The staircase by which they had descended, following the other fugitives, ended in a narrow passage quite near the ravine and the arches of the bridge. This passage led into a deep natural fissure in the ground which formed a connecting link between the ravine and the forest. In this fissure, twisting and turning as it did through impenetrable thickets and utterly hidden from the human eye, no man could ever have been captured; he had but to follow the example of a snake, and his safety was assured. The entrance to this secret passage was so overgrown with brambles, that its constructors had deemed it unnecessary to provide it with any other screen. The Marquis had now no further need even to consider the matter of disguise. Since his arrival in Brittany he had continued to wear the peasant dress, feeling himself to be more truly a grand seigneur when thus attired. He had contented himself with taking off his sword, unfastening and throwing aside the belt. When Halmalo and the Marquis emerged from the passage into the fissure, nothing was to be seen of the five others,--Guinoiseau, Hoisnard Branche-d'Or, Brin d'Amour, Chatenay, and the Abbé Turmeau. "They have lost no time," said Halmalo. "Follow their example," replied the Marquis. "Does Monseigneur wish me to leave him?" "Of course; I have told you so already. A man who is trying to escape must remain alone if he would insure success; one man can often pass where two would find it impossible. Were we together, we should attract attention and imperil each other." "Does Monseigneur know the neighborhood?" "Yes." "And the rendez-vous is still to be the same,--at the Pierre-Gauvaine?" "To-morrow at noon." "I will be there. We shall all be there." Halmalo paused. "Ah, Monseigneur, when I remember the time we were alone together on the open sea, when I wanted to kill you, you who were my lord and master and might have told me, but did not! What a man you are!" The sole reply of the Marquis was, "England is our only resource. In fifteen days the English must be in France." "I have a great many things to tell Monseigneur. I have given all his messages." "We will attend to all that to-morrow." "Farewell till then, Monseigneur." "By the way, are you hungry?" "Perhaps I am, Monseigneur. I was in such a hurry to get here, that I have forgotten whether I had anything to eat to-day or not." The Marquis drew from his pocket a cake of chocolate, broke it in two, and giving one half to Halmalo, he began to eat the other himself. "Monseigneur," said Halmalo, "you will find the ravine on your right, and the forest on your left." "Very well. Leave me now. Go your own way."