It appeared as if he wanted to make himself believe in the potency of the spell he exercised.
While he was apparently peacefully proceeding, he was framing a plan of action. It was finished as he reached the paving stones of Sevres. He stopped at the Park gates as if he expected somebody. Almost instantly a man emerged from a coach-doorway and came to him.
It was his German attendant Fritz.
“Have you gathered information?” asked the master.
“Yes, Lady Dubarry is in Paris.”
Balsamo raised a triumphant glance to heaven.
“How did you come?”
“On Sultan, now ready saddled in the inn stables here.”
He went for the horse and came back on its back.
Balsamo was writing under the lantern of the town tax-gatherer’s office door with a pen which was self-fed with ink.