“IwishIwerequitesure，“hesaidsullenly，“thatyouwerebodyandsoulinaccordwithme。“
“Iaminaccordwithyou，citizenHeron，“rejoinedtheotherearnestly——“bodyandsoulinaccordwithyou。DoyounotbelievethatIhatethisman——aye！hatehimwithahatredtenthousandtimesmorestrongthanyours？Iwanthisdeath——HeavenorhellaloneknowhowIlongforthat——butwhatIlongformostishislastingdisgrace。ForthatIhaveworked，citizenHeron——forthatIadvisedandhelpedyou。Whenfirstyoucapturedthismanyouwantedsummarilytotryhim，tosendhimtotheguillotineamidstthejoyofthepopulaceofParis，andcrownedwithasplendidhaloofmartyrdom。Thatman，citizenHeron，wouldhavebaffledyou，mockedyou，andfooledyouevenonthestepsofthescaffold。InthezenithofhisstrengthandofinsurmountablegoodluckyouandallyourmyrmidonsandalltheassembledguardofPariswouldhavehadnopoweroverhim。Thedaythatyouledhimoutofthiscellinordertotakehimtotrialortotheguillotinewouldhavebeenthatofyourhopelessdiscomfiture。Havingoncewalkedoutofthiscellhale，heartyandalert，betheescortroundhimeversostrong，heneverwouldhavere-entereditagain。OfthatIamasconvincedasthatIamalive。Iknowtheman；youdon't。Minearenottheonlyfingersthroughwhichhehasslipped。AskcitizenCollotd'Herbois，askSergeantBibotatthebarrierofMenilmontant，askGeneralSanterreandhisguards。Theyallhaveataletotell。DidIbelieveinGodorthedevil，Ishouldalsobelievethatthismanhassupernaturalpowersandahostofdemonsathisbeckandcall。“
“Yetyoutalknowoflettinghimwalkoutofthiscellto-morrow？”
“Heisadifferentmannow，citizenHeron。Onmyadviceyouplacedhimonaregimethathascounteractedthesupernaturalpowerbysimplephysicalexhaustion，anddriventothefourwindsthehostofdemonswhonodoubtfledinthefaceofstarvation。“
“IfonlyIthoughtthattherecaptureofCapetwasasvitaltoyouasitistome，“saidHeron，stillunconvinced。
“ThecaptureofCapetisjustasvitaltomeasitistoyou，“
rejoinedChauvelinearnestly，“ifitisbroughtaboutthroughtheinstrumentalityoftheEnglishman。“
Hepaused，lookingintentlyonhiscolleague，whoseshiftyeyesencounteredhisown。Thuseyetoeyethetwomenatlastunderstoodoneanother。
“Ah！”saidHeronwithasnort，“IthinkIunderstand。“
“Iamsurethatyoudo，“respondedChauvelindryly。“ThedisgraceofthiscursedScarletPimpernelandhisLeagueisasvitaltome，andmore，asthecaptureofCapetistoyou。ThatiswhyIshowedyouthewayhowtobringthatmeddlesomeadventurertohisknees；
thatiswhyIwillhelpyounowbothtofindCapetandwithhisaidandtowreakwhatreprisalsyoulikeonhimintheend。“
Heronbeforehespokeagaincastonemorelookontheprisoner。
Thelatterhadnotstirred；hisfacewashidden，butthehands，emaciated，nervelessandwaxen，likethoseofthedead，toldamoreeloquenttale，mayhap，thenthantheeyescoulddo。ThechiefagentoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecuritywalkeddeliberatelyroundthetableuntilhestoodoncemoreclosebesidethemanfromwhomhelongedwithpassionateardourtowrestanall-importantsecret。Withbrutal，grimyhandheraisedtheheadthatlay，sunkenandinert，againstthetable；withcallouseyeshegazedattentivelyonthefacethatwasthenrevealedtohim，helookedonthewaxenflesh，theholloweyes，thebloodlesslips；
thenheshruggedhiswideshoulders，andwithalaughthatsurelymusthavecausedjoyinhell，heallowedtheweariedheadtofallbackagainsttheoutstretchedarms，andturnedonceagaintohiscolleague。
“Ithinkyouareright，citizenChauvelin，“hesaid；“thereisnotmuchsupernaturalpowerhere。Letmehearyouradvice。“
CHAPTERXXXVII
CHAUVELIN'SADVICE
CitizenChauvelinhaddrawnhiscolleaguewithhimtotheendofthecellthatwasfarthestawayfromtherecess，andthetableatwhichtheprisonerwassitting。
Herethenoiseandhubbubthatwentonconstantlyintheguardroomwouldeffectuallydrownawhisperedconversation。Chauvelincalledtothesergeanttohandhimacoupleofchairsoverthebarrier。Theseheplacedagainstthewalloppositetheopening，andbeckoningHerontositdown，hedidlikewise，placinghimselfclosetohiscolleague。
Fromwherethetwomennowsattheycouldseebothintotheguard-roomoppositethemandintotherecessatdiefurthermostendofthecell。
“Firstofall，“beganChauvelinafterawhile，andsinkinghisvoicetoawhisper，“letmeunderstandyouthoroughly，citizenHeron。DoyouwantthedeathoftheEnglishman，eitherto-dayorto-morrow，eitherinthisprisonorontheguillotine？Forthatnowiseasyofaccomplishment；ordoyouwant，aboveall，togetholdoflittleCapet？”
“ItisCapetIwant，“growledHeronsavagelyunderhisbreath。
“Capet！Capet！MyownneckisdependentonmyfindingCapet。
Curseyou，haveInottoldyouthatclearlyenough？”
“Youhavetolditmeveryclearly，citizenHeron；butIwishedtomakeassurancedoublysure，andalsomakeyouUnderstandthatI，too，wanttheEnglishmantobetraylittleCapetintoyourhands。
IwantthatmoreeventhanIdohisdeath。“
“Theninthenameofhell，citizen，givemeyouradvice。“
“Myadvicetoyou，citizenHeron，isthis：Giveyourprisonernowjustasufficiencyoffoodtorevivehim——hewillhavehadafewmoments'sleep——andwhenhehaseaten，and，mayhap，drunkaglassofwine，hewill，nodoubt，feelarecrudescenceofstrength，thengivehimpenandinkandpaper。Hemust，ashesays，writetooneofhisfollowers，who，inhisturn，Isuppose，willcommunicatewiththeothers，biddingthemtobepreparedtodeliveruplittleCapettous；thelettermustmakeitcleartothatcrowdofEnglishgentlementhattheirbelovedchiefisgivinguptheuncrownedKingofFrancetousinexchangeforhisownsafety。ButIthinkyouwillagreewithme，citizenHeron，thatitwouldnotbeover-prudentonourparttoallowthatsamegallantcrowdtobeforewarnedtoosoonofthepro-poseddoingsoftheirchief。
Therefore，Ithink，we'llexplaintotheprisonerthathisfollower，whomhewillfirstappriseofhisintentions，shallstartwithusto-morrowonourexpedition，andaccompanyusuntilitslaststage，when，ifitisfoundnecessary，hemaybesentonahead，stronglyescortedofcourse，andwithpersonalmessagesfromthegallantScarletPimperneltothemembersofhisLeague。“
“Whatwillbethegoodofthat？”brokeinHeronviciously。“Doyouwantoneofhisaccursedfollowerstobereadytogivehimahelpinghandonthewayifhetriestoslipthroughourfingers？
“Patience，patience，mygoodHeron！”rejoinedChauvelinwithaplacidsmile。“Hearmeouttotheend。Timeisprecious。YoushallofferwhatcriticismyouwillwhenIhavefinished，butnotbefore。“
“Goon，then。Ilisten。“
“IamnotonlyproposingthatonememberoftheScarletPimpernelLeagueshallaccompanyusto-morrow，“continuedChauvelin，“butI
wouldalsoforcetheprisoner'swife——MargueriteBlakeney——tofollowinourtrain。“
“Awoman？Bah！Whatfor？”
“Iwilltellyouthereasonofthispresently。InhercaseI
