Brutus," answered the Deputy, laying his hand
upon the fellow's shoulder. "But I am afraid that this time I am going
farther than you would care to come."

The man's ferrety eyes were raised of a sudden to La Boulaye's face in a
very searching glance. Caron's tone had been laden with insinuation.

"You are running way," cried the official.

"Sh! My good Brutus, what folly! Why should I run away--and from whom,
pray?"

"I know not that. But you are. I heard it in your voice. And you do not
trust me, Citizen La Boulaye," the fellow added, in a stricken voice. "I
have served you faithfully these two years, and yet you have not learnt
to trust me."

"I do, I do, my friend. You go too fast with your conclusions. Now see
to my valise, and on my return perhaps I'll tell you where I am going,
and put your fidelity to the test."

"And you will take me with you?"

"Why, yes," La Boulaye promised him, "unless you should prefer to remain
in Paris."

With that he got away and leaving the house, he walked briskly up
the street, round the corner, and on until he stood once more before
Duplay's.

"Has the Citizen Robespierre departed yet?" he inquired of the woman who
answered his peremptory knock.

"He has been gone this hour, Citizen La Boulaye," she answered. "He
started almost immediately after you left him."

"Diable!" grumbled Caron, with well-feigned annoyance. "Quel
contretemps! I have left a most important document in his room, and, of
course, it will be locked."

"But the Citoyenne Cecile has the key," answered the woman, eager to
oblige him.

"Why, yes--naturally! Now that is fortunate. Will you do me the favour
to procure the key from he Citoyenne for a few moments, telling her, of
course, that it is I who need it?"

"But certainly, Montez, Citoyen." And with a wave of the hand towards
the stairs she went before him.

He followed leisurely, and by the time he had reached Robespierre's door
her voice floated down to him from above, calling the Incorruptible's
niece. Next he heard Cecile's voice replying, and then a whispered
conference on the landing overhead, to the accompaniment of the
occasional tinkle of a bunch of keys.

Presently the domestic returned, and unlocking the door, she held it
open for La Boulaye to pass. From her attitude it seemed to Caron as if
she were intentioned--probably she had been instructed--to remain there
while he obtained what he sought. Now he had no mind that she should