Chauvelin.

He must have ridden hard on the other one's heels, and something very
unexpected and very sudden must have occurred to cause the Citizen to
send this second note.

This time it is curt and to the point. Robespierre unfolds it and reads
it to his colleagues.

"We have caught the woman--his wife--there may be murder attempted
against my person, send me some one at once who will carry out my
instructions in case of my sudden death."

Robespierre's lips curl in satisfaction, showing a row of yellowish
teeth, long and sharp like the fangs of a wolf. A murmur like unto the
snarl of a pack of hyenas rises round the table, as Chauvelin's letter
is handed round.

Everyone has guessed the importance of this preliminary capture:
"the woman--his wife." Chauvelin evidently thinks much of it, for he
anticipates an attempt against his life, nay! he is quite prepared for
it, ready to sacrifice it for the sake of his revenge.

Who had accused him of weakness?

He only thinks of his duty, not of his life; he does not fear for
himself, only that the fruits of his skill might be jeopardized through
assassination.

Well! this English adventurer is capable of any act of desperation to
save his wife and himself, and Citizen Chauvelin must not be left in the
lurch.

Thus, Citizen Collot d'Herbois is despatched forthwith to Boulogne to be
a helpmeet and counsellor to Citizen Chauvelin.

Everything that can humanly be devised must be done to keep the woman
secure and to set the trap for that elusive Pimpernel.

Once he is caught the whole of France shall rejoice, and Boulogne, who
had been instrumental in running the quarry to earth, must be specially
privileged on that day.

A general amnesty for all prisoners the day the Scarlet Pimpernel is
captured. A public holiday and a pardon for all natives of Boulogne who
are under sentence of death: they shall be allowed to find their way to
the various English boats--trading and smuggling craft--that always lie
at anchor in the roads there.

The Committee of Public Safety feel amazingly magnanimous towards
Boulogne; a proclamation embodying the amnesty and the pardon is at once
drawn up and signed by Robespierre and his bloodthirsty Council of Ten,
it is entrusted to Citizen Collot d'Herbois to be read out at every
corner of the ramparts as an inducement to the little town to do its
level best. The Englishman and his wife--captured in Boulogne--will
both be subsequently