Simon approached a group of children. “Tell me what has happened today. We heard we missed a real show.”

The children stared suspiciously up at Simon and began to back away from them both.

One boy glanced at Scarlet and then sharpened his gaze.

She breathed in quickly and held his stare.

He said something to the group and they ran off together, but he stepped forward until she could see the deep brown of his eyes.

“It is you,” he said.

Scarlet nodded. “We need your help. What has happened?”

“They were caught. Brought back here and beheaded shortly after.” The boy looked down, avoiding her eyes.

“How many?” Scarlet dreaded the answer.

“Five, a family, three children.” He reached into his pocket. “I saved this, just in case.” He held out a small wooden horse.

Scarlet’s eyes welled with tears and she reached for the horse, clutching it in her hands. “Thank you.” Her voice caught in her throat. “All Frenchmen?”

He nodded. “The family. They say some broke free, but one Englishman is under guard nearby.”

Simon and Scarlet shared a look. Her heart constricted, and a great weight of dread filled her.

Pushing it aside, she studied the boy, measuring him.

Simon asked, “What is your name, my friend?”

He stood up proudly and squared his shoulders. “Abelino.”

Scarlet smiled. “Well, Abelino. I believe it is high time you joined our league. What say you?”

He nodded, his mouth set in a straight line. He pushed his shoulders back and stood taller, on the tips of his toes. “I would be honored.”

Simon placed his hand on the lad’s shoulder. “Can you tell us where they have taken the Englishman?”

He nodded. “Come this way.”

They had to run to keep up with him, sticking to the shadows as he scampered through narrow alleys, dodging piles of garbage.

He led them to an older home with bars on the upstairs windows. “Bernard LeFevre dragged the Englishman up the stairs.”

They ducked into a dark corner as the sentinel walked past, eyeing their very spot.

Scarlet asked quietly, “Any idea how many are up there?”

Abelino shook his head.

“Thank you, my friend. You have done well.”

He blushed and looked up proudly at her. “I’m small, but I am always around. If you ever need me, ask near Île Saint-Louis.” He bowed to them and ran off into the dark.

Scarlet watched him go and then indicated for Simon to follow her back a couple streets away from the guarded prison. “We have to move tonight. I don’t trust that LeFevre will allow Andrew to live much longer than tomorrow.”

“Consider that he could be laying a trap.”

Scarlet nodded. “I have considered. We have no choice but to free him anyway.”

“We must outfox the fox, eh? Shall I run to our checkpoint and alert the men?”