"They are already on board: come, sir." The Major took up his valise and casket, and left the room, followed by the Count. "Did I not tell you you would want your cloak?" La Grenade said to M. de Barmont, with a bow, as he passed--"Pleasant voyage to you, sir, and good luck." They went down to the waterside. During the walk, which was not very long, the Count's brow became more and more clouded; he fancied he could notice a certain sorrow on the faces of the officers and soldiers who were watching his departure--they whispered together, and pointed to the Count in anything but a reassuring way, and it gave him much cause for anxiety. Every now and then he took a side-glance at the Major, but he appeared calm, and had a smile on his face. They at length reached the boat, and the Major stepped aside to let the Count get into it first. As soon as they were both in, the boat was pushed off. During the whole passage from the shore to the lugger the Count and the Major remained silent. At length they came along side the little vessel, a rope was thrown to them, and they went up the side. The yawl was immediately hauled up, all sail was set, and the lugger stood out to sea. "Ah!" the Count exclaimed on perceiving Michael, "You are here, then I am saved!" "I hope so," the latter replied; "but come, my lord, we have matters to discuss." They went down into the cabin, followed by the Major. "There, now we can talk, Captain--the first thing is to settle our accounts." "Our accounts?" M. de Barmont repeated, in surprise. "Yes, let us proceed regularly. You promised this gentleman 50,000 livres?" "Yes, I did." "And you authorize me to give them to him?" "Certainly." "Good; in that case he shall have them." Then, turning to the Major--"You have scrupulously kept your promises, and we will keep ours as loyally. Here, in the first place, is your diamond, which I give you back: I will hand you over the money in a moment. I suppose you no more wish to remain in France than we do--eh?" "I do not wish it the least in the world," the Major replied, delighted at having regained possession of his diamond. "Where would you like to be landed? Will England suit you, or do you prefer Italy?" "Well, I do not exactly know." "Do you like Spain better? 'Tis all the same to me." "Why not Portugal?" "Done for Portugal. We will drop you there in passing." The Count had listened with growing surprise to this conversation, which was incomprehensible to him. "What is the meaning of all this?" he at length asked. "It means, Captain," Michael distinctly answered, "that the King has not signed the pardon--that you are a prisoner, and would probably have remained so all your life had not this gentleman, luckily for you, consented to open the door." "Sir!" the Count exclaimed, making a movement toward the Major. Michael stopped him.