llotine."

"I will bribe the jailers to let them escape."

"The jailers are not the only masters: and who among them would expose
himself to almost certain death for the sake of your money?"

"Then I will do still better," replied Vauquelas. "I will bribe the
judges of the Revolutionary Tribunal, and they will acquit your
friends."

"Useless! these judges will demand that the money shall be paid in
advance! and as soon as they have it in their grasp, they will condemn
the prisoners."

"What can I do then?"

"There is no help for the misfortune, and it is because you are the
cause of it that I am going to wreak my vengeance upon you!"

"Stop, stop! I will go to Robespierre."

"He will refuse your petition."

"No! my influence over him is all-powerful. I have means to compel him
to grant my request."

"Even when you ask for the release of one of the leaders of the
conspiracy to save the queen?"

"Yes; he will not refuse me."

Coursegol reflected a moment. Vauquelas, still on his knees before him,
looked up, trying to read his fate in the stern face above him.

"Listen," said Coursegol at last. "I will spare your life on certain
conditions. It depends upon yourself whether you are to live or die."

"Name them. I will obey!" murmured Vauquelas, servilely, beginning to
breathe freely once more.

"To-morrow by sunset, I must receive from you a blank order signed by
Robespierre which will enable me to obtain the release of two
prisoners."

"You shall have it."

"I also desire that Robespierre shall remain in ignorance of the names
of the prisoners who are to be released."

"He shall not know."

"Under these conditions, your life is yours. Only do not attempt to
deceive me. I know that it is in your power to obtain an order for my
arrest and thus save yourself from the chastisement you so richly
deserve."

"Can you believe--"

Vauquelas could not finish his sentence. He stammered and blushed,
feeling that his most secret thoughts had been divined.

"But to prevent that, it is here in this house that I shall await your
return; and if to-morrow the soldiers, guided by you, come here to
arrest me, they will find me in the cellar where your wealth is
concealed; and it is I who will have the pleasure of initiating them
into the secrets of your patriotic life."

Vauquelas uttered an exclamation of mingled astonishment and dismay.

"It is here," repeated Coursegol, "that I shall wait to receive from
y