第5章
CHAPTERXII
THEFACTSOFAMYSTERIOUSAFFAIR
MichusoldhisfarmatoncetoBeauvisage，afarmeratBellache，buthewasnottoreceivethemoneyfortwentydays。AmonthaftertheMarquisdeChargeboeuf’svisit，Laurence，whohadtoldhercousinsoftheirburiedfortune，proposedtothemtotakethedayoftheMi-caremetodisinterit。TheunusualquantityofsnowwhichfellthatwinterhadhithertopreventedMichufromobtainingthetreasure，anditnowgavehimpleasuretoundertaketheoperationwithhismasters。
Hewasdeterminedtoleavetheneighborhoodassoonasitwasover，forhefearedhimself。
"MalinhassuddenlyarrivedatGondreville，andnooneknowswhy，"hesaidtohismistress。"Ishallneverbeabletoresistputtingthepropertyintothemarketbythedeathofitsowner。IfeelIamguiltyinnotfollowingmyinspirations。"
"WhyshouldheleaveParisatthisseason？"saidthecountess。
"AllArcisistalkingaboutit，"repliedMichu；"hehaslefthisfamilyinParis，andnooneiswithhimbuthisvalet。MonsieurGrevin，thenotaryofArcis，MadameMarion，thewifeofthereceiver-
general，andhersister-in-lawarestayingatGondreville。"
Laurencehadchosenthemid-lentdayfortheirpurposebecauseitenabledhertogiveherservantsaholidayandsogetthemoutoftheway。Theusualmasqueradedrewthepeasantrytothetownandnoonewasatworkinthefields。ChancemadeitscalculationswithasmuchclevernessasMademoiselledeCinq-Cygnemadehers。TheuneasinessofMonsieurandMadamed’Hauteserreattheideaofkeepingelevenhundredthousandfrancsingoldinalonelychateauonthebordersofaforestwaslikelytobesogreatthattheirsonsadvisedtheyshouldknownothingaboutit。ThesecretoftheexpeditionwasthereforeconfinedtoGothard，Michu，Laurence，andthefourgentlemen。
Aftermuchconsultationitseemedpossibletoputforty-eightthousandfrancsinalongsackonthecrupperofeachoftheirhorses。Threetripswouldthereforebringthewhole。Itwasagreedtosendalltheservants，whosecuriositymightbetroublesome，toTroyestoseetheshows。Catherine，Marthe，andDurieu，whocouldbereliedon，stayedathomeinchargeofthehouse。Theotherservantsweregladoftheirholidayandstartedbydaybreak。Gothard，assistedbyMichu，saddledthehorsesassoonastheyweregone，andthepartystartedbywayofthegardenstoreachtheforest。Justastheyweremounting——fortheparkgatewassolowonthegardensidethattheyledtheirhorsesuntiltheywerethroughit——oldBeauvisage，thefarmeratBellache，happenedtopass。
"There！"criedGothard，"Ihearsomeone。"
"Oh，itisonlyI，"saidtheworthyman，comingtowardthem。"Yourservant，gentleman；areyouoffhunting，inspiteofthenewdecrees？
/I/don’tcomplainofyou；butdotakecare！thoughyouhavefriendsyouhavealsoenemies。"
"Oh，asforthat，"saidtheelderHauteserre，smiling，"Godgrantthatourhuntmaybeluckyto-day，——ifso，youwillgetyourmastersbackagain。"
Thesewords，towhicheventsweredestinedtogiveatotallydifferentmeaning，earnedaseverelookfromLaurence。TheelderSimeusewasconfidentthatMalinwouldrestoreGondrevilleforanindemnity。TheserashyouthsweredeterminedtodoexactlythecontraryofwhattheMarquisdeChargeboeufhadadvised。Robert，whosharedthesehopes，wasthinkingofthemwhenhegaveutterancetothefatalwords。
"Notawordofthis，oldfriend，"saidMichutoBeauvisage，waitingbehindtheotherstolockthegate。
ItwasoneofthosefinemorningsinMarchwhentheairisdry，theearthpure，theskyclear，andtheatmosphereacontradictiontotheleaflesstrees；theseasonwassomildthattheeyecaughtglimpseshereandthereofverdure。
"Weareseekingtreasurewhenallthewhileyouaretherealtreasureofourhouse，cousin，"saidtheelderSimeuse，gaily。
Laurencewasinfront，withacousinoneachsideofher。Thed’Hauteserreswerebehind，followedbyMichu。Gothardhadgoneforwardtocleartheway。
"Nowthatourfortuneisrestored，youmustmarrymybrother，"saidtheyoungerinalowvoice。"Headoresyou；togetheryouwillbeasrichasnoblesoughttobeinthesedays。"
"No，givethewholefortunetohimandIwillmarryyou，"saidLaurence；"Iamrichenoughfortwo。"
"Sobeit，"criedtheMarquis；"Iwillleaveyou，andfindawifeworthytobeyoursister。"
"SoyoureallylovemelessthanIthoughtyoudid？"saidLaurencelookingathimwithasortofjealousy。
"No；Iloveyoubetterthaneitherofyouloveme，"repliedthemarquis。
"Andthereforeyouwouldsacrificeyourself？"askedLaurencewithaglancefullofmomentarypreference。
Themarquiswassilent。
"Well，then，Ishallthinkonlyofyou，andthatwillbeintolerabletomyhusband，"exclaimedLaurence，impatientathissilence。
"HowcouldIlivewithoutyou？"saidtheyoungertwintohisbrother。
"But，afterall，youcan’tmarryusboth，"saidthemarquis，replyingtoLaurence；"andthetimehascome，"hecontinued，inthebrusquetoneofamanwhoisstrucktotheheart，"tomakeyourdecision。"
Heurgedhishorseinadvancesothatthed’Hauteserresmightnotoverhearthem。Hisbrother’shorseandLaurence’sfollowedhim。WhentheyhadputsomedistancebetweenthemselvesandtherestofthepartyLaurenceattemptedtospeak，buttearswereatfirstheronlylanguage。
"Iwillenteracloister，"shesaidatlast。
"AndlettheraceofCinq-Cygneend？"saidtheyoungerbrother。
"Insteadofoneunhappyman，wouldyoumaketwo？No，whicheverofusmustbeyourbrotheronly，willresignhimselftothatfate。Itistheknowledgethatwearenolongerpoorthathasbroughtustoexplainourselves，"headded，glancingatthemarquis。"IfIamtheonepreferred，allthismoneyismybrother’s。IfIamrejected，hewillgiveittomewiththetitleofdeSimeuse，forhemustthentakethenameandtitleofCinq-Cygne。Whicheverwayitends，theloserwillhaveachanceofrecovery——butifhefeelshemustdieofgrief，hecanenterthearmyanddieinbattle，nottosaddenthehappyhousehold。"
"Wearetrueknightsoftheoldentime，worthyofourfathers，"criedtheelder。"Speak，Laurence；decidebetweenus。"
"Wecannotcontinueasweare，"saidtheyounger。
"Donotthink，Laurence，thatself-denialiswithoutitsjoys，"saidtheelder。
"Mydearlovedones，"saidthegirl，"Iamunabletodecide。Iloveyoubothasthoughyouwereonebeing——asyourmotherlovedyou。Godwillhelpus。Icannotchoose。Letusputittochance——butImakeonecondition。"
"Whatisit？"
"WhicheveroneofyoubecomesmybrothermuststaywithmeuntilI
sufferhimtoleaveme。Iwishtobesolejudgeofwhentopart。"
"Yes，yes，"saidthebrothers，withoutexplainingtothemselveshermeaning。
"ThefirstofyoutowhomMadamed’Hauteserrespeaksto-nightattableaftertheBenedicite，shallbemyhusband。Butneitherofyoumustpractisefraudorinducehertoansweraquestion。"
"Wewillplayfair，"saidtheyounger，smiling。
Eachkissedherhand。Thecertaintyofsomedecisionwhichbothcouldfancyfavorablemadethemgay。
"Eitherway，dearLaurence，youcreateaComtedeCinq-Cygne——"
"Ibelieve，"thoughtMichu，ridingbehindthem，"thatmademoisellewillnotlongbeunmarried。Howgaymymastersare！IfmymistressmakesherchoiceIshallnotleave；Imuststayandseethatwedding。"
Justthenamagpieflewsuddenlybeforehisface。Michu，superstitiouslikeallprimitivebeings，fanciedheheardthemuffledtonesofadeath-knell。Theday，however，beganbrightlyenoughforlovers，whorarelyseemagpieswhentogetherinthewoods。Michu，armedwithhisplan，verifiedthespots；eachgentlemanhadbroughtapickaxe，andthemoneywassoonfound。Thepartoftheforestwhereitwasburiedwasquitewild，farfromallpathsorhabitations，sothatthecavalcadebearingthegoldreturnedunseen。Thisprovedtobeagreatmisfortune。OntheirwayfromCinq-Cygnetofetchthelasttwohundredthousandfrancs，theparty，emboldenedbysuccess，tookamoredirectwaythanontheirothertrips。ThepathpassedanopeningfromwhichtheparkofGondrevillecouldbeseen。
