ake her away out of this tumult. I must see the Bourgeois. Oh God, if
he be dead!"

A great cry now ran through the market-place: "The Bourgeois is killed.
The Grand Company have assassinated the Bourgeois." Men ran up from
every side shouting and gesticulating. The news spread like wild-fire
through the city, and simultaneously a yell for vengeance rose from the
excited multitude.

The Recollet Brother Daniel had been the first to fly to the help of the
Bourgeois. His gray robe presently was dyed red with the blood of the
best friend and protector of their monastery. But death was too quick
for even one prayer to be heard or uttered by the dying man.

The gray Brother made the sign of the cross upon the forehead of the
Bourgeois, who opened his eyes once for a moment, and looked in the face
of the good friar while his lips quivered with two inarticulate words,
"Pierre! Amelie!" That was all. His brave eyes closed again forever from
the light of the sun. The good Bourgeois Philibert was dead.

"'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord,'" repeated the Recollet.
"'Even so, saith the Spirit, for they rest from their labors.'"

De Pean had foreseen the likelihood of a popular commotion. He was ready
to fly on the instant, but could not prevail on Angelique to leave Le
Gardeur, who was kneeling down by the side of the Bourgeois, lifting him
in his arms and uttering the wildest accents of grief as he gazed upon
the pallid, immovable face of the friend of his youth.

"That is the assassin, and the woman, too," cried a sturdy habitan. "I
heard her bid him draw his sword upon the Bourgeois."

The crowd for the moment believed that De Pean had been the murderer of
Philibert.

"No, not he; it was the other. It was the officer who dismounted,--the
drunken officer. Who was he? Where is he?" cried the habitan, forcing
his way into the presence of Le Gardeur, who was still kneeling by the
side of the Bourgeois and was not seen for a few moments; but quickly he
was identified.

"That is he!" cried a dozen voices. "He is looking if he has killed him,
by God!"

A number of men rushed upon Le Gardeur, who made no defence, but
continued kneeling beside the Recollet Brother Daniel over the body of
the Bourgeois. He was instantly seized by some of the crowd. He held out
his hands and bade them take him prisoner or kill him on the spot, if
they would, for it was he who had killed the Bourgeois.

Half a dozen swords were instantl