第3章
CHAPTERVII
AFORESTNOOK
Abreachhasalwaysacauseandapurpose。HereistheexplanationofhowtheonewhichledfromthetowercalledthatofMademoiselleandthestablescametobemade。AfterhisinstallationasLaurence’sguardianatCinq-Cygneoldd’Hauteserreconvertedalongravine，throughwhichthewateroftheforestflowedintothemoat，intoaroadwaybetweentwotractsofuncultivatedlandbelongingtothechateau，bymerelyplantingoutinitaboutahundredwalnuttreeswhichhefoundreadyinthenursery。Inelevenyearsthesetreeshadgrownandbranchedsoastonearlycovertheroad，hiddenalreadybysteepbanks，whichranintoalittlewoodofthirtyacresrecentlypurchased。Whenthechateauhaditsfullcomplementofinhabitantstheyallpreferredtotakethiscoveredwaythroughthebreachtothemainroadwhichskirtedtheparkwallsandledtothefarm，ratherthangoroundbytheentrance。Bydintofthususingitthebreachinthesidesofthemoathadgraduallybeenwidenedonbothsides，withallthelessscruplebecauseinthisnineteenthcenturyofoursmoatsarenolongeroftheslightestuse，andLaurence’sguardianhadoftentalkedofputtingthisonetosomeotherpurpose。Theconstantcrumblingawayoftheearthandstonesandgravelhadendedbyfillinguptheditch，sothatonlyafterheavyrainswasthecausewaythusconstructedcovered。Butthebankwasstillsosteepthatitwasdifficulttomakeahorsedescendit，andevenmoredifficulttogethimupuponthemainroad。Horses，however，seemintimesofperiltosharetheirmasters’thought。
WhiletheyoungcountesswashesitatingtofollowMarthe，andaskingexplanations，Michu，fromhisvantage-groundwatchedtheclosinginofthegendarmesandunderstoodtheirplan。Hegrewdesperateastimewentbyandthecountessdidnotcometohim。Asquadofgendarmesweremarchingalongtheparkwallandstationingthemselvesassentinels，eachmanbeingnearenoughtocommunicatewiththoseoneithersideofthem，byvoiceandeye。Michu，lyingflatonhisstomach，hiseartoearth，gauged，likearedIndian，bythestrengthofthesoundsthetimethatremainedtohim。
"Icametoolate！"hesaidtohimself。"Violetteshallpaydearforthis！whatatimeittooktomakehimdrunk！Whatcanbedone？"
Heheardthedetachmentthatwascomingthroughtheforestreachtheirongatesandturnintothemainroad，wherebeforelongitwouldmeetthesquadcomingupfromtheotherdirection。
"Stillfiveorsixminutes！"hesaid。
Atthatinstantthecountessappeared。Michutookherwithafirmhandandpushedherintothecoveredway。
"Keepstraightbeforeyou！Leadhertowheremyhorseis，"hesaidtohiswife，"andrememberthatgendarmeshaveears。"
SeeingCatherine，whocarriedthehatandwhip，andGothardleadingthemare，theman，keen-wittedinpresenceofdanger，bethoughthimselfofplayingthegendarmesatrickasusefulastheonehehadjustplayedViolette。Gothardhadforcedthemaretomountthebank。
"Herfeetmuffled！Ithankthee，boy，"exclaimedthebailiff。
Michuletthemarefollowhermistressandtookthehat，gloves，andwhipfromCatherine。
"Youhavesense，boy，you’llunderstandme，"hesaid。"Forceyourownhorseuphere，jumponhim，anddrawthegendarmesafteryouacrossthefieldstowardsthefarm；getthewholesquadtofollowyou——Andyou，"headdedtoCatherine，"thereareothergendarmescomingupontheroadfromCinq-CygnetoGondreville；runintheoppositedirectiontotheoneGothardtakes，anddrawthemtowardstheforest。Managesothatweshallnotbeinterferedwithinthecoveredway。"
Catherineandtheboy，whoweredestinedtogiveinthisaffairsuchremarkableproofsofintelligence，executedthemanoeuvreinawaytomakebothdetachmentsofgendarmesbelievethattheyheldthegame。
Thedimlightofthemoonpreventedthepursuersfromdistinguishingthefigure，clothing，sex，ornumberofthosetheyfollowed。Thepursuitwasbasedonthemaxim，"Alwaysarrestthosewhoareescaping，"——thefollyofwhichsayingwas，aswehaveseen，energeticallydeclaredbyCorentintothecorporalincommand。Michu，countingonthisinstinctofthegendarmes，wasabletoreachtheforestafewmomentsafterthecountess，whomMarthehadguidedtotheappointedplace。
"Gohomenow，"hesaidtoMarthe。"Theforestiswatchedanditisdangeroustoremainhere。Weneedallourfreedom。"
Michuunfastenedhishorseandaskedthecountesstofollowhim。
"Ishallnotgoastepfurther，"saidLaurence，"unlessyougivemesomeproofoftheinterestyouseemtohaveinus——for，afterall，youareMichu。"
"Mademoiselle，"heanswered，inagentlevoice；"thepartIamplayingcanbeexplainedtoyouintwowords。Iam，unknowntotheMarquisdeSimeuseandhisbrother，theguardianoftheirproperty。OnthissubjectIreceivedthelastinstructionsoftheirlatefatherandtheirdearmother，myprotectress。IhaveplayedthepartofavirulentJacobintoservemydearyoungmasters。Unhappily，Ibeganthiscoursetoolate；Icouldnotsavetheirparents。"Here，Michu’svoicebrokedown。"SincetheyoungmenemigratedIhavesentthemregularlythesumstheyneededtoliveupon。"
"ThroughthehouseofBreintmayerofStrasburg？"askedthecountess。
"Yes，mademoiselle；thecorrespondentsofMonsieurGirelofTroyes，aroyalistwho，likeme，madehimselfforgoodreasons，aJacobin。ThepaperwhichyourfarmerpickeduponeeveningandwhichIforcedhimtosurrender，relatedtotheaffairandwouldhavecompromisedyourcousins。Mylifenolongerbelongstome，buttothem，youunderstand。
IcouldnotbuyinGondreville。Inmyposition，IshouldhavelostmyheadhadtheauthoritiesknownIhadthemoney。Ipreferredtowaitandbuyitlater。ButthatscoundrelofaMarionwastheslaveofanotherscoundrel，Malin。Allthesame，Gondrevilleshalloncemorebelongtoitsrightfulmasters。That’smyaffair。FourhoursagoIhadMalinsightedbymygun；ha！hewasalmostgonethen！Werehedead，thepropertywouldbesoldandyoucouldhaveboughtit。Incaseofmydeathmywifewouldhavebroughtyoualetterwhichwouldhavegivenyouthemeansofbuyingit。ButIoverheardthatvillaintellinghisaccompliceGrevin——anotherscoundrellikehimself——thattheMarquisandhisbrotherwereconspiringagainsttheFirstConsul，thattheywerehereintheneighborhood，andthathemeanttogivethemupandgetridofthemsoastokeepGondrevilleinpeace。Imyselfsawthepolicespies；Ilaidasidemygun，andIhavelostnotimeincominghere，thinkingthatyoumustbetheonetoknowbesthowtowarntheyoungmen。That’sthewholeofit。"
"Youareworthytobeanoble，"saidLaurence，offeringherhandtoMichu，whotriedtokneelandkissit。Shesawhismotionandpreventedit，saying:"Standup！"inatoneofvoiceandwithalookwhichmadehimamendsforallthescornofthelasttwelveyears。
"YourewardmeasthoughIhaddoneallthatremainsformetodo，"hesaid。"Butdon’tyouhearthem，thosehuzzarsoftheguillotine？Letusgoelsewhere。"
Hetookthemare’sbridle，andledheralittledistance。
"Thinkonlyofsittingfirm，"hesaid，"andofsavingyourheadfromthebranchesofthetreeswhichmightstrikeyouintheface。"
Thenhemountedhisownhorseandguidedtheyounggirlforhalfanhouratfullgallop；makingturnsandhalfturns，andstrikingintowood-paths，soastoconfusetheirtraces，untiltheyreachedaspotwherehepulledup。