shouldnotlettheprisonerknowbeforehandthatshetoowillformapartofourexpedition。Letthiscomeasapleasingsurpriseforhim。ShecouldjoinusonourwayoutofParis。“
“Howwillyougetholdofher？”
“Easilyenough。Iknowwheretofindher。ItracedhermyselfafewdaysagotoahouseintheRuedeCharonne，andsheisnotlikelytohavegoneawayfromPariswhileherhusbandwasattheConciergerie。Butthisisadigression，letmeproceedmoreconsecutively。Theletter，asIhavesaid，beingwrittento-nightbytheprisonertooneofhisfollowers，Iwillmyselfseethatitisdeliveredintotherighthands。You，citizenHeron，willinthemeanwhilemakeallarrangementsforthejourney。Weoughttostartatdawn，andweoughttobeprepared，especiallyduringthefirstfiftyleaguesoftheway，againstorganisedattackincasetheEnglishmanleadsusintoanambush。“
“Yes。Hemightevendothat，cursehim！”mutteredHeron。
“Hemight，butitisunlikely。Stillitisbesttobeprepared。
Takeastrongescort，citizen，saytwentyorthirtymen，pickedandtrainedsoldierswhowouldmakeshortworkofcivilians，howeverwell-armedtheymightbe。Therearetwentymembers——includingthechief——inthatScarletPimpernelLeague，andIdonotquiteseehowfromthiscelltheprisonercouldorganiseanambuscadeagainstusatagiventime。Anyhow，thatisamatterforyoutodecide。Ihavestilltoplacebeforeyouaschemewhichisameasureofsafetyforourselvesandourmenagainstambushaswellasagainsttrickery，andwhichIfeelsureyouwillpronouncequiteadequate。“
“Letmehearit，then！”
“Theprisonerwillhavetotravelbycoach，ofcourse。Youcantravelwithhim，ifyoulike，andputhiminirons，andthusavertallchancesofhisescapingontheroad。But“——andhereChauvelinmadealongpause，whichhadtheeffectofholdinghiscolleague'sattentionstillmoreclosely——“rememberthatweshallhavehiswifeandoneofhisfriendswithus。BeforewefinallyleaveParistomorrowwewillexplaintotheprisonerthatatthefirstattempttoescapeonhispart，attheslightestsuspicionthathehastrickedusforhisownendsorisleadingusintoanambush——
attheslightestsuspicion，Isay——you，citizenHeron，willorderhisfriendfirst，andthenMargueriteBlakeneyherself，tobesummarilyshotbeforehiseyes。“
Herongavealong，lowwhistle。Instinctivelyhethrewafurtive，backwardglanceattheprisoner，thenheraisedhisshiftyeyestohiscolleague。
Therewasunboundedadmirationexpressedinthem。Oneblackguardhadmetanother——agreateronethanhimself——andwasproudtoacknowledgehimashismaster。
“ByLucifer，citizenChauvelin，“hesaidatlast，“Ishouldneverhavethoughtofsuchathingmyself。“
Chauvelinputuphishandwithagestureofself-deprecation。
“Icertainlythinkthatmeasureoughttobeadequate，“hesaidwithagentleairofassumedmodesty，“unlessyouwouldprefertoarrestthewomanandlodgeherhere，keepingherhereasanhostage。“
“No，no！”saidHeronwithagrufflaugh；“thatideadoesnotappealtomenearlysomuchastheother。Ishouldnotfeelsosecureontheway……Ishouldalwaysbethinkingthatthatcursedwomanhadbeenallowedtoescape……No！no！Iwouldratherkeepherundermyowneye——justasyousuggest，citizenChauvelin……andundertheprisoner's，too，“headdedwithacoarsejest。“Ifhedidnotactuallyseeher，hemightbemorereadytotryandsavehimselfatherexpense。But，ofcourse，hecouldnotseehershotbeforehiseyes。Itisaperfectplan，citizen，ariddoesyouinfinitecredit；andiftheEnglishmantrickedus，“heconcludedwithafierceandsavageoath，“andwedidnotfindCapetattheendofthejourney，Iwouldgladlystranglehiswifeandhisfriendwithmyownhands。“
“AsatisfactionwhichIwouldnotbegrudgeyou，citizen，“saidChauvelindryly。“Perhapsyouareright……thewomanhadbestbekeptunderyourowneye……theprisonerwillneverriskhersafetyonthat，Iwouldstakemylife。We'lldeliverourfinal'either——or'themomentthatshehasjoinedourparty，andbeforewestartfurtheronourway。Now，citizenHeron，youhaveheardmyadvice；areyoupreparedtofollowit？”
“Tothelastletter，“repliedtheother。
Andtheirtwohandsmetinagraspofmutualunderstanding——twohandsalreadyindeliblystainedwithmuchinnocentblood，moredeeplystainednowwithseventeenpastdaysofinhumanityandmiserabletreacherytocome。
CHAPTERXXXVIII
CAPITULATION
WhatoccurredwithintheinnercelloftheConciergerieprisonwithinthenexthalf-hourofthat16thdayofPluvioseintheyearIIoftheRepublicis，perhaps，toowellknowntohistorytoneedorbearoverfullrepetition。
ChroniclersintimatewiththeinnerhistoryofthoseinfamousdayshavetoldushowthechiefagentoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecuritygaveordersonehouraftermidnightthathotsoup，whitebreadandwinebeservedtotheprisoner，whoforcloseonfourteendayspreviouslyhadbeenkeptonshortrationsofblackbreadandwater；thesergeantinchargeoftheguard-roomwatchforthenightalsoreceivedstrictordersthatthatsameprisonerwasonnoaccounttobedisturbeduntilthehourofsixinthemorning，whenhewastobeservedwithanythinginthewayofbreakfastthathemightfancy。
Allthisweknow，andalsothatcitizenHeron，havinggivenallnecessaryordersforthemorning'sexpedition，returnedtotheConciergerie，andfoundhiscolleagueChauvelinwaitingforhimintheguard-room。
“Well？”heaskedwithfebrileimpatience——“theprisoner？
“Heseemsbetterandstronger，“repliedChauvelin。“Nottoowell，Ihope？”
“No，no，onlyjustwellenough。“
“Youhaveseenhim——sincehissupper？”
“Onlyfromthedoorway。Itseemsheateanddrankhardlyatall，andthesergeanthadsomedifficultyinkeepinghimawakeuntilyoutame。“
“Well，nowfortheletter，“concludedHeronwiththesamemarkedfeverishnessofmannerwhichsatsocuriouslyonhisuncouthpersonality。“Pen，inkandpaper，sergeant！”hecommanded。
“Onthetable，intheprisoner'scell，citizen，“repliedthesergeant。
Heprecededthetwocitizensacrosstheguard-roomtothedoorway，andraisedforthemtheironbar，loweringitbackafterthem。
ThenextmomentHeronandChauvelinwereoncemorefacetofacewiththeirprisoner。
Whetherbyaccidentordesignthelamphadbeensoplacedthatasthetwomenapproacheditslightfellfullupontheirfaces，whilethatoftheprisonerremainedinshadow。Hewasleaningforwardwithbothelbowsonthetable，histhin，taperingfingerstoyingwiththepenandink-hornwhichhadbeenplacedclosetohishand。
“Itrustthateverythinghasbeenarrangedforyourcomfort，SirPercy？”Chauvelinaskedwithasarcasticlittlesmile。
“Ithankyou，sir，“repliedBlakeneypolitely。
“Youfeelrefreshed，Ihope？”
“Greatlyso，Iassureyou。ButIamstilldemmedsleepy；andifyouwouldkindlybebrief——“
“Youhavenotchangedyourmind，sir？”queriedChauvelin，andanoteofanxiety，whichhevainlytriedtoconceal，quiveredinhisvoice。
“No，mygoodM。Chambertin，“repliedBlakeneywiththesameurbanecourtesy，“Ihavenotchangedmymind。“
