Clambering over the ties, they jumped a hedge, floundered in a hole full of water, scratching their hands and tearing their clothes; they rolled down a grassy slope, stuck in a ploughed field, then dropped to the ground, motionless, as a fearful din burst like thunder on the hush of the night. The Simplon express, racing at full speed, had crashed into the two carriages left on the rails and smashed them to bits, while the engine and forward carriages of the train were telescoped. XIV FLIGHT THROUGH THE NIGHT Scarcely had Loupart received Josephine in his arms, as she jumped from the carriage, than he strenuously urged his companions to make haste. "Now, then, boys, off we go, and quickly, too! Josephine, pick up your skirts and get a move on!" It was a dark night, without moon, favourable to the robber's plans. For a good fifteen minutes the ill-omened crew continued their retreat by forced march. From time to time Loupart questioned the "Beard": "This the way?" The other nodded assent: "Keep on, we'll get there." At length they descried the white ribbon of a road winding up the side of the low hill and vanishing in the distance into a small wood. "There's the track," declared the Beard. "To Dijon?" "No, to Verrez." "That's a good thing; now, stop and listen to me." Loupart sat down on the grass and addressed them. "It's been a good stroke, friends, but unfortunately it's not finished yet. They took precautions we couldn't foresee. We have only part of the fat. We share up to-morrow evening." He was answered by growls of disappointment. "I said to-morrow evening," he repeated. "Those who aren't satisfied with that can stay away. There'll be all the more for the others. Now, we must separate. Josephine, you, the Beard and I will get back together. There's work for us in Paris. The others scatter and take care not to get pinched; be back in the nest by ten." Loupart motioned to the Beard and Josephine to follow him. "Show us the way, Beard." "Where to?" "The telegraph office." "What's up?" "Why, you idiot," replied Loupart, "we've been robbed! The wine-dealer's notes are only halves! The swine insured himself for nothing." The Beard broke out into recriminations. "To have a hundred and fifty notes in your pocket, and they good for nothing! There was no such thing as Providence! It was sickening." "Come, don't get angry, two halves will make a whole." "You know where to lay hands on the rest?" "Yes, old man." "That's our job to-morrow evening? That's why you're chasing to the telegraph office?" Loupart clenched his fists. "That and something else; there's bigger game afoot." "What?" "Juve." "Oh, the devil!" murmured the Beard, divided between pleasure and fear. "You've got the beggar?" "I have." "Sure?" "Sure." The little group moved forward in silence. At length Josephine began to tire. "Say, have we much further to go?"