d shut me up here."

"That is true," exclaimed Pillot. "Maubranne was the plotter, this lad
is innocent; he does not even guess why you wish to kill him!"

Would they believe? Was it possible? My heart almost ceased beating
as I gazed at the fierce faces. The weapons were lowered. Staring at
each other dubiously, the men hesitated, and I breathed more freely. I
had forgotten Peleton, who, safe behind the human screen, cried
savagely, "Kill the murderer! Down with the assassin!"

That served his purpose better than the finest argument. Heated by
passion the people thought no more of the dead charcoal-burner but only
of his slayer, and made a movement to surround me. My last hope had
failed, but I stood on guard, my one regret being that the cowardly
Peleton would not trust himself within reach of my sword.

Now, however, another sound mingled with the shouts of the populace,
and a swift glance showed that the soldiers were forcing a passage into
the crowded room.

"Make way there!" exclaimed the leader in a tone of authority. "In the
King's name! Drop that pike, you rascal, or I'll run you through.
Where is this M. de Lalande?"

At first it appeared certain that there would be a terrible conflict
between the mob and the soldiers, but the officer, by a lucky hit, not
only saved my life--at least for the time--but cajoled the crowd into
good humour.

"Is this the fellow who slew Conde?" he asked, to which came an
answering chorus of "Yes, yes! Down with the murderer!"

Until that moment I had no idea what my supposed crime was, and the
officer's question filled me with horror. Conde dead! and I charged
with murder! It seemed monstrous, impossible. But the officer was
speaking, and I must try to understand.

"Do you want all who were in the plot punished?" and again there broke
out an assenting yell.

"Then let me remove this lad, you imbeciles! If you knock him on the
head now, it will be all over: while, if he is imprisoned, the
authorities will soon discover his accomplices."

This suggestion met with a torrent of applause, and the ruffians
offered no further resistance to the soldiers, who, forming in a body,
marched me downstairs into the court where they had left their horses.
I was immediately placed on one and firmly bound; the troopers mounted,
the officer issued his orders, and we set off accompanied by the mob.

The city was in a state of seething excitement, which increased
whereve