The Governor listened, his angry eyes fixed on Gabrielle.
“And if he lives?”
“I will do all you have asked.”
“No,” cried Gerard loudly. “I will not take my life on such a condition.”
A moment’s pause of acute suspense followed. Then the Governor nodded and said curtly—
“It is enough. You have saved his life, mademoiselle. He shall go free. But first take him to the Castle.”
And in a few minutes the troops were on their way to the Castle, with Gerard in their midst, once more a prisoner.
CHAPTER XXIX
IN THE HALL OF AUDIENCE
SOME three or four hours after the rioting in the market place, Pascal and Lucette, who had been hurried to the Castle from Babillon’s house, were led to the Great Hall of Audience and placed in the midst of the large crowd of townsfolk who had been taken prisoners by the troops.
They were all herded together in a space about mid-way down the southern side of the Great Hall, in a space set apart by strong barriers and guarded by a ring of soldiers. Two other companies of soldiers were present, each about fifty in number, and they were drawn up one on each side of the daïs at the eastern end, where stood the Governor’s seat of audience and judgment.