awn leads
but the life that hundreds of thousands of children led whilst his
father oppressed the people. Nay! what am I saying? He leads a far
better, far happier life. He gets plenty to eat and plenty of warm
clothes. Thousands of innocent children, who have not the crimes of
a despot father upon their conscience, have to starve whilst he grows
fat."

The leer in his face was so evil that once more de Batz felt that
eerie feeling of terror creeping into his bones. Here were cruelty and
bloodthirsty ferocity personified to their utmost extent. At thought of
the Bourbons, or of all those whom he considered had been in the past
the oppressors of the people, Heron was nothing but a wild and ravenous
beast, hungering for revenge, longing to bury his talons and his fangs
into the body of those whose heels had once pressed on his own neck.

And de Batz knew that even with millions or countless money at his
command he could not purchase from this carnivorous brute the life and
liberty of the son of King Louis. No amount of bribery would accomplish
that; it would have to be ingenuity pitted against animal force, the
wiliness of the fox against the power of the wolf.

Even now Heron was darting savagely suspicious looks upon him.

"I shall get rid of the Simons," he said; "there's something in that
woman's face which I don't trust. They shall go within the next few
hours, or as soon as I can lay my hands upon a better patriot than that
mealy-mouthed cobbler. And it will be better not to have a woman about
the place. Let me see--to-day is Thursday, or else Friday morning.
By Sunday I'll get those Simons out of the place. Methought I saw you
ogling that woman," he added, bringing his bony fist crashing down on
the table so that papers, pen, and inkhorn rattled loudly; "and if I
thought that you--"

De Batz thought it well at this point to finger once more nonchalantly
the bundle of crisp paper in the pocket of his coat.

"Only on that one condition," reiterated Heron in a hoarse voice; "if
you try to get at Capet, I'll drag you to the Tribunal with my own
hands."

"Always presuming that you can get me, my friend," murmured de Batz, who
was gradually regaining his accustomed composure.

Already his active mind was busily at work. One or two things which
he had noted in connection with his visit to the Dauphin's prison had
struck him as possibly useful in his schemes. But he was disappointed
that Heron was getting rid of