We went back to the boulevards again from the office of the National. At the top of the rue Montmartre we heard what sounded like firing, in the direction of the Palais-Royal. It was nearly seven o'clock in the evening.
"Hah! What is that?" I asked Carrel.
"By Jove!" he answered, "it was a volley being fired."
"Well, will you come along and see?"
"Good gracious no!" he replied. "I shall turn in home."
"I mean to go," I said.
"Go, then; but don't be fool enough to get drawn into things!"
"No fear. Adieu!"
"Adieu!"
Carrel walked away with his calm and measured step, along the faubourg Montmartre, whilst I dashed off at a run for the place de la Bourse. I had not gone fifty yards before I met Dr. Thibaut. He looked very important.