that they would just arrive in time to be stopped at the gates, and in a
few hours we should be masters of Paris."

"Very good; but supposing all this accomplished, the watch disarmed, the
authorities disappeared, and all obstacles removed, what do you mean to
do?"

"Form a new government of honest people. As for ourselves, so long as
our commerce is successful, and we have enough for our wives and
children, we care for little else. Some among us might desire a command,
and they should have it. We are not difficult to satisfy."

"I know you are all honest, and would not suffer a mixture in your
ranks."

"No, no!" cried several voices.

"Now, M. Poulain," said the duke, "are there many idlers and bad people
in the Ile de France?"

Nicholas Poulain, who had hitherto kept in the background, was now
forced to advance. "Certainly, monseigneur, there are a great many," he
replied.

"Could you guess at their number?"

"About four thousand thieves, three thousand or more beggars, and four
or five hundred assassins."

"Well, there are at least eight thousand good-for-nothings; of what