One of the strangers wore top-boots and the livery of a servant.

As they approached, he fell back, and the remaining two--a man and a woman on his arm--came more clearly into view.

Marie reached me some twenty yards ahead of them.
"I met no one till I was at the inn," she said, "and then this carriage was driving by; and I told them that a gentleman lay hurt on the sands, and they came to help you to carry him up." I nodded and walked forward to meet them; for by now I knew the man, yes, and the woman, though she wore a veil.

And it was too late to stop their approach.

Uncovering my head, I stepped up to them, and they stopped in surprise at seeing me.