"À bas la guillotine!" cried François. "Down with the Terror!"
The crowd thickened, and went its way with wild cries. Meanwhile the boy Des Illes was lost, and madame in tears. They went on, asking questions, and hearing of the execution of Robespierre, Couthon, Saint-Just, and the rest. The thief said: "Let us go straight to M. des Illes's house."
At the door madame fell into her husband's arms; and soon after dusk the boy came running back with his father, who had gone out to search for him.
Then all was hastily made clear, and the long story told of Des Illes's release, and how he had found the dog, and in the cave the Jacobins both dead, and of his vain efforts to discover his own people. They were fed and reclothed; and now, it being ten at night of this 10th Thermidor, François rose. "I must go," he said.
"You? Never!" said madame. "Our house is your home for life. You will wander and sin no more."
On this, François looked about him, from one kind face to another, and sat down, and broke into tears.
"It shall be as madame desires. I am her servant."
And this is the end of the adventures of François, the thief. Let who will judge him.
EPILOGUE
Wherein is some further account of François and of those who helped him.