“It is true, we are all lost if he discovers the conspiracy.  As I said, the work must be accomplished within a week, or you and all your companions, all the members of the society, will be imperiled.  The emperor has his suspicions; if he becomes certain, your death-sentence will be signed.  You hate Bonaparte.  You are an adherent of the Count de Lille.  You desire to replace the legitimate King Louis XVIII. upon the throne of his ancestors.  Well, to accomplish this, Bonaparte must fall.  Help to overthrow him, help to rid the world of this monster, who feeds upon the blood of all the youth of Europe, and you will be sure of the gratitude of your king.  He has a general’s commission ready for you, promises orders and a title, and he will keep his royal word.”

“And what is asked of me?  What part have I to perform?”

“The part of a man who is blind and deaf, colonel.  You are commander of the military police, and your officials will perhaps spy out the conspiracy and make reports to you.  You will be deaf to these reports, and order your subordinates to be the same.  You are on the staff of the present Governor-general of Vienna, Count Andreossy, and it is your task not merely to hear, but also to see what is occurring in the capital.  But, during the next few days, you will have the kindness to be blind and see nothing that is passing around you, not to notice the preparations that attract the attention of the suspicious.  You will give the same directions to your confidant, our fellow-conspirator, Captain de Guesniard, and if our enterprise is endangered, you will warn us through him, as we will communicate to you, by the same person, what other aid we expect from you.  Are you ready to fulfill these demands?”

“Yes, baron, I am ready.  I hate Napoleon and I love the legitimate king of France.  So I have no choice.  I will risk my life to serve the king, for the kings of France have been kind and gracious lords to my family for centuries, and we owe them all that we are.  I am ready to prove my gratitude by deeds, and I hope that, if I fall in the service of the king, he will have pity on my wife and my two children as soon as he himself returns to France.  I will fulfill your commands.  I will play the part of one who is blind and deaf.  I will see and hear nothing, warn no one, unless I am forced to warn the conspirators.”

“In that case you will have the kindness to send your friend, Captain de Guesniard, to St. Stephens.  One of our emissaries will be waiting night and day at the entrance of the main door of the cathedral, and every message he receives will be faithfully brought to us.”

“But who will it be?  How is De Guesniard to recognize your confidant?”

“Who will it be?  To-day our messenger at the door of St. Stephens will be a beggar-woman, to-morrow perhaps a blind cripple, the day after a priest, a lady, or some other person who would not rouse suspicion.  The token by which to recognize the envoy will be a strip of blue paper, held in the left hand.”