hts, Monsieur
the Viscount steeled himself against the glances of his topaz-eyed
friend, and when the steps of the men were heard upon the stairs, he
did not move from the window where he had placed himself, with his
back to the stone.

The steps came nearer and nearer, Monsieur the Viscount began to
whistle--the key was rattled in the lock, and Monsieur the Viscount
heard a bit of bread fall, as the toad hastily descended to hide
itself as usual in the corners. In a moment his resolution was gone;
another second, and it would be too late. He dashed after the
creature, picked it up, and when the men came in he was standing with
his hands behind him, in which Monsieur Crapaud was quietly and safely
seated.

The room was swept, and Antoine was preparing to go, when the other,
who had been eyeing the prisoner suspiciously, stopped and said with a
sharp sneer, "Does the citizen always preserve that position?"

"Not he," said the gaoler, good-naturedly. "He spends most of his time
in bed, which saves his legs. Come along, Francois."

"I shall not come," said the other, obstinately. "Let the citizen show
me his hands."

"Plague take you!" said Antoine, in a whisper. "What sulky fit
possesses you, my comrade? Let the poor wretch alone. What wouldst
thou with his hands? Wait a little, and thou shall have his head."

"We should have few heads or prisoners either, if thou hadst the care
of them," said Francois, sharply. "I say that the prisoner secretes
something, and that I will see it. Show your hands, dog of an
aristocrat!"

Monsieur the Viscount set his teeth to keep himself from speaking, and
held out his hands in silence, toad and all.

Both the men started back with an exclamation, and Francois got behind
his comrade, and swore over his shoulder.

Monsieur the Viscount stood upright and still, with a smile on his
white face. "Behold, citizen, what I secrete, and what I desire to
keep. Behold all that I have left to secrete or to desire! There is
nothing more."

"Throw it down!" screamed Francois; "many a witch has been burnt for
less--throw it down."

The colour began to flood over Monsieur the Viscount's face; but still
he spoke gently, and with bated breath. "If you wish me to suffer,
citizen, let this be my witness that I have suffered. I must be very
friendless to desire such a friend. I must be brought very low to ask
such a favour. Let the Republic give me this."

"The Republic has one safe rule for