now I did not even remember the danger.

Presently the spy himself seemed doubtful as to which turning to take.
He stood a moment in apparent hesitation, but, finding me close on his
heels, darted as if at random up a narrow entrance. It was a
_cul-de-sac_ containing perhaps half a dozen houses, and I chuckled
inwardly on finding how completely he had trapped himself. I could not
have desired a better place for my purpose. The court was very quiet;
the houses were old and dilapidated, and the inmates had either gone to
bed or had not returned from their nightly wanderings. We two had a
clear stage to ourselves.

The man was a regular coward after all. He looked this way and that
with frightened eyes, ran on a few paces as if hoping to find a way
out, came back, and finally made a dash to get past me.

"Oh, ho, not so fast, my good fellow!" I cried, barring his path.
"Where are you going in such a hurry?"

"I have lost my way, monsieur," he answered in a whining voice.

"How strange! So have I! We may as well keep each other company.
Don't look like that, I am not going to hurt you."

"I feared monsieur meant to kill me," he whimpered.

"Bah! I only want a little information, which will be well paid for.
Are you willing to earn ten crowns?"

"Ten crowns, monsieur? Certainly."

"Then tell me what you do in the Rue Crillon and who pays you? Answer
these questions and here are the ten crowns."

"And if not, monsieur?" said he, still whining like a beggar.

"If not it will be the worse for you. Quick, make your choice, I
cannot stay here for ever."

It was the rascal's turn now to laugh, as some one, throwing a heavy
mantle over my head, tripped me up violently.

"His sword, quick! Take it away! Tie his arms firmly; he is a mad
bull for fighting. Now his pistols, Francois, you fat pig! Softly
monsieur! Tap him on the head if he struggles. Are you ready, Pierre?
What a time! are your fingers in knots? Now, monsieur, your
choice--will you come quietly or must we use force?"

I lay on the ground half dazed and only partly understanding the
fellow's meaning, so, to awaken my interest he repeated his questions,
pressing one of my own pistols to my head.

"Take that thing away," I said, "and help me to my feet. You have the
upper hand at present."

Laughing mischievously, he withdrew the weapon, and his companions,
pushing me upright, half led, half dragged me into one of the
dilapidated hous