With his cloak thrown back over his shoulders, his mask hidden in the holster, his hat pulled low over his eyes, the rider resumed his rapid pace, checked for an instant, passed through Bedarides at a gallop, and reaching the first houses in Orange, entered the gate of one which closed immediately behind him.

A servant in waiting sprang to the bit.
The rider dismounted quickly.
"Is your master here ?" he asked the domestic.
"No, Monsieur the Baron," replied the man; "he was obliged to go away last night, but he left word that if Monsieur should ask for him, to say that he had gone in the interests of the Company." "Very good, Baptiste.

I have brought back his horse in good condition, though somewhat tired.

Rub him down with wine, and give him for two or three days barley instead of oats.

He has covered something like one hundred miles since yesterday morning." "Monsieur the Baron was satisfied with him ?" "Perfectly satisfied.