"Well, what have they decided on?" said Duchesne, when the turnkey's cough had subsided.
"It is settled that she shall remain here, but that her trial shall take place immediately."
"Poor woman!" said Gilbert.
Duchesne, whose sense of hearing was no doubt more acute than that of his colleague, or his attention less engrossed by the recital of Mardoche, stooped down to listen on the left side of the compartment.
The turnkey saw the movement.
"So you see, Citizen Duchesne," said he, in an animated tone, "the attempts of the conspirators will become the more desperate from the fact of their having less time before them for their execution. They are going to double the guards of the prisons; so look out, Citizen Gendarme, since the matter in question is nothing less than the irruption of an armed force into the Conciergerie. They will murder all, sacrifice every impediment, till they effect an entrance to the queen,—to the widow of Capet, I mean to say."
"Ah! bah! How can these conspirators of yours get in?"
"Disguised as patriots, they will pretend to recommence the 2d of September, the rascals! and when once the gates are open, good-night!"
There was an instant's silence, produced by the astonishment of the guards.
The turnkey heard with emotions of joy and terror the continued grating of the file. Nine o'clock struck.