"Down how many flights of stairs does the complaint state the prisoner kicked the tailor?" asked the judge. "Only one short one," volunteered Gaillard, grinning at the discomfited tailor. "Only one short one?" repeated the judge. "You were very moderate; such an absurd garment would have justified three flights." There was a laugh in the court room. The judge tapped for order. "The prisoner is discharged," he said. Gaillard rose and looked for the guards who had escorted him from the Luxembourg, thankful for the brief respite he had had from the tedium of confinement. "You are a free man, Citizen Gaillard," said the judge, waving his hand toward the open door. "Do you mean I can leave the court room by that door?" asked Gaillard, his heart rising up in his throat. "Certainly; I dismiss the complaint." "Thank you, your honor," said Gaillard, stepping quickly through the doorway into the street. "Your honor!" gasped a court attendant hurriedly appearing at the judge's desk. "I have no time to listen to anything further now. I am off to dinner," said the judge snappishly. "But does your honor know? Is your honor aware that the prisoner was a suspect from the Luxembourg, brought here by me for trial on this charge of assault, to be returned after"-- "Bring him back at once!" yelled the judge. "You idiot, why didn't you say so before?" "But, your honor, I"-- "After him, constables; be quick, he cannot have gone fifty yards." Half a dozen men rushed into the street and looked in all directions. But Gaillard was not to be seen. CHAPTER XX UNCLE MICHELET One April day a wave of excitement swept through the entire prison. It was repeated in every cell and whispered in every ear. "The lion has been taken in the mesh! The great Danton is a prisoner in the Luxembourg!" At first Tournay could not believe the report. It seemed as if those giant arms need but to be extended to break the bonds that held them, and allow their owner to walk out into the air a free man. Yet it was indeed true, and one day, for a few moments only, Tournay had an opportunity to see and converse with the fallen chieftain as he stood in the door of his cell, talking in a loud voice to all who were near enough to hear him. As Danton saw Colonel Tournay he ceased speaking and held out his hand. In his eyes there was a peculiar look which the latter understood. "You see, it has come at last even to me," said Danton quietly. "Ah, why did you not crush the snake before it entwined you with its coils?" asked Tournay sadly. "I did not think he would dare do it," replied Danton. "Robespierre is rushing to his ruin. What will they do without me? They are all mad." "You should have distrusted their madness, even if you did not fear it," was the rejoinder.