Asighofreliefescapedthelipsofboththemen。Theprisonercertainlyhadspokeninaclearerandfirmervoice；butwhateverrenewedstrengthwineandfoodhadimpartedtohimheapparentlydidnotmeantoemployinrenewedobstinacy。Chauvelin，afteramoment'spause，resumedmorecalmly：
“YouarepreparedtodirectustotheplacewherelittleCapetlieshidden？”
“Iampreparedtodoanything，sir，togetoutofthisd——dhole。“
“Verywell。Mycolleague，citizenHeron，hasarrangedforanescortoftwentymenpickedfromthebestregimentoftheGardedeParistoaccompanyus——yourself，himandme——towhereveryouwilldirectus。Isthatclear？”
“Perfectly，sir。“
“Youmustnotimagineforamomentthatwe，ontheotherhand，guaranteetogiveyouyourlifeandfreedomevenifthisexpeditionproveunsuccessful。“
“Iwouldnotventureonsuggestingsuchawildproposition，sir，“
saidBlakeneyplacidly。
Chauvelinlookedkeenlyonhim。Therewassomethinginthetoneofthatvoicethathedidnotaltogetherlike——somethingthatremindedhimofaneveningatCalais，andyetagainofadayatBoulogne。Hecouldnotreadtheexpressionintheeyes，sowithaquickgesturehepulledthelampforwardsothatitslightnowfellfullonthefaceoftheprisoner。
“Ah！thatiscertainlybetter，isitnot，mydearM。Chambertin？”
saidSirPercy，beamingonhisadversarywithapleasantsmile。
Hisface，thoughstillofthesameashenhue，lookedsereneifhopelesslywearied；theeyesseemedtomock。ButthisChauvelindecidedinhimselfmusthavebeenatrickofhisownoverwroughtfancy。Afterabriefmoment'spauseheresumeddryly：
“If，however，theexpeditionturnsoutsuccessfulineveryway——iflittleCapet，withoutmuchtroubletoourescort，fallssafeandsoundintoourhands——ifcertaincontingencieswhichIamabouttotellyouallfalloutaswewish——then，SirPercy，IseenoreasonwhytheGovernmentofthiscountryshouldnotexerciseitsprerogativeofmercytowardsyouafterall。“
“Anexercise，mydearM。Chambertin，whichmusthaveweariedthroughfrequentrepetition，“retortedBlakeneywiththesameimperturbablesmile。
“Thecontingencyatpresentissomewhatremote；whenthetimecomeswe'lltalkthismatterover……Iwillmakenopromise……
and，anyhow，wecandiscussitlater。“
“Atpresentwearebutwastingourvaluabletimeoversotriflingamatter……Ifyou'llexcuseme，sir……Iamsodemmedfatigued——“
“Thenyouwillbegladtohaveeverythingsettledquickly，Iamsure。“
“Exactly，sir。“
Heronwastakingnopartillthepresentconversation。Heknewthathistemperwasnotlikelytoremainwithinbounds，andthoughhehadnothingbutcontemptforhiscolleague'scourtlymanners，yetvaguelyinhisstupid，blunderingwayhegrudginglyadmittedthatmayhapitwasbettertoallowcitizenChauvelintodealwiththeEnglishman。Therewasalwaysthedangerthatifhisownviolenttempergotthebetterofhim，hemightevenatthiseleventhhourorderthisinsolentprisonertosummarytrialandtheguillotine，andthuslosethefinalchanceofthemoreimportantcapture。
Hewassprawlingonachairinhisusualslouchingmannerwithhisbigheadsunkbetweenhisbroadshoulders，hisshifty，prominenteyeswanderingrestlesslyfromthefaceofhiscolleaguetothatoftheotherman。
Butnowhegaveagruntofimpatience。
“Wearewastingtime，citizenChauvelin，“hemuttered。“Ihavestillagreatdealtoseetoifwearetostartatdawn。Getthed——dletterwritten，and——“
Therestofthephrasewaslostinanindistinctandsurlymurmur。
Chauvelin，afterashrugoftheshoulders，paidnofurtherheedtohim；heturned，blandandurbane，oncemoretotheprisoner。
“Iseewithpleasure，SirPercy，“hesaid，“thatwethoroughlyunderstandoneanother。Havinghadafewhours'restyouwill，I
know，feelquitereadyfortheexpedition。Willyoukindlyindicatetomethedirectioninwhichwewillhavetotravel？”
“Northwardsalltheway。“
“Towardsthecoast？”
“Theplacetowhichwemustgoisaboutsevenleaguesfromthesea。“
“OurfirstobjectivethenwillbeBeauvais，Amiens，Abbeville，Crecy，andsoon？”
“Precisely。“
“AsfarastheforestofBoulogne，shallwesay？”
“Whereweshallcomeoffthebeatentrack，andyouwillhavetotrusttomyguidance。“
“Wemightgotherenow，SirPercy，andleaveyouhere。“
“Youmight。Butyouwouldnotthenfindthechild。Sevenleaguesisnotfarfromthecoast。Hemightslipthroughyourfingers。“
“AndmycolleagueHeron，beingdisappointed，wouldinevitablysendyoutotheguillotine。“
“Quiteso，“rejoinedtheprisonerplacidly。“Methought，sir，thatwe。haddecidedthatIshouldleadthislittleexpedition？
Surely，“headded，“itisnotsomuchtheDauphinwhomyouwantasmyshareinthisbetrayal。“
“Youarerightasusual，SirPercy。Thereforeletustakethatassettled。WegoasfarasCrecy，andthenceplaceourselvesentirelyinyourhands。“
“Thejourneyshouldnottakemorethanthreedays，sir。“
“DuringwhichyouwilltravelinacoachinthecompanyofmyfriendHeron。“
“Icouldhavechosenpleasantercompany，sir；still，itwillserve。“
“Thisbeingsettled，SirPercy。Iunderstandthatyoudesiretocommunicatewithoneofyourfollowers。“
“Someonemustlettheothersknow……thosewhohavetheDauphinintheircharge。“
“Quiteso。ThereforeIprayyouwritetooneofyourfriendsthatyouhavedecidedtodelivertheDauphinintoourhandsinexchangeforyourownsafety。“
“Yousaidjustnowthatthisyouwouldnotguarantee，“interposedBlakeneyquietly。
“Ifallturnsoutwell，“retortedChauvelinwithashowofcontempt，“andifyouwillwritetheexactletterwhichIshalldictate，wemightevengiveyouthatguarantee。“
“Thequalityofyourmercy，sir，passesbelief。“
“ThenIprayyouwrite。Whichofyourfollowerswillhavethehonourofthecommunication？”
“Mybrother-in-law，ArmandSt。Just；heisstillinParis，I
believe。Hecanlettheothersknow。“
Chauvelinmadenoimmediatereply。He'pausedawhile，hesitating。
WouldSirPercyBlakeneybeready——ifhisownsafetydemandedit——tosacrificethemanwhohadbetrayedhim？Inthemomentous“either——or“thatwastobeputtohim，by-and-by，wouldhechoosehisownlifeandleaveArmandSt。Justtoperish？ItwasnotforChauvelin——oranymanofhisstamp——tojudgeofwhatBlakeneywoulddoundersuchcircumstances，andhaditbeenaquestionofSt。Justalone，mayhapChauvelinwouldhavehesitatedstillmoreatthepresentjuncture。
Butthefriendashostagewasonlydestinedtobeaminorleverageforthefinalbreaking-upoftheLeagueoftheScarletPimpernelthroughthedisgraceofitschief。Therewasthewife——MargueriteBlakeney——sisterofSt。Just，jointandfarmoreimportanthostage，whoseverycloseaffectionforherbrothermightproveanadditionaltrumpcardinthathandfulwhichChauvelinalreadyheld。
Blakeneypaidnoheedseeminglytotheother'shesitation。Hedidnotevenlookupathim，butquietlydrewpenandpapertowardshim，andmadereadytowrite。
“Whatdoyouwishmetosay？”heaskedsimply。
“Willthatyoungblackguardansweryourpurpose，citizenChauvelin？”queriedHeronroughly。
