"You have conspired against the Republic; you shall pay for it," he repeated, his fingers working convulsively as if he would like to lay hands upon her. "My name is La Liberté," she said proudly, drawing herself up. "I am a child of the Revolution. I have drunk of her blood. Do you think, Robespierre, to terrify me with your shining toy, the guillotine? Bah! I snap my fingers at it;" and speaking thus, she advanced toward him, one hand resting on the dagger at her hip. He fell back before her, step by step, until they reached the door. Voices were heard outside and some one tried to enter. "Break the door down, whoever you are!" cried Robespierre. "Kick the panel in; throw your whole weight against it." "We are Hanneton and Clément, clerks; we found the rear doorway locked"-- "Break in, I say!" called out Robespierre impatiently. The hall reverberated with the noise of an attack made by Hanneton's heavy shoes and Clément's shoulder. La Liberté inserted the key in the lock. "I might as well open it now," she said, throwing back the door. The two clerks stood on the threshold in open-mouthed surprise. La Liberté passed them like a fawn and sped swiftly down the staircase. "We were merely returning to finish up a little work," stammered Clément, who was the first to recover the use of his tongue; "but if we intrude"-- "Come in," interrupted Robespierre quickly. "I have an errand of importance for you." Seating himself at a table, he dashed off two short notes. The clerks exchanged glances from time to time. "Here!" said Robespierre looking at Clément, and sealing the letters as he spoke. "You look the less stupid. Take this at once to the keeper of the conciergerie, then report to me in person at my house. You other fellow, take this to Commandant Henriot. You will find him either at the Hôtel de Ville or at the Jacobin Club. Tell him to report to me in person. Now go, both of you." The two clerks did not wait to be twice bidden, and Robespierre followed them from the room. An hour later the commandant stood before the president of the committee in his own house. "Well," asked Robespierre, "have you executed the warrant?" "The Citizeness Liberté has been incarcerated in the Luxembourg prison," was the reply. Robespierre's eyes blinked rapidly. "She is a child of the Revolution," he repeated softly, "and does not fear my toy." Upon Henriot's heels entered Clément. Robespierre turned to him eagerly. "Fifteen minutes before I reached the conciergerie, a prisoner, named Robert Tournay, was liberated on a release signed by you, citizen president. It was delivered by a woman," was the brief report. An oath sprang to Robespierre's lips. "Tournay!" he cried out. "So it was Tournay whom that woman has freed. The man is dangerous," he continued, speaking to himself. "He should have perished long ago had I not wished to get at Hoche through him. But he shall not escape me; nor shall the woman."