I turned into the wilds, and forced my way through dense undergrowth. At a short distance from the road, I came on traces of the passage of some one else. Following these, I arrived at last at a small open space, where the absence of vegetation seemed due to some natural cause. Sufficient of the day's failing light reached the clearing to show me the figures of four men on the ground before me, three of them stretched in slumber, the fourth sitting up. The last held a huge old two-handed sword over his shoulder, ready to strike. The threatening attitude of this giant made me take mechanically a step backward, and feel for my sword. Alas, I was unarmed! "So, my venturesome lackey, we meet again!" came a sarcastic voice from the left, and some one darted between me and the four men, facing me with drawn sword. It was the Vicomte de Berquin, and a triumphant smile was on his face. Moved by the thought that mademoiselle's safety depended on me, I was not ashamed, being unarmed, to turn about for immediate flight. But I had no sooner shown my back to M. de Berquin, than I found myself face to face with the scowling Barbemouche, who stood motionless, the point of his sword not many inches from my breast. CHAPTER XI. HOW THE HERO GAVE HIS WORD AND KEPT IT I stood still and reflected. "You lack a weapon," said M. de Berquin, humorously. "I shall presently give you mine, point first." As I was still facing Barbemouche, I imagined the point of the Vicomte's sword entering my back, and I will confess that I shivered. "And I mine," growled Barbemouche. "Though you are a lackey and I a gentleman, yet, by the grandmother of Beelzebub, I am glad to see you!" "Indeed!" said I, whose only hope was to gain time for thought. "This is a heartier welcome than a stranger might expect." De Berquin laughed. Barbemouche said, "You are no stranger." "Then you know me?" said I. "Who am I?" "You are the answer to a prayer," said Barbemouche, with an ugly grin. "You thought you fooled us finely last night, and that when you had made a hole in my body you had done with me. But I got a look at you after the mistake was discovered, and I vowed the virgin a dozen candles in return for another meeting with you. And now she has sent you to me." And he looked at me with such jubilant vindictiveness that I turned and faced De Berquin, saying: "Monsieur the Vicomte, I have made up my mind that your visage is more pleasant to look on than that of your friend."