An evil omen!" The next day Grimaud was on foot again.

The service commanded by M.de Beaufort was happily accomplished.

The flotilla, sent to Toulon by the exertions of Raoul, had set out, dragging after it in little nutshells, almost invisible, the wives and friends of the fishermen and smugglers put in requisition for the service of the fleet.

The time, so short, which remained for father and son to live together, appeared to go by with double rapidity, like some swift stream that flows towards eternity.

Athos and Raoul returned to Toulon, which began to be filled with the noise of carriages, with the noise of arms, the noise of neighing horses.