It was not until several hours had lapsed after the prisoner's arrival that Leroux ventured to call on the young man. Under the pretext of changing the guard, he decided to interview an individual that had captured the fascination of some many. Chauvelin, who had arranged his capture, certainly wanted an eye to be kept on the boy. Mersot, who seemed to be more than he appeared, wanted an eye kept one him. Much ado over the young man to be sure.

The order to detain him bore the name "Armand Saint-Just". If his memory recalled correctly, Armand Saint-Just was the name of the celebrated former actress, Marguerite Saint-Just, and cousin to the upstart Louis-Antoine Saint-Just of the Jacobian club, recently appointed deputy of the Convention. A real piece of work that one. Young Armand's standing in his cousin's eyes might explain his presence in La Force - it would be interesting to know who Chauvelin was working with these dates. It was conceivable that the arrest was meant to strike at the young deputy, but given Saint-Just's reputation it seemed unlikely that he would care about anyone so much.

Leroux ordered both sets of guards to wait outside the door, using the pretext that he was check to make sure nothing happened to the prisoner since his arrival - that happened too often enough so that it didn't look too suspicious - and in doing so it made sense to detain the first guard in case something had happened. First glimpse told Leroux that the guards hadn't made sport of him but that the boy had spent some miserable hours. "Armand Saint-Just? Do you know why you're here?" Leroux asked.

Leroux arched an eyebrow as Armand snapped back, normally such talk would earn him a good blow across the face, but perhaps he believed his value was such that he could stoke tempers without reprisals or the boy was suicidal.

�You are here under suspicion of treason� and yet under Chauvelin�s orders you are to be held rather than sent to the public prosecutor for trial. Rather strange wouldn�t you say?�

Leroux stood rigidly before Armand, arms folded over his chest, absorbing the boy�s vitriol. It was not an entirely unexpected reaction, however if he continued behaving thus any of a number of short-tempered guards would be more than happy to set him in order.

�Citoyen Chauvelin,� placing great emphasis on the title, �was dispatched to England nearly two months ago, the last time he saw Paris was two weeks ago. However, I am guessing you have seen him more recently than that��

The clues were there, Leroux knew, it was a matter at fitting them together and making that short leap at the truth. Chauvelin was supposed to be in England , but he was ordering this boy detained which meant one of a few options: Chauvelin had returned to France, but not Paris, that this boy had been to England , meaning Chauvelin took a risk removing him� or the boy was of such value that Chauvelin ordered his arrest from England . Possibilities. It was looking less and less like the deputy figured in this at all, at least not from the view of having Armand used against him. Then again, Armand Saint-Just�s sister had married an English aristo, if Leroux recalled correctly, perhaps Chauvelin had the boy arrest because of her or her husband. That would fit in with Chauvelin�s logic. ��somewhere near the ports perhaps?�

�Interesting�� Leroux mused. ��most interesting� I see that I have been misinformed. You see� I spoke with Mersot, who said that he had just come from England. I lead me to believe that you were escourted from that point.�

Leroux�s eyebrow raised, but showed no other signs of surprise or emotion. Saint-Just was being less that helpful, but then why should he but otherwise. He exhaled in resignation. �Very well, citoyen,� Leroux finally said. �I must say it is curious that a man who was supposed to be in England issued the order for your detainment. Which means he must think you a traitor or bait�� Or a hostage. There was the sister, Leroux remembered, and wondered what Chauvelin was up to.