f a Deputy was not
one to be so lightly treated, and he might find himself constrained
to answer a serious charge in consequence. Thus partly actuated by
patriotism and the fear of Robespierre, and partly restrained by
patriotism and the fear of La Boulaye, he decided upon a middle course:
that of simply detaining La Boulaye at his lodging until Robespierre
should either return or send an answer to his message. Thus, whilst
leaving him perfect freedom of movement within his own apartments, he
would yet ensure against his escape so that should Robespierre demand
him he could without difficulty be produced.

To this end he repaired with a sous-lieutenant and six men to La
Boulaye's house in the Rue Nationale, intending to station the soldiers
there with orders not to allow the Deputy to go out, and to detain and
question all who sought admittance to him. He nourished the hope
that the ci-devant Vicomte might still be with La Boulaye. At the
Rue Nationale, however, he was to discover that neither Deputy nor
aristocrat was to be found. Brutus informed him that he was expecting
the Citizen La Boulaye, but beyond that he would say nothing, and he
wisely determined to hold his peace touching the valise that he had been
ordered to pack and the fact that he knew the Deputy meditated leaving
Paris. Brutus had learnt the value of silence, especially when those who
sought information were members of the Convention.

Alarmed at this further corroboration of Cecile's story of treachery
Varennes left the military at Caron's house, with orders not to allow
the Deputy to again depart if in the meantime he should happen to
return, whilst to every barrier of Paris he sent instructions to have
La Boulaye detained if he should present himself. By these measures he
hoped still to be able to provide against the possibility of Caron's
seeking to leave Paris.

But Caron had been gone over an hour, and as a matter of fact, he was
back again in Paris within a very little time of these orders having
been issued. At the Barriere d'Enfer, although recognised, he was not
molested, since the orders only, and distinctly, concerned his departure
and nowise his arrival.

Thus, not until he had reached his lodgings did he realise that all was
not as he had hoped. And even then it was only within doors that he
made the discovery, when he found himself suddenly confronted by the
sous-lieutenant, who was idling in the passage. The officer saluted
him re