Recognised by M. Drouet, this officer had no hesitation in chatting with him. He said he had been sent with his forty men to form an escort for a treasure. While M. Jean Baptiste was talking with him, a messenger arrived from the municipality, asking the reason of his coming unannounced and unexpected. “Don’t trouble yourself about nothing,” replied the officer; “myself and my men will sleep here; but as we set off in a hurry on a particular service, we are utterly without rations. We will pay all our expenses, so as not to be a burden on the tradespeople. To-morrow, at daybreak, we start for Pont-de-Somme-Vesles.” The messenger took this response to the authorities; but they, not being satisfied with it, sent him back with a request that M. Goguelot would step up to the Mayor’s house. He accordingly went there, M. Drouet following. When asked the reason of his march, the officer exhibited an order from M. de Bouillé, commanding him to be at Pont-de-Somme-Vesles on the 21st of June, to take charge of, and escort some treasure which was there, to St. Menehould, where he was to surrender his trust to Colonel Dandoin, of the First Regiment of Dragoons. They then asked where were M. Dandoin’s dragoons. “He follows me,” he replied; “and will arrive here to-morrow morning.” The interrogatory was not pushed any farther; but M. Drouet was not satisfied, so he had run over to Varennes, to inform his companions of the event, and to hold a consultation with them. Just as he had finished his tale, the younger brother Leblanc entered. He had come from Stenay. “Do you wish to see some beautiful horses, M. Jean Baptiste?” asked he. “I should like nothing better,” replied Drouet, “especially if they are for sale, as I want a remount.” “I don’t think that they are for sale; but what is astonishing is that they are harnessed in relays.” “Where are they?” “At the ‘Grand Monarque,’ with Father Gautier.” M. Jean Baptiste looked at us. “It is well, Victor,” he said; “I will go there after dinner. Have you any other news?” “No; there is a movement going on among the troops at Stenay, but there is nothing astonishing in that. I should not be surprised if we received an announcement of their arrival here to-morrow.” “Nor I,” said Drouet. We finished dinner, and entered into the Rue de la Basse Cour, crossed the bridge, and arrived at the “Grand Monarque,” where we found six horses being carefully attended to by the two grooms. “Those are fine horses. Whose are they, my friend?” “My master’s!” insolently replied one of the grooms. “The name of your master is a secret, I suppose?” queried M. Drouet. “That depends upon who asks me.” M. Guillaume frowned. “This is an insolent scoundrel,” said he, “who merits being taught how lackeys should speak to men!” “Will you teach me?” asked the groom. “Why not?” asked Guillaume, going a step nearer to him. M. Jean Baptiste stopped him by taking hold of his arm.