too late to reorganise the pursuit. On the other hand,
had Tardivet accompanied them, upon failing to find any trace of the
Marquise at Charleroi, La Boulaye could imagine him pushing north along
the Sambre, and pressing the peasantry into his service to form an
impassable cordon.

And so, having won his way in this at least, and seen the six men set
out under the command of Tardivet's trusted Guyot, Caron took his leave
of the Captain. He was on the very point of setting out when a courier
dashed up to the door of the "Eagle," and called for a cup of wine. As
it was brought him he asked the hostess whether the Citizen-deputy La
Boulaye, Commissioner to the army of Dumouriez, had passed that way.
Upon being informed that the Deputy was even then within the inn, the
courier got down from his horse and demanded to be taken to him.

The hostess led him into the common-room, and pointed out the Deputy.
The courier heaved a sigh of relief, and removing his sodden cloak he
bade the landlady get it dried and prepare him as stout a meal as her
hostelry afforded.

"Name of a name!" he swore, as he pitched his dripping hat into a
corner. "But it is good to find you at last, Citizen-deputy? I had
expected to meet you at Valenciennes. But as you were not there, and as
my letters were urgent, I have been compelled to ride for the past six
hours through that infernal deluge. Enfin, here you are, and here is my
letter--from the Citizen-deputy Maximilien Robespierre--and here I'll
rest me for the next six hours."

Bidding the fellow by all means rest and refresh himself, La Boulaye
broke the seal, and read the following:

Dear Caron,

My courier should deliver you this letter as you are on the Point
of reentering France, on your return from the mission which you
have discharged with so much glory to yourself and credit to me
who recommended you for the task. I make you my compliments on
the tact and adroitness you have employed to bring this stubborn
Dumouriez into some semblance of sympathy with the Convention.
And now, my friend, I have another task for you, which you can
discharge on your homeward journey. You will make a slight detour,
passing into Artois and riding to the Chateau d'Ombreval, which is
situated some four miles south of Arras. Here I wish you not only
to Possess yourself of the person of the ci-devant Vicomte
d'Ombreval, bringing him to Paris as your Prisoner, but further,
to ma