n and helpless.

Horror froze him.... The Child who had saved his life from the
spadassins--the dear little face the memory of which he had always
treasured! He asked her a mute question, she mutely nodded.

So black-hearted murder was to snuff her out too--yes, and that young
man nearby, Maurice de Vaudrey whom he knew.

Not if Danton could protect and save!

Stern was his voice as he said to the jailer:

"There is some mistake. Keep her--and her friend--until I return!" He
was on his heel and striding to the courtroom.

A follower sensed his purpose. He laid hand on Danton's shoulder,
saying: "No, Danton--you endanger your own life!"

"What if I do? She must be saved."

As we see him pass into the Tribunal, let us stop for a moment and
watch the procedure in the death chamber. Outside, the tumbrils of
death clatter up to receive their load. A functionary calls the names
of the condemned whilst a court officer identifies them. Each in turn
is bundled off to the carts. The men hesitate over Henriette and
Maurice.

"The ex-Minister of Justice," said one, "asked that this case be
delayed."

"Her name is here," said the master functionary, a creature of the
Dictator. "She goes--"

"We might as well take the other too," said the court officer,
pointing to de Vaudrey....

* * * * *

Superbly the Lion of the Revolution faced the judges and the mob, and
demanded a hearing. Robespierre uplifted eyebrows and half-smiled,
vulpinely. His rapid exchange of looks with the Court seemed to say:
"Well, we have got to listen to this crazy man, but be on guard!"

The president, Jacques-Forget-Not, took the cue and acceded to
Danton's request.

"A great injustice has been done," cried Danton, "to the innocent and
helpless. I ask the lives of Henriette Girard and Citizen de
Vaudrey!"

The judges did not need to answer.

A savage cry of "No! No!" swelled from the infuriated "Mountain."

The sansculottes half rose from their benches, shaking minatory fists,
yelling, gesticulating. Faces were contorted in fury. The mob--the
same that had once acclaimed Danton in chair of state--was not to be
balked of blood.

The orator continued: "These sufferers are friends of you who demand
their death. The girl once saved _me_--the organizer of your
victory--from spadassins. The boy was ever known as the people's
benefactor--I have seen him buy loaves to keep you from starving! Now
throu