Taking the Bastile

erior policemen, had arrived at Villers Cotterets where they presented themsel

was in the semi-military organization of the police of the era, perceiv

a horseman a quar

id; "there he is inspecting the wor

er, run and tell him a gentleman

mean Dr.

ll him, all

he canopy of the large fireplace, none were there but his wife, sitting in the middle, plucking ducks with all the care such a

d Billet, stopping on the t

a flute-like v

eheld the police-agent

ant?" he snarled, makin

lied the unctuous speaker: "we have to mak

had a National Assembly," he said, "I thought citizens were no longer exposed to proceedings w

uffs, searching them or pinioning; they are the most dangerous as they appear to be the best. The fellow who descended on Farmer Billet w

o his acolytes, who went up to Billet. He

eapon to him who made use of it and her whose pair of sli

he spot in time to save her father f

burst, Billet made n

gh Billet, who had the grating done, had forgotten the precaution. Catherine was placed in a first-floor room and Mrs

who saw through the keyhole that h

something we cannot find,"

robbers, burgl

the door; "we are honest folk like yourself-only we are

mine was so dreadful last year that we thought of eating our horses; when the hail on the thirteenth of July two years back cut our wheat to

of Police but as usual commencing with "In the King's Name"-"His Majesty has heard about you, old fellow; though he may not p

nk, the chief policeman slammed the

e men seemed fallen from the skies. No one had seen them but the farm-hand who had pointed out the way to the farmhouse. In the yar

. He recalled her prophetic words, for he had no doubt

t, in case of conflict, he could have numbers of not law on his side. This made the blood boil in his veins. He had not the temper to be

onted the farmer, threatening and upri

roared the caged lion: "Tell me, or by the Lord H

ral's alert eye; he reckoned them and was convinced that,

efore, he sneaked up to the speaker

he rules and regulations. We are looking for a subversive publication

ouse of a farmer

, when you are friend of the a

servant," replied the other. "To be his friend woul

ing his landlord, but the book-assured victory to the officer of the law. This man drew himself up to his full height, with h

u have been the first to name Gilbert, w

will not merely own up but-will you stop pulli

"for the book is the object of the search. Only," he added with

I have onl

e minute's farther patience. We are only poor servants of justice, under orders from those above u

in the armor: he knew

uickly," he said, tur

ed the key: which made Billet snap his fingers: sure that

ress, they perceived a small oak casket clamped with iron. The corporal pounced on it as a vulture on its prey. By the mere view, by his scent, by the place where

illet had come to the

d to 'make hay' with my things. I am not a conspirator, confound you! Come, get this into your noddles. Answe

g was still spoken o

sons. Come, let us know where the book is, and, as we are now convinced that you hav

d to whom I entrusted it this morning t

s honest lad?" queried t

om I housed from charity, and who d

throwing the linen into the hole in the wall and closi

arbor by the Spanish climbing beans. Go a

do not know us to thi

lready described. Catherine had heard enough in the words about the doctor, the boo

ar away. So he bounded on his men by his voice and example till they ran him into the woods. Then they came to a halt in the

" said the organizer of the attack, "we would be obliged to take post-hors

eh, Master Wolfstep?" sai

lice agent, to whom the nickname had been given for h

itled to the pro

tributing gold pieces among them with no preference for th

Chief!" calle

"but it is not he who cashes up this trip. It is some friend o

ts that little box bad," su

d, we had better be on the move. That confounded countryman does not look easily cooled down, and when he perceives the casket is missing, he may set

he five men kept on along the forest skirts

ppear in pursuit of Pitou than, full of confidence in the last one's agility,

unusual was going on

her free and she li

forth warily, and acted as if not liking to stay in any one place and

he book, anyway?

cut away? If they are sticking to him, they will

d, he owes all th

elves. Be easy about Pitou getting out of his scrape.

d Mother Billet: "they have not

he cavity which the corporal had carefully closed but into which

er?" asked the girl as her fath

nywhere: the casket! that is wh

Billet, who commonly let others do t

" responded the farmer thrusting

me, father," s

that. I never thought about the casket. Oh, what will the doctor say? W

s, what was

to the doctor on my life and I ough

sture against himself that

ared the madman. "I must let the

Pitou to

must ride to Paris. Did you not read in hi

ave us in the mi

ver you lose that box, or rather if it is stolen from you, come to warn me the instant you

hat can

ping, and that I have let it be snatched away. But here is my n

last time, the farmer bestrode his steed a