"Idon’tknowwhereIam，"saidthecountesslookingabouther，——"I，whoknowtheforestaswellasyoudo。"
"Weareintheheartofit，"hereplied。"Twogendarmesareafterus，butwearequitesafe。"
ThepicturesquespottowhichthebailiffhadguidedLaurencewasdestinedtobesofataltotheprincipalpersonagesofthisdrama，andtoMichuhimself，thatitbecomesourduty，asanhistorian，todescribeit。Thescenebecame，asweshallseehereafter，oneofnotedinterestinthejudiciaryannalsoftheEmpire。
TheforestofNodesmebelongedtothemonasteryofNotre-Dame。Thatmonastery，seized，sacked，anddemolished，haddisappearedentirely，monksandproperty。Theforest，anobjectofmuchcupidity，wastakenintothedomainoftheComtesdeChampagne，whomortgageditlaterandallowedittobesold。Inthecourseofsixcenturiesnaturecovereditsruinswithherrichandvigorousgreenmantle，andeffacedthemsothoroughlythattheexistenceofoneofthefinestconventswasnolongerevenindicatedexceptbyaslighteminenceshadedbynobletreesandcircledbythick，impenetrableshrubbery，which，since1794，Michuhadtakengreatpainstomakestillmoreimpenetrablebyplantingthethornyacaciainalltheslightopeningsbetweenthebushes。Apondwasatthefootoftheeminenceandshowedtheexistenceofahiddenstreamwhichnodoubtdeterminedinformerdaysthesiteofthemonastery。ThelateownerofthetitletotheforestofNodesmewasthefirsttorecognizetheetymologyofthename，whichdatedbackforeightcenturies，andtodiscoverthatatonetimeamonasteryhadexistedintheheartoftheforest。WhenthefirstrumblingsofthethunderoftheRevolutionwereheard，theMarquisdeSimeuse，whohadbeenforcedtolookintohistitlebyalawsuitandsolearnedtheabovefactsasitwerebychance，began，withasecretintentionnotdifficulttoconceive，tosearchforsomeremainsoftheformermonastery。Thekeeper，Michu，towhomtheforestwaswellknown，helpedhismasterinthesearch，anditwashissagacityasaforesterwhichledtothediscoveryofthesite。Observingthetrendofthefivechiefroadsoftheforest，someofwhichwerenoweffaced，hesawthattheyallendedeitheratthelittleeminenceorbythepondatthefootofit，towhichpointstravellersfromTroyes，fromthevalleyofArcisandthatofCinq-Cygne，andfromBar-sur-Aubedoubtlesscame。Themarquiswishedtoexcavatethehillockbuthedarednotemploythepeopleoftheneighborhood。Pressedbycircumstances，heabandonedtheintention，leavinginMichu’smindastrongconvictionthattheeminencehadeitherthetreasureorthefoundationsoftheformerabbey。Hecontinued，allalone，thisarchaeologicalenterprise；hesoundedtheearthanddiscoveredahollownessonthelevelofthepondbetweentwotrees，atthefootoftheonlycraggypartofthehillock。
Onefinenighthecametotheplacearmedwithapickaxe，andbythesweatofhisbrowuncoveredasuccessionofcellars，whichwereenteredbyaflightofstonesteps。Thepond，whichwasthreefeetdeepinthemiddle，formedasortofdipper，thehandleofwhichseemedtocomefromthelittleeminence，andwentfartoprovethataspringhadonceissuedfromthecrags，andwasnowlostbyinfiltrationthroughtheforest。Themarshyshoresofthepond，coveredwithaquatictrees，alders，willow，andash，weretheterminusofallthewood-paths，theremainsofformerroadsandforestby-ways，nowabandoned。Thewater，flowingfromaspring，thoughapparentlystagnant，wascoveredwithlarge-leavedplantsandcresses，whichgaveitaperfectlygreensurfacealmostindistinguishablefromtheshores，whichwerecoveredwithfinecloseherbage。Theplaceistoofarfromhumanhabitationsforanyanimal，unlessawildone，tocomethere。
Convincedthatnogamewasinthemarshandrepelledbythecraggysidesofthehills，keepersandhuntershadneverexploredorvisitedthisnook，whichbelongedtoapartoftheforestwherethetimberhadnotbeencutformanyyearsandwhichMichumeanttokeepinitsfullgrowthwhenthetimecameroundtofellit。
Atthefurtherendofthefirstcellarwasavaultedchamber，cleananddry，builtwithhewnstone，asortofconventdungeon，suchastheycalledinmonasticdaysthe/inpace/。Thesalubrityofthechamberandthepreservationofthispartofthestaircaseandofthevaultswereexplainedbythepresenceofthespring，whichhadbeenenclosedatsometimebyawallofextraordinarythicknessbuiltinbrickandcementlikethoseoftheRomans，andreceivedallthewaters。Michuclosedtheentrancetothisretreatwithlargestones；
then，tokeepthesecretofittohimselfandmakeitimpenetrabletoothers，hemadearulenevertoenteritexceptfromthewoodedheightabove，byclamberingdownthecraginsteadofapproachingitfromthepond。
Justasthefugitivesarrived，themoonwascastingherbeautifulsilverylightontheagedtree-topsabovethecrag，andflickeringonthesplendidfoliageatthecornersoftheseveralpaths，allofwhichendedhere，somewithonetree，somewithagroupoftrees。Onallsidestheeyewasirresistiblyledalongtheirvanishingperspectives，followingthecurveofawood-pathorthesolemnstretchofaforestgladeflankedbyawallofverdurethatwasnearlyblack。Themoonlight，filteringthroughthebranchesofthecrossways，madethelonely，tranquilwaters，wheretheypeepedbetweenthecrossesandthelily-pads，sparklelikediamonds。Thecroakingofthefrogsbrokethedeepsilenceofthisbeautifulforest-nook，thewildodorsofwhichincitedthesoultothoughtsofliberty。
"Arewesafe？"saidthecountesstoMichu。
"Yes，mademoiselle。Butwehaveeachsomeworktodo。Doyougoandfastenourhorsestothetreesatthetopofthelittlehill；tieahandkerchiefroundthemouthofeachofthem，"hesaid，givingherhiscravat；"yourbeastandminearebothintelligent，theywillunderstandtheyarenottoneigh。Whenyouhavedonethat，comedownthecragdirectlyabovethepond；butdon’tletyourhabitcatchanywhere。Youwillfindmebelow。"
Whilethecountesshidthehorsesandtiedandgaggedthem，Michuremovedthestonesandopenedtheentrancetothecaverns。Thecountess，whothoughtsheknewtheforestbyheart，wasamazedwhenshedescendedintothevaultedchambers。Michureplacedthestonesabovethemwiththedexterityofamason。Ashefinished，thesoundofhorses’feetandthevoicesofthegendarmesechoedinthedarkness；
buthequietlystruckamatch，lightedaresinousbitofwoodandledthecountesstothe/inpace/，wheretherewasstillapieceofthecandlewithwhichhehadfirstexploredthecaves。Anirondoorofsomethickness，eateninseveralplacesbyrust，hadbeenputingoodorderbythebailiff，andcouldbefastenedsecurelybybarsslippingintoholesinthewalloneithersideofit。Thecountess，halfdeadwithfatigue，satdownonastonebench，abovewhichtherestillremainedanironring，thestapleofwhichwasembeddedinthemasonry。
"Wehaveasalontoconversein，"saidMichu。"Thegendarmesmayprowlasmuchastheylike；theworsttheycoulddowouldbetotakeourhorses。"
"Iftheydothat，"saidLaurence，"itwouldbethedeathofmycousinsandtheMessieursd’Hauteserre。Tellmenow，whatdoyouknow？"
MichurelatedwhathehadoverheardMalinsaytoGrevin。
"TheyarealreadyontheroadtoParis；theyweretoenteritto-morrowmorning，"saidthecountesswhenhehadfinished。
