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He stopped before the door of the cottage in which Georges was sitting. The latter raised his head, listened, and, by way of precaution, laid his hands on his pistols, though it was probable that the new-comer was a friend. The rider dismounted, strode up the path, and opened the door of the room where Georges was waiting. "Ah! it's you, Coeur-de-Roi," said Cadoudal. "Where do you come from?"
"Ah!" exclaimed Coeur-de-Roi, "the day of justice has come at last!" "Will you undertake to execute my sentence, Coeur-de-Roi?" "I will, general." "Go then, Coeur-de-Roi. Take the number of men you need; devise what stratagem you please, but reach the man, and strike." "If I die, general "
At the door Roland collided against a small group of five men. These five men wore Republican uniforms; one of them had sergeant stripes on his sleeve. "What is all this?" asked Roland. "Nothing," replied Cadoudal, laughing. "But who are these men?" "Coeur-de-Roi and his party; they are starting on that expedition you know of." "Then they expect by means of this uniform "
The gallop of a horse echoed through the street. "Ah!" said Coeur-de-Roi, "that is probably the man you expect." "No," replied Cadoudal, "this rider comes from the direction of Vannes." The sound became more distinct, and it proved that Cadoudal was right. The second horseman, like the first, halted at the gate, dismounted, and came into the room.
"I put this paper in the muzzle of my gun." Coeur-de-Roi showed a large envelope with an official red seal, which had once, no doubt, contained some Republican despatch intercepted by the Chouans.
Coeur-de-Roi went out as simply as he had entered. "You see," said Cadoudal, "the sort of men I command. Is your First Consul as well served as I, Monsieur de Montrevel?" "By some, yes." "Well, with me it is not some, but all." Benedicite entered and questioned Georges with a look. "Yes," replied Georges, with voice and nod. Benedicite went out.
"Hush!" cried Cadoudal. The three men listened. "This time it is probably he," observed Georges. The gallop of a horse could be heard coming from the direction of La Roche-Bernard. "It is certainly he," repeated Coeur-de-Roi. "Then, my friends, leave me alone. You, Benedicite, get to Grandchamp as soon as possible.
"Fear not; the curate of Leguerno shall say enough masses in your behalf to keep your poor soul out of purgatory. But you will not die, Coeur-de-Roi." "That's all right, general. Now that I am sure of the masses, I ask nothing more. I have my plan." "When will you start?" "To-night." "When will he die?" "To-morrow." "Go. See that three hundred men are ready to follow me in half an hour."
"Oh! you shall know all, colonel; I have no secrets from you." Then, turning to the little group, Cadoudal called: "Coeur-de-Roi!" The man with the stripes on his sleeves left the group, and came to Cadoudal. "Did you call me, general?" asked the pretended sergeant. "Yes, I want to know your plan." "Oh! general, it is very simple." "Let me judge of that."
"Ha! so they are giving us back our bishops?" "So it seems; but if they are all like this one, they can keep them." "Who is he?" "Audrein!" "The regicide?" "Audrein the renegade." "When is he coming?" "To-night or to-morrow." "I shall not go to meet him; but let him beware of falling into my men's hands." Benedicite and Coeur-de-Roi burst into a laugh which completed Cadoudal's thought.
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