nt city of Troyes. So near, indeed, had he arrived that its walls and fortifications were plainly visible to him, and

gued by the long journey she had made in so rough a fashion, but often woke up and, thrust

o be quartered at Versailles, while two other troops of the "Gris" were to replace them-a piece of news that had given St. Georges almost as much pleasure as it had done to the other. For it seemed to him that, sho

ur child, I shall be. Meanwhile, prosecute your inquiries as to the rank and position-ay, and the fortune!-you believe, is yours, and may the good God put you in the right way! Farewell, monsieur, and Heav

t, if she should need it, you may be by to do so again." Whereon, with a farewell to his new friend and to several officers and men who had all

e to the safety of the highroads, and had informed the captain of the maréchausse-or mounted patrol of the highroads-of the attac

or, the campaigns being over, he pours back into it thousands of disbanded soldiers who, for want of aught else to do, become filous and spad

"or at least the leader was not. Oh! that I may meet him again,

him, then,

as well as protected his head, I may not even a

ct, and I may do something-may cal

whose appearance in your neighbourhood seems suspicious, and who"-remembering the description given by the man they had gagged and left tied to the tree at Aignay-le-Duc-"is young, with a brown beard cropped close and gray eyes, I pray you question him as to

warrant him against your sword. If we can but bring his attack on you at Aignay-le-Duc

nd hope the punishment he deserves shall reach him through

r Condé. "Ma foi! we have great powers, we of the maréchausse, and for brigandage on the king's highway we use those powers swiftly

ges left the old man, and now, as

nd face to face with her, he supposed was certain. She would scarce let an officer of the chevaux-légers stay in her house-sent there by the king's orders-and not summon him to her presence. Moreover, did he not

e, too, wish me dead-and you-you, also, my darling," with a pressure of his arm against his burden, "as well? Mon Dieu! If that is so, then it is to the lion's jaws I am going in entering this manoir of hers. No matter! I will do it. It is in the king's name I present myself; let us see who dares assault his messenger.

journey, his sudden summons from Pontarlier to Paris, was not some deeply devised plot to remove him out of existence. For, although he had long suspected who and what he was, might it not be the case that those in whose light he stood had only recently learned that such was the case? And, if such were the fact, what a revelation, what a blow,

pass upon their way, come across their path? Bah!" he finally exclaimed, "it is a coincidence that I should so travel their road, seek shelter in the house that my father's heir dwells in. It may be that when I see this you

Boussac at Aignay-le-Duc were more than common bravos. Otherwise the child's life would not have been sought as fiercely as

ll, he would be cautious as regarded one thing-his child. She, at least, was under no orders to seek shelt

such I will find. If as-God help me!-I must suppose, this she-wolf and her husband's son seek our lives, at least they shall get no chance at

slowly into the quaint streets, soon came to a great auberge which looked as though suitable for the purpose he required, a shelter for the child. In the vast kitchen, or hall, through whose diamond-paned windows he could see perfectly, he perceived a young bare-armed woman cooking

e appearance, asked if he desired to rest there for the nig

ed here for one night. See, friend," he continued, opening his cloak, "I bear one here who has be

e little helpless thing sleeping on its father's arm rouse

rude cradle for la petite. Yet-there is no hostess; the landlord's

oquemaure at her manoir. Where is that manoir?

orth, on the Paris road. If you have com

come. Now, quick, can I leav

es standing by his horse easing its saddle, and then holding a bucket of w

rms bare-a girl whose face looked kind and honest. And again with her, as with the others, her heart went out to the little child in th

ter for and watchfulness over the child, he having to visit the Manoir de Roqu

me-it is a pretty thing, and see-see-how tired it is!-how it yawns!-then I will do my best. It may sleep with me, and

kfully," St. Georges replied. "Your

, and so let the waitress take it away. But, because something told him he was in a dangerous neighbourhood, he impressed upon her that she should in no way leave it more than was absolutely necessary; above all, he begged her and the host

ay. The child shall not leave me till I rise at daw

," said he, patting its flank, "you have another league to do, my friend, ere your rest comes." And the animal being refreshed, he gave

ouse of the woman De Vannes loved, the house of the man wh