"No, no! Shame!" "No ?" Blondel took up the word, his eyes sparkling, his adust complexion heated and full of fire.

"But it is--yes, they say! Yes, they say whom you have to thank if we have lost our clue, they who met me going to him but yesterday and threatened me! Threatened me!" he repeated, in a voice of astonishment.

"Me, who desired only, sought only, was going only to do my duty! I used, I admit the fault," he allowed his voice to drop to a tone more like his own, "words on that occasion that I now regret.

But is blood water?
Does no man besides Councillor Baudichon love his country?
Is the suspicion, the open suspicion of such an one, no insult, that he must cavil if he be repaid in insult?
I have given my proofs.

If any man can be trusted to sound the enemy, it is I! But I have done! Had Messer Baudichon not pressed me to issue the warrant, not driven me beyond my patience, it had not been issued yesterday.