surrounding country, his illusions were put to flight.

Signal-lights gleamed upon every side. Montaignac seemed surrounded by a
circle of flame.

"These are the signals," murmured Chupin. "The rebels will be here
before two o'clock in the morning."

The duke made no response, but hastened to consult M. de Courtornieu.

He was striding toward his friend's house when, on hastily turning
a corner, he saw two men talking in a doorway, and on seeing the
glittering of the duke's epaulets, both of them took flight.

The duke instinctively started in pursuit, overtook one man, and seizing
him by the collar, he asked, sternly:

"Who are you? What is your name?"

The man was silent, and his captor shook him so roughly that two
pistols, which had been hidden under his long coat, fell to the ground.

"Ah, brigand!" exclaimed M. de Sairmeuse, "so you are one of the
conspirators against the King!"

Then, without another word, he dragged the man to the citadel, gave
him in charge of the astonished soldiers, and again started for M. de
Courtornieu's house.

He expected the marquis would be terrified; not in the least; he seemed