CHAPTERXX
THECERTIFICATEOFSAFETY
“YoucanleavedeBatzandhisgangalone，citizenHeron，“saidChauvelin，assoonashehadclosedthedoorbehindhim；“hehadnothingtodowiththeescapeoftheDauphin。“
Herongrowledoutafewwordsofincredulity。ButChauvelinshruggedhisshouldersandlookedwithunutterablecontemptonhiscolleague。Armand，whowaswatchinghimclosely，sawthatinhishandheheldasmallpieceofpaper，whichhehadcrushedintoashapelessmass。
“Donotwasteyourtime，citizen，“hesaid，“inragingagainstanemptywind-bag。ArrestdeBatzifyoulike，orleavehimaloneanyouplease——wehavenothingtofearfromthatbraggart。“
Withnervous，slightlyshakingfingershesettoworktosmoothoutthescrapofpaperwhichheheld。Hishothandshadsoileditandpoundedituntilitwasamereragandthewritingonitillegible。But，suchasitwas，hethrewitdownwithablasphemousoathonthedeskinfrontofHeron\'seyes。
“ItisthataccursedEnglishmanwhohasbeenatworkagain，“hesaidmorecalmly；“IguesseditthemomentIheardyourstory。
Setyourwholearmyofsleuth-houndsonhistrack，citizen；you\'llneedthemall。“
Heronpickedupthescrapoftornpaperandtriedtodecipherthewritingonitbythelightfromthelamp。Heseemedalmostdazednowwiththeawfulcatastrophethathadbefallenhim，andthefearthathisownwretchedlifewouldhavetopaythepenaltyforthedisappearanceofthechild。
AsforArmand——eveninthemidstofhisowntroubles，andofhisownanxietyforJeanne，hefeltaproudexultationinhisheart。
TheScarletPimpernelhadsucceeded；Percyhadnotfailedinhisself-imposedundertaking。Chauvelin，whosepiercingeyeswerefixedonhimatthatmoment，smiledwithcontemptuousirony。
“Asyouwillfindyourhandsoverfullforthenextfewhours，citizenHeron，“hesaid，speakingtohiscolleagueandnoddinginthedirectionofArmand，“I\'llnottroubleyouwiththevoluntaryconfessionthisyoungcitizendesiredtomaketoyou。AllIneedtellyouisthatheisanadherentoftheScarletPimpernel——I
believeoneofhismostfaithful，mosttrustedofficers。“
Heronrousedhimselffromthemazeofgloomythoughtsthatwereagainparalysinghistongue。Heturnedbleary，wildeyesonArmand。
“Wehavegotoneofthem，then？”hemurmuredincoherently，babblinglikeadrunkenman。
“M\'yes！”repliedChauvelinlightly；“butitistoolatenowforaformaldenunciationandarrest。HecannotleaveParisanyhow，andallthatyourmenneedtodoistokeepacloselook-outonhim。
ButIshouldsendhimhometo-nightifIwereyou。“
Heronmutteredsomethingmore，which，however，Armanddidnotunderstand。Chauvelin\'swordswerestillringinginhisear。Washe，then，tobesetfreeto-night？Freeinameasure，ofcourse，sincespiesweretobesettowatchhim——butfree，nevertheless？
HecouldnotunderstandChauvelin\'sattitude，andhisownself-lovewasnotalittlewoundedatthethoughtthathewasofsuchlittleaccountthatthesemencouldaffordtogivehimeventhisprovisionalfreedom。And，ofcourse，therewasstillJeanne。
“Imust，therefore，bidyougood-night，citizen，“Chauvelinwassayinginhisbland，gentlyironicalmanner。“Youwillbegladtoreturntoyourlodgings。Asyousee，thechiefagentoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurityistoomuchoccupiedjustnowtoacceptthesacrificeofyourlifewhichyouwerepreparedsogenerouslytoofferhim。“
“Idonotunderstandyou，citizen，“retortedArmandcoldly，“nordoIdesireindulgenceatyourhands。Youhavearrestedaninnocentwomanonthetrumped-upchargethatshewasharbouringme。Icamehereto-nighttogivemyselfuptojusticesothatshemightbesetfree。“
“Butthehourissomewhatlate，citizen，“rejoinedChauvelinurbanely。“Theladyinwhomyoutakesoferventaninterestisnodoubtasleepinhercellatthishour。Itwouldnotbefittingtodisturbhernow。Shemightnotfindshelterbeforemorning，andtheweatherisquiteexceptionallyunpropitious。“
“Then，sir，“saidArmand，alittlebewildered，“amItounderstandthatifIholdmyselfatyourdispositionMademoiselleLangewillbesetfreeasearlyto-morrowmorningasmaybe？”
“Nodoubt，sir——nodoubt，“repliedChauvelinwithmorethanhisaccustomedblandness；“ifyouwillholdyourselfentirelyatourdisposition，MademoiselleLangewillbesetfreeto-morrow。I
thinkthatwecansafelypromisethat，citizenHeron，canwenot？”
headded，turningtohiscolleague。
ButHeron，overcomewiththestressofemotions，couldonlymurmurvague，unintelligiblewords。
“Yourwordonthat，citizenChauvelin？”askedArmand。
“Mywordonitanyouwillacceptit。“
“No，Iwillnotdothat。GivemeanunconditionalcertificateofsafetyandIwillbelieveyou。“
“Ofwhatusewerethattoyou？”askedChauvelin。
“IbelievemycapturetobeofmoreimportancetoyouthanthatofMademoiselleLange，“saidArmandquietly。
“IwillusethecertificateofsafetyformyselforoneofmyfriendsifyoubreakyourwordtomeanentMademoiselleLange。“
“H\'m！thereasoningisnotillogical，citizen，“saidChauvelin，whilstacurioussmileplayedroundthecornersofhisthinlips。
“Youarequiteright。Youareamorevaluableassettousthanthecharmingladywho，Ihope，willformanyadayandyeartocomedelightpleasure-lovingPariswithhertalentandhergrace。“
“Amentothat，citizen，“saidArmandfervently。
“Well，itwillalldependonyou，sir！Here，“headded，coollyrunningoversomepapersonHeron\'sdeskuntilhefoundwhathewanted，“isanabsolutelyunconditionalcertificateofsafety。
TheCommitteeofGeneralSecurityissueveryfewofthese。Itisworththecostofahumanlife。Atnobarrierorgateofanycitycansuchacertificatebedisregarded，norevencanitbedetained。Allowmetohandittoyou，citizen，asapledgeofmyowngoodfaith。“
Smiling，urbane，withacuriouslookthatalmostexpressedamusementlurkinginhisshrewd，paleeyes，ChauvelinhandedthemomentousdocumenttoArmand。
Theyoungmanstudieditverycarefullybeforeheslippeditintotheinnerpocketofhiscoat。
“HowsoonshallIhavenewsofMademoiselleLange？”heaskedfinally。
“Inthecourseofto-morrow。Imyselfwillcallonyouandredeemthatpreciousdocumentinperson。You，ontheotherhand，willholdyourselfatmydisposition。That\'sunderstood，isitnot？”
“Ishallnotfailyou。Mylodgingsare——“
“Oh！donottrouble，“interposedChauvelin，withapolitebow；“wecanfindthatoutforourselves。“
Heronhadtakennopartinthiscolloquy。NowthatArmandpreparedtogohemadenoattempttodetainhim，ortoquestionhiscolleague\'sactions。Hesatbythetablelikealog；hismindwasobviouslyablanktoallelsesavetohisownterrorsengenderedbytheeventsofthisnight。
