ember the
sharp female 'Guillotine'!"

Forget-Not draws a significant hand across the throat. A shudder
passes through the more timid folk.

The coarse-faced guards applaud and promise to use the utmost
precautions. The judges move on, inspecting another part of the
barrier.

CHAPTER XXII

ADVENTURES OF A PILGRIM (CONTINUED)

The farmer's cart nears the gate. The moon-faced Reuben is as
impassive as ever. Though the tall assistant manages to keep his
expression fairly immobile too, 'tis evident to us who know him that
he labors under suppressed excitement. For the prize of his Great
Quest is Henriette; the penalty of discovery and capture, Death!

The gallant young man does not hesitate, however. He has never shrunk
from Danger's bright face, least of all would he shrink now when the
passing of a brief ordeal may well mean reunion with his beloved and
her rescue from the welter of Paris. The Pilgrim's soul hungers and
thirsts for her. After the great Sahara of imprisoned loneliness, how
near the Oasis of love and rapture! How beautiful the prospect, if not
indeed Mirage!

The rustic's helper dismounts with the farmer at the gate, and follows
him into the office of the registrar. The farmer presents a pass.

"This is for one only," says the registrar at the gate, roughly. "The
other cannot go through," he says, pointing to de Vaudrey, who tries
to look as stupid and uncomprehending as possible.

The farmer hands a big red apple to the functionary. But the latter
makes a gesture of refusal.

"Bite into it!" says the Rustic ingratiatingly.

The official bites at the top which comes off--a smooth and even
slice. The centre of the apple is hollow. Within it are several gold
coins.

Quickly the gatekeeper covers the golden apple with his hairy paw.
"Your papers are all right," he says gruffly, rapidly converting the
figure 1 into a 2, and viseing the pass for two. He motions for both
the man and the youth to go through.

The farmer and his follower drive in and mix with the crowd on the
inside of the barrier. At this stage the farmer disappears from our
history. But the face of the youth is noted by an eagle eye and
recognized by a brain that does not forget!

The prowling Judge sees the Chevalier, though the Chevalier does not
see him.

"Follow that man!" he says quietly to his deputies. "We shall catch
him red-handed in some plot!"

* * * * *

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