THE CITIZEN GRACCHUS.
For an instant the three men remained motionless at the entrance to the vault, while the turnkey plunged his lantern into the opening without being able to penetrate its depth. The architect triumphantly exulted over his companions from the summit of his genius.
"Well!" said he, at length.
"Faith! yes," replied Santerre, "here incontestably is the passage. It only remains to know where it leads to."
"Yes," repeated Richard, "it remains to know that."
"Well, then, descend yourself, Citizen Richard, and then you will see if I have told you the truth."
"I have something better to do than go in there," said the porter. "We will return with you and the general to the Conciergerie. There you can raise the hearthstone, and we shall see."
"Very well," said Santerre, "we will return."
"But we must be careful," said the architect; "this stone remaining unclosed may suggest an idea to some one."
"Who the devil do you imagine ever comes here at this hour?" said Santerre.