"You've had a dream? ... A nightmare, eh?"
"Yes!" answered Robespierre, now himself again. "I have had a fearful dream." Then rising with difficulty, he fell exhausted on the chair which the watchman held out to him.
Barassin now told Robespierre the result of his quest. They had interrogated the prisoners, from bed to bed. The young man he sought was not among them.
Robespierre, still uneasy, and casting anxious and furtive glances in every corner, expressed his thanks.
Suddenly he rose and seized Barassin by the arm.
"Are we alone, here?" he asked.
"Why, yes!" answered the man in some surprise.
"Then let us go!" said Robespierre, impatiently, "let us go at once!"
Barassin took his lantern, and walked in front.
"This way!" he said, opening the wicket through which they had entered.