"Of course, the pilot, he's all right," the Frenchman answered the baker. "He was to have been hung here for murder. He got away, and now he's having his turn by fetching Rullecour's wolves to eat up your green- bellies. By to-morrow at seven Jersey 'll belong to King Louis." "I've done my promise," rejoined Carcaud the baker; "I've been to three of the guard-houses on St. Clement's and Grouville. In two the men are drunk as donkeys; in another they sleep like squids. Rullecour he can march straight to the town and seize it--if he land safe. But will he stand by 's word to we? You know the saying: 'Cadet Roussel has two sons; one's a thief, t'other's a rogue.' There's two Rullecours-- Rullecour before the catch and Rullecour after!" "He'll be honest to us, man, or he'll be dead inside a week, that's all." "I'm to be Connetable of St. Heliers, and you're to be harbour-master-- eh?" "Naught else: you don't catch flies with vinegar. Give us your hand-- why, man, it's doggish cold." "Cold hand, healthy heart. How many men will Rullecour bring?" "Two thousand; mostly conscripts and devil's beauties from Granville and St. Malo gaols." "Any signals yet?" "Two--from Chaussey at five o'clock. Rullecour 'll try to land at Gorey. Come, let's be off. Delagarde's there now." The boy stiffened with horror--his father was a traitor! The thought pierced his brain like a hot iron. He must prevent this crime, and warn the Governor. He prepared to steal away. Fortunately the back of the man's head was towards him. Carcaud laughed a low, malicious laugh as he replied to the Frenchman. "Trust the quiet Delagarde! There's nothing worse nor still waters. He'll do his trick, and he'll have his share if the rest suck their thumbs. He doesn't wait for roasted larks to drop into his mouth--what's that!" It was Ranulph stealing away. In an instant the two men were on him, and a hand was clapped to his mouth. In another minute he was bound, thrown onto the stone floor of the bakehouse, his head striking, and he lost consciousness. When he came to himself, there was absolute silence round him-deathly, oppressive silence. At first he was dazed, but at length all that had happened came back to him.