"Wisely spoken, Mlle. Crystal," rejoined de Marmont. "Have I not said that I have two dozen soldiers with me--all trained to do their duty? Why should M. le Comte allow them to lay hands upon you and on Mme. la Duchesse?" "It is an outrage," broke in the Comte savagely. "You and your soldiers are traitors, rebels and deserters." "But we are in superior numbers, M. le Comte," said de Marmont with a sneer. "Would it not be wiser to yield with a good grace? Mme. la Duchesse," he added with an attempt at geniality, "yours was always the wise head, I am told, that guided the affairs of M. le Comte de Cambray in the past. Will you not advise him now?" "I would, my good man," retorted the Duchesse, "but my wise counsels would benefit no one now, seeing that you have been sent on a fool's errand." De Marmont laughed. "Does Mme. la Duchesse mean to deny that twenty-five million francs belonging to the Emperor are hidden at this moment inside this coach?" "I deny, Monsieur de Marmont, that any twenty-five million francs belong to the son of an impecunious Corsican attorney--and I also deny that any twenty-five million francs are in this coach at the present moment." "That is exactly what I desire to ascertain, Madame." "Ascertain by all means then," quoth Madame impatiently, "the other thief ascertained the same thing an hour ago, and I must confess that he did so more profitably than you are like to do." "The other thief?" exclaimed de Marmont, greatly puzzled. "It is as Mme. la Duchesse has deigned to tell you," here interposed the Comte coolly. "I have no objection to your knowing that I had intended to convey to His Majesty the King--its rightful owner--a sum of money--originally stolen by the Corsican usurper from France--but that an hour ago a party of armed thieves--just like yourself--attacked us, bound and gagged me and my men, ransacked my coach and made off with the booty." "And I thank God now," murmured Crystal involuntarily, "that the money has fallen into the hands of a common highwayman rather than in those of the scourge of mankind." "M. le Comte . . ." stammered de Marmont, who, still incredulous, yet vaguely alarmed, was nevertheless determined not to accept this extraordinary narrative with blind confidence. But M. le Comte de Cambray's dignity rose at last to the occasion: "You choose to disbelieve me, Monsieur?" he asked quietly. De Marmont made no reply. "Will my word of honour not suffice?" "My orders, M. le Comte," said de Marmont gruffly, "are that I bring back to my Emperor the money that is his. I will not leave one stone unturned . . ." "Enough, Monsieur," broke in the Comte with calm dignity. "We will alight now, if your soldiers will stand aside."