The police led the way on foot.
They were obliged to pass before Euloge Schneider's house in order to reach the prison. For a moment Charles thought of asking to be led before the man to whom he had brought a letter of recommendation, and with whom he had dined the day previous; but he saw the guillotine before the door, and near it an empty carriage, while on the doorstep stood Master Nicholas. Remembering what had occurred there, he shook his head in disgust, murmuring as he did so: "Poor Mademoiselle de Brumpt! God help her!"
The boy believed in God; it is true he was but a child.
[CHAPTER X]
SCHNEIDER'S JOURNEY
Scarcely had Charles and the men who were conducting him passed Schneider's door than it opened, and the Commissioner of the Republic came out, glanced tenderly at the instrument of death, packed neatly in a cart, made a slight sign of friendly greeting to Master Nicholas, and got into the empty carriage. Standing there for an instant, he said to Master Nicholas: "And you?"
The latter pointed to a sort of cab that was rapidly approaching which contained two men, his assistants; the cab was his own conveyance.
Everything was in readiness—the accuser, the executioner, and the guillotine.