"Whatisthat？"criedLaurence，pointingtoacolumnofblueflame。
"Abonfire，Ithink，"repliedMichu。
Laurence，whoknewalltheby-waysoftheforest，lefttherestofthepartyandgallopedtowardsthepavilion，Michu’soldhome。Thoughthebuildingwasclosedanddeserted，theirongateswereopen，andtracesoftherecentpassageofseveralhorsesstruckLaurenceinstantly。ThecolumnofbluesmokewasrisingfromafieldinwhatwascalledtheEnglishpark，where，asshesupposed，theywereburningbrush。
"Ah！soyouareconcernedinit，too，areyou，mademoiselle？"criedViolette，whocameoutoftheparkattopspeedonhispony，andpulleduptomeetLaurence。"But，ofcourse，itisonlyacarnivaljoke？Theysurelywon’tkillhim？"
"Who？"
"Yourcousinswouldn’tputhimtodeath？"
"Death！whosedeath？"
"Thesenator’s。"
"Youarecrazy，Violette！"
"Well，whatareyoudoinghere，then？"hedemanded。
Attheideaofadangerwhichwasthreateninghercousins，Laurenceturnedherhorseandgallopedbacktothem，reachingthegroundasthelastsackswerefilled。
"Quick，quick！"shecried。"Idon’tknowwhatisgoingon，butletusgetbacktoCinq-Cygne。"
Whilethehappypartywereemployedinrecoveringthefortunesavedbytheoldmarquis，andguardedforsomanyyearsbyMichu，anextraordinaryscenewastakingplaceinthechateauofGondreville。
Abouttwoo’clockintheafternoonMalinandhisfriendGrevinwereplayingchessbeforethefireinthegreatsalonontheground-floor。
MadameGrevinandMadameMarionweresittingonasofaandtalkingtogetheratacornerofthefireplace。Alltheservantshadgonetoseethemasquerade，whichhadlongbeenannouncedinthearrondissement。ThefamilyofthebailiffwhohadreplacedMichuhadgonetoo。Thesenator’svaletandVioletteweretheonlypersonsbesidethefamilyatthechateau。Theporter，twogardeners，andtheirwiveswereontheplace，buttheirlodgewasattheentranceofthecourtyardsatthefartherendoftheavenuetoArcis，andthedistancefromtheretothechateauisbeyondthesoundofapistol-shot。
ViolettewaswaitingintheantechamberuntilthesenatorandGrevincouldseehimonbusiness，toarrangeamatterrelatingtohislease。
Atthatmomentfivemen，maskedandgloved，whoinheight，manner，andbearingstronglyresembledtheSimeuseandd’HauteserrebrothersandMichu，rushedintotheantechamber，seizedandgaggedthevaletandViolette，andfastenedthemtotheirchairsinasideroom。Inspiteoftherapiditywithwhichthiswasdone，Violetteandtheservanthadtimetoutteronecry。Itwasheardinthesalon。Thetwoladiesthoughtitacryoffear。
"Listen！"saidMadameGrevin，"canthereberobbers？"
"No，nonsense！"saidGrevin，"onlycarnivalcries；themasqueradersmustbecomingtopayusavisit。"
ThisdiscussiongavetimeforthefourstrangerstoclosethedoorstowardsthecourtyardsandtolockupVioletteandthevalet。MadameGrevin，whowasratherobstinate，insistedonknowingwhatthenoisemeant。Sherose，lefttheroom，andcamefacetofacewiththefivemaskedmen，whotreatedherastheyhadtreatedthefarmerandthevalet。Thentheyrushedintothesalon，wherethetwostrongestseizedandgaggedMalin，andcarriedhimoffintothepark，whilethethreeothersremainedbehindtogagMadameMarionandGrevinandlashthemtotheirarmchairs。Thewholeaffairdidnottakemorethanhalfanhour。Thethreeunknownmen，whowerequicklyrejoinedbythetwowhohadcarriedoffthesenator，thenproceededtoransackthechateaufromcellartogarret。Theyopenedallclosetsanddoors，andsoundedthewalls；untilfiveo’clocktheywereabsolutemastersoftheplace。
BythattimethevalethadmanagedtoloosenwithhisteeththeropethatboundViolette。Violette，ablethentogetthegagfromhismouth，begantoshoutforhelp。Hearingtheshoutsthefivemenwithdrewtothegardens，wheretheymountedhorsescloselyresemblingthoseatCinq-Cygneandrodeaway，butnotsorapidlythatViolettewasunabletocatchsightofthem。Afterreleasingthevalet，thetwoladies，andthenotary，Violettemountedhisponyandrodeafterhelp。
WhenhereachedthepavilionhewasamazedtoseethegatesopenandMademoiselledeCinq-Cygneapparentlyonthewatch。
Directlyaftertheyoungcountesshadriddenoff，ViolettewasovertakenbyGrevinandtheforesterofthetownshipofGondreville，whohadtakenhorsesfromthestablesatthechateau。Theporter’swifewasonherwaytosummonthegendarmeriefromArcis。VioletteatonceinformedGrevinofhismeetingwithLaurenceandthesuddenflightofthedaringgirl，whosestronganddecidedcharacterwasknowntoallofthem。
"Shewaskeepingwatch，"saidViolette。
"IsitpossiblethatthoseCinq-Cygnepeoplehavedonethisthing？"
criedGrevin。
"Doyoumeantosayyoudidn’trecognizethatstoutMichu？"exclaimedViolette。"Itwashewhoattackedme；Iknewhisfist。Besides，theyrodetheCinq-Cygnehorses。"
Noticingthehoof-marksonthesandofthe/rond-point/andalongtheparkroadthenotarystationedtheforesteratthegatewaytoseetothepreservationoftheseprecioustracesuntilthejusticeofpeaceofArcis(forwhomhenowsentViolette)couldtakenoteofthem。Hehimselfreturnedhastilytothechateau，wherethelieutenantandsub-
lieutenantoftheImperialgendarmerieatArcishadarrived，accompaniedbyfourmenandacorporal。ThelieutenantwasthesamemanwhoseheadFrancoisMichuhadbrokentwoyearsearlier，andwhohadheardfromCorentinthenameofhismischievousassailant。Thisman，whosenamewasGiguet(hisbrotherwasinthearmy，andbecameoneofthefinestcolonelsofartillery)，wasanextremelyableofficerofgendarmerie。LaterhecommandedthesquadronoftheAube。
Thesub-lieutenant，namedWelff，hadformerlydrivenCorentinfromCinq-Cygnetothepavilion，andfromthepaviliontoTroyes。Ontheway，thespyhadfullyinformedhimastowhathecalledthetrickeryofLaurenceandMichu。Thetwoofficerswerethereforewellinclinedtoshow，anddidshow，greateagernessagainstthefamilyatCinq-
Cygne。
CHAPTERXIII
THECODEOFBRUMAIRE，YEARIV。
MalinandGrevinhadboth，thelatterworkingfortheformer，takenpartintheconstructionoftheCodecalledthatofBrumaire，yearIV。，thejudicialworkoftheNationalConvention，so-called，andpromulgatedbytheDirectory。Grevinknewitsprovisionsthoroughly，andwasabletoapplytheminthisaffairwithterriblecelerity，underatheory，nowconvertedintoacertainty，oftheguiltofMichuandtheMessieursdeSimeuseandd’Hauteserre。Nooneinthesedays，unlessitbesomeantiquatedmagistrates，willrememberthissystemofjustice，whichNapoleonwaseventhenoverthrowingbythepromulgationofhisownCodes，andbytheinstitutionofhismagistracyundertheforminwhichitnowrulesFrance。
