"Stay, stay, my dear little master!" rejoined Aristandre, "there are some tools here; let me look. Good! I have a shovel; no! a spade! I like that better! Now, I am not afraid of any man! But, listen to me; do you know where your papa is?" "No! you must take me to him." "If I come out all right, yes; if not, you will have to go all alone. Do you know where Etalié is?" "Yes, I have been there. I know the way." "Do you know the _Geault-Rouge_ inn?" "The _Coq-Rouge_? Yes, I have been there twice. It isn't hard to find, it's the only house in the place. Well?" "Your papa will be there until ten o'clock. If you arrive too late, go to Brilbault; he will be there." "Brilbault at the foot of Coudray hill?" "Yes. He will be there with his people. It's a long way; you will never be able to do it on foot!" "I will go straight to Brilbault," said Pilar. "I know the way; I have just come from there!" "Yes," said the coachman; "go, little one; you can warn Monsieur Robin. Do you know him? You don't belong about here, do you?" "No matter, I will find him." "Or Monsieur d'Ars; will you remember?" "I know him, I saw him once." "Off we go, then! Ah! Monsieur Mario, if I could only lay my hand on your horse! you could go faster and not kill yourself running." "I know how to run," said Mario; "don't think about the horse, it is out of the question." "One minute more," continued Aristandre, "and pay attention. The drawbridge is raised; you know how to drop it, don't you? It doesn't weigh much." "That's very easy!" "But the _sarrasine_ is down! But don't be alarmed; I will go up into the room where we work it. If there's anybody there, so much the worse for them; I'll strike and kill, and raise one of the stakes! Don't lose time by waiting for me. Pass through, steal away, fly! If the stake falls on the girl, so much the worse for her; you cannot help it, nor I. God guard you! Keep on running, I will overtake you." "But, if you are----" Mario stopped short; his heart sank. "If I am laid out, you mean? Well, it will be of no use for you to grieve, it will not help matters. If you stop to pity me, you will lose your head and your legs! You must think of nothing but running." "No, my friend, your risk is too great; let us remain concealed here." "And suppose, while we are hiding, they burn up Madame Lauriane, your Mercedes, Adamas--and my poor carriage horses in the stable yonder! Besides--Look you, I am going alone. When the road is clear you can pass." "Come on! come on!" said Mario. "Everything for Lauriane and Mercedes!" He was about to rush out of the garden, when Pilar detained him. "Remember that other villains are to come here--I know it. If you meet them, hide carefully, for your gold buttons gleam in the darkness like diamonds, and they will kill you just to get your clothes." "I have an idea!" exclaimed Mario. "I will put on my gypsy rags, which are right here."