However, the evening wore on, the storm stopped, the servants fastened the doors and went to bed, leaving their master to attend to us. And all the while, whether laughing or talking, I was listening anxiously for Pillot's signal. At last there came a tremendous knocking at the outside door, and we heard the innkeeper stump along the passage. "A late guest," laughed Courcy; "he will find but scant accommodation. Oh, after all, it is only one of the villagers. What does he want, I wonder?" "Monsieur!" exclaimed the innkeeper, putting his head into the room; "it is a man who has a horse for sale." "I hope it isn't brother to the one in the stable!" exclaimed Captain Courcy with a laugh. "However, we may as well look at it, De Lalande, and then we will go to bed." He was rising from his comfortable seat, when the landlord said, "The horse is not here; the man has only just heard in the village that monsieur required one." "Still, he may bring it round soon enough in the morning! At what time do you intend to start, captain?" "Not a moment later than six." "Well, I will ask him," and without the least appearance of hurry, though my heart was thumping like a big hammer, I left the room. This was the one critical moment. Would Courcy scent mischief and follow? I purposely left the door ajar so that they might listen to the conversation while they could see my hat and cloak in the room. "Now, my man," I began brusquely, "about this horse? Can you bring it here by five o'clock in the morning?" "Certainly, monsieur." "If it suits me, there will be no haggling over the price, but unless the animal is thoroughly sound you will have your trouble for nothing." "Monsieur will be satisfied, I know. It is as good a horse as one would wish to meet with." "Well, we shall see. Be here at five o'clock sharp, or even a little earlier." "Yes, monsieur," then the door slammed, and I was on the outside of the inn with Pillot. "This way, monsieur, quick. Here is the captain's horse for you; I can manage the others. Here, Alphonse," and I saw a man at the animals' heads, "help me to mount, and then vanish. Unless you talk no one will suspect you. Ready, monsieur? Away then. Ah, they have discovered part of the trick and are running to the stables. Ho, ho! Captain Courcy! Captain Courcy!" There was a shout from the inn; then a pistol shot, and my late companions ran this way and that in confusion. "Not a moment later than six, captain," I cried. "Shall I carry a message to your friends in Mezieres?" and then, with a triumphant laugh, we clattered off in the darkness. "We have scored the trick and the game," said Pillot, "though I thought we were beaten when the captain talked of coming out. However, they cannot catch us now, before reaching Mezieres, and beyond that they will not venture."