“And what we have to consider is the best way of doing it. Tell me, Babillon, what chance have we of reaching Malincourt undiscovered, and what is the distance?” “Twenty minutes would take us there, could we go direct, monsieur; but the road is a very open one, and I----” he finished the sentence with a doubting shake of the head. “Is there no other road?” “Yes, monsieur, but it trebles the distance; and miladi is already overwrought.” “And the devil of it is that we don’t know what we should find when we get there,” said Dubois. “Mademoiselle can’t tramp the city all night. I have a thought. Let me go and find out what is passing there, and smell out the chances of safety. Could the rest lie safe here, think you?” he asked Babillon. “For the night, I should think, yes,” was the reply. “But I can best go. I could get into the house and carry any message.” “You can guide me,” said Dubois, “and get me a workman’s blouse. It is best so,” he added to Gerard. “If Pascal is there holding the house, I can gauge the chances of our getting in and arrange for him to send out to meet us. What say you?” “I could do it all and better alone, messieurs,” urged Babillon. “One can get through where two may well be stopped. And if they were to arrest me, I am known to be frequently at Malincourt. I have a daughter there in miladi’s service; and if I were seen every one would deem it but natural for me to be anxious for her at such a time.” “There is wit in what he says, Dubois.” “True,” he assented, and then murmured, “but there is little to please my wit in sitting inactive here.” “Shall I cry you patience, good friend? Go, Babillon, and make all speed,” decided Gerard. “It will not be long now before the dawn breaks, and we must be inside the house while it is yet dark, if we are to get there at all.” “If all goes well, an hour will see me back.” “He is a shrewd, nimble-witted fellow,” said Gerard when the man had left. “And you will be shrewd, my lord, if you fill the time by snatching a soldier’s nap. I’ll keep watch.” “By your leave, my lord, let me watch,” put in Pierre. “Watching is my business,” and with that the other two lay down on the floor and were soon asleep. Babillon was as good as his word, and in less than an hour and a half he was back and brought good news. He had seen Pascal and learned that the house had already been searched by the Castle troops, and a small body of soldiers left to guard it. These Pascal was prepared to overpower at any moment. Babillon had found the road thither fairly clear also and had ascertained the best route to take. “In half an hour at most we can reach the woods of Malincourt, my lord, and the captain will be there with a strong force to meet us.” “Then we’ll be off at once,” said Gerard; and once more Gabrielle was roused and they set forth.