to be exacted by Providence.

When Jacques Collin went up the vaulted stairs to the public
prosecutor's room, Bibi-Lupin was just coming out of the little door in
the wall.

The chief of the "Safety" had come from the Conciergerie, and was also
going up to Monsieur de Granville. It was easy to imagine Bibi-Lupin's
surprise when he recognized, in front of him, the gown of Carlos
Herrera, which he had so thoroughly studied that morning; he ran on
to pass him. Jacques Collin turned round, and the enemies were face to
face. Each stood still, and the self-same look flashed in both pairs of
eyes, so different in themselves, as in a duel two pistols go off at the
same instant.

"This time I have got you, rascal!" said the chief of the Safety
Department.

"Ah, ha!" replied Jacques Collin ironically.

It flashed through his mind that Monsieur de Granville had sent some one
to watch him, and, strange to say, it pained him to think the magistrate
less magnanimous than he had supposed.

Bibi-Lupin bravely flew at Jacques Collin's throat; but he, keeping his
eye on the foe, gave him a straight blow, and sent him sprawling on
his back three yards off; then _Trompe-la-Mort_ went calmly up to
Bibi-Lupin, and held out a hand to help him rise, exactly like
an English boxer who, sure of his superiority, is ready for more.
Bibi-Lupin knew better than to call out; but he sprang to his feet, ran
to the entrance to the passage, and signed to a gendarme to stand on
guard. Then, swift as lightning, he came back to the foe, who quietly
looked on. Jacques Collin had decided what to do.

"Either the public prosecutor has broken his word, or he had not taken
Bibi-Lupin into his confidence, and in that case I must get the matter
explained," thought he.--"Do you mean to arrest me?" he asked his enemy.
"Say so without more ado. Don't I know that in the heart of this place
you are stronger than I am? I could kill you with a well-placed kick,
but I could not tackle the gendarmes and the soldiers. Now, make no
noise. Where to you want to take me?"

"To Monsieur Camusot."

"Come along to Monsieur Camusot," replied Jacques Collin. "Why should we
not go to the public prosecutor's court? It is nearer," he added.

Bibi-Lupin, who knew that he was out of favor with the upper ranks of
judicial authorities, and suspected of having made a fortune at the
expense of criminals and their victims, was not unwilling to show
himself in Court with so notable