his purse. Get them into the stable to-night, and call us at daybreak."

"Can you trust him to procure really good animals?" I asked, when the
man had gone out.

"There are few keener judges of horseflesh than Edouard, monsieur; and
now let us to bed."

Jacques had lost his gloomy fit; there seemed little likelihood of
danger, and I slept soundly till wakened by our host. Dressing hastily
we went straight to the stables, and were more than satisfied with our
new animals. They were beautiful creatures, shaped for both speed and
endurance, and I did not grudge the money the landlord had spent.

"They should carry us to our journey's end," said Jacques in a whisper;
"the sight of them gives me fresh courage. I care not a rap of the
fingers now for our chance acquaintance!"

"The cavalier seems to have turned your brain!" I laughed.

"Maybe 'twas only an idle fancy, but I mistrusted the fellow. Perhaps
you will laugh, but I thought he might be one of those who attacked
Monsieur Devine."

"Well?" I said, startled by this statement, and yet puzzled to
understand how it affected us.

"If so, he must be trying to obtain possession of the papers. He would
follow the wounded man, and suddenly lose him. He failed to get any
information from old Pierre, and he learned little from us; but the