e had I been
warned that the authorities entertained suspicion of me; and although
the police, even to its highest grades, was in our pay, it was yet
possible that they should find it their interest to betray us. It was
just at this time that a secret envoy arrived from Paris at Havre, en
route for England, and was arrested on entering the town. His papers
were all seized, except one small packet which was conveyed by a safe
hand to myself, and my advice and counsel requested on the subject
of it. The address was simply "W. P.," and marked, "with the greatest
speed." There was an enclosure that felt like a locket-case or a
medallion, inside, and three large seals without.

The envoy, who had contrived to disburden himself of this in the very
moment of his arrestation, at once made a signal indicative of its
pressing emergency; and his own rank and position seemed to guarantee
the fact. One of our luggers was only waiting for the tide to weigh
anchor and sail for England; and the sudden resolve struck me to take
charge of the letter, and see if I could not discover for whom it was
meant. Both Dubos and his wife did all in their power to dissuade me
from the project. They spoke of the great peril of the attempt, and its
utter fruitlessness besides; but for the former I had not many fears,
and as to the latter consideration, I was fortified by a strong
and deep-felt conviction that the locket was intended for no less a
personage than the head of the English ministry, and that "William
Pitt" was designated by the initials of the direction. I own that the
conjecture was mainly suggested to me by the constant reference made to
his name, and the frequent allusions I had heard made to him by many of
the secret emissaries.

If I did not impart this impression to Dubos, it was simply because
I knew how little interest the subject would have for him, and that I
should frame very different reasons for my journey if I looked for
his concurrence. I need not stop to record the discussion that ensued
between us. Enough if I say that honest Pierre made me an offer of
partnership with him if I consented to forego my journey, from which he
steadily predicted that I should return no more. This prophecy had no
power to deter me,--nay, I half suspect that it furnished an additional
argument for my going.

Having consigned to him, therefore, all the objects of value that had
been left with me, and taking nothing but the few papers and lett