“Get me away if you can,” said the Governor next. “Oh, thank God, thank God, at last!” he cried with a sudden change of tone, as a volley of musketry was heard, and a large body of mounted troops dashed through the crowd and mustered in force round the statue, on the base of which the three stood. With the troops round him, the Governor’s courage returned, and as his fears vanished his true nature reasserted itself. He scowled at the crowd. “Charge them, charge them, the canaille!” he cried passionately. “Cut them down, the dogs. To threaten me! Give them the steel!” “My lord, is this keeping your pledge?” asked Gerard indignantly. “You did well, sir monk, you saved my life, and shall have fitting reward; but this is my business.” “You pledged your honour as a noble of France, my lord Duke,” protested Gerard. At this moment de Proballe broke through the troops and came hurrying to the Governor. “You are not hurt, my lord, I trust,” he cried. “It is not your fault that I was not torn to pieces by the mob. But for mademoiselle, your niece, and this good monk, who stopped the mob in the moment of frenzy, I should have been.” “My God!” exclaimed de Proballe, recognizing Gerard. “Do you know who that monk is? The villain de Cobalt!” The Governor, who stood close to Gerard, stepped back hastily, as if in fear of some treachery, and when at a safe distance scowled at him with eyes of hate. “It is well,” he said between his teeth. “I promised you a fitting reward. You shall have it.” He smiled, and turning to the soldiers near him, he ordered: “Arrest him.” “You will not do this, my lord. You cannot be so cowardly,” cried Gabrielle, putting herself before Gerard. But this act only served to infuriate him. “Arrest him, I say,” he repeated. “It is I rule here, mademoiselle, not you. You shall not protect him and cannot save him from the fate he merits. You have done enough ill for the people already.” “This injustice shall not be done,” declared Gabrielle indignantly. “You will answer for this to me, my lord Duke, as the son of your Suzerain,” said Gerard, stepping forward. “Yes. I will answer to you and for you; and answer now, in this way.” He signed to the soldiers, who then laid hands on Gerard. “I will appeal to the people,” cried Gabrielle vehemently. “There shall be substance for your appeal, too,” he replied. He was like a man beside himself with passion. “He shall not escape me again. Have a space cleared there,” he thundered to his men. “Bring up a file of men. This man is a spy and the ringleader of all the tumults to-day. He is condemned to death, and shall die now.” Even his officers stood aghast at this. “I demand, at least, the appearance of a trial,” said Gerard calmly. “You have been tried already. I know your crimes, and have tried and condemned you. Do as I say,” he thundered to the officers, “or by the God of Heaven I shall know how to deal with those who mutiny against me.”