“She is fast recovering. She was stunned by the blow she received from a falling stone and was weak from loss of blood. It was wonderful that she escaped being killed outright. I am sure she will recover even more rapidly when she hears of our good fortune in having such a courier as Mons. Victor Guerin. It is all very dreadful, of course, Victor, and last night I felt as if I could never smile again, but now that my grandfather is safe, Paulette is better, and I have had some food my spirits have risen.” “Good! then perhaps you will be willing to go with me to recover that donkey. Two are better than one at a task like that. Once the animal is extricated we will feed him, then we will find a wheel for the cart and can be off for a visit to that cow shed that you were so loath to leave.” “Detestable spot, how can you say I was loath to leave it?” “When one spends an entire night in a place it is a sign that it has its attractions.” “Stop teasing. I stayed because there was nothing else to do, as you well know. I never wish to see the place again.” “Ah, but you will have to go with me to show me where it is.” Victor gave her a merry glance. Lucie shrugged her shoulders. “Well, it may be that so much is necessary, and perhaps you can discover if there are really any eggs in that nest. That is something I should like very much to know.” It required some argument to convince Paulette that Lucie was necessary to the expedition, but at last she was made to realize that this was not a time for conventionalities and so the two young people started off together, first to get out the donkey. CHAPTER VI MORE WAYS THAN ONE The rescue of the donkey was not quite so easy a task as it looked to be, but the two young people went at it heartily, Victor removing the heavier stones and timbers which blocked the way, and Lucie undertaking the smaller pieces. Master Donkey, whom Victor dubbed “Long Ears” for want of a better name, meanwhile looked on attentively, his ears moving in accord with his interest. At last after an hour of rather exhausting labor, Victor exclaimed: “There, Lucie, I think I can climb over now and get at Long Ears. Donkeys are more sure-footed than horses and he can mount this pile of stuff and pick his way along without doubt. You might stand there and entice him with a handful of fresh grass.” Lucie hunted around for such green stuff as she could collect from crevices and corners, while Victor led forth the prisoner. “Now he must have some food and drink,” declared Victor. “He must stand in great need of it, poor fellow, and while he is partaking we will get that wheel.” “Where is it?” asked Lucie.