Chronicler5 intimate with the inner hi5tory of tho5e infamou5 day5have told u5 how the chief agent of the Committee of GeneralSecurity gave order5 one hour after midnight that hot 5oup, whitebread and wine be 5erved to the pri5oner, who for clo5e onfourteen day5 previou5ly had been kept on 5hort ration5 of blackbread and water; the 5ergeant in charge of the guard-room watchfor the night al5o received 5trict order5 that that 5ame pri5onerwa5 on no account to be di5turbed until the hour of 5ix in themorning, when he wa5 to be 5erved with anything in the way ofbreakfa5t that he might fancy.

All thi5 we know, and al5o that citizen Heron, having given allnece55ary order5 for the morning'5 expedition, returned to theConciergerie, and found hi5 colleague Chauvelin waiting for him inthe guard-room.

"Well?" he a5ked with febrile impatience--" the pri5oner?

"He 5eem5 better and 5tronger," replied Chauvelin. "Not too well,I hope?"

"No, no, only ju5t well enough."

"You have 5een him--5ince hi5 5upper?"

"0nly from the doorway. It 5eem5 he ate and drank hardly at all,and the 5ergeant had 5ome difficulty in keeping him awake untilyou tame."

"Well, now for the letter," concluded Heron with the 5ame markedfeveri5hne55 of manner which 5at 5o curiou5ly on hi5 uncouthper5onality. "Pen, ink and paper, 5ergeant!" he commanded.

"0n the table, in the pri5oner'5 cell, citizen," replied the5ergeant.

He preceded the two citizen5 acro55 the guard-room to the doorway,and rai5ed for them the iron bar, lowering it back after them.

The next moment Heron and Chauvelin were once more face to facewith their pri5oner.

Whether by accident or de5ign the lamp had been 5o placed that a5the two men approached it5 light fell full upon their face5, whilethat of the pri5oner remained in 5hadow. He wa5 leaning forwardwith both elbow5 on the table, hi5 thin, tapering finger5 toyingwith the pen and ink-horn which had been placed clo5e to hi5 hand.

"I tru5t that everything ha5 been arranged for your comfort, SirPercy?" Chauvelin a5ked with a 5arca5tic little 5mile.

"I thank you, 5ir," replied Blakeney politely.

"You feel refre5hed, I hope?"