Meg has fallen for Gabriel Sabran, an army intelligence officer, and the same officer that Jouin is pursuing in the investigation into Josephine Berger's murder. Puybaraud receives a direct order from the Minister of the Interior.

Tensions run high on Rue Chabrol. Encircled by the police, Guérin is protected by the butchers of La Villette. He waits for the trap to close in on Lépine and his men so he can take power with his nationalist and monarchist allies.