The bitterness of despair was in his tones.  Then, perhaps, the sullen, savage crowd had wrought their last act of anger and revenge on him, had it not been for a sudden change in that tide of ill fortune that now seemed to carry him forward to his doom.  There came a sound of far-off cries, a distant clacking of hoofs, the clatter of steel, many shouts, entreaties and commands.  The close-packed crowd which filled the open space in front of the hotel writhed, twisted, turned and would have sought to resolve itself into groups and individuals.  Some cried out that the troops were coming.  A detachment of the king’s household, sent out to disperse these dangerous gatherings, came full front down the street, as had so often come the arm of the military in this turbulent old city of Paris.  Remorselessly they rode over and through the mob, driving them, dispersing them.  A moment later, and Law stood almost alone at the steps of his own house.  The squadron wheeled, headed by an officer, who rode upon him with sword uplifted as though to cut him down.  Law raised his hand at this new menace.

“Stop!” he cried.  “I am the cause of this rioting.  I am John Law.”

“What!  Monsieur L’as?” cried the lieutenant.  “So the people have found you, have they?”

“It would so seem.  They have destroyed my carriage, and they would have killed me,” replied Law.  “But I perceive it is Captain Mirabec.  ’Twas I who got you your commission, as you may remember.”

“Is it so?” replied the other, with a grin.  “I have no recollection.  Since you are Jean L’as, the late director-general, the pity is I did not let the people kill you.  You are the cause of the ruin of us all, the cause of my own ruin.  Three days more, and I had been a major-general.  I had nearly the sum in actions ready to pay over at the right place.  By our Lady of Grace, I am minded to run you through myself, for a greater villain never set foot in France!”

“Monsieur, I am about to leave France,” said Law.

“Oh, you would leave us?  You would run away?”

“As you like.  But most of all, I am now very weary.  I would not remain here longer talking.  Henri, where are you?”

The faithful Swiss, who had remained close to his employer all the time, and who had been not far from his side during the scenes just concluded, was in a moment at his side.  He hardly reached his master too soon, for as he passed his arm about him, the head of Law sank wearily forward.  He might, perhaps, have sunk to the ground had he lacked a supporting arm.

At this moment there came again the sound of hoofs upon the pavement.  There was the rush of a mounted outrider, and hard after him sped the horses of a carriage, whose driver pulled up close at the curb and scarce clear of the little group gathered there.  The door of the coach was opened, and at it appeared the figure of a woman, who quickly descended from the step.