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ALEA JACTA EST.
At seven in the morning, Fouche, minister of police, entered the bedroom of Gohier, president of the Directory.
"Oh, ho!" said Gohier, when he saw him.

"What has happened now, monsieur le ministre, to give me the pleasure of seeing you so early ?" "Don't you know about the decree ?" asked Fouche.
"What decree ?" asked honest Gohier.
"The decree of the Council of the Ancients." "When was it issued ?" "Last night." "So the Council of the Ancients assembles at night now ?" "When matters are urgent, yes." "And what does the decree say." "It transfers the legislative sessions to Saint-Cloud." Gohier felt the blow.

He realized the advantage which Bonaparte's daring genius might obtain by this isolation.
"And since when," he asked Fouche, "is the minister of police transformed into a messenger of the Council of the Ancients ?" "That's where you are mistaken, citizen president," replied the ex-Conventional.

"I am more than ever minister of police this morning, for I have come to inform you of an act which may have the most serious consequences." Not being as yet sure of how the conspiracy of the Rue de la Victoire would turn out, Fouche was not averse to keeping open a door for retreat at the Luxembourg.