"I have already told you that I would have nothing to do with the commission of your committee!" he cried hotly. "And as for this man's accusations, let him make them in court and I will answer him. Let him repeat them in the streets and I will thrust the lies back into his throat and choke him with them." As he spoke he advanced toward de Lacheville who paled and retreated a step or two. "If any man accuses me of disloyalty to the Republic," continued Tournay, turning and addressing Robespierre, "unless he takes revenge behind the bar of a tribunal he shall answer to me personally. I will defend my honor with my own hand." Robespierre turned pale and took a step or two in the direction of the bell-rope. "You may have an opportunity to answer the charges before the tribunal," he said coldly. "Why did you not bring them in to-day's inquiry?" demanded Tournay. "I do not announce my reasons nor divulge my plans," was the reply. "It is enough to know that I had need of you. Neither am I in the habit of having my will opposed. You would do best to yield before it is too late." "Robespierre," cried Tournay, the blood mounting to his forehead, "you have played the tyrant too long! You are not 'in the habit of having your will opposed?' I have not learned to bend and truckle to your will, doing your bidding like a dog; and, by Heaven! I will not now. Bring your charges against me before your tribunal, packed as it is with your creatures, and I will answer them, but my answer shall be addressed to the Nation. My appeal will be to the People. I will denounce you for what you are, a tyrant. And a coward--too"--he continued, as Robespierre, with ashen lips, rang the bell violently. "You shall be known for what you are, and when you are once known the people will cease to fear you." He strode toward the committee's president, who, with trembling knees, stood tugging at the bell-rope. De Lacheville had long since fled from the room; and Robespierre, pulling his courage together with an effort, lifted his hand and pointed a trembling finger at Tournay. "Stop where you are!" he shrieked. "Come a step nearer me at your peril!" "I am not going to do you any injury," was Tournay's reply in a tone of contempt; "I despise you too much to do you personal violence; I leave you to your fears, citizen president." There was a sound of heavy footsteps in the corridor, and Tournay moved toward the door to be confronted by a file of soldiers. "Henriot, you drunken snail," cried Robespierre, "why did you not answer my summons? Arrest this man." Tournay turned a look upon Robespierre which made the latter quail notwithstanding the guard that surrounded him. "You had this all arranged," said the colonel quietly. "I was prepared," replied Robespierre grimly. Tournay turned away with contempt. "Dictator, your time will be short," he murmured. "Come, citizen colonel," said the Commandant Henriot, "I must trouble you for your sword."