He waited some time without hearing or seeing anything.  Two o’clock had rung out from a neighbouring church tower when a slight rustling caught his listening ear, and presently one of the four rascals—­the very man he had first seen—­emerged from the shadow into the bright light streaming out into the passage from his open door.  The baron had sprung to his feet at the first sound, and stood erect on the threshold, sword in hand, with such a lofty, heroic, and triumphant air, that Merindol—­for it was he—­passed quickly by, without offering to molest him, with a most deprecating, crestfallen expression; a laughable contrast to his habitual fierce insolence.  His three doughty comrades followed in quick succession—­but not one of them dared to attack de Sigognac, and they slunk out of sight as rapidly as possible.  He saluted each one with a mocking gesture as he passed, and stood tranquilly watching them as long as he could see them.  In a few minutes he had the satisfaction of hearing the stamping of horses’ feet in the court-yard below, then the opening of the outer door to let them pass out into the street, and finally a great clattering of hoofs as they galloped off down the Rue Dauphine.

At breakfast the next morning the tyrant said to de Sigognac, “Captain, doesn’t your curiosity prompt you to go out and look about you a little in this great city—­one of the finest in the world, and of such high renown in history?  If it is agreeable to you I will be your guide and pilot, for I have been familiar from my youth up with the rocks and reefs, the straits and shallows, the scyllas and charybdises of this seething ocean, which are often so dangerous—­sometimes so fatal—­to strangers, and more especially to inexperienced country people.  I will be your Palinurus—­but I promise you that I shall not allow myself to be caught napping, and so fall overboard, like him that Virgil tells us about.  We are admirably located here for sight-seeing; the Pont-Neuf, which is close at hand, you know, is to Paris what the Sacra Via was to ancient Rome—­the great resort and rallying place of high and low, great and small, noble men, gentlemen, bourgeois, working men, rogues and vagabonds.  Men of every rank and profession under the sun are to be found gathered together at this general rendezvous.”

“Your kind proposition pleases me greatly, my good Herode,” de Sigognac replied, “and I accept it with thanks; but be sure to tell Scapin that he must remain here, and keep a sharp watch over all who come and go; and, above all, that he must not let any one gain access to Isabelle.  The Duke of Vallombreuse has not given up his designs against her and me—­I feel very anxious about her safety,” and therewith he recounted the occurrences of the preceding night.

“I don’t believe they would dare to attempt anything in broad daylight,” said the tyrant; “still it is best to err on the safe side, and we will leave Scapin, Blazius and Leander to keep guard over Isabelle while we are out.  And, by the way, I will take my sword with me, too, so that I can be of some assistance in case they should find an opportunity to fall upon you in the streets.”