this outbreak, but I did
not think it was so near at hand."

This terrible blow, so entirely unexpected, stupefied the duke for a
moment.

"How many are there?" he demanded.

"Ah! how do I know, Monsieur? Two thousand, perhaps--perhaps ten
thousand."

"All the towns-people are with us."

"No, Monsieur, no. The rebels have accomplices here. All the retired
officers stand ready to assist them."

"Who are the leaders of the movement?"

"Lacheneur, Abbe Midon, Chanlouineau, Baron d'Escorval----"

"Enough!" cried the duke.

Now that danger was certain, his coolness returned; and his herculean
form, a trifle bowed by the weight of years, rose to its full height.

He gave the bell-rope a violent pull; a valet appeared.

"My uniform," commanded M. de Sairmeuse; "my pistols! Quick!"

The servant was about to obey, when the duke exclaimed:

"Wait! Let someone take a horse, and go and tell my son to come here
without a moment's delay. Take one of the swiftest horses. The messenger
ought to go to Sairmeuse and return in two hours."

Chupin endeavored to attract the duke's attention by pulling the skirt
of his coat. M. de Sairmeuse turned:

"What is it?"

The old poacher put his finger on his lip, recommending silence, but as
soon as the valet had left the room, he said:

"It is useless to send for the marquis."

"And why, you fool?"

"Because, Monsieur, because--excuse me--I----"

"Zounds! will you speak, or will you not?"

Chupin regretted that he had gone so far.

"Because the marquis----"

"Well?"

"He is engaged in it."

The duke overturned the table with a terrible blow of his clinched fist.

"You lie, wretch!" he thundered, with the most horrible oaths.

He was so formidable in his anger that the old poacher sprang to the
door and turned the knob, ready to take flight.

"May I lose my head if I do not speak the truth," he insisted. "Ah!
Lacheneur's daughter is a regular sorceress. All the gallants of the
neighborhood are in the ranks; Chanlouineau, young d'Escorval, your
son----"

M. de Sairmeuse was pouring forth a torrent of curses upon Marie-Anne
when his valet re-entered the room.

He suddenly checked himself, put on his uniform, and ordering Chupin to
follow him, hastened from the house.

He was still hoping that Chupin had exaggerated the danger; but when
he reached the Place d'Arms, which commanded an extended view of the
surrounding country, his illusions were put to flight.