ds, and after the terrified man replied, according as they thought
his countenance good or bad, they said to the jailer who accompanied
them: "Keep this one until another time," or, "This one for to-morrow."

By daylight, they had thirty names upon their list: and the names of the
Baron d'Escorval and Chanlouineau led all the rest.

Although the unhappy party at the Hotel de France could not suspect this
fact, they suffered an agony of fear and dread through the long night
which seemed to them eternal.

As soon as day broke, they heard the beating of the _reveille_ at the
citadel; the hour when they might commence their efforts anew had come.

The abbe announced that he was going alone to the duke's house, and that
he would find a way to force an entrance.

He had bathed his red and swollen eyes in fresh water, and was prepared
to start on his expedition, when someone rapped cautiously at the door
of the chamber.

Maurice cried: "Come in," and M. Laugeron instantly entered the room.

His face announced some dreadful misfortune; and the worthy man was
really terrified. He had just learned that the military commission had
been organized.

In contempt of all human laws and the commonest rules of justice, the
presidency of this tribunal of vengeance and of hatred had been bestowed
upon the Duc de Sairmeuse.

And he had accepted it--he who was at the same time to play the part of
participant, witness, and judge.

The other members of the commission were military men.

"And when does the commission enter upon its functions?" inquired the
abbe.

"To-day," replied the host, hesitatingly; "this morning--in an
hour--perhaps sooner!"

The abbe understood what M. Laugeron meant, but dared not say: "The
commission is assembling, make haste."

"Come!" he said to Maurice, "I wish to be present when your father is
examined."

Ah! what would not the baroness have given to follow the priest and her
son? But she could not; she understood this, and submitted.

They set out, and as they stepped into the street they saw a soldier a
little way from them, who made a friendly gesture.

They recognized Corporal Bavois, and paused.

But he, passing them with an air of the utmost indifference, and
apparently without observing them, hastily dropped these words:

"I have seen Chanlouineau. Be of good cheer; he promises to save
Monsieur d'Escorval!"

CHAPTER XXVII

In the citadel of Montaignac, within the second line of