the man of God.

"That is enough for me," said the _procureur-general_, who relied on the
police to obtain the required information; as if passions and personal
interests were not tenfold more astute than the police.

The next day, this being market-day, Jean-Francois Tascheron was led
to execution in a manner to satisfy both the pious and the political
spirits of the town. Exemplary in behavior, pious and humble, he kissed
the crucifix, which Monsieur Bonnet held to his lips with a trembling
hand. The unhappy man was watched and examined; his glance was
particularly spied upon; would his eyes rove in search of some one in
the crowd or in a house? His discretion did, as a matter of fact, hold
firm to the last. He died as a Christian should, repentant and absolved.

The poor rector was carried away unconscious from the foot of the
scaffold, though he did not even see the fatal knife.

During the following night, on the high-road fifteen miles from Limoges,
Denise, though nearly exhausted by fatigue and grief, begged her father
to let her go again to Limoges and take with her Louis-Marie Tascheron,
one of her brothers.

"What more have you to do in that town?" asked her father, frowning.

"Father," she said, "not only must we pay the lawyer who defended him,
but we must also restore the money which he has hidden."

"You are right," said the honest man, pulling out a leathern pouch he
carried with him.

"No, no," said Denise, "he is no longer your son. It is not for those
who cursed him, but for those who loved him, to reward the lawyer."

"We will wait for you at Havre," said the father.

Denise and her brother returned to Limoges before daylight. When the
police heard, later, of this return they were never able to discover
where the brother and sister had hidden themselves.

Denise and Louis went to the upper town cautiously, about four o'clock
that afternoon, gliding along in the shadow of the houses. The poor girl
dared not raise her eyes, fearing to meet the glances of those who had
seen her brother's execution. After calling on Monsieur Bonnet, who
in spite of his weakness, consented to serve as father and guardian to
Denise in the matter, they all went to the lawyer's house in the rue de
la Comedie.

"Good-morning, my poor children," said the lawyer, bowing to Monsieur
Bonnet; "how can I be of service to you? Perhaps you would like me to
claim your brother's body and send it to you?"

"No, monsieur,"