"After him, constables; be quick, he cannot have gone fifty yards."
Half a dozen men rushed into the street and looked in all directions. But Gaillard was not to be seen.
CHAPTER XX
UNCLE MICHELET
One April day a wave of excitement swept through the entire prison. It was repeated in every cell and whispered in every ear.
"The lion has been taken in the mesh! The great Danton is a prisoner in the Luxembourg!"
At first Tournay could not believe the report. It seemed as if those giant arms need but to be extended to break the bonds that held them, and allow their owner to walk out into the air a free man.
Yet it was indeed true, and one day, for a few moments only, Tournay had an opportunity to see and converse with the fallen chieftain as he stood in the door of his cell, talking in a loud voice to all who were near enough to hear him.
As Danton saw Colonel Tournay he ceased speaking and held out his hand. In his eyes there was a peculiar look which the latter understood.