"If you named that leader to me now, if you described him, we could
go to work more easily. You could name him, and you would, Citizen
Chauvelin."

"I cannot," retorted Chauvelin doggedly.

"Ah! but I think you could. But there! I do not blame your silence.
You would wish to reap the reward of your own victory, to be the
instrument of your own revenge. Passions! I think it natural! But in
the name of your own safety, Citizen, do not be too greedy with your
secret. If the man is known to you, find him again, find him, lure him
to France! We want him--the people want him! And if the people do
not get what they want, they will turn on those who have withheld
their prey."

"I understand, Citizen, that your own safety and that of your
government is involved in this renewed attempt to capture the Scarlet
Pimpernel," retorted Chauvelin drily.

"And your head, Citizen Chauvelin," concluded Robespierre.

"Nay! I know that well enough, and you may believe me, and you
will, Citizen, when I say that I care but little about that. The question
is, if I am to lure that man to France what will you and your
government do to help me?"

"Everything," replied Robespierre, "provided you have a definite plan
and a definite purpose.

"I have both. But I must go to England in, at least, a semi-official