Withbleary，half-veiledeyeshefollowedArmand\'sprogressthroughtheroom，andseemedunawareoftheloudslammingoftheoutsidedoor。Chauvelinhadescortedtheyoungmanpastthefirstlineofsentry，thenhetookcordialleaveofhim。
“Yourcertificatewill，youwillfind，openeverygatetoyou。
Good-night，citizen。Ademain。“
“Good-night。“
Armand\'sslimfiguredisappearedinthegloom。Chauvelinwatchedhimforafewmomentsuntilevenhisfootstepshaddiedawayinthedistance；thenheturnedbacktowardsHeron\'slodgings。
“Anousdeux，“hemutteredbetweentightlyclenchedteeth；“anousdeuxoncemore，myenigmaticalScarletPimpernel。“
CHAPTERXXI
BACKTOPARIS
Itwasanexceptionallydarknight，andtherainwasfallingintorrents。SirAndrewFfoulkes，wrappedinapieceofsacking，hadtakenshelterrightunderneaththecoal-cart；eventhenhewasgettingwetthroughtotheskin。
Hehadworkedhardfortwodayscoal-heaving，andthenightbeforehehadfoundacheap，squalidlodgingwhereatanyratehewasprotectedfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather；butto-nighthewasexpectingBlakeneyattheappointedhourandplace。Hehadsecuredacartoftheordinaryramshacklepatternusedforcarryingcoal。Unfortunatelytherewerenocoveredonestobeobtainedintheneighbourhood，andequallyunfortunatelythethawhadsetinwithablusteringwindanddivingrain，whichmadewaitingintheopenairforhoursatastretchandincompletedarknessexcessivelyunpleasant。
ButforallthesediscomfortsSirAndrewFfoulkescarednotonejot。InEngland，inhismagnificentSuffolkhome，hewasaconfirmedsybarite，inwhoseserviceeverydescriptionofcomfortandluxuryhadtobeenrolled。Heretonightintheroughandtatteredclothesofacoal-heaver，drenchedtotheskin，andcrouchingunderthebodyofacartthathardlyshelteredhimfromtherain，hewasashappyasaschoolboyoutforaholiday。
Happy，butvaguelyanxious。
Hehadnomeansofascertainingthetime。Somanyofthechurch-bellsandclocktowershadbeensilencedrecentlythatnotoneofthosewelcomesoundspenetratedtothedrearydesolationofthiscanalwharf，withitsabandonedcartsstandingghostlikeinarow。Darknesshadsetinveryearlyintheafternoon，andtheheavershadgivenupworksoonafterfouro\'clock。
Foraboutanhourafterthatacertainanimationhadstillreignedroundthewharf，mencrossingandgoing，oneortwoofthebargesmovinginoroutalongsidethequay。Butforsometimenowdarknessandsilencehadbeenthemastersinthisdesolatespot，andthattimehadseemedtoSirAndrewaneternity。Hehadhobbledandtetheredhishorse，andstretchedhimselfoutatfulllengthunderthecart。Nowandagainhehadcrawledoutfromunderthisuncomfortableshelterandwalkedupanddowninankle-deepmud，tryingtorestorecirculationinhisstiffenedlimbs；nowandagainakindoftorporhadcomeoverhim，andhehadfallenintoabriefandrestlesssleep。Hewouldatthismomenthavegivenhalfhisfortuneforknowledgeoftheexacttime。
Butthroughallthiswearywaitinghewasneverforamomentindoubt。UnlikeArmandSt。Just，hehadthesimplest，mostperfectfaithinhischief。HehadbeenBlakeney\'sconstantcompanioninalltheseadventuresforcloseuponfouryearsnow；thethoughtoffailure，howevervague，neveronceenteredhismind。
Hewasonlyanxiousforhischief\'swelfare。Heknewthathewouldsucceed，buthewouldhavelikedtohavesparedhimmuchofthephysicalfatigueandthenerve-rackingstrainofthesehoursthatlaybetweenthedaringdeedandthehopeofsafety。
Thereforehewasconsciousofanacutetinglingofhisnerves，whichwentonevenduringthebriefpatchesoffitfulsleep，andthroughthenumbnessthatinvadedhiswholebodywhilethehoursdraggedwearilyandslowlyalong。
Then，quitesuddenly，hefeltwakefulandalert；quiteawhile——evenbeforeheheardthewelcomesignal——heknew，withacurious，subtlesenseofmagnetism，thatthehourhadcome，andthathischiefwassomewherenearby，notveryfar。
Thenheheardthecry——aseamew\'scall——repeatedthriceatintervals，andfiveminuteslatersomethingloomedoutofthedarknessquiteclosetothehindwheelsofthecart。
“Hist！Ffoulkes！”cameinasoftwhisper，scarcelouderthanthewind。
“Present！”cameinquickresponse。
“Here，helpmetoliftthechildintothecart。Heisasleep，andhasbeenadeadweightonmyarmforcloseonanhournow。Haveyouadrybitofsackingorsomethingtolayhimon？”
“Notverydry，Iamafraid。“
WithtendercarethetwomenliftedthesleepinglittleKingofFranceintothericketycart。Blakeneylaidhiscloakoverhim，andlistenedforawhiletotheslowregularbreathingofthechild。
“St。Justisnothere——youknowthat？”saidSirAndrewafterawhile。
“Yes，Iknewit，“repliedBlakeneycurtly。
Itwascharacteristicofthesetwomenthatnotawordabouttheadventureitself，abouttheterriblerisksanddangersofthepastfewhours，wasexchangedbetweenthem。Thechildwashereandwassafe，andBlakeneyknewthewhereaboutsofSt。Just——thatwasenoughforSirAndrewFfoulkes，themostdevotedfollower，themostperfectfriendtheScarletPimpernelwouldeverknow。
Ffoulkesnowwenttothehorse，detachedthenose-bag，andundidthenoosesofthehobbleandofthetether。
“Willyougetinnow，Blakeney？”hesaid；“weareready。“
Andinunbrokensilencetheybothgotintothecart；Blakeneysittingonitsfloorbesidethechild，andFfoulkesgatheringthereinsinhishands。
Thewheelsofthecartandtheslowjog-trotofthehorsemadescarcelyanynoiseinthemudoftheroads，whatnoisetheydidmakewaseffectuallydrownedbythesoughingofthewindinthebarebranchesofthestuntedacaciatreesthatedgedthetowpathalongthelineofthecanal。
SirAndrewhadstudiedthetopographyofthisdesolateneighbourhoodwellduringthepasttwenty-fourhours；heknewofadetourthatwouldenablehimtoavoidtheLaVillettegateandtheneighbourhoodofthefortifications，andyetbringhimoutsoonontheroadleadingtoSt。Germain。
OnceheturnedtoaskBlakeneythetime。
“Itmustbecloseontennow，“repliedSirPercy。“Pushyournagalong，oldman。TonyandHastingswillbewaitingforus。“
Itwasverydifficulttoseeclearlyevenametreortwoahead，buttheroadwasastraightone，andtheoldnagseemedtoknowitalmostaswellandbetterthanherdriver。Sheshambledalongatherownpace，coveringthegroundveryslowlyforFfoulkes\'sburningimpatience。Onceortwicehehadtogetdownandleadheroveraroughpieceofground。Theypassedseveralgroupsofdismal，squalidhouses，insomeofwhichadimlightstillburned，andastheyskirtedSt。Ouenthechurchclockslowlytolledthehourofmidnight。
