"I only know, Citizeness Capet," said the horrible woman, gnashing her teeth, "that you are the cause of all the misery of the people; and also that I have reason to suspect you, and you know it."
Four men waited at the door, to assist Tison's wife, if the queen offered any resistance.
The search commenced on the queen.
There was found on her person a handkerchief tied in three knots, which unfortunately appeared a reply to the one spoken of by Tison; a pencil, a scapulary, and some sealing-wax.
"Ah! I knew it," said Tison's wife; "I have often told the municipals she wrote, the Austrian! The other day I found a lump of sealing-wax in the socket of the candlestick."
"Ah, Madame," said the queen, in a supplicating tone, "only show the scapulary, I entreat you."
"Yes," said the woman, "I feel pity for you, who have felt so much pity for me to take my daughter from me."
Madame Elizabeth and Madame Royale had nothing found upon them.
The woman Tison recalled the municipals, who entered, Santerre at their head. She showed them the articles found upon the queen, which, as they passed from hand to hand, afforded subject for an infinite variety of conjectures; but the handkerchief tied in three knots excited, above all, the imagination of these persecutors of the royal race.