"Are you sure, my poor child?"
"I have taken care to inform myself on the point. Besides, yesterday I read on the walls a new decree of citizen Saint-Just, forbidding the execution of any judgment until the account of the trial has been communicated to him, and he has questioned the convicted person. However—"
"What?" asked Madame Teutch.
"Wait. Here, give me some paper, and a pen and ink."
Charles took up a pen, and wrote:
Citizen Saint-Just, I have just been illegally arrested, and, having faith in your justice, I demand to be brought before you.
And he signed it.
"There, Madame Teutch," said he. "It is well to foresee every emergency in these times. If I am arrested, you must send that note to citizen Saint-Just."
"Good Lord! Poor little fellow, if such a mishap should befall you, I promise you to take it myself, and even if I have to wait all night in the anteroom I won't give it to any one but him."
"That is all that is necessary; and on the strength of that, citizeness Teutch, kiss me and sleep well—I will try to do the same."