TheCodeofBrumaire，yearIV。，gavetothedirectorofthejuryofthedepartmentthedutyofdiscovering，indicting，andprosecutingthepersonsguiltyofthedelinquencycommittedatGondreville。Remark，bytheway，thattheConventionhadeliminatedfromitsjudicialvocabularytheword"crime"；/delinquencies/and/misdemeanors/werealoneadmitted；andthesewerepunishedwithfines，imprisonment，andpenalties"afflictiveorinfamous。"Deathwasanafflictivepunishment。Butthepenaltyofdeathwastobedoneawaywithaftertherestorationofpeace，andtwenty-fouryearsofhardlaborweretotakeitsplace。ThustheConventionestimatedtwenty-fouryearsofhardlaborastheequivalentofdeath。Whatthereforecanbesaidforacodewhichinflictsthepunishmentofhardlaborforlife？ThesystemtheninprocessofpreparationbytheNapoleonicCouncilofStatesuppressedthefunctionofthedirectorsofjuries，whichunitedmanyenormouspowers。Inrelationtothediscoveryofdelinquenciesandtheirprosecutionthedirectorofthejurywas，infact，agentofpolice，publicprosecutor，municipaljudge，andthecourtitself。Hisproceedingsandhisindictmentswere，however，submittedforsignaturetoacommissioneroftheexecutivepowerandtotheverdictofeightjurymen，beforewhomhelaidthefactsofthecase，andwhoexaminedthewitnessesandtheaccusedandrenderedthepreliminaryverdict，calledtheindictment。Thedirectorwas，however，inapositiontoexercisesuchinfluenceoverthejurymen，whometinhisprivateoffice，thattheycouldnotwellavoidagreeingwithhim。Thesejurymenwerecalledthejuryofindictment。Therewereotherswhoformedthejuriesofthecriminaltribunalswhosedutyitwastojudgetheaccused；thesewerecalled，incontradistinctiontothejuryofindictment，thejudgmentjury。Thecriminaltribunal，towhichNapoleonafterwardsgavethenameofcriminalcourt，wascomposedofonePresidentorchiefjustice，fourjudges，thepublicprosecutor，andagovernmentcommissioner。
Nevertheless，from1799to1806therewerespecialcourts(so-called)
whichjudgedwithoutjuriescertainmisdemeanorsincertaindepartments；thesewerecomposedofjudgestakenfromthecivilcourtsandformedintoaspecialcourt。Thisconflictofspecialjusticeandcriminaljusticegaverisetoquestionsofcompetencewhichcamebeforethecourtsofappeal。IfthedepartmentoftheAubehadhadaspecialcourt，theverdictontheoutragecommittedonasenatoroftheEmpirewouldnodoubthavebeenreferredtoit；butthistranquildepartmenthadneverneededunusualjurisdiction。Grevinthereforedespatchedthesub-lieutenanttoTroyestobringthedirectorofthejuryofthattown。Theemissarywentatfullgallop，andsoonreturnedinapost-carriagewiththeall-powerfulmagistrate。
ThedirectoroftheTroyesjurywasformerlysecretaryofoneofthecommitteesoftheConvention，afriendofMalin，towhomheowedhispresentplace。Thismagistrate，namedLechesneau，hadhelpedMalin，asGrevinhaddone，inhisworkontheCodeduringtheConvention。MalininreturnrecommendedhimtoCambaceres，whoappointedhimattorney-
generalforItaly。Unfortunatelyforhim，LechesneauhadaliaisonwithagreatladyinTurin，andNapoleonremovedhimtoavoidacriminaltrialthreatenedbythehusband。Lechesneau，boundingratitudetoMalin，felttheimportanceofthisattackuponhispatron，andbroughtwithhimacaptainofgendarmerieandtwelvemen。
Beforestartinghelaidhisplanswiththeprefect，whowasunableatthatlatehour，itbeingafterdark，tousethetelegraph。TheythereforesentamountedmessengertoParistonotifytheministerofpolice，thechiefjusticeandtheEmperorofthisextraordinarycrime。
InthesalonofGondreville，LechesneaufoundMesdamesMarionandGrevin，Violette，thesenator’svalet，andthejusticeofpeacewithhisclerk。Thechateauhadalreadybeenexamined；thejustice，assistedbyGrevin，hadcarefullycollectedthefirsttestimony。Thefirstthingthatstruckhimwastheobviousintentionshowninthechoiceofthedayandhourfortheattack。Thehourpreventedanimmediatesearchforproofsandtraces。Atthisseasonitwasnearlydarkbyhalf-pastfive，thehouratwhichViolettegavethealarm，anddarknessoftenmeansimpunitytoevil-doers。Thechoiceofaholiday，whenmostpersonshadgonetothemasqueradeatArcis，andthesenatorwascomparativelyaloneinthehouse，showedanobviousintentiontogetridofwitnesses。
"Letusdojusticetotheintelligenceoftheprefectureofpolice，"
saidLechesneau；"theyhaveneverceasedtowarnustobeonourguardagainstthenoblesatCinq-Cygne；theyhavealwaysdeclaredthatsoonerorlaterthosepeoplewouldplayussomedangeroustrick。"
Sureoftheactiveco-operationoftheprefectoftheAube，whosentmessengerstoallthesurroundingprefecturesaskingthemtosearchforthefiveabductorsandthesenator，Lechesneaubeganhisworkbyverifyingthefirstfacts。ThiswassoondonebythehelpoftwosuchlegalheadsasthoseofGrevinandthejusticeofpeace。Thelatter，namedPigoult，formerlyhead-clerkintheofficewhereMalinandGrevinhadfirststudiedlawinParis，wassoonafterappointedjudgeofthemunicipalcourtatArcis。InrelationtoMichu，LechesneauknewofthethreatsthemanhadmadeaboutthesaleofGondrevilletoMarion，andthedangerMalinhadescapedinhisownparkfromMichu’sgun。Thesetwofacts，onebeingtheconsequenceoftheother，werenodoubttheprecursorsofthepresentsuccessfulattack，andtheypointedsoobviouslytothelatebailiffastheinstigatoroftheoutragethatGrevin，hiswife，Violette，andMadameMariondeclaredthattheyhadrecognizedamongthefivemaskedmenonewhoexactlyresembledMichu。Thecolorofthehairandwhiskersandthethick-setfigureofthemanmadethemaskheworeuseless。Besides，whobutMichucouldhaveopenedtheirongatesoftheparkwithakey？Thepresentbailiffandhiswife，nowreturnedfromthemasquerade，deposedtohavelockedbothgatesbeforeleavingthepavilion。Thegateswhenexaminedshowednosignofbeingforced。
"Whenweturnedhimoffhemusthavetakensomeduplicatekeyswithhim，"remarkedGrevin。"Nodoubthehasbeenmeditatingadesperatestep，forhehaslatelysoldhiswholeproperty，andhereceivedthemoneyforitinmyofficedaybeforeyesterday。"
"Theothershavefollowedhislead！"exclaimedLechesneau，struckwiththecircumstances。"Hehasbeentheirevilgenius。"
Moreover，whocouldknowaswellastheMessieursdeSimeusetheinsandoutsofthechateau。Noneoftheassailantsseemedtohaveblunderedintheirsearch；theyhadgonethroughthehouseinaconfidentwaywhichshowedthattheyknewwhattheywantedtofindandwheretofindit。Thelocksofnoneoftheopenedclosetshadbeenforced；thereforethedelinquentshadkeys。Strangetosay，however，nothinghadbeentaken；themotive，therefore，wasnotrobbery。Morethanall，whenViolettehadfollowedthetracksofthehorsesasfarasthe/rond-point/，hehadfoundthecountess，evidentlyonguard，atthepavilion。FromsuchacombinationoffactsanddepositionsaroseapresumptionastotheguiltoftheMessieursdeSimeuse，d’Hauteserre，andMichu，whichwouldhavebeenstrongtounprejudicedminds，andtothedirectorofthejuryhadtheforceofcertainty。WhatweretheylikelytodotothefutureComtedeGondreville？DidtheymeantoforcehimtomakeovertheestateforwhichMichudeclaredin1799hehadthemoneytopay？
Buttherewasanotheraspectofthecasttotheknowingcriminallawyer。Heaskedhimselfwhatcouldbetheobjectofthecarefulsearchmadeofthechateau。Ifrevengewereatthebottomofthematter，theassailantswouldhavekilledthesenator。Perhapshehadbeenkilledandburied。Theabduction，however，seemedtopointtoimprisonment。Butwhykeeptheirvictimimprisonedaftersearchingthecastle？ItwasfollytosupposethattheabductionofadignitaryoftheEmpirecouldlongremainsecret。Thepublicityofthematterwouldpreventanybenefitfromit。
TothesesuggestionsPigoultrepliedthatjusticewasneverabletomakeoutallthemotivesofscoundrels。Ineverycriminalcasetherewereobscurities，hesaid，betweenthejudgeandtheguiltyperson；
consciencehaddepthsintowhichnohumanmindcouldenterunlessbytheconfessionofthecriminal。
GrevinandLechesneaunoddedtheirassent，without，however，relaxingtheirdeterminationtoseetothebottomofthepresentmystery。
"TheEmperorpardonedthoseyoungmen，"saidPigoulttoGrevin。"Heremovedtheirnamesfromthelistof/emigres/，thoughtheycertainlytookpartinthatlastconspiracyagainsthim。"
