Robespierre and his gang have told me as much.

So you leave him alone, or I'll not raise a finger to help you, but will lay my own hands on your accursed neck." He looked so ferocious and so merciless then, that despite himself, the selfish adventurer, the careless self-seeking intriguer, shuddered with a quick wave of unreasoning terror.

He turned away from Heron's piercing gaze, the gaze of a hyena whose prey is being snatched from beneath its nails.

For a moment he stared thoughtfully into the fire.
He heard the other man's heavy footsteps cross and re-cross the narrow room, and was conscious of the long curved shadow creeping up the mildewed wall or retreating down upon the carpetless floor.
Suddenly, without any warning he felt a grip upon his shoulder.

He gave a start and almost uttered a cry of alarm which caused Heron to laugh.
The Committee's agent was vastly amused at his friend's obvious access of fear.