He had tried most of these patriots in his own
golden crucible, and had weighed their patriotism against Austrian
money, and had never found the latter wanting.
He had not been here to-night if he were not quite sure. This
inveterate conspirator in the Royalist cause never took personal
risks. He looked on Heron now, smiling to himself the while with
perfect satisfaction.
"Very well," said the Committee's agent with sudden decision,
"I'll take the money. But on one condition."
"What is it?"
"That you leave little Capet alone."
"The Dauphin!"
"Call him what you like," said Heron, taking a step nearer to de
Batz, and from his great height glowering down in fierce hatred
and rage upon his accomplice; "call the young devil what you like,
but leave us to deal with him."
"To kill him, you mean? Well, how can I prevent it, my friend?"
"You and your like are always plotting to get him out of here. I
won't have it. I tell you I won't have it. If the brat disappears
I am a dead man. Robespierre and his gang have told me as much.
So you leave him alone, or I'll not raise a finger to help you, but
will lay my own hands on your accursed neck."
He looked so ferocious and so merciless then, that despite himself,
the selfish adventurer, the careless self-seeking intriguer, shuddered
with a quick wave of unreasoning terror.
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