Then he paused a little, and began to think again.

Gradually the summer twilight faded, and the room grew dark.
"Perhaps we shall tide over to-night, after all--who knows ?" said Lomaque, ringing his handbell for lights.

They were brought in, and with them ominously returned the police agent Magloire with a small sealed packet.

It contained an arrest-order and a tiny three-cornered note, looking more like a love-letter, or a lady's invitation to a party, than anything else.

Lomaque opened the note eagerly and read these lines neatly written, and signed with Robespierre's initials--M.