"Max," he said, riding alongside of the man where a difficult part of the track caused a slackening of the pace; "Max, tell me when we come within about half a mile of the town; we will halt there." "We leave the hills and strike the road at that distance, Monsieur." "Very well; we will stop before we reach the road." It was two o’clock in the morning when the three riders came to a halt within a little dell concealed from the road by an intervening hillock. "Remain here with the landlord and my horse, Max," said Harry. "I am going on foot to the town." At the gate-house he gave the password and was at once admitted. He went to the lodging of the lieutenant of the guard, woke him, and told him in a few words what he had discovered. "Mon Dieu!" cried the lieutenant, "you are just in time. The prince decided last night to hasten his going; he sets off at four. He will have to remain here, or go back, for his escort are no match for these brigands, even with our burgher guard, who in any case are not permitted to leave the town. The prince must either wait here until he can get a force from Prince Louis of Baden, or try another road." "The roads are watched. But I think the prince had better carry out his original intention and leave here at five." "But he will certainly be captured." "Not certainly. I should like to see him. I left Max and that rascal of a landlord half a mile out. The town is quiet; do you think it will be safe to send for them?" "Oh yes! I will do that. You will find the prince at the Rathhaus." "Will you lend me a change of things while mine are drying?" "Of course! The sleeves of my coat will be short for you, I fear, but you will not need it long." To change was but the work of a few minutes; then Harry hastened to the Rathhaus. The guard made some demur to admitting him at such an hour, but yielded when he assured them that his message was urgent, and he was conducted to an aide-de-camp, who on hearing his story in outline did not scruple to awaken the prince. Harry was not prepared for the reception his news met with. The prince broke into a roar of laughter. "A right tit-for-tat for the Duke de Vendôme," he said. "Two can play at coney-catching! You are surprised at my levity, young sir; but the truth is, I tried to play the same game on the duke two years ago: attempted to seize him in his house at Rivalto on the banks of the Lake of Mantua. I sent fifty men in boats to capture him; but they killed the sentinel instead of carrying him off, as I intended; the noise drew the guard to the spot, and my men had to re-embark to save their skins. Well, in war let him trick the other who can: I am obliged to you for your warning. Un homme averti en vaut deux: we’ll be even with the tricksters. What shall we do, lieutenant?" "It would seem that we must take another road, Monsieur le Prince," said the aide-de-camp.