"Lost！"exclaimedMichu。"Allpersonsenteringorleavingthebarriersareexamined。Malinhasstrongreasonstoletmymasterscompromisethemselves；heisseekingtogetthemkilledoutofhisway。"
"AndI，whodon’tknowanythingofthegeneralplanoftheaffair，"
criedLaurence，"howcanIwarnGeorges，Riviere，andMoreau？Wherearethey？——However，letusthinkonlyofmycousinsandthed’Hauteserres；youmustcatchupwiththem，nomatterwhatitcosts。"
"Thetelegraphgoesfasterthanthebesthorse，"saidMichu；"andofallthenoblesconcernedinthisconspiracyyourcousinsaretheclosestwatched。IfIcanfindthem，theymustbehiddenhereandkeptheretilltheaffairisover。Theirpoorfathermayhavehadaforebodingwhenhesetmetosearchforthishiding-place；perhapshefeltthathissonswouldbesavedhere。"
"MymareisfromthestablesoftheComted’Artois，——sheisthedaughterofhisfinestEnglishhorse，"saidLaurence；"butshehasalreadygonesixtymiles，shewoulddropdeadbeforeyoureachedthem。"
"Mineisingoodcondition，"repliedMichu；"andifyoudidsixtymilesIshallhaveonlythirtytodo。"
"Nearerforty，"shesaid，"theyhavebeenwalkingsincedark。YouwillovertakethembeyondLagny，atCoupvrai，wheretheyexpectedtobeatdaybreak。Theyaredisguisedassailors，andwillenterParisbytheriveronsomevessel。This，"sheadded，takinghalfofhermother’swedding-ringfromherfinger，"istheonlythingwhichwillmakethemtrustyou；theyhavetheotherhalf。ThekeeperofCouvraiisthefatherofoneoftheirsoldiers；hehashiddenthemtonightinahutintheforestdesertedbycharcoal-burners。Theyareeightinall，Messieursd’Hauteserreandfourothersarewithmycousins。"
"Mademoiselle，nooneislookingfortheothers！letthemsavethemselvesastheycan；wemustthinkonlyoftheMessieursdeSimeuse。Itisenoughjusttowarntherest。"
"What！abandontheHauteserres？never！"shesaid。"Theymustallperishorbesavedtogether！"
"Onlypettynoblemen！"remarkedMichu。
"Theyareonlychevaliers，Iknowthat，"shereplied，"buttheyarerelatedtotheCinq-CygneandSimeuseblood。Savethemall，andadvisethemhowbesttoregainthisforest。"
"Thegendarmesarehere，——don’tyouhearthem？theyareholdingacouncilofwar。"
"Well，youhavetwicehadluckto-night；go！bringmycousinshereandhidetheminthesevaults；they’llbesafefromallpursuit——Alas！I
amgoodfornothing！"shecried，withrage；"Ishouldbeonlyabeacontolighttheenemy——butthepolicewillneverimaginethatmycousinsareintheforestiftheyseemeatmyease。Sothequestionresolvesitselfintothis:howcanwegetfivegoodhorsestobringtheminsixhoursfromLagnytotheforest，——fivehorsestobekilledandhiddeninsomethicket。"
"Andthemoney？"saidMichu，whowasthinkingdeeplyashelistenedtotheyoungcountess。
"Igavemycousinsahundredlouisthisevening，"shereplied。
"I’llanswerforthem！"criedMichu。"Butoncehiddenhereyoumustnotattempttoseethem。Mywife，orthelittleone，shallbringthemfoodtwiceaweek。But，asIcan’tbesureofwhatmayhappentome，remember，mademoiselle，incaseoftrouble，thatthemainbeaminmyhay-lofthasbeenboredwithanauger。Inthehole，whichispluggedwithabitofwood，youwillfindaplanshowinghowtoreachthisspot。Thetreeswhichyouwillfindmarkedwithareddotontheplanhaveablackmarkattheirfootclosetotheearth。Eachofthesetreesisasign-post。Atthefootofthethirdoldoakwhichstandstotheleftofeachsign-post，twofeetinfrontofitandburiedsevenfeetintheground，youwillfindalargemetaltube；ineachtubeareonehundredthousandfrancsingold。Theseeleventrees——thereareonlyeleven——containthewholefortuneoftheSimeusebrothers，nowthatGondrevillehasbeentakenfromthem。"
"Itwilltakeahundredyearsforthenobilitytorecoverfromsuchblows，"saidMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne，slowly。
"Isthereapass-word？"askedMichu。
"’FranceandCharles’forthesoldiers，’LaurenceandLouis’fortheMessieursd’HauteserreandSimeuse。GoodGod！tothinkthatIsawthemyesterdayforthefirsttimeinelevenyears，andthatnowtheyareindangerofdeath——andwhatadeath！Michu，"shesaid，withamelancholylook，"beasprudentduringthenextfifteenhoursasyouhavebeengrandanddevotedduringthelasttwelveyears。IfdisasterweretoovertakemycousinsnowIshoulddieofit——No，"sheadded，quickly，"IwouldlivelongenoughtokillBonaparte。"
"Therewillbetwoofustodothatwhenallislost，"saidMichu。
Laurencetookhisroughhandandwrungitwarmly，astheEnglishdo。
Michulookedathiswatch；itwasmidnight。
"Wemustleavehereatanycost，"hesaid。"Deathtothegendarmewhoattemptstostopme！Andyou，madamelacomtesse，withoutpresumingtodictate，ridebacktoCinq-Cygneasfastasyoucan。Thepolicearetherebythistime；foolthem！delaythem！"
Theholeonceopened，Michuflunghimselfdownwithhiseartotheearth；thenheroseprecipitately。"ThegendarmesareattheedgeoftheforesttowardsTroyes！"hesaid。"Ha，I’llgetthebetterofthemyet！"
Hehelpedthecountesstocomeout，andreplacedthestones。Whenthiswasdoneheheardhersoftvoicetellinghimshemustseehimmountedbeforemountingherself。Tearscametotheeyesofthesternmanasheexchangedalastlookwithhisyoungmistress，whoseowneyesweretearless。
"Foolthem！yes，heisright！"shesaidwhensheheardhimnolonger。
ThenshedartedtowardsCinq-Cygneatfullgallop。
CHAPTERVIII
TRIALSOFTHEPOLICE
Madamed’Hauteserre，rousedbythedangerofhersons，andnotbelievingthattheRevolutionwasover，butstillfearingitssummaryjustice，recoveredhersensesbytheviolenceofthesamedistresswhichmadeherlosethem。Ledbyanagonizingcuriosityshereturnedtothesalon，whichpresentedapictureworthyofthebrushofagenrepainter。Theabbe，stillseatedatthecard-tableandmechanicallyplayingwiththecounters，wascovertlyobservingCorentinandPeyrade，whowerestandingtogetheratacornerofthefireplaceandspeakinginalowvoice。SeveraltimesCorentin’skeeneyemetthenotlesskeenglanceofthepriest；but，liketwoadversarieswhoknewthemselvesequallystrong，andwhoreturntotheirguardaftercrossingtheirweapons，eachavertedhiseyestheinstanttheymet。
Theworthyoldd’Hauteserre，poisedonhislongthinlegslikeaheron，wasstandingbesidethestoutformofthemayor，inanattitudeexpressiveofutterstupefaction。Themayor，thoughdressedasabourgeois，alwayslookedlikeaservant。Eachgazedwithabewilderedeyeatthegendarmes，inwhoseclutchesGothardwasstillsobbing，hishandspurpleandswollenfromthetightnessofthecordthatboundthem。Catherinemaintainedherattitudeofartlesssimplicity，whichwasquiteimpenetrable。Thecorporal，who，accordingtoCorentin，hadcommittedagreatblunderinarrestingthesesmallerfry，didnotknowwhethertostaywherehewasortodepart。Hestoodpensivelyinthemiddleofthesalon，hishandonthehiltofhissabre，hiseyeonthetwoParisians。TheDurieus，alsostupefied，andtheotherservantsofthechateaumadeanadmirablegroupofexpressiveuneasiness。IfithadnotbeenforGothard’sconvulsivesnifflingsthosepresentcouldhaveheardthefliesfly。
