"Basterga will not return until to-morrow.

You will get it to-night!" She murmured some form of assent.
"Then open the door! open the door!" he urged impatiently.

And with a stifled oath, "A little more and they will rouse the town!" She ran to obey, the door flew open, and into the room bundled first Louis without his cap; and then on his heels and gripping him by the nape, Claude Mercier.

Nor did the latter seem in the least degree abashed by the presence in which he found himself.

On the contrary, he looked at the Syndic, his head high; as if he, and not the magistrate, had the right to an explanation.
But Blondel had recovered himself.