Saint-Just looked the man over from head to foot, as if to make sure that he was not dealing with a madman.
"And you come, you say—" he asked.
"From your colleague Lebas."
"To tell me—"
The man lowered his voice again so that Charles could not hear what he said; as for the secretary, he had long since gone out to carry Saint-Just's decrees to the printer.
"Impossible," said the pro-consul, passing from hope to doubt; for the thing appeared incredible to him.
"Nevertheless, it is so," replied the messenger.
"But he would never dare!" said Saint-Just, setting his teeth and allowing a glance of hatred to escape his eyes.
"It is the Hussars of Death themselves who are guarding the gate and who will not allow it to be shut."
"The Kehl gate?"