ond or two the elder lady exclaimed, "Why
surely it is M. de Lalande, our cavalier, the knight-errant who goes
about rescuing distressed dames. But why this mummery, my trusty
knight? What does it mean?"

"That I intend doing my utmost to save your life, madame. Come, before
the mob begins to work mischief. Raoul has procured me a permit which
will pass us through the gates."

"You have grown wondrous timid of a sudden," she laughed. "I can
perceive no sign of danger. There are a few people in the street, but
they are quiet enough."

"They are swarming from their dens in all quarters of the town, madame,
and they are as likely as not to come here."

"But why should they?" she inquired, and I could only reply by asking
why they should not.

"They cannot wish to injure us," exclaimed Marie; "we have done them no
harm!" a remark which showed how little the girl understood the
passions of an angry mob.

For ten minutes or more I stood there begging Madame Coutance to
escape, and all the while the number of people in the street steadily
increased. They had done no mischief as yet, but passed their time in
an aimless sort of promenade, shouting, singing, and mocking at any
well-dressed passer-by. Once the whole crowd for some reason swept
into the adjoining street, and for a brief period the Rue Crillon was
left empty.

"Your bogey has vanished, Albert," cried Madame Coutance in triumph; "I
told you there was no danger."

"I trust madame will prove the surer prophet, but I am still doubtful."

"Here they come again!" cried Marie. "What a horrid din! What are
they doing, Albert?"

"Singing, but I cannot distinguish the words. They are growing more
restless now. I should like to see D'Artagnan ride up with his
troopers; he would soon clear the road. But I expect there is
sufficient work for him in other parts."

For a while we stood, half hidden by the heavy curtains, watching the
antics of the crowd, and wondering what would happen next. The people
moved to and fro like caged animals, walking a few steps and turning
back or crossing repeatedly from one side of the road to the other. A
body of soldiers would have dispersed them easily, as they had neither
purpose nor leader.

Presently they began to cluster more thickly at a spot some twenty
yards below our house, and then I saw a big ragged fellow holding aloft
a red flag, while another was pointing to it, and talking violently. I
could not hea