LechesneaumakenodelayinsendinghiswholeforceofgendarmerietotheforestandtothevalleyofCinq-Cygne；tellingGiguettotakewithhimthejusticeofpeace，who，accordingtothetermsoftheCode，wouldthenbecomeanauxiliarypolice-officer。HeorderedthemtomakeallpreliminaryinquiriesinthetownshipofCinq-Cygne，andtotaketestimonyifnecessary；andtosavetime，hedictatedandsignedawarrantforthearrestofMichu，againstwhomthechargewasevidentonthepositivetestimonyofViolette。AfterthedepartureofthegendarmesLechesneaureturnedtotheimportantquestionofissuingwarrantsforthearrestoftheSimeuseandd’Hauteserrebrothers。
AccordingtotheCodethesewarrantswouldhavetocontainthechargesagainstthedelinquents。
GiguetandthejusticeofpeacerodesorapidlytoCinq-CygnethattheymetLaurence’sservantsreturningfromthefestivitiesatTroyes。
Stopped，andtakenbeforethemayorwheretheywereinterrogated，theyallstated，beingignorantoftheimportanceoftheanswer，thattheirmistresshadgiventhempermissiontospendthewholedayatTroyes。
Toaquestionputbythejusticeofthepeace，eachrepliedthatMademoisellehadofferedthemtheamusementwhichtheyhadnotthoughtofaskingfor。ThistestimonyseemedsoimportanttothejusticeofthepeacethathesentbackamessengertoGondrevilletoadviseLechesneautoproceedhimselftoCinq-Cygneandarrestthefourgentlemen，whilehewenttoMichu’sfarm，sothatthefivearrestsmightbemadesimultaneously。
ThisnewelementwassoconvincingthatLechesneaustartedatonceforCinq-Cygne。HeknewwellwhatpleasurewouldbefeltinTroyesatsuchproceedingsagainsttheoldnobles，theenemiesofthepeople，nowbecometheenemiesoftheEmperor。Insuchcircumstancesamagistrateisveryapttotakemerepresumptiveevidenceforactualproof。
Nevertheless，onhiswayfromGondrevilletoCinq-Cygne，inthesenator’sowncarriage，itdidoccurtoLechesneau(whowouldcertainlyhavemadeafinemagistratehaditnotbeenforhislove-
affair，andtheEmperor’ssuddenmoralitytowhichheowedhisdisgrace)tothinktheaudacityoftheyoungmenandMichuapieceoffollywhichwasnotinkeepingwithwhatheknewofthejudgmentandcharacterofMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne。HeimaginedinhisownmindsomeothermotivesforthedeedthantherestitutionofGondreville。
Inallthings，eveninthemagistracy，thereiswhatmaybecalledtheconscienceofacalling。Lechesneau’sperplexitiescamefromthisconscience，whichallmenputintotheproperperformanceofthedutiestheylike——scientificmenintoscience，artistsintoart，judgesintotherenderingofjustice。Perhapsforthisreasonjudgesarereallygreatersafeguardsforpersonsaccusedofwrong-doingthanarejuries。Amagistratereliesonlyonreasonanditslaws；juriesarefloatedtoandfrobythewavesofsentiment。Thedirectorofthejuryaccordinglysetseveralquestionsbeforehismind，resolvingtofindintheirsolutionsatisfactoryreasonsformakingthearrests。
ThoughthenewsoftheabductionwasalreadyagitatingthetownofTroyes，itwasstillunknownatArcis，wheretheinhabitantsweresuppingwhenthemessengerarrivedtosummonthegendarmes。Noone，ofcourse，knewitinthevillageofCinq-Cygne，thevalleyandthechateauofwhichwerenow，forthesecondtime，encircledbygendarmes。
LaurencehadonlytotellMarthe，Catherine，andtheDurieusnottoleavethechateau，tobestrictlyobeyed。Aftereachtriptofetchthegold，thehorseswerefastenedinthecoveredwayoppositetothebreachinthemoat，andfromthereRobertandMichu，thestrongestoftheparty，carriedthesacksthroughthebreachtoacellarunderthestaircaseinthetowercalledMademoiselle’s。Reachingthechateauwiththelastloadabouthalf-pastfiveo’clock，thefourgentlemenandMichuproceededtoburythetreasureinthefloorofthecellarandthentowalluptheentrance。MichutookchargeofthematterwithGothardtohelphim；theladwassenttothefarmforsomesacksofplasterleftoverwhenthenewbuildingswereputup，andMarthewentwithhimtoshowhimwheretheywere。Michu，veryhungry，madesuchhastethatbyhalf-pastseveno’clocktheworkwasdone；andhestartedforhomeataquickpacetostopGothard，whohadbeensentforanothersackofplasterwhichhethoughthemightwant。ThefarmwasalreadywatchedbytheforesterofCinq-Cygne，thejusticeofpeace，hisclerkandfourgendarmeswho，however，keptoutofsightandallowedhimtoenterthehousewithoutseeingthem。
MichusawGothardwiththesackonhisshoulderandcalledtohimfromadistance:"Itisallfinished，mylad；takethatbackandstayanddinewithus。"
Michu，hisfaceperspiring，hisclothessoiledwithplasterandcoveredwithfragmentsofmuddystonefromthebreach，reachedhomejoyfullyandenteredthekitchenwhereMartheandhermotherwereservingthesoupinexpectationofhiscoming。
JustasMichuwasturningthefaucetofthewater-pipeintendingtowashhishands，thejusticeofpeaceenteredthehouseaccompaniedbyhisclerkandtheforester。
"Whathaveyoucomefor，MonsieurPigoult？"askedMichu。
"InthenameoftheEmperorandthelaws，Iarrestyou，"repliedthejustice。
ThethreegendarmesenteredthekitchenleadingGothard。SeeingthesilverlaceontheirhatsMartheandhermotherlookedateachotherinterror。
"Pooh！why？"askedMichu，whosatdownatthetableandcalledtohiswife，"Givemesomethingtoeat；I’mfamished。"
"Youknowwhyaswellaswedo，"saidthejustice，makingasigntohisclerktobeginthe/proces-verbal/andexhibitingthewarrantofarrest。
"Well，well，Gothard，youneedn’tstareso，"saidMichu。"Doyouwantsomedinner，yesorno？Letthemwritedowntheirnonsense。"
"Youadmit，ofcourse，theconditionofyourclothes？"saidthejusticeofpeace；"andyoucan’tdenythewordsyousaidjustnowtoGothard？"
Michu，suppliedwithfoodbyhiswife，whowasamazedathiscoolness，waseatingwiththeavidityofahungryman。Hemadenoanswertothejustice，forhismouthwasfullandhisheartinnocent。Gothard’sappetitewasdestroyedbyfear。
"Lookhere，"saidtheforester，goinguptoMichuandwhisperinginhisear:"Whathaveyoudonewiththesenator？Youhadbettermakeacleanbreastofit，forifwearetobelievethesepeopleitisamatteroflifeordeathtoyou。"
"GoodGod！"criedMarthe，whooverheardthelastwordsandfellintoachairasifannihilated。
"Violettemusthaveplayedussomeinfamoustrick，"criedMichu，recollectingwhatLaurencehadsaidintheforest。
"Ha！soyoudoknowthatViolettesawyou？"saidthejusticeofpeace。
Michubithislipsandresolvedtosaynomore。Gothardimitatedhim。
Seeingtheuselessnessofallattemptstomakethemtalk，andknowingwhattheneighborhoodchosetocallMichu’sperversity，thejusticeorderedthegendarmestobindhishandsandthoseofGothard，andtakethembothtothechateau，whitherhenowwenthimselftorejointhedirectorofthejury。
CHAPTERXIV
THEARRESTS
ThefouryoungmenandLaurenceweresohungryandthedinnersoacceptablethattheywouldnotdelayitbychangingtheirdress。Theyenteredthesalon，sheinherriding-habit，theyintheirwhiteleatherbreeches，high-topbootsandgreen-clothjackets，wheretheyfoundMonsieurd’Hauteserreandhiswife，notalittleuneasyattheirlongabsence。Thegoodmanhadnoticedtheirgoingsandcomings，and，aboveall，theirevidentdistrustofhim，forLaurencehadbeenunabletogetridofhimasshehadofherservants。Oncewhenhisownsonsevidentlyavoidedmakinganyreplytohisquestions，hewenttohiswifeandsaid，"IamafraidthatLaurencemaystillgetusintotrouble！"
"Whatsortofgamedidyouhuntto-day？"saidMadamed’HauteserretoLaurence。
"Ah！"repliedtheyounggirl，laughing，"you’llhearsomedaywhatastrangehuntyoursonshavejoinedinto-day。"
