“They wish to do nothing, monsieur,” said Pasdeloup. “They abandon the château and all it contains to the mob. See!--there they go yonder.” And following his gesture we saw two boats loaded with armed men just slipping into the shadows of the farther shore. M. le Comte stared at them for a moment, then down at the frenzied crowd on the terrace, and grew white to the lips. At last he turned to his wife. “Come, madame,” he said, in a voice strangely calm, “do you and Charlotte descend to the floor below, where you can at least sit down. If I had only thought to bring a candle!” “I have one,” said Pasdeloup; and produced from his pocket a piece of candle some six inches in length, together with flint and steel. In a moment the candle was alight. “Good!” cried his master. “Now you can feel almost at home, madame. Perhaps you may even succeed in getting an hour’s sleep. Certainly you will be far more comfortable than on this exposed platform. Let me light the way.” He took the candle from Pasdeloup’s hand and started down the stair. Madame followed him without a word, but her companion paused and glanced at me. I was at her side in an instant. “What is it?” she questioned, in a whisper. “Why are we banished. There is no danger?” “Oh, no, mademoiselle,” I assured her. “There is not the slightest danger at present. I hope that you will really get some sleep.” “Sleep!” she echoed scornfully. “For what do you take me?” “For the loveliest woman in the world!” I said. “In that, at least, I am not mistaken.” “Wait until you have seen more of them!” she retorted, with a flash of her old spirit, and started down the stair. But at the second step she stopped and turned back to me. “M. de Tavernay,” she said, looking up at me with shining eyes, “you must promise me one thing.” “What is that, mademoiselle?” “If there is any danger you will call me.” “Very well,” I said quietly, after a moment, “I promise.” “Thank you,” she said; and waving her hand to me, disappeared down the stair. M. le Comte was back a moment later, the shadow still dark across his face. He came directly to the spot where Pasdeloup and I stood leaning against the wall. “Now, Pasdeloup,” he said, “tell me what you know of this affair. I confess that I do not in the least understand it. And I want the worst--mind you, the worst! I want to know the very uttermost we shall have to face. Who was it set these peasants on? Who set that trap for me this morning? Whose hand is it aiming these blows at me?” For a moment Pasdeloup hesitated, staring from his master down at the château and back again. “You remember Goujon, monsieur?” he asked at last; and it seemed to me that I had heard the name, though I could not remember where. “Goujon?” repeated M. le Comte. “No; who is he?”