"But he would never dare!" said Saint-Just, setting his teeth and allowing a glance of hatred to escape his eyes. "It is the Hussars of Death themselves who are guarding the gate and who will not allow it to be shut." "The Kehl gate?" "The Kehl gate." "The very one that faces the enemy?" "Yes, that very one." "In spite of my formal order?" "In spite of your formal order." "And what reason have the Hussars of Death given for preventing that gate from being closed at three o'clock, when there is a formal order that all the gates of Strasbourg shall be shut at that hour under pain of death to him who prevents it?" "They say that the Commissioner of the Republic is to return to the city by that gate with his betrothed." "Euloge Schneider's betrothed? The betrothed of the Monk of Cologne?" Saint-Just looked around him, evidently seeking Charles in the shadows which were beginning to darken the apartment. "If you are looking for me, citizen Saint-Just, here I am," said the youth, approaching him. "Yes, come here! Have you heard that your Greek professor is about to be married?" Mademoiselle de Brumpt's story recurred at once to the boy's mind. "It would take too long to tell you what I think." "No, tell me," said Saint-Just, laughing; "we have plenty of time." Charles related the story of the dinner at Euloge Schneider's, together with the episode of the young girl and that of the executioner. As he listened, Saint-Just's head remained motionless, but the rest of his body quivered unceasingly. Suddenly a great hubbub was heard in one of the streets leading from the Kehl gate to the town-hall. Doubtless Saint-Just divined the cause of this commotion, for, turning to Charles, he said: "If you would like to go, my child, you are free to do so; but if you would like to be present at a great act of justice, remain." Charles's curiosity forbade him to go, and he remained. The messenger went to the window and drew aside the curtain. "There," said he, "there is the proof that I was not mistaken." "Open the window," said Saint-Just. The messenger obeyed. The window opened upon a balcony which hung over the street. Saint-Just went out, and, at his invitation, Charles and the messenger followed him. The clock struck. Saint-Just turned around; it was four o'clock. The procession was just entering the square.