Thoughsaidinjestthewordsmadetheoldladytremble。Catherineenteredtoannouncedinner。LaurencetookMonsieurd’Hauteserre’sarm，smilingforamomentatthenecessityshethusforceduponhercousinstoofferanarmtoMadamed’Hauteserre，who，accordingtoagreement，wasnowtobethearbiteroftheirfate。
TheMarquisdeSimeusetookinMadamed’Hauteserre。ThesituationwassomomentousthataftertheBenedicitewassaidLaurenceandtheyoungmentrembledfromtheviolentpalpitationoftheirhearts。Madamed’Hauteserre，whocarved，wasstruckbytheanxietyonthefacesoftheSimeusebrothersandthegreatalterationthatwasnoticeableinLaurence’slamb-likefeatures。
"Somethingextraordinaryisgoingon，Iamsureofit！"sheexclaimed，lookingatallofthem。
"Towhomareyouspeaking？"askedLaurence。
"Toallofyou，"saidtheoldlady。
"Asforme，mother，"saidRobert，"Iamfrightfullyhungry，andthatisnotextraordinary。"
Madamed’Hauteserre，stilltroubled，offeredtheMarquisdeSimeuseaplateintendedforhisbrother。
"Iamlikeyourmother，"shesaid。"Idon’tknowyouapartevenbyyourcravats。IthoughtIwashelpingyourbrother。"
"Youhavehelpedmebetterthanyouthoughtfor，"saidtheyoungest，turningpale；"youhavemadehimComtedeCinq-Cygne。"
"What！doyoumeantotellmethecountesshasmadeherchoice？"criedMadamed’Hauteserre。
"No，"saidLaurence；"weleftthedecisiontofateandyouareitsinstrument。"
Shetoldoftheagreementmadethatmorning。TheelderSimeuse，watchingtheincreasingpallorofhisbrother’sface，wasmomentarilyonthepointofcryingout，"Marryher；Iwillgoawayanddie！"Justthen，asthedessertwasbeingserved，allpresentheardrapsuponthewindowofthedining-roomonthegardenside。Theeldestd’Hauteserreopeneditandgaveentrancetotheabbe，whosebreechesweretorninclimbingoverthewallsofthepark。
"Fly！theyarecomingtoarrestyou，"hecried。
"Why？"
"Idon’tknowyet；butthere’sawarrantagainstyou。"
Thewordsweregreetedwithgenerallaughter。
"Weareinnocent，"saidtheyoungmen。
"Innocentorguilty，"saidtheabbe，"mountyourhorsesandmakeforthefrontier。Thereyoucanproveyourinnocence。Youcouldovercomeasentencebydefault；youwillneverovercomeasentencerenderedbypopularpassionandinstigatedbyprejudice。RememberthewordsofPresidentdeHarlay，’IfIwereaccusedofcarryingoffthetowersofNotre-DamethefirstthingIshoulddowouldbetorunaway。’"
"Torunawaywouldbetoadmitwewereguilty，"saidtheMarquisdeSimeuse。
"Don’tdoit！"criedLaurence。
"Alwaysthesamesublimefolly！"exclaimedtheabbe，indespair。"IfI
hadthepowerofGodIwouldcarryyouaway。ButifIamfoundhereinthisstatetheywillturnmyvisitagainstyou，andagainstmetoo；
thereforeIleaveyoubythewayIcame。Considermyadvice；youhavestilltime。Thegendarmeshavenotyetthoughtofthewallwhichadjoinstheparsonage；butyouarehemmedinontheothersides。"
Thesoundofmanyfeetandthejangleofthesabresofthegendarmerieechoedthroughthecourtyardandreachedthedining-roomafewmomentsafterthedepartureofthepoorabbe，whoseadvicehadmetthesamefateasthatoftheMarquisdeChargeboeuf。
"Ourtwinexistence，"saidtheyoungerSimeuse，speakingtoLaurence，"isananomaly——ourloveforyouisanomalous；itisthatveryqualitywhichwaswonyourheart。Possibly，thereasonwhyalltwinsknowntousinhistoryhavebeenunfortunateisthatthelawsofnaturearesubvertedinthem。Inourcase，seehowpersistentlyanevilfatefollowsus！yourdecisionisnowpostponed。"
Laurencewasstupefied；thefatalwordsofthedirectorofthejuryhummedinherears:——"InthenameoftheEmperorandthelaws，I
arresttheSieursPaul-MarieandMarie-PaulSimeuse，AdrienandRobertd’Hauteserre——Thesegentlemen，"headded，addressingthemenwhoaccompaniedhimandpointingtothemudontheclothingoftheprisoners，"cannotdenythattheyhavespentthegreaterpartofthisdayonhorseback。"
"Ofwhataretheyaccused？"askedMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne，haughtily。
"Don’tyoumeantoarrestMademoiselle？"saidGiguet。
"Ishallleaveheratlibertyunderbail，untilIcancarefullyexaminethechargesagainsther，"repliedthedirector。
Themayorofferedbail，askingthecountesstomerelygiveherwordofhonorthatshewouldnotescape。Laurenceblastedhimwithalookwhichmadehimamortalenemy；atearstartedfromhereyes，oneofthosetearsofragewhichrevealahellofsuffering。Thefourgentlemenexchangedaterriblelook，butremainedmotionless。MonsieurandMadamed’Hauteserre，dreadinglesttheyoungpeoplehadpractisedsomedeceit，wereinastateofindescribablestupefaction。Clingingtotheirchairstheseunfortunateparents，findingtheirsonstornfromthemaftersomanyfearsandtheirlatehopesofsafety，satgazingbeforethemwithoutseeing，listeningwithouthearing。
"MustIaskyoutobailme，Monsieurd’Hauteserre？"criedLaurencetoherformerguardian，whowasrousedbythecry，clearandagonizingtohisearasthesoundofthelasttrumpet。
Hetriedtowipethetearswhichsprangtohiseyes；henowunderstoodwhatwaspassing，andsaidtohisyoungrelationinaquiveringvoice，"Forgiveme，countess；youknowthatIamyours，bodyandsoul。"
Lechesneau，whoatfirstwasmuchstruckbytheevidenttranquillityinwhichthewholepartyweredining，nowreturnedtohisformeropinionoftheirguiltashenoticedthestupefactionoftheoldpeopleandtheevidentanxietyofLaurence，whowasseekingtodiscoverthenatureofthetrapwhichwassetforthem。
"Gentlemen，"hesaid，politely，"youaretoowell-bredtomakeauselessresistance；followmetothestables，whereImust，inyourpresence，havetheshoesofyourhorsestakenoff；theyaffordimportantproofofeitherguiltorinnocence。Come，too，mademoiselle。"
TheblacksmithofCinq-CygneandhisassistanthadbeensummonedbyLechesneauasexperts。WhiletheoperationatthestablewasgoingonthejusticeofpeacebroughtinGothardandMichu。Theworkofdetachingtheshoesofeachhorse，puttingthemtogetherandticketingthem，soastocomparethemwiththehoof-printsinthepark，tooktime。Lechesneau，notifiedofthearrivalofPigoult，lefttheprisonerswiththegendarmesandreturnedtothedining-roomtodictatetheindictment。ThejusticeofpeacecalledhisattentiontotheconditionofMichu’sclothesandrelatedthecircumstancesofhisarrest。
"Theymusthavekilledthesenatorandplasteredthebodyupinsomewall，"saidPigoult。
"Ibegintofearit，"answeredLechesneau。"Wheredidyoucarrythatplaster？"hesaidtoGothard。
Theboybegantocry。
"Thelawfrightenshim，"saidMichu，whoseeyesweredartingflameslikethoseofalioninthetoils。
Theservants，whohadbeendetainedatthevillagebyorderofthemayor，nowarrivedandfilledtheantechamberwhereCatherineandGothardwereweeping。ToallthequestionsofthedirectorofthejuryandthejusticeofpeaceGothardrepliedbysobs；andbydintofweepinghebroughtonaspeciesofconvulsionwhichalarmedthemsomuchthattheylethimalone。Thelittlescamp，perceivingthathewasnolongerwatched，lookedatMichuwithagrin，andMichusignifiedhisapprovalbyaglance。Lechesneauleftthejusticeofpeaceandreturnedtothestables。
"Monsieur，"saidMadamed’Hauteserre，atlast，addressingPigoult；
"canyouexplainthesearrests？"
"Thegentlemenareaccusedofabductingthesenatorbyarmedforceandkeepinghimaprisoner；forwedonotthinktheyhavemurderedhim——inspiteofappearances，"repliedPigoult。
"Whatpenaltiesareattachedtothecrime？"askedMonsieurd’Hauteserre。
"Well，astheoldlawcontinuesinforce，andtheyarenotamenableundertheCode，thepenaltyisdeath，"repliedthejustice。
"Death！"criedMadamed’Hauteserre，faintingaway。
Theabbenowcameinwithhissister，whostoppedtospeaktoCatherineandMadameDurieu。
"Wehaven’tevenseenyourcursedsenator！"saidMichu。
