"Yes," Michael continued, "Bowline has taken bearings of several ill-looking fellows who seem desirous of boarding us." "Stuff! You are mad, Michael. You have seen the travellers who have just arrived at the inn." "No, captain; on the contrary, they exactly resemble the fellows who have been chasing us ever since the day before yesterday, regular Cardinal's bloodhounds, I'll wager." The stranger appeared to reflect. "Are they far off?" he at length asked. "Speak, Bowline, my boy," said Michael, turning to his comrade, "and don't shiver your sails, the captain is hailing you." "Well, then, Captain," said Bowline, a sturdy Breton, with a crafty look, "I sighted them over the starboard quarter at about four o'clock; I spread all my canvas to distance them, and I fancy I have left them four or five cables length in the rear." "In that case we have about an hour before us?" "Yes, about, Captain," Bowline replied. "That is more than we want; listen, my lads, and swear on your honour as sailors to obey me." "You may be quite sure we shan't fail, Captain," they answered. "I reckon on you." "Shiver my topsails, we know that," Michael replied. "Whatever may happen to me," the stranger continued, "leave me to act alone, unless I give you express orders to come to my assistance. If the Cardinal's bloodhounds were to arrive while we are up aloft, you will bolt." "We bolt!" the two sailors exclaimed. "You must, lads! Who would deliver me if we were all three prisoners?" the stranger asked. "That's true," Michael answered. "Well then, that's settled, is it not?" "Yes, Captain." "Ah! By the way, if I am arrested you will want money to liberate me; take this." He placed in their hands a heavy purse, which the sailors accepted without any remark. "Now follow me, and keep your weather eye open, my lads." "All right, Captain," Michael answered, "we are on watch." The stranger then proceeded towards the house, closely followed by the two sailors. He reached the passage, at the end of which the travellers' room was, at the moment when Master Pivois and his wife were locking themselves in their bedroom. The coach, guarded by the driver and a footman, was still standing in front of the principal entrance, but the three men passed unnoticed. So soon as the landlady had left the room, the traveller who appeared to have a certain degree of authority over his companions, opened the bedroom door, doubtless to make certain there was no spy listening; then he took a chair, sat down by the fire, and made a sign to his companions to imitate him; the two lackeys alone remained standing near the door, with their hands resting on the muzzles of their carbines, butts of which were on the ground. For some moments there was a funereal silence in this room, although six persons were assembled in it.