Obviouslythesamedoubthadcrossedhismind。Chauvelinquicklyre-assuredhim。
“Betterthananyoneelse，“hesaidfirmly。“Willyouwriteatmydictation，SirPercy？
“Iamwaitingtodoso，mydearsir。“
“Beginyourletterasyouwish，then；nowcontinue。“
Andhebegantodictateslowly，watchingeverywordasitleftBlakeney'spen。
“'Icannotstandmypresentpositionanylonger。CitizenHeron，andalsoM。Chauvelin——，Yes，SirPercy，Chauvelin，notChambertin……C，H，A，U，V，E，L，I，N……Thatisquiteright——'havemadethisprisonaperfecthellforme。'“
SirPercylookedupfromhiswriting，smiling。
“Youwrongyourself，mydearM。Chambertin！”hesaid；“Ihavereallybeenmostcomfortable。“
“IwishtoplacethematterbeforeyourfriendsinasindulgentamannerasIcan，“retortedChauvelindryly。
“Ithankyou，sir。Prayproceed。“
“……aperfecthellforme，'“resumedtheother。“Haveyouthat？……'andIhavebeenforcedtogiveway。To-morrowwestartfromhereatdawn；andIwillguidecitizenHerontotheplacewherehecanfindtheDauphin。Buttheauthoritiesdemandthatoneofmyfollowers，onewhohasoncebeenamemberoftheLeagueoftheScarletPimpernel，shallaccompanymeonthisexpedition。I
thereforeaskyou'——or'desireyou'or'begyou'——whicheveryouprefer，SirPercy……“
“'Askyou'willdoquitenicely。Thisisreallyveryinteresting，youknow。“
“……'tobepreparedtojointheexpedition。Westartatdawn，andyouwouldberequiredtobeatthemaingateofthehouseofJusticeatsixo'clockprecisely。Ihaveanassurancefromtheauthoritiesthatyourlifeshouldbein-violate，butifyourefusetoaccompanyme，theguillotinewillawaitmeonthemorrow。'“
“'Theguillotinewillawaitmeonthemorrow。'Thatsoundsquitecheerful，doesitnot，M。Chambertin？”saidtheprisoner，whohadnotevincedtheslightestsurpriseatthewordingoftheletterwhilsthewroteattheother'sdictation。“Doyouknow，Iquiteenjoyedwritingthisletter；itsoremindedmeofhappydaysinBoulogne。“
Chauvelinpressedhislipstogether。Trulynowhefeltthataretortfromhimwouldhavebeenundignified，moreespeciallyasjustatthismomenttherecamefromtheguardroomthesoundofmn'svoicestalkingandlaughing，theoccasionalclangofsteel，orofaheavybootagainstthetiledfloor，therattlingofdice，orasuddenburstoflaughter——sounds，infact，thatbetokenedthepresenceofanumberofsoldierscloseby。
Chauvelincontentedhimselfwithanodinthedirectionoftheguard-room。
“Theconditionsaresomewhatdifferentnow，“hesaidplacidly，“fromthosethatreignedinBoulogne。Butwillyounotsignyourletter，SirPercy？”
“Withpleasure，sir，“respondedBlakeney，aswithanelaborateflourishofthepenheappendedhisnametothemissive。
Chauvelinwaswatchinghimwitheyesthatwouldhaveshamedalynxbytheirkeenness。Hetookupthecompletedletter，readitthroughverycarefully，asiftofindsomehiddenmeaningbehindtheverywordswhichhehimselfhaddictated；hestudiedthesignature，andlookedvainlyforamarkorasignthatmightconveyadifferentsensetothatwhichhehadintended。Finally，findingnone，hefoldedtheletterupwithhisownhand，andatonceslippeditinthepocketofhiscoat。
“Takecare，M。Chambertin，“saidBlakeneylightly；“itwillburnaholeinthatelegantvestofyours。“
“Itwillhavenotimetodothat，SirPercy，“retortedChauvelinblandly；“anyouwillfurnishmewithcitizenSt。Just'spresentaddress，Iwillmyselfconveythelettertohimatonce。“
“Atthishourofthenight？PooroldArmand，he'llbeabed。Buthisaddress，sir，isNo。32，RuedelaCroixBlanche，onthefirstfloor，thedooronyourrightasyoumountthestairs；youknowtheroomwell，citizenChauvelin；youhavebeeninitbefore。Andnow，“headdedwithaloudandostentatiousyawn，“shallwealltobed？Westartatdawn，yousaid，andIamsod——dfatigued。“
Frankly，hedidnotlookitnow。Chauvelinhimself，despitehismaturedplans，despitealltheprecautionsthatbemeanttotakeforthesuccessofthisgiganticscheme，feltasuddenstrangesenseoffearcreepingintohisbones。Halfanhouragohehadseenamaninwhatlookedlikethelaststageofutterphysicalexhaustion，ahunchedupfigure，listlessandlimp，handsthattwitchednervously，thefaceasofadyingman。Nowthoseoutwardsymptomswerestilltherecertainly；thefacebythelightofthelampstilllookedlivid，thelipsbloodless，thehandsemaciatedandwaxen，buttheeyes！——theywerestillhollow，withheavylidsstillpurple，butintheirdepthstherewasacurious，mysteriouslight，alookthatseemedtoseesomethingthatwashiddentonaturalsight。
CitizenChauvelinthoughtthatHeron，too，mustbeconsciousofthis，buttheCommittee'sagentwassprawlingonachair，suckingashort-stemmedpipe，andgazingwithentireanimalsatisfactionontheprisoner。
“Themostperfectpieceofworkwehaveeveraccomplished，youandI，citizenChauvelin，“hesaidcomplacently。
“Youthinkthateverythingisquitesatisfactory？”askedtheotherwithanxiousstressonhiswords。
“Everything，ofcourse。Nowyouseetotheletter。Iwillgivefinalordersforto-morrow，butIshallsleepintheguard-room。“
“AndIonthatinvitingbed，“interposedtheprisonerlightly，asherosetohisfeet。“Yourservant，citizens！”
Hebowedhisheadslightly，andstoodbythetablewhilstthetwomenpreparedtogo。Chauvelintookafinallonglookatthemanwhomhefirmlybelievedhehadatlastbroughtdowntoabjectdisgrace。
Blakeneywasstandingerect，watchingthetworetreatingfigures——
oneslenderhandwasonthetable。Chauvelinsawthatitwasleaningratherheavily，asifforsupport，andthatevenwhilstafinalmockinglaughspedhimandhiscolleagueontheirway，thetallfigureoftheconqueredlionswayedlikeastalwartoakthatisforcedtobendtothemightyfuryofanall-compellingwind。
WithasighofcontentChauvelintookhiscolleaguebythearm，andtogetherthetwomenwalkedoutofthecell。
CHAPTERXXXIX
KILLHIM！
TwohoursaftermidnightArmandSt。Justwaswakenedfromsleepbyaperemptorypullathishell。InthesedaysinParisbutonemeaningcouldasarulebeattachedtosuchasummonsatthishourofthenight，andArmand，thoughpossessedofanunconditionalcertificateofsafety，satupinbed，quiteconvincedthatforsomereasonwhichwouldpresentlybeexplainedtohimhehadoncemorebeenplacedonthelistofthe“suspect，“andthathistrialandcondemnationonatrumped-upchargewouldfollowinduecourse。
Truthtotell，hefeltnofearattheprospect，andonlyaverylittlesorrow。Thesorrowwasnotforhimself；heregrettedneitherlifenorhappiness。Lifehadbecomehatefultohimsincehappinesshadfledwithitonthedarkwingsofdishonour；sorrowsuchashefeltwasonlyforJeanne！Shewasveryyoung，andwouldweepbittertears。Shewouldbeunhappy，becauseshetrulylovedhim，andbecausethiswouldbethefirstcupofbitternesswhichlifewasholdingouttoher。Butshewasveryyoung，andsorrowwouldnotbeeternal。Itwasbetterso。He，ArmandSt。
