“Can you not say what you have to say where you are?” came the Marquise's voice. “No, Madame,” answered La Boulaye coldly, “I cannot.” “Oh, it is 'Madame' and 'Mademoiselle' now, eh? What have you done to the man, child, to have earned us so much deference.” “May I remind Mademoiselle,” put in La Boulaye firmly, “that time presses, and that there is much to be done?” “I am here, Monsieur” she answered, as without more ado, and heedless of her mother's fresh remarks, she stepped from the carriage. La Boulaye proffered his wrist to assist her to alight, then reclosed the door, and led her slowly towards the stable. “Where are the soldiers?” she whispered. “Every soul in the inn is asleep,” he answered. “I have drugged them all, from the Captain down to the hostess. The only one left is the ostler, who is sleeping in one of the outhouses here. Him you must take with you, not only because it is not possible to drug him as well, but also because the blame of your escape must rest on someone, and it may as well rest on him as another.” “But why not on you?” she asked. “Because I must remain.” “Ah!” It was no more than a breath of interrogation, and her face was turned towards him as she awaited an explanation. “I have given it much thought, Suzanne, and unless someone remains to cover, as it were, your retreat, I am afraid that your flight might be vain, and that you would run an overwhelming risk of recapture. You must remember the resourcefulness of this fellow, Tardivet, and his power in the country here. If he were to awake to the discovery that I had duped him, he would be up and after us, and I make little doubt that it would not be long ere he found the scent and ran us to earth. Tomorrow I shall discover your flight and the villainy of the ostler, and I shall so organise the pursuit that you shall not be overtaken.” There was a moment's pause, during which La Boulaye seemed to expect some question. But none came, so he proceeded: “Your original intention was to make for Prussia, where you say that your father and your brother are awaiting you.” “Yes, Monsieur. Beyond the Moselle--at Treves.” “You must alter your plans,” said he shortly. “Your mother, no doubt, will insist upon repairing thither, and I will see that the road is left open for her escape. At Soignies you, Suzanne, can hire yourself a berline, that will take you back to France.” “Back to France?” she echoed. “Yes, back to France. That is the unlikeliest road on which to think of pursuing you, and thus you will baffle Charlot. Let your mother proceed on her journey to Prussia, but tell her to avoid Charleroi, and to go round by Liege. Thus only can she hope to escape Tardivet's men that are patrolling the road from France. As for you, Suzanne, you had best go North as far as Oudenarde, so as to circumvent the Captain's brigands on that side. Then make straight for Roubaix, and await me at the 'Hotel des Cloches.'”