The man[oe]uvre was made with the rapidity of a military evolution, and none too soon; for the new-comer was seen to emerge from the darkness as the pair reached their posts. Rameau-d'or, whose eyes were by this time accustomed to the dim light, saw at once that he was a young man about twenty years of age, running, rather than walking, in the same direction as themselves. He had his hat in his hand, which made him the more easily recognized, and his hair, blown back by the wind, left his face entirely exposed. An exclamation of surprise burst from Rameau-d'or, as the young man came close to him; then he hesitated a minute, still in doubt, and allowed the other to pass him by three or four steps, before he cried out:-- "Michel!" The new-comer, who did not expect to hear his name called in that lonely place, jumped to one side, and said in a voice that quivered with emotion:-- "Who called me?" "I," said Rameau-d'or, taking off his hat and a wig he had been wearing, and advancing to his friend with no other disguise than his Breton clothes. "Henri de Bonneville!" exclaimed Baron Michel, in amazement. "Myself. But don't say my name so loud. We are in a land where every bush and ditch and tree shares with the walls the privilege of having ears." "True!" said Michel, alarmed; "and besides--" "Besides what?" asked M. de Bonneville. "You must have come for the uprising they talk of?" "Precisely. And now, in two words, on which side are you?" "I?" "Yes, you." "My good friend," said the young baron, "I have no fixed opinions; though I will admit in a whisper--" "Whisper as much as you like; admit what? Make haste." "Well, I will admit that I incline toward Henri V." "My dear Michel," cried the count, gayly, "if you incline toward Henri V. that is enough for me." "Stop; I don't say that I am positively decided." "So much the better. I shall finish your conversion; and, in order that I may do so at once, I shall ask you to take me in for the night at your château, and also a friend who accompanies me." "Where is your friend?" asked Michel. "Here he is," said Petit-Pierre, riding forward, and bowing to the young baron, with an ease and grace that contrasted curiously with the dress he wore. Michel looked at the little peasant for a moment, and then approaching Bonneville, he said:-- "Henri, what is your friend's name?" "Michel, you are lacking in all the traditions of hospitality. You forget the 'Odyssey,' my dear fellow, and I am distressed at you. Why do you want to know my friend's name? Isn't it enough if I tell you he is a man of good birth?" "Are you sure he is a man at all?" The count and Petit-Pierre burst out laughing. "So you insist on knowing the names of those you receive in your house?" "Not for my sake, my dear Henri,--not for mine, I swear to you; but in the château de la Logerie--" "Well?--in the château de la Logerie?" "I am not master."