Just，thoughhelovedherwithanintensityofpassionthathadbeenmagnifiedandstrengthenedbyhisownoverwhelmingshame，hadneverreallybroughthisbelovedonesinglemomentofunalloyedhappiness。
FromtheveryfirstdaywhenhesatbesideherinthetinyboudoiroftheSquareduRoule，andtheheavyfootfallofHeronandhisbloodhoundsbrokeinontheirfirstkiss，downtothishourwhichhebelievedstruckhisowndeath-knell，hisloveforherhadbroughtmoretearstoherdeareyesthansmilestoherexquisitemouth。
Herhehadlovedsodearly，thatforhersweetsakehehadsacrificedhonour，friendshipandtruth；tofreeher，ashebelieved，fromthehandsofimpiousbruteshehaddoneadeedthatcriedCain-likeforvengeancetotheverythroneofGod。Forherhehadsinned，andbecauseofthatsin，evenbeforeitwascommitted，theirlovehadbeenblighted，andhappinesshadneverbeentheirs。
Nowitwasallover。Hewouldpassoutofherlife，upthestepsofthescaffold，tastingashemountedthemthemostentirehappinessthathehadknownsincethatawfuldaywhenhebecameaJudas。
Theperemptorysummons，oncemorerepeated，rousedhimfromhismeditations。Helitacandle，andwithouttroublingtoslipanyofhisclotheson，hecrossedthenarrowante-chamber，andopenedthedoorthatgaveonthelanding。
“Inthenameofthepeople！”
Hehadexpectedtohearnotonlythosewords，butalsothegroundingofarmsandthebriefcommandtohalt。HehadexpectedtoseebeforehimthewhitefacingsoftheuniformoftheGardedeParis，andtofeelhimselfroughlypushedbackintohislodgingpreparatorytothesearchbeingmadeofallhiseffectsandtheplacingofironsonhiswrists。
Insteadofthis，itwasaquiet，dryvoicethatsaidwithoutundueharshness：
“Inthenameofthepeople！”
Andinsteadoftheuniforms，thebayonetsandthescarletcapswithtricolourcockades，hewasconfrontedbyaslight，sable-cladfigure，whoseface，litbytheflickeringlightofthetallowcandle，lookedstrangelypaleandearnest。
“CitizenChauvelin！”gaspedArmand，moresurprisedthanfrightenedatthisunexpectedapparition。
“Himself，citizen，atyourservice，“repliedChauvelinwithhisquiet，ironicalmanner。“IamthebearerofaletterforyoufromSirPercyBlakeney。HaveIyourpermissiontoenter？”
MechanicallyArmandstoodaside，allowingtheothermantopassin。Heclosedthedoorbehindhisnocturnalvisitor，then，taperinhand，heprecededhimintotheinnerroom。
Itwasthesameoneinwhichafortnightagoafightinglionhadbeenbroughttohisknees。Nowitlaywrappedingloom，thefeeblelightofthecandleonlylightingArmand'sfaceandthewhitefrillofhisshirt。Theyoungmanputthetaperdownonthetableandturnedtohisvisitor。
“ShallIlightthelamp？”heasked。
“Quiteunnecessary，“repliedChauvelincurtly。“Ihaveonlyalettertodeliver，andafterthattoaskyouonebriefquestion。“
FromthepocketofhiscoathedrewtheletterwhichBlakeneyhadwrittenanhourago。
“Theprisonerwrotethisinmypresence，“hesaidashehandedtheletterovertoArmand。“Willyoureadit？”
Armandtookitfromhim，andsatdownclosetothetable；leaningforwardheheldthepapernearthelight，andbegantoread。Hereadtheletterthroughveryslowlytotheend，thenonceagainfromthebeginning。HewastryingtodothatwhichChauvelinhadwishedtodoanhourago；hewastryingtofindtheinnermeaningwhichhefeltmustinevitablyliebehindthesewordswhichPercyhadwrittenwithhisownhand。
ThatthesebarewordswerebutablindtodeceivetheenemyArmandneverdoubtedforamoment。InthishewasasloyalasMargueritewouldhavebeenherself。NeverforamomentdidthesuspicioncrosshismindthatBlakeneywasabouttoplaythepartofacoward，buthe，Armand，feltthatasafaithfulfriendandfollowerheoughtbyinstincttoknowexactlywhathischiefintended，whathemeanthimtodo。
Swiftlyhisthoughtsflewbacktothatotherletter，theonewhichMargueritehadgivenhim——theletterfullofpityandoffriendshipwhichhadbroughthimhopeandajoyandpeacewhichhehadthoughtatonetimethathewouldneverknowagain。Andsuddenlyonesentenceinthatletterstoodoutsoclearlybeforehiseyesthatitblurredtheactual，tangibleonesonthepaperwhichevennowrustledinhishand。
Butifatanytimeyoureceiveanotherletterfromme——beitscontentswhattheymay——actinaccordancewiththeletter，butsendacopyofitatoncetoFfoulkesortoMarguerite。
Noweverythingseemedatoncequiteclear；hisduty，hisnextactions，everywordthathewouldspeaktoChauvelin。ThosethatPercyhadwrittentohimwerealreadyindeliblygravenonhismemory。
Chauvelinhadwaitedwithhisusualpatience，silentandimperturbable，whiletheyoungmanread。NowwhenhesawthatArmandhadfinished，hesaidquietly：
“Justonequestion，citizen，andIneednotdetainyoulonger。
Butfirstwillyoukindlygivemebackthatletter？Itisapreciousdocumentwhichwillforeverremaininthearchivesofthenation。“
ButevenwhilehespokeArmand，withoneofthosequickintuitionsthatcomeinmomentsofacutecrisis，haddonejustthatwhichhefeltBlakeneywouldwishhimtodo。Hehadheldtheletterclosetothecandle。Acornerofthethincrisppaperimmediatelycaughtfire，andbeforeChauvelincouldutterawordofanger，ormakeamovementtopreventtheconflagration，theflameshadlickedupfullyonehalfoftheletter，andArmandhadonlyjusttimetothrowtheremainderonthefloorandtostampouttheblazewithhisfoot。
“Iamsorry，citizen，“hesaidcalmly；“anaccident。“
“Auselessactofdevotion，“interposedChauvelin，whoalreadyhadsmotheredtheoaththathadrisentohislips。TheScarletPimpernel'sactionsinthepresentmatterwillnotlosetheirmeritedpublicitythroughthefoolishdestructionofthisdocument。“
“Ihadnothought，citizen，“retortedtheyoungman，“ofcommentingontheactionsofmychief，oroftryingtodenythemthatpublicitywhichyouseemtodesireforthemalmostasmuchasIdo。“
“More，citizen，agreatdealmore！TheimpeccableScarletPimpernel，thenobleandgallantEnglishgentleman，hasagreedtodeliverintoourhandstheuncrownedKingofFrance——inexchangeforhisownlifeandfreedom。Methinksthatevenhisworstenemywouldnotwishforabetterendingtoacareerofadventure，andareputationforbraveryunequalledinEurope。Butnomoreofthis，timeispressing，ImusthelpcitizenHeronwithhisfinalpreparationsforhisjourney。You，ofcourse，citizenSt。Just，willactinaccordancewithSirPercyBlakeney'swishes？”
“Ofcourse，“repliedArmand。
“YouwillpresentyourselfatthemainentranceofthehouseofJusticeatsixo'clockthismorning。“
“Iwillnotfailyou。“
“Acoachwillbeprovidedforyou。Youwillfollowtheexpeditionashostageforthegoodfaithofyourchief。“
“Iquiteunderstand。“
“H'm！That'sbrave！Youhavenofear，citizenSt。Just？”
“Fearofwhat，sir？
“Youwillbeahostageinourhands，citizen；yourlifeaguaranteethatyourchiefhasnothoughtofplayingusfalse。NowIwasthinkingof——ofcertainevents——whichledtothearrestofSirPercyBlakeney。“