WhenMadamed’Hauteserre，paleandterrified，openedthedoorandenteredtheroom，almostcarriedbyMademoiselleGoujet，whoseredeyeshadevidentlybeenweeping，allfacesturnedtoheratonce。ThetwoagentshopedasmuchasthehouseholdfearedtoseeLaurenceenter。Thisspontaneousmovementofbothmastersandservantsseemedproducedbythesortofmechanismwhichmakesanumberofwoodenfiguresperformthesamegestureorwinkthesameeye。
Madamed’HauteserreadvancedbythreerapidstridestowardsCorentinandsaid，inabrokenvoicebutviolently:"Forpity’ssake，monsieur，tellmewhatmysonsareaccusedof。Doyoureallythinktheyhavebeenhere？"
Theabbe，whoseemedtobesayingtohimselfwhenhesawtheoldlady，"Shewillcertainlycommitsomefolly，"loweredhiseyes。
"MydutyandthemissionIamengagedinforbidmetotellyou，"
answeredCorentin，withagraciousbutrathermockingair。
Thisrefusal，whichthedetestablepolitenessofthevulgarfopseemedtomakeallthemoreemphatic，petrifiedthepoormother，whofellintoachairbesidetheAbbeGoujet，claspedherhandsandbegantopray。
"Wheredidyouarrestthatblubber？"askedCorentin，addressingthecorporalandpointingtoLaurence’slittlehenchman。
"Ontheroadthatleadstothefarmalongtheparkwalls；thelittlescamphadnearlyreachedtheCloseauxwoods，"repliedthecorporal。
"Andthatgirl？"
"She？oh，itwasOliverwhocaughther。"
"Wherewasshegoing？"
"TowardsGondreville。"
"Theyweregoinginoppositedirections？"saidCorentin。
"Yes，"repliedthegendarme。
"Isthatboythegroom，andthegirlthemaidofthecitizenessCinq-
Cygne？"saidCorentintothemayor。
"Yes，"repliedGoulard。
AfterCorentinhadexchangedafewwordswithPeyradeinawhisper，thelatterlefttheroom，takingthecorporalofgendarmeswithhim。
JustthenthecorporalofArcismadehisappearance。HewentuptoCorentinandspoketohiminalowvoice:"Iknowthesepremiseswell，"hesaid；"Ihavesearchedeverywhere；unlessthoseyoungfellowsareburied，theyarenothere。Wehavesoundedallthefloorsandwallswiththebuttendofourmuskets。"
Peyrade，whopresentlyreturned，signedtoCorentintocomeout，andthentookhimtothebreachinthemoatandshowedhimthesunkenway。
"Wehaveguessedthetrick，"saidPeyrade。
"AndI’lltellyouhowitwasdone，"addedCorentin。"Thatlittlescampandthegirldecoyedthoseidiotsofgendarmesandthusmadetimeforthegametoescape。"
"Wecan’tknowthetruthtilldaylight，"saidPeyrade。"Theroadisdamp；Ihaveorderedtwogendarmestobarricadeittopandbottom。
We’llexamineitafterdaylight，andfindoutbythefootstepswhowentthatway。"
"Iseeahoof-mark，"saidCorentin；"letusgotothestables。"
"Howmanyhorsesdoyoukeep？"saidPeyrade，returningtothesalonwithCorentin，andaddressingMonsieurd’HauteserreandGoulard。
"Come，monsieurlemaire，youknow，answer，"criedCorentin，seeingthatthatfunctionaryhesitated。
"Why，there’sthecountess’smare，Gothard’shorse，andMonsieurd’Hauteserre’s。"
"Thereisonlyoneinthestable，"saidPeyrade。
"Mademoiselleisoutriding，"saidDurieu。
"Doessheoftenrideaboutatthistimeofnight？"saidthelibertinePeyrade，addressingMonsieurd’Hauteserre。
"Often，"saidthegoodman，simply。"Monsieurlemairecantellyouthat。"
"Everybodyknowsshehasherfreaks，"remarkedCatherine；"shelookedattheskybeforeshewenttobed，andIthinktheglitterofyourbayonetsinthemoonlightpuzzledher。Shetoldmeshewantedtoknowiftherewasgoingtobeanotherrevolution。"
"Whendidshego？"askedPeyrade。
"Whenshesawyourguns。"
"Whichroaddidshetake？"
"Idon’tknow。"
"There’sanotherhorsemissing，"saidCorentin。
"Thegendarmes——tookit——awayfromme，"saidGothard。
"Wherewereyougoing？"saidoneofthem。
"Iwas——following——mymistresstothefarm，"sobbedtheboy。
ThegendarmelookedtowardsCorentinasifexpectinganorder。ButGothard’sspeechwasevidentlysotrueandyetsofalse，soperfectlyinnocentandsoartfulthatthetwoParisiansagainlookedateachotherasiftoechoPeyrade’sformerwords:"Theyarenotninnies。"
Monsieurd’Hauteserreseemedincapableofaword；themayorwasbewildered；themother，imbecilefrommaternalfears，wasputtingquestionstothepoliceagentsthatwereidioticallyinnocent；theservantshadbeenrousedfromtheirsleep。Judgingbythesetriflingsigns，andthesediversecharacters，CorentincametotheconclusionthathisonlyrealadversarywasMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne。Shrewdanddexterousasthepolicemaybe，theyarealwaysundercertaindisadvantages。Notonlyaretheyforcedtodiscoverallthatisknowntoaconspirator，buttheymustalsosupposeandtestagreatnumberofthingsbeforetheyhitupontherightone。Theconspiratorisalwaysthinkingofhisownsafety，whereasthepoliceisonlyondutyatcertainhours。Wereitnotfortreacheryandbetrayals，nothingwouldbeeasierthantoconspiresuccessfully。Theconspiratorhasmoremindconcentrateduponhimselfthanthepolicecanbringtobearwithallitsvastfacilitiesofaction。Findingthemselvesstoppedshortmorally，astheymightbephysicallybyadoorwhichtheyexpectedtofindopenbeingshutintheirfaces，CorentinandPeyradesawtheyweretrickedandmisled，withoutknowingbywhom。
"Iassert，"saidthecorporalofArcis，intheirear，"thatifthefouryoungmensleptherelastnightitmusthavebeeninthebedsoftheirfatherandmother，andMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne，orthoseoftheservants；ortheymusthavespentthenightinthepark。Thereisnotatraceoftheirpresence。"
"Whocouldhavewarnedthem？"saidCorentin，toPeyrade。"NoonebuttheFirstConsul，Fouche，theministers，theprefectofpolice，andMalinknewanythingaboutit。"
"Wemustsetspiesintheneighborhood，"whisperedPeyrade。
"Andwatchthespies，"saidtheabbe，whosmiledasheoverheardthewordandguessedall。
"GoodGod！"thoughtCorentin，replyingtotheabbe’ssmilewithoneofhisown；"thereisbutoneintelligentbeinghere，——he’stheonetocometoanunderstandingwith；I’lltryhim。"
"Gentlemen——"saidthemayor，anxioustogivesomeproofofdevotiontotheFirstConsulandaddressingthetwoagents。
"Say’citizens’；theRepublicstillexists，"interruptedCorentin，lookingatthepriestwithaquizzicalair。
"Citizens，"resumedthemayor，"justasIenteredthissalonandbeforeIhadopenedmymouthCatherinerushedinandtookhermistress’shat，gloves，andwhip。"
AlowmurmurofhorrorcamefromthebreastsofallthehouseholdexceptGothard。AlleyesbutthoseoftheagentandthegendarmeswereturnedthreateninglyonGoulard，theinformer，seemingtodartflamesathim。
"Verygood，citizenmayor，"saidPeyrade。"Weseeitallplainly。Someone"(thiswithaglanceofevidentdistrustatCorentin)"warnedthecitizenessCinq-Cygneintime。"
"Corporal，handcuffthatboy，"saidCorentin，tothegendarme，"andtakehimawaybyhimself。Andshutupthatgirl，too，"pointingtoCatherine。"Asforyou，Peyrade，searchforpapers，"addinginhisear，"Ransackeverything，sparenothing——Monsieurl’abbe，"hesaid，confidentially，"Ihaveanimportantcommunicationtomaketoyou"；
andhetookhimintothegarden。
"Listentomeattentively，monsieur，"hewenton；"youseemtohavethemindofabishop，and(noonecanhearus)youwillunderstandme。
