every law. Let us rescue them! To arms!"

A knot formed of men in blouses and of workmen going to work. A shout

came from the knot, "Long live the Republic!" and some men rushed

towards the vehicle. The carriage and the Lancers broke into a gallop.

To arms!" repeated Cournet.

To arms!" repeated the men of the people.

There was a moment of impulse. Who knows what might have happened? It

would have been a singular accident if the first barricade against the

coup d'état had been made with this omnibus, which, after having aided

in the crime, would this have aided in the punishment. But at the moment

when the people threw themselves on the vehicle they saw several of the

Representative-prisoners which it contained sign to them with both hands

to refrain. "Eh!" said a workman, "they do not wish it!"

A second repeated, "They do not wish for liberty!"

Another added, "They did not wish us to have it, they do not wish it for

themselves."

All was said, and the omnibus was allowed to pass on. A moment

afterwards the rear-guard of the escort came up and passed by at a sharp

trots and the group which surrounded Aubry (du Nord), Malardier, and

Cournet dispersed.

240

The History of a Crime