“Ofmytreachery，youmean，“rejoinedtheyoungmancalmly，eventhoughhisfacehadsuddenlybecomepaleasdeath。“Ofthedamnableliewherewithyoucheatedmeintosellingmyhonour，andmademewhatIam——acreaturescarcefittowalkuponthisearth。“
“Oh！”protestedChauvelinblandly。
“Thedamnablelie，“continuedArmandmorevehemently，“thathathmademeonewithCainandtheIscariot。Whenyougoadedmeintothehellishact，JeanneLangewasalreadyfree。“
“Free——butnotsafe。“
“Alie，man！Alie！Forwhichyouarethriceaccursed。GreatGod，isitnotyouthatshouldhavecauseforfear？MethinkswereItostrangleyounowIshouldsufferlessofremorse。“
“Andwouldberenderingyourex-chiefbutasorryservice，“
interposedChauvelinwithquietirony。“SirPercyBlakeneyisadyingman，citizenSt。Just；he'llbeadeadmanatdawnifIdonotputinanappearancebysixo'clockthismorning。ThisisaprivateunderstandingbetweencitizenHeronandmyself。WeagreedtoitbeforeIcametoseeyou。“
“Oh，youtakecareofyourownmiserableskinwellenough！Butyouneednotbeafraidofme——Itakemyordersfrommychief，andhehasnotorderedmetokillyou。“
“Thatwaskindofhim。Thenwemaycountonyou？Youarenotafraid？”
“AfraidthattheScarletPimpernelwouldleavemeinthelurchbecauseoftheimmeasurablewrongIhavedonetohim？”retortedArmand，proudanddefiantinthenameofhischief。“No，sir，I
amnotafraidofthat；IhavespentthelastfortnightinprayingtoGodthatmylifemightyetbegivenforhis。“
“H'm！Ithinkitmostunlikelythatyourprayerswillbegranted，citizen；prayers，Iimagine，soveryseldomare；butIdon'tknow，Ineverpraymyself。Inyourcase，now，IshouldsaythatyouhavenottheslightestchanceoftheDeityinterferinginsopleasantamanner。EvenwereSirPercyBlakeneypreparedtowreakpersonalrevengeonyou，hewouldscarcelybesofoolishastorisktheotherlifewhichweshallalsoholdashostageforhisgoodfaith。“
“Theotherlife？”
“Yes。Yoursister，LadyBlakeney，willalsojointheexpeditionto-morrow。ThisSirPercydoesnotyetknow；butitwillcomeasapleasantsurpriseforhim。AttheslightestsuspicionoffalseplayonSirPercy'spart，athisslightestattemptatescape，yourlifeandthatofyoursisterareforfeit；youwillbothbesummarilyshotbeforehiseyes。IdonotthinkthatIneedbemoreprecise，eh，citizenSt。Just？”
Theyoungmanwasquiveringwithpassion。Aterribleloathingforhimself，forhiscrimewhichhadbeentheprecursorofthisterriblesituation，filledhissoultothevergeofsheerphysicalnausea。Aredfilmgatheredbeforehiseyes，andthroughithesawthegrinningfaceoftheinhumanmonsterwhohadplannedthishideous，abominablething。Itseemedtohimasifinthesilenceandthehushofthenight，abovethefeeble，flickeringflamethatthrewweirdshadowsaround，agroupofdevilsweresurroundinghim，andwereshouting，“Killhim！Killhimnow！Ridtheearthofthishellishbrute！”
NodoubtifChauvelinhadexhibitedtheslightestsignoffear，ifhehadmovedaninchtowardsthedoor，Armand，blindwithpassion，driventomadnessbyagonisingremorsemoreeventhanbyrage，wouldhavesprungathisenemy'sthroatandcrushedthelifeoutofhimashewouldoutofavenomousbeast。Buttheman'scalm，hisimmobility，recalledSt。Justtohimself。Reason，thathadalmostyieldedtopassionagain，foundstrengthtodrivetheenemybackthistime，towhisperawarning，anadmonition，evenareminder。Enoughharm，Godknows，hadbeendonebytempestuouspassionalready。AndGodaloneknewwhatterribleconsequencesitstriumphnowmightbringinitstrial，andstrikingonArmand'sbuzzingearsChauvelin'swordscamebackasatriumphantandmockingecho：
“He'llbeadeadmanatdawnifIdonotputinanappearancebysixo'clock。“
Theredfilmlifted，thecandleflickeredlow，thedevilsvanished，onlythepalefaceoftheTerroristgazedwithgentleironyoutofthegloom。
“IthinkthatIneednotdetainyouanylonger，citizen，St。
Just，“hesaidquietly；“youcangetthreeorfourhours'restyetbeforeyouneedmakeastart，andIstillhaveagreatmanythingstoseeto。Iwishyougood-night，citizen。“
“Good-night，“murmuredArmandmechanically。
Hetookthecandleandescortedhisvisitorbacktothedoor。Hewaitedonthelanding，taperinhand，whileChauvelindescendedthenarrow，windingstairs。
Therewasalightintheconcierge'slodge。Nodoubtthewomanhadstruckitwhenthenocturnalvisitorhadfirstdemandedadmittance。Hisnameandtricolourscarfofofficehadensuredhimthefullmeasureofherattention，andnowshewasevidentlysittingupwaitingtolethimout。
St。Just，satisfiedthatChauvelinhadfinallygone，nowturnedbacktohisownrooms。
CHAPTERXL
GODHELPUSALL
Hecarefullylockedtheouterdoor。Thenhelitthelamp，forthecandlegavebutaflickeringlight，andhehadsomeimportantworktodo。
Firstly，hepickedupthecharredfragmentoftheletter，andsmootheditoutcarefullyandreverentlyashewouldarelic。
Tearshadgatheredinhiseyes，buthewasnotashamedofthem，fornoonesawthem；buttheyeasedhisheart，andhelpedtostrengthenhisresolve。Itwasamerefragmentthathadbeensparedbytheflame，butArmandkneweverywordoftheletterbyheart。
Hehadpen，inkandpaperreadytohisband，andfrommemorywroteoutacopyofit。TothisheaddedacoveringletterfromhimselftoMarguerite：
This——whichIhadfromPercythroughthehandsofChauvelin——I
neitherquestionnorunderstand……Hewrotetheletter，andI
havenothoughtbuttoobey。Inhispreviouslettertomeheenjoinedme，ifeverhewrotetomeagain，toobeyhimimplicitly，andtocommunicatewithyou。ToboththesecommandsdoIsubmitwithagladheart。ButofthismustIgiveyouwarning，littlemother——Chauvelindesiresyoualsotoaccompanyusto-morrow……
Percydoesnotknowthisyet，elsehewouldneverstart。Butthosefiendsfearthathisreadinessisablind……andthathehassomeplaninhisheadforhisownescapeandthecontinuedsafetyoftheDauphin……Thisplantheyhopetofrustratethroughholdingyouandmeashostagesforhisgoodfaith。GodonlyknowshowgladlyIwouldgivemylifeformychief……butyourlife，dearlittlemother……issacredaboveall……IthinkthatIdorightinwarningyou。Godhelpusall。
Havingwrittentheletter，hesealedit，togetherwiththecopyofPercy'sletterwhichhehadmade。Thenhetookupthecandleandwentdownstairs。
Therewasnolongeranylightintheconcierge'slodge，andArmandhadsomedifficultyinmakinghimselfheard。Atlastthewomancametothedoor。Shewastiredandcrossaftertwointerruptionsofhernight'srest，butshehadapartialityforheryounglodger，whosepleasantwaysandeasyliberalityhadbeenlikeapalerayofsunshinethroughthesqualorofevery-daymisery。
“Itisaletter，citoyenne，“saidArmand，withearnestentreaty，“formysister。ShelivesintheRuedeCharonne，nearthefortifications，andmusthaveitwithinanhour；itisamatteroflifeanddeathtoher，tome，andtoanotherwhoisverydeartousboth。“
Theconciergethrewupherhandsinhorror。