Butforthegreaterpartofthewayderelict，uncultivatedspacesofterrainsvagues，andafewisolatedhouseslaybetweentheroadandthefortificationsofthecity。Thedarknessofthenight，thelatehour，thesoughingofthewind，wereallinfavouroftheadventurers；andacoal-cartslowlytrudgingalonginthisneighbourhood，withtwolabourerssittinginit，wastheleastlikelyofanyvehicletoattractattention。
PastClichy，theyhadtocrosstheriverbythericketywoodenbridgethatwasunsafeeveninbroaddaylight。Theywerenotfarfromtheirdestinationnow。HalfadozenkilometresfurtherontheywouldbeleavingCourbevoieontheirleft，andthenthesign-postwouldcomeinsight。Afterthatthespinneyjustofftheroad，andthewelcomepresenceofTony，Hastings，andthehorses。Ffoulkesgotdowninordertomakesureoftheway。Hewalkedatthehorse\'sheadnow，fearfullesthemissedthecross-roadsandthesign-post。
Thehorsewasgettingover-tired；ithadcoveredfifteenkilometres，anditwascloseonthreeo\'clockofMondaymorning。
Anotherhourwentbyinabsolutesilence。FfoulkesandBlakeneytookturnsatthehorse\'shead。Thenatlasttheyreachedthecross-roads；eventhroughthedarknessthesign-postshowedwhiteagainstthesurroundinggloom。
“Thislookslikeit，“murmuredSirAndrew。Heturnedthehorse\'sheadsharplytowardstheleft，downanarrowerroad，andleavingthesign-postbehindhim。Hewalkedslowlyalongforanotherquarterofanhour，thenBlakeneycalledahalt。
“Thespinneymustbesharponourrightnow，“hesaid。
Hegotdownfromthecart，andwhileFfoulkesremainedbesidethehorse，heplungedintothegloom。Amomentlaterthecryoftheseamewrangoutthreetimesintotheair。Itwasansweredalmostimmediately。
Thespinneylayontherightoftheroad。SoonthesoftsoundsthattoatrainedearinvariablybetraythepresenceofanumberofhorsesreachedFfoulkes\'strainingsenses。Hetookhisoldnagoutoftheshafts，andtheshabbyharnessfromoffher，thenheturnedheroutonthepieceofwastelandthatfacedthespinney。
Someonewouldfindherinthemorning，herandthecartwiththeshabbyharnesslaidinit，and，havingwonderedifallthesethingshadperchancedroppeddownfromheaven，wouldquietlyappropriatethem，andmayhapthankmuch-malignedheavenforitsgift。
Blakeneyinthemeanwhilehadliftedthesleepingchildoutofthecart。ThenhecalledtoSirAndrewandledthewayacrosstheroadandintothespinney。
FiveminuteslaterHastingsreceivedtheuncrownedKingofFranceinhisarms。
UnlikeFfoulkes，myLordTonywantedtohearallabouttheadventureofthisafternoon。Athoroughsportsman，helovedagoodstoryofhairbreadthescapes，ofdangerscleverlyavoided，riskstakenandconquered。
“Justintenwords，Blakeney，“heurgedentreatingly；“howdidyouactuallygettheboyaway？”
SirPercylaughed——despitehimself——attheyoungman\'seagerness。
“Nexttimewemeet，Tony，“hebegged；“Iamsodemmedfatigued，andthere\'sthisbeastlyrain——“
“No，no——now！whileHastingsseestothehorses。Icouldnotexistlongwithoutknowing，andwearewellshelteredfromtherainunderthistree。“
“Well，then，sinceyouwillhaveit，“hebeganwithalaugh，whichdespitethewearinessandanxietyofthepasttwenty-fourhourshadforceditselftohislips，“Ihavebeensweeperandman-of-all-workattheTempleforthepastfewweeks，youmustknow——“
“No！”ejaculatedmyLordTonylustily。“Bygum！”
“Indeed，youoldsybarite，whilstyouwereenjoyingyourselfheavingcoalonthecanalwharf，Iwasscrubbingfloors，lightingfires，anddoinganumberofoddjobsforalotofdemmedmurderingvillains，and“——headdedunderhisbreath——“
incidentally，too，forourleague。WheneverIhadanhourortwooffdutyIspenttheminmylodgings，andaskedyoualltocomeandmeetmethere。“
“ByGad，Blakeney！Thenthedaybeforeyesterday？——whenweallmet——“
“Ihadjusthadabath——sorelyneeded，Icantellyou。Ihadbeencleaningbootshalftheday，butIhadheardthattheSimonswereremovingfromtheTempleontheSunday，andhadobtainedanorderfromthemtohelpthemshifttheirfurniture。“
“Cleaningboots！”murmuredmyLordTonywithachuckle。“Well！
andthen？”
“Well，theneverythingworkedoutsplendidly。YouseebythattimeIwasawell-knownfigureintheTemple。Heronknewmewell。
Iusedtobehislanthorn-bearerwhenatnightshevisitedthatpoormiteinhisprison。Itwas\'Dupont，here！Dupontthere！\'
alldaylong。\'Lightthefireintheoffice，Dupont！Dupont，brushmycoat！Dupont，fetchmealight！\'WhentheSimonswantedtomovetheirhouseholdgoodstheycalledloudlyforDupont。I
gotacoveredlaundrycart，andIbroughtadummywithmetosubstituteforthechild。Simonhimselfknewnothingofthis，butMadamewasinmypay。Thedummywasjustsplendid，withrealhaironitshead；Madamehelpedmetosubstituteitforthechild；welaiditonthesofaandcovereditoverwitharug，evenwhilethosebrutesHeronandCocheferwereonthelandingoutside，andwestuffedHisMajestytheKingofFranceintoalinenbasket。
Theroomwasbadlylighted，andanyonewouldhavebeendeceived。
Noonewassuspiciousofthattypeoftrickery，soitwentoffsplendidly。ImovedthefurnitureoftheSimonsoutoftheTower。
HisMajestyKingLouisXVIIwasstillconcealedinthelinenbasket。IdrovetheSimonstotheirnewlodgings——themanstillsuspectsnothing——andthereIhelpedthemtounloadthefurniture——withtheexceptionofthelinenbasket，ofcourse。
AfterthatIdrovemylaundrycarttoahouseIknewofandcollectedanumberoflinenbaskets，whichIhadarrangedshouldbeinreadinessforme。ThusloadedupIleftParisbytheVincennesgate，anddroveasfarasBagnolet，wherethereisnoroadexceptpasttheoctroi，wheretheofficialsmighthaveprovedunpleasant。SoIliftedHisMajestyoutofthebasketandwewalkedonhandinhandinthedarknessandtherainuntilthepoorlittlefeetgaveout。Thenthelittlefellow——whohasbeenwonderfullypluckythroughout，indeed，moreaCapetthanaBourbon——snuggledupinmyarmsandwentfastasleep，and——and——well，Ithinkthat\'sall，forhereweare，yousee。“
“ButifMadameSimonhadnotbeenamenabletobribery？”suggestedLordTonyafteramoment\'ssilence。
“ThenIshouldhavehadtothinkofsomethingelse。“
“IfduringtheremovalofthefurnitureHeronhadremainedresolutelyintheroom？”
