"Citizen members of the Com. of Public Safety:"
"Lantenac is taken. He will be executed to-morrow."
After dating and signing the despatch he folded and sealed it, and then handed it to the messenger, who took his leave.
Whereupon Cimourdain said in a loud voice,—
"Open the dungeon."
Two gendarmes drew back the bolts, opened the dungeon, and went in.
Cimourdain raised his head, crossed his arms, glanced at the door, and exclaimed:—
"Bring forth the prisoner!"
Beneath the archway of the open door appeared a man between the two gendarmes.
It was Gauvain.