"I vote to have him made general," replied Radoub. "I ask you whether you vote for his acquittal." [Illustration 134] "I vote that he be made the head of the Republic." "Sergeant Radoub, do you, or do you not, vote for Captain Gauvain's acquittal? Yes, or no?" "I vote that you behead me in his place." "Acquittal," said Cimourdain. "Write it down, clerk." Then the clerk announced,-- "One vote for death, one for acquittal: a tie." It was Cimourdain's turn to vote. He rose, took off his hat, and placed it on the table. He was no longer pale or livid; his face was the color of clay. Had every man present been lying in his shroud, the silence could not have been more profound. In solemn, measured tones Cimourdain said,-- "Gauvain, the accused, your case has been heard. The court-martial, in the name of the Republic, by a majority of two against one--" He broke off; he seemed to pause. Was he still doubtful whether to vote for death or for life? The audience was breathless. Cimourdain went on,-- "--condemns you to the penalty of death." His face revealed the torture of an awful triumph. When Jacob in the darkness forced a blessing from the angel whom he had overthrown, he must have worn the same terrible smile. It passed like a flash, however, and Cimourdain again became marble. He took his seat, replaced his hat on his head, and added,-- "Gauvain, you will be executed to-morrow at sunrise." Gauvain rose, bowed, and said,-- "I thank the court." "Remove the prisoner," said Cimourdain; and at a sign from him the door of the dungeon was reopened, Gauvain entered, and it closed behind him. Two gendarmes with drawn sabres were stationed on each side of the door. Radoub, who had just fallen senseless, was carried away. IV. AFTER CIMOURDAIN THE JUDGE, CIMOURDAIN THE MASTER. A camp is a wasps nest, especially in time of revolution. The civic sting which exists in the soldier darts forth at a moments notice, and after driving out the enemy, will often turn without ceremony upon its own chief. The brave army which had taken the Tourgue was alive with conflicting rumors. When first the escape of Lantenac was discovered, it was all against Gauvain; but when the latter was seen coming out of the dungeon where they had supposed Lantenac to be imprisoned, it was like the transmission of an electric spark, and in less than a minute the whole army knew of it. A murmur broke forth from the little band; at first it ran: "They are getting ready to try Gauvain. But it is all a farce. He is a fool who trusts these ci-devants and calotins! We have just seen a Viscount save a Marquis, and presently we shall see a priest acquit a noble!"