"Well," said the municipal, who having placed the prisoners in security anxiously awaited the news,—"well, what have you discovered?"
"Parbleu!" said the officer, reappearing, "it was doubtless a conspiracy; the aristocrats wanted to carry off the queen during her walk, and she was probably in collusion with them."
"Plague take it!" cried the municipal, "send some one for the Citizen Santerre, and inform the Commune!"
"Soldiers," said the officer, "remain in this cellar, and if any one presents himself, kill him!"
And the officer, having given this order, ascended the winding stair to make his report.
"Ah! ah!" said Simon, rubbing his hands, "ah! ah! will they still say I am a fool? Brave Jet! Jet is a famous patriot; Jet has saved the Republic. Come here, Jet, come!"
And the brute who had coaxed the poor little dog, the moment he approached him, raised his foot and kicked him to a distance of several feet.
"I like you, Jet," said he; "ah, you will cut your mistress's throat! Come here, Jet, come!"
But this time instead of obeying him, Jet ran away howling, on the road toward the keep.