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〃Perhaps you do not remember me； citizen St。 Just。 I had not the
honour of the same close friendship with you as I had with your
charming sister。 My name is Chauvelin。 Can I be of any service to
you？〃
CHAPTER XVII
CHAUVELIN
Chauvelin！ The presence of this man here at this moment made the
events of the past few days seem more absolutely like a dream。
Chauvelin！the most deadly enemy he； Armand； and his sister
Marguerite had in the world。 Chauvelin！the evil genius that
presided over the Secret Service of the Republic。 Chauvelinthe
aristocrat turned revolutionary； the diplomat turned spy； the
baffled enemy of the Scarlet Pimpernel。
He stood there vaguely outlined in the gloom by the feeble rays of
an oil lamp fixed into the wall just above。 The moisture on his
sable clothes glistened in the flickering light like a thin veil
of crystal； it clung to the rim of his hat； to the folds of his
cloak； the ruffles at his throat and wrist hung limp and soiled。
He had released Armand's arm； and held his hands now underneath
his cloak； his pale； deep…set eyes rested gravely on the younger
man's face。
〃I had an idea； somehow；〃 continued Chauvelin calmly； 〃that you
and I would meet during your sojourn in Paris。 I heard from my
friend Heron that you had been in the city； he； unfortunately；
lost your track almost as soon as he had found it； and I； too； had
begun to fear that our mutual and ever enigmatical friend； the
Scarlet Pimpernel； had spirited you away； which would have been a
great disappointment to me。〃
Now he once more took hold of Armand by the elbow； but quite
gently； more like a comrade who is glad to have met another； and
is preparing to enjoy a pleasant conversation for a while。 He led
the way back to the gate； the sentinel saluting at sight of the
tricolour scarf which was visible underneath his cloak。 Under the
stone rampart Chauvelin paused。
It was quiet and private here。 The group of soldiers stood at the
further end of the archway； but they were out of hearing； and
their forms were only vaguely discernible in the surrounding
darkness。
Armand had followed his enemy mechanically like one bewitched and
irresponsible for his actions。 When Chauvelin paused he too stood
still； not because of the grip on his arm； but because of that
curious numbing of his will。
Vague； confused thoughts were floating through his brain； the most
dominant one among them being that Fate had effectually ordained
everything for the best。 Here was Chauvelin； a man who hated him；
who； of course； would wish to see him dead。 Well； surely it must
be an easier matter now to barter his own life for that of Jeanne；
she had only been arrested on suspicion of harbouring him； who was
a known traitor to the Republic； then； with his capture and speedy
death； her supposed guilt would； he hoped； be forgiven。 These
people could have no ill…will against her； and actors and
actresses were always leniently dealt with when possible。 Then
surely； surely； he could serve Jeanne best by his own arrest and
condemnation； than by working to rescue her from prison。
In the meanwhile Chauvelin shook the damp from off his cloak；
talking all the time in his own peculiar； gently ironical manner。
〃Lady Blakeney？〃 he was saying〃 I hope that she is well！〃
〃I thank you； sir；〃 murmured Armand mechanically。
〃And my dear friend； Sir Percy Blakeney？ I had hoped to meet him
in Paris。 Ah！ but no doubt he has been busy very busy； but I live
in hopesI live in hopes。 See how kindly Chance has treated me；〃
he continued in the same bland and mocking tones。 〃I was taking a
stroll in these parts； scarce hoping to meet a friend； when；
passing the postern…gate of this charming hostelry； whom should I
see but my amiable friend St。 Just striving to gain admission。
But； la！ here am I talking of myself； and I am not re…assured as
to your state of health。 You felt faint just now； did you not？
The air about this building is very dank and close。 I hope you
feel better now。 Command me； pray； if I can be of service to you
in any way。〃
Whilst Chauvelin talked he had drawn Armand after him into the
lodge of the concierge。 The young man now made a great effort to
pull himself vigorously together and to steady his nerves。
He had his wish。 He was inside the Temple prison now； not far
from Jeanne； and though his enemy was older and less vigorous than
himself； and the door of the concierge's lodge stood wide open； he
knew that he was in…deed as effectually a prisoner already as if
the door of one of the numerous cells in this gigantic building
had been bolted and barred upon him。
This knowledge helped him to recover his complete presence of
mind。 No thought of fighting or trying to escape his fate entered
his head for a moment。 It had been useless probably； and
undoubtedly it was better so。 If he only could see Jeanne； and
assure himself that she would be safe in consequence of his own
arrest； then； indeed； life could hold no greater happiness for
him。
Above all now he wanted to be cool and calculating； to curb the
excitement which the Latin blood in him called forth at every
mention of the loved one's name。 He tried to think of Percy； of
his calmness； his easy banter with an enemy； he resolved to act as
Percy would act under these circumstances。
Firstly； he steadied his voice； and drew his well…knit； slim
figure upright。 He called to mind all his friends in England；
with their rigid manners； their impassiveness in the face of
trying situations。 There was Lord Tony； for instance； always
ready with some boyish joke； with boyish impertinence always
hovering on his tongue。 Armand tried to emulate Lord Tony's
manner； and to borrow something of Percy's calm impudence。
〃Citizen Chauvelin；〃 he said； as soon as he felt quite sure of the
steadiness of his voice and the calmness of his manner； 〃I wonder
if you are quite certain that that light grip which you have on my
arm is sufficient to keep me here walking quietly by your side
instead of knocking you down； as I certainly feel inclined to do；
for I am a younger； more vigorous man than you。〃
〃H'm！〃 said Chauvelin； who made pretence to ponder over this
difficult problem； 〃like you； citizen St。 Just； I wonder〃
〃It could easily be done； you know。〃
〃Fairly easily；〃 rejoined the other； 〃but there is the guard； it
is numerous and strong in this building； and〃
〃The gloom would help me； it is dark in the corridors； and a
desperate man takes risks； remember〃
〃Quite so！ And you； citizen St。 Just； are a desperate man just
now。〃
〃My sister Marguerite is not here； citizen Chauvelin。 You cannot
barter my life for that of your enemy。〃
〃No！ no！ no！〃 rejoined Chauvelin blandly； 〃not for that of my
enemy； I know； but〃
Armand caught at his words like a drowning man at a reed。
〃For hers！〃 he exclaimed。
〃For hers？〃 queried the other with obvious puzzlement。
〃Mademoiselle Lange；〃 continued Armand with all the egoistic
ardour of the lover who believes that the attention of the entire
world is concentrated upon his beloved。
〃Mademoiselle Lange！ You will set her free now that I am in your
po