbythecanal，whereSirAndrewFfoulkeswouldbewaitingwiththecoal-cart；thentherewasthespinneyontheroadtoSt。Germain。Armandhopedthat，withgoodluck，hemightyetovertakehiscomrades，tellthemofJeanne\'splight，andentreatthemtoworkforherrescue。
Hehadforgottenthatnowhehadnocertificateofsafety，thatundoubtedlyhewouldbestoppedatthegatesatthishourofthenight；thathisconductprovingsuspecthewouldinallprobabilityhedetained，and，mayhap，bebroughtbacktothisself-sameplacewithinanhour。Hehadforgottenallthat，fortheprimevalinstinctforfreedomhadsuddenlybeenaroused。Herosesoftlyfromhischairandcrossedtheroom。Heronpaidnoattentiontohim。Nowhehadtraversedtheantechamberandunlatchedtheouterdoor。
Immediatelyacoupleofbayonetswerecrossedinfrontofhim，twomorefurtheronaheadscintillatedfeeblyintheflickeringlight。
Chauvelinhadtakenhisprecautions。TherewasnodoubtthatArmandSt。Justwaseffectuallyaprisonernow。
Withasighofdisappointmenthewentbacktohisplacebesidethefire。Heronhadnotevenmovedwhilsthehadmadethisfutileattemptatescape。FiveminuteslaterChauvelinre-enteredtheroom。