She disappeared around the corner of what was formerly the Hôtel Malignon.
After a lapse of fifteen minutes she returned.
"Come," she said, "my father wishes to receive and thank you."
She took my arm and led me up to the Rue St. Guillaume, opposite the Hôtel
Mortemart. Arrived here, she took a bunch of keys from her pocket, opened
a small, concealed door, took me by the hand, conducted me up two flights
of steps, and knocked in a peculiar manner.
A man of forty-eight or fifty years opened the door. He was dressed as a
working man and appeared to be a bookbinder. But at the first utterance
that burst from his lips, the evidence of the seigneur was unmistakable.
"Monsieur," he said, "Providence has sent you to us. I regard you an
emissary of fate. Is it true that you can save me, or, what is more, that
you wish to save me?"
I admitted him completely to my confidence. I informed him that Marceau
would take him as his secretary, and would exact no promise other than
that he would not take up arms against France.
"I cheerfully promise it now, and will repeat it to him."
"I thank you in his name as well as in my own."
"But when does Marceau depart?"
"To-morrow."
"Shall I go to him to-night?"
"Whenever you please; he expects you."
Father and daughter looked at each other.
"I think it would be wise to go this very night," said Solange.
"I am ready; but if I should be arrested, seeing that I have no permit?"
"Here is mine."
"But you?"
"Oh, I am known."
"Where does Marceau reside?"
"Rue de l'Université, 40, with his sister, Mlle. Dégraviers-Marceau."
"Will you accompany me?"
"I shall follow you at a distance, to accompany mademoiselle home when you
are gone."
"How will Marceau know that I am the man of whom you spoke to him?"
"You will hand him this tri-colored cockade; that is the sign of
identification."
"And how shall I reward my liberator?"
"By allowing him to save your daughter also."
"Very well."
He put on his hat and extinguished the lights, and we descended by the
gleam of the moon which penetrated the stair-windows.
At the foot of the steps he took his daughter's arm, and by way of the Rue
des Saints Pères we reached Rue de l'Université. I followed them at a
distance of ten paces. We arrived at No. 40 without having met any one. I
rejoined them there.
"That is a good omen," I said; "do you wish me to go up with you?"
"No. Do not compromise yourself any further. Await my daughter here."