"MadameMarion，MadameGrevin，MonsieurGrevin，thesenator’svalet，andViolettealltellanothertale，"repliedPigoult，withthesoursmileofmagisterialconviction。
"Idon’tunderstandathingaboutit，"saidMichu，dumbfoundedbyhisreply，andbeginningnowtobelievethathismastersandhimselfwereentangledinsomeplotwhichhadbeenlaidagainstthem。
Justthenthepartyfromthestablesreturned。LaurencewentuptoMadamed’Hauteserre，whorecoveredhersensesenoughtosay:"Thepenaltyisdeath！"
"Death！"repeatedLaurence，lookingatthefourgentlemen。
Thewordexcitedageneralterror，ofwhichGiguet，formerlyinstructedbyCorentin，tookimmediateadvantage。
"Everythingcanbearranged，"hesaid，drawingtheMarquisdeSimeuseintoacornerofthedining-room。"Perhapsafterallitisnothingbutajoke；you’vebeenasoldierandsoldiersunderstandeachother。Tellme，whathaveyoureallydonewiththesenator？Ifyouhavekilledhim——why，that’stheendofit！Butifyouhaveonlylockedhimup，releasehim，foryouseeforyourselfyourgameisbalked。DothisandIamcertainthedirectorofthejuryandthesenatorhimselfwilldropthematter。"
"Weknowabsolutelynothingaboutit，"saidthemarquis。
"Ifyoutakethattonethematterislikelytogofar，"repliedthelieutenant。
"Dearcousin，"saidtheMarquisdeSimeuse，"weareforcedtogotoprison；butdonotbeuneasy；weshallreturninafewhours，forthereissomemisunderstandinginallthiswhichcanbeexplained。"
"Ihopeso，foryoursakes，gentlemen，"saidthemagistrate，signingtothegendarmestoremovethefourgentlemen，Michu，andGothard。
"Don’ttakethemtoTroyes；keeptheminyourguardhouseatArcis，"hesaidtothelieutenant；"theymustbepresentto-morrow，atdaybreak，whenwecomparetheshoesoftheirhorseswiththehoof-printsinthepark。"
LechesneauandPigoultdidnotfollowuntiltheyhadcloselyquestionedCatherine，MonsieurandMadamed’Hauteserre，andLaurence。
TheDurieus，Catherine，andMarthedeclaredtheyhadonlyseentheirmastersatbreakfast-time；Monsieurd’Hauteserresaidhehadseenthematthreeo’clock。
When，atmidnight，LaurencefoundherselfalonewithMonsieurandMadamed’Hauteserre，theabbeandhissister，andwithoutthefouryoungmenwhoforthelasteighteenmonthshadbeenthelifeofthechateauandtheloveandjoyofherownlife，shefellintoagloomysilencewhichnoonepresentdaredtobreak。Noafflictionwaseverdeeperormorecompletethanhers。Atlastadeepsighbrokethestillness，andalleyesturnedtowardsthesound。
Marthe，forgotteninacorner，rose，exclaiming，"Death！Theywillkilltheminspiteoftheirinnocence！"
"Mademoiselle，whatisthematterwithyou？"saidtheabbe。
Laurencelefttheroomwithoutreplying。Sheneededsolitudetorecoverstrengthinpresenceofthisterribleunforeseendisaster。
CHAPTERXV
DOUBTSANDFEARSOFCOUNSEL
Atadistanceofthirty-fouryears，duringwhichthreegreatrevolutionshavetakenplace，nonebutelderlypersonscanrecalltheimmenseexcitementproducedinEuropebytheabductionofasenatoroftheFrenchEmpire。Notrial，ifweexceptthatofTrumeaux，thegrocerofthePlaceSaint-Michel，andthatofthewidowMorin，undertheEmpire；thoseofFualdesanddeCastaing，undertheRestoration；thoseofMadameLafargeandFieschi，underthepresentgovernment，everrousedsomuchcuriosityorsodeepaninterestasthatofthefouryoungmenaccusedofabductingMalin。SuchanattackagainstamemberofhisSenateexcitedthewrathoftheEmperor，whowastoldofthearrestofthedelinquentsalmostatthemomentwhenhefirstheardofthecrimeandthenegativeresultsoftheinquiries。Theforest，searchedthroughout，thedepartmentoftheAube，ransackedfromendtoend，gavenottheslightestindicationofthepassageoftheComtedeGondrevillenorofhisimprisonment。Napoleonsentforthechiefjustice，who，afterobtainingcertaininformationfromtheministryofpolice，explainedtohisMajestythepositionofMalininregardtotheSimeusebrothersandtheGondrevilleestate。TheEmperor，atthattimepre-occupiedwithseriousmatters，consideredtheaffairexplainedbytheseanteriorfacts。
"Thoseyoungmenarefools，"hesaid。"AlawyerlikeMalinwillescapeanydeedtheymayforcehimtosignunderviolence。Watchthosenobles，anddiscoverthemeanstheytaketosettheComtedeGondrevilleatliberty。"
Heorderedtheaffairtobeconductedwiththeutmostcelerity，regardingitasanattackonhisowninstitutions，afatalexampleofresistancetotheresultsoftheRevolution，anefforttoopenthegreatquestionofthesalesof"nationalproperty，"andahindrancetothatfusionofpartieswhichwastheconstantobjectofhishomepolicy。Besidesallthis，hethoughthimselftrickedbytheseyoungnobles，whohadgivenhimtheirpromisetolivepeaceably。
"Fouche’spredictionhascometrue，"hecried，rememberingthewordsutteredtwoyearsearlierbyhispresentministerofpolice，whosaidthemundertheimpressionsconveyedtohimbyCorentin’sreportastothecharacteranddesignsofMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne。
Itisimpossibleforpersonslivingunderaconstitutionalgovernment，wherenoonereallycaresforthatcoldandthankless，blind，deafThingcalledpublicinterest，toimaginethezealwhichamerewordoftheEmperorwasabletoinspireinhispoliticaloradministrativemachine。Thatpowerfulwillseemedtoimpressitselfasmuchuponthingsasuponmen。Hisdecisiononceuttered，theEmperor，overtakenbythecoalitionof1806，forgotthewholematter。Hethoughtonlyofnewbattlestofight，andhismindwasoccupiedinmassinghisregimentstostrikethegreatblowattheheartofthePrussianmonarchy。HisdesireforpromptjusticeinthepresentcasefoundpowerfulassistanceinthegreatuncertaintywhichaffectedthepositionofallmagistratesoftheEmpire。JustatthistimeCambaceres，asarch-chancellor，andRegnier，chiefjustice，werepreparingtoorganize/tribunauxdepremiereinstance/(lowercivilcourts)，imperialcourts，andacourtofappealorsupremecourt。Theywereagitatingthequestionofalegalgarborcostume；towhichNapoleonattached，andveryjustly，somuchimportanceinallofficialstations；andtheywerealsoinquiringintothecharacterofthepersonscomposingthemagistracy。Naturally，therefore，theofficialsofthedepartmentoftheAubeconsideredtheycouldhavenobetterrecommendationthantogiveproofsoftheirzealinthematteroftheabductionoftheComtedeGondreville。Napoleon’ssuppositionsbecamecertaintiestothesecourtiersandalsotothepopulace。
Peacestillreignedonthecontinent；admirationfortheEmperorwasunanimousinFrance；hecajoledallinterests，persons，vanities，andthings，inshort，everything，evenmemories。Thisattack，therefore，directedagainsthissenator，seemedintheeyesofallanassaultuponthepublicwelfare。Thelucklessandinnocentgentlemenweretheobjectsofgeneralopprobrium。Afewnobleslivingquietlyontheirestatesdeploredtheaffairamongthemselvesbutdarednotopentheirlips；infact，howwasitpossibleforthemtoopposethecurrentofpublicopinion。ThroughoutthedepartmentthedeathsoftheelevenpersonskilledbytheSimeusebrothersin1792fromthewindowsofthehotelCinq-Cygnewerebroughtupagainstthem。Itwasfearedthatotherreturnedandnowemboldened/emigres/mightfollowthisexampleofviolenceagainstthosewhohadboughttheirestatesfromthe"nationaldomain，"asamethodofprotestingagainstwhattheymightcallanunjustspoliation。
Theunfortunateyoungnobleswerethereforeconsideredasrobbers，brigands，murderers；andtheirconnectionwithMichuwasparticularlyfataltothem。Michu，whowasdeclared，eitherheorhisfather-in-
