But though punishment be slow to overtake, it does overtake at last; nor has the world witnessed many instances more pertinent or more famous than that of Messer Blondel.

Strive as he might, tongues would wag within the council, and without.

Silence as he might Baudichon and Petitot, smaller men would talk; and their talk persisted and grew, and was vigorous when months and even years had passed.

What the great did not know the small knew or guessed, and fixed greedy eyes on the head of the man who had dared to sell Geneva.

The end came four years after the Escalade.