ouquet, wiping the sweat which
fell from his brow, "is to throw your hundred and twenty men upon
the people I will point out to you, at a certain moment given--is it
possible?"

"It will not be the first time such a thing has happened to them,
monseigneur."

"That is well: but would these bandits attack an armed force?"

"They are used to that."

"Then get your hundred and twenty men together, abbe."

"Directly. But where?"

"On the road to Vincennes, to-morrow, at two o'clock precisely."

"To carry off Lyodot and D'Eymeris? There will be blows to be got!"

"A number, no doubt; are you afraid?"

"Not for myself, but for you."

"Your men will know, then, what they have to do?"

"They are too intelligent not to guess it. Now, a minister who gets up a
riot against his king--exposes himself----"

"Of what importance is that to you, I pray? Besides, if I fall, you fall
with me."

"It would then be more prudent, monsieur, not to stir in the affair, and
leave the king to take this little satisfaction."

"Think well of this, abbe, Lyodot and D'Eymeris at Vincennes are a
prelude of ruin for my house. I repeat it--I arrested, you will be
imprisoned--I imprisoned, you will be exiled."

"Monsieur, I am at your orders; have you any to give me?"

"What I told you--I wish that, to-morrow, the two financiers of whom
they mean to make victims, whilst there remain so many criminals
unpunished, should be snatched from the fury of my enemies. Take your
measures accordingly. Is it possible?"

"It is possible."

"Describe your plan."

"It is of rich simplicity. The ordinary guard at executions consists of
twelve archers."

"There will be a hundred to-morrow."

"I reckon so. I even say more--there will be two hundred."

"Then your hundred and twenty men will not be enough."

"Pardon me. In every crowd composed of a hundred thousand spectators,
there are ten thousand bandits or cut-purses--only they dare not take
the initiative."

"Well?"

"There will then be, to-morrow, on the Place de Greve, which I choose as
my battle-field, ten thousand auxiliaries to my hundred and twenty men.
The attack commenced by the latter, the others will finish it."

"That all appears feasible. But what will be done with regard to the
prisoners upon the Place de Greve?"

"This: they must be thrust into some house--that will make a siege
necessary to get them out again. And stop! here is another idea, more
sublime still: certain