“They will, of course, do that,” I said, and strained my eyes down each of the valleys in turn. Our position commanded a considerable view of the surrounding country, but the château was hidden by a low spur of hill which ran down into the valley at our left. I fancied I could still see in the sky the reflection of the light from the burning tower, but a moment later I saw it was the sun just peeping over the trees to the east. Then I began to chafe at the delay, for it seemed to me that we were wasting time. I glanced at my companion and found that apparently he had totally forgotten me. “Pasdeloup,” I said at last, “are you quite sure that M. le Comte must pass this hill?” He looked up with a start and a frown. “Yes,” he answered harshly; and I saw that he himself was disturbed by the delay. “To north and south are only open fields where people are working, and many houses. He could not hope to pass that way unseen, especially with the women. He will know this. He will know that he must follow this valley to the west. In this way he can keep to the shelter of the hills until he reaches the valley of the Dive. Beyond that is the Bocage.” “Yes,” I agreed; “it is the Bocage he will seek to reach. But perhaps he has already passed.” Pasdeloup shook his head. “Impossible. We came by a shorter way which the women could not have followed. Besides, he said he would wait for you. It is that which is delaying him. He fancies you are lost somewhere in the woods down yonder. I shall have to seek him;” and he rose to his feet with sudden resolution. Then he stopped and stood for an instant staring down the valley. “It is they!” he cried. “It is they!” I sprang to my feet and followed with my eyes his pointing finger. For some moments I saw nothing--only the tangle of trees and underbrush; then I caught a movement among the trees and three figures came out into the little glade below us. The women advanced slowly and with difficulty, as though already weary. M. le Comte paused to look back. “You were right,” I said, touched to the heart. “He is still seeking me.” But Pasdeloup had placed his hand behind his ear and was listening intently, his face of a sudden rigid as stone. “They have waited for you too long,” he said roughly. “They are followed;” and he plunged down the hillside, I after him. M. le Comte had given an arm to each of the women and was hurrying them forward, encouraging each in turn. Not until we were almost upon them did he hear us; then he snatched out his pistols and whirled toward us. “M. le Comte!” I cried. “Madame!” But my eyes were only for that other face, gray and dreary in the cold light of the morning. She had been staring listlessly at the ground, but at sound of my voice she started round upon me, her face white as death.