to a conference with the son of the miller of Leguerno."

"But if they knew that I was a colonel in the Republican service and
aide-de-camp to the First Consul, how came they to let me pass?"

"Because they were ordered to do so."

"Then you knew that I was coming?"

"I not only knew that you were coming, but also why you have come."

Roland looked at him fixedly.

"Then it is useless for me to tell you; and you will answer me even
though I say nothing?"

"You are about right."

"The deuce! I should like to have a proof of this superiority of your
police over ours."

"I will supply it, colonel."

"I shall receive it with much satisfaction, especially before this
excellent fire, which also seems to have been expecting me."

"You say truer than you know, colonel; and it is not the fire only that
is striving to welcome you warmly."

"Yes, but it does not tell me, any more than you have done, the object
of my mission."

"Your mission, which you do me the honor to extend to me, was primarily
intended for the Abbe Bernier alone. Unhappily the Abbe Bernier, in
the letter he sent his friend Martin Duboys, presumed a little on his
strength. He offered his mediation to the First Consul."

"Pardon me," interrupted Roland, "you tell me something I did not know;
namely that the Abbe Bernier had written to General Bonaparte."

"I said he wrote to his friend Martin Duboys, which is very different.
My men intercepted the letter and brought it to me. I had it copied, and
forwarded the original, which I am certain reached the right hands. Your
visit to General Hedouville proves it."

"You know that General Hedouville is no longer in command at Nantes.
General Brune has taken his place."

"You may even say that General Brune commands at La Roche-Bernard, for
a thousand Republican soldiers entered that town to-night about
six o'clock, bringing with them a guillotine and the citizen
commissioner-general Thomas Milliere. Having the instrument, it was
necessary to have the executioner."

"Then you say, general, that I came to see the Abbe Bernier?"

"Yes; the Abbe Bernier had offered his mediation. But he forgot that at
the present there are two Vendees--the Vendee of the left bank, and the
Vendee of the right bank--and that, after treating with d'Autichamp,
Chatillon, and Suzannet at Pouance, it would still be necessary to
negotiate with Frotte, Bourmont and Cadoudal--and where? That no one
could tell--"

"Except yo