“RuedeCharonne，nearthefortifications，“sheexclaimed，“andwithinanhour！BytheHolyVirgin，citizen，thatisimpossible。
Whowilltakeit？Thereisnoway。“
“Awaymustbefound，citoyenne，“saidArmandfirmly，“andatonce；itisnotfar，andtherearefivegoldenlouiswaitingforthemessenger！”
Fivegoldenlouis！Thepoor，hardworkingwoman'seyesgleamedatthethought。Fivelouismeantfoodforatleasttwomonthsifonewascareful，and——
“Givemetheletter，citizen，“shesaid，“timetosliponawarmpetticoatandashawl，andI'llgomyself。It'snotfitfortheboytogoatthishour。“
“Youwillbringmebackalinefrommysisterinreplytothis，“
saidArmand，whomcircumstanceshadatlastrenderedcautious。
“BringituptomyroomsthatImaygiveyouthefivelouisinexchange。“
Hewaitedwhilethewomanslippedbackintoherroom。Sheheardhimspeakingtoherboy；thesameladwhoafortnightagohadtakenthetreacherousletterwhichhadluredBlakeneytothehouseintothefatalambuscadethathadbeenpreparedforhim。
EverythingremindedArmandofthatawfulnight，everyhourthathehadsincespentinthehousehadbeenrackingtorturetohim。Nowatlasthewastoleaveit，andonanerrandwhichmighthelptoeasetheloadofremorsefromhisheart。
Thewomanwassoonready。Armandgaveherfinaldirectionsastohowtofindthehouse；thenshetooktheletterandpromisedtobeveryquick，andtobringbackareplyfromthelady。
Armandaccompaniedhertothedoor。Thenightwasdark，athindrizzlewasfalling；hestoodandwatcheduntilthewoman'srapidlywalkingfigurewaslostinthemistygloom。
Thenwithaheavysighheoncemorewentwithin。
CHAPTERXLI
WHENHOPEWASDEAD
InasmallupstairsroomintheRuedeCharonne，abovetheshopofLucastheold-clothesdealer，MargueritesatwithSirAndrewFfoulkes。Armand'sletter，withitsmessageanditswarning，layopenonthetablebetweenthem，andshehadinherhandthesealedpacketwhichPercyhadgivenherjusttendaysago，andwhichshewasonlytoopenifallhopeseemedtobedead，ifnothingappearedtostandanylongerbetweenthatonedearlifeandirretrievableshame。
Asmalllampplacedonthetablethrewafeebleyellowlightonthesqualid，ill-furnishedroom，foritlackedstillanhourorsobeforedawn。Armand'sconciergehadbroughtherlodger'sletter，andMargueritehadquicklydespatchedabriefreplytohim，areplythatheldloveandalsoencouragement。
ThenshehadsummonedSirAndrew。Heneverhadathoughtofleavingherduringthesedaysofdiretrouble，andhehadlodgedallthiswhileinatinyroomonthetop-mostfloorofthishouseintheRuedeCharonne。
Athercallhehadcomedownveryquickly，andnowtheysattogetheratthetable，withtheoil-lampilluminingtheirpale，anxiousfaces；shethewifeandhethefriendholdingaconsultationtogetherinthismostmiserablehourthatprecededthecoldwintrydawn。
Outsideathin，persistentrainmixedwithsnowpatteredagainstthesmallwindowpanes，andanicywindfoundoutallthecrevicesintheworm-eatenwoodworkthatwouldafforditingresstotheroom。ButneitherMargueritenorFfoulkeswasconsciousofthecold。Theyhadwrappedtheircloaksroundtheirshoulders，anddidnotfeelthechillcurrentsofairthatcausedthelamptoflickerandtosmoke。
“Icanseenow，“saidMargueriteinthatcalmvoicewhichcomessonaturallyinmomentsofinfinitedespair——“IcanseenowexactlywhatPercymeantwhenhemademepromisenottoopenthispacketuntilitseemedtome——tomeandtoyou，SirAndrew——thathewasabouttoplaythepartofacoward。Acoward！GreatGod！”Shecheckedthesobthathadrisentoherthroat，andcontinuedinthesamecalmmannerandquiet，evenvoice：
“Youdothinkwithme，doyounot，thatthetimehascome，andthatwemustopenthispacket？”
“Withoutadoubt，LadyBlakeney，“repliedFfoulkeswithequalearnestness。“IwouldstakemylifethatalreadyafortnightagoBlakeneyhadthatsameplaninhismindwhichhehasnowmatured。
EscapefromthatawfulConciergerieprisonwithalltheprecautionssocarefullytakenagainstitwasimpossible。Iknewthatalas！fromthefirst。Butintheopenallmightyetbedifferent。I'llnotbelieveitthatamanlikeBlakeneyisdestinedtoperishatthehandsofthosecurs。“
Shelookedonherloyalfriendwithtear-dimmedeyesthroughwhichshoneboundlessgratitudeandheart-brokensorrow。
Hehadspokenofafortnight！ItwastendayssinceshehadseenPercy。Ithadthenseemedasifdeathhadalreadymarkedhimwithitsgrimsign。Sincethenshehadtriedtoshutawayfromhermindtheterriblevisionswhichheranguishconstantlyconjuredupbeforeherofhisgrowingweakness，ofthegradualimpairingofthatbrilliantintellect，thegradualexhaustionofthatmightyphysicalstrength。
“Godblessyou，SirAndrew，foryourenthusiasmandforyourtrust，“shesaidwithasadlittlesmile；“butforyouIshouldlongagohavelostallcourage，andtheselasttendays——whatacycleofmiserytheyrepresent——wouldhavebeenmaddeningbutforyourhelpandyourloyalty。GodknowsIwouldhavecourageforeverythinginlife，foreverythingsaveone，butjustthat，hisdeath；thatwouldbebeyondmystrength——neitherreasonnorbodycouldstandit。Therefore，Iamsoafraid，SirAndrew，“sheaddedpiteously。
“Ofwhat，LadyBlakeney？”
“ThatwhenheknowsthatItooamtogoashostage，asArmandsaysinhisletter，thatmylifeistobeguaranteehis，Iamafraidthathewilldrawback——thathewill——myGod！”shecriedwithsuddenfervour，“tellmewhattodo！”
“Shallweopenthepacket？”askedFfoulkesgently，“andthenjustmakeupourmindstoactexactlyasBlakeneyhasenjoinedustodo，neithermorenorless，butjustwordforword，deedfordeed，andIbelievethatthatwillberight——whatevermaybetide——intheend。“
Oncemorehisquietstrength，hisearnestnessandhisfaithcomfortedher。Shedriedhereyesandbrokeopentheseal。Thereweretwoseparatelettersinthepacket，oneunaddressed，obviouslyintendedforherandFfoulkes，theotherwasaddressedtoM。lebaronJeandeBatz，15，RueSt。JeandeLatranaParis。
“AletteraddressedtothatawfulBarondeBatz，“saidMarguerite，lookingwithpuzzledeyesonthepaperassheturneditoverandoverinherhand，“tothatbombasticwindbag！Iknowhimandhiswayswell！WhatcanPercyhavetosaytohim？”
SirAndrewtoolookedpuzzled。Butneitherofthemhadthemindtowastetimeinuselessspeculations。Margueriteunfoldedtheletterwhichwasintendedforher，andafterafinallookonherfriend，whosekindfacewasquiveringwithexcitement，shebeganslowlytoreadaloud：
Ineednotaskeitherofyoutwototrustme，knowingthatyouwill。ButIcouldnotdieinsidethisholelikearatinatrap——Ihadtotryandfreemyself，attheworsttodieintheopenbeneathGod'ssky。Youtwowillunderstand，andunderstandingyouwilltrustmetotheend。Sendtheenclosedletteratoncetoitsaddress。Andyou，Ffoulkes，mymostsincereandmostloyalfriend，IbegwithallmysoultoseetothesafetyofMarguerite。Armandwillstaybyme——butyou，Ffoulkes，donotleaveher，standbyher。Assoonasyoureadthisletter——andyouwillnotreadituntilbothsheandyouhavefeltthathopehasfledandImyselfamabouttothrowupthesponge——tryandpersuadehertomakeforthecoastasquicklyasmaybe……AtCalaisyoucanopenupcommunicationswiththeDay-Dreamintheusualway，andembarkonheratonce。LetnomemberoftheLeagueremainonFrenchsoilonehourlongerafterthat。ThentelltheskippertomakeforLePortal——theplacewhichheknows——andtheretokeepasharpoutlookforanotherthreenights。Afterthatmakestraightforhome，foritwillhenousewaitinganylonger。I
