e wheel. Look
alive, man!"

Putting on my boots hastily, I followed him to the stables, when we
saddled the horses and led them out. I was in a fever of excitement lest
we should not arrive at the house in time, since it was necessary for us
to take the longer route by the road.

Jacques endeavoured to calm me, saying, "They will do no harm; they will
only shout and threaten, and frighten the old fox half out of his wits.
It won't hurt him, and it may teach him a lesson."

This was likely enough, but, fearing lest these foolish people should
get themselves into trouble I galloped along, almost as fast as when my
two assailants were in pursuit of me. Fortunately, we met no
travellers, but, on turning into the cross-road leading to the lawyer's
house, I heard a confused roar of voices. The villagers had arrived
before us.

I spurred my willing beast, swept swiftly along the narrrow road, shot
through the open gateway, and drew up in front of the building, where a
mob of men were shouting and yelling for Etienne Cordel.

"Bring your pikes!" roared one, "and break the door down!"

"Smoke the old fox out!" yelled another; and at that a dozen cried,
"Yes, yes, that's the plan! Smoke the fox out, or let him die in his
den."

Some had brought torches, and in their lurid glare the peasants looked
quite truculent and formidable. Pushing between them and the building, I
called for silence, but the sound of my voice caused the hubbub to grow
louder.

"Monsieur Edmond!" they yelled, giving me the name by which I was best
known to them; "Bravo, bravo, we will see justice done, monsieur!"

"Be quiet!" I cried angrily, "and listen to me. Do you know what you are
doing?"

"Yes, yes. Burn the house down! He set the murderers on!"

"Who told you that?"

"Let him deny it! Where is he? Fetch him out!"

They were excited, even dangerous; I almost doubted if my influence was
sufficient to keep them from doing mischief; yet in ordinary times they
were as docile and obedient as a flock of sheep. They vowed they would
not depart unless Cordel came out to them, and at length the lawyer
appeared on the balcony which ran along the front of the house above the
ground floor.

He had huddled on a dressing-gown, and looked so wretched and forlorn
that I almost felt it in my heart to pity him. But the mob showed no
mercy, greeting him with cries of "Assassin!" "Murderer!" and declaring
loudly that he was unfit to live.

As soon as t