“Then，again，Ishouldhavehadtothinkofsomethingelse；butrememberthatinlifethereisalwaysonesuprememomentwhenChance——whoiscreditedtohavebutonehaironherhead——standsbyyouforabriefspaceoftime；sometimesthatspaceisinfinitesimal——oneminute，afewseconds——justthetimetoseizeChancebythatonehair。SoIprayyouallgivemenocreditinthisoranyothermatterinwhichweallworktogether，butthequicknessofseizingChancebythehairduringthebriefmomentwhenshestandsbymyside。IfMadameSimonhadbeenun-amenable，ifHeronhadremainedintheroomallthetime，ifCocheferhadhadtwolooksatthedummyinsteadofone——well，then，somethingelsewouldhavehelpedme，somethingwouldhaveoccurred；
something——Iknownotwhat——butsurelysomethingwhichChancemeanttobeonourside，ifonlywewerequickenoughtoseizeit——andsoyouseehowsimpleitallis。“
Sosimple，infact，thatitwassublime。Thedaring，thepluck，theingenuityand，aboveall，thesuper-humanheroismandendurancewhichrenderedthehearersofthissimplenarrative，simplytold，dumbwithadmiration。
Theirthoughtsnowwerebeyondverbalexpression。
“Howsoonwasthehueandcryforthechildaboutthestreets？”
askedTony，afteramoment\'ssilence。
“ItwasnotoutwhenIleftthegatesofParis，“saidBlakeneymeditatively；“soquietlyhasthenewsoftheescapebeenkept，thatIamwonderingwhatdevilrythatbruteHeroncanbeafter。
Andnownomorechattering，“hecontinuedlightly；“alltohorse，andyou，Hastings，haveacare。ThedestiniesofFrance，mayhap，willbelyingasleepinyourarms。“
“Butyou，Blakeney？”exclaimedthethreemenalmostsimultaneously。
“Iamnotgoingwithyou。Ientrustthechildtoyou。ForGod\'ssakeguardhimwell！RidewithhimtoMantes。Youshouldarrivethereataboutteno\'clock。OneofyouthengostraighttoNo。9
RuelaTour。Ringthebell；anoldmanwillanswerit。Saytheonewordtohim，\'Enfant\'；hewillreply，\'Deroi！\'Givehimthechild，andmayHeavenblessyouallforthehelpyouhavegivenmethisnight！”
“Butyou，Blakeney？”reiteratedTonywithanoteofdeepanxietyinhisfreshyoungvoice。
“IamstraightforParis，“hesaidquietly。
“Impossible！”
“Thereforefeasible。“
“Butwhy？Percy，inthenameofHeaven，doyourealisewhatyouaredoing？”
“Perfectly。“
“They\'llnotleaveastoneunturnedtofindyou——theyknowbynow，believeme，thatyourhanddidthistrick。“
“Iknowthat。“
“Andyetyoumeantogoback？”
“AndyetIamgoingback。“
“Blakeney！”
“It\'snouse，Tony。ArmandisinParis。IsawhiminthecorridoroftheTempleprisoninthecompanyofChauvelin。“
“GreatGod！”exclaimedLordHastings。
Theothersweresilent。Whatwastheuseofarguing？Oneofthemselveswasindanger。ArmandSt。Just，thebrotherofMargueriteBlakeney！WasitlikelythatPercywouldleavehiminthelurch。
“Oneofuswillstaywithyou，ofcourse？”askedSirAndrewafterawhile。
“Yes！IwantHastingsandTonytotakethechildtoMantes，thentomakeallpossiblehasteforCalais，andtheretokeepinclosetouchwiththeDay-Dream；theskipperwillcontrivetoopencommunication。TellhimtoremaininCalaiswaters。IhopeImayhaveneedofhimsoon。
“Andnowtohorse，bothofyou，“headdedgaily。“Hastings，whenyouareready，Iwillhandupthechildtoyou。Hewillbequitesafeonthepillionwithastraproundhimandyou。“
Nothingmorewassaidafterthat。Theordersweregiven，therewasnothingtodobuttoobey；andtheuncrownedKingofFrancewasnotyetoutofdanger。HastingsandTonyledtwoofthehorsesoutofthespinney；attheroadsidetheymounted，andthenthelittleladforwhosesakesomuchheroism，suchselflessdevotionhadbeenexpended，washoistedup，stillhalfasleep，onthepillioninfrontofmyLordHastings。
“Keepyourarmroundhim，“admonishedBlakeney；“yourhorselooksquietenough。ButputonspeedasfarasMantes，andmayHeavenguardyouboth！”
Thetwomenpressedtheirheelstotheirhorses\'flanks，thebeastssnortedandpawedthegroundanxioustostart。Therewereafewwhisperedfarewells，twoloyalhandswerestretchedoutatthelast，eagertograsptheleader\'shand。
Thenhorsesandridersdisappearedintheutterdarknesswhichcomesbeforethedawn。
BlakeneyandFfoulkesstoodsidebysideinsilenceforaslongasthepawingofhoofsinthemudcouldreachtheirears，thenFfoulkesaskedabruptly：
“Whatdoyouwantmetodo，Blakeney？”
“Well，forthepresent，mydearfellow，Iwantyoutotakeoneofthethreehorseswehaveleftinthespinney，andputhimintotheshaftsofouroldfriendthecoal-cart；thenIamafraidthatyoumustgobackthewaywecame。“
“Yes？”
“ContinuetoheavecoalonthecanalwharfbyLaVillette；itisthebestwaytoavoidattention。Afteryourday\'sworkkeepyourcartandhorseinreadinessagainstmyarrival，atthesamespotwhereyouwerelastnight。Ifafterhavingwaitedformelikethisforthreeconsecutivenightsyouneitherseenorhearanythingfromme，gobacktoEnglandandtellMargueritethatingivingmylifeforherbrotherIgaveitforher！”
“Blakeney——！”
“IspokedifferentlytowhatIusuallydo，isthatit？”heinterposed，placinghisfirmhandonhisfriend\'sshoulder。“Iamdegenerating，Ffoulkes——that\'swhatitis。Paynoheedtoit。I
supposethatcarryingthatsleepingchildinmyarmslastnightsoftenedsomenervesinmybody。Iwassoinfinitelysorryforthepoormite，andvaguelywonderedifIhadnotsaveditfromonemiseryonlytoplungeitinanother。Therewassuchafatefullookonthatwanlittleface，asifdestinyhadalreadywrititsvetothereagainsthappiness。Itcameonmethenhowfutilewereouractions，ifGodchoosestointerposeHiswillbetweenusandourdesires。“
Almostasheleftoffspeakingtherainceasedtopatterdownagainstthepuddlesintheroad。Overheadthecloudsflewbyatterrificspeed，drivenalongbytheblusteringwind。Itwaslessdarknow，andSirAndrew，peeringthroughthegloom，couldseehisleader\'sface。Itwassingularlypaleandhard，andthedeep-setlazyeyeshadinthemjustthatfatefullookwhichhehimselfhadspokenofjustnow。
“YouareanxiousaboutArmand，Percy？”askedFfoulkessoftly。
“Yes。Heshouldhavetrustedme，asIhadtrustedhim。HemissedmeattheVillettegateonFriday，andwithoutathoughtleftme——leftusallinthelurch；hethrewhimselfintothelion\'sjaws，thinkingthathecouldhelpthegirlheloved。IknewthatIcouldsaveher。Sheisincomparativesafetyevennow。Theoldwoman，MadameBelhomme，hadbeenfreelyreleasedthedayafterherarrest，butJeanneLangeisstillinthehouseintheRuedeCharonne。Youknowit，Ffoulkes。Igotherthereearlythismorning。Itwaseasyforme，ofcourse：\'Hola，Dupont！myboots，Dupont！\'\'Onemoment，citizen，mydaughter——\'\'Cursethydaughter，bringmemyboots！\'andJeanneLangewalkedoutoftheTempleprisonherhandinthatofthatloutDupont。“
