Chapter 3 Chapter 3: “A visit to La Conciergerie”

Merlin and Captain Clough walked side by side in the dark, hiding behind trees or doors in order not to be seen by the revolutionaries.

After a while, they arrived at a tavern in a neighborhood called Saint Germain de Prés.

The Tavern was busy with many customers, they were all drinking wine and talking about the guillotine and the new nobles they had caught that day.

“What is the guillotine?” whispered Merlin, who had never heard the word.

“Puff.” Snorted Sam, “It’s a machine to chop off people’s heads…something awful, they are killing lots of people every day, and this is the reason why we must rescue the queen!

They walked amongst the tables, trying not to be seen and climbed up the stairs towards Sam’s room.

The room was very small, quite messy and it smelled of fried bacon. Sam lit a candle and began to explain his plan to Merlin.

“Here’s the plan.” Began Sam while sitting on his bed, “We have to enter La Conciergerie, saying that there is a maid who must deliver some food to the queen. Once we are in her cell, the queen will exchange her clothes with the maid, and the maid will take her place.

Then the queen will walk out of the cell pretending she is the maid, et voilá!! “Meow!” said Merlin and cleared his throat, “It’s easy to say, but I don’t think it is that easy to do…Where will we go with the queen?”

“I have a ship,” whispered Sam, “It is in a port called Le Havre. It is already loaded with the queen’s furniture and ready to sail to America as soon as Marie Antoinette and her cats are on board.”

“Ok. and What shall I do?” Inquired Merlin and without further ado, Sam started to explain the details to our hero.

The candle went out and man and cat fell asleep side by side under the moon of Paris.

The following day, at first light Merlin began his morning exercises.

What are they? Well, anyone who lives with cats knows… cats like to spring on the bed! Jump on top of the human who is sleeping there and knead with their claws piercing their victim’s flesh.

“Ouch!! Ouch!! What are you doing cat!! Stop, stop!!” Yelled Sam.

“Rise and shine Sam! It’s time to go!!

Reluctantly, Sam dragged out of his bed, washed his face and dressed like a monk, with a black robe and hood.