"About four thousand thieves, three thousand or more beggars, and four or five hundred assassins."
"Well, there are at least eight thousand good-for-nothings; of what religion are they?"
Poulain laughed. "Of all, monseigneur; or, rather, of none; gold is their god, and blood their prophet."
"Yes; but their politics? Are they Valois, Leaguers, Navarrais, or what?"
"Robbers only."
"Monseigneur," said Cruce, "do not suppose that we mean to take these people for allies!"
"No, I do not suppose so; and that is what disturbs me."
"And why so, monseigneur?" they asked with surprise.
"Because as soon as there are no longer magistrates in Paris, as soon as there is no longer royalty, or public force, or anything to restrain them, they will begin to pillage your shops while you fight, and your houses while you occupy the Louvre. Sometimes they will join the Swiss against you, and sometimes you against the Swiss, so that they will always be the strongest."
"Diable!" cried the deputies, looking at each other.