“ButArmanddoesnotknowthatsheisintheRuedeCharonne？”
“No。IhavenotseenhimsincethatearlymorningonSaturdaywhenhecametotellmethatshehadbeenarrested。Havingswornthathewouldobeyme，hewenttomeetyouandTonyatLaVillette，butreturnedtoParisafewhourslater，anddrewtheundividedattentionofallthecommitteesonJeanneLangebyhissenseless，foolishinquiries。ButforhisactionthroughoutthewholeofyesterdayIcouldhavesmuggledJeanneoutofParis，gothertojoinyouatVillette，orHastingsinSt。Germain。Butthebarrierswerebeingcloselywatchedforher，andIhadtheDauphintothinkof。Sheisincomparativesafety；thepeopleintheRuedeCharonnearefriendlyforthemoment；butforhowlong？Whoknows？Imustlookafterherofcourse。AndArmand！PooroldArmand！Thelion\'sjawshavesnappedoverhim，andtheyholdhimtight。Chauvelinandhisgangareusinghimasadecoytotrapme，ofcourse。AllthathadnothappenedifArmandhadtrustedme。“
Hesighedaquicksighofimpatience，almostofregret。Ffoulkeswastheonemanwhocouldguessthebitterdisappointmentthatthishadmeant。PercyhadlongedtobebackinEnglandsoon，backtoMarguerite，toafewdaysofunalloyedhappinessandafewdaysofpeace。
NowArmand\'sactionshadretardedallthat；theywereadeliberatebartothefutureasithadbeenmappedoutbyamanwhoforesaweverything，whowaspreparedforeveryeventuality。
Inthiscase，too，hehadbeenprepared，butnotforthewantoftrustwhichhadbroughtondisobedienceakintodisloyalty。ThatabsolutelyunforeseeneventualityhadchangedBlakeney\'susualirresponsiblegaietyintoaconsciousnessoftheinevitable，oftheinexorabledecreesofFate。
Withananxioussigh，SirAndrewturnedawayfromhischiefandwenthacktothespinneytoselectforhisownpurposeoneofthethreehorseswhichHastingsandTonyhadunavoidablyleftbehind。
“Andyou，Blakeney——howwillyougobacktothatawfulParis？”hesaid，whenhehadmadehischoiceandwasoncemorebackbesidePercy。
“Idon\'tknowyet，“repliedBlakeney，“butitwouldnotbesafetoride。I\'llreachoneofthegatesonthissideofthecityandcontrivetoslipinsomehow。IhaveacertificateofsafetyinmypocketincaseIneedit。
“We\'llleavethehorseshere，“hesaidpresently，whilsthewashelpingSirAndrewtoputthehorseintheshaftsofthecoal-cart；“theycannotcometomuchharm。Somepoordevilmightstealthem，inordertoescapefromthosevilebrutesinthecity。
Ifso，Godspeedhim，sayI。I\'llcompensatemyfriendthefarmerofSt。Germainfortheirlossatanearlyopportunity。Andnow，good-bye，mydearfellow！Sometimeto-night，ifpossible，youshallheardirectnewsofme——ifnot，thento-morroworthedayafterthat。Good-bye，andHeavenguardyou！”
“Godguardyou，Blakeney！”saidSirAndrewfervently。
Hejumpedintothecartandgatheredupthereins。Hisheartwasheavyaslead，andastrangemisthadgatheredinhiseyes，blurringthelastdimvisionwhichhehadofhischiefstandingallaloneinthegloom，hisbroad，magnificentfigurelookingalmostweirdlyerectanddefiant，hisheadthrownback，andhiskind，lazyeyeswatchingthefinaldepartureofhismostfaithfulcomradeandfriend。
CHAPTERXXII
OFTHATTHERECOULDBENOQUESTION
Blakeneyhadmorethanonepied-a-terreinParis，andneverstayedlongerthantwoorthreedaysinanyofthese。Itwasnotdifficultforasingleman，behelabourerorbourgeois，toobtainanight\'slodging，eveninthesemosttroubloustimes，andinanyquarterofParis，providedtherent——outofallproportiontothecomfortandaccommodationgiven——waspaidungrudginglyandinadvance。
Emigrationand，aboveall，theenormousdeath-rollofthepasteighteenmonths，hademptiedtheapartmenthousesofthegreatcity，andthosewhohadroomstoletwereonlytoogladofalodger，alwaysprovidingtheywerenotindangerofbeingworriedbythecommitteesoftheirsection。
Thelawsframedbythesesamecommitteesnowdemandedthatallkeepersoflodgingorapartmenthousesshouldwithintwenty-fourhoursgivenoticeatthebureauoftheirindividualsectionsoftheadventofnewlodgers，togetherwithadescriptionofthepersonalappearanceofsuchlodgers，andanindicationoftheirpresumedcivilstatusandoccupation。Buttherewasamarginoftwenty-fourhours，whichcouldonpressurebeextendedtoforty-eight，and，therefore，anyonecouldobtainshelterforforty-eighthours，andhavenoquestionsasked，providedheorshewaswillingtopaytheexorbitantsumusuallyaskedunderthecircumstances。
ThusBlakeneyhadnodifficultyinsecuringwhatlodgingshewantedwhenheoncemorefoundhimselfinsideParisatsomewhereaboutnoonofthatsameMonday。
ThethoughtofHastingsandTonyspeedingontowardsManteswiththeroyalchildsafelyheldinHastings\'armshadkepthisspiritsbuoyantandcausedhimforawhiletoforgettheterribleperilinwhichArmandSt。Just\'sthoughtlessegoismhadplacedthemboth。
Blakeneywasamanofabnormalphysiqueandironnerve，elsehecouldneverhaveenduredthefatiguesofthepasttwenty-fourhours，fromthemomentwhenontheSundayafternoonhebegantoplayhispartoffurniture-removerattheTemple，tothatwhenatlastonMondayatnoonhesucceededinpersuadingthesergeantattheMaillotgatethathewasanhoneststonemasonresidingatNeuilly，whowascometoParisinsearchofwork。
Afterthatmattersbecamemoresimple。Terriblyfoot-sore，thoughhewouldneverhaveadmittedit，hungryandweary，heturnedintoanunpretentiouseating-houseandorderedsomedinner。Theplacewhenheenteredwasoccupiedmostlybylabourersandworkmen，dressedverymuchashewashimself，andquiteasgrimyashehadbecomeafterhavingdrivenaboutforhoursinalaundry-cartandinacoal-cart，andhavingwalkedtwelvekilometres，someofwhichhehadcoveredwhilstcarryingasleepingchildinhisarms。
Thus，SirPercyBlakeney，Bart。，thefriendandcompanionofthePrinceofWales，themostfastidiousfopthesalonsofLondonandBathhadeverseen，wasinnowaydistinguishableoutwardlyfromthetattered，half-starved，dirty，andout-at-elbowsproductsofthisfraternisingandequalisingRepublic。
Hewassohungrythattheill-cooked，badly-servedmealtemptedhimtoeat；andheateoninsilence，seeminglymoreinterestedinboiledbeefthanintheconversationthatwentonaroundhim。Buthewouldnothavebeenthekeenanddaringadventurerthathewasifhedidnotallthewhilekeephisearsopenforanyfragmentofnewsthatthedesultorytalkofhisfellow-dinerswaslikelytoyieldtohim。
Politicswere，ofcourse，discussed；thetyrannyofthesections，theslaverythatthisfreeRepublichadbroughtonitscitizens。