Ihavenolongeranyhopeexceptthroughyouofsavingthesefamilies，who，withthegreatestfolly，arelettingthemselvesrolldownaprecipicewherenoonecansavethem。TheMessieursSimeuseandd’Hauteserrehavebeenbetrayedbyoneofthoseinfamousspieswhomgovernmentsintroduceintoallconspiraciestolearntheirobjects，means，andmembers。Don’tconfoundme，Ibegofyou，withthewretchwhoiswithme。Hebelongstothepolice；butIamhonorablyattachedtotheConsularcabinet，Iamthereforebehindthescenes。TheruinoftheSimeusebrothersisnotdesired。ThoughMalinwouldliketoseethemshot，theFirstConsul，iftheyarehereandhavecomewithoutevilintentions，wishesthemtobewarnedoutofdanger，forhelikesgoodsoldiers。Theagentwhoaccompaniesmehasallthepowers，I，apparently，amnothing。ButIseeplainlywhatishatching。TheagentispledgedtoMalin，whohasdoubtlesspromisedhimhisinfluence，anoffice，andperhapsmoneyifhefindstheSimeusebrothersanddeliversthemup。TheFirstConsul，whoisareallygreatman，neverfavorsselfishschemes——Idon’twanttoknowifthoseyoungmenarehere，"headded，quickly，observingtheabbe’sgesture，"butIwishtotellyouthatthereisonlyonewaytosavethem。Youknowthelawofthe6thFloreal，yearX。，whichamnestiedallthe/emigres/whowerestillinforeigncountriesonconditionthattheyreturnedhomebeforethe1stVendemiaireoftheyearXI。，thatistosay，inSeptemberoflastyear。ButtheMessieursSimeusehaving，liketheMessieursd’Hauteserre，servedinthearmyofConde，theycomeintothecategoryofexceptionstothislaw。TheirpresenceinFranceisthereforecriminal，andsuffices，underthecircumstancesinwhichweare，tomakethemsuspectedofcollusioninahorribleplot。TheFirstConsulsawtheerrorofthisexceptionwhichhasmadeenemiesforhisgovernment，andhewishestheMessieursSimeusetoknowthatnostepswillbetakenagainstthem，iftheywillsendhimapetitionsayingthattheyhavere-enteredFranceintendingtosubmittothelaws，andagreeingtotakeoathtotheConstitution。Youcanunderstandthatthedocumentoughttobeinmyhandsbeforetheyarearrested，andbedatedsomedaysearlier。Iwouldthenbethebearerofit——Idonotaskyouwherethoseyoungmenare，"hesaidagain，seeinganothergestureofdenialfromthepriest。"Weare，unfortunately，sureoffindingthem；theforestisguarded，theentrancestoParisandthefrontiersareallwatched。Praylistentome；ifthesegentlemenarebetweentheforestandParistheymustbetaken；iftheyareinParistheywillbefound；iftheyretreattothefrontiertheywillstillbearrested。TheFirstConsullikesthe/ci-devants/，andcannotenduretherepublicans——simpleenough；ifhewantsathronehemustneedsstrangleLiberty。Keepthematterasecretbetweenus。ThisiswhatI
willdo；Iwillstayheretillto-morrowand/beblind/；butbewareoftheagent；thatcursedProvencalisthedevil’sownvalet；hehastheearofFouchejustasIhavethatoftheFirstConsul。"
"IftheMessieursSimeusearehere，"saidtheabbe，"Iwouldgivetenpintsofmybloodandmyrightarmtosavethem；butifMademoiselledeCinq-Cygneisinthesecretshehasnot——andthisIswearonmyeternalsalvation——betrayeditinanyway，neitherhasshedonemethehonortoconsultme。Iamnowverygladofherdiscretion，ifdiscretiontherebe。Weplayedcardslastnightasusual，atboston，inalmostcompletesilence，untilhalf-pastteno’clock，andweneithersawnorheardanything。Notachildcanpassthroughthissolitaryvalleywithoutthewholecommunityknowingit，andforthelasttwoweeksnoonehascomefromotherplaces。Nowthed’HauteserreandtheSimeusebrotherswouldmakeapartyoffour。Oldd’Hauteserreandhiswifehavesubmittedtothepresentgovernment，andtheyhavemadeallimaginableeffortstopersuadetheirsonstoreturntoFrance；theywrotetothemagainyesterday。Icanonlysay，uponmysoulandconscience，thatyourvisithasaloneshakenmyfirmbeliefthattheseyoungmenarelivinginGermany。Betweenourselves，thereisnoonehere，excepttheyoungcountess，whodoesnotdojusticetotheeminentqualitiesoftheFirstConsul。"
"Fox！"thoughtCorentin。"Well，ifthoseyoungmenareshot，"hesaid，aloud；"itisbecausetheirfriendshavewilledit——Iwashmyhandsoftheaffair。"
Hehadledtheabbetoapartofthegardenwhichlayinthemoonlight，andashesaidthelastwordshelookedathimsuddenly。
Thepriestwasgreatlydistressed，buthismannerwasthatofamansurprisedandwhollyignorant。
"Understandthis，monsieurl’abbe，"resumedCorentin；"therightoftheseyoungmentotheestateofGondrevillewillrenderthemdoublycriminalintheeyesofthemiddleclass。I’dliketoseethemputfaithinGodandnotinhissaints——"
"Istherereallyaplot？"askedtheabbe，simply。
"Base，odious，cowardly，andsocontrarytothegenerousspiritofthenation，"repliedCorentin，"thatitwillmeetwithuniversalopprobrium。"
"Well！MademoiselledeCinq-Cygneisincapableofbaseness，"criedtheabbe。
"Monsieurl’abbe，"repliedCorentin，"letmetellyouthis；thereisforus(meaningyouandme)proofpositiveofherguilt；butthereisnotenoughforthelaw。Youseeshetookflightwhenwecame；Isentthemayortowarnher。"
"Yes，butforonewhoissoanxioustosavethem，youfollowedrathercloselyonhisheels，"saidtheabbe。
Atthosewordsthetwomenlookedateachother，andallwassaid。
Eachbelongedtothoseprofoundanatomistsofthoughttowhomamereinflexionofthevoice，alook，awordsufficestorevealasoul，justastheIndianstracktheirenemiesbysignsinvisibletoEuropeaneyes。
"Iexpectedtodrawsomethingoutofhim，andIhaveonlybetrayedmyself，"thoughtCorentin。
"Ha！theslyrogue！"thoughtthepriest。
MidnightrangfromtheoldchurchclockjustasCorentinandtheabbere-enteredthesalon。Theopeningandshuttingofdoorsandclosetscouldbeheardfromthebedroomsabove。Thegendarmespulledopenthebeds；Peyrade，withthequickperceptionofaspy，handledandsoundedeverything。Suchdesecrationexcitedbothfearandindignationamongthefaithfulservantsofthehouse，whostillstoodmotionlessaboutthesalon。Monsieurd’HauteserreexchangedlooksofcommiserationwithhiswifeandMademoiselleGoujet。Aspeciesofhorriblecuriositykepteveryoneonthequivive。Peyradeatlengthcamedown，holdinginhishandasandal-woodboxwhichhadprobablybeenbroughtfromChinabyAdmiraldeSimeuse。Thisprettycasketwasflatandaboutthesizeofaquartovolume。
PeyrademadeasigntoCorentinandtookhimintotheembrasureofawindow。
"I’veanidea！"hesaid，"thatMichu，whowasreadytopayMarioneighthundredthousandfrancsingoldforGondreville，andwhoevidentlymeanttoshootMalinyesterday，isthemanwhoishelpingtheSimeusebrothers。HismotiveinthreateningMarionandaimingatMalinmustbethesame。IthoughtwhenIsawhimthathewascapableofideas；evidentlyhehasbutone；hediscoveredwhatwasgoingonandhemusthavecomeheretowarnthem。"
"ProbablyMalintalkedabouttheconspiracytohisfriendthenotary，andMichufromhisambushoverheardwhatwassaid，"remarkedCorentin，continuingtheinductionsofhiscolleague。"NodoubthehasonlypostponedhisshottopreventanevilhethinksworsethanthelossofGondreville。"
"Heknewwhatwewerethemomenthelaideyesonus，"saidPeyrade。"I
