will suspect what the paper contains, and they will all grab at it
and tear it in bits."

The servant slid, with a quick motion, a little folded paper into
the hand of the young man, who thanked him for it with a nod and a
smile, and then quickly dropped his arm, and forced his way in
another direction through the crowd. Soon, thanks to his youth and
his skill, he had worked through the dense mass; then with a flying
step he sped through the street next to the square, then more
swiftly still through the side streets and alleys, till he reached
the gate that led out to the street of Versailles. Outside of this
there was a young man in a blue blouse, who, in an idle and listless
manner, was leading a bridled horse up and down the road.

"Halloo, Richard, come here!" cried the young man.

"Ah! Mr. Toulan," shouted the lad in the blouse, running up with the
horse. "You have come at last, Mr. Toulan. I have been already
waiting eight hours for you."

"I will give you a franc for every hour," said Mr. Toulan, swinging
himself into the saddle. "Now go home, Richard, and greet my
sweetheart, if you see her."

He gave his horse a smart stroke, pressed the spurs into his flanks,
and the powerful creature sped like an arrow from a bow along the
road to Versailles.

In Versailles, too, and in the royal palace, this day had been
awaited with anxious expectations. The king, after ending his daily