IN THE HOSPITAL.
Gilbert had obeyed Cagliostro's injunction to go to the Groscaillou Hospital to attend to a patient.
At this period hospitals were far from being organized as at present, particularly military ones like this which was receiving the injured in the massacre, while the dead were bundled into the river to save burial expenses and hide the extent of the crime of Lafayette and Bailly.
Gilbert was welcomed by the overworked surgeons amid the disorder which opposed their desires being fulfilled.
Suddenly in the maze, he heard a voice which he knew but had not expected there.
"Ange Pitou," he exclaimed, seeing the peasant in National Guards uniform by a bed; "what about Billet?"
"He is here," was the answer, as he showed a motionless body. "His head is split to the jaw."
"It is a serious wound," said Gilbert, examining the hurt. "You must find me a private room; this is a friend of mine," he added to the male nurses.
There were no private rooms but they gave up the laundry to Dr. Gilbert's special patient. Billet groaned as they carried him thither.
"Ah," said the doctor, "never did an exclamation of pleasure give me such joy as that wrung by pain; he lives—that is the main point."