"Ah! you said Saint Thomas."
"Yes, as you said 'the queen,' from mere habit; but they cannot accuse me of conspiring for him."
"Nor me for the queen."
After this retort the architect delicately placed his rule, reckoned the distance, then stopped, having apparently finished his calculation, and struck upon a particular stone.
This was the identical stone struck by the Citizen Théodore in his fit of frantic rage.
"It is here, Citizen General," said the architect.
"You fancy so, Citizen Giraud."
Our concealed patriot so far forgot himself as to strike his thigh with his clinched fist, at the same time groaning deeply.
"I am positive," said Giraud; "and your examination, combined with my report, will prove to the Convention that I have not been deceived. Yes, Citizen General," continued the architect, with emphasis, "this stone opens upon a subterranean passage, terminating at the register-office, and passing below the cell of the Widow Capet. Let us raise the stone; descend with me into the vault, and I will convince you that two men, even one man, could effect a rescue in a single night, without any one suspecting it."
A murmur of terror and admiration, elicited by the architect's words, ran through the group, and faintly reached the Citizen Théodore, who seemed turned to stone.