"Then all will be at an end--there will be no conspiracy--there will have been no conspirators. I cannot punish intentions." "With any other I should not allow this; but with him I say, as you please." "You think he will remain firm?" "Oh! I am quite easy. But when he has decidedly refused, when you are quite convinced that he persists in his intention of assassinating you, then you will give him over to me, will you not?" "Yes, but not here." "Why not here?"' "Better to arrest him at his hotel." "There, at the Muids d'Amour, with Tapin and D'Argenson's people--impossible, monsieur. Bourguignon's affair is still in everybody's mouth in that quarter. I am not sure that they even quite believe in the attack of apoplexy, since Tapin now gives strict measure. It will be much better to arrest him as he leaves here, monseigneur; the house is quiet; four men could easily do it, and they are already here. I will move them, as you insist on seeing him; and, instead of arresting him as he enters, it must be done as he leaves. At the door a carriage shall be ready to take him to the Bastille; so that even the coachman who brings him here shall not know what has become of him. No one but Monsieur de Launay shall know; and I will answer for his discretion." "Do as you please." "That is my usual custom." "Rascal that you are!" "But I think monseigneur reaps the benefit of the rascality." "Oh, I know you are always right." "But the others?" "What others?" "The Bretons, Pontcalec, Du Couëdic, Talhouet, and Montlouis?" "Oh, the unfortunates; you know their names." "And how do you think I have passed my time at the hotel Muids d'Amour?" "They will know of their accomplice's arrest." "How?" "Having no letter from Paris, they will fear that something is wrong." "Bah! Is not Captain la Jonquiere there to reassure them?" "True; but they must know the writing?" "Not bad, monseigneur, you are improving; but you take useless precautions, as Racine says. At this moment, probably, they are arrested." "And who dispatched the order?" "I. Pardieu! I am not your minister for nothing. Besides, you signed it." "I! Are you mad?" "Assuredly, these men are not less guilty than the chevalier; and in authorizing me to arrest one, you authorized me to arrest all." "And when did the bearer of this order leave?" Dubois took out his watch. "Just three hours ago. Thus, it was a poetical license when I said they were all arrested; they will not be till to-morrow morning." "Bretagne will be aroused, Dubois." "Bah! I have taken measures." "The Breton tribunals will not condemn their compatriots." "That case is foreseen." "And, if they should be condemned, none will be found to execute them. It will be a second edition of the affair at Chalais. Remember, it was at Nantes that _that_ took place, Dubois. I tell you, Bretons are unaccommodating."