"No, indeed. She wishes to see the documents. I shall therefore take them to her and also the manuscript--" If a bomb had exploded in their midst, not more consternation could have been evinced. They exclaimed in chorus: "The papers!" "Never!" protested Amélie. "'Tis an infernal trap!" exclaimed Louis Pierre. "Bandits! The snare is well laid," added Giacinto. "Monseigneur!" implored de Brezé. "Those papers are of inestimable value to us; they should be exhibited only before a court of justice. Our enemies seek to obtain possession of these papers, and, if they succeed, our cause is lost. The watch-maker Naundorff will be without proofs of his identity." Naundorff became tremulous with anger. "Dare not impute such infamy to my sister or I shall attribute villainy to yourselves. In this matter, I accept suggestions from no one. 'Tis an affair between God and myself. This is not a question for man to settle, for what value have the misleading judgments of earth? _I_ alone decide. _I_ am the State! _I_ am the King. These papers pertain to myself only, even as my life is my exclusive property. If my sister, on seeing me, shall waive material proofs, how happy I shall be! But if she doubt or repulse me, what a joy, what a Satanic joy 'twill be to fling these testimonials in her face and say, 'Farewell forever. Our mother curses you!'" He broke into a mocking laugh, such a laugh as terminates in nervous hysteria, while the others with saddened faces remained silent. Then he rose to leave, saying to de Brezé: "René, I trust to you to bring me the papers Thursday morning. If you do not accede to this request, you will force me to violence." As he passed out, Amélie said entreatingly to her lover: "Save him in spite of himself. Keep them in their place of concealment, for there they are secure." "Most secure," replied de Brezé. "They are with a friend, Gontran de Lome. He thinks them a compromising love correspondence of mine. Who would suspect that amiable Lovelace? Nevertheless, in spite of his dissipations, he is a man of honor and discretion. I guarantee the security of the papers while they remain with Gontran. But should your father demand them, Amélie, I cannot refuse. He is the arbiter of his fate and of our own as well." The Carbonari meanwhile conversed in low tones. After a while Louis Pierre advanced saying: "There lives in Versailles a sister of mine, who terminated her vagrant peddling existence by the establishment of a little shop. Giacinto and I have formulated a plan which we shall explain to you. We cannot fold our arms in the moment of danger." "Noble friends!" said Amélie, extending her hands to the two men.