thoughtthenthathewasamazinglyintelligentforapeasant。"
"Thatprovesthatheisalwaysonhisguard，"repliedCorentin。"But，mindyou，myoldman，don’tletusmakeamistake。Treacherystinksinthenostrils，andprimitivefolksdoscentitfromafar。"
"Butthat’sourstrength，"saidtheProvencal。
"CallthecorporalofArcis，"criedCorentintooneofthegendarmes。
"IshallsendhimatoncetoMichu’shouse，"headdedtoPeyrade。
"Ourear，Violette，isthere，"saidPeyrade。
"Westartedwithoutgettingnewsfromhim。Twoofusarenotenough；
weoughttohavehadSabatierwithus——Corporal，"hesaid，whenthegendarmeappeared，takinghimasidewithPeyrade，"don’tletthemfoolyouastheydidtheTroyescorporaljustnow。WethinkMichuisinthisbusiness。Gotohishouse，putyoureyeoneverything，andbringwordoftheresult。"
"Oneofmymenheardhorsesintheforestjustastheyarrestedthelittlegroom；I’vefourfinefellowsnowonthetrackofwhoeverishidingthere，"repliedthegendarme。
Helefttheroom，andthegallopofhishorsewhichechoedonthepavedcourtyarddiedrapidlyaway。
"Onethingiscertain，"saidCorentintohimself，"eithertheyhavegonetoParisortheyareretreatingtoGermany。"
Hesatdown，pulledanote-bookfromthepocketofhisspencer，wrotetwoordersinpencil，sealedthem，andmadeasigntooneofthegendarmestocometohim。
"BeoffatfullgalloptoTroyes，wakeuptheprefect，andtellhimtostartthetelegraphassoonasthere’slightenough。"
Thegendarmedeparted。ThemeaningofthismovementandCorentin’sintentionsweresoevidentthattheheartsofthehouseholdsankwithinthem；butthisnewanxietywasadditionaltoanotherthatwasnowmartyrizingthem；theireyeswerefixedonthesandal-woodbox！
Allthewhilethetwoagentsweretalkingtogethertheywereeachtakingnoteofthoseeagerlooks。Asortofcoldangerstirredtheunfeelingheartsofthesemenwhorelishedthepowerofinspiringterror。Thepolicemanhastheinstinctsandemotionsofahunter:butwheretheoneemployshispowersofmindandbodyinkillingahare，apartridge，oradeer，theotheristhinkingofsavingtheState，oraking，andofwinningalargereward。Sothehuntformenissuperiortotheotherclassofhuntingbyallthedistancethatthereisbetweenanimalsandhumanbeings。Moreover，aspyisforcedtoliftthepartheplaystothelevelandtheimportanceoftheintereststowhichheisbound。Withoutlookingfurtherintothiscalling，itiseasytoseethatthemanwhofollowsitputsasmuchpassionateardorintohischaseasanothermandoesintothepursuitofgame。Thereforethefurtherthesemenadvancedintheirinvestigationsthemoreeagertheybecame；buttheexpressionoftheirfacesandtheireyescontinuedcalmandcold，justastheirideas，theirsuspicions，andtheirplansremainedimpenetrable。Toanyonewhowatchedtheeffectsofthemoralscent，ifwemaysocallit，ofthesebloodhoundsonthetrackofhiddenfacts，andwhonotedandunderstoodthemovementsofcanineagilitywhichledthemtostrikethetruthintheirrapidexaminationofprobabilities，therewasinitallsomethingactuallyhorrifying。Howandwhyshouldmenofgeniusfallsolowwhenitwasintheirpowertobesohigh？Whatimperfection，whatvice，whatpassiondebasesthem？Doesamanbecomeapolice-agentashebecomesathinker，writer，statesmen，painter，general，ontheconditionofknowingnothingbuthowtospy，astheothersspeak，write，govern，paint，andfight？Theinhabitantsofthechateauhadbutonewish，——
thatthethunderboltsofheavenmightfalluponthesemiscreants；theywereathirstforvengeance；andhaditnotbeenforthepresence，uptothistime，ofthegendarmestherewouldundoubtedlyhavebeenanoutbreak。
"Noone，Isuppose，hasthekeyofthisbox？"saidthecynicalPeyrade，questioningthefamilyasmuchbythemovementofhishugerednoseasbyhiswords。
TheProvencalnoticed，notwithoutfear，thattheguardswerenolongerpresent；heandCorentinwerealonewiththefamily。Theyoungermandrewasmalldaggerfromhispocket，andbegantoforcethelockofthebox。Justthenthedesperategallopingofahorsewasheardupontheroadandthenuponthepavementbythelawn；butmosthorribleofallwasthefallandsighingoftheanimal，whichseemedtodropallatonceatthedoorofthemiddletower。AconvulsionlikethatwhichathunderboltmightproduceshookthespectatorswhenLaurence，thetrailingofwhoseriding-habitannouncedhercoming，enteredtheroom。Theservantshastilyformedintotwolinestoletherpass。
Inspiteofherrapidride，thegirlhadfeltthefullanguishthediscoveryoftheconspiracymustneedscauseher。Allherhopeswereoverthrown！shehadgallopedthroughruinsasherthoughtsturnedtothenecessityofsubmissiontotheConsulargovernment。Wereitnotforthedangerwhichthreatenedthefourgentlemen，andwhichservedasatonictoconquerherwearinessandherdespair，shewouldhavedroppedasleepontheway。Themarewasalmostkilledinherhastetoreachthechateau，andstandbetweenhercousinsanddeath。Asallpresentlookedattheheroicgirl，pale，herfeaturesdrawn，herveilaside，herwhipinherhand，standingonthethresholdofthedoor，whenceherburningglancegraspedthewholesceneandcomprehendedit，eachknewfromthealmostimperceptiblemotionwhichcrossedthesouredandbitteredfaceofCorentin，thattherealadversarieshadmet。Aterribleduelwasabouttobegin。
Noticingthebox，nowinthehandsofCorentin，thecountessraisedherwhipandsprangrapidlytowardshim。Strikinghishandswithsoviolentablowthatthecasketfelltotheground，sheseizedit，flungitintothemiddleofthefire，andstoodwithherbacktothechimneyinathreateningattitudebeforeeitheroftheagentsrecoveredfromtheirsurprise。Thescornwhichflamedfromhereyes，herpalebrow，herdisdainfullips，wereevenmoreinsultingthanthehaughtyactionwhichtreatedCorentinasthoughhewereavenomousreptile。Oldd’Hauteserrefelthimselfoncemoreacavalier；allhisbloodrushedtohisface，andhegrievedthathehadnosword。Theservantstrembledforaninstantwithjoy。Thevengeancetheyhadcalleddownuponthesemenhadcome。Buttheirjoywasdrivenbackwithintheirsoulsbyaterriblefear；thegendarmeswerestillheardcomingandgoinginthegarrets。
The/spy/——nounofstrength，underwhichallshadesofthepoliceareconfounded，forthepublichasneverchosentospecifyinlanguagethevarietiesofthosewhocomposethisdispensaryofsocialremediessoessentialtoallgovernments——thespyhasthiscuriousandmagnificentquality:heneverbecomesangry；hepossessestheChristianhumilityofapriest；hiseyesarestolidwithanindifferencewhichheholdsasabarrieragainsttheworldoffoolswhodonotunderstandhim；hisforeheadisadamantunderinsult；hepursueshisendslikeareptilewhosecarapaceisfracturedonlybyacannonball；but(likethatreptile)heisallthemorefuriouswhentheblowdoesreachhim，becausehebelievedhisarmorinvulnerable。ThelashofthewhipuponhisfingerswastoCorentin，painapart，thecannonballthatcrackedtheshell。Comingfromthatmagnificentandnoblegirl，thisaction，emblematicofherdisgust，humiliatedhim，notonlyintheeyesofthepeopleabouthim，butinhisown。
