th a commission does not execute it, his life is the
forfeit; you know that?"

"Doubtless," replied many voices.

"Well, gentlemen, this very day a measure of his majesty's has been
betrayed, and a step which he wished to take rendered, perhaps,
impossible."

Terror began to replace pride in the minds of the Forty-five, and they
looked at each other with suspicion and disquietude.

"Two of you, gentlemen," continued De Loignac, "have been heard in the
open street chattering like a couple of old women, and that about grave
things."

St. Maline advanced. "Monsieur," said he, "pray explain at once, that
suspicion may not rest on us all."

"That is easy. The king heard to-day that one of his enemies--precisely
one of those whom we have been enrolled to guard him against--had
arrived in Paris to conspire against him. This name was pronounced
quietly, but was overheard by a soldier on guard, that is to say, by a
man who should be regarded as a wall--deaf, dumb, and immovable.
However, that man repeated this name in the street with a noise and
boasting which attracted the attention of the passers-by and raised
quite an emotion; I know it, for I was there, and heard and saw all, and
had I not placed my hand on his shoulder to stop him, he would have
compromised such grave interests, that, had he not been quiet at my
touch, I should have been compelled to poniard him on the spot."

Pertinax de Montcrabeau and Perducas de Pincornay turned deadly pale,
and Montcrabeau tried to stammer out some excuses. All eyes were turned
toward them.

"Nothing can excuse you," said De Loignac; "even if you were drunk you
should be punished for that; and you shall be punished."

A terrible silence ensued. Then Pertinax said, "Pardon, monsieur! we are
provincials, new to the court, and unaccustomed to politics."

"You should not have accepted your posts without weighing their duties."

"For the future we will be as mute as sepulchers, we swear to you."

"Good; but can you repair the evil you have done to-day?"

"We will try."

"It is impossible, I tell you."

"Then, for this time, pardon us."

"You live," continued De Loignac, "with a sort of license which I must
repress. Those who find the terms too hard will return; I can easily
replace them; but I warn you that justice will be done among us,
secretly and expeditiously. Traitors will be punished with death on the
spot."

Montcrabeau nearly fainted, and Pertinax grew paler t