"No, he is dead," replied the other.
"Dead?" exclaimed Billet, shivering in spite of himself, and sponging his forehead on which the sweat had started out.
"Dead," repeated Charny, "for this is his blood which you see on me and which you were right just now in likening to that from his brother slain at Versailles. If you doubt, go down into the street where you will find his body laid out in a little yard, like that of Versailles, struck down for the same cause for which his brother fell."
Billet looked at the speaker, who spoke in a gentle voice, but with haggard eyes and a frightened face; then suddenly he cried:
"Of a truth, there is justice in heaven!" He darted out of the room, saying: "I do not doubt your word, lord, but I must assure my sight that justice is done."
Charny stifled a sigh as he watched him go, and dashed away a tear. Aware that there was not an instant to lose, he hurried to the Queen's room, and as soon as he walked directly up to her, he asked how she had got on with Romeuf.
"He is on our side," responded the lady.
"So much the better," said Charny, "for there is nothing to hope in that quarter."
"What are we to do then?"
"Gain time for Bouille to come up."