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Rh and Pascal told him what had occurred and what was needed.

"They'll come and make you a speech, a round hundred of 'em," said Dubois, with a gesture of contempt. "But I would not trust to one of them to act like a sensible man."

"But can you find one to identify Gerard and get him away?"

"No. They'd think I had some underhand plan and waste half the day in talking about it, and another half in making up their minds and"

"Stay, man, don't take example by them or you'll split my ear drums with your growling. Can it be done?"

"Babillon might do it."

"Where is he?"

"I don't know."

"Where are you going?"

"Anywhere out of the reach of their cackling. They're going to meet again at mid-day for some more babble—babble. Why did you all leave Malincourt?"

"The Governor surrounded it and made two attempts to get it in the night."

"These wise men say they waited on him after the firing and he assured them there was to be nothing more done, and that he intended simply to sit down before the maison and wait for you all to come out. To starve you out, that meant. He's recalled all the search parties; you can see that for yourself."

"Well, we're out now, and want to leave the city."

"Where are you to be found?"

"At Babillon's house. You know that?"

"You'd have been safer in the maison. I'll do this. I'll try and find Babillon, and if I succeed in getting some one to vouch for you, will come to this house. You had better go there and explain things, and what mouthing numskulls these precious burghers are."