Peyradesprangtothehearth，caughtLaurence’sfoot，raisedit，andcompelledher，outofmodesty，tothrowherselfonthesofa，whereshehadlatelylainasleep。Thescene，likeothercontrastsinhumanthings，wasburlesqueinthemidstofterror。Peyradescorchedhishandashedasheditintothefiretoseizethebox；buthegotit，threwitonthefloorandsatdownuponit。Theselittleactionsweredonewithgreatrapidityandwithoutawordbeinguttered。Corentin，recoveringfromthepainoftheblow，caughtMademoiselledeCinq-
Cygnebybothhands，andheldher。
"Donotcompelmetouseforceagainstyou，"hesaid，withwitheringpoliteness。
Peyrade’sactionhadextinguishedthefirebythenaturalprocessofsuppressingtheair。
"Gendarmes！here！"hecried，stilloccupyinghisridiculousposition。
"Willyoupromisetobehaveyourself？"saidCorentin，insolently，addressingLaurence，andpickinguphisdagger，butnotcommittingthegreatfaultofthreateningherwithit。
"Thesecretsofthatboxdonotconcernthegovernment，"sheanswered，withatingeofmelancholyinhertoneandmanner。"Whenyouhavereadthelettersitcontainsyouwill，inspiteofyourinfamy，feelashamedofhavingreadthem——thatis，ifyoucanstillfeelshameatanything，"sheadded，afterapause。
Theabbelookedatherasiftosay，"ForGod’ssake，becalm！"
Peyraderose。Thebottomofthebox，whichhadbeennearlyburnedthrough，leftamarkuponthefloor；thelidwasscorchedandthesidesgaveway。ThegrotesqueScaevola，whohadofferedtothegodofthePoliceandTerrortheseatofhisapricotbreeches，openedthetwosidesoftheboxasifithadbeenabook，andslidthreelettersandtwolocksofhairuponthecard-table。HewasabouttosmileatCorentinwhenheperceivedthatthelockswereoftwoshadesofgray。
CorentinreleasedMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne’shandsandwentuptothetabletoreadtheletterfromwhichthehairhadfallen。
Laurencerose，movedtothetablebesidethespies，andsaid:——"Readitaloud；thatshallbeyourpunishment。"
Asthetwomencontinuedtoreadtothemselves，sheherselfreadoutthefollowingwords:——
DearLaurence，——MyhusbandandIhaveheardofyournobleconductonthedayofourarrest。Weknowthatyouloveourdeartwinsasmuch，almost，aswelovethemourselves。Thereforeitiswithyouthatweleaveatokenwhichwillbebothpreciousandsadtothem。
Theexecutionerhascometocutourhair，forwearetodieinafewmoments；hehaspromisedtoputintoyourhandstheonlyremembranceweareabletoleavetoourbelovedorphans。Keeptheselastremainsofusandgivethemtooursonsinhappierdays。Wehavekissedtheselocksofhairandhavelaidourblessinguponthem。Ourlastthoughtwillbeofoursons，ofyou，andofGod。Lovethem，Laurence。
BerthedeCinq-Cygne。
JeandeSimeuse。
Tearscametotheeyesofallthehouseholdastheylistenedtotheletter。
Laurencelookedattheagentswithapetrifyingglanceandsaid，inafirmvoice:——
"Youhavelesspitythantheexecutioner。"
Corentinquietlyfoldedthehairintheletter，laidtheletterasideonthetable，andputaboxofcountersonthetopofitasiftopreventitsblowingaway。Hiscoolnessinthemidstofthegeneralemotionwashorrible。
Peyradeunfoldedtheotherletters。
"Oh，asforthose，"saidLaurence，"theyareverymuchalike。Youhearthewill；youcannowhearofitsfulfilment。InfutureIshallhavenosecretsfromanyone。"
1794，Andernach。Beforethebattle。
MydearLaurence，——Iloveyouforlife，andIwishyoutoknowit。
Butyououghtalsotoknow，incaseIdie，thatmybrother，Paul-
Marie，lovesyouasmuchasIloveyou。Myonlyconsolationindyingwouldbethethoughtthatyoumightsomedaymakemybrotheryourhusbandwithoutbeingforcedtoseemedieofjealousy——whichmustsurelyhappenif，bothofusbeingalive，youpreferredhimtome。Afterall，thatpreferenceseemsnatural，forheis，perhaps，moreworthyofyourlovethanI——
Marie-Paul。
"Hereistheotherletter，"shesaid，withthecolorinhercheeks。
Andernach。Beforethebattle。
MykindLaurence，——Myheartissad；butMarie-Paulhasagayernature，andwillpleaseyoumorethanIamabletodo。Somedayyouwillhavetochoosebetweenus——well，thoughIloveyoupassionately——
"Youarecorrespondingwith/emigres/，"saidPeyrade，interruptingLaurence，andholdingthelettersbetweenhimselfandthelighttoseeiftheycontainedbetweenthelinesanytreasonablewritingwithinvisibleink。
"Yes，"repliedLaurence，foldingthepreciousletters，thepaperofwhichwasalreadyyellowwithtime。"Butbyvirtueofwhatrightdoyoupresumetoviolatemydwellingandmypersonalliberty？"
"Ah，that’sthepoint！"criedPeyrade。"Bywhatright，indeed！——itistimetoletyouknowit，beautifularistocrat，"headded，takingawarrantfromhispocket，whichcamefromtheministerofjusticeandwascountersignedbytheministeroftheinterior。"See，theauthoritieshavetheireyeuponyou。"
"Wemightalsoaskyou，"saidCorentin，inherear，"bywhatrightyouharborinthishousetheassassinsoftheFirstConsul。Youhaveappliedyourwhiptomyhandsinamannerthatauthorizesmetotakemyrevengeuponyourcousins，whomIcameheretosave。"
AtthemeremovementofherlipsandtheglancewhichLaurencecastuponCorentin，theabbeguessedwhatthatgreatartistwassaying，andhemadeherasigntobedistrustful，whichnooneinterceptedbutGoulard。Peyradestruckthecoveroftheboxtoseeiftherewereadoubletop。
"Don’tbreakit！"sheexclaimed，takingthecoverfromhim。
Shetookapin，pushedtheheadofoneofthecarvedfigures，andthetwohalvesofthetop，joinedbyaspring，opened。InthehollowhalflayminiaturesoftheMessieursdeSimeuse，intheuniformofthearmyofConde，twoportraitsonivorydoneinGermany。Corentin，whofelthimselfinpresenceofanadversaryworthyofhisefforts，calledPeyradeasideintoacorneroftheroomandconferredwithhim。
"Howcouldyouthrow/that/intothefire？"saidtheabbe，speakingtoLaurenceandpointingtotheletterofthemarquisewhichenclosedthelocksofhair。
Forallanswertheyounggirlshruggedhershoulderssignificantly。
Theabbecomprehendedthenthatshehadmadethesacrificetomisleadtheagentsandgaintime；heraisedhiseyestoheavenwithagestureofadmiration。
"WheredidtheyarrestGothard，whomIhearcrying？"sheaskedhim，loudenoughtobeoverheard。
"Idon’tknow，"saidtheabbe。
"Didhereachthefarm？"
"Thefarm！"whisperedPeyradetoCorentin。"Letussendthere。"
"No，"saidCorentin；"thatgirlnevertrustedhercousins’safetytoafarmer。Sheisplayingwithus。DoasItellyou，sothatwemayn’thavetoleaveherewithoutdetectingsomething，aftercommittingthegreatblunderofcominghereatall。"
Corentinstationedhimselfbeforethefire，liftingthelongpointedskirtsofhiscoattowarmhimselfandassumingtheair，manner，andtoneofagentlemanwhowaspayingavisit。
"Mesdames，youcangotobed，andtheservantsalso。Monsieurlemaire，yourservicesarenolongerneeded。Thesternnessofourordersdoesnotpermitustoactotherwisethanaswehavedone；butassoonasthewalls，whichseemtomeratherthick，havebeenthoroughlyexamined，weshalltakeourdeparture。"
Themayorbowedtothecompanyandretired；butneithertheabbenorMademoiselleGoujetstirred。Theservantsweretoouneasynottowatchthefateoftheiryoungmistress。Madamed’Hauteserre，who，fromthemomentofLaurence’sentrance，hadstudiedherwiththeanxietyofamother，rose，tookherbythearm，ledheraside，andsaidinalowvoice，"Haveyouseenthem？"
