CHAPTER VII 

The 2d of September 

Victor de Gisons was, as usual, waiting near the door when Harry left Louise Moulin's. 

"What is the news, Henri? Nothing suspicious, I hope? You are out sooner than usual." 

"Yes, for I have something to think of. Here have we been planning in vain for the last fortnight to hit upon some scheme for getting our friends out of prison, and Jeanne has pointed out a way which you and I never thought of." 

"What is that, Henri?" 

"The simplest thing in the world, namely, that we should seize one of the leaders of these villains and compel him to sign an order for their release." 

"That certainly seems possible," Victor said. "I wonder it never occurred to either of us. But how is it to be done?" 

"Ah, that is for us to think out! Jeanne has given us the idea, and we should be stupid if we cannot invent the details. In the first place we have got to settle which of them it had better be, and in the next how it is to be managed. It must be some one whose signature the people at the prison would be sure to obey." 

"Then," Victor said, "it must be either Danton or Robespierre." 

"Or Marat," Harry added; "I think he is as powerful as either of the others." 

"He is the worst of them, anyhow," Victor said. "There is something straightforward about Danton. No doubt he is ambitious, but I think his hatred of us all is real. He is a terrible enemy, and will certainly stick at nothing. He is ruthless and pitiless, but I do not think he is double-faced. Robespierre is ambitious too, but I think he is really acting according to his principles, such as they are. He would be pitiless too, but he would murder on principle. 
Was someone plotting something?
What was it?
Who suggested that?
Who pointed out her idea?
Was he sharing this with Louise?
Who was he speaking to?
Had they visited Louise together?
Had the idea ever crossed their minds before now?
What was the idea?
How would they do that?
Was it an elaborate plan?
Could they agree on a target?
Who did Victor suggest?
What about Harry?
Why him?
According to whom?
What about Danton?
Is he a determined person that sees things through?
Who is driven?
Where was someone waiting initially?
yes
Here have we been planning
getting friends out of prison,
some scheme for getting our friends out of prison,
Jeanne
Jeanne has pointed out a way
Henri
What is the news, Henri
no
Victor de Gisons was, as usual, waiting near the door when Harry left Louise Moulin's. 

Victor
That certainly seems possible," Victor
No
Victor de Gisons was, as usual, waiting near the door when Harry left Louise Moulin's.
No
"I wonder it never occurred to either of us.
Get a leader to sign a release
seize one of the leaders of these villains and compel him to sign an order for their release." 
seize one
seize one of the leaders of these villains and compel 
No
The simplest thing in the world
no
"Then," Victor said, "it must be either Danton or Robespierre." 

"Or Marat," Harry added;
Danton or Robespierre.
Danton or Robespierre.
Marat
Or Marat
He is the worst
He is the worst of them, anyhow,
Victor
He is the worst of them, anyhow," Victor said
ruthless and pitiless
 straightforward about Danton. No doubt he is ambitious, but I think his hatred of us all is real. He is a terrible enemy, and will certainly stick at nothing. He is ruthless and pitiless,
no
and will certainly stick at nothing
Robespierre
 Robespierre is ambitious too,
the door
 waiting near the door 