"Yes, gentlemen, you were right," said Pontcalec; "but I also was right to believe in this prediction, for it will be accomplished, as the others were. Only this time I yield, and confess that we are lost." And by a spontaneous movement the four gentlemen threw themselves into each other's arms with fervent prayers to Heaven. "What do you order?" asked the executioner. "It is useless to tie their hands if they will give their words of honor; they are soldiers and gentlemen." CHAPTER XXXVII. THE TRAGEDY OF NANTES. Meanwhile Gaston posted along the road to Nantes, leaving behind him all postilions, whose place, then as now, was to hold the horses instead of urging them on. He had already passed Sevres and Versailles, and on arriving at Rambouillet just at daybreak, he saw the innkeeper and some postilions gathered round a horse which had just been bled. The horse was lying stretched on its side, in the middle of the street, breathing with difficulty. Gaston at first paid no attention to all this; but as he was mounting himself, he heard one of the by-standers say: "If he goes on at that pace he will kill more than one between this and Nantes." Gaston was on the point of starting, but struck by a sudden and terrible idea, he stopped and signed to the innkeeper to come to him. The innkeeper approached. "Who has passed by here?" asked Gaston, "going at such a pace as to have put that poor animal in such a state?" "A courier of the minister's," answered the innkeeper. "A courier of the minister's!" exclaimed Gaston, "and coming from Paris?" "From Paris." "How long has he passed, more or less?" "About two hours." Gaston uttered a low cry which was like a groan. He knew Dubois--Dubois, who had tricked him under the disguise of La Jonquiere. The good will of the minister recurred to his mind and frightened him. Why this courier dispatched post haste just two hours before himself? "Oh! I was too happy," thought the young man, "and Helene was right when she told me she had a presentiment of some great misfortune. Oh, I will overtake this courier, and learn the message that he bears, or perish in the attempt." And he shot off like an arrow. But with all these doubts and interrogations he had lost ten minutes more, so that on arriving at the first post station he was still two hours behind. This time the courier's horse had held out, and it was Gaston's which was ready to drop. The inn-keeper tried to make some remarks, but Gaston dropped two or three louis and set off again at a gallop. At the next posting-house he had gained a few minutes, and that was all. The courier who was before him had not slackened his pace. Gaston increased his own; but this frightful rapidity redoubled the young man's fever and mistrust.