Fouquier made a leap backward, while Simon raised his arms toward heaven.
"Is this the truth?" they exclaimed, both together.
"The pure truth; will you take them?"
"At once. Where are they?"
"I met the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge in the Rue de la Grande Tissanderie."
"You are mistaken; he is not in Paris," replied Fouquier.
"I tell you I have seen him."
"Impossible! a hundred men have been sent in pursuit of him; he would not show himself in the streets of Paris."
"It was he, by Heaven!" said the patriot. "A tall dark man, as strong as three and bearded like the pard."