you and him together," he said, as, leading me through the
Town Hall, he conducted me out by a back door.

"We are going by a somewhat circuitous route to the house of Monsieur
Planterre, where he himself is waiting for us," he continued, as we
walked on together. "Your horses are in readiness, and he has had one
prepared for himself, so that you may start as soon as you arrive."

As we passed through the streets we could hear the shouts of the people
in the distance, but what they were about we could not tell. My guide
appeared to be in a somewhat agitated state, as if he feared that they
would commit some other deed of violence, to recompense themselves for
losing the pleasure of hanging Monsieur Planterre.

On arriving before the house I found Larry holding three horses.
Presently a serving-man came out and took hold of the rein of one of the
animals. On looking at him, to my surprise I recognised Monsieur
Planterre himself.

"I think it wise to leave the town in this disguise, lest the mob should
suddenly regret having allowed me to escape, and, seeing me go, pursue
me," he said.

I immediately mounted, and Monsieur Planterre, pointing out the road I
was to take, I moved forward, followed by him and Larry, they appearing
in the characters of my two lackeys. They kept close behind me, in
order that Monsieur Planterre might tell me when to turn to the right or
left. He evidently expected that we should be pursued, but though I
looked round occasionally, I could see no one following us.

Upon the road Monsieur Planterre rode up to my side, and gave me a good
deal of information, both about my friend's family and that of other
families in the neighbourhood.

"I am grateful to you," he continued, "for the service you have rendered
me, and I am anxious for your safety. I would advise you, therefore, to
make no long stay in France. The whole country is, I can assure you,
like a volcano, ready to burst forth at any moment. The people are
generally imbued with republican principles, and they have lost all
respect for the priests; they complain of the heavy taxes which go to
support a profligate court; and are weary of the tyranny under which
they have so long groaned."

"But has not the king a powerful army to keep them in order?" I
inquired.

"The army cannot be depended on," answered my friend. "It is thoroughly
disorganised, and at any moment may side with the people. The only
reliable troops are th