ThenamesofthechiefpersonagesofthedaywereallmentionedinturnsFocquier-Tinville，Santerre，Danton，Robespierre。Heronandhissleuth-houndswerespokenofwithexecrationsquicklysuppressed，butoflittleCapetnotoneword。
BlakeneycouldnothelpbutinferthatChauvelin，Heronandthecommissariesinchargewerekeepingtheescapeofthechildasecretforaslongastheycould。
HecouldhearnothingofArmand\'sfate，ofcourse。Thearrest——ifarresttherehadbeen——wasnotliketobebruitedabroadjustnow。
BlakeneyhavinglastseenArmandinChauvelin\'scompany，whilsthehimselfwasmovingtheSimons\'furniture，couldnotforamomentdoubtthattheyoungmanwasimprisoned，——unless，indeed，hewasbeingallowedacertainmeasureoffreedom，whilsthiseverystepwasbeingspiedon，sothathemightactasadecoyforhischief。
AtthoughtofthatallwearinessseemedtovanishfromBlakeney\'spowerfulframe。Hesethislipsfirmlytogether，andonceagainthelightofirresponsiblegaietydancedinhiseyes。
Hehadbeeninastightacornerasthisbeforenow；atBoulognehisbeautifulMargueritehadbeenusedasadecoy，andtwenty-fourhourslaterhehadheldherinhisarmsonboardhisyachttheDay-Dream。Ashewouldhaveputitinhisownforciblelanguage：
“Thosed——dmurderershavenotgotmeyet。“
Thebattlemayhapwouldthistimebeagainstgreateroddsthanbefore，butBlakeneyhadnofearthattheywouldproveoverwhelming。
Therewasinlifebutoneoddthatwasoverwhelming，andthatwastreachery。
Butofthattherecouldbenoquestion。
IntheafternoonBlakeneystartedoffinsearchoflodgingsforthenight。HefoundwhatwouldsuithimintheRuedel\'Arcade，whichwasequallyfarfromtheHouseofJusticeasitwasfromhisformerlodgings。Herehewouldbesafeforatleasttwenty-fourhours，afterwhichhemighthavetoshiftagain。Butforthemomentthelandlordofthemiserableapartmentwasover-willingtomakenofussandasknoquestions，forthesakeofthemoneywhichthisaristoindisguisedispensedwithalavishhand。
Havingtakenpossessionofhisnewquartersandsnatchedafewhoursofsound，well-deservedrest，untilthetimewhentheshadesofeveningandthedarknessofthestreetswouldmakeprogressthroughthecitysomewhatmoresafe，Blakeneysalliedforthataboutsixo\'clockhavingathreefoldobjectinview。
Primarily，ofcourse，thethreefoldobjectwasconcentratedonArmand。Therewasthepossibilityoffindingoutattheyoungman\'slodgingsinMontmartrewhathadbecomeofhim；thenthereweretheusualinquiriesthatcouldbemadefromtheregistersofthevariousprisons；and，thirdly，therewasthechancethatArmandhadsucceededinsendingsomekindofmessagetoBlakeney\'sformerlodgingsintheRueSt。Germainl\'Auxerrois。
Onthewhole，SirPercydecidedtoleavetheprisonregistersaloneforthepresent。IfArmandhadbeenactuallyarrested，hewouldalmostcertainlybeconfinedintheChateletprison，wherehewouldbeclosertohandforalltheinterrogatoriestowhich，nodoubt，hewouldbesubjected。
Blakeneysethisteethandmurmuredagood，sound，Britishoathwhenhethoughtofthoseinterrogatories。ArmandSt。Just，highlystrung，adreamerandabundleofnerves——howhewouldsufferunderthementalrackofquestionsandcross-questions，cleverly-laidtrapstocatchinformationfromhimunawares！
Hisnextobjective，then，wasArmand\'sformerlodging，andfromsixo\'clockuntilcloseuponeightSirPercyhauntedtheslopesofMontmartre，andmoreespeciallytheneighbourhoodoftheRuedelaCroixBlanche，whereArmandhadlodgedtheseformerdays。Atthehouseitselfhecouldnotinquireasyet；obviouslyitwouldnothavebeensafe；tomorrow，perhaps，whenheknewmore，butnottonight。Hiskeeneyeshadalreadyspiedatleasttwofiguresclothedintheragsofout-of-worklabourerslikehimself，whohadhungwithsuspiciouspersistenceinthissameneighbourhood，andwhoduringthetwohoursthathehadbeeninobservationhadneverstrayedoutofsightofthehouseintheRuedelaCroixBlanche。
Thattheseweretwospiesonthewatchwas，ofcourse，obvious；
butwhethertheywereonthewatchforSt。Justorforsomeotherunfortunatewretchitwasatthisstageimpossibletoconjecture。
Then，asfromtheTourdesDamesclosebytheclocksolemnlystruckthehourofeight，andBlakeneypreparedtowendhiswaybacktoanotherpartofthecity，hesuddenlysawArmandwalkingslowlyupthestreet。
Theyoungmandidnotlookeithertorightorleft；heheldhisheadforwardonhischest，andhishandswerehiddenunderneathhiscloak。WhenhepassedimmediatelyunderoneofthestreetlampsBlakeneycaughtsightofhisface；itwaspaleanddrawn。
Thenheturnedhishead，andforthespaceoftwosecondshiseyesacrossthenarrowstreetencounteredthoseofhischief。Hehadthepresenceofmindnottomakeasignortoutterasound；hewasobviouslybeingfollowed，butinthatbriefmomentSirPercyhadseenintheyoungman\'seyesalookthatremindedhimofahuntedcreature。
“Whathavethosebrutesbeenuptowithhim，Iwonder？”hemutteredbetweenclenchedteeth。
Armandsoondisappearedunderthedoorwayofthesamehousewherehehadbeenlodgingallalong。EvenashedidsoBlakeneysawthetwospiesgathertogetherlikeapairofslimylizards，andwhisperexcitedlyonetoanother。Athirdman，whoobviouslyhadbeendoggingArmand\'sfootsteps，cameupandjoinedthemafterawhile。
Blakeneycouldhaveswornloudlyandlustily，haditbeenpossibletodosowithoutattractingattention。ThewholeofArmand\'shistoryinthepasttwenty-fourhourswasperfectlycleartohim。
Theyoungmanhadbeenmadefreethathemightproveadecoyformoreimportantgame。
Hiseverystepwasbeingwatched，andhestillthoughtJeanneLangeinimmediatedangerofdeath。Thelookofdespairinhisfaceproclaimedthesetwofacts，andBlakeney\'sheartachedforthementaltorturewhichhisfriendwasenduring。HelongedtoletArmandknowthatthewomanhelovedwasincomparativesafety。
JeanneLangefirst，andthenArmandhimself；andtheoddswouldbeveryheavyagainsttheScarletPimpernel！ButthatMargueriteshouldnothavetomournanonlybrother，ofthatSirPercymadeoath。
HenowturnedhisstepstowardshisownformerlodgingsbySt。
Germainl\'Auxerrois。ItwasjustpossiblethatArmandhadsucceededinleavingamessagethereforhim。Itwas，ofcourse，equallypossiblethatwhenhedidsoHeron\'smenhadwatchedhismovements，andthatspieswouldbestationedthere，too，onthewatch。
