The crowd made way, and closed round to protect him, as he dived and darted through their ranks; but suddenly the trampling of horses was heard at hand,--the savage Henriot and his troop were bearing down upon the mob.
The crowd gave way in alarm, and the prisoner was again seized by one of the partisans of the Dictator.

At that moment a voice whispered the prisoner, "Thou hast a letter which, if found on thee, ruins thy last hope.

Give it to me! I will bear it to Tallien." The prisoner turned in amaze, read something that encouraged him in the eyes of the stranger who thus accosted him.

The troop were now on the spot; the Jacobin who had seized the prisoner released hold of him for a moment to escape the hoofs of the horses: in that moment the opportunity was found,--the stranger had disappeared.
....
At the house of Tallien the principal foes of the tyrant were assembled.
Common danger made common fellowship.

All factions laid aside their feuds for the hour to unite against the formidable man who was marching over all factions to his gory throne.