fore me, and then send some one along with me,
while I restore it to its owner.'

'Is this a snare--what secret mischief have we here?' said Boivin, half
aloud, as he wiped the cold drops of perspiration from his forehead.

'Any mishap that follows will depend upon your refusal to do what I
ask.'

'How so--I never refused it; you dare not tell M. Robespierre that I
refused, sirrah?'

'I will tell him nothing that is untrue,' said I calmly; for already a
sense of power had gifted me with composure. 'If M. Robespierre----'

[Illustration: 054]

'Who speaks of me here?' cried the identical personage, as he dashed
hurriedly into the room, and then, not waiting for the reply, went on--'
You must send out your scouts on every side--I lost my pocket-book as I
left this a while ago.'

'It is here, sir,' said I, presenting it at once.

'How--where was it found--in whose keeping has it been, boy?'

'In mine only; I took it from the ground the same moment that you
dropped it, and then came here to place it in M. Boivin's hands.'

'Who has taken care of it since that time?' continued Robespierre, with
a slow and sneering accentuation on every word.

'The pocket-book has never left my possession since it quitted yours,'
was my reply.

'Just so,' broke in Boivin, now slowly recovering from his terror. 'Of
its contents I know nothing; nor have I sought to know anything.'

Robespierre looked at me as if to corroborate this statement, and I
nodded my head in acquiescence.

'Who is your father, boy?'

'I have none--he was guillotined.'

'His name?'

'Tiernay.'

'Ah, I remember; he was called _l'Irlandais_.'

'The same.'

'A famous Royalist was that same Tiernay, and, doubtless, contrived to
leave a heritage of his opinions to his son.'

'He left me nothing--I have neither house, nor home, nor even bread to
eat.'

'But you have a head to plan, and a heart to feel, youngster; and it is
better that fellows like you should not want a dinner. Boivin, look to
it that he is taken care of. In a few days I will relieve you of the
charge. You will remain here, boy; there are worse resting-places, I
promise you. There are men who call themselves teachers of the people,
who would ask no better life than free quarters on Boivin.' And so
saying, he hurriedly withdrew, leaving me face to face with my host.

'So then, youngster,' said Boivin, as he scratched his ear thoughtfully,
'I have gained a pensioner! _Parbleu!_ if l