shallnotcome。ThesemeasuresareforMarguerite'ssafety，andforyouallwhoareinFranceatthismoment。Comrade，Ientreatyoutolookonthesemeasuresasonmydyingwish。TodeBatzI
havegivenrendezvousattheChapelleoftheHolySepulchre，justoutsidetheparkoftheChateaud'Ourde。HewillhelpmetosavetheDauphin，andifbygoodluckhealsohelpsmetosavemyselfI
shallbewithinsevenleaguesofLePortal，andwiththeLianefrozenassheisIcouldreachthecoast。
ButMarguerite'ssafetyIleaveinyourhands，Ffoulkes。WouldthatIcouldlookmoreclearlyintothefuture，andknowthatthosedevilswillnotdragherintodanger。BeghertostartatonceforCalaisimmediatelyyouhavebothreadthis。Ionlybeg，Idonotcommand。Iknowthatyou，Ffoulkes，willstandbyherwhatevershemaywishtodo。God'sblessingbeforeveronyouboth。
Marguerite'svoicediedawayinthesilencethatstilllayoverthisdesertedpartofthegreatcityandinthissqualidhousewheresheandSirAndrewFfoulkeshadfoundsheltertheselasttendays。Theagonyofmindwhichtheyhadhereendured，neverdoubting，butscarcelyeverhoping，hadfounditsculminationatlastinthisfinalmessage，whichalmostseemedtocometothemfromthegrave。
Ithadbeenwrittentendaysago。AplanhadthenapparentlyformedinPercy'smindwhichhehadsetforthduringthebriefhalf-hour'srespitewhichthosefiendshadoncegivenhim。Sincethentheyhadnevergivenhimtenconsecutiveminutes'peace；
sincethentendayshadgonebyhowmuchpower，howmuchvitalityhadgonebytooontheleadenwingsofallthoseterriblehoursspentinsolitudeandinmisery？
“Wecanbuthope，LadyBlakeney，“saidSirAndrewFfoulkesafterawhile，“thatyouwillbeallowedoutofParis；butfromwhatArmandsays——“
“AndPercydoesnotactuallysendmeaway，“sherejoinedwithapatheticlittlesmile。
“No。Hecannotcompelyou，LadyBlakeney。YouarenotamemberoftheLeague。“
“Oh，yes，Iam！”sheretortedfirmly；“andIhaveswornobedience，justasallofyouhavedone。Iwillgo，justashebidsme。andyou，SirAndrew，youwillobeyhimtoo？”
“Myordersaretostandbyyou。Thatisaneasytask。“
“Youknowwherethisplaceis？”sheasked——“theChateaud'Ourde？”
“Oh，yes，weallknowit！Itisempty，andtheparkisawreck；
theownerfledfromitattheveryoutbreakoftherevolution；heleftsomekindofstewardnominallyincharge，acuriouscreature，halfimbecile；thechateauandthechapelintheforestjustoutsidethegroundshaveoftservedBlakeneyandallofusasaplaceofrefugeonourwaytothecoast。“
“ButtheDauphinisnotthere？”shesaid。
“No。AccordingtothefirstletterwhichyoubroughtmefromBlakeneytendaysago，andonwhichIacted，Tony，whohaschargeoftheDauphin，musthavecrossedintoHollandwithhislittleMajestyto-day。“
“Iunderstand，“shesaidsimply。“Butthen——thislettertodeBatz？”
“Ah，thereIamcompletelyatsea！ButI'lldeliverit，andatoncetoo，onlyIdon'tliketoleaveyou。WillyouletmegetyououtofParisfirst？Ithinkjustbeforedawnitcouldbedone。
WecangetthecartfromLucas，andifwecouldreachSt。Germainbeforenoon，IcouldcomestraightbackthenanddeliverthelettertodeBatz。This，Ifeel，Ioughttodomyself；hutatAchard'sfarmIwouldknowthatyouweresafeforafewhours。“
“Iwilldowhateveryouthinkright，SirAndrew，“shesaidsimply；
“mywillisboundupwithPercy'sdyingwish。GodknowsIwouldratherfollowhimnow，stepbystep，——ashostage，asprisoner——anywaysolongasIcanseehim，but——“
Sheroseandturnedtogo，almostimpassivenowinthatgreatcalmbornofdespair。
Astrangerseeinghernowhadthoughtherindifferent。Shewasverypale，anddeepcirclesroundhereyestoldofsleeplessnightsanddaysofmentalmisery，butotherwisetherewasnotthefaintestoutwardsymptomofthatterribleanguishwhichwasrendingherheartstrings。Herlipsdidnotquiver，andthesourceofhertearshadbeendrieduptendaysago。
“TenminutesandI'llbeready，SirAndrew，“shesaid。“Ihavebutfewbelongings。WillyouthewhileseeLucasaboutthecart？”
Hedidasshedesired。Hercalminnowaydeceivedhim；heknewthatshemustbesufferingkeenly，andwouldsuffermorekeenlystillwhileshewouldbetryingtoeffaceherownpersonalfeelingsallthroughthatcomingdrearyjourneytoCalais。
Hewenttoseethelandlordaboutthehorseandcart，andaquarterofanhourlaterMargueritecamedownstairsreadytostart。ShefoundSirAndrewincloseconversewithanofficeroftheGardedeParis，whilsttwosoldiersofthesameregimentwerestandingatthehorse'shead。
WhensheappearedinthedoorwaySirAndrewcameatonceuptoher。
“ItisjustasIfeared，LadyBlakeney，“hesaid；“thismanhasbeensentheretotakechargeofyou。Ofcourse，heknowsnothingbeyondthefactthathisordersaretoconveyyouatoncetotheguard-houseoftheRueSte。Anne，whereheistohandyouovertocitizenChauvelinoftheCommitteeofPublicSafety。“
SirAndrewcouldnotfailtoseethelookofintensereliefwhich，inthemidstofallhersorrow，seemedsuddenlytohavelightedupthewholeofMarguerite'swanface。ThethoughtofwendingherownwaytosafetywhilstPercy，mayhap，wasfightinganunevenfightwithdeathhadbeenwell-nighintolerable；butshehadbeenreadytookeywithoutamurmur。NowFateandtheenemyhimselfhaddecidedotherwise。Shefeltasifaloadhadbeenliftedfromherheart。
“IwillatoncegoandfinddeBatz，“SirAndrewcontrivedtowhisperhurriedly。“AssoonasPercy'sletterissafelyinhishandsIwillmakemywaynorthwardsandcommunicatewithallthemembersoftheLeague，onwhomthechiefhassostrictlyenjoinedtoquitFrenchsoilimmediately。WewillproceedtoCalaisfirstandopenupcommunicationwiththeDay-Dreamintheusualway。
Theothershadbestembarkonboardher，andtheskippershallthenmakefortheknownspotofLePortel，ofwhichPercyspeaksinhisletter。ImyselfwillgobylandtoLePortel，andthence，ifIhavenonewsofyouoroftheexpedition，IwillslowlyworksouthwardsinthedirectionoftheChateaud'Ourde。ThatisallthatIcando。IfyoucancontrivetoletPercyorevenArmandknowmymovements，dosobyallmeans。IknowthatIshallbedoingright，for，inaway，Ishallbewatchingoveryouandarrangingforyoursafety，asBlakeneybeggedmetodo。Godblessyou，LadyBlakeney，andGodsavetheScarletPimpernel！”
Hestoopedandkissedherhand，andsheintimatedtotheofficerthatshewasready。Hehadahackneycoachwaitingforherlowerdownthestreet。Toitshewalkedwithafirmstep，andassheentereditshewavedalastfarewelltoSirAndrewFfoulkes。