"What, then, do you suggest?" Roger enquired.
"Whether your arrival in Paris at this time is the result of excellent intelligence or simply chance, I do not know. But the fact remains that it could not be more opportune. Within a few days it is certain that a coup d'etat will be attempted. Unless fate introduces some unforeseen factor, there is every reason to believe that it will prove a successful one. Barras and his crew will be swept away and the so-called Moderates will emerge triumphant. In fact, they are not Moderates but Reactionaries, as nearly all of them have now secretly become Monarchists at heart, and in that a great part of the nation is like them."
Again Fouché paused to take a sip of wine. "There are plenty of people in Paris who saw the real little Capet when he was still a prisoner in the Temple and, the spirit of the nation now being what it is, after a coup d'etat would be prepared to swear that the child you could produce is he. Therefore, as I see it, all we have to do is to take into our confidence a few men of influence, and at the right moment present die boy to the new Government. Having secured his person they would be m no danger of losing their posts to a crowd of emigre's, and by forming a Council of Regency they could reign in his name. The Bourbon Princes would at first declare the whole thing a fraud, but later they would have to come to heel, and probably be permitted to return. Whatever line they took would not affect us in the least; for you and I would be the men who had restored the young King to his throne, and from him receive our reward. We should, too, have good prospects of becoming the most powerful men in the State. What say you to that?"
Roger had always known Fouché to have a brilliant mind, but even so he was filled with admiration for the simplicity, yet subtleness, of the proposed plot. By making the new Government a present of the boy all the difficulties and dangers entailed in an endeavour to blackmail it were automatically eliminated; and the prospects of obtaining great rewards would be infinitely better than through long negotiations with the Bourbon Princes, which might end in failure or betrayal. The men who should be in power within a week could not conceivably fail to see how greatly it would be to their advantage to proclaim a Restoration, for, as members of a Council of Regency, their own positions would be secured* and, by bringing about a Restoration in this way, instead of having to fight the emigris over every clause in a new Constitution, they could dictate one embodying all the liberal doctrines they believed in themselves.
Even with the certain knowledge that, at some point in the conspiracy, Fouché would have done his utmost to trick him out of his. share in the triumph, Roger would have been greatly tempted to enter into such a partnership. But there could be no question of that; for the golden link in the chain which alone could have made the plot possible was no longer in existence. Despite that, Roger's strongest card lay in Fouché's belief that he still held it; so, having no option but to play the game out, he said:
"'Tis a truly masterly conception. Only one thing in it surprises me. I had never thought to hear you plan a Restoration."
Fouché shrugged. Times change. The era when a politician could earn a tolerable remuneration by occasionally allowing the sansculottes to have their heads is over. I have a wife and child to think of, and I must provide for them somehow. Already I am in dire straits and an object of persecution by the Moderates. This is my chance to re-establish myself once and for all, and secure my future. Did not the Protestant King, Henri Quatre, declare that to win over Paris it was worth going to Mass? Well, for the portfolio of a Minister and the Order of St Louis, I should not find it too great a price to kiss that repugnant youngster's hand."
Knowing the way in which Fouché had already more than once repudiated his sworn political convictions and betrayed his backers, Roger could well believe him; so with a nod he said tactfully: "It is not the first time that a man has felt himself compelled to sacrifice his opinions for the sake of his dependants. But tell me, why do you suggest taking others into our confidence? It seems to me neither necessary nor wise."
"It is a wise man who knows his own weakness," Fouché retorted with a bitter laugh. "And politically, at this moment, I am as weak as a new-born babe. From last spring, when the Girondin Deputies were allowed to return to the Chamber, my position has become ever more precarious. They refuse to believe that it was Collot and not I who was mainly responsible for the massacres at Lyons, although it can be proved that I put an end to them as soon as I dared, and then at some risk to myself. The agitation against me reached a peak eight weeks ago. With several others I was denounced in the Chamber by Boissy d'Anglas and our arrest was decreed."
With a snuffle he broke off to blow his nose, refilled Roger's glass and went on. "Fortunately, having been privy to so many matters, I was able to persuade certain still influential people that it was not in their best interests to send me to prison; so the warrant was not put into execution. Then, ten days ago, with the promulgation of the new Constitution, an amnesty was granted to all imprisoned on charges like that against myself; so the warrant is no longer valid. Nevertheless, my enemies have succeeded in undoing me; for jointly with the amnesty it was decreed that no one named in it should be eligible for election to the new Assembly. So, you see, I no longer have even the status of a Deputy; and, having been stripped of all credit, must for this coup seek the co-operation of others in whom the men of tomorrow will place a greater trust."
In view of Fouché's record, it was remarkable that he should have saved himself from the fate that had overtaken Carrier and other leading Robespierrists; yet, somehow, Roger had not expected to find him reduced to such complete impotence. That, with his remarkable brain, should he retain his freedom, he would not remain in obscurity for very long, seemed a foregone conclusion; and Roger asked with considerable interest whom he thought the most promising men to approach on the present business.
"Freron for one," he replied promptly. _
Roger raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Recalling the treatment he meted out to the anti-Revolutionaries in Toulon after its evacuation by the Allies, I should have thought him to be in no better case than yourself."
"He is well on the way to living that down, for he has acted with great shrewdness. Soon after liberty was restored to the Press he again began to edit and publish a journal called L’Orateur du Peuple. It has now been running for over a year, and every month it has become more reactionary. In fact, he has now become the idol of the Jeunesse doree, and wields great influence with all in the Chamber who incline to the Right."
"That was certainly a clever way of whitewashing himself. Who else?"
"Tallien."
"What! Has that old wolf also procured himself a suit of sheep's clothing?"
Fouché gave a sickly grin. "He had, but he has since spilt much blood upon it Therefore he will be only too eager to cleanse it in the Royal washing tub to which we can give him access."