law，tohavecutoffalltheheadsthatfellundertheTerrorinthatdepartment，wasmadethesubjectofridiculoustales。TheexasperationofthepublicmindwasallthemoreintensebecausenearlyallthefunctionariesofthedepartmentowedtheirofficestoMalin。Nogenerousvoiceuplifteditselfagainsttheverdictofthepublic。
Besidesallthis，theaccusedhadnolegalmeanswithwhichtocombatprejudice；fortheCodeofBrumaire，yearIV。，givingasitdidboththeprosecutionofachargeandtheverdictuponitintothehandsofajury，deprivedtheaccusedofthevastprotectionofanappealagainstlegalsuspicion。
ThedayafterthearrestalltheinhabitantsofthechateauofCinq-
Cygne，bothmastersandservants，weresummonedtoappearbeforetheprosecutingjury。Cinq-Cygnewasleftinchargeofafarmer，underthesupervisionoftheabbeandhissisterwhomovedintoit。MademoiselledeCinq-Cygne，withMonsieurandMadamed’Hauteserre，wenttoTroyesandoccupiedasmallhousebelongingtoDurieuinoneofthelongandwidefaubourgswhichleadfromthelittletown。Laurence’sheartwaswrungwhensheatlastcomprehendedthetemperofthepopulace，themalignityofthebourgeoisie，andthehostilityoftheadministration，fromthemanylittleeventswhichhappenedtothemasrelativesofprisonersaccusedofcriminalwrong-doingandabouttobejudgedinaprovincialtown。Insteadofhearingencouragingorcompassionatewordstheyheardonlyspeecheswhichcalledforvengeance；proofsofhatredsurroundedtheminplaceofthestrictpolitenessorthereserverequiredbymeredecency；butabovealltheywereconsciousofanisolationwhicheverymindmustfeel，butmoreparticularlythosewhicharemadedistrustfulbymisfortune。
Laurence，whohadrecoveredhervigorofmind，reliedupontheinnocenceoftheaccused，anddespisedthecommunitytoomuchtobefrightenedbythesternandsilentdisapprovaltheymetwitheverywhere。ShesustainedthecourageofMonsieurandMadamed’Hauteserre，allthewhilethinkingofthejudicialstrugglewhichwasnowbeinghurriedon。Shewas，however，toreceiveablowshelittleexpected，which，undoubtedly，diminishedhercourage。
Inthemidstofthisgreatdisaster，atthemomentwhenthisafflictedfamilyweremadetofeelthemselves，asitwere，inadesert，amansuddenlybecameexaltedinLaurence’seyesandshowedthefullbeautyofhischaracter。Thedayaftertheindictmentwasfoundbythejury，andtheprisonerswerefinallycommittedfortrial，theMarquisdeChargeboeufcourageouslyappeared，stillinthesameoldcaleche，tosupportandprotecthisyoungcousin。Foreseeingthehastewithwhichthelawwouldbeadministered，thischiefofagreatfamilyhadalreadygonetoParisandsecuredtheservicesofthemostableaswellasthemosthonestlawyeroftheoldschool，namedBordin，whowasfortenyearscounselofthenobilityinParis，andwasultimatelysucceededbythecelebratedDerville。ThisexcellentlawyerchoseforhisassistantthegrandsonofaformerpresidentoftheparliamentofNormandy，whosestudieshadbeenmadeunderhistuition。Thisyounglawyer，whowasdestinedtobeappointeddeputy-attorney-generalinParisaftertheconclusionofthepresenttrial，becameeventuallyoneofthemostcelebratedofFrenchmagistrates。MonsieurdeGrandville，forthatwashisname，acceptedthedefenceofthefouryoungmen，beinggladofanopportunitytomakehisfirstappearanceasanadvocatewithdistinction。
Theoldmarquis，alarmedattheravageswhichtroubleshadwroughtinLaurence’sappearance，wascharminglykindandconsiderate。Hemadenoallusiontohisneglectedadvice；hepresentedBordinasanoraclewhosecounselmustbefollowedtotheletter，andyoungdeGrandvilleasadefenderinwhomtheutmostconfidencemightbeplaced。
Laurenceheldoutherhandtothekindoldman，andpressedhiswithaneagernesswhichdelightedhim。
"Youwereright，"shesaid。
"Willyounowtakemyadvice？"heasked。
Theyoungcountessbowedherheadinassent，asdidMonsieurandMadamed’Hauteserre。
"Well，then，cometomyhouse；itisinthemiddleoftown，closetothecourthouse。Youandyourlawyerswillbebetterofftherethanhere，whereyouarecrowdedandtoofarfromthefieldofbattle。
Here，youwouldhavetocrossthetowntwiceaday。"
Laurence，accepted，andtheoldmantookherwithMadamed’Hauteserretohishouse，whichbecamethehomeoftheCinq-Cygnehouseholdandthelawyersofthedefenceduringthewholetimethetriallasted。
Afterdinner，whenthedoorswereclosed，BordinmadeLaurencerelateeverycircumstanceoftheaffair，entreatinghertoomitnothing，notthemosttriflingdetail。ThoughmanyofthefactshadalreadybeentoldtohimandhisyoungassistantbythemarquisontheirjourneyfromParistoTroyes，Bordinlistened，hisfeetonthefender，withoutobtrudinghimselfintotherecital。Theyounglawyer，however，couldnothelpbeingdividedbetweenhisadmirationforMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne，andtheattentionhewasboundtogivetothefactsofhiscase。
"Isthatreallyall？"askedBordinwhenLaurencehadrelatedtheeventsofthedramajustasthepresentnarrativehasgiventhemuptothepresenttime。
"Yes，"sheanswered。
ProfoundsilencereignedforseveralminutesinthesalonoftheChargeboeufmansionwherethisscenetookplace，——oneofthemostimportantwhichoccurinlife。Allcasesarejudgedbythecounsellorsengagedinthem，justasthedeathorlifeorapatientisforeseenbyaphysician，beforethefinalstrugglewhichtheonesustainsagainstnature，theotheragainstlaw。Laurence，MonsieurandMadamed’Hauteserre，andthemarquissatwiththeireyesfixedontheswarthyanddeeplypittedfaceoftheoldlawyer，whowasnowtopronouncethewordsoflifeordeath。Monsieurd’Hauteserrewipedthesweatfromhisbrow。Laurencelookedattheyoungermanandnotedhissaddenedface。
"Well，mydearBordin？"saidthemarquisatlast，holdingouthissnuffbox，fromwhichtheoldlawyertookapinchinanabsent-mindedway。
Bordinrubbedthecalfofhisleg，coveredwiththickstockingsofblackrawsilk，forhealwaysworeblackclothbreechesandacoatmadesomewhatintheshapeofthosewhicharenowtermed/alaFrancaise/。Hecasthisshrewdeyesuponhisclientswithananxiousexpression，theeffectofwhichwasicy。
"MustIanalyzeallthat？"hesaid；"amItospeakfrankly？"
"Yes；goon，monsieur，"saidLaurence。
"Allthatyouhaveinnocentlydonecanbeconvertedintoproofagainstyou，"saidtheoldlawyer。"Wecannotsaveyourfriends；wecanonlyreducethepenalty。ThesalewhichyouinducedMichutomakeofhispropertywillbetakenasevidentproofofyourcriminalintentionsagainstthesenator。YousentyourservantstoTroyessothatyoumightbealone；thatisallthemoreplausiblebecauseitisactuallytrue。Theelderd’HauteserremadeanunfortunatespeechtoBeauvisage，whichwillbeyourruin。Youyourself，mademoiselle，madeanotherinyourowncourtyard，whichprovesthatyouhavelongshownill-willtothepossessorofGondreville。Besides，youwereatthegateofthe/rond-point/，apparentlyonthewatch，aboutthetimewhentheabductiontookplace；iftheyhavenotarrestedyou，itissolelybecausetheyfeartobringasentimentalelementintotheaffair。"
"Thecasecannotbesuccessfullydefended，"saidMonsieurdeGrandville。
