It was no longer a matter of gold spilled upon the highroad, but of blood to be shed--not of pistols loaded with powder, and wielded by a child's hands, but of deadly weapons handled by soldiers accustomed to their use.
For the rest, as Montbar had all the day that was dawning and the morrow before him in which to mature his plans, he contented himself with asking his groom to inquire which postilion would take the coach at Macon at five o'clock for the two stages between Macon and Belleville.
He also sent him to buy four screw-rings and two padlocks fastening with keys.
He already knew that the mail was due at Macon at half past four, waited for the travellers to dine, and started again punctually at five.
No doubt all his plans were previously laid, for, after giving these directions, Montbar dismissed his servant and went to sleep like a man who has long arrears of slumber to make up.
The next morning he did not wake, or rather did not come downstairs until nine o'clock.

He asked casually what had become of his noisy neighbor, and was told that he had started in the Lyons mail at six in the morning, with his friend the colonel of the Chasseurs; but the landlord thought they had only engaged places as far as Tonnerre.
If Monsieur de Jayat had interested himself in the young officer, the latter, in turn, had made inquiries about him, asking who he was, whether he came habitually to the hotel, and whether he would be willing to sell his horse.

The landlord had replied that he knew Monsieur de Jayat well, for he was in the habit of coming to the hotel whenever business brought him to Macon, and that, as for the horse, he did not believe, considering the affection the young gentleman showed for the animal, that he would consent to part with him for any price.

On which the traveller had departed without saying any more.
After breakfast M.de Jayat, who seemed to find time hanging heavily on his hands, ordered his horse, mounted it, and rode out from Macon by the Lyons road.

As long as he was in the town he allowed his horse to take the pace his fancy dictated, but once beyond it, he gathered up the reins and pressed the animal with his knees.