"No."

"Then why do they close the door. I do not understand it."

"There is no need that you should," replied the Swiss, laughing at his
own wit.




CHAPTER II.

WHAT PASSED OUTSIDE THE PORTE ST. ANTOINE.


One of the groups was formed of a considerable number of citizens. They
surrounded four or five of a martial appearance, whom the closing of the
doors annoyed very much, as it seemed, for they cried with all their
might, "The door! the door!"

Robert Briquet advanced toward this group, and began to cry also, "The
door! the door!"

One of the cavaliers, charmed at this, turned toward him and said, "Is
it not shameful, monsieur, that they should close the gates in open day,
as though the Spaniards or the English were besieging Paris?"

Robert Briquet looked attentively at the speaker, who seemed to be about
forty-five years of age, and the principal personage in the group. "Yes,
monsieur," replied he, "you are right: but may I venture to ask what you