Are you girt and ready for the harvesting ?" "We are ready," said Gaspard.

His voice shook with fury, but the Jacobin took it for enthusiasm.

He held up his hand in blessing and fluttered back to the archway.
From inside the courtyard came the sound of something falling, and then a great shout.

The mob had jumped to a conclusion.

"That is the end of old Toothpick," a voice cried, using the Admiral's nickname There was a wild surge round the horsemen, but the ring held.