Then we could make him sign the order and leave him fastened up there.

It would be better to take him to your lodgings than mine, in case my visits to Louise Moulin should have been noticed, and when he is released there will be a hue and cry after his captors." "The best plan will be to put a knife into his heart at once the minute you have got the order signed," Victor said savagely; "I should have no more hesitation in killing him than stamping on a snake." "No, Victor; the man is a monster, but we cannot kill him in cold blood; besides, we should do more harm than good to the cause, for the people would consider he had died a martyr to his championship of their rights, and would be more furious than ever against the aristocracy." "But his account of what he has gone through will have just the same effect, Henri." "I should think it probable he would keep the story to himself.
What has happened once may happen again; and besides, his cowardice in signing the release of three enemies of the people in order to save his life would tell against him.

No, I think he would keep silence.

After we have got them safe away we can return and so far loosen his bonds that he would be able, after a time, to free himself.

Five minutes' start would be all that we should want." But the plan was not destined to be carried out.