The other ruffians, who had seen Chiquita at the Crowned Radish, and wondered at and admired her courage when she stood against the door and let Agostino fling his terrible navaja at her without moving a muscle, now grouped themselves closely together so as to effectually prevent the soldiers from pursuing her.

The fracas that ensued gave Chiquita time to reach the carriage of the Duke of Vallombreuse--which, taking advantage of the stir and shifting in the throng, was slowly making its way out of the Place de Greve.

She climbed up on the step, and catching sight of de Sigognac within, appealed to him, in scarcely audible words, as she panted and trembled--"I saved your Isabelle, now save me!" Vallombreuse, who had been very much interested by this strange and exciting scene, cried to the coachman, "Get on as fast as you can, even if you have to drive over the people." But there was no need--the crowd opened as if by magic before the carriage, and closed again compactly after it had passed, so that Chiquita's pursuers could not penetrate it, or make any progress--they were completely baffled, whichever way they turned.

Meanwhile the fugitive was being rapidly carried beyond their reach.

As soon as the open street was gained, the coachman had urged his horses forward, and in a very few minutes they reached the Porte Saint Antoine.