Butthatriskmust，ofcourse，berun。Blakeney\'sformerlodgingwastheoneplacethatArmandwouldknowoftowhichhecouldsendamessagetohischief，ifhewantedtodoso。Ofcourse，theunfortunateyoungmancouldnothaveknownuntiljustnowthatPercywouldcomebacktoParis，buthemightguessit，orwishit，oronlyvaguelyhopeforit；hemightwanttosendamessage，hemightlongtocommunicatewithhisbrother-in-law，and，perhaps，feelsurethatthelatterwouldnotleavehiminthelurch。
Withthatthoughtinhismind，SirPercywasnotlikelytogiveuptheattempttoascertainforhimselfwhetherArmandhadtriedtocommunicatewithhimornot。Asforspies——well，hehaddodgedsomeofthemoftenenoughinhistime——therisksthatheranto-nightwerenoworsethantheonestowhichhehadsosuccessfullyruncounterintheTempleyesterday。
Stillkeepinguptheslouchygaitpeculiartotheout-at-elbowsworkingmanoftheday，huggingthehousesashewalkedalongthestreets，Blakeneymadeslowprogressacrossthecity。ButatlasthereachedthefacadeofSt。Germainl\'Auxerrois，andturningsharplytohisrighthesooncameinsightofthehousewhichhehadonlyquittedtwenty-fourhoursago。
Weallknowthathouse——allofuswhoarefamiliarwiththeParisofthoseterribledays。Itstandsquitedetached——avastquadrangle，facingtheQuaidel\'Ecoleandtheriver，backingontheRueSt。Germainl\'Auxerrois，andshoulderingtheCarrefourdesTroisManes。Theporte-cochere，so-called，isbutanarrowdoorway，andisactuallysituatedintheRueSt。Germainl\'Auxerrois。
Blakeneymadehiswaycautiouslyrightroundthehouse；hepeeredupanddownthequay，andhiskeeneyestriedtopiercethedensegloomthathungatthecornersofthePontNeufimmediatelyOpposite。Soonheassuredhimselfthatforthepresent，atanyrate，thehousewasnotbeingwatched。
Armandpresumablyhadnotyetleftamessageforhimhere；buthemightdosoatanytimenowthatheknewthathischiefwasinParisandonthelook-outforhim。
Blakeneymadeuphismindtokeepthishouseinsight。Thisartofwatchinghehadacquiredtoamasterlyextent，andcouldhavetaughtHeron\'swatch-dogsaremarkablelessoninit。Atnight，ofcourse，itwasacomparativelyeasytask。Therewereagoodmanyunlighteddoorwaysalongthequay，whilstastreetlampwasfixedonabracketinthewalloftheveryhousewhichhekeptinobservation。
Findingtemporaryshelterundervariousdoorways，oragainstthedankwallsofthehouses，Blakeneysethimselfresolutelytoafewhours\'wearywaiting。Athin，drizzlyrainfellwithunpleasantpersistence，likeadampmist，andthethinblousewhichheworesoonbecamewetthroughandclunghardandchillytohisshoulders。
Itwascloseonmidnightwhenatlasthethoughtitbesttogiveuphiswatchandtogobacktohislodgingsforafewhours\'
sleep；butatseveno\'clockthenextmorninghewasbackagainathispost。
Theporte-cochereofhisformerlodging-housewasnotyetopen；hetookuphisstandclosebesideit。Hiswoollencappulledwelloverhisforehead，thegrimecleverlyplasteredonhishairandface，hislowerjawthrustforward，hiseyeslookinglifelessandbleary，allgavehimanexpressionofslyvillainy，whilsttheshortclaypipestruckatasharpangleinhismouth，hishandsthrustintothepocketsofhisraggedbreeches，andhisbarefeetinthemudoftheroad，gavethefinaltouchtohisrepresentationofanout-of-work，ill-conditioned，andsupremelydiscontentedloafer。
Hehadnotverylongtowait。Soontheporte-cochereofthehousewasopened，andtheconciergecameoutwithhisbroom，makingashowofcleaningthepavementinfrontofthedoor。Fiveminuteslateralad，whoseclothesconsistedentirelyofrags，andwhosefeetandheadwerebare，camerapidlyupthestreetfromthequay，andwalkedalonglookingatthehousesashewent，asiftryingtodeciphertheirnumber。Thecoldgreydawnwasjustbreaking，drearyanddamp，asallthepastdayshadbeen。Blakeneywatchedtheladasheapproached，thesmall，nakedfeetfallingnoiselesslyonthecobblestonesoftheroad。Whentheboywasquiteclosetohimandtothehouse，Blakeneyshiftedhispositionandtookthepipeoutofhismouth。
“Upearly，myson！”hesaidgruffly。
“Yes，“saidthepale-facedlittlecreature；“IhaveamessagetodeliveratNo。9RueSt。Germainl\'Auxerrois。Itmustbesomewherenearhere。“
“Itis。Youcangivemethemessage。“
“Oh，no，citizen！”saidthelad，intowhosepale，circledeyesalookofterrorhadquicklyappeared。“ItisforoneofthelodgersinNo。9。Imustgiveittohim。“
Withaninstinctwhichhesomehowfeltcouldnoterratthismoment，BlakeneyknewthatthemessagewasonefromArmandtohimself；awrittenmessage，too，since——instinctivelywhenhespoke——theboyclutchedathisthinshirt，asiftryingtoguardsomethingpreciousthathadbeenentrustedtohim。
“Iwilldeliverthemessagemyself，sonny，“saidBlakeneygruffly。
“Iknowthecitizenforwhomitisintended。Hewouldnotliketheconciergetoseeit。“
“Oh！Iwouldnotgiveittotheconcierge，“saidtheboy。“I
wouldtakeitupstairsmyself。“
“Myson，“retortedBlakeney，“letmetellyouthis。YouaregoingtogivethatmessageuptomeandIwillputfivewholelivresintoyourhand。“
Blakeney，withallhissympathyarousedforthispoorpale-facedlad，putontheairsofaruffianlybully。Hedidnotwishthatmessagetobetakenindoorsbythelad，fortheconciergemightgetholdofit，despitetheboy\'sprotestsandtears，andafterthatBlakeneywouldperforcehavetodisclosehimselfbeforeitwouldbegivenuptohim。Duringthepastweektheconciergehadbeenveryamenabletobribery。Whateversuspicionshehadhadabouthislodgerhehadkepttohimselfforthesakeofthemoneywhichhereceived；butitwasimpossibletogaugeanyman\'strendofthoughtthesedaysfromonehourtothenext。Something——foraughtBlakeneyknew——mighthaveoccurredinthepasttwenty-fourhourstochangeanamiableandaccommodatinglodging-housekeeperintoasurlyordangerousspy。
Fortunately，theconciergehadoncemoregonewithin；therewasnooneabroad，andiftherewere，nooneprobablywouldtakeanynoticeofaburlyruffianbrow-beatingachild。
“Allons！”hesaidgruffly，“givemetheletter，orthatfivelivresgoesbackintomypocket。“
“Fivelivres！”exclaimedthechildwithpatheticeagerness。“Oh，citizen！”
Thethinlittlehandfumbledundertherags，butitreappearedagainempty，whilstafaintblushspreadoverthehollowcheeks。
“Theothercitizenalsogavemefivelivres，“hesaidhumbly。“Helodgesinthehousewheremymotherisconcierge。ItisintheRuedelaCroixBlanche。Hehasbeenverykindtomymother。I
wouldratherdoashebademe。“
“Blessthelad，“murmuredBlakeneyunderhisbreath；“hisloyaltyredeemsmanyacrimeofthisGod-forsakencity。NowIsupposeI