"Thelessso，"continuedBordin，"becausewecannottellthewholetruth。MichuandtheMessieursdeSimeuseandd’HauteserremustholdtotheassertionthatyoumerelywentforanexcursionintotheforestandreturnedtoCinq-Cygneforluncheon。Allowingthatwecanshowyouwereinthehouseatthreeo’clock(theexacthouratwhichtheattackwasmade)，whoareourwitnesses？Marthe，thewifeofoneoftheaccused，theDurieus，andCatherine，yourownservants，andMonsieurandMadamed’Hauteserre，fatherandmotheroftwooftheaccused。Suchtestimonyisvalueless；thelawdoesnotadmititagainstyou，andcommonsenserejectsitwhengiveninyourfavor。If，ontheotherhand，youweretosayyouwenttotheforesttorecoverelevenhundredthousandfrancsingold，youwouldsendtheaccusedtothegalleysasrobbers。Judge，jury，audience，andthewholeofFrancewouldbelievethatyoutookthatgoldfromGondreville，andabductedthesenatorthatyoumightransackhishouse。Theaccusationasitnowstandsisnotwhollyclear，buttellthetruthaboutthematteranditwouldbecomeasplainasday；thejurywoulddeclarethattherobberyexplainedthemysteriousfeatures，——forinthesedays，youmustremember，aroyalistmeansathief。Thisverycaseiswelcomedasalegitimatepoliticalvengeance。Theprisonersarenowindangerofthedeathpenalty；butthatisnotdishonoringundersomecircumstances。
Whereas，iftheycanbeprovedtohavestolenmoney，whichcanneverbemadetoseemexcusable，youloseallbenefitofwhateverinterestmayattachtopersonscondemnedtodeathforothercrimes。If，atthefirst，youhadshownthehiding-placesofthetreasure，theplanoftheforest，thetubesinwhichthegoldwasburied，andthegolditself，asanexplanationofyourday’swork，itispossibleyoumighthavebeenbelievedbyanimpartialmagistrate，butasitiswemustbesilent。Godgrantthatnoneoftheprisonersmayrevealthetruthandcompromisethedefence；iftheydo，wemustrelyonourcross-
examinations。"
Laurencewrungherhandsindespairandraisedhereyestoheavenwithadespondentlook，forshesawatlastinallitsdepthsthegulfintowhichhercousinshadfallen。ThemarquisandtheyounglawyeragreedwiththedreadfulviewofBordin。Oldd’Hauteserrewept。
"Ah！whydidtheynotlistentotheAbbeGoujetandfly！"criedMadamed’Hauteserre，exasperated。
"Iftheycouldhaveescaped，andyoupreventedthem，"saidBordin，"youhavekilledthemyourselves。Judgmentbydefaultgainstime；timeenablestheinnocenttoclearthemselves。ThisisthemostmysteriouscaseIhaveeverknowninmylife，inthecourseofwhichIhavecertainlyseenandknownmanystrangethings。"
"Itisinexplicabletoeveryone，eventous，"saidMonsieurdeGrandville。"Iftheprisonersareinnocentsomeoneelsehascommittedthecrime。Fivepersonsdonotcometoaplaceasifbyenchantment，obtainfivehorsesshodpreciselylikethoseoftheaccused，imitatetheappearanceofsomeofthem，andputMalinapparentlyundergroundforthesolepurposeofcastingsuspiciononMichuandthefourgentlemen。Theunknownguiltypartiesmusthavehadsomestrongreasonforwearingtheskin，asitwere，offiveinnocentmen。Todiscoverthem，eventogetupontheirtraces，weneedasmuchpowerasthegovernmentitself，asmanyagentsandasmanyeyesastherearetownshipsinaradiusoffiftymiles。"
"Thethingisimpossible，"saidBordin。"There’snousethinkingofit。Sincesocietyinventedlawithasneverfoundawaytogiveaninnocentprisoneranequalchanceagainstamagistratewhoispre-
disposedagainsthim。Lawisnotbilateral。Thedefence，withoutspiesorpolice，cannotcallsocialpowertotherescueofitsinnocentclients。Innocencehasnothingonhersidebutreason，andreasoningwhichmaystrikeajudgeisoftenpowerlessonthenarrowmindsofjurymen。Thewholedepartmentisagainstyou。Theeightjurorswhohavesignedtheindictmentareeachandallpurchasersofnationaldomain。Amongthetrialjurorswearecertaintohavesomewhohaveeithersoldorboughtthesameproperty。Inshort，wecangetnothingbutaMalinjury。Youmustthereforesetupaconsistentdefence，holdfasttoit，andperishinyourinnocence。Youwillcertainlybecondemned。Butthere’sacourtofappeal；wewillgothereandtrytoremainthereaslongaspossible。Ifinthemeantimewecancollectproofsinyourfavoryoumustapplyforpardon。That’stheanatomyofthebusiness，andmyadvice。Ifwetriumph(foreverythingispossibleinlaw)itwillbeamiracle；butyouradvocateMonsieurdeGrandvilleisthemostlikelymanamongallIknowtoproducethatmiracle，andI’lldomybesttohelphim。"
"Thesenatorhasthekeytothemystery，"saidMonsieurdeGrandville；
"foramanknowshisenemiesandwhytheyareso。HerewefindhimleavingParisatthecloseofthewinter，comingtoGondrevillealone，shuttinghimselfupwithhisnotary，anddeliveringhimselfover，asonemightsay，tofivemenwhoseizehim。"
"Certainly，"saidBordin，"hisconductseemsinexplicable。Buthowcouldwe，inthefaceofahostilecommunity，becomeaccuserswhenweourselvesaretheaccused？Weshouldneedthehelpandgood-willofthegovernmentandathousandtimesmoreproofthaniswantedinordinarycircumstances。Iamconvincedtherewaspremeditation，andsubtlepremeditation，onthepartofourmysteriousadversaries，whomusthaveknownthesituationofMichuandtheMessieursdeSimeusetowardsMalin。Nottoutteroneword；nottostealonething！——
remarkableprudence！Iseesomethingverydifferentfromordinaryevil-doersbehindthosemasks。Butwhatwouldbetheuseofsayingsotothesortofjurorsweshallhavetoface？"
ThisinsightintohiddenmatterswhichgivessuchpowertocertainlawyersandcertainmagistratesastonishedandconfoundedLaurence；
herheartwaswrungbythatinexorablelogic。
"Outofeveryhundredcriminalcases，"continuedBordin，"therearenottenwherethelawreallylaysbarethetruthtoitsfullextent；
andthereisperhapsagoodthirdinwhichthetruthisneverbroughttolightatall。Yoursisoneofthosecaseswhichareinexplicabletoallparties，toaccusedandaccusers，tothelawandtothepublic。AsfortheEmperor，hehasotherfishtofrythantoconsiderthecaseofthesegentlemen，supposingeventhattheyhadnotconspiredagainsthim。Butwhothedevil/is/Malin’senemy？andwhathasreallybeendonewithhim？"
BordinandMonsieurdeGrandvillelookedateachother；theyseemedindoubtastoLaurence’sveracity。Thisevidentsuspicionwasthemostcuttingofallthemanypangsthegirlhadsufferedintheaffair；andsheturneduponthelawyersalookwhicheffectuallyputanendtotheirdistrust。
Thenextdaytheindictmentwashandedovertothedefence，andthelawyerswerethenenabledtocommunicatewiththeprisoners。Bordininformedthefamilythatthesixaccusedmenwere"wellsupported，"——
usingaprofessionalterm。
"MonsieurdeGrandvillewilldefendMichu，"saidBordin。
"Michu！"exclaimedtheMarquisdeChargeboeuf，amazedatthechange。
"Heisthepivotoftheaffair——thedangerliesthere，"repliedtheoldlawyer。
"Ifheismoreindangerthantheothers，Ithinkthatisjust，"criedLaurence。
"Weseecertainchances，"saidMonsieurdeGrandville，"andweshallstudythemcarefully。IfweareabletosavethesegentlemenitwillbebecauseMonsieurd’HauteserreorderedMichutorepaironeofthestonepostsinthecoveredway，andalsobecauseawolfhasbeenseenintheforest；inacriminalcourteverythingdependsondiscussions，anddiscussionsoftenturnontrivialmatterswhichthenbecomeofimmenseimportance。"
Laurencesankintothatinwarddejectionwhichhumiliatesthesoulofallthoughtfulandenergeticpersonswhentheuselessnessofthoughtandactionismademanifesttothem。Itwasnolongeramatterofoverthrowingausurper，orofcomingtothehelpofdevotedfriends，——
fanaticalsympathieswrappedinashroudofmystery。Shenowsawallsocialforcesfull-armedagainsthercousinsandherself。Therewasnotakingaprisonbyassaultwithherownhands，nodeliveranceofprisonersfromthemidstofahostilepopulationandbeneaththeeyesofawatchfulpolice。So，whentheyounglawyer，alarmedatthestuporofthegenerousandnoblegirl，whichthenaturalexpressionofherfacemadestillmorenoticeable，endeavoredtorevivehercourage，sheturnedtohimandsaid:"Imustbesilent；Isuffer，——Iwait。"