Now, how shall I word it ?" he said, taking up a pen; and Harry dictated: "I hereby recommend Citizen Henri Sandwith, age 19, who has been acting as my confidential secretary, to all public authorities, together with Citoyenne Moulin and her two grandchildren, with whom he is travelling." To this Robespierre signed his name and handed the paper to Harry.
"How long will you be before you return ?" he asked.
"I cannot say exactly," Harry replied; "as after I have seen them to their destination I may stop with them for a few weeks." Robespierre nodded and held out his hand.
"I shall be glad to have you with me again, for I have conceived a strong friendship for you, and think none the worse of you for your showing your gratitude to the family in whom you are interested." Harry then went into the kitchen, where Robespierre's sister was preparing the next meal, and said good-bye to her.
She had taken a fancy to her brother's young secretary, and expressed a hope that his absence would be but a short one, telling him that Robespierre had said only the day before how much work he had saved him, and that he was determined to push his fortunes to the utmost.
Having thus paved the way for an appeal to Robespierre should he find himself in difficulties on the road, Harry proceeded to Jacques' house and waited there until it was time to go up to meet Louise and the girls.
Victor did not wake until the afternoon.

The doctor had called as usual, but had not roused him.

He had been told what had taken place, and had held out hope to Marie that Victor's improvement would be permanent, and that he would now make steady progress towards recovery.
At the appointed hour Harry was at his post to meet the party.

They came along within a few minutes of the time named, but instead of stopping to greet him they walked straight on, Jeanne saying as she passed him: "I think we are followed." Harry at once drew back and allowed them to go fifty yards on before he moved after them.

As there were many people about, it was some little time before he could verify Jeanne's suspicions; then he noticed that a man, walking a short distance ahead of him, followed each turning that the others took.
Harry waited until they were in a quiet street, and then quickened his pace until he was close behind the man.