"Well, what is it?" asked Thugut.

"Your excellency, the chief of police sends word that his men are
posted at all the doors of the palace, and will prevent anybody from
getting out. He has cleared the streets, besides, and dispersed the
rioters. The chief of police, who is in the hall below, where he is
engaged in taking down the names of the criminals who are yet in the
house, asks for your excellency's further orders."

"Ah, he does not suspect that his own chief, the minister of police
is present," said Thugut, turning with a smile to Count Saurau, who,
being condemned to witness this scene in the capacity of an idle and
passive spectator, had withdrawn into a bay-window, where he had
quietly listened to the whole proceedings.

"My dear count, will you permit the chief of police to come here and
report to yourself?" asked Thugut.

"I pray you to give him this permission," replied the count,
approaching his colleague.

Germain hastened back to the policemen in the anteroom.

"And what are we--?" asked Mr. Wenzel, timidly.

"You will wait!" thundered the minister. "Withdraw into yonder
corner! may be the chief of police will not see you there."

They withdrew tremblingly into one of the corners of the ante-room,
and did not even dare to whisper to each other, but the glances they