the Simons. The woman might have been
very useful and more easily got at than a man. The avarice of the French
bourgeoise would have proved a promising factor. But this, of course,
would now be out of the question. At the same time it was not because
Heron raved and stormed and uttered cries like a hyena that he, de
Batz, meant to give up an enterprise which, if successful, would place
millions into his own pocket.

As for that meddling Englishman, the Scarlet Pimpernel, and his
crack-brained followers, they must be effectually swept out of the way
first of all. De Batz felt that they were the real, the most likely
hindrance to his schemes. He himself would have to go very cautiously
to work, since apparently Heron would not allow him to purchase immunity
for himself in that one matter, and whilst he was laying his plans with
necessary deliberation so as to ensure his own safety, that accursed
Scarlet Pimpernel would mayhap snatch the golden prize from the Temple
prison right under his very nose.

When he thought of that the Gascon Royalist felt just as vindictive as
did the chief agent of the Committee of General Security.

While these thoughts were coursing through de Batz' head, Heron had been
indulging in a volley of vituperation.

"If that little vermin escapes," he said, "my life will not be worth
an hour's purchase. In twenty-four hours I am a dead man, thrown to the
guillotine like those dogs of aristocrats! You say I am a night-bird,
citizen. I tell you that I do not sleep night or day thinking of that
brat and the means to keep him safely under my hand. I have never
trusted those Simons--"

"Not trusted them!" exclaimed de Batz; "surely you could not find
anywhere more inhuman monsters!"

"Inhuman monsters?" snarled Heron. "Bah! they don't do their business
thoroughly; we want the tyrant's spawn to become a true Republican and
a patriot--aye! to make of him such an one that even if you and your
cursed confederates got him by some hellish chance, he would be no use
to you as a king, a tyrant to set above the people, to set up in
your Versailles, your Louvre, to eat off golden plates and wear satin
clothes. You have seen the brat! By the time he is a man he should
forget how to eat save with his fingers, and get roaring drunk every
night. That's what we want!--to make him so that he shall be no use to
you, even if you did get him away; but you shall not! You shall not, not
if I have to strangle him with m