He drew a pencil and a note-book from his pocket and made an accurate plan of the position.

Then he returned to Macon.
Two hours later his groom departed, carrying the plan to Morgan, having informed his master that Antoine was the name of the postilion who was to take the coach from Macon to Belleville.

The groom also gave him the four screw-rings and the two padlocks he had purchased.
Montbar ordered up a bottle of old Burgundy, and sent for Antoine.
Ten minutes later Antoine appeared.

He was a fine, handsome fellow, twenty-five or six years of age, about Montbar's height; a fact which the latter, in looking him over from head to foot, remarked with satisfaction.

The postilion paused at the threshold, and, carrying his hand to his hat in a military salute, he said: "Did the citizen send for me ?" "Are you the man they call Antoine ?" asked Montbar.
"At your service, and that of your company." "Well, you can serve me, friend.