They were greatly anxious as to the safety of the girls, and Harry at once hastened there, but found that all was well. The deputies, learning from the landlord that only an old woman and her nieces inhabited the upper story, and having a heavy task before them, had only paid a short visit to the room, and had left after asking Louise one or two questions. The girls, however, were in a state of terrible anxiety as to their parents, although Louise had avoided repeating to them the sinister rumours which came to her ears when she was abroad doing her marketing, for she now went out alone, thinking it better that the girls should appear as little as possible in the streets. "It is terrible," Marie said. "I think night and day of our father and mother. Can nothing be done? Surely we might devise some means for their escape." "I can think of nothing," Harry said. "The prison is too strong to be taken without a considerable force, and it would be impossible to get that together." "Could we not bribe these wretches?" "I have thought over that too," Harry replied; "but, you see, it would be necessary to get several men to work together. One might, perhaps, bribe the man who has charge of the cell, but there would be other warders, and the guard at the gate, and the latter are changed every day. I do not see how that could possibly be done." "Would it be any use, do you think, were I to go to Danton or Robespierre and plead with them for their lives? I would do that willingly if you think there would be the slightest chance of success." "It would be like a lamb going to plead with a wolf. You would only attract attention to them." "Could you not get hold of one of these wretches and force him to sign an order for their release?" Jeanne suggested. "Eh!" Harry exclaimed in surprise. "Jeanne, you have the best head of us all. That idea never occurred to me. Yes, that might be possible. How stupid of me not to think of it!" "Do not run into any danger, Harry," Marie said earnestly. "Such a scheme could hardly succeed." "I don't know, mademoiselle. I think it might. I will think it over. Of course there are difficulties, but I do not see why it should not succeed." "Certainly it will succeed if Harry undertakes it," Jeanne said, with implicit trust in his powers. Harry laughed, and even Marie, anxious as she was, could not help smiling.