“Mais oui. It is safer to be in hiding than to journey on. There is a cottage in a wood, which belongs to a friend of mine, and he has made ready for our coming. A little way ahead still. The danger increases each minute. For if any man should see us now, and the gendarmes coming here should learn that we have lately passed—voyez-vous? Can M’sieu increase his speed?” Roy made a vehement effort, and Jean grasped his arm, urging him along. Presently they neared the wood, and turned in thither, Jean’s look of anxiety lessening as the trees closed round them. He consented then to a slight relaxation of their pace, though reiterating his “_Courage_, M’sieu—one more half-hour, and the worst is done.” The half-hour seemed a very long one to Roy. “Eh bien, a little slower—oui—but we are nearly there, and M’sieu will be able to rest. At night-fall we shall start again, refreshed.” “Will you come with me still? Jean, you _are_ a good fellow!” gasped Roy. “If I can see Monsieur safe off French ground, then I will let _ces Messieurs_ know at Verdun, and it will gladden their hearts.” “But what made you think of it? Did you come to Bitche only to see your friend?” “M’sieu will not ask too many questions. No one at Bitche knew that we were friends. If M’sieu should be re-taken, it is well that he should know nothing.” “You don’t think I’d betray you, Jean!” “Non. But for the sake of M’sieu himself——” “And I hope I’m not going to be re-taken.” “The good God grant it, M’sieu.” “Then you came there just to see him,” persisted Roy. “Non. To see M’sieu.” “You knew I was there?” Jean assented. “Who told you?” Roy was again interested, and walked the better for being so. “M’sieu, it was a young lady—not English. She is French, and she lives under the same roof with Monsieur’s friends—le bon Colonel et Monsieur le Capitaine.” “But how did she come across you?” “I was at St. Mihiel, M’sieu.” “I know. We drove there once, to see the place. My father had to pay a pretty big douceur, but we went.” “Naturellement. St. Mihiel is but seven leagues from Verdun, and on the river. And this Demoiselle——” “Mademoiselle de St. Roques——” “M’sieu has the name—precisely. Mademoiselle de St. Roques had some affair in the place, claiming her attention; and she was there for some days. Mademoiselle and I chanced to meet—it matters not how at this moment—and when I learnt that she was from Verdun, I asked her, had she ever seen M. le Colonel and the tall Monsieur le Capitaine, and the young gentleman with them? Then she asked me questions, and I found that she knew them—ah, very well indeed, as M’sieu is aware. And she told me of M’sieu being sent to Bitche, and of the great trouble it was to those others.” “Did she say—were they all well, Jean?”