we are bound to tell you that, are we? But first, who
is that man?" and he pointed to Arthur, who pale and covered with blood,
was not especially reassuring in appearance.

"That man, sir, of whom you speak so rudely," said Arthur, with some
heat, "is the son of the Marquis de Montferrand."

"I beg ten thousand pardons!" said the official, in the most obsequious
tone, "but this house is a den--"

"A den!" gasped Aube.

"Yes, a den where the enemies of our beloved king plot together."

"And who are these enemies? What may their names be?"

"Gudel, or Iron Jaws, and a scoundrel named Fanfar."

"Indeed! Very good, sir, if you have come to arrest these men, do not
let me detain you!"

Arthur and Aube exchanged a glance. Fanfar was by this time undoubtedly
in safety.

"The house is well watched," continued the Commissioner, "and they
cannot escape our vigilance!"

Montferrand started on hearing this. The Commissioner ran up-stairs,
followed by his men. He reached the upper floor. An oath was heard.

"The birds have flown!" he shouted.

"They went by the roof!" some one called from below. This some one was
Cyprien, who had been on guard in the street, and had seen forms against
the sky.

"To the roof, then! And remember your orders, take them alive or dead!"

Cyprien, as agile as a tiger cat, now stood by the side of the
Commissioner.

"You must go out this way," he said, pointing to the window.

"Zounds!" muttered the Commissioner, drawing back.

"Take care!" sneered Cyprien, "the king has his eyes on you!"

Thus cheered and encouraged, the Commissioner stepped out on the narrow
cornice.

"There they are!" cried Cyprien. "There they are! They wish to reach the
next house. We shall have them! we shall have them!"

Gudel and Fanfar had gone as far as they could. They found they must
turn. Fanfar stopped short and seemed to be doing something to a
chimney.

"Surrender!" shouted the Commissioner, some distance off.

"Surrender!" repeated Cyprien.

At this moment a man was seen to vault into space; it was Fanfar, who
had sprang across the gulf between the two houses. With him he had taken
the end of the rope which he had fastened to the chimney. He held the
rope so firmly that it made a bridge. Gudel began the perilous voyage.

"At all events, we will have a dead body!" growled the Commissioner, who
advanced to cut the rope.

Cyprien did not at first understand.

"Stop!" he shouted. "Stop!"

T