He determined to take his place that afternoon with the committee as usual, and endeavour to allay their doubts by assuming a violent attitude.

He felt, however, that the day would be more trying than any he had passed, and that he would give a great deal if the next twenty-four hours were over.

Scarcely heeding where he walked he was out longer than usual, and it was nearly three hours after he started before he approached the town again by the road along the river bank.

Just when he came to the first houses a woman, who was standing there knitting, came up to him.
"You are the citizen who lives with his two sisters next door to La Mere Pichon, are you not ?" Harry assented hurriedly, with a strange presentiment of evil.
"La Mere Pichon bids me tell you," the woman said, "that half an hour after you started this morning six men, with an official with the red scarf, came to the house and arrested your sisters and carried them off.

They are watching there for your return." Harry staggered as if struck with a blow.
"Poor young man," the woman said compassionately, seeing the ghastly pallor of his face, "but I pity you.