That night Denis dropped into a deep but at the same time a thoroughly uneasy sleep, in which at times it seemed to him that he was being pursued, at others that he was the pursuer, while people were constantly getting into his way, shouting out lustily, "You cannot pass!" He was in terrible anxiety too about his master, who was just ahead, urging on his horse, not apparently along an ordinary respectable country road, but through what seemed to be absolutely interminable galleries of a palace. He wanted to tell him to turn either to the right or to the left, and by that means escape from what appeared to be a labyrinth; but unluckily he could not get his horse abreast of that of his master, and the wind was blowing so hard that his voice would not carry. He was just about to shout "France! France!" when he woke up, with the perspiration standing on his brow and the conviction full upon him as he reached for his cloak and sword that real danger did threaten his lord, when Leoni seized his arm. "Come, boy," he said, and he led him into the room where Francis and Saint Simon were talking. And then sounds below caught the boy's ear, the trampling of horses and the _burr, burr_, of deep-toned voices, one of which said angrily: "We had traces of the fugitives up to this place. Did they come here?" "No," was the landlord's prompt reply. "Well, we must remain here for the night." "But, sir, I have no room in my poor inn for such a company as yours." "What you have will serve," was the response, and the speaker entered the inn, striding past the host. Francis heard these last words. "We must come to a great resolution, gentlemen," he said calmly. "We must separate. Singly you may get through. You will leave me here as I am ill. I will follow as best I can. Go." "Never, Sire," said Leoni, and his one word had two echoes in the little room. "But--" began Francis, and he stopped, for there was a noise on the stairs, and the landlord was heard exclaiming: "I assure you, sir, that the room is not fit--" "Well, there is a light in it anyway." "It is empty, sir." "I see a light under the door." "But my guests cannot be disturbed." "You said that the room was empty just now. Peste! Your word seems doubtful. I will see for myself." The landlord was silent. "Stand out of the way, old man, and let me pass, if you value your head." The door was pushed roughly open, and the Captain of the Guard strode in. "Found!" he cried. "I shall save my credit at Court.--Gentlemen," he went on, with the utmost courtesy and bowing low, "his Majesty the King, disappointed with your abrupt leave-taking, has commanded me to escort you back to his palace." "It is impossible," cried Leoni sternly. "The Count was seriously wounded as we left the gates. You see for yourself. He is faint and weak." "I am very sorry, sir," replied the captain sternly, "but I have his Majesty's orders."