At the prison of the Abbaye they entered without difficulty. There the gate stood open day and night. At the desk, when the accusation had been read and the alibi announced, Dossonville extended his hand to Barabant and said: "Thanks, citoyen. You need trouble yourself no more." "No more!" Barabant exclaimed, in astonishment, for he had expected to testify to the meeting with Santerre. Dossonville smiled grimly and, with a curious twist of his back, said: "My back itched a little in such company, especially in that devil's descent of yours, where little slips might occur. You were necessary to my peace of mind! Thanks, citoyen." Then, as he was about to be led away, he turned to the turnkey and cried rapidly. "Citoyen, it is useless to disturb the good Friend of the People. He will pardon me if I used his name to insure a hearing before a properly constituted court of justice." Then with his silent, parted grin, he added, "My true defense I shall present at the proper time." He disappeared in custody, not before he had sent a glance of malicious enjoyment toward his enemy, who, astounded, did not immediately recover. When he did, it was with the rage of the wounded lion suddenly surprised by the trap. X A TRIUMPH OF INSTINCT "Holà above, Barabant." "Holà below, Goursac." "Come down." "What for?" "Collenot is condemned. We're going to the execution." "What, at eight o'clock at night?" "Immediately. I am just back from the trial." "I'm coming." The Revolutionary Tribunal, inaugurated two days before, had deliberated ever since upon the fate of Collenot d'Agremont, seeking to fasten on the King and the Court the onus of the battle of the Tuileries. But beyond Barabant's desire to see the execution of this first victim of the anger of the Nation, was his curiosity to witness the second installation of that strange machine which had carried the name of Dr. Guillotin beyond the boundaries of France. "And your Nicole?" Goursac asked when Barabant had joined them. "Why don't you bring her?" "She's not in her room." "You called her?" "Yes, yes." Barabant, not wishing to discover their estrangement, hastened on: "Did Collenot implicate the Court?" "He would say nothing. To do him justice, he was very firm." "And the Tribunal?" "Impressive. The people were awed. The judge pronounced an eloquent harangue,--they always do." He flung out his arm and repeated sarcastically: "'Victim of the law, could you but read the hearts of your judges you would find them crushed and saddened. Go to your death courageously. The Nation demands from you nothing but a sincere repentance.'" "That's well put!" "Repentance--and your head!" Goursac amended sarcastically. "What an absurdity!" "Not at all," retorted Barabant, disciple of Rousseau and the sentimentalists. "The Nation mourning and forgiving its enemies, even when pronouncing sentence, is a spectacle, I say, that is sublime."