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The spy's breath stopped in his suspense. "Ragmen, carry him back." It was a terrific blow to Jude, who still, however, retained consciousness, though now incapable of even hiss or contortion. He was held over the trap again, and the leader once more commenced speaking. "Spy," he said, "you have been condemned by the Galley-on-Land to the death which now yawns beneath you.
The Council of the Galley-on-Land were gathered again in Gougeon's shop at two in the morning. All Paris was sleeping, and even the orgies of the Beggars' Ball had sunk to silence. There was animation among the Council, for in a corner, not at first visible, lay a subject of debate a prisoner tightly bound with a rope. Each man held some piece of sharp iron, Wife Gougeon her pistol.
His cloak was thrown back, showing a gold lace belt stuck with knives and pistols, while on his head was a green cap, which Grancey recognised as the cap of the galley felons. "What news of the Galley-on-land, Admiral?" asked the robber leader. "All goes well." "How many at our oars?" "Two hundred and forty-eight." "Besides friends?" "Besides thirty-four friends.
"An incomparable scheme," said the Admiral. "Brave Greencaps, don't you see before you all the swag in the great château of Versailles? My God! it is a pretty scheme a scheme worthy of a Galley-on-Land." Even Gougeon seemed to be waked up, and fixed his greedy black eyes on Motte. "Citizens," the Admiral continued, addressing Wife Gougeon. "This is better begun by the women.
Wife Gougeon and the Admiral returned late on the last night before the execution to the old-iron shop, dismayed and ferocious. Her vanity was deeply hurt by the failure of her plan. In the back of the shop, among piles of horse-shoes, locks, spikes, and bars, a meeting of the Big Bench of the Galley-on-land was held to decide the course to be taken.
"Admiral," she said, "where do these come from?" The chief seemed to recognise in her a personage equal to himself. He bowed and said "Madame, the soleil and chalice were the Abbey of Pontcalec's, and were politely removed for safe-keeping by seven marines of the Galley-on-land." "And this fine waistcoat?" said Madame, smiling.
Here he is! here is the one who defied the jury!" "Bodyguard of Capet!" "Here is the one who killed Bec and Caron!" shrilled Wife Gougeon. "Long live the Galley-on-Land!"
"The Big Hog, then, has had his bristles singed with all this: the people despise him. Orleans is the people's favourite. What if the Galley-on-Land should put Orleans on the throne?" "Good!" cried the Admiral. The Big Bench broke into excited comment. "Citizen Jude is admirable." Their leader went on, "Nothing could be more acceptable than the money of a friend to the people.
Men, lift him up till I give my final order." He paused a time; it seemed an eternity to Jude. "Monsieur Spy," continued he. "Are you ready, in return for your life, to serve the Galley-on-Land, of which I am Admiral, before all other masters; to go where I bid you, to do what I command, to inform me of whatever will protect us; to succour a ragman before every other consideration!"
"Listen, friends. You know that what I learn at Versailles is worth something to the Galley-on-Land." "Invariably," said the Admiral. "The Big Sow, you know, she they call Madame Veto, has been cursedly working to keep the Big Hog with the cursed hogs. The people are afraid of more Dragoons, and are crying, 'The King to Paris! Well, now, this is the third of October.
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