ir,' said he.

'Then we need be in no hurry, since he cannot pass us,' said Savary, as
we sprang from our horses. 'You have carried his first line of
entrenchments most gallantly, Lieutenant Gerard. I hope you are not
hurt?'

'A few scratches, General, nothing more.'

'Get your pistols, then. Where is the miller?'

'Here I am,' said a squat, rough little fellow, appearing in the open
doorway. 'What do you mean, you brigands, by entering my mill in this
fashion? I am sitting reading my paper and smoking my pipe of
coltsfoot, as my custom is about this time of the evening, and suddenly,
without a word, a man comes flying through my window, covers me with
glass, and opens my door to his friends outside. I've had trouble
enough with my one lodger all day without three more of you turning up.'

'You have the conspirator Toussac in your house.'

'Toussac!' cried the miller. 'Nothing of the kind. His name is
Maurice, and he is a merchant in silks.'

'He is the man we want. We come in the Emperor's name.'

The miller's jaw dropped as he listened.

'I don't know who he is, but he offered a good price for a bed and I
asked no more questions. In these days one cannot expect a certificate
of character from every lodger. But, of course, if it is a matter of
State, why, it is not for me to interfere. But, to do him justice, he
was a quiet gentleman enough until he had that letter just now.'

'What letter? Be careful what you say, you rascal, for your own head
may find its way into the sawdust basket.'

'It was a woman who brought it. I can only tell you what I know.
He has been talking like a madman ever since. It made my blood run cold
to hear him. There's someone whom he swears he will murder. I shall be
very glad to see the last of him.'

'Now, gentlemen,' said Savary, drawing his sword, 'we may leave our
horses here. There is no window for forty feet, so he cannot escape
from us. If you will see that your pistols are primed, we shall soon
bring the fellow to terms.'

The stair was a narrow winding one made of wood, which led to a small
loft lighted from a slit in the wall.

Some remains of wood and a litter of straw showed that this was where
Toussac had spent his day. There was, however, no sign of him now, and
it was evident that he had ascended the next flight of steps.
We climbed them, only to find our way barred by a heavy door.

'Surrender, Toussac!' cried Savary. 'It is useless to att