shallhavetobullyhim，afterall。“
Hetookhishandoutofhisbreechespocket；betweentwoverydirtyfingersheheldapieceofgold。Theotherhandheplacedquiteroughlyonthelad\'schest。
“Givemetheletter，“hesaidharshly，“or——“
Hepulledattheraggedblouse，andascrapofsoiledpapersoonfellintohishand。Theladbegantocry。
“Here，“saidBlakeney，thrustingthepieceofgoldintothethinsmallpalm，“takethishometoyourmother，andtellyourlodgerthatabig，roughmantooktheletterawayfromyoubyforce。Nowrun，beforeIkickyououtoftheway。“
Thelad，terrifiedoutofhispoorwits，didnotwaitforfurthercommands；hetooktohisheelsandran，hissmallhandclutchingthepieceofgold。Soonhehaddisappearedroundthecornerofthestreet。
Blakeneydidnotatoncereadthepaper；hethrustitquicklyintohisbreechespocketandslouchedawayslowlydownthestreet，andthenceacrossthePlaceduCarrousel，inthedirectionofhisnewlodgingsintheRuedel\'Arcade。
Itwasonlywhenhefoundhimselfaloneinthenarrow，squalidroomwhichhewasoccupyingthathetookthescrapofpaperfromhispocketandreaditslowlythrough。Itsaid：
Percy，youcannotforgiveme，norcanIeverforgivemyself，butifyouonlyknewwhatIhavesufferedforthepasttwodaysyouwould，Ithink，tryandforgive。Iamfreeandyetaprisoner；myeveryfootstepisdogged。WhattheyultimatelymeantodowithmeIdonotknow。AndwhenIthinkofJeanneIlongforthepowertoendmineownmiserableexistence。Percy！sheisstillinthehandsofthosefiends……Isawtheprisonregister；hernamewrittentherehasbeenlikeaburningbrandonmyhearteversince。ShewasstillinprisonthedaythatyouleftParis；
to-morrow，to-nightmayhap，theywilltryher，condemnher，tortureher，andIdarenotgotoseeyou，forIwouldonlybebringingspiestoyourdoor。Butwillyoucometome，Percy？Itshouldbesafeinthehoursofthenight，andtheconciergeisdevotedtome。To-nightatteno\'clockshewillleavetheporte-cochereunlatched。Ifyoufinditso，andifontheledgeofthewindowimmediatelyonyourleftasyouenteryoufindacandlealight，andbesideitascrapofpaperwithyourinitialsS。P。
tracedonit，thenitwillbequitesafeforyoutocomeuptomyroom。Itisonthesecondlanding——adooronyourright——thattooIwillleaveonthelatch。Butinthenameofthewomanyoulovebestinalltheworldcomeatoncetomethen，andhearinmind，Percy，thatthewomanIloveisthreatenedwithimmediatedeath，andthatIampowerlesstosaveher。Indeed，believeme，IwouldgladlydieevennowhutforthethoughtofJeanne，whomIshouldbeleavinginthehandsofthosefiends。ForGod\'ssake，Percy，rememberthatJeanneisalltheworldtome。
“PooroldArmand，“murmuredBlakeneywithakindlysmiledirectedattheabsentfriend，“hewon\'ttrustmeevennow。Hewon\'ttrusthisJeanneinmyhands。Well，“headdedafterawhile，“afterall，IwouldnotentrustMargueritetoanybodyelseeither。“
CHAPTERXXIII
THEOVERWHELMINGODDS
Athalf-pasttenthatsameevening，Blakeney，stillcladinaworkman\'statteredclothes，hisfeetBaresothathecouldtreadthestreetsunheard，turnedintotheRuedelaCroixBlanche。
Theporte-cochereofthehousewhereArmandlodgedhadbeenleftonthelatch；notasoulwasinsight。Peeringcautiouslyround，heslippedintothehouse。Ontheledgeofthewindow，immediatelyonhisleftwhenheentered，acandlewasleftburning，andbesideittherewasascrapofpaperwiththeinitialsS。P。roughlytracedinpencil。Noonechallengedhimashenoiselesslyglidedpastit，andupthenarrowstairsthatledtotheupperfloor。Here，too，onthesecondlandingthedoorontherighthadbeenleftonthelatch。Hepusheditopenandentered。
AsisusualeveninthemeanestlodgingsinParishouses，asmallantechambergavebetweenthefrontdoorandthemainroom。WhenPercyenteredtheantechamberwasunlighted，butthedoorintotheinnerroombeyondwasajar。Blakeneyapproacheditwithnoiselesstread，andgentlypusheditopen。
Thatveryinstantheknewthatthegamewasup；heheardthefootstepsclosingupbehindhim，sawArmand，deathlypale，leaningagainstthewallintheroominfrontofhim，andChauvelinandHeronstandingguardoverhim。
Thenextmomenttheroomandtheantechamberwereliterallyalivewithsoldiers——twentyofthemtoarrestoneman。
Itwascharacteristicofthatmanthatwhenhandswerelaidonhimfromeverysidehethrewbackhisheadandlaughed——laughedmirthfully，light-heartedly，andthefirstwordsthatescapedhislipswere：
“Well，Iamd——d！”
“Theoddsareagainstyou，SirPercy，“saidChauvelintohiminEnglish，whilstHeronatthefurtherendoftheroomwasgrowlinglikeacontentedbeast。
“BytheLord，sir，“saidPercywithperfectsang-froid，“Idobelievethatforthemomenttheyare。“
“Havedone，mymen——havedone！”headded，turninggood-humouredlytothesoldiersroundhim。“Ineverfightagainstoverwhelmingodds。Twentytoone，eh？Icouldlayfourofyououteasilyenough，perhapsevensix，butwhatthen？”
Butakindofsavagelustseemedtohaverenderedthesementemporarilymad，andtheywerebeingeggedonbyHeron。ThemysteriousEnglishman，aboutwhomsomanyeerietalesweretold！
Well，hehadsupernaturalpowers，andtwentytoonemightbenothingtohimifthedevilwasonhisside。Thereforeablowonhisforearmwiththebutt-endofabayonetwasusefulfordisablinghisrighthand，andsoontheleftarmwithadislocatedshoulderhunglimpbyhisside。Thenhewasboundwithcords。
Theveinofluckhadgivenout。Thegamblerhadstakedmorethanusualandhadlost；butheknewhowtolose，justashehadalwaysknownhowtowin。
“Thosed——dbrutesaretrussingmelikeafowl，“hemurmuredwithirrepressiblegaietyatthelast。
Thenthewrenchonhisbruisedarmsastheywerepulledroughlybackbythecordscausedtheveilofunconsciousnesstogatheroverhiseyes。
“AndJeannewassafe，Armand，“heshoutedwithalastdesperateeffort；“thosedevilshaveliedtoyouandtrickedyouintothis……Sinceyesterdaysheisoutofprison……inthehouse……youknow……“
Afterthathelostconsciousness。
AndthisoccurredonTuesday，January21st，intheyear1794，or，inaccordancewiththenewcalendar，onthe2ndPluviose，yearII
oftheRepublic。
ItischronicledintheMoniteurofthe3rdPluviosethat，“onthepreviousevening，athalf-pasttenoftheclock，theEnglishmanknownastheScarletPimpernel，whoforthreeyearshasconspiredagainstthesafetyoftheRepublic，wasarrestedthroughthepatrioticexertionsofcitizenChauvelin，andconveyedtotheConciergerie，wherehenowlies——sick，butcloselyguarded。LonglivetheRepublic！”