"M. de Talhouet," said Pontcalec, in the tone of a man who has a right to issue commands, "watch that no one approaches." M. de Talhouet obeyed, and rode round in a circle, keeping both eyes and ears open. "And now," said the marquis, "let us put out our lantern, since we have found our man!" "Messieurs," said De Chanlay, "all this seems to me somewhat strange. It appears that you were following me--that you were seeking for me, now you have found me, and may put out your lantern. What does it mean? If it is a joke, I confess I think both time and place ill-chosen." "No, monsieur," replied Pontcalec, in his hard, dry voice, "it is not a joke; it is an interrogatory." "An interrogatory?" said De Chanlay, frowning. "An explanation, rather," said Montlouis. "Interrogatory or explanation, it matters not," said Pontcalec, "the thing is too serious to argue about words. M. de Chanlay, I repeat, reply to our questions." "You speak roughly, Marquis de Pontcalec," replied the chevalier. "If I command, it is because I have the right to do so. Am I, or am I not, your chief?" "Certainly you are; but that is no reason for forgetting the consideration which one gentleman owes to another." "Monsieur de Chanlay, all these objections seem to me like shuffling. You have sworn to obey--do so now." "I swore to obey," replied the chevalier, "but not as a servant." "You swore to obey as a slave. Obey, then, or submit to the consequences of your disobedience!" "Monsieur le Marquis--!" "My dear Gaston," cried Montlouis, "speak, I beg, as soon as possible: by a word you can remove all suspicion." "Suspicion!" cried Gaston, pale with anger, "am _I_ suspected, then?" "Certainly you are," said Pontcalec, with his ordinary roughness. "Do you think if we did not suspect you we should amuse ourselves by following you on such a night as this?" "Oh, that is quite another matter!" said Gaston, coldly; "tell me your suspicions--I listen." "Chevalier, remember the facts; we four were conspiring together, and we did not seek your aid; you offered it, saying, that besides being willing to aid in the public good, you had a private revenge to serve in this. Am I not right?" "You are." "We received you--welcomed you as a friend, as a brother; we told you all our hopes, all our plans; nay, more--you were elected, by chance, the one to strike the glorious blow. Each one of us offered to take your part, but you refused. Is it not so?" "You have spoken the strictest truth, marquis." "This very morning we drew the lots; this evening you should be on the road to Paris. Instead of that, where do we find you? on the road to Clisson, where are lodged the mortal enemies of Breton independence, where lives your sworn foe--the Marechal de Montesquieu." "Ah! monsieur," said Gaston, scornfully. "Reply by open words, and not by sneers: reply, M. de Chanlay, and quickly." "Reply, Gaston," said Du Couëdic and Montlouis, imploringly. "And to what am I to reply?"