"You are right, citizen, for the fellow looked d—d suspicious," said one of the men, Didier, who played the part of a Trivtay l'Ermite to the Incorruptible.
"How is that?" interrupted Robespierre, starting.
Then Didier, who had just heard it from one of his agents on watch in the neighbourhood, told Robespierre of the interview between Clarisse and Vaughan at the place they were standing. He also described the hurried departure of Clarisse when Robespierre arrived, and how she had then flown, in all haste, to her house, a few steps off, and shut herself in.
This was too much for Robespierre, whose misgivings had been already awakened.
"What! a third person, a stranger, was cognizant of my interview with the Englishman? Let that woman be arrested instantly," he exclaimed.
"But there are two of them," said Didier, "mother and daughter."
"Then have them both arrested! Arrest the three of them, for there is also a son, I believe!"
"Yes, but he is not there at this moment," said Didier.
"Then arrest him when he returns!"
Didier gave the order to his companion, and returned to Robespierre.