participate in
the evening fete or leave the city immediately, as they choose. The
Committee of Public Safety has promised the amnesty: it will carry out
its promise to the full, and when Citizen Collot d'Herbois arrives in
Paris with the joyful news, all natives of Boulogne in the prisons there
will participate in the free pardon too."

"I understand all that, Citizen," said Hebert, still somewhat
bewildered, "but not the Angelus."

"A fancy, friend Hebert, and I mean to have it."

"But who is to ring it, Citizen?"

"Morbleu! haven't you one calotin left in Boulogne whom you can press
into doing this service?"

"Aye! calotins enough! there's the Abbe Foucquet in this very
building... in No. 6 cell..."

"Sacre tonnerre!" ejaculated Chauvelin exultingly, "the very man! I
know his dossier well! Once he is free, he will make straightway for
England... he and his family... and will help to spread the glorious
news of the dishonour and disgrace of the much-vaunted Scarlet
Pimpernel!... The very man, friend Hebert!... Let him be stationed
here... to see the letter written... to see the money handed over--for
we will go through with that farce--and make him understand that the
moment I give him the order, he can run over to his old church St.
Joseph and ring the Angelus. ... The old fool will be delighted... more
especially when he knows that he will thereby be giving the very signal
which will set his own sister's children free.... You understand?..."

"I understand, Citizen."

"And you can make the old calotin understand?"

"I think so, Citizen.... You want him in this room.... At what time?"

"A quarter before seven."

"Yes. I'll bring him along myself, and stand over him, lest he play any
pranks."

"Oh! he'll not trouble you," sneered Chauvelin, "he'll be deeply
interested in the proceedings. The woman will be here too, remember," he
added with a jerky movement of the hand in the direction of Marguerite's
room, "the two might be made to stand together, with four of your
fellows round them."

"I understand, Citizen. Are any of us to escort the Citizen Foucquet
when he goes to St. Joseph?"

"Aye! two men had best go with him. There will be a crowd in the streets
by then... How far is it from here to the church?"

"Less than five minutes."

"Good. See to it that the doors are opened and the bell ropes easy of
access."

"It shall be seen to, Citizen. How many men will you have inside this
room to-night