“I have marked them on the map. The best is through Reims, but I was consecrated there and would be recognized by many. I choose the Chalons Road via Vacennes and going round Verdun. Let the regiments be posted in the petty towns between Chalons and Montmedy: I see no inconvenience in the first detachment awaiting me in the former place.”
“Sire, the location of the regiments will have to be settled. By the way, the King should know that there is no posting-house at Varennes.”
“I am glad you are so well informed,” observed the King, merrily; “it shows you have deeply studied the plans. But do not worry about such matters. Charny is my engineer, who has drawn up the maps and he will see to the supply of horses.”
“And now, Sire, that all is arranged on the main lines,” said the young conspirator, “will your Majesty allow me to quote some lines from an Italian author, which my father thought appropriate to the situation? They are:
“Delay is always prejudicial, and there is no wholly favorable time in any business; hence if one were to wait for a perfect chance, nothing would ever be done, or if done be bungled.”
“That is Machiavelli,” said the King. “I will remember the advice of that secretary to the Magnificent Republic of Venice. But hush! I hear steps—it is Gamain; let us go to meet him so that he may not think we were busy about something else than the cupboard the lock is for.”
He opened the secret door, in time, for the master locksmith was there, with the lock in his hand and a grin on his face.
CHAPTER XXVII.
THE FRIEND OF THE FALLEN.
AT eight that same evening, a workingman, holding his hand to his waistcoat pocket as though it contained money in larger quantity than usual, staggered out of the Tuileries Palace and meandered along the road to the Soapworks Wharfside. It was there a strolling ground with drinking resorts along the line. On Sundays and holidays, it was thronged; on other days lonesome.
This man passed the wine-stores with much difficulty but for a period temperance triumphed; but when it came to the twentieth saloon on the route, it was too much, and he entered the next one for—only one glass.