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"Ah! ah! ah!" cried the prisoner. At this cry the crowd thickened

around; they gathered from all parts of the street. The convoy

was stopped! "He is a wicked fellow," said the notary in a

whisper to those nearest him; "he is a thief taken in the fact.

Draw back, and let justice have its way." But Renzo perceived

that the occasion was favourable: he saw the officers pale and

almost dead with fright. "If I do not help myself now," thought

he, "so much the worse for me;" and raising his voice, he cried,

"My friends; they are carrying me off, because I cried, 'Bread!

and justice!' yesterday. I have done nothing; I am an honest man!

Help me, do not abandon me, my friends."