Michel was to lie in wait opposite the inn of the Belle-Alliance; Jacques was to station himself outside of Bourg, just where the main road divides into three branches, one going to Saint-Amour, another to Saint-Claude, and the third to Nantua.

This last was at the same time the highroad to Geneva.

It was evident that unless M.de Valensolle returned upon his steps, which was not probable, he would take one or another of these three roads.
The father started in one direction, the son in another.

Michel went toward the town by the road to Pont-d'Ain, passing the church of Brou.
Jacques crossed the Reissouse, followed the right bank of the little river, and found himself, after walking a few hundred yards beyond the town, at the sharp angle made by the parting of the three roads.

Father and son reached their separate posts at about the same time.
At this particular moment, that is to say, about seven o'clock, the stillness and solitude surrounding the Chateau des Noires-Fontaines was broken by the arrival of a post-chaise, which stopped before the iron gate.