He stayed some time in the guard-room, and from the talk of the men he ascertained that the soldiers were patrolling Morvaix on foot and that mounted men in great numbers had been despatched to scour the country round, lest the fugitives should have escaped from the city. No one took any notice of him beyond casting an occasional glance of curiosity in his direction, and finding himself thus free to go where he would, he left the guard-room and made his way into the Castle in search of his captain. The excitement had largely subsided under the strict military discipline, and so many of the troops had been despatched on the work of search that he found the lower rooms of the Castle comparatively empty. The few persons he met he asked for Captain Bassot, for whom he now said he had news. He was sent fruitlessly in various directions, and at last when passing through one of the corridors he met Lucette. She was hurrying by with bent head and did not see him, so with a glance to make sure they were alone, he accosted her. “Your pardon, mademoiselle, can you tell me where I can find Captain Bassot?” “No, monsieur,” she answered, and glancing up as she recognized him. “You?” she exclaimed. “I’m glad they are no other than your bright eyes that see me, mademoiselle,” he answered smiling. “We must not speak here. Follow me,” and she hurried back along the corridor until she came to a low doorway, through which she passed, giving a quick glance about to see that no one was observing her. Pascal followed and found himself in a small antechamber bare of furniture and overlooking the courtyard. “Tell me the news, monsieur,” urged Lucette. “This suspense is killing. Where is Mademoiselle de Malincourt?” “First tell me why I find you here,” he said, cautiously. “Ah, you suspect even me,” she answered quickly, with some indignation. “Suspect is far too strong a word, but I am curious, I admit.” “You are grossly unjust. I am a prisoner. After I saw you for the last time last night, I came here to be with Gabrielle, and was with the Duchess awaiting her return from the prison, when the escape of the prisoners was discovered; and since then I have been in a fever of suspense to know that she is safe and where she is. The Duke was like a madman. He came to the Duchess’ apartments in search of Gabrielle, and raged like a fiend incarnate at not finding her. I thought he would have flung us all into prison; and he threatened me with the rack if I did not tell him where Gabrielle was.” “He is a chivalrous gentleman,” said Pascal. “He told us his life had been attempted, charged the Duchess with having been a party to the escape, vowed that he would have the truth out of us and make us pay bitterly in his revenge. The Duchess is a noble woman and showed splendid courage and dignity; but oh, monsieur, I was never so frightened in my life.” “But he has not actually ill-treated you; surely, he is not so base as that.”