Part 160 (2/2)

”Yes, monsieur; it is from the chapel.”

”They are to take us to the chapel, then?”

”Yes; that is the custom.”

”The custom?”

”Yes; it is customary to allow every one condemned to death to pa.s.s the night in the chapel.”

Coconnas and La Mole shuddered and glanced at each other.

”You think we are condemned to death, then?”

”Certainly. You, too, must think so.”

”Why should we think so?” asked La Mole.

”Certainly; otherwise you would not have arranged everything for your escape.”

”Do you know, there is reason in what he says!” said Coconnas to La Mole.

”Yes; and what I know besides is that we are playing a close game, apparently.”

”But do you think I am risking nothing?” said the turnkey. ”If in a moment of excitement monsieur should make a mistake”--

”Well! by Heaven! I wish I were in your place,” said Coconnas, slowly, ”and had to deal with no hand but this; with no sword except the one which is to graze you.”

”Condemned to death!” murmured La Mole, ”why, that is impossible!”

”Impossible!” said the turnkey, navely, ”and why?”

”Hus.h.!.+” said Coconnas, ”I think some one is opening the lower door.”

”To your cells, gentlemen, to your cells!” cried the jailer, hurriedly.

”When do you think the trial will take place?” asked La Mole.

”To-morrow, or later. But be easy; those who must be informed shall be.”

”Then let us embrace each other and bid farewell to these walls.”

The two friends rushed into each other's arms and then returned to their cells, La Mole sighing, Coconnas singing.

Nothing new happened until seven o'clock. Night fell dark and rainy over the prison of Vincennes, a perfect night for flight. The evening meal was brought to Coconnas, who ate with his usual appet.i.te, thinking of the pleasure he would feel in being soaked in the rain, which was pattering against the walls, and already preparing himself to fall asleep to the dull, monotonous murmur of the wind, when suddenly it seemed to him that this wind, to which he occasionally listened with a feeling of melancholy never before experienced by him until he came to prison, whistled more strangely than usual under the doors, and that the stove roared with a louder noise than common. This had happened every time one of the cells above or opposite him was opened. It was by this noise that Annibal always knew the jailer was coming from La Mole's cell.

But this time it was in vain that Coconnas remained with eye and ear alert.

The moments pa.s.sed; no one came.

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