Roland could see through the underbrush the path by which the body had been carried.

The broken branches, the trampled grass, led Roland to the edge of the wood on the road leading from Pont d'Ain to Bourg.

There the body, living or dead, seemed to have been laid on the bank of the ditch.

Beyond that no traces whatever.
A man passed just then, coming from the direction of the Chateau des Noires-Fontaines.

Roland went up to him.
"Have you seen anything on the road?
Did you meet any one ?" he inquired.
"Yes," replied the man, "I saw two peasants carrying a body on a litter." "Ah!" cried Roland, "was it that of a living man ?" "The man was pale and motionless; he looked as if he were dead." "Was the blood flowing ?" "I saw some drops on the road." "In that case, he is living." Then taking a louis from his pocket he said: "There's a louis for you.
Run for Dr.Milliet at Bourg; tell him to get a horse and come at full speed to the Chateau des Noires-Fontaines.