“You wished to know in what way this gentleman would die?” said Cagliostro with an odd smile; “have you ever seen a nobleman hanged?”
“Noblemen are privileged not to die by hanging.”
“Then it will be the more curious sight; be on the Strand when the Marquis of Favras is executed.” He conducted his visitor to the street door, and said: “When you wish to call on me without being seen and to see none but me, push this knob up and to the left, so—now, farewell—excuse me—I must not make those wait who have not long to live.”
He left Gilbert astounded by his assurance, which staggered him but could not vanquish his incredulity.
CHAPTER V.
THE CANDLE OMEN.
IN the meantime the Royal Family had continued their road to Paris. The pace was so slow and delayed that it was six o’clock before the carriage containing so much sorrow, hatred, passions and innocence, arrived at the city bars.
During the journey the Dauphin had complained of being hungry. There was no want of bread as many of the pikes and bayonets were holding up loaves and the Queen would have asked Gilbert to get one, if he had been by. She could not ask the mob, whom she held in horror.
“Wait till we are in the Tuileries Palace this evening,” she said, hugging the boy to her.
“But these men have plenty,” he protested.
“But that is theirs, not ours. And they went all the way to Versailles for it as there was none in Paris, these three days.”