I find my courage rising."

"Let me touch your face with a little black from the stove," said
Mercier. "You are a little too pale, Monsieur Barrington."

"It is no wonder. It seems an age since I felt the wind on my cheeks."

"That is better," said Mercier, as with some skill he tinted
Barrington's face and then treated Seth in the same fashion. "Now
listen. You, Monsieur Barrington, are Citizen Roche, your man here is
Citizen Pinot. You are both officers of the Convention under the
leadership of Citizen Mercier, a trusted servant of the Convention.
Remember these names, Roche, Pinot;--think of no others. I have papers
with me in which you are so named. Leave the speaking to me. You are
glum fellows lusting only for the work you have been given to do."

"But where do we go?" asked Barrington.

"You must trust me, monsieur. I have my instructions from Citizen
Latour. It may be that I do not know the whole of his purpose. May I
trust you to follow my instructions to the letter? for truly, if you
presently ask questions and show curiosity, my head is as good as in
Madame Guillotine's basket."

"You may trust me," Barrington answered.

"Then we may go at once. Good night, Citizen Dubois."

"Good night."

Through a doorway they passed into a yard shut in by the backs of
houses, from which, high up, dim lights glimmered. Mercier led the way,
bidding them keep close to him, and presently turned into a shed--a
stable. Three horses were there ready saddled.

"Mount, Pinot, mount, Roche. We ride toward the barrier and journey to
Versailles. We have urgent business that way."

Barrington asked no question as he mounted. Mercier led the way out of
this yard, into a narrow, cobbled street, then into a wider street.
There were not many people abroad in this direction, and no one took
particular notice of them. They crossed the Seine, and it was evident
that Mercier chose his way carefully, avoiding certain streets for good
reasons, probably. They rode in silence. Even when they approached the
barrier Mercier gave no word of warning.

They were challenged and stopped, all three reining in their horses on
the instant.

"Business of the Convention at Versailles," said Mercier.

"More heads, citizen?"

"I judge so."

"You are Citizen Mercier?" said the guard, holding up his lantern to
look at him.

"Yes. This is Citizen Roche; this, Citizen Pinot."

The man raised his lantern and looked into each face in turn.

"