"DoyouthinkIcouldhaveletyoursonsbeunderthisroofwithoutyourknowingit？"repliedLaurence。"Durieu，"sheadded，"seeifitispossibletosavemypoorStella；sheisstillbreathing。"
"Shemusthavegoneagreatdistance，"saidCorentin。
"Fortymilesinthreehours，"sheanswered，addressingtheabbe，whowatchedherwithamazement。"Istartedathalf-pastnine，anditwaswellpastonewhenIreturned。"
Shelookedattheclockwhichsaidhalf-pasttwo。
"Soyoudon’tdenythatyouhaveriddenfortymiles？"saidCorentin。
"No，"shesaid。"Iadmitthatmycousins，intheirperfectinnocence，expectednottobeexcludedfromtheamnesty，andwereontheirwaytoCinq-Cygne。WhenIfoundthattheSieurMalinwasplottingtoinjurethem，IwenttowarnthemtoreturntoGermany，wheretheywillbebeforethetelegraphcanhaveguardedthefrontier。IfIhavedonewrongIshallbepunishedforit。"
Thisanswer，whichLaurencehadcarefullyconsidered，wassoprobableinallitspartsthatCorentin’sconvictionswereshaken。Inthatdecisivemoment，wheneverysoulpresenthungsuspended，asitwere，onthefacesofthetwoadversaries，andalleyesturnedfromCorentintoLaurenceandfromLaurencetoCorentin，againthegallopofahorse，comingfromtheforest，resoundedontheroadandfromtherethroughthegatestothepavedcourtyard。Frightfulanxietywasstampedoneveryface。
Peyradeentered，hiseyesgleamingwithjoy。HewenthastilytoCorentinandsaid，loudenoughforthecountesstohearhim:"WehavecaughtMichu。"
Laurence，towhomtheagony，fatigue，andtensionofallherintellectualfacultieshadgivenanunusualcolor，turnedwhiteandfellbackalmostfaintingonachair。MadameDurieu，MademoiselleGoujet，andMadamed’Hauteserresprangtohelpher，forshewassuffocating。Shesignedtocutthefroggingofherhabit。
"Duped！"saidCorentintoPeyrade。"IamcertainnowtheyareontheirwaytoParis。Changetheorders。"
Theylefttheroomandthehouse，placingonegendarmeonguardatthedoorofthesalon。TheinfernalclevernessofthetwomenhadgainedaterribleadvantagebytakingLaurenceinthetrapofanotuncommontrick。
CHAPTERIX
FOILED
Atsixo’clockinthemorning，asdaywasdawning，CorentinandPeyradereturned。Havingexploredthecoveredwaytheyweresatisfiedthathorseshadpassedthroughittoreachtheforest。Theywerenowawaitingthereportofthecaptainofgendarmeriesenttoreconnoitretheneighborhood。Leavingthechateauinchargeofacorporal，theywenttothetavernatCinq-Cygnetogettheirbreakfast，givingordersthatGothard，whoneverceasedtoreplytoallquestionswithaburstoftears，shouldbesetatliberty，alsoCatherine，whostillcontinuedsilentandimmovable。CatherineandGothardwenttothesalontokissthehandsoftheirmistress，wholayexhaustedonthesofa；DurieualsowentintotellherthatStellawouldrecover，butneededgreatcare。
Themayor，uneasyandinquisitive，metPeyradeandCorentininthevillage。Hedeclaredthathecouldnotallowsuchimportantofficialstobreakfastinamiserabletavern，andhetookthemtohisownhouse。
Theabbeywasonlythreequartersofamiledistant。Ontheway，PeyraderemarkedthatthecorporalofArcishadsentnonewsofMichuorofViolette。
"Wearedealingwithveryablepeople，"saidCorentin；"theyarestrongerthanwe。Thepriestnodoubthasafingerinallthis。"
Justasthemayor’swifewasusheringherguestsintoavastdining-
room(withoutanyfire)thelieutenantofgendarmesarrivedwithananxiousair。
"WemetthehorseofthecorporalofArcisintheforestwithouthismaster，"hesaidtoPeyrade。
"Lieutenant，"criedCorentin，"goinstantlytoMichu’shouseandfindoutwhatisgoingonthere。Theymusthavemurderedthecorporal。"
Thisnewsinterferedwiththemayor’sbreakfast。CorentinandPeyradeswallowedtheirfoodwiththerapidityofhuntershaltingforameal，anddrovebacktothechateauintheirwickercarriage，soastobereadytostartatthefirstcallforanypointwheretheirpresencemightbenecessary。Whenthetwomenreappearedinthesalonintowhichtheyhadbroughtsuchtrouble，terror，grief，andanxiety，theyfoundLaurence，inadressing-gown，Monsieurd’Hauteserreandhiswife，theabbeandhissister，sittingroundthefire，toallappearancetranquil。
"IftheyhadcaughtMichu，"Laurencetoldherself，"theywouldhavebroughthimwiththem。IhavethemortificationofknowingthatIwasnotthemistressofmyself，andthatIthrewsomelightuponthematterforthosewretches；buttheharmcanbeundone——Howlongarewetobeyourprisoners？"sheaskedsarcastically，withaneasymanner。
"HowcansheknowanythingaboutMichu？Noonefromtheoutsidehasgotnearthechateau；sheislaughingatus，"saidthetwoagentstoeachotherbyalook。
"Weshallnotinconvenienceyoulong，"repliedCorentin。"Inthreehoursfromnowweshallofferourregretsforhavingtroubledyoursolitude。"
Noonereplied。ThiscontemptuoussilenceredoubledCorentin’sinwardrage。Laurenceandtheabbe(thetwomindsoftheirlittleworld)hadtalkedthemanoveranddrawntheirconclusions。GothardandCatherinehadsetthebreakfast-tablenearthefireandtheabbeandhissisterweresharingthemeal。Neithermastersnorservantspaidtheslightestattentiontothetwospies，whowalkedupanddownthegarden，thecourtyardorthelawn，returningeverynowandthentothesalon。
Athalf-pasttwothelieutenantreappeared。
"Ifoundthecorporal，"hesaidtoCorentin，"lyingintheroadwhichleadsfromthepavilionofCinq-CygnetothefarmatBellache。Hehasnowound，onlyabadcontusionofthehead，caused，apparently，byhisfall。Hetoldmehehadbeenliftedsuddenlyoffhishorseandflungsoviolentlytothegroundthathecouldnotdiscoverhowthethingwasdone。Hisfeetleftthestirrups，whichwaslucky，forhemighthavebeenkilledbythehorsedragginghim。WeputhiminchargeofMichuandViolette——"
"Michu！isMichuinhisownhouse？"saidCorentin，glancingatLaurence。
Thecountesssmiledironically，likeawomanobtainingherrevenge。
"HeisbargainingwithVioletteaboutthesaleofsomeland，"saidthelieutenant。"Theyseemedtomedrunk；andit’snowonder，fortheyhavebeendrinkingallnightanddiscussingthematter，andtheyhaven’tcometotermsyet。"
"DidViolettetellyouso？"criedCorentin。
"Yes，"saidthelieutenant。
"Nothingisrightifwedon’tattendtoitourselves！"criedPeyrade，lookingatCorentin，whodoubtedthelieutenant’snewsasmuchastheotherdid。
"AtwhathourdidyougettoMichu’shouse？"askedCorentin，noticingthatthecountesshadglancedattheclock。
"Abouttwo，"repliedthelieutenant。
LaurencecoveredMonsieurandMadamed’Hauteserreandtheabbeandhissisterinonecomprehensiveglance，whichmadethemfancytheywerewrappedinanazuremantle；triumphsparkledinhereyes，sheblushed，andthetearswelledupbeneathherlids。Strongunderallmisfortunes，thegirlknewnothowtoweepexceptfromjoy。Atthismomentshewasallglorious，especiallytothepriest，whowassometimesdistressedbythevirilityofhercharacter，andwhonowcaughtaglimpseoftheinfinitetendernessofherwoman’snature。Butsuchfeelingslayinhersoullikeatreasurehiddenatagreatdepthbeneathablockofgranite。