Van der Noot's Plot

"You are the true leader of France's revolutionary cause!" the middle-aged man flattered him with all his might. "Just when those cowards were retreating before the Tyrant's overbearing might, you alone were still bravely fighting for the French people."

"This is my lifelong cause!" A look of pride and arrogance appeared on Saint-Just's face. He had little interest in money or beautiful women, but he greatly enjoyed flattery.

The middle-aged man discreetly took a stack of French Reserve Bank notes from his pocket and held them beside Saint-Just's hand, whispering, "These are funds for your activities."

These banknotes had been collected from local peasants by the Southern Netherlands Parliament. They did not much care for this featherlight money, but the French seemed quite willing to accept it.

Saint-Just immediately pushed the money back. "Funds for our activities should be managed centrally by the 'club.' I cannot accept them privately."

He motioned for the middle-aged man to join him in the carriage, then said gravely, "More importantly than funding, where are the muskets the committee promised?

"You know, those vultures in Versailles Palace who do nothing but gnaw at the French people will never surrender without a fight. We must have guns, and preferably cannons too, to crush them utterly. Only then can the French people truly gain their freedom!"

The "committee" he spoke of was the organization sent by the Southern Netherlands Parliament to incite revolution in France. The middle-aged man before him was one of its seven core members. His name was Yeskute, and he was specifically responsible for liaising with Saint-Just, an important figure among the French Liberals.

The committee had more than 210 people operating in France altogether. To break the stalemate on the Brussels battlefield, Van der Noot had spared no expense. Besides personnel, he and