was coming down that
street escorted by a dozen Chouans; two on either side of the postilion,
ten others guarding the doors. The carriage stopped in the middle of the
market-square. All were so intent upon the diligence that they paid but
scant attention to Cadoudal.

"Hola," shouted Georges. "What is all this?"

At this well known voice, everyone turned round, and heads were
uncovered.

"The Big Round Head!" they murmured.

"Yes," said Cadoudal.

A man went up to Georges.

"Didn't Benedicite and Monte-a-l'assaut notify you?" he inquired.

"Yes. Is that the diligence from Ploermel to Vannes that you are
bringing back?"

"Yes, general. It was stopped between Trefleon and Saint-Nolf."

"Is he in it?"

"We think so."

"Act according to your consciences; if it is a crime toward God, take
it on yourselves; I take only the responsibility toward men. I will
be present at what takes place; but I will not share in it--either to
hinder or help."

"Well," demanded a hundred voices, "what does he say, Sabre-tout?"

"He says we must act according to our consciences, and that he washes
his hands of it."

"Long live the Big Round Head!" cried all the people, rushing toward the
diligence.

Cadoudal remained motionless in the midst of this crowd. Roland stood
near him, also motionless, but full of curiosity; for he was completely
ignorant of who, or what, was in question.

The man who had just spoken to Cadoudal, and whom his companions called
Sabre-tout, opened the door. The travellers were huddled together and
trembling in the darkness within.

"If you have nothing to reproach yourselves with against God or the
king," said Sabre-tout in a full sonorous voice, "descend without fear.
We are not brigands, we are Christians and royalists."

This declaration no doubt reassured the travellers, for a man got
out, then two women, then a mother pressing her child in her arms, and
finally another man. The Chouans examined them attentively as they came
down the carriage steps; not finding the man they wanted, they said to
each traveller, "Pass on."

One man alone remained in the coach. A Chouan thrust a torch in the
vehicle, and by its light they could see he was a priest.

"Minister of the Lord," said Sabre-tout, "why did you not descend with
the others? Did you not hear me say we were Christians and royalists?"

The priest did not move; but his teeth chattered.